Having mentioned my camera troubles in my last post, today I received the estimate for its repair: just the small matter of £420! Needless to say this is a huge amount for a repair of a camera that is over 3 years old now, and I am starting to wonder if it would be more worthwhile for me to buy a new camera?
This brings me to another dilemma: which camera. I wouldn't go for another D300s because, as much as I like it, it is 3 years old now. A D3s/D4 is far too expensive for me, which leaves the D600, D7000, and D800. I don't think I'd consider the D600 as it is full frame without a DX mode, something which I feel I need at least the option of having, having got used to it on my D60 and D300s. The D7000 looks very nice, but, to me, feels like I am taking a step backwards as it is marketed below the D300s line. That leaves the D800. Although not thought of as a wildlife camera, it keeps tempting me back to it, with the amazing detail, and good AF and noise capabilities. My only concerns are the slow fps rate, and the buffer, which fills up after 4 seconds (I think).
Re fps, the D300s has 7, and the D800 4, but 5 in the 1.2x crop mode, and 6 with the battery grip. Re the buffer, I am not concerned that I would be holding down the shutter for 4 seconds at a time, but I am a bit worried that it may fill up when I shoot bursts of 3/4 at a time, in fairly quick succession.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated
Oscar
Posted by John Robinson on October 3, 2012 at 12:48 PM
Oscar
Personally for what you do I think the D7000 would be fine. It does everything I ask of it and I can be picky at times
Dont forget computer processing time with the 800 mage size, and is the extra two grand worth it ??
Just my two penneth.
JR
Posted by Phil Ellard on October 3, 2012 at 1:04 PM
you know my thoughts, i will test the buffer and let you. I will not leave work tonight i fear but i am due home in the next 48hrs so will do then. If you are at richmond in the next week or so let me know as i am planning to be there and you can have a look \ go on my d800 if that would help. My dad has a d7000 it is as John says a lovely camera but i feel it is due to be replaced soon and i do feel it is step below the d300 in feel, though i think it takes a better picture. Or i will sell my d300s for less than cost of repair, just a thought
John, that's another thing I forgot to put in that post, so I'll have to think about that too.
Phil, if the forecast is good I'll be there next weekend, but can't make it down during the week. It would be great do have a play with your D800. Thanks for the offer of selling it, but I would hate to buy it and then for a problem to occur with it too!
Oscar
Posted by Phil Ellard on October 3, 2012 at 1:57 PM
weekends only for me as well i also plan to be there this weekend if the weather is good. D300s? didnt think you would want it! files are much bigger I bought a new mac in preparation for the upgrade my ff deer tiff i just posted is 318MB as apposed to 95MB from the d300s.
Posted by David Sewell on October 3, 2012 at 2:15 PM
Oscar,
You are wrong about the D600, it does have a DX mode. The disadvantage is that in that mode you only have about 10Mp instead of the 12 odd you are used to, so it is still a step down. I do wonder if it is worth thinking about a second estimate, especially if the first one was from Nikon. I have often found it faster and cheaper to use a small independent repairer. As far as the D7000 goes, every user I know rates it as a good camera, but according to Nikon rumours production has ceased and it is due for replacement once existing stocks have been sold, presumably with a D7100 or some similar designation.
Ah ok, thanks for letting me know about the D600's DX mode. The estimate I have is from Fixation, a company in Vauxhall which do repairs. I could take it in to Nikon as well, but I have searched the parts that they think need replacing, and they cost about what Fixation have valued them at, so I imagine it is the labour cost which may change.
Hi Oscar Fixation are about the same price for labour as Nikon UK IE a lot I would send it to http://www.advancedcameraservices.co.uk/html/about.html they fixed one of my D3's that your repairer said it was not repairable for £264 I will be sending all my cameras to them from now on if they need fixing or servicing.
Phil.
Posted by Bob Johnson on October 4, 2012 at 12:16 PM
Hi Oscar
I will be with Phil at the weekend if you want to try out a proper camera
Hi Oscar.
I have had a D300(dropped it) and now use a D7000 i do notice the fps difference with the 7000 and find it flustrating at times even for a burst of shots on say a perching subject but i must say i do think the picture quality is a little better than my D300 was but i don't think the build quality is anything near the 300.Looking at the work Phil is doing with his D800 will give you food for thought.
Good luck with your choice
Keith.
I think I might bite the bullet and upgrade, as it's something I've been thinking about anyway, but I would still like to get the D300s repaired to go with a new one, so will try Advanced Camera Services
Discussion
11 repliesHaving mentioned my camera troubles in my last post, today I received the estimate for its repair: just the small matter of £420!
This brings me to another dilemma: which camera. I wouldn't go for another D300s because, as much as I like it, it is 3 years old now. A D3s/D4 is far too expensive for me, which leaves the D600, D7000, and D800. I don't think I'd consider the D600 as it is full frame without a DX mode, something which I feel I need at least the option of having, having got used to it on my D60 and D300s. The D7000 looks very nice, but, to me, feels like I am taking a step backwards as it is marketed below the D300s line. That leaves the D800. Although not thought of as a wildlife camera, it keeps tempting me back to it, with the amazing detail, and good AF and noise capabilities. My only concerns are the slow fps rate, and the buffer, which fills up after 4 seconds (I think).
Re fps, the D300s has 7, and the D800 4, but 5 in the 1.2x crop mode, and 6 with the battery grip. Re the buffer, I am not concerned that I would be holding down the shutter for 4 seconds at a time, but I am a bit worried that it may fill up when I shoot bursts of 3/4 at a time, in fairly quick succession.
Any thoughts greatly appreciated
Oscar
Personally for what you do I think the D7000 would be fine. It does everything I ask of it and I can be picky at times
Dont forget computer processing time with the 800 mage size, and is the extra two grand worth it ??
Just my two penneth.
JR
John, that's another thing I forgot to put in that post, so I'll have to think about that too.
Phil, if the forecast is good I'll be there next weekend, but can't make it down during the week. It would be great do have a play with your D800.
Oscar
You are wrong about the D600, it does have a DX mode. The disadvantage is that in that mode you only have about 10Mp instead of the 12 odd you are used to, so it is still a step down. I do wonder if it is worth thinking about a second estimate, especially if the first one was from Nikon. I have often found it faster and cheaper to use a small independent repairer. As far as the D7000 goes, every user I know rates it as a good camera, but according to Nikon rumours production has ceased and it is due for replacement once existing stocks have been sold, presumably with a D7100 or some similar designation.
David
Ah ok, thanks for letting me know about the D600's DX mode. The estimate I have is from Fixation, a company in Vauxhall which do repairs. I could take it in to Nikon as well, but I have searched the parts that they think need replacing, and they cost about what Fixation have valued them at, so I imagine it is the labour cost which may change.
Oscar
Phil.
I will be with Phil at the weekend if you want to try out a proper camera
Bob
I have had a D300(dropped it) and now use a D7000 i do notice the fps difference with the 7000 and find it flustrating at times even for a burst of shots on say a perching subject but i must say i do think the picture quality is a little better than my D300 was but i don't think the build quality is anything near the 300.Looking at the work Phil is doing with his D800 will give you food for thought.
Good luck with your choice
Keith.
I think I might bite the bullet and upgrade, as it's something I've been thinking about anyway, but I would still like to get the D300s repaired to go with a new one, so will try Advanced Camera Services
Oscar