Full Frame DSLR Advice
Discussion
I am looking to add a full frame body to my kit bag. I do not have the money for the Body I would like.
My wish list is a D810A, but until then I was considering a used D300s as I have noticed they are going for 100-150 on Ebay and there is one used in a local camera shop for 175. Is it worth buying or just wait for a D810A
I am typically taking family photos and landscapes
My Kit list includes
D7000
Kit Lens 18-105 (DX Lens)
Nikon 24-70 F2.8 VR
Nikon 50mm F1.8
SB-700 Flash
Canon G12
My wish list is a D810A, but until then I was considering a used D300s as I have noticed they are going for 100-150 on Ebay and there is one used in a local camera shop for 175. Is it worth buying or just wait for a D810A
I am typically taking family photos and landscapes
My Kit list includes
D7000
Kit Lens 18-105 (DX Lens)
Nikon 24-70 F2.8 VR
Nikon 50mm F1.8
SB-700 Flash
Canon G12
The "A" in the D810A name is to signify astrophotography, so unless you want shots of the night sky, the "normal" D810 is all you need
I have one - great body, although to be fair, the glass makes a huge difference too (ie a poor lens on a great body will give worse results than a good lens on a poor body)
Something I've learned from this forum in the last couple of years is that knowledge and technique is just as important as equipment - I've seen some absolutely stunning shots from very ordinary equipment.
In your position, unless you have the money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd go for a cheaper FF body and get some practice in. That said, if you are certain that you'll have a new FF body eventually AND you have the cash, then go for it - I've never regretted buying mine.
I have one - great body, although to be fair, the glass makes a huge difference too (ie a poor lens on a great body will give worse results than a good lens on a poor body)
Something I've learned from this forum in the last couple of years is that knowledge and technique is just as important as equipment - I've seen some absolutely stunning shots from very ordinary equipment.
In your position, unless you have the money burning a hole in your pocket, I'd go for a cheaper FF body and get some practice in. That said, if you are certain that you'll have a new FF body eventually AND you have the cash, then go for it - I've never regretted buying mine.
I am looking specifically for the D810 for Astro photography Stuff, I have use the D7000 attached to a telescope for over 4 years for long exposure.
I have invested my cash on lenses that I have used the most, and the new 24-70 which I have had a month has not left the camera yet and was great while on holiday in Italy a few weeks back. But I did find that with the crop sensor the lens was not wide enough for some of the shots and had to go back to the G12 for these which annoyed me a little.
I cannot afford the D800 or D810 at the moment. But I want to use a full frame body, which made me think by a older body the D300s or a D600. But the D600 is still pricey used.
Nikon Kit where I am is a little cheaper than the UK The D810 (Non A Version) is 1700 compared to 2400 in the UK. The D610 is 850 here.
I have invested my cash on lenses that I have used the most, and the new 24-70 which I have had a month has not left the camera yet and was great while on holiday in Italy a few weeks back. But I did find that with the crop sensor the lens was not wide enough for some of the shots and had to go back to the G12 for these which annoyed me a little.
I cannot afford the D800 or D810 at the moment. But I want to use a full frame body, which made me think by a older body the D300s or a D600. But the D600 is still pricey used.
Nikon Kit where I am is a little cheaper than the UK The D810 (Non A Version) is 1700 compared to 2400 in the UK. The D610 is 850 here.
Edited by ThePlanner on Tuesday 18th October 09:48
ThePlanner said:
I am typically taking family photos and landscapes
Which was why everyone said the D810A is a poor / pointless choice. Now that you've said you are into astrophotography, its pretty much the only choice - it wipes the floor with the D810 for astro-stuffRecommendation - don't spend anything on a "stop-gap" FF body - it won't give you what you're looking for - save up for the D810A
ThePlanner said:
Oh Thanks, I thought the D300 was full frame
For £100 on eBay 
I thought you saw it as a temporary replacement for the D7000 while saving up for FX, thinking it was better as a '00' series camera.
It would be sensible if Nikon had kept '00' as DX and '0' as FX. However some clever marketing bloke thought nobody wanted a semi-pro DX so after the D300 they became FX - then reverted with the D500.
Edited by Simpo Two on Tuesday 18th October 16:38
Nigel_O said:
Recommendation - don't spend anything on a "stop-gap" FF body - it won't give you what you're looking for - save up for the D810A
^^^^ This 
I have two Nikon FF bodies, but came to them from much older DX ("Brick" and D70) and would probably think twice about whether the jump today from D7000 series would be worth it.
However, my time-horizon for getting value for money out of them is now 7 years because I don't think there will be bigger steps in body/sensor/AF/metering technologies once you get to with D4/D800/D7000 type bodies. You, OP, though have very specific requirements so footling around with intermediates is not worthwhile.
After a lot of reading and thinking about what I do, I decided to buy the D500
Picked up the D500 this afternoon, so will need some time adjusting to it from the D7000
Im happy with the results I have been getting on the D7000 so the other photos I have seen from the d500 on Flickr it will be a step improvement in terms of quality for me.
I will be using the d500 as my general camera to replace the d7000. The d7000 will be a backup camera from now on
..
Picked up the D500 this afternoon, so will need some time adjusting to it from the D7000
Im happy with the results I have been getting on the D7000 so the other photos I have seen from the d500 on Flickr it will be a step improvement in terms of quality for me.
I will be using the d500 as my general camera to replace the d7000. The d7000 will be a backup camera from now on
..
Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 9th December 20:32
K12beano said:
Good luck.
Haven't been following the '500 - are reviews living up to its promise?
Im torn tbh, and I really want to like it. I hired one for Silverstone Motogp and the af is all is cracked up to be.Haven't been following the '500 - are reviews living up to its promise?
There were some issues with differnt cards and battery life, but I think they are all resolved now.
Im not sure its worth the current price if Im honest.
Its good, and obv a step up from D300S, but.....
I got the d500 from my local shop for £1600 including a 35mm F1.8 lens.
I wanted the d810a but £2600 for the camera was outside my budget. So I have the d500 and will save for some more decent glass
But I'm also claiming the VAT back as I'm a non UK resident.
I wanted the d810a but £2600 for the camera was outside my budget. So I have the d500 and will save for some more decent glass
But I'm also claiming the VAT back as I'm a non UK resident.
Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 9th December 20:53
ThePlanner said:
I got the d500 from my local shop for £1600 including a 35mm F1.8 lens.
I wanted the d810a but £2600 for the camera was outside my budget. So I have the d500 and will save for some more decent glass
Pretty good price tbf...I wanted the d810a but £2600 for the camera was outside my budget. So I have the d500 and will save for some more decent glass
I wasnt dissing your choice, as it is a very good camera - Im just torn between it and D750....
I looked at the d750, but looking at the differences between them. It looked like to me that low light performance was better on the d500. Most of my photos are night or low light
https://flic.kr/p/PSz5Xz
https://flic.kr/p/PSz5Xz
Edited by ThePlanner on Friday 9th December 20:59
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