Full frame DSLR camera's anyone? Nikon D800 or ?

S

Sid Post

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Oct 14, 1998
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I'm considering a Nikon D800 camera with a "kit lens" quality 28~85mm compact lens or an intermediate "prime" and a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G zoom. I was considering a D600 but, I don't want to deal with oil on the internal components (reported as dust by others).

Should I wait for the Canon 7D? Or consider the Canon EOS-5D Mark III? I don't have any lenses that I will "carry over" from another camera so, I want to start right considering the lenses are a big driver in the purchase decision and long term ownership experience.

I'm traveling a lot and want to shoot landscapes, architecture, outdoor events, wildlife, and other related things. Studio photography really isn't a consideration. I also want something that won't "quit or fail" me on an international trip.

What words of wisdom do the experienced have for someone like myself stepping up from limited 35mm film experience and several good compact digital cameras?

I don't think I need the expense or bulk of a medium format camera so, I've budgeted ~$4000~$5000 for the initial camera body and two lenses and I'm focused on full frame (FX/35mm) cameras. The DX/APS-C are nice cameras but, I want more performance and potentially larger prints without the associated lens issues so, I've basically ruled those out.

TIA,
Sid
 
You will get lots of people on both sides of the fence for Canon or Nikon debate. Personally I was in your boat and went with Canon. I got a 7D and have been very happy with it. Keep in mind though that the 7D IS NOT full frame, it is a crop sensor. I got mine when the 7D was new and the Mark III was not yet on the market. If I had it to do over I might wait and get the Mark III, but then again I do like my 7D just fine. I am not a professional, and the only thing I really miss on the crop sensor is the ability to get really wide shots. I have been hesitant to get a wide lens due to the crop. I have 2 lenses, one being the "kit" lens for the Mark III (L series 24-105mm) the other a prime 50mm. I almost never take the zoom off the camera to be honest. Once in a while shooting shots of my son in the house I will use the prime, but I really like the zoom lens. Maybe think about trying the Mark III with the kit lens I mention and hold off on a second lens until you really know where the kit lens is weak and where you want to focus more. If you are the same level photographer I am, intermediate, you will be happy with any of the mentioned cameras for a long time to come. I just added a 600EX-RT flash to my kit bag as the built in flash should probably not even be on the camera. Consider a ND filter as well with your initial purchase for what you are wanting to shoot it might help a lot. If you go with one lens to start you will have more budget left to grab a few other accessories. Something else that is nice to have is a remote shutter release. I got both the wireless and the cabled versions. The wireless sees a lot more use for me than the cabled version, but that will depend on what you want to do with them.

Still on my "to buy" list are a nice macro lens and a nice zoom lens (maybe 100-400mm). Probably not in that order.

A few other accessories to think about. I got a second battery, which means on most trips I hardly need to bring the charger as long as I fully charge both beforehand. Also, look for a nice big fast card, I went with 64 gig and have never even come close to filling it, even shooting RAW+ Jpeg. I have since stopped shooting the Jpeg and only shoot RAW as I decided the Jpeg was a waste of drive space. Can always save as Jpeg later for posting online or whatever. If you decide to go the Nikon route, you may have the option of using 2 cards, one of the few benefits I saw to Nikon. This way you can have them mirror each other as a backup. Being an amateur this is probably not really something you have to worry about, but it would suck to get home after a 2 week trip and lose all your photos to a failed card.
 
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Apples to Apples, they are both amazing cameras that can do everything you want and more.

I think it comes down to feel, cost and accessories you need.
Also look at weight of the body and lens in both models using the same items, carrying all day a few ounces will ad up.

For traveling I would get a card reader and save my shots on a external hard drive, those cameras can shoot lots of pictures in a short time so no risk in loosing anything.

I tried the D600 and nah, its not worth it for a what $800 difference to the big dog..
Im going to keep saving for mine.
 
I loved my 5D mrk 2, i took over 100k photos with it in just over 3 years, i am dying to get a 5D mrk 3, want the new autofocus, but i dont have the money right now since im getting married and all funds go to that, i would go full frame, once you go full you never go back to crop lol, i know a couple of my friends have the d800 and don't use it to full potation in file size since they are HUGEEEEE like 75mb a pic
 
skivic said:
i would go full frame, once you go full you never go back to crop lol, i know a couple of my friends have the d800 and don't use it to full potation in file size since they are HUGEEEEE like 75mb a pic
Click to expand...

Yes, full resolution pictures in any loss-less format with a 20~40Mp sensor are going to be VERY LARGE!
 
I've been shooting a Nikon D700 for years, and I love it too much to be motivated to upgrade. I shoot both systems, though, and my experience with full frame bodies from Canon and Nikon is that any of either company's recent offerings is going to be pretty great.
 
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