To E-3 or D3

[VR Man]

Hi All,

I have been using the E-1 and really love the camera.

Lately I have been thinking of upgrading and am looking at the E-3 or D3.

How? Which one to get? I plan to get either the ZD 7-14mm or Nikkon 14-24mm, depending on which body I use.

Tough choice really. One D3 can buy me 2 E-3s... Lens price about the same, not much big difference.

[dorts]

Originally Posted by VR Man Hi All, I have been using the E-1 and really love the camera. Lately I have been thinking of upgrading and am looking at the E-3 or D3. How? Which one to get? I plan to get either the ZD 7-14mm or Nikkon 14-24mm, depending on which body I use. Tough choice really. One D3 can buy me 2 E-3s...

You don't mind the weight? You need high ISO performance? Can afford the D3, why not? It really depends on your needs and preference.

[spidey89]

Originally Posted by dorts You don't mind the weight? You need high ISO performance? Can afford the D3, why not? It really depends on your needs and preference.

agreed

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by dorts You don't mind the weight? You need high ISO performance? Can afford the D3, why not? It really depends on your needs and preference.

Weight: Nope
Budget: Got good discount, hee hee
High ISO: Nope

Tempting, just wondering if it is worth the hassel of operating 2 systems for wide angle photography.

D3 + Zeiss Distagon, slurp!

[b-a-k]

i will still stick to e-3..
its about the quality of lenses..not the bodies tat matter...
dollar for dollar, oly still give u the best optics.
less confusing somemore.

7-14mm f4, 14-35mm f2 and 35-100mm f2,
or the less expensive option
9-18mm, 12-60mm and 50-200mm or 70-300mm

together with
25mm, 50mm for portraits..

maybe sensors matter too, but oly will catch up one day..

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by VR Man Hi All, I have been using the E-1 and really love the camera. Lately I have been thinking of upgrading and am looking at the E-3 or D3. How? Which one to get? I plan to get either the ZD 7-14mm or Nikkon 14-24mm, depending on which body I use. Tough choice really. One D3 can buy me 2 E-3s... Lens price about the same, not much big difference.

Get both. I don't know about the Nikkor lens you mention, but assuming you want quality glass, it is going to cost and weight a lot. I would not think of buying any camera where I can only afford one single lens and not looking at the whole system. Assuming you have done that, you know what things cost and weight in the N-world, my advice is get both.

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer Get both. I don't know about the Nikkor lens you mention, but assuming you want quality glass, it is going to cost and weight a lot. I would not think of buying any camera where I can only afford one single lens and not looking at the whole system. Assuming you have done that, you know what things cost and weight in the N-world, my advice is get both.

Thanks for your views. I shoot ultrawide for most of my type of work, so those long lens do really matter to me for now. Still a tough choice.

The camera would always be on a tripod, so weight is not really an issue.

Still a tough choice.

[Oly5050]

Originally Posted by VR Man Hi All, I have been using the E-1 and really love the camera. Lately I have been thinking of upgrading and am looking at the E-3 or D3. How? Which one to get? I plan to get either the ZD 7-14mm or Nikkon 14-24mm, depending on which body I use. Tough choice really. One D3 can buy me 2 E-3s... Lens price about the same, not much big difference.

You sound like someone who has done his research and probably is quite knowledgeable. In this kind of situation, I think only you yourself will know what is best for you since you may have some and other specific requirements which one of these cameras would work out to be better for you. My advice is if you are undecided, do not buy. If u can wait, then wait. One day, the answer will come to you and you will know which one u need to go for. In the meantime, continue asking owners and also playing with both cameras and systems.

[microcosm]

Originally Posted by Oly5050 You sound like someone who has done his research and probably is quite knowledgeable. In this kind of situation, I think only you yourself will know what is best for you since you may have some and other specific requirements which one of these cameras would work out to be better for you. My advice is if you are undecided, do not buy. If u can wait, then wait. One day, the answer will come to you and you will know which one u need to go for. In the meantime, continue asking owners and also playing with both cameras and systems.

Good eye, my friend...

Ha ha ha... my dear VRMan... so... think about it okay? See you next week and we talk again...

[Blu-By-U]

Are you sure?

If you can wait, then maybe you should just hang on for the micro Four Thirds. Then all those wonderful collections will still be usable, and that new Lumix 7-14!!! not only is that small, it also much lighter than the ZD.

[nightpiper]

Originally Posted by VR Man Tempting, just wondering if it is worth the hassel of operating 2 systems for wide angle photography. D3 + Zeiss Distagon, slurp!

Why do u need the D3? I think the solution to ur quest for wide angle photography is the D700. Although the Oly has 7-14 wide, the perspective distortion is a bit hard to tame IMHO. While u r considering the D700, can also wait for the Canon 5D II, CZ has juz announced the ZE mounts for Canon, dun think its an issue if u r lusting for the Distagon.

[cimman]

since you already have the E1, get the D3. Best of both systems. The light weight and long telephoto range of the E system and the fantastic ISO performance of the full frame Nikon.
Don't sell the E1, keep it and add the D3 to your system. I've handled the D3 and I must it is very heavy (with lens), compared to the E1.
If I've to carry that (D3) for hours, I'll need a neck massage. However, I guess, no pain, no gain, if you're shooting high ISO, mainly sports at long range and low lit candid people shots (no tripod here and no flash, people don't like flash in their eyes).

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by Blu-By-U Are you sure? If you can wait, then maybe you should just hang on for the micro Four Thirds. Then all those wonderful collections will still be usable, and that new Lumix 7-14!!! not only is that small, it also much lighter than the ZD.

Yes! The m4/3 Lumix 7-14 looks good on paper but wonder how good it is in the real world.

Have to wait for at least 6-12 mths before it is launch?

Cannot wait that long.

I suspect unless it is a Zuiko design and made by Olympus, otherwise it will not be as good as the ZD 7-14.

Imagine a ZD 7-14 on a G1.

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by nightpiper Why do u need the D3? I think the solution to ur quest for wide angle photography is the D700. Although the Oly has 7-14 wide, the perspective distortion is a bit hard to tame IMHO. While u r considering the D700, can also wait for the Canon 5D II, CZ has juz announced the ZE mounts for Canon, dun think its an issue if u r lusting for the Distagon.

D3 has a few things that are going my needs. Built-in GPS tagging, artificial horizon. Built-in features like these makes my workflow more efficient.

D700 not weathersealed? So I will not consider it.

5D MkII is very temtping... Hmm... have not really explored that option. More choices, more headaches hee hee

[VR Man]

Originally Posted by cimman since you already have the E1, get the D3. Best of both systems. The light weight and long telephoto range of the E system and the fantastic ISO performance of the full frame Nikon. Don't sell the E1, keep it and add the D3 to your system. I've handled the D3 and I must it is very heavy (with lens), compared to the E1. If I've to carry that (D3) for hours, I'll need a neck massage. However, I guess, no pain, no gain, if you're shooting high ISO, mainly sports at long range and low lit candid people shots (no tripod here and no flash, people don't like flash in their eyes).

Yup! Will keep my E-1 even though others tell me it is only 5MP.

Yes, the D3 is a lot heavier.

Cost wise: 1D3 == around 3 E-3s

Weight wise: 1D3 == 2 E-3s

[nightpiper]

Originally Posted by VR Man D3 has a few things that are going my needs. Built-in GPS tagging, artificial horizon. Built-in features like these makes my workflow more efficient. D700 not weathersealed? So I will not consider it. 5D MkII is very temtping... Hmm... have not really explored that option. More choices, more headaches hee hee

Think the GPS tagging & wireless transfer is available in the optional vert grip for the D700. Horizon shud be in the VF that illuminates when half press shutter button. LV shud also have the grid lines if i'm not confused with another cam. Sorry, can someone more familiar confirm? Tomcat where r u?

Also think D700 is semi sealed, not that bad la. Lighter & modular with vert grip so, as & when u want weight vs features in an instant. Cool!!

On 2nd thought, Sony has been in the limelight for the A900 recently. CZ with AF? That's the one to go. Tested it & again, not bad me thinks, of cos YMMV.

By this x'mas, think u'll have a better idea which way to go.

(ps. i like my E1 too. Too bad its "the last of the mohicans")

[Blu-By-U]

Originally Posted by VR Man ...Imagine a ZD 7-14 on a G1.

That is over kill..

[mskong]

Originally Posted by VR Man D3 has a few things that are going my needs. Built-in GPS tagging, artificial horizon. Built-in features like these makes my workflow more efficient. D700 not weathersealed? So I will not consider it. 5D MkII is very temtping... Hmm... have not really explored that option. More choices, more headaches hee hee

I think you already decided liow......the D3 suits your needs more than any other cameras now...

mmm....how about Leica M8??

[wrx_sti_22b]

Originally Posted by VR Man Weight wise: 1D3 == 2 E-3s

My friend has a Nikon D3. I have an Olympus E-3. I dun think 1 D3 = 2 E-3... That is too kua zhang a description isn't it...

[Oly5050]

Yeah hor. I think maybe it is 1 D3 = 1.5 E3 based on weight and body only.

But if u start hauking on all the lenses with VR etc .... then it will become 1 D3 body and lens = 3 E3 body and lens! LOL!

Is this right Microcosm??