D600 or D700

[crazypaladin]

I just brought my fuji X10, D700 and D800 for a trip to australia.

Frankly, the D700 did not really had any issues for DR... I know the DR in D800 is probably higher but you seldom need that DR.

In fact I had HUGE problems trying to manage the RAW files coming from the D800 on the road. Reviewing pics on my Zenbook is painstaking slow. IT eats up my SSD space very fast.... sometimes I wonder if I should just sell the D800 and get a 2nd D700...

I thought D800 had some settings to reduce the file size and that could be the solution with marginal quality loss.

 

[rain5533]

Wah.. d800 still can find in it thread..

D800 If wanna play with smaller Raw file size,
got 3 option :
1. Set to compressed only.
2. Either used with DX lens.
The raw file size output is around 45mb and won't kill your HD/SDD space.
3. Just used external HD for backup and save/transfer from the Card to External HD and edit from them.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

Hi, thanks for the prompt reply

From what I observed, good condition D700 are currently selling around $1800-2000, whereas D600 is around $2700-2900. The price of D600 will most probably drop to around $2500 at end of year.

-My main concern for D700 is regarding the high ISO performance as compared to D600.
-I'm happy with max fps of both cameras. 5fps is more than enough for me.
-I'm not sure if 12 megapixels will be enough for next 3 years down the road. I use my camera mainly for travelling, shooting food, scenery and places.
-From what I feel is that the body feel of D700 is more robust compared to D600.
-Not really sure if LCD size of d600 is much bigger than d700 though difference is 0.2 inch
-Is 100% viewfinder coverage very important?
-D700 has a larger viewfinder if I'm not wrong
-Regarding colour output of both cameras, I'm not sure which produces better colours and dynamic range.
-All my lenses are full frame.
-I'm aware that D700 cannot take video. But does D700 allow one to use LCD screen to take pictures just like compact camera? This is important as I always need other pple to take pictures of me and my gf in restaurants, and many of them dunno how to use DSLR.
-Just not sure whether D700 or D600 is a better buy overall, as D700 gives one an impression that it is a very old 4 years camera. But the specification is still very strong.

The price difference is significant, so you need to consider if it is a big enough 'hurdle' that will make you change your mind.
100% viewfinder coverage is useful to have, though (to me) it's not a deal-breaker if it doesn't, especially if coverage is close enough to 100%.
12MP resolution is sufficient for printing in very large sizes already. Unless 3 years down the road you're gonna be printing large murals, I doubt the need for super high resolution will change
Live view implementation is rather poor for D700. I wouldn't recommend this camera for the situation you have described. Don't know if d600 is better at this though.

My recommendation is d600 if u can stomach the price and prefer the less "pro" feel (smaller, lighter, less sticky rubber grip) of the body

 

[rain5533]

The price difference is significant, so you need to consider if it is a big enough 'hurdle' that will make you change your mind.
100% viewfinder coverage is useful to have, though (to me) it's not a deal-breaker if it doesn't, especially if coverage is close enough to 100%.
12MP resolution is sufficient for printing in very large sizes already. Unless 3 years down the road you're gonna be printing large murals, I doubt the need for super high resolution will change
Live view implementation is rather poor for D700. I wouldn't recommend this camera for the situation you have described. Don't know if d600 is better at this though.

My recommendation is d600 if u can stomach the price and prefer the less "pro" feel (smaller, lighter, less sticky rubber grip) of the body

Thanks to Sharing your great experience!

 

[dniwkh]

Nobody views a large print up close like we photographers do. Pictures are meant to be seen as a while.

not really. When I print at A3+, I usually view it at a distance. But you can also move close to take a look at the details at whatever interests you in the photo.

Just because you view the photo as a whole initially does not mean that a super sharp close up has no value.

 

[ageha]

But does D700 allow one to use LCD screen to take pictures just like compact camera? This is important as I always need other pple to take pictures of me and my gf in restaurants, and many of them dunno how to use DSLR.

No, it doesn't.

 

[kwanhan]

for me i'm also stuck in this same position deciding between the d600 vs the d700 for an upgrade to full frame.

i guess once you lay your priorities out u'll start to drift towards one or the other.

d700 is heavier with a much more comfortable grip... and the AF points cover a much much larger area in the viewfinder than the d600... but what draws me towards the d600 is weight, ISO performance (and dynamic range), it's much softer shutter sound, things like U1 and U2 settings, 100% viewfinder. (i'm a hobbyist who helps out at friends' weddings once in a while so all these things come in handy)

the lack of certain external buttons... i'll just have to live with it and adapt

sometimes i think i need a robust body for assignments... but reality kicks in and tells me that i'm just a hobbyist... so there i go :bsmilie:

what are your top 3-5 priorities?

 

[Omega23]

D600 is way ahead of the D700 which is consider old tech already.. only things it win is the 51 focus point and the more pro body. unless is more then 1k different else i see no reason to get used D700 not to mention no more warranty..and the shutter count dun know how cui..

 

[elixir]

As this is a discon model, there will not be much support like firmware update.....and for the next two years, there will be reviews/ talks on the new model, and one will always be tempted to upgrade. I'm thinking of the D700 / D600 choice as well, and the price difference in my opinion is too small. Street price of D600 is falling , and I think will continue to fall. Because Canon 6D is coming..... Just my opinion.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

No, it doesn't.

it sounds like TS asking about LiveView, which D700 does have... however to use it as TS described (get waiter/waitress to take photo of him and gf), I don't think the results would be good, as AF is quite slow. Camera also quite heavy to hold out in front in that way

perhaps that's why you said that it doesn't?

 

[ageha]

it sounds like TS asking about LiveView, which D700 does have... however to use it as TS described (get waiter/waitress to take photo of him and gf), I don't think the results would be good, as AF is quite slow. Camera also quite heavy to hold out in front in that way

perhaps that's why you said that it doesn't?

From my understanding he asked about CDAF and the D700 doesn't have it. There is no AF in LV, the D700 needs to flip up the mirror to focus and the LV will be black for a moment.

 

[daredevil123]

not really. When I print at A3+, I usually view it at a distance. But you can also move close to take a look at the details at whatever interests you in the photo.

Just because you view the photo as a whole initially does not mean that a super sharp close up has no value.

It really depends on how you mount and present the photo. As well as the content. But if you are printing these kinds of photo, D800E is the one to go for.

 

[daredevil123]

TS, looking at your requirements and your responses, it seems like D600 is a better fit for you.

 

[ZerocoolAstra]

From my understanding he asked about CDAF and the D700 doesn't have it. There is no AF in LV, the D700 needs to flip up the mirror to focus and the LV will be black for a moment.

You caught me off guard there, but I checked and D700 does have CDAF in LiveView, oddly it is activated in 'Tripod' mode. When set to (default) 'handheld' mode, camera will use PDAF, in which mirror drops back to position to allow AF sensors to work, then flips up again to shoot.
In my opinion, neither is a good solution for the situation that TS mentioned, coz PDAF will be irritating (mirror moves up and down), and CDAF implementation is poor (slow).

 

[Alan Chan]

I have not gotten the chance to print out the D800 pics on A3+ size yet. Previously, I thought the D700 is just very slightly soft at A3+ if you view up close.

Hopefully the prints from the D800 will be better. I think the print quality is probably a bigger plus to me than the DR, especially if you have to crop to get a better composition which I do quite often....

I printed a A0 from D700. like DD said, not looking up close.

 

[zniter81]

Hi guys, I'm currently deciding if I should get the new D600 or 2nd hand D700. I'm aware of the difference. But not sure which is a better buy. Will greatly appreciate your advices. Thanks

i was also deciding on D600 vs D700.
But eventually, i bought D700.

i was using D90 previously, and one good thing abt D700 is that you have all the controls on the body itself.
i.e. changing from single focus to continuous focus, is jus flipping a switch.

 

[traderk]

i was also deciding on D600 vs D700.
But eventually, i bought D700.

i was using D90 previously, and one good thing abt D700 is that you have all the controls on the body itself.
i.e. changing from single focus to continuous focus, is jus flipping a switch.[

###

I own a D700, and was considering the D600 for
1. lighter (save some 200g+)
2. newer processor (well 4 yrs is eons from technology processor standpoint)

Some points why the D700 still rocks
1. IQ for D700 is awesome still. Unless you shoot in really low light primarily, or shoot super large images, it will suffice. Of course D600 would be better but only if you know how to get that
2. Price of D700 has dropped a lot, so easy to get a second hand one
3. D600 is missing the AF-ON button. This is quite inconvenient, although the AE button can be configured you will have to choose
4. Feels much more solid than D600 honestly.
5. on surface, the D700 has lots of easy access buttons which i really like. I too have a D90 which is a HUGE step up to get to D600/D700.

that said, to get the most of the move from D90 to D700/600 in terms of IQ, you need to invest in good lenses AND good SW. Software is something commonly overlooked. Software costs so much less, and can bring so much more bang for buck than better bodies / lenses, eg photoshop, Lightroom, Nik Software suite. the impact of SW IMO is more than upgrading to D600 in a bulk majority of cases with only a few exceptions of course (plus cost a lot less)

 

[daredevil123]

One thing to note is that D600 is better than D700in high ISO shots, but only slightly better in my opinion.

 

[wolfton]

Anyone knows when the WU-1b touching our shore or our neighbor across the causeway? It's a nice gadget, not too expensive, I think I'll get it to pair with my new iPhone

 

[daredevil123]

Anyone knows when the WU-1b touching our shore or our neighbor across the causeway? It's a nice gadget, not too expensive, I think I'll get it to pair with my new iPhone

I heard it is here already... but don't quote me.. coz I may hear wrongly.