Nikon 3D vs. D800 (with grip MB-D12)

[andreav]

Hi All,

I've just sold my D7K and I am about to embark in the FX world.
I am not a professional photographer, but it's a great hobby.
Mostly I do Portraiture, Travel, some Studio and little Macro.
Now the dilemma . . . .

I'll be in the US in the month of April and I thought I would buy the new Nikon D800 (about US$ 3,000) + Grip MB-D12 (about US$ 450) + EN-EL18 Battery Pack (about US$170) = Total US$ 3,620
I was wondering if I were to find a second hand Nikon 3D for about the same price which one I should go for.

Thx

[I @ M]

No ifs, buts or maybes.

D800

[Lance B]

If you are using it for what you have said in your post, the D800 would be the answer, IMO. It is smaller when you don't need a battery grip and has more resolution for cropping, in other words, it can be cropped down to D7000 image size for similar or better results, so you basically have two cameras in one, a DX and an FX camera! You can always use the D800 without battery grip for a smaller camera when required.

I also have the D7000 and also the D700 and I invisage that the D800 will replace both as I'll basically have two cameras in one. I wouldn't even contemplate the D3 simply because it is always a large and heavy camera as the battery grip is built in.

[swifty]

I can only concur with everyone.
As good as the D3 is, in 2012 and the price of the D800, I think that's the way to go.
If you had said you needed absolute speed, deep frame buffers and shoot in atrocious conditions, the pro body still has an advantage.

[arthurking83]

D3 should be less than $3K by now.

D3s may be found for less than $3.6K now. Most would be quite old and well used.

[andreav]

Thank you all -- it will be the D800 then

[cupic]

Good luck in sourcing a D800 supply is limited unless you have pre ordered

cheers