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Why is Nikon Changing?


derek_thornton1

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<p>I have been wanting to upgrade to FX. Really considering the D800. I could not help but notice how light it is, smaller than the D300. The whole reason I chose Nikon over Canon was the weight. I want the camera to be heavy and solid. The D800/D600 feel cheap. I am actually thinking about getting the Canon 5D Mark 11 for $1,700.</p>

<p>Am I like the only person who likes the heavy, durable, old school Nikons? </p>

derek-thornton.artistwebsites.com
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<p>A vote for Nikon's lighter camera's<br /><br />Canon's are tanks and always have been. That is the number one reason that has put me off them. I find Nikon camera fit in my hand much easier and are large enough to make all buttons usable. The lack of weight is also very much appreciated when doing weddings with two camera's around my neck all day. </p>

<p>John</p>

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<p>No, you're not. I'm a woman, and I still like a larger, solid-feeling body. I was not crazy about the feel of my first DSLR (D70) as it felt light and "plasticky." When I got the D200, I was thrilled--nice solid feel. I now have a D7000, which, with the grip, feels pretty solid, but it's still too small and light for my taste. I was hoping that the D600 would be a D700/D200 build with higher resolution but not too much like the D800, and of course a lower price.....</p>
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<p>IMHO you should not judge a camera by its weight. But if that is the criteria you want to use as opposed to features, IQ and overall value, perhaps you should go for the 5DMKII - you probably don't need the D800 advantages. I owned the 5DMKII and it is an excellent body. But with regard to IQ, features and overall value, it is certainly not a D800.</p>
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<p>D800 smaller and lighter than D300??? I guess you meant D600.<br>

I upgraded from the D300 to the D800. The new camera is a tad heavier (not much) and taller. I agree that a heftier body provides a better balance using heavy glass such as the 2.8 zooms. I really appreciate the D800 being both lighter and a tad smaller than the D700. Overall I wouldn't mind them losing some weight though.<br>

The D800 doesn't feel cheap to me either. It feels as solid as the F100 and D300.</p>

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<p>Lighter is better for me. I haven't taken my D2H away from home in at least two years and only occasionally use it at home, mostly with macro lenses. I wouldn't buy another dSLR that's any larger or heavier than the D7000, and probably won't buy another dSLR at all. Quick, quiet P&S and mirrorless cameras would suit my needs better now.</p>
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<p>Apparently, I prefer the large "pro" style bodies. <br>

I purchased a D800E, but I wish the D800E's guts were in a D4 type body. There are too many buttons and controls on the D800 for a D800 size body. The choice of places and ways to hold it is extremely limited. <br>

The layout of the D3/D4 type bodies is superior mainly because there are more possible ways to grip the body. I got the add-on grip for the D800E, which helps, but it is an inelegant solution. Of course, the grip doesn't have the nice, separate, constantly-displayed ISO, Quality, and WB displays as the D3/D4 do.<br>

I'll probably dump the D800E if/when Nikon issues a "D4X" HiRes large body in a year or so.</p>

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<p>Coming from an F4 ( Which was an F4s before I found the smaller battery grip. ) The issue of lightness was an issue for me. Right or wrong, the F4 feels like a solid , professional , tool. I got a D7000 because it was what I could afford that still worked with MF lenses. It felt small and light. A guy at work, who has a 3100 or something thought it felt heavy, by comparison. Over time, I have gotten used to it. I think the F4 balanced my 300mm f4.5 lens better, but that's as heavy a lens as I have. The rest balance well on the D7000. If I have bigger lenses, it might be more of an issue.</p>

<p> </p>

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<p>I don't see what the advantage would be. If you mount a D70 (600g) on an 80-200/2.8 (1300g), the center of gravity will be somewhere in the lens. Take an F5 (1200g), and the same is still true (within 1.5 inches). For image stability, wouldn't you want the center of gravity to coincide with the nodal point of the lens? Having a light lens pivot around on a heavy camera will just give the illusion of stability.</p>
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<p>I started with the Nikon F2 in the early 70s, then in 2007 I went to the D70s, which felt very good in my hand. Last year I decided to move up and looked at the D90, D7000 and D300s. The D300s felt the best to me with the weight and the size, the others felt small and lighter. I bought two of them. I actually have nerve damage in neck and shoulders, so I put together a harness to distribute the weight better using two Spyder belt holsters with backpacker straps and clips.</p><div>00b06e-502663684.jpg.b811512a02b242c9d64f6c300d8306b9.jpg</div>
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<p>Hmmm, I wonder if my carbon fiber Trek bike could have a "feel cheap" too... certainly my kids` steel ones are way heavier&stronger! ;)</p>

<blockquote>

<p><em>Am I like the only person who likes the heavy, durable, old school Nikons?</em></p>

</blockquote>

<p>Maybe. I prefer good light designs. Anyway, I`m not sure about the relationship between "durability" and "weight" (specially if both concepts have to be related to "functionality" and "comfort").<br /> After using the D800 for the first time, I got the idea that it was a much better design compared to the D700.</p>

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<p>I do also prefer a heavy camera for better stability. For years, Nikon users have been asking for lighter cameras and probably Nikon listened and started producing them. Now, lighter does not means less durable but I do understand your point.</p>

<p>BTW, I do love the weight of my D300 with the MB-D10 attached to it. It does provide me with the stability that I like. Now, I don't know if I would like it for hiking. I do believe that when you are hiking, one xtra ounce could feel as heavy as a ton. Also, I am not going to switch to Cannon just because the new Nikon cameras are lighter than old ones. </p>

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<p>I welcome lightness, I believe most do as well. Looking at comparisons/reviews between cameras such as D800 vs. 5D Mark III they have wins/loses in many categories. Lighter camera's are considered the winner.</p>

<p>I'm looking at a comparison between the D800 and 5D Mark III right now and it says the D800 being 900g (10% lighter) wins over the Mark III's 950g. I prefer lighter, I will never forget walking around Antarctica with my F5 around my neck for 4-5 hours at a time twice a day and how much pain I endured... wishing for something lighter and that was almost 15 years ago. I find it odd the most lingering memory of that trip was the pain & suffering my neck endured carrying such a heavy camera. First thing I bought when I got back was a belt system holder... wasn't doing that again :) </p>

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<ul>

<li>D800 (with battery): 900gr.</li>

<li>D300 (with battery): 903gr.</li>

</ul>

<p>If 3 grams are worth it to switch systems, I guess the 5D Mk. III is the best choice: it's 950gr. Better still, a D700 at 995 gr. But, as already said, weight does not equal durability. I much like how the D300 and D700 fit my hand, but it's the ergonomics, material and shape. The weight - my bag, back and muscles wouldn't mind a bit less.</p>

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<p>I'll repeat a story a friend told me a few years ago. He worked for Northern Telecom and they made some plastic landline telephones. Their customers thought those phones were of poor quality because they were light in weight. So the company added some lead onto those phones so that they were heavier. All of a sudden their customers thought they were high-quality phones, although functionally, there was absolutely no difference; the "new" ones were just heavier.</p>
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<p>Sorry guys, still analog and using the F3 with MD-4 I bought new in the 80's. I rencently took a FM2 on board as well. All mechanical, never fails me when the battery dies etc. All lenses metal and thus heavy, but it never failed me and I do not have a wish to change anytime soon to digital. The kids use a 5100 with good result, but ever seen a good quality enlargement from a 35 mm negative of the 1,4/85 mm? Call me old school, but I love it...;-)<br>

Cheers, Ben</p>

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<p>Shun +1<br>

You can get that heavier feel, if you like it, the same way some of the "Lomo-style" cameras do -- by gluing lead weights inside the plastic case.<br>

The little "give-away" advertising gift cameras were all pretty much weighted down.</p>

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<p>I always liked my heavier (think Nikon Ftn with F36 motor drive) cameras, especially for street shooting. In a pinch they made a damn good mace- you could bonk a would-be mugger and not worry too much about the camera getting damaged.</p>
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<p>Heavier or lighter...reminded of a scene from the film " Apocalypse Now". In the midst of a battle, the CO is informed that one of his troops is the West Coast Surfing Champion ... the CO wants to know why the Champ prefers a heavier board ... I surfed Newport Beach in the Summer of '70 ... I knew the answer ... the HEAVIER is easier to control, less bob, and much more precise in action. Portraiits and static subjects ...not too important. The HEAVIER works better in panning (smooth and less jerky) and seems to perform in that venue better overall. Screw on the battery grip when you need the mass, and twist it off if you don't. I think it is part of the Nikon SYSTEM. The body can do it all with a little addition or subtraction of weight. Wish people were like that:)</p>
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