Advice required on D3x purchase

[dlin]

Hi All,
I am new to this forum, got reference from one of my friends. I am a BA student in journalism, also doing a part time job in a small newspaper. I shoot for my college articles as well as for the news daily. Currently I am using a D5000 with a 50mm prime. I was thinking of upgrading for a long time and recently came across a D3x, used by a professional photographer here. saw the piece and its well maintained, shutter count is around 40-50k (assumption - will need to check the actual count), he stores all his equipment's in a digicab. He is quoting a price of 3.2 lakhs (not sure whether I will be able to arrange these funds), but would like to get a second opinion from hobbyists here in this forum. The body is in great condition, all accessories are there and probably might get a battery pack too in this price. please advise me.

Thanks,
Dlin

[Hyperdrive]

Hi All,
I am new to this forum, got reference from one of my friends. I am a BA student in journalism, also doing a part time job in a small newspaper. I shoot for my college articles as well as for the news daily. Currently I am using a D5000 with a 50mm prime. I was thinking of upgrading for a long time and recently came across a D3x, used by a professional photographer here. saw the piece and its well maintained, shutter count is around 40-50k (assumption - will need to check the actual count), he stores all his equipment's in a digicab. He is quoting a price of 3.2 lakhs (not sure whether I will be able to arrange these funds), but would like to get a second opinion from hobbyists here in this forum. The body is in great condition, all accessories are there and probably might get a battery pack too in this price. please advise me.

Instead of a D3x I would suggest a brand new D4 for a little more than what he's quoted! It is a  generation newer albeit @ 16MP.

Or better still go in for a D800 for literally half the price unless you absolutely must have the higher frame rate and low ISO performance.

The D800 @ about 1.7L has good low ISO performance though not in the same league as the D4.

I would recommend the D800 as an overall better package and new generation to boot.

[iamsomnath]

Dear frnd.... plz also be prepared to spend another fortune to buy suitable glass and filters etc to really make the d3x shine!!! Ferraries dont run on cheap petrol ...

[Madan]

A D800 and the price will suit your needs best. Utilise the rest for quality glass
and you'll bring out the best of both. If your interest also includes sports, wildlife and
birds in flight, then it's a different matter, you can live with the 4 fps of a D800 or decide on a D4, which will address your requirements at
about the same as 3.2 lakhs, after dealers discount (I guess 3.25 Lakhs actually, now with the price increase).
Why go for a second hand camera when new with 2 years guarantee are available for the same or less.

D3x's high ISO performance is a lot lower than both the D4 and D800. 

[Hyperdrive]

Dear frnd.... plz also be prepared to spend another fortune to buy suitable glass and filters etc to really make the d3x shine!!! Ferraries dont run on cheap petrol ...

dlin - iamsomnath has a very valid suggestion. And this also applies to the D800 and D4. You might spend a fortune on a high end camera body only to be let down by the mediocre lenses. Compromise on the camera body if you have to, but try not compromise on the lenses. Choose your lenses carefully.

[Madan]

Wow ! I didn't read your lens line up. 50mm Prime as the sole lens, I suppose.
In which case, the question begs to be asked, how much of photo journalism are you into ?

If and when you take up a job full time with a newspaper, your employers will sponsor your camera !
Right now utilise the D5000 and the 50 prime to the best, and add up on quality glass.

[pixelshooter]

OT question (and a genuine one): Do Ferraries run on a type of fuel different from other cars?

[iamsomnath]

I drive an alto ... so no first hand experience but heard that high octane fuel is recommended...sorry for being OT

[toofan]

OT question (and a genuine one): Do Ferraries run on a type of fuel different from other cars?

Yes, they do.

Spending so much on camera is not advisable until you are a professional. and new papers don't need the best of the cameras you can have.

Buying a D800 with quality lenses will do the job for you.

[Hyperdrive]

OT question (and a genuine one): Do Ferraries run on a type of fuel different from other cars?

I mean, if we must go OT, then yes. 97 Octane + for a Ferrari v/s 87 to 91 Octane for other cars.

[suchi]

ho dlin

you wrote:

Hi All,
I am new to this forum, got reference from one of my friends. I am a BA student in journalism, also doing a part time job in a small newspaper. I shoot for my college articles as well as for the news daily. Currently I am using a D5000 with a 50mm prime. I was thinking of upgrading for a long time and recently came across a D3x, used by a professional photographer here. saw the piece and its well maintained, shutter count is around 40-50k (assumption - will need to check the actual count), he stores all his equipment's in a digicab. He is quoting a price of 3.2 lakhs (not sure whether I will be able to arrange these funds), but would like to get a second opinion from hobbyists here in this forum. The body is in great condition, all accessories are there and probably might get a battery pack too in this price. please advise me.
Thanks,
Dlin

i have by now read through the entire thread. now, here is what i suggest:

1. lens. your existing 50mm is surely not enough. so you need to get at least one more lens.
so get yourself a af-s 17~35mm/f2.8 ed. (http://www.nikon.co.in/en_IN/product_details.page?DCRPath=templatedata/en_IN/saleable_product_information/data/Nikkor%20Lenses/FX%20Format/Zoom/Wide-angle%20Zoom/AF-S%20Zoom-Nikkor%2017-35mm%20f2.8D%20IF-ED.xml&currentProductTab=2&CategoryID=gp11zkyu). this is an fx lens and probably all that you need for photojournalism of the conventional kind.

if you feel this is too expensive, the compromise is the 16~85mm f/3.5~5.6 VR. (http://www.nikon.co.in/en_IN/product_details.page?DCRPath=templatedata/en_IN/saleable_product_information/data/Nikkor%20Lenses/DX%20Format/Zoom/AF-S%20DX%20NIKKOR%2016-85mm%20f3.5-5.6G%20ED%20VR%205.3x.xml&CategoryID=gp11zkyu&currentTab=gp11zkz4&currentLink=gp11zkz8). this will also get the job done, though it is a slower lens.

2. body. you have a d5000. it will do for now. but as you climb the ladder as a photojournalist, you will need a better body. a pro-grade one. no, make that two.
but you do not really need a d3, d3s or a d3x, not even a d800. logically, a d300 or d300s will do. honestly. rarely have i seen photojournalists use ff, 95% use aps-c crop bodies. just look around at a news conference or event where press photographers congregate ... most will have the 16~35/2.8 or 17~40/4 or similar on the cams in their hands, and if you look in their bags, you will find a spare body with probably a 24~70/2.8 on it, and a 70~200/2.8 or similar in the bag. that's it.  if you feel you need a ff, then go get yourself d700 used later.

do not not go overboard, either on the body or the lens. take my advice.

now you may ask, what my credentials are that i am saying all this and how your taking my advice is justified. ok. here is why. i have been part of the delhi press corps since 1985. that is 27 years of hard core journalism.  and i have been in the thick of things economic, political, social and otherwise as a journalist, a television news and current affairs producer, and a sat-tv news channel head. so go ahead, think of all i have said and invest wisely.  what you shoot with does not matter, so long as you are able to be in the right place at the right time and are able to get the right shot. all the time. that is what photojournalism is all about. best of luck.


suchindran

[dlin]

Thanks all for your valuable advise. I really felt the need of quality lens in few occasions while shooting under dim lit rooms and stages, prob will upgrade to a d7000 and good lenses.

[iamsomnath]

ho dlin

you wrote:

Hi All,
I am new to this forum, got reference from one of my friends. I am a BA student in journalism, also doing a part time job in a small newspaper. I shoot for my college articles as well as for the news daily. Currently I am using a D5000 with a 50mm prime. I was thinking of upgrading for a long time and recently came across a D3x, used by a professional photographer here. saw the piece and its well maintained, shutter count is around 40-50k (assumption - will need to check the actual count), he stores all his equipment's in a digicab. He is quoting a price of 3.2 lakhs (not sure whether I will be able to arrange these funds), but would like to get a second opinion from hobbyists here in this forum. The body is in great condition, all accessories are there and probably might get a battery pack too in this price. please advise me.
Thanks,
Dlin

i have by now read through the entire thread. now, here is what i suggest:

1. lens. your existing 50mm is surely not enough. so you need to get at least one more lens.
so get yourself a af-s 17~35mm/f2.8 ed. (http://www.nikon.co.in/en_IN/product_details.page?DCRPath=templatedata/en_IN/saleable_product_information/data/Nikkor%20Lenses/FX%20Format/Zoom/Wide-angle%20Zoom/AF-S%20Zoom-Nikkor%2017-35mm%20f2.8D%20IF-ED.xml&currentProductTab=2&CategoryID=gp11zkyu). this is an fx lens and probably all that you need for photojournalism of the conventional kind.

if you feel this is too expensive, the compromise is the 16~85mm f/3.5~5.6 VR. (http://www.nikon.co.in/en_IN/product_details.page?DCRPath=templatedata/en_IN/saleable_product_information/data/Nikkor%20Lenses/DX%20Format/Zoom/AF-S%20DX%20NIKKOR%2016-85mm%20f3.5-5.6G%20ED%20VR%205.3x.xml&CategoryID=gp11zkyu&currentTab=gp11zkz4&currentLink=gp11zkz8). this will also get the job done, though it is a slower lens.

2. body. you have a d5000. it will do for now. but as you climb the ladder as a photojournalist, you will need a better body. a pro-grade one. no, make that two.
but you do not really need a d3, d3s or a d3x, not even a d800. logically, a d300 or d300s will do. honestly. rarely have i seen photojournalists use ff, 95% use aps-c crop bodies. just look around at a news conference or event where press photographers congregate ... most will have the 16~35/2.8 or 17~40/4 or similar on the cams in their hands, and if you look in their bags, you will find a spare body with probably a 24~70/2.8 on it, and a 70~200/2.8 or similar in the bag. that's it.  if you feel you need a ff, then go get yourself d700 used later.

do not not go overboard, either on the body or the lens. take my advice.

now you may ask, what my credentials are that i am saying all this and how your taking my advice is justified. ok. here is why. i have been part of the delhi press corps since 1985. that is 27 years of hard core journalism.  and i have been in the thick of things economic, political, social and otherwise as a journalist, a television news and current affairs producer, and a sat-tv news channel head. so go ahead, think of all i have said and invest wisely.  what you shoot with does not matter, so long as you are able to be in the right place at the right time and are able to get the right shot. all the time. that is what photojournalism is all about. best of luck.


suchindran

Dear Suchi ...

thudddd ... u have hit the nail on the head ...

 

[theqca]

i completely agree with Suchi's advise..if ur the normal average type of a person most of us here are...where we need to balance the output we'd get with the price we're going to pay.

if ur the sort of person for whom money is not really an issue then id say buy a brand new D4, keep a D800 as a backup body and buy a leica to flash around on ur weekends - french riviera?

[Bharat Varma]

i completely agree with Suchi's advise..if ur the normal average type of a person most of us here are...where we need to balance the output we'd get with the price we're going to pay.

if ur the sort of person for whom money is not really an issue then id say buy a brand new D4, keep a D800 as a backup body and buy a leica to flash around on ur weekends - french riviera?

In a Ferari with 97 Octane fuel.... 

Great advice from Suchi.

I am a BA student in journalism, also doing a part time job in a small newspaper. He is quoting a price of 3.2 lakhs (not sure whether I will be able to arrange these funds).

I deduce from the above that you are not married (or if married, close to divorce probably ). 3.2 Lahks is an enormous amount for most of us. Considering that within the next two to three years this will be an obsolete camera, it makes no sense at all to spend that kind of money on a body.

[suchi]

brother,

the d7k seems to be a wrong choice. if at all you must replace the d5k, buy a used d300 or d300s (you can get it at the cost of a new d7k), use it as your primary cam, and relegate the d5k to backup body status.

and by the way, i forgot to mention this in my last post: photojournalists do not not buy/use dx lenses even if they are using dx bodies. they tend to go for the best constant aperture fx optics available in the focal range they need. so focus your priorities on lenses, get one but get the best.

suchindran.

Thanks all for your valuable advise. I really felt the need of quality lens in few occasions while shooting under dim lit rooms and stages, prob will upgrade to a d7000 and good lenses.

[theqca]

just to add some more - the D7000 is a good camera but its not designed for the sort of use that someone whos using the camera as a professional tool would need...you need a camera that has a better body, which can withstand wear and tear, some bangs and jerks, and also have a longer shutter life in case u need to use it in spray and pray mode very often (hold the camera above ur head and keep the button pressed in the hope the a few pics will be the ones you need)

[dutta.debasish]

OT question (and a genuine one): Do Ferraries run on a type of fuel different from other cars?

High Octane.

[VikramF]

the d7k seems to be a wrong choice. if at all you must replace the d5k, buy a used d300 or d300s (you can get it at the cost of a new d7k), use it as your primary cam, and relegate the d5k to backup body status.

I've always maintained that the D300/300s was my preference over a D7000 - would be interested in knowing what your reasons were in saying so.

[suchi]

vikram

you wrote:

the d7k seems to be a wrong choice. if at all you must replace the d5k, buy a used d300 or d300s (you can get it at the cost of a new d7k), use it as your primary cam, and relegate the d5k to backup body status.

I've always maintained that the D300/300s was my preference over a D7000 - would be interested in knowing what your reasons were in saying so.

occupational hazards faced by photojournalists are good enough reason.

suchi