I should have phrased this differently…… anybody still using a D700/D3….. and if so, how do you feel it compares with more modern low mp sensors (D4,Df).
Thanks for any feedback.
Hello Swissblad,
I use the D700 professionally as my main camera, on every possible commissioned works. I never had any client, family, institution or model agency asking me for more (only one time for luxury wines). I rent "new" cameras only when I "feel" that the client will print big but that only for my own conciousness.
Uprezing a D700 file is a joy. You can had 2000 pixels on a side without loosing that much (at all). In PS just uprez using bi-cubic soft then sharpen wisely.
It's my way to make money. I'm sort of cheap compared to the guys who own MF and most of the time I get the contract. For example, yesterday I seen an event organizer asking for a photographer on facebook. Very important shoot for a high social profile family who can bring you tones of contacts. In less than 10 minutes 50 ppl replied. I sent a private message after the war, got a phone number, told my price and got the deal. For TWO hours of casual shooting, without printing, some asked over 500 € and one asked for 2000 € (
). I asked 185 € for around 100 shoots, a DVD and a 3 month internet gallery. I'm pretty sure that at the end of the shoot I will have more than what I've asked, without counting the awesome contacts I will have. To PP the 100 shoots, burning the DVD and letting LR making the gallery I need around 45 minutes. So, for around 3 hours of my life (party included) I will get paid 210 USD (without counting the numerous contracts I will hook on place).
I'm even invited to take place at the table for the party.
All of this to say, at the end, that the world do not care what camera you use. The D700 is a flawless camera, kind of easy to master and understand. I can prove, any days that God make, that this camera have all legitimacy in the professional world, and that for many years to come.
Of course, MF cameras have a place and a different rendering but most of the ppl around you are not THAT sensitive to see the inner differences. Some high end commercial works beg (or ask) for it like still car shooting, some architectural shoots ...
The sensor in the Df and D4 is very good (better than the D700 sensor) BUT the Df without filter is a crippled camera (ridiculous shutter) and the D4 is a fragile large black egg (compared to the D3).