Do I buy a D4 or wait?

cowleystjames

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I'm going to look at a D4 tomorrow as a higher frame rate camera than my D800e.
What's brought this about? Well, I've started taking racehorse pictures for a few trainers around and about Lambourn, Berkshire, and more and more, I'm being asked for series photographs of a few of them galloping. The D800e is okay for a few frames and then I hit the buffer, whether it's jpeg(better) or raw(I mainly shoot raw but have been using jpeg to get a few more images together, not ideal)
I've been looking at the D4, but I'm concerned with the 16mp over the D800e 36mp and this is a concern as I've had to have some images printed at A1 size, and with the D800e they still look absolutely stunning, but at 16mp?
That's the question, I know how great the D4 is, but with increasing rumours of a possible D5 or D4x with almost certainly a higher megapixel sensor, do I wait or bite the bullet?
 
If you want the honest truth I think the D4 is a bit much for you. If you really want the high fps and full frame go with a used D3. I have a number of poster sized prints in my apartment that I shot with a D3s and I challenge anyone to find any quality degradation at that size.

Also, the D5 isn't coming out anytime soon.
 
I dunno...used D3s cameras here are now dipping to $2,100 or so, and used D3x bodies have hit $2650 to $2900. I get about 28 NEF files from the D3x before the buffer fills...I think a D4x is due this fall. I do not think the 12.2 versus 16 MP D3s versus D4 difference is going to be noticeable in prints...the RIP (raster image processor) of the printer is more of a factor than the camera on really large digitally printed images. Plus, at appropriate viewing distance, a 140 ppi poster print looks good if it's been skillfully shot and prepared-- from a 6,8,10,12,16,24,or 36 MP camera.

The D800 was never intended as a camera for fast,long, sequential shooting...that is NOT its forte, and there are multiple better choices.
 
If you need to ask total strangers how to spend $6000.00, then it's a good bet you don't need a D4.
 
As you can see. I went and bought one and whilst there saw the 85mm F1.4G. Had to have that too
Went to the gallops this morning (very early!) and managed a run of 36 raw images and no buffering!
Amazing piece of kit.
​Was in love with the D800e, but now, she's my second love and the D4 my first and true......
$D4 and 85mm.jpg
 
As you can see. I went and bought one and whilst there saw the 85mm F1.4G. Had to have that too
Went to the gallops this morning (very early!) and managed a run of 36 raw images and no buffering!
Amazing piece of kit.
​Was in love with the D800e, but now, she's my second love and the D4 my first and true......
View attachment 51569

Very nice. Nikon porn.
 
Hey Benco, thanks man, does it for me!
Are you living in the Falklands? Only reason I ask is I was back there last year remembering some friends who fell at Tumbledown. Was there in '82 with First Battalion, Scots Guards and had the dubious honour of being in the last ever bayonet charge on the 5th Marine Argentinian Infantry battalion. They were brave men killing eight of ours and us killing forty something of theirs. That was some battle, thankfully I survived a nearby grenade explosion, just some shrapnel in the shoulder. Worse thing about that though it was thrown by one of my own Scots guards!!!
 
I do live in the Falklands, out at Fox Bay on West Falkland (I was just a wee lad in the war, still got very clear memories of it though). I've been up and walked over and around Tumbledown a few years back, one hell of a place to attack, you and your fellow guards have my respect.
 
Thanks for that. May pay you a visit if your still there in 2015. A group of us are coming over along with some of our 5th Marine opponents. Going to be a bit of a reunion and remembering the past.
 
The D4 was a big disappointment in my eyes. For that much money, I'd wait... buy a D3 variant. Or hell, even a D7000... not sure you need such a top-end camera for what you're doing really... and a little extra zoom might be helpful?
 
As you can see. I went and bought one and whilst there saw the 85mm F1.4G. Had to have that too
Went to the gallops this morning (very early!) and managed a run of 36 raw images and no buffering!
Amazing piece of kit.
​Was in love with the D800e, but now, she's my second love and the D4 my first and true......
View attachment 51569

Congrats and thanks for making us all drool ;)
 
Whoops... should have read entire thread.

Well... congrats!
 

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