Changing of system to Nikon Full Frame

[alfenneo]

Been using Sony dslr for a few years and now I feel like changing to Nikon system. It's not that Sony is no good but it was unable to shoot at low light conditions.

I'm planning to buy 2nd hand Nikon D700 as it's quite affordable in the market.

Just want to ask should I get D700 or D800?
I'm planning to use max ISO of 3200 as I'm been shooting a max of ISO 800 using Sony as the noise was quite bad after ISO1200.

Secondly should I get a vertical grip?

Any good lens to recommend for full frame
My Planned lens range
xx mm (any good ultra wide angle, currently using Tokina 11-16mm for crop Sony)
24-70mm f2.8 (dunno which brand is good)
35mm f1.4​ (Sigma)
85mm f1.4 (dunno which brand is good)
80-200mm F2.8 or 70-200mm (dunno which brand is good)

 

[lenslust]

Been using Sony dslr for a few years and now I feel like changing to Nikon system. It's not that Sony is no good but it was unable to shoot at low light conditions.

I'm planning to buy 2nd hand Nikon D700 as it's quite affordable in the market.

Just want to ask should I get D700 or D800?
I'm planning to use max ISO of 3200 as I'm been shooting a max of ISO 800 using Sony as the noise was quite bad after ISO1200.

Secondly should I get a vertical grip?

Any good lens to recommend for full frame
My Planned lens range
xx mm (any good ultra wide angle, currently using Tokina 11-16mm for crop Sony)
24-70mm f2.8 (dunno which brand is good)
35mm f1.4​ (Sigma)
85mm f1.4 (dunno which brand is good)
80-200mm F2.8 or 70-200mm (dunno which brand is good)

D700 and D800 are both fine beasts, see which one your budget allows.

Vertical grip - is individual preferences. Good to have, and good not to have.

FF lens
UWA - 14-24
24-70 f/2.8 - Nikon, Tokina
85 f/1.4 - Carl Zeiss.
70-200 - Nikon f/2.8VR or f/4 VR.

 

[bradjohnny]

my advice is, buy your lenses first, then the body.. Lenses are more important. Build up a good collection of lenses, and a full frame body will fit in quite nicely.

 

[alfenneo]

my advice is, buy your lenses first, then the body.. Lenses are more important. Build up a good collection of lenses, and a full frame body will fit in quite nicely.

If i buy lens, i got no body to try wor -_-""

 

[JacePhoto]

Both are good. Get the D800 if you are gg into video or ok with large file size?

Get the body then try the lens

 

[Blur Shadow]

If you are into casual stuff, you can go for a D700. The D800 is certainly better, but if you have some fiscal constraints, I'd go for the D700 first.

I would skip the vertical grip, but then again, I am biased against it to begin with.

Lens choices:
1. Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8
2. Nikon 24-70mm, Tamron 24-70mm VC
3. Sigma 35mm f/1.4 (concur)
4. Sigma 85mm f/1.4, Nikon 85mm f/1.4 or Nikon 85mm f/1.8
5. Let the price and the weight determine your choice between f/2.8 and f/4

 

[erictan8888]

get the D800.... its the camera now... the resolution is just amazing...
you have to use one to see what the hype is all about (not really hype if it lives up to its expectation...)
and the sigma 35f1.4: you won't regret it if this focal length is what you need...
I find the 85mm f1.8g Nikon is pretty good too, so you might want to consider if you really need the f1.4

 

[Luminare]

D700 is good to begin with if you are setting aside more budget for lens. Bodies tend to drop in price faster too.
D700 is decent on ISO 3200 although the D800 would be better.

I didn't like the vertical grip for the D800 because it virtually is not value for money. for the D700, it can boost your Max FPS to 8 (I think) so that's a different story

UWA for full frame can be anything from the Samyang 14mm f/2.8, Zeiss 15mm f/2.8 or the ever popular Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G or Nikon 16-35mm f/4G VR or Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6G. If you don't need f/2.8 and want something below SGD 1,000 to shoot at f/8 over the usual landscape range, the 18-35mm f/3.5-5.6G is the best value for money.

24-70mm f/2.8 - at least 2 options. Popular ones with known results are Nikon or Tamron. I don't own either so can't really comment but I understand that the Tamron is value for money. This is especially so if you also intend to own the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 A and a 70-200mm which covers 2 of the 4 key focal range of 24, 35 ,50 & 70mm, leaving you with 24mm and 50mm. Looking at lens test results, the Nikon 24-70 is weak at 24mm IMHO.

35mm - Well, I believe you read the tread I started. Sigma is the way to go.

85mm - I don't own one although I use the one my friend lends me on a frequent basis. There are lots of good reviews on the Samyang, Sigma 85mm f/1.4 that is a lot cheaper but almost just as good to a certain extend in the 85mm f/1.4 specifications. If you don't need f/1.4, get the Nikon 85mm f/1.8G. In our current day context, the Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 is a little too expensive with only MF and for me, I am not in love with the dreamy effect this lens produce at f/1.4 plus there is evident purple CA at f/1.4 so I won't recommend it.

80-200mm f/2.8 or 70-200mm f/2.8 - the best in this class is the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II. It is the most expensive and cost over/near 3K in Singapore but you don't need to think about buying another lens in this range for many years to come. If you are covering sports and fast pace events, the 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II wont disappoint you and you can add the TC-14E II for reach and shoot it wide open at f/4. the bokeh is also very nice so you can use it for portrait shoots.

Been using Sony dslr for a few years and now I feel like changing to Nikon system. It's not that Sony is no good but it was unable to shoot at low light conditions.

I'm planning to buy 2nd hand Nikon D700 as it's quite affordable in the market.

Just want to ask should I get D700 or D800?
I'm planning to use max ISO of 3200 as I'm been shooting a max of ISO 800 using Sony as the noise was quite bad after ISO1200.

Secondly should I get a vertical grip?

Any good lens to recommend for full frame
My Planned lens range
xx mm (any good ultra wide angle, currently using Tokina 11-16mm for crop Sony)
24-70mm f2.8 (dunno which brand is good)
35mm f1.4​ (Sigma)
85mm f1.4 (dunno which brand is good)
80-200mm F2.8 or 70-200mm (dunno which brand is good)

 

[daredevil123]

Been using Sony dslr for a few years and now I feel like changing to Nikon system. It's not that Sony is no good but it was unable to shoot at low light conditions.

I'm planning to buy 2nd hand Nikon D700 as it's quite affordable in the market.

Just want to ask should I get D700 or D800?
I'm planning to use max ISO of 3200 as I'm been shooting a max of ISO 800 using Sony as the noise was quite bad after ISO1200.

Secondly should I get a vertical grip?

Any good lens to recommend for full frame
My Planned lens range
xx mm (any good ultra wide angle, currently using Tokina 11-16mm for crop Sony)
24-70mm f2.8 (dunno which brand is good)
35mm f1.4​ (Sigma)
85mm f1.4 (dunno which brand is good)
80-200mm F2.8 or 70-200mm (dunno which brand is good)

Sony's ISO is not that bad... maybe your particular model is so... Just take a look at the new A99 and you be amazed what it can do.

If you are insist on swtiching, I think the D700 is extremely capable and is at an amazing value now in the pre-owned market. ISO3200 is chicken feet for the D700.

 

[Light Machinery]

Hi there.

You may want to try out the body / lenses before you decide to switch to the "dark side".

Rent the body / lenses from the few available rental outfit in down town and go out for a shoot. Then decide if the body, lenses and image quality suits your style and taste.

 

[enenyi]

U may also wanna look at the D600, since it is a smaller brother of the D800 and it is newer than D700 (24MP vs 12MP). Spend the rest on better lenses.

The lenses that you mention will at least set you back $10000. If you have the money to squander, then by all means. Else, cut back on the number of lenses and the choice of lenses, since it is your skill, your image composition and not the lens that makes you a good photographer. My alternative choice of lenses for you:

UWA: Sigma 12-24mm HSM II f4.5-5.6. If you can afford the expensive 14-24, by all means. Else this is a better choice for your budget since landscapes do not require high maximum aperture, unless you playing with DOF.

Normal Zoom: Nikkor 24-85mm f3.5-4.5 G VR. The 'kit' lens for D800 and D600, has VR for shooting in low light, and produces decent photos comparable to the higher end lenses. If you really need a zoom at f2.8, the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 Di VC would suit you.

Telephoto Zoom: Nikkor 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VR. The best long telephoto zoom lens suited for the D600 and D800 according to DXOMark results. Has VR to reduce camera shake and is much needed especially at the 300mm telephoto end. Again, if you need to shoot at f2.8, the Nikkor 70-200 f2.8 VRII is a choice for you. Or a Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 VC.

Wide prime: Sigma 35mm f1.4 Art. This one is really a game changer, even beating the Nikkor 35mm f1.4 at its own game. No need to explain, check reviews to find out.

Telephoto prime: Nikkor 85mm f1.8G. You don't really need to shoot at f1.4 to create wonderful bokeh/DOF shots at this telephoto end. At f1.8 it is already enough if your composition is right. More wallet-friendly than the 85mm f1.4 models.

With all these gear talk, at the end of the day, it boils down to the purpose of your shots, which determines your type of lens usage. If you are a landscape shooter, focus on the wide-angle lenses. Similarly, if you are a wildlife photographer, no point lugging along a 14-24mm to 'complement' the long telephoto that is on your camera almost 100% of the time. In this case, you can do your wallet some justice by buying only the lenses you need out of this range of lenses.

 

[ZoomZ]

Just bought a Nikkor 24-85mm recently for my D800E. It is an understated lens which looks small but really sharp at centre. In fact, the centre sharpness could match some of the prime lenses. I am using it for travel use and good enough to display the fine resolution of the D800E.

Don't just read reviews, as not all are accurate. Only you know what you need and like. Rent a few lenses to try (or maybe rent a body too) before buying. Serious, all reviews are skewed to reviewers preference and it may not meet your needs.

I tried the 85mm F1.4g and F1.8g. Lots of difference to me and i ended spending above my budget for the 85mm F1.4g. Some may find f1.8 the same or better than the f1.4g at a quarter of the price! Coming from Canon 5DIII with 85L mark II, this nikkor 85f1.4g is a dream come true for me. But is it worth 4 times the price of the 85f1.8 and 4 times better IQ. Definitely not.

By the way, I shot mainly portraits.

 

[joneeee]

Been using Sony dslr for a few years and now I feel like changing to Nikon system. It's not that Sony is no good but it was unable to shoot at low light conditions.

I'm planning to buy 2nd hand Nikon D700 as it's quite affordable in the market.

Just want to ask should I get D700 or D800?
I'm planning to use max ISO of 3200 as I'm been shooting a max of ISO 800 using Sony as the noise was quite bad after ISO1200.

Secondly should I get a vertical grip?

Any good lens to recommend for full frame
My Planned lens range
xx mm (any good ultra wide angle, currently using Tokina 11-16mm for crop Sony)
24-70mm f2.8 (dunno which brand is good)
35mm f1.4​ (Sigma)
85mm f1.4 (dunno which brand is good)
80-200mm F2.8 or 70-200mm (dunno which brand is good)

I say this with a bit of hesitation, since this is a Nikon forum after all... If low noise high ISO is your primary priority, have you considered either a Canon 5D Mk III or 6D? The 5D and 6D have much better ISO performance than the D700 or D800 at 3200 ISO.

Of course, if you are set on Nikon, I think the primary issue is simply your budget. If your budget allows it, just get the D800 with Nikon 24-70 and 70-200. Otherwise, the D700 is a very good camera too, and does okay at 3200 as well.

 

[CasualBear]

I say this with a bit of hesitation, since this is a Nikon forum after all... If low noise high ISO is your primary priority, have you considered either a Canon 5D Mk III or 6D? The 5D and 6D have much better ISO performance than the D700 or D800 at 3200 ISO.

Of course, if you are set on Nikon, I think the primary issue is simply your budget. If your budget allows it, just get the D800 with Nikon 24-70 and 70-200. Otherwise, the D700 is a very good camera too, and does okay at 3200 as well.

spend a lunch hour at the Nikon Service center and snap away?

 

[Rashkae]

If your main reason is high ISO/low light photography, the d700 will do nicely.

 

[lenslust]

If your main reason is high ISO/low light photography, the d700 will do nicely.

The D600 is not bad a performer at ISO5000. ISO6400... erm, ok la.

The D4 is a total monster at hi ISO...

 

[sf_kang]

Hi TS, i suppose high ISO capability is not the only reason for wanting to move to FX systems. I moved to FX over 6 years ago and the main reason was to get better image quality under more difficult shooting conditions where It becomes challenging for DX systems.

The advantages of FX over DX are many. However, FX also has disadvantages, eg. lenses and bodies that are bigger and heavier, and more expensive than DX.

Just like in the film days where the IQ from medium format produced much better IQ than 35mm formats.

Similarly, FX will produce better iQ than DX (all else being equivalent). Any of Nikon's FX bodies will do provided you also use good quality FX lenses.

 

[Tumber]

Not sure if the below link is appropriate... Found it while trying to make a decision like you.

Nikon D800 VS Canon EOS 1DX Image Quality | Fake Chuck Westfall

 

[gilerpancing]

Why not get the pro body D3 quite affordable now,been using D700 & D3 b4 the buit, handling and iso noise so amazing even at 6400 just my 2 cts opinion

 

[blackchua]

Have $$
D800,
Nikon 14-24 2.8,
Nikon 24-70 2.8,
nikon 70-200 2.8 vr2,
sigma 35mm 1.4f,
nikon 85mm 1.4mm

Have a little $$ to spare,
D600
Nikon 14-24
Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC
Nikon 24-70 f4 or 2.8
sigma 35mm 1.4
Nikon 85mm 1.8f

Tight budget:
D700
Nikon 16-35 f4
Tamron 28-75 2.8 (regret selling tis lens away)
Sigma latest 70-200 2.8f
Sigma 35mm 1.4
Nikon 85mm 1.8