Would you buy older technology in a digital camera? I had an older Nikon D7000 that was not seeing any use after I purchased a D750 a few years ago so I decided to sell it. Looking...

wildweasel

I had an older Nikon D7000 that was not seeing any use after I purchased a D750 a few years ago so I decided to sell it. Looking around at used camera equipment, I stumbled on the model Nikon D3 at a couple of places for around $1,000 and less. My question, would any of you buy in to this older camera , and is this still a good working camera to have. I look forward to your opinions.

rstipe Loc: S. Florida

I did, D600, D5300 & a D7100. They are ALL great gear & I'm very happy with them.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You should quickly hear from the many D3 owners saying it is (was) the greatest camera every made. Today in 2018 at the age of 10-years, you'll find 12MP to be limiting for cropping deeply into the details of an image captured at a distance. But otherwise, it's still as modern as current bodies.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

Well, I did just that ! found a D3, with less than 20.000 actuations on it, in immaculate condition.I bought like a shot; I use it all the time, a fantastic camera- 12 mp no problem at at all. I really can't see why you need more than 20mp any way. I mostly print at 10X8, as this seems to be the preferred size in the UK any way.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

A d3 has the same sensor as the d700 which I still love and use even though I also have the d810. Just because the camera is not today's latest and greatest release doesn't mean it won't take better pictures than you are capable of doing.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

I just purchased a D1x just to play with a crop sensor camera. I doubt I'd do anything serious with it, but one never knows.
--Bob

wildweasel wrote:

I had an older Nikon D7000 that was not seeing any use after I purchased a D750 a few years ago so I decided to sell it. Looking around at used camera equipment, I stumbled on the model Nikon D3 at a couple of places for around $1,000 and less. My question, would any of you buy in to this older camera , and is this still a good working camera to have. I look forward to your opinions.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

The best digital camera I ever owned was an Epson RD1x.

6mb files CMOS sensor, 1" LCD....you had to work the film rewind lever to cock the shutter!

It was awesome.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

wildweasel wrote:

I had an older Nikon D7000 that was not seeing any use after I purchased a D750 a few years ago so I decided to sell it. Looking around at used camera equipment, I stumbled on the model Nikon D3 at a couple of places for around $1,000 and less. My question, would any of you buy in to this older camera , and is this still a good working camera to have. I look forward to your opinions.

While the D3 was a ground breaking camera when it came to high ISO, the D3S was even better. It is still the high-ISO standard to which others are compared. The good thing is that they are only slightly higher than a used D3. If you want most of what the D3 offers and don't mind a smaller, lighter package, the D700 is a smaller lighter version with a smaller battery, no grip, the same sensor and AF system, and a lot cheaper.

blackest Loc: Ireland

watched a little video about the nikon df the other evening with some great photos taken with it, a quick trip to ebay soon put me off that notion.

It's not the camera thou really that takes those great photographs but the photographer. Skill takes practice not a great camera.

turp77 Loc: Connecticut, Plainfield

I bought my D3 when it came out with the 28-70mm f2.8. I just hit 600,000 actuations 20,000 last year. It feels so right in my hands, IQ is outstanding. I also have a D810 that I love. Yes the D810 has outstanding IQ and I can crop deeper than the D3. But I still love and use my very worn D3, it is a tank in that it can take much more of a beating and still keep giving fantastic photos. By the way I also still use my 28-70mm f2.8 almost daily on my D810. I believe upgrading when the camera or lens no longer meets your needs. Just like any piece of equipment regular maintenance is a must, I send my cameras in for a CLA every two years. You would not run your car until it breaks before you change the oil or tune it up. Camera is no different. What the D3 has that the D810 doesn’t is the ability to put voice description on each shot with a single button without taking your eye off of the viewfinder.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

wildweasel wrote:

I had an older Nikon D7000 that was not seeing any use after I purchased a D750 a few years ago so I decided to sell it. Looking around at used camera equipment, I stumbled on the model Nikon D3 at a couple of places for around $1,000 and less. My question, would any of you buy in to this older camera , and is this still a good working camera to have. I look forward to your opinions.

Yes I would. A camera's ability to take good pictures doesn't decline over time or when newer technology is introduced.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

turp77 wrote:

What the D3 has that the D810 doesn’t is the ability to put voice description on each shot with a single button without taking your eye off of the viewfinder.

Cool! I had and used that feature on my Fuji S2pro a lot. Miss it.

BebuLamar

Actually I am thinking of buying one. It's a well built camera. Quite fast. Quite good for low light. 12MP is good enough for me.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

BebuLamar wrote:

Actually I am thinking of buying one. It's a well built camera. Quite fast. Quite good for low light. 12MP is good enough for me.

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1551659/0?keyword=Nikon,D3s#14518706

I have a 3x5 foot print hanging at work that I shot with a 12mp D700.
Hard to distinguish it from the other 3 shot with a D800 or 810.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

GoofyNewfie wrote:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/1551659/0?keyword=Nikon,D3s#14518706

I have a 3x5 foot print hanging at work that I shot with a 12mp D700.
Hard to distinguish it from the other 3 shot with a D800 or 810.

It appears to me that this camera is probably not a US version.