guitarbts Loc: Charlotte, NC

I realize this question is a very tough question as a professional will make any camera body work for his needs. I also realize that it depends on what you are shooting - ie. Sports, landscape, ect.
I am looking for the all round best body for a pro and let's say his back up body. In this drill consider the cost also - so the best all round pro body with the best price point.
The reason I am asking this is I have read so many reviews now that I just want to hear from the talented people on HH is see what they think. I realize I am going to get some obvious choices but want to see if there are some other opinions.

Thanks for your input!

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If I were looking for a main body and a backup body, I think I'd choose the same model. In this case the d800e or d800.

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

A lot of us favour two FX bodies; the D4 and the D800 (note the D4S release is imminent).
The D4 gives you fast frame rate and probably the best low light capability available in DSLR. The D800 gives you the high definition that the D4 does not have, though at the expense of poorer low light and frame rate.
As a pro you are equipped to cover everything from action to portraiture with this combination and a suitable investment in lenses.
The only purpose served in having the same bodies is redundancy in the event of failure of a body. If you can afford it fine but if you want to cover the whole range of work you may be asked to undertake you need to cover the requirements as well.
An after thought - a lot of pro's still use the D3S coupled with the D800. If budget is tight that could be an option.

guitarbts Loc: Charlotte, NC

Thanks Dave for the reply!
What do you think about the 610 and/or the 7100 as options?

amehta Loc: Boston

The contenders:
* "D4s"/D4
* D3s
* D800/D800E
* Df
* D300s
* D7100
The D300s is too old, so it's out, and it's replacement doesn't exist. The D7100 is just not in the "pro" league (which is why the D400 is needed, but Nikon and Canon don't think so).

Of the four remaining ones, they serve different purposes, and there are somewhat different prices. The D800, D800E, and Df are all in the $2700-3000 range. The D4 is about $6k, but we'll have to see what happens when the D4s shows up in a month or two (expected showcasing at the Olympics). The D3s is only available used for about $4k.

There is little doubt that the D4/D800 combo gives you the best of both worlds. "Only" $9k.

But for the best value, the D7100, at $1150, is tough to beat.

Nic42 Loc: Cardiff, Wales

The D610 (full frame) and the D7100 (cropped sensor) are not regarded as professional cameras. They could be described as advanced 'enthusiast' cameras or perhaps semi professional.

Both are excellent cameras though.

amehta Loc: Boston

If you're throwing them in the mix, maybe we can talk about what is really important for you?

It's hard to put camera "quality" on a single scale, with factors like image quality and operational speed, but if you could figure out what that is for you, i suspect that the D7100 would be near the top of the value list (cost / quality combo).

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

In general we avoid crop sensor cameras; simply because the FX factor gives you 'more' image plus with the D4 you have better (substantially) low light.

The D6XX range offer 'entry level' FX but in a non-pro body. One of the advantages of the D4 in fast work situations is the frame rate and controls on the body, being able to change ISO, quality and white balance at the touch of a button is very useful. The D800 does not unfortunately have this; guess we will have to await the D4X before that comes. I've used both the 600 and the 610; they offer excellent image quality though without a fast frame rate so given that I chose the D800 for it's larger sensor pixel rate.

Just as an aside I bought a D3S in very good condition, only 40,000 exposures, off a dealer for £1250 week before last as a backup. They are available at reasonable money and do offer you the combination of low light, fast frame rate and reliability that are needed for sports etc.

I think you should tailor your camera body requirement to the type of work you are going to be doing. If there is a lot of action you need to be thinking in terms of light and frame rate. If there is a lot of static then frame rate and low light capability is less important. If you do both then D4 / D800!

amehta Loc: Boston

How do you see changing ISO, quality, and white balance different on the D4 vs the D800?

DaveHam Loc: Reading UK

Buttons and display are on the back of the camera body so easier to access and faster to change.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Top 3 pro. D4, D4, D4.

amehta Loc: Boston

The same buttons are on the top of the D800.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

The D600/610 and the D7000/7100 bodies qualify as "Professional" bodies under Nikons NPS qualifications, but only as "back-up" bodies.

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

I would recommend that you do some side-by-side comparisions, and a good place to start is DPReview "side by side" comparison under "Camera" on the web site:

This is cited from their "Conclusion" section toward the end on the Review of the D7100:

"The Nikon D7100 rounds out Nikon's recently revamped lineup of enthusiast-targeted DSLRs. It may sit below the full frame D800 and D600 in price, but gives both a run for their money in terms of features, handling and performance. In fact, if you don't have a compelling reason to shoot with a full frame DSLR, or have no need for 36MP output, the APS-C D7100 offers a largely similar shooting experience, great looking images and a smaller, lighter body to carry on your shoulder."

Good Luck!

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

I don't want to start the Nikon/Canon insanity again but I noticed that no Canon cameras are mentioned. The Canon 1DX must be included iwth the new 7dll when it is released as a back up.