08-25-2008, 07:21 PM
[quote john dough]I have on order a Nikon D700 with a 70-300MM VR lens. I sold my D300 to a colleague and after seeing some shots (online) from a D300 with a 70-200MM 2.8 VR lens, it made me think that was a better setup, as far as better IQ.
All things being equal, which setup, in your opinion, would produce better IQ? The FX D700 and the 70-300 MM or the DX D300 with the 2.8 70-200 MM? I am going away on a mini-vacation next week and want to get the best IQ shots possible.
I think it depends on your anticipated photography. If you are shooting action (i.e. kids running like madmen), then bring the D300 with 70-200 VR. The trouble is that the 70-200 may be a bit far for overall photography. There have been complaints about the 70-200 with FX sensors---apparently the corners are soft(er) than on DX...which should be no surprise. Can you use the D700 in DX mode (5.1 megapixels) with the 70-200? That ought to be great for image quality and still have lower pixel density---and the image should be fine for 8x10 or even 16x20 inch prints. Of course, if you shoot the 70-200 in FF mode, you can see if the image is up to what you want (i.e. 'better' IQ).
I've read a lot of folks not caring about the corner softness with the 70-200 VR and shooting FF with it...and lets face it, if you are isolating the subject in the center of your image, the corner softness wont bother you.
I've read good things about the 70-300 VR, but I'm not sure what you get out of it that you wont have with the 70-200 VR (other than the extra reach).
Can you shoot both now and see which feels 'better' to you? The 70-200VR is a large lens to drag around on vacation. When I go on vacation, I bring my Sigma 18-200 DC (non-OS) and leave my fast glass (Nikon 80-200, Tamron 28-75, Sigma 10-20, Nikon 50mm f1.4) all home. The convenience of a superzoom on vacation is unbelievable.
As a result my 'best home photos' have lots from my Sigma 18-200...and stopped down to f8.0, this sigma produces excellent shots (for home photos).
GL
All things being equal, which setup, in your opinion, would produce better IQ? The FX D700 and the 70-300 MM or the DX D300 with the 2.8 70-200 MM? I am going away on a mini-vacation next week and want to get the best IQ shots possible.
I think it depends on your anticipated photography. If you are shooting action (i.e. kids running like madmen), then bring the D300 with 70-200 VR. The trouble is that the 70-200 may be a bit far for overall photography. There have been complaints about the 70-200 with FX sensors---apparently the corners are soft(er) than on DX...which should be no surprise. Can you use the D700 in DX mode (5.1 megapixels) with the 70-200? That ought to be great for image quality and still have lower pixel density---and the image should be fine for 8x10 or even 16x20 inch prints. Of course, if you shoot the 70-200 in FF mode, you can see if the image is up to what you want (i.e. 'better' IQ).
I've read a lot of folks not caring about the corner softness with the 70-200 VR and shooting FF with it...and lets face it, if you are isolating the subject in the center of your image, the corner softness wont bother you.
I've read good things about the 70-300 VR, but I'm not sure what you get out of it that you wont have with the 70-200 VR (other than the extra reach).
Can you shoot both now and see which feels 'better' to you? The 70-200VR is a large lens to drag around on vacation. When I go on vacation, I bring my Sigma 18-200 DC (non-OS) and leave my fast glass (Nikon 80-200, Tamron 28-75, Sigma 10-20, Nikon 50mm f1.4) all home. The convenience of a superzoom on vacation is unbelievable.
As a result my 'best home photos' have lots from my Sigma 18-200...and stopped down to f8.0, this sigma produces excellent shots (for home photos).
GL