Nikon D700 against Nikon D300, Full Frame matters
If you’ve been trying to convince yourself that full frame isn’t that big of a deal, well you’ve been lying to yourself. As I said before, that bigger sensor makes a difference and most of that is evident in a little something called “image quality” (imporant to quite a few photograhers I hear). Full frame provides better, crisper, clearer, cleaner images. There’s a terrific example of this advantage at Japanese site DC Watch with excellent comparison shots of the D700, D3, and D300. As expected the D700 and D3 look quite similar. And while removed from this context the D300 looks very good, it just can’t compete with its siblings in overall IQ. When the ISO gets cranked up it falls even further behind. This has been repeated ad nauseum, but the D3 (and D700) have just utterly ridiculous noise management at high ISO. This amazes me because 6400 ISO looks like 400 ISO on my D80. True, the D300 is infinitely better performing than the D80, but the D700 gives even more detail, and even less noise, at a $2000 discount to the D3 (for right now).
In short full frame matters.
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If you are willing to go with third party glass, Tamron makes a 28-300 image stabilizing lens for Nikon that would get you almost the equivalent of the 18-200 on the dx sensor.
I am confused about one of the comments here. One commenter said that if I mounted the fx camera on a tripod and the dx camera on a tripod, I would see a difference in the image. If there was a control comparison, what difference would this make??
would you go with 3rd party glass is the question!! after buying a d3 or d700 LOL
You should put the same 17-55mm F2.8 ED on both D700 and D300 for the comparison test. Or the 24-70mm F2.8 G ED on both D700 and D300.
I second Ellis’ point. The lens makes more difference to the IQ than the sensor at ISO 200. In the test with the flowers when both used the 70-200 they were virtually identical, in fact the D300 image looked slightly sharper. I’ve been struggling to decide whether it’s worth upgrading my D300 and I’ve concluded that the only reason for splashing out the 2k on the D700 would be for low light capability which doesn’t seem enough. I’m waiting for the D800..
Jim,
I’d think it best to wait as well, you’ll want the successor for sure I’m thinking ( to the D700 that is)
Yes , I’ll waiting for the next FX generation too, perhaps D800.
But when Nikon launch the next D800 series?,
Tito,
I don’t know the answer to that, but wouldn’t they have a D700s before?
Ok, after all I said I went and bought a D700.. My first impressions is that it makes my (beloved) D300 feel like a toy in comparison. Performance wise I haven’t been disappointed so far, at 6400iso it is fairly smooth although not as grain-free as I was lead to believe. I don’t think I’ll be going above 1600 but the 1600 is roughly as smooth as 400 on the D300.. What finally swung it as being able to use my wide zoom. That and the D300 for the reach seems a winning combo.
Jim,
Well you got yourself two very nice cameras, not bad…I’m sort of jealous. (don’t tell my 5D2 though)