A couple of questions about the D4?

[Keith]

When the time is right I'll probably replace my D700 with a D4 now that they are old news thanks to the recent D4s release. I was watching a D4 on eBay recently that went for what I thought was a good price .... $3150 AUD. The camera has a shutter count of 79,000 which you would expect with a two year old pro body and considering the shutters are rated at 400,000 actuations that doesn't seem like much ... it has also just been into a Nikon dealer for a clean and refresh and comes with all the original packaging etc and cards and extra batteries. It's virtually unmarked!

Well the winner of the auction failed to pay and the camera has been relisted so I have it on my watch list again and may put in a bid close to the original winning bid.

The big question is .... is a D4 in this condition worth this much money considering the shutter count? I'm seeing used ones being advertised for a fair bit more than this around the traps.

 

[jwicaksana]

Hi Keith, I am also a D700 user and have been watching prices for proper future replacement. With the way D3s even D3 prices have been holding on, I'd say that's not expensive. Having free cards thrown in can be sweet if they're big capacity good brand ones. Otherwise I'd put next to zero value to whatever thrown in that deal.
I've seen some pro bodies babied by hobbyist and clocked in under 30k actuations. But if it's unmarked cosmetically, then it's good. Some got low count but battered body, and vice versa. Bottom line, for a D4, said camera seems like a good deal.

 

[sevo]

I haven't ever researched D4 prices, but as far as my used Nikon pro camera purchases go, I bought all of them bought from local pros or the local Nikon pro dealer. Where they were cheaper than competing offers on ebay. On the latter, you always compete with idiot buyers with a inflated and irrational opinion on the item they crave for, so there is fair amount of overbidding going on when it comes to popular objects where two or more bidders of that type are in the race...

 

[Keith]

Hi Keith, I am also a D700 user and have been watching prices for proper future replacement. With the way D3s even D3 prices have been holding on, I'd say that's not expensive. Having free cards thrown in can be sweet if they're big capacity good brand ones. Otherwise I'd put next to zero value to whatever thrown in that deal.
I've seen some pro bodies babied by hobbyist and clocked in under 30k actuations. But if it's unmarked cosmetically, then it's good. Some got low count but battered body, and vice versa. Bottom line, for a D4, said camera seems like a good deal.

The D3s was one of my other choices until the D4s was released. 🙂

The other thing I forgot to mention about the camera is it's local .... not Brisbane but a few hundred ks away. I asked the seller about the camera's use and he said mainly for sports.

 

[YYV_146]

Are you sure it's not a third-party refurb? I would look out for those. Make sure you see documentation from Nikon.

80,000 shutters should be a breeze for the D4. Camera shutters fail in a long-tail pattern. If it's already lasted 80,000 clicks, chances are it'll last at least the full 400k.

 

[Keith]

Are you sure it's not a third-party refurb? I would look out for those. Make sure you see documentation from Nikon.

80,000 shutters should be a breeze for the D4. Camera shutters fail in a long-tail pattern. If it's already lasted 80,000 clicks, chances are it'll last at least the full 400k.

The work was done by Anderson's in Brisbane who are 50 year Nikon dealers ... and he has all the documentation for that work thankfully. He also has the original purchase receipts for the camera which was from the first batch that came into Australia.

 

[Baby of Macon]

Hi Keith, it sounds like a good buy provided it all measures up. Have you considered a D3X? If you need the high ISO performance, obviously, the 3S and 4 are better, but the 3X is a criminally overlooked camera in my opinion. If you are going for the 4 and can get at least one high capacity XQD card thrown in, it would be a real plus. That was real design mistake on Nikon's part, even if the extra write speed is a plus for video.

 

[giellaleafapmu]

May I ask why are you considering a D4 as a replacement of a D700? I think single digit Nikons are great and superfast. But wouldn't the natural upgrade be either a D800 or a D750? (I am just curious, I am myself in a similar situation and I would really like to hear, not trying to criticize.)

GLF

 

[jwicaksana]

May I ask why are you considering a D4 as a replacement of a D700? I think single digit Nikons are great and superfast. But wouldn't the natural upgrade be either a D800 or a D750? (I am just curious, I am myself in a similar situation and I would really like to hear, not trying to criticize.)

GLF

Yes I'd also like to hear your thoughts on this 😉

 

[Timmyjoe]

Hi Keith, I upgraded from my D700 to a D4 three years ago. The D4 is a great all around camera and I mainly use mine for work (photojournalism and sports photography). It's low light performance is outstanding and I push mine over ISO 10,000 on many occasions.

Have had mine serviced twice in three years, first time just a normal CLA after two years of use. Most recently it developed the "sticky main dial" syndrome, which can be in the neighborhood of $400US dollars to have Nikon repair. Basically, the main command dial on the back side of the camera, when the camera sits for 24 hours or more, feels stuck when you first start to use it. After you free it up with a bit of force, it seems to work fine. Eventually it stops functioning. Have seen a number of posts from folks having this issue with their D4 cameras, but so far Nikon refuses to say it's a defect, and won't even say what is causing the issue (the whole feeling stuck, then feeling fine is really strange). Anyway, I would check to see if the camera you're interested in has the issue. Nikon can fix it, just factor in the cost when you're pricing.

Otherwise, it's a great camera. Faster autofocus in lower light than my D700, but be aware it's also quite a bit bigger and heavier. For the sports I shoot, I couldn't live without it.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

PS: The shutter count on my D4 is over the count on the one you're looking at, and my camera still performs as new (especially now after Nikon fixed the main command dial) and I expect it to perform as new for many years to come. And unlike your D700, the D4 is a Nikon Professional Body after all, they're legendary for taking abuse and still keep working.

 

[KEH]

Hi Keith,

I've been using the D4S for over a year now for my wildlife work. Stunning image quality even at ISO 12800. Built like a tank and very fast, with great continuous focus / subject tracking. Not all that different from the D4, so you would probably be happy with the latter.

I just picked up a D750 as my second body for close-in work and I am very impressed. The only real limitation for wildlife photography is the 6.5fps speed and 13-shot limit on the buffer when shooting raw. Depending on your needs this may not be an issue. Definitely take a look at one or rent one if you can. And read the Dpreview review - the sensor is quite amazing.

Best,
Kirk

 

[newsgrunt]

I have a pair of D4s cameras but also a D750 which now sees the bulk of my day to day work. The Heavy Beasts come out for big stories or Olympics etc..

Do you really need the D4s or will the D810 work ? I was close to getting the D810 but when Nikon dropped a D750 in my lap for evaluation before they were released, well that changed my mind. The 810 is great, super quiet shutter (you have to hear it to believe it) but the file size was HUGE. The D750 was very light but the articulating screen was what I wanted.

I consider the D750 to be the digital equivalent of the FM2 series cameras. Not professional and not hefty but seeing use by many photojournalists I know.

So unless you *NEED* the beefy battle tank that can take any abuse D4s, and high fps, then I'd suggest the D750 or 810.

 

[Baby of Macon]

Just a further observation. If not considering one of the pro bodies, I would suggest avoiding the 800 purely on the basis of the shutter sound - it's both loud and actually sounds like the camera is broken. I have a D800E but much prefer the D3/X. Also, one more observation, while the non pro bodies are lighter, the ergonomics of the pro bodies is far superior - even to the non pro bodies with grips on them.

 

[Keith]

May I ask why are you considering a D4 as a replacement of a D700? I think single digit Nikons are great and superfast. But wouldn't the natural upgrade be either a D800 or a D750? (I am just curious, I am myself in a similar situation and I would really like to hear, not trying to criticize.)

GLF

Fair question and not hard to answer. I was originally using my D700 for low light work in galleries which I no longer do ... but recently began photographing vintage motoX racing and will continue to do so for the next couple of years. The frame rate of the D4 will be a huge advantage for me in these conditions courtesy of the camera's ability to bang away at ten frames per second not to mention it will take a hundred shots before the buffer is full even at this rate apparently.

I'd like to get a bit more serious about this side of my photography and I figure this is the camera to do it with! 🙂

 

[rwintle]

I just borrowed a D4 from Nikon Photo Services to shoot the Parapan Am games here in Toronto and it is a BEAST - in many ways.

First off, from what I know, and has been said above, 79k actuations on the shutter shouldn't be a worry. I'd look more at how beat up the body is as a sign of use.

The camera will satisfy all of your high-ISO/low noise desires should you get back into those galleries. Don't underestimate the value of this for shooting sports in crappy light, too - even overcast over your motoX events, or if you dip into indoor sports (basketball, or in my case wheelchair basketball, is notoriously poorly lit in most venues, for example).

Also as mentioned above - the D4 is big, and HEAVY. I haven't used a D700 so don't know if you're used to this, but I found a day of shooting with the D4 + 70-200 f/2.8 combination a real workout on my hands. If you have a monopod that will be good, otherwise you may find you really want one.

10 fps is something I consider nice-to-have but basically didn't use - I shoot sports (motorsports mainly, plus various other things) more on a single- or few-shots basis. But your approach may differ and certainly for some sports those many frames are helpful (a colleague who shoots archery for example pointed out that it's great for getting that key shot where the arrow is *just* leaving the bow).

Don't know if any of that was helpful but there you go - my one day's worth of experience. Good luck and enjoy!

Richard.

 

[Keith]

Thanks for all the really helpful advice and suggestions here .... much appreciated. 🙂

I've put a bid on the camera but have a gut feeling it's going to go for more than $3150 this time .... hopefully I'm wrong! I'll know in a couple of days. (fingers crossed) 🙂

 

[Keith]

I just borrowed a D4 from Nikon Photo Services to shoot the Parapan Am games here in Toronto and it is a BEAST - in many ways.

First off, from what I know, and has been said above, 79k actuations on the shutter shouldn't be a worry. I'd look more at how beat up the body is as a sign of use.

The camera will satisfy all of your high-ISO/low noise desires should you get back into those galleries. Don't underestimate the value of this for shooting sports in crappy light, too - even overcast over your motoX events, or if you dip into indoor sports (basketball, or in my case wheelchair basketball, is notoriously poorly lit in most venues, for example).

Also as mentioned above - the D4 is big, and HEAVY. I haven't used a D700 so don't know if you're used to this, but I found a day of shooting with the D4 + 70-200 f/2.8 combination a real workout on my hands. If you have a monopod that will be good, otherwise you may find you really want one.

10 fps is something I consider nice-to-have but basically didn't use - I shoot sports (motorsports mainly, plus various other things) more on a single- or few-shots basis. But your approach may differ and certainly for some sports those many frames are helpful (a colleague who shoots archery for example pointed out that it's great for getting that key shot where the arrow is *just* leaving the bow).

Don't know if any of that was helpful but there you go - my one day's worth of experience. Good luck and enjoy!

Richard.

MotoX is an interesting sport to shoot ... picking out a rider as he goes though a corner or over a jump was simple with the D700's excellent AF but I often found myself looking at the image and regretting being late or early on the shot ... and these guys never seem to take the same line through a corner on subsequent or previous laps. I'll happily machine gun them at 10 FPS to get what I want! 😀

 

[Godfrey]

Good luck on the auction!

I'm sure the F4 is every bit the wonder machine, much like the F6, but I think when I buy into a Nikon DSLR it will be the D750. I like the size, shape, weight, and the features are just fine for my use.

G

 

[Mudman]

I do not have experience with the D4, I use a D3 and D2x however. They're tanks. They're built to take every type of punishment you can throw at them. They're perfectly sized for using large zooms on, very well balanced. The battery life is phenomenal. Great integration with flash. Lovely viewfinder with 100% accuracy. Exceedingly accurate AF and incredible FPS on the D3. I hear it's even better on the D4.

My problems with them? They're heavy. I don't hike with them. I'd rather bring my Hasselblad if I'm hauling that weight and want photos. They're noticeable, meaning that people react differently to me when I'm using them versus a Leica. The size has frightened small children during shoots sometimes, haha. The leica is much less obtrusive in that regard. I find people relax around that camera for some reason.

Would I want the D3 to be my sole camera? No. It's to heavy to me to drag around all day long if someone isn't paying me to do it. However it is a workhorse that will get the job done. It's reliable. I trust it more than my M8 that I will have the shot that my client needs if it is spot news or sports or low light.

 

[rwintle]

MotoX is an interesting sport to shoot ... picking out a rider as he goes though a corner or over a jump was simple with the D700's excellent AF but I often found myself looking at the image and regretting being late or early on the shot ... and these guys never seem to take the same line through a corner on subsequent or previous laps. I'll happily machine gun them at 10 FPS to get what I want! 😀

😀

Buy big cards! 🙂