If all you had was a Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR II . . .
would you get the Nikon d700 or d7000 if you were me? How's that for a hypothetical? I was using my old Nikon d70 with the 18-200mm on it until last week when it was stolen. :cry I'd been considering upgrading for a long time but now I don't have a choice.
I can buy a d7000 kit with the 18-200mm VRII lens, or I could pick up a used d700 for not much more money than the d7000 kit and just use my 70-200. I've never used full frame before but I'd like to get the best low light capability I can while still using a zoom lens. I mostly take pictures of cats--both portraits for the local shelter (for which I could use a prime lens) and feral cats out in their element (which is akin to shooting wildlife).
I'm very thankful I didn't have the 70-200mm on my Nikon when it was stolen.
Thank you!
Heather
I can buy a d7000 kit with the 18-200mm VRII lens, or I could pick up a used d700 for not much more money than the d7000 kit and just use my 70-200. I've never used full frame before but I'd like to get the best low light capability I can while still using a zoom lens. I mostly take pictures of cats--both portraits for the local shelter (for which I could use a prime lens) and feral cats out in their element (which is akin to shooting wildlife).
I'm very thankful I didn't have the 70-200mm on my Nikon when it was stolen.
Thank you!
Heather
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I use a Canon 5D MKII (basically the D700 equivalent) and when I first bought it I had the Canon 70-200F4 and the Canon 24-105F4. I had the 70-200 on my camera about %85 of the time. The IQ that the 70-200's give simply crush the all in one zooms, and from what you're saying you want to photograph, the 70-200 + an inexpensive 50mm or 35mm prime is exactly what you need.
D700 used is $2100 minimum.
Unless you were speaking of D7000 with a 18-200, the price difference is pretty big.
But +1 on the D700.. I just got mine too and I love it!
D800
16/2.8, f1.4G primes, f2.8 trio, 105/200 macro, SB900.
It never gets easier, you just get better.
If your were thinking of the D7000 just because it came with the 18-200, don't bother. I had one (18-200) and sold it within a year.
For those of you who simply don't understand our burning desire to shoot at ISO 3200 or 6400, well, please don't chime in with "oh, who on earth could ever REALLY need to shoot above ISO 800 more than once or twice?" ! I've made at least ten thousand dollars in print sales from images made at ISO 1600 and 3200 alone, conservatively. Now that I have a D700 to shoot theater with, I don't even bother looking for chances to turn down my ISO to 1600, I just leave it at 3200 for the entire job.
So anyways, all that to say, go for it! Yes, the D7000 and a 18-200 make a KILLER combo for all-around casual shooting in good light. Heck, if I were an "adventure photographer" like Galen Rowell, I'd be sporting a D7000 and a 16-85, 90% of the time. But as a low-light photojournalist, I pay my bills with full-frame. Bottom line.
Good luck and take care,
=Matt=
(edit) Although, I ought to mention, that if low-light performance is important to you, no full-frame kit is complete without a couple f/1.4 primes. When the light gets truly terrible, I'd rather have a good 50mm f/1.4 or an 85mm f/1.4, compared to f/2.8 and stabilization...
=Matt=
My SmugMug Portfolio • My Astro-Landscape Photo Blog • Dgrin Weddings Forum
Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
Good point, John. My subjects are much closer to me so I don't really need to worry about crop factor.
Thanks, Matt! The good thing about shooting with a d70 and an 18-200 for a long time was that it allowed me to figure out what I really need--good low light, high ISO performance and and the ability to never use a flash. I'll follow your advice.
I'm going to grab a used d700 and a nice prime and prepare myself for a steep learning curve.
Heather
Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
Ha!
Aside from the *art* that autofocus truly is, I agree that the D700 and most any Nikon camera seem to have a very easy learning curve when switching from one to the other...
I was especially delighted with the similarities between the D300 and the D700; the controls and interface are practically identical, the only difference is the performance and image quality.
Of course like I said, the one caveat is autofocus. The controls and the technique required for consistent autofocus in difficult conditions are definitely one of the highest levels of technical camera mastery. Heck, I sometimes teach a workshop dedicated entirely to the subject of autofocus. But, that's quite a tangent for today. ;-)
=Matt=
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Thanks again for the great advice!
Congratulations on the new (to you) camera and lens.
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Good choice!