I still have mine from late 2007. I have learned to replace certain parts on it over the years. The D3 really changed the game for me when it came out. Still in love with it today.
What better way for someone new to the world of photography to hone their craft than on a legendary Nikon Flagship camera. The entry cost today is cheap compared to newer options. I have a D700 I picked up in 2017 and a D3 I just scored of eBay this week.
I bought a high mileage D3S from MPB back in April. Replaced the eyepiece as it was damaged but am overall really pleased with it. There's still deals to be had but they can be a bit few and far between. D4 is still holding it's money surprisingly well.
Yes I had to be patient and carefully go through all of those. A few have cracks in the bodies, missing screws etc which just sound like bad news in the long term. The one I bought is an ex professional body so it's got a few scuffs but overall a solid example. The main reasons it was marked down as 'Heavily Used' was a shutter count of about 278k and a non genuine battery but to be honest it'll likely be good enough to last me many years. I've recently picked up a second hand EN-EL4A so I shouldn't need anything in the foreseeable. Currently all in, it stands me at about £465.
It's 2022. I just bought a used D3 from a studio photographer for $300 USD. The battery was dead and the main dials were not working well. I put in a new battery and it still works. I guess it's better than buying a new D6 although that would be my preference if I had the money.
D700 for me it's a dinosaur compared to today's cameras but the images are so buttery and exquisite. I have a D850 also and yet for some reason, the images from the 700 are so much more evocative more able to betray the heart at first glance. Given that I'm a novice ill have to attribute it to my lack of expertise. Wonderful video thank you very much I pray the young ones hear you and pick up these older cameras and learn from them as I have and as you sugest.
Yes - these old flagship bodies are fabulous value for the cheap prices they go for these days. You learn how to do things properly whilst owning a super robust classic.
I sold my D700 and D4s to help buy a Canon R5. I am now rebuying a D4s, it should arrive today. Will be saving up to rebuy a D700. The ML high tech cameras are nice in many ways but they have no " Photo Soul" as I call it. Will be buying some good used F mount lenses as well. I am 70 years old and I guess too old fashioned and shooting now as a hobbyist. I will have to keep the R5 as I will take a batch trying to sell it so soon.
Have also the Nikon D3 since 2008. And i like it still much better than the Nikon D3s. The Nikon D4 is also a great camera but the Nikon D3 i use the most. For me the lenses are far more important and how you use the light. The Nikon D700 is also a nice camera.
@@Cotictimmy Don’t like the sensor of the D3s. The images are not razor sharp than with the Nikon D3 or the Nikon D700. With the Nikon D4 it’s a big step forward but with the Nikon D5 and the Nikon D6 it’s not worth it. Maybe I used only prime lenses now a day.
I have done big prints with 12mp!! looks great :) I use to own a D500 and found I just didn't use or need the fancy stuff! and I preferred using my D700 and D3 over it :) I ended up selling it so I could buy the Tamron SP 1.4 35mm when it was released :) I rarely use rapid on the D3! only at certain events when there might be something fast moving about :) I am not a fan of touch screen so the older cameras work for me :) I do photos for a fashion model and she's aware I have an older camera! etc. likes the pictures I do and never complains :) you can come across snobs who will stick their noses up at an older camera!! I've had the odd arrogant photographer with the latest gear! smirk or comment on me using a dinosaur :) sod em
There is such a thing as 'Reverse Snobbery' of course. I've been accused of it cos I love the D3 series bodies. I've adopted the prounouns: 'Proud' 'DSLR' & ' Luddite'. 😉
Jerry Ghionis on Z9 RUclips Ad: "Photographing indoor with lamp light at 6400. Every single time it was in focus. I'm getting shots I've never gotten before in my career". Yeah, right. Sure! ;) Give me a break!
I sold my D4s and the D700 with a dozen F mount lenses and bought a Canon R5. Well my D4s replacement is to arrive today. Will be looking for a good deal on a D700 and some good, fast F mount lenses mainly for portrait and casual shooting. Will keep the R5 as I would take a bath trying sell that camera so soon. The R5 is a good birding and wildlife camera if the environment is not too cold, too hot and too dusty. My old D4s could go anywhere, anytime .
That's interesting - I'd thought that if I had the kind of money for it, an R5 and a compliment or RF lenses would be a pretty good system to have. My view is that (for an amateur on a budget like me) the F Mount kit now offers tremendous bargains on formerly high-end pro gear. 😃
@@Cotictimmy I am on a budget as well. F mount lenses cost SO much less then the Canon RF lenses, L series. It will be a challenge to shoot with a Nikon DSLR and then shoot with a Canon R5, they are so different. However with extreme weather conditions and some "wild" areas I would rather have and shoot with a DSLR. So many wonderful F mount lenses are available and most are affordable for me if I buy one every 2 or 3 months until I have once again the lens that I want or need which are not all that many. I thought about picking up a used D850 but having a R5 and a Nikon D810; well, I missed the D4s that I once had just 4 months ago. One can purchase 2 or 3 F mount lenses for the price of one RF, L series Canon lens at this time. This may change as 3rd party lenses are released for the R cameras. IF and when.
@@chesterjohnson4504 I currently have D3S, D3X, D4, & D810 (I should try to use the D810 more, but I like using the large D3 & D4 bodies, so I haven't spent as much time using the D810 as I ought.) I am waiting for the used prices of D850 bodies to fall further before getting one - but I do plan to eventually.
@@Cotictimmy I am thinking the same. However I do not believe I would gain much having the R5 and the D810. The D850 what I have heard and read is the best DSLR camera ever made. I need to save a few more dollars and invest in some F mount glass before doing anything else. I did receive the used D4s yesterday. It had been less then 3 months since I sold the one I had. My goodness I had forgotten just how big that camera body is compared to the R5. Once I took the camera out for a test run and after a few minutes I realized how much I like the camera. The R5 I will use for birding otherwise I would consider selling it but it is too new and I would take a bath selling it at this time. The only F mount lens I have now is the very heavy but strongly built 80-200 f/2.8 I hardly used that lens with the D4s as the combo is so heavy.
I think for wildlife I would chose the D500 for extra long reach (it will extend all of your lenses by 50%) and for the best focus performance for a £1000 used camera. Cheaper option used D7200 or D7500 (one card slot only I think) but I'd say the old 12MP full frame cameras are NOT the best choice for wildlife.
@@Cotictimmy I use a D700 and a D3 for wildlife, but only for hide work, and when you can get close to larger birds like owls, as well as larger wildlife. I use them with a 300mm f4 AF-S D lens which is also great for environmental wildlife shots.
I think I had a 32GB in mine (I have only the S & X variants currently and not the original D3.) The guys on the Nikon D3 group say they use 64GB. I don't know about 128GB though.
Nowadays, these 'magical automatic everything digital sensors rush madness' leads you to filming 8K at 120 FPS with magical/scary animal/person eye-auto-focus and to just point the damn camera roughly into the subject direction and pick a damn single frame as your photograph. The digital freaking magic 30, 40 or 120 FPS camera does everything for you. This is no photography! It is something else. Even for sports. Z9 and counterparts in mind. Point, keep pressing the shutter button for minutes and have your "masterpiece photograph". Give me a break!
Fully agree! To me it is far more rewarding to get the shot on your own rather than the camera do everything for you. Soon enough they will have cameras mounted on the roofs of vehicles finding wildlife with inferred technology as you drive around and photographers taking credit for the images lol!
Nikon insisted we had to say 'Zee' even though we are Brits and say 'Zed' LOL. Also when it came out the majority of RUclips videos about it were by Americans LOL. 🤣
I still have mine from late 2007. I have learned to replace certain parts on it over the years. The D3 really changed the game for me when it came out. Still in love with it today.
What better way for someone new to the world of photography to hone their craft than on a legendary Nikon Flagship camera. The entry cost today is cheap compared to newer options. I have a D700 I picked up in 2017 and a D3 I just scored of eBay this week.
I bought a high mileage D3S from MPB back in April. Replaced the eyepiece as it was damaged but am overall really pleased with it. There's still deals to be had but they can be a bit few and far between. D4 is still holding it's money surprisingly well.
Yes I had to be patient and carefully go through all of those. A few have cracks in the bodies, missing screws etc which just sound like bad news in the long term. The one I bought is an ex professional body so it's got a few scuffs but overall a solid example. The main reasons it was marked down as 'Heavily Used' was a shutter count of about 278k and a non genuine battery but to be honest it'll likely be good enough to last me many years. I've recently picked up a second hand EN-EL4A so I shouldn't need anything in the foreseeable. Currently all in, it stands me at about £465.
It's 2022. I just bought a used D3 from a studio photographer for $300 USD. The battery was dead and the main dials were not working well. I put in a new battery and it still works. I guess it's better than buying a new D6 although that would be my preference if I had the money.
Last year I bought and extremely good D3 with no problems and 80K shutter count for £350 UK. ($450 U.S.?) Prices are rising I think.
Hey, nice chat. Oh, I saw your work on Instagram, very nice portraits, sir.
Thank you for that. Lots more shots (mainly form my D3X) on Purpleport.com if you search for Timmee 😀
ive just bought a d3 from mpb it came today,can't wait to try it out
We have an original D3 belonging to a friend here now. It's images are great and not really inferior to those from my D3S.
Still shooting with my D4! Amazing camera! Long live DSLRs!
I have the D3s and D5, I use the D3s for Surf photography in the SPL Water Housing, love it. Use the D5 for shooting from shore etc.
Coincidentally, I ordered a used D3S body (with 128K actuations) on Friday. I'm expecting it to arrive tomorrow. 😀
D700 for me it's a dinosaur compared to today's cameras but the images are so buttery and exquisite. I have a D850 also and yet for some reason, the images from the 700 are so much more evocative more able to betray the heart at first glance. Given that I'm a novice ill have to attribute it to my lack of expertise. Wonderful video thank you very much I pray the young ones hear you and pick up these older cameras and learn from them as I have and as you sugest.
Yes - these old flagship bodies are fabulous value for the cheap prices they go for these days. You learn how to do things properly whilst owning a super robust classic.
I sold my D700 and D4s to help buy a Canon R5. I am now rebuying a D4s, it should arrive today. Will be saving up to rebuy a D700. The ML high tech cameras are nice in many ways but they have no " Photo Soul" as I call it. Will be buying some good used F mount lenses as well. I am 70 years old and I guess too old fashioned and shooting now as a hobbyist. I will have to keep the R5 as I will take a batch trying to sell it so soon.
@@chesterjohnson4504 the F mount lense aray is amazing so many of them at good prices and readily available.
Have also the Nikon D3 since 2008. And i like it still much better than the Nikon D3s. The Nikon D4 is also a great camera but the Nikon D3 i use the most. For me the lenses are far more important and how you use the light. The Nikon D700 is also a nice camera.
That's interesting - Can you explain why you like the D3 better than the D3S?
@@Cotictimmy Don’t like the sensor of the D3s. The images are not razor sharp than with the Nikon D3 or the Nikon D700. With the Nikon D4 it’s a big step forward but with the Nikon D5 and the Nikon D6 it’s not worth it. Maybe I used only prime lenses now a day.
@@johandenhertog6878 I've just got myself a D4. Used prices always seemed insanely high, but recently then have fallen here in the U.K.
Congratulations on the new channel! Peter McKinnon must be shaking in his shoes 👠
Whilst this channel lacks both size & significance, its creator is committed to the appreciation irony 🤣
Great camera a game-changer when it came into production. Keep shooting mate a great camera and don't let anyone tell you any different.
I have done big prints with 12mp!! looks great :) I use to own a D500 and found I just didn't use or need the fancy stuff! and I preferred using my D700 and D3 over it :) I ended up selling it so I could buy the Tamron SP 1.4 35mm when it was released :) I rarely use rapid on the D3! only at certain events when there might be something fast moving about :) I am not a fan of touch screen so the older cameras work for me :) I do photos for a fashion model and she's aware I have an older camera! etc. likes the pictures I do and never complains :) you can come across snobs who will stick their noses up at an older camera!! I've had the odd arrogant photographer with the latest gear! smirk or comment on me using a dinosaur :) sod em
There is such a thing as 'Reverse Snobbery' of course. I've been accused of it cos I love the D3 series bodies. I've adopted the prounouns: 'Proud' 'DSLR' & ' Luddite'. 😉
Jerry Ghionis on Z9 RUclips Ad: "Photographing indoor with lamp light at 6400. Every single time it was in focus. I'm getting shots I've never gotten before in my career". Yeah, right. Sure! ;) Give me a break!
I sold my D4s and the D700 with a dozen F mount lenses and bought a Canon R5. Well my D4s replacement is to arrive today. Will be looking for a good deal on a D700 and some good, fast F mount lenses mainly for portrait and casual shooting. Will keep the R5 as I would take a bath trying sell that camera so soon. The R5 is a good birding and wildlife camera if the environment is not too cold, too hot and too dusty. My old D4s could go anywhere, anytime .
That's interesting - I'd thought that if I had the kind of money for it, an R5 and a compliment or RF lenses would be a pretty good system to have. My view is that (for an amateur on a budget like me) the F Mount kit now offers tremendous bargains on formerly high-end pro gear. 😃
@@Cotictimmy I am on a budget as well. F mount lenses cost SO much less then the Canon RF lenses, L series. It will be a challenge to shoot with a Nikon DSLR and then shoot with a Canon R5, they are so different. However with extreme weather conditions and some "wild" areas I would rather have and shoot with a DSLR. So many wonderful F mount lenses are available and most are affordable for me if I buy one every 2 or 3 months until I have once again the lens that I want or need which are not all that many. I thought about picking up a used D850 but having a R5 and a Nikon D810; well, I missed the D4s that I once had just 4 months ago. One can purchase 2 or 3 F mount lenses for the price of one RF, L series Canon lens at this time. This may change as 3rd party lenses are released for the R cameras. IF and when.
@@chesterjohnson4504 I currently have D3S, D3X, D4, & D810 (I should try to use the D810 more, but I like using the large D3 & D4 bodies, so I haven't spent as much time using the D810 as I ought.) I am waiting for the used prices of D850 bodies to fall further before getting one - but I do plan to eventually.
@@Cotictimmy I am thinking the same. However I do not believe I would gain much having the R5 and the D810. The D850 what I have heard and read is the best DSLR camera ever made. I need to save a few more dollars and invest in some F mount glass before doing anything else. I did receive the used D4s yesterday. It had been less then 3 months since I sold the one I had. My goodness I had forgotten just how big that camera body is compared to the R5. Once I took the camera out for a test run and after a few minutes I realized how much I like the camera. The R5 I will use for birding otherwise I would consider selling it but it is too new and I would take a bath selling it at this time. The only F mount lens I have now is the very heavy but strongly built 80-200 f/2.8 I hardly used that lens with the D4s as the combo is so heavy.
Im going from d600 and want a d3 or d3s for wildlife, carphotography what you think?
I think for wildlife I would chose the D500 for extra long reach (it will extend all of your lenses by 50%) and for the best focus performance for a £1000 used camera. Cheaper option used D7200 or D7500 (one card slot only I think) but I'd say the old 12MP full frame cameras are NOT the best choice for wildlife.
@@Cotictimmy I use a D700 and a D3 for wildlife, but only for hide work, and when you can get close to larger birds like owls, as well as larger wildlife. I use them with a 300mm f4 AF-S D lens which is also great for environmental wildlife shots.
@@jeffcowan2667 If you're not obsessed with The New, then the older bodies & lenses still deliver great looking images.
Have a original D 3 wish I had the money for the X
Can i ask you what max size CF cards will work fine on my D3 which is due any day. Thank you very much
I think I had a 32GB in mine (I have only the S & X variants currently and not the original D3.) The guys on the Nikon D3 group say they use 64GB. I don't know about 128GB though.
But back in the day the D3 was the high end stuff and I could only wish while shooting with my D80 😁
That's the first time ever, I've seen somebody request a thumbs down in a video... Thumbs up for that! :D. Also the video is nice, I love me D3s
Yes -seeing every RUclipsr beg for likes and subscribes does eventually become extremely tedious LOL. 🤣
I picked one up on eBay for £225. Well chuffed
Nowadays, these 'magical automatic everything digital sensors rush madness' leads you to filming 8K at 120 FPS with magical/scary animal/person eye-auto-focus and to just point the damn camera roughly into the subject direction and pick a damn single frame as your photograph. The digital freaking magic 30, 40 or 120 FPS camera does everything for you. This is no photography! It is something else. Even for sports. Z9 and counterparts in mind. Point, keep pressing the shutter button for minutes and have your "masterpiece photograph". Give me a break!
Fully agree! To me it is far more rewarding to get the shot on your own rather than the camera do everything for you. Soon enough they will have cameras mounted on the roofs of vehicles finding wildlife with inferred technology as you drive around and photographers taking credit for the images lol!
D3 … a dump truck of reliability and output
Are you British ? Whats with Zee 5 and Zee 6….. it Zed 5 and Zed 6 . Got to give a thumbs down now i am afraid
Nikon insisted we had to say 'Zee' even though we are Brits and say 'Zed' LOL. Also when it came out the majority of RUclips videos about it were by Americans LOL. 🤣