Nikon D3S... - DPChallenge Forums

12/31/2010 01:26:52 PM · #1

Yeah, someone put a bug in my ear about this, and I am so tempted. I know the next generation is already announced and on the verge or release, but that should bring down the price of the D3s. Since I seem to have a preference for dark images, the low-light performance of this camera is my main attraction to this model. My question is whether anyone who is using it finds the weight to be a problem. I'd be upgrading from the flyweight D90, a bit less than half the weight.

FocusPoint

XIAOMI Redmi Note 8 Pro

12/31/2010 01:31:29 PM · #2

Originally posted by tanguera:

... someone put a bug in my ear about this...

How far you live from this guy?

bspurgeon

Fujifilm x100

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

12/31/2010 02:09:11 PM · #3

My Dad just went from the D200 to the D700. I like the D700, played with it for a few hours. Very similar in hand feel and weight to my 5D. If you are looking to go full frame, take a look at that body.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

12/31/2010 02:23:59 PM · #4

Originally posted by FocusPoint:

Originally posted by tanguera:
... someone put a bug in my ear about this...

How far you live from this guy?

A safe distance, thank you :-)

@ Ben
I'll do that when I go to the store to play with the D3. Regardless of which I end up getting, it's going to be a hefty change to what I'm using. I might just use the D90 for street stuff, and the heavier full frame for my studio and artsy stuff.

chromeydome

Nikon D7000

12/31/2010 02:45:49 PM · #5

You might take a hard look at the d7000, check the reviews. I am planning to upgrade to it as soon as it gets back in stock this January. I think among all the reviews I have read, it was favorably compared with the d300s. and exceeded it on many counts. One review of the camera scored it among the top 10 cameras of recent years, including medium formats.

It has a larger, brighter viewfinder, and a new higher sensitivity focusing sensor, dual card slots, better high iso performance than the d90 (nearly that of the d700). I had actually been planning to save more for the d700, but with it likely to be replaced this year by the d800, and the fact taht that the d7000 has some features that the d700 does not, I will go for the d7000 now. Too many features here to name/list, but check it out. At $1199 for the body only, it seems like a stunning deal.

Ah: now I see you said D3s not D300s. Yea, if you can do a D3s (and if you can find one!) by all means do so. And loan it to me, or allow me to store it for you for "safekeeping" :-)

Message edited by author 2010-12-31 14:47:45.

tjbel05

Nikon Z9

Nikon NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S

12/31/2010 02:58:58 PM · #6

About two months ago, I was on the fence between the d3s, and the d700. I have been shooting the d300 and looking for a full frame to become my primary for the wedding I was doing and some indoor sports. Honestly I LOVE my d700....Price was in the end one of the deciding factors of course, but.... I talked to an acquaintance, who has been a featured wedding photog in the Kennebunkport, Maine area for many years and guess what...He shoots with D700's. That sealed my decesion, and I have not regretted it one bit. As for weight, I have the battery grip on mine, so it gets heavy, but I dont have to worry about changing my battery, and you get used to holding the camera.

Good Luck,
Tammy

12/31/2010 03:07:02 PM · #7

@ Chromey, Should it ever need "storing", I'll be sure to keep you in mind :-)

@ Tammy, apparently, the battery life in the D3s is SO long, you don't need an additional battery grip. Something like 4,800 shots per battery.

I've been reading the reviews and the thing that keeps pulling me towards the D3s is the low light quality. If you'll notice, I have a predilection for dark images, so this would be ideal for me. The price is a bit painful, but there are some used ones in ebay I've been looking at which seem quite reasonable. As I said, though, at just over 3 lbs, it seems like a mastodon compared to my D90, and that's without lenses. Maybe I wouldn't have to go to the gym as often...