To keep a D3 or not....

[Desmond]

Really lucky purchase - I just bought these 4 cameras for $450.
Nikon D1 - can't test it because I don't have a CF card less than 4 gig Turns on, came with two batteries and charger, all 4 bodies came with two batteries and a charger each.

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D1X - also can't check shutter count until I have a 2 gig CF card or smaller. Also powers up.

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D3 with 325000 actuations, described as having a "flakey screen" because evey now and then the screen flickers and goes red for a second. It has happened once in about an hour's worth of shooting.

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Nikon D3 with 38k on the shutter, in pretty good condition. Came with 4 X 4 gig CF cards. Also came in original box with local warranty slip.

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Now my dilemma - someone has offered me a gripped D5200 with kit lens, two batteries plus an f60 and 3 rolls of film and $150 cash my way for the 'flakey' D3. I also have two people interested in buying the D1X for $175. This just about covers the whole purchase price of all 4 bodies - plus maybe $100 for the D1 for a collector.
So do I keep the good D3? I mean it seems like an amazing camera but I can't really see that much difference at iso 6400 to my D7200 though I've only zoomed in on the display. I already have two D7200 bodies and like my dx lenses - AND they have dust reduction
The other option is to get perhaps a decent price for the good D3 and use the 'flakey' one since I'm not that into full frame.
Opinions?

 

[Mitchell]

I would keep a working D3 given your recent purchase of an 85mm, f1.4 lens. That glass really shines on an FX body.

 

[D.RicPhoto]

Really lucky purchase - I just bought these 4 cameras for $450.
Nikon D1 - can't test it because I don't have a CF card less than 4 gig Turns on, came with two batteries and charger, all 4 bodies came with two batteries and a charger each.

View attachment 1636191

D1X - also can't check shutter count until I have a 2 gig CF card or smaller. Also powers up.

View attachment 1636192

D3 with 325000 actuations, described as having a "flakey screen" because evey now and then the screen flickers and goes red for a second. It has happened once in about an hour's worth of shooting.

View attachment 1636194

Nikon D3 with 38k on the shutter, in pretty good condition. Came with 4 X 4 gig CF cards. Also came in original box with local warranty slip.

View attachment 1636193

Now my dilemma - someone has offered me a gripped D5200 with kit lens, two batteries plus an f60 and 3 rolls of film and $150 cash my way for the 'flakey' D3. I also have two people interested in buying the D1X for $175. This just about covers the whole purchase price of all 4 bodies - plus maybe $100 for the D1 for a collector.
So do I keep the good D3? I mean it seems like an amazing camera but I can't really see that much difference at iso 6400 to my D7200 though I've only zoomed in on the display. I already have two D7200 bodies and like my dx lenses - AND they have dust reduction
The other option is to get perhaps a decent price for the good D3 and use the 'flakey' one since I'm not that into full frame.
Opinions?

I would sell all of them. Invest in something newer or refurbished. Though I could see keeping the better D3 .

 

[McQ]

Keep the good D3. Sell the flakey one. Mitchell gave you the perfect reason to hang onto it.

 

[Palouse]

I would keep a working D3 given your recent purchase of an 85mm, f1.4 lens. That glass really shines on an FX body.

I agree, and blow up the rest.

 

[Jonathan F/2]

Keep the good D3. That's still a good camera despite being over 10 years old. If someone gave me one to shoot, I'd have no problem shooting with it.

 

[Mitchell]

Keep the good D3. That's still a good camera despite being over 10 years old. If someone gave me one to shoot, I'd have no problem shooting with it.

I think the D3 shares the same sensor as the D700. I still shoot my D700 regularly. I believe that sensor is one of Nikon's best for portraiture. Put a good lens on a D700 and watch the portrait magic begin.

 

[Jonathan F/2]

I think the D3 shares the same sensor as the D700. I still shoot my D700 regularly. I believe that sensor is one of Nikon's best for portraiture. Put a good lens on a D700 and watch the portrait magic begin.

You know what camera often gets overlooked is the D3X. I shot with the D3/D3S/D700/D3X and by far the D3X was by far my favorite for portraits due to colors and image output. It was so-so at high ISO, but low ISO photos looked amazing.

 

[Mitchell]

You know what camera often gets overlooked is the D3X. I shot with the D3/D3S/D700/D3X and by far the D3X was by far my favorite for portraits due to colors and image output. It was so-so at high ISO, but low ISO photos looked amazing.

I never shot a D3X. The price was always out of reach. It struck me more as a landscape camera.

 

[Jonathan F/2]

I never shot a D3X. The price was always out of reach. It struck me more as a landscape camera.

Interestingly enough you can find D3X bodies for not much more than a used D750! It has no video or sensor cleaning though, so it was common practice to clean the sensor on a regular basis.

 

[Panther]

Perhaps sell them all and get a D700 in good order!

 

[Desmond]

The 'good' D3 may have an issue. I decided to format the two 4 gig CF cards in it and then it stopped writing images when I took a picture. I swapped the cards over to the older body and it was the same. Then I took a 2 gig SD card in an adapter and formatted that in the right card slot and it did the same. I put another 4 gig card into the right slot and it worked fine but I haven't tried another format in that slot.
The SD card that go formatted in it no longer works in my D5200 and can't be formatted again, it just keeps the green light on and freezes the camera.

 

[Desmond]

I would keep a working D3 given your recent purchase of an 85mm, f1.4 lens. That glass really shines on an FX body.

Technically I bought this for a workmate - she shoots weddings and when she found out I buy and sell a bit of gear she told me she was after an 85mm 1.4D [had to have aperture ring]. I will try it for a week when it arrives and pass it on to her. I may still look around for another one for myself because this is the second 85mm f1.4D in 6. months that I've seen go for $270.

 

[Desmond]

Perhaps sell them all and get a D700 in good order!

I sold them for twice what I paid and today I bought a gripped D700 [genuine Nikon grip] with two batteries and a Lexar pro memory card for $300

 

[Mitchell]

Good move. D700 is still my favorite FX body. Wonderful portrait camera in good light.

 

[Desmond]

Good move. D700 is still my favorite FX body. Wonderful portrait camera in good light.

I just wish it had twin card slots - then I'd be really happy with it.

 

[gwh1bass]

For bar bands in artificial lights, I always seem to reach for the old D3 with an 85 1.8D since I don’t have a 1.4. Never disappoints although multiple Nikon branded batteries have given up, a DSTE battery works just fine.

With minimal cropping, get great results.