gregogarrison

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<p>By ISO 800 it is very clear the 700 is producing cleaner files than the 300 can with its smaller sensor. I used to set the auto ISO with a minimum shutter speed of 1/60 on the 700 and just forget about it and shoot. Got great results that way.</p>

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<p>Thanks for the clarification Dave. That shot is impressive. Definitely something the D200 could not achieve even run through noise Ninja or Define.</p>

<p>Dave, Thanks for the response but I'm not sure that I wanted to hear that the 700 quality was no better than the 300.</p>

<p>Lee, I do bang out quite a bit on trips and projects I dream up including long time elapsed shots. I travel quite frequently and on my last trip to HI for a month I took over 3000 (lots of bracketing) not including a one hour time elapsed of the sunrise. I liked your post...</p>

<p>Jim, It is the retailer that offers the return policy. I am confident that they have accounted for all of the indecisive purchasers like myself and built that into their business model. A more restrictive policy would only reduce sales. (I speak from experience) Not all of us can be as confident or knowledgeable in our purchases. Signed my name to many a check and yes I have made the occasional mistake. Cost of doing business.</p>

<p>Finally, I'm careful with my money. I worked hard for it. I made a judgment call and it was not the right one for me. I do want to go full frame and will eventually. Probably after the new release. </p>

<p>I do love this forum. The responses are always direct and helpful. </p>

<p>Update: RMA issued. Current plan is to coax the trusty D200 through another season and stash cash for future FX upgrade. Lesson learned.</p>

<p>Thanks for the responses. <br>

Dave,<br>

Why weren't you happy with the D700?</p>

<p>I was looking at the the D3s and the D700 as an upgrade for my D200. (it has close to 200,000 shutter releases) After to much back and forth, as I am cursed to do, I decided to purchase a D300s with a 17-35 f2.8 lens. My rationalization was that I would use the 300s as a bridge camera until Nikon released a upgrade for the D700/D3s. Then I could sell the 300s and move to an FX format and purchase another lens at that time.<br>

After using the 300s for a few shots. (Have to keep it under 200 shots if I want to return it) I no longer see the wisdom in my decision. First off the overexposure issue with the 300s is evident. Second my D200 takes warmer and more predictable pictures. Third, the difference in the two is not that striking. (Or maybe I just don't know how to coax the best out of the 300s) The fast lens produces good results on both cameras. And since I like the post production work flow (Lightroom, Nik add ons, PS CS5) I can generally tweak out the results I want. <br>

As far as what I shoot...Everything...under all conditions...I just love photography... It always provides me with peace and happiness. (Except when it involves money)<br>

Should I stick with the original plan? Was it a good plan in the first place? Should I just stop the indecisive whining? Or should I return the camera/lens and just wait to see what happens down the road? <br>

I yield to the wisdom of the forum.</p>

<p>Great feedback...Thanks. I think I know the direction I want to take. I was hesitant to consider it because it seems extravagant.<br>

I want good glass. And I want to receive the best performance from the investment. Saying that I would welcome your suggestions for fast lens to use with a D700. I was considering the D3 but that would be like buying a Ferrari to commute tens miles a day to work. <br>

My primary use for the D700 and lens would be travel (landscape/people), social events(low light/action) and general walking around looking for inspiration (macro/broad application). <br>

Would like to stay under $5000 but would breech that barrier for the right combo.</p>

<p>A couple of options are available to me right now.<br>

First option: upgrade from D200 with a 18-200 1.35-5.6 VR to a D300s and a Nikkor 24-70 2.8. <br>

Second option just get the Nikkor 24-70 2.8 (or recommend your lens choice) and use it with my D200 for another year and wait to see what the Nikon body release will be that may upgrade the D700.<br>

I understand the performance gains I would get with the 300s and the fast lens but I'm curious if I would see a noticeable difference in image quality (sharpness/detail/color) putting the fast lens on the D200. Or is this lipstick on a pig...<br>

I generally shoot what moves me. Enjoy post production editing. I travel quite a bit and can take 2000 plus shots on a trip. Latest was taking texture and shape shots of lava fields in Hawaii. Any low light needs are typically social events and bicycle races. I like to travel with a single body and lens. I rent for anything specific, i.e. macro, fisheye. I like the D200, it feels natural in my hands and has always done well by me.<br>

First post but I have read many and value the brain trust here.</p>