DX FX dilemma dilemma

[jonathandael]

hi guys and gals.. got a bit of a dilemma here... i'd like to hear your thoughts on these two scenarios... and maybe contribute a bit more options and make me more confused.. hehehe..

i've grown accustomed to my D300 + 600mm f4 + TC14EII (1,260mm f/5.6 in full frame format) combo that going FX (D700) for birding will increase my FOV and decrease the resolution.

i'm so used to the DX format FOV that if ever i use the D700 and achieve almost the same focal length, id have to use a 1.7x or 2.0x teleconverter. Of course, it will increase the f-stop and degrade the quality a bit (especially on the 2x TC) that's why i can probably do with the 1.7x TC instead. That combo (D700 + 60mm f4 + TC17EII) will now give me 1,020mm f/6.8... 1,200mm f/8 if i use the TC20EII.

actually i already have both bodies (D300 and D700) but i don't know if i should sell the D300 as i plan to have 2 full frame bodies for events coverage, and of course, birding. just wanna know your opinions..

should i keep the D300 and D700 birding/events coverage combo or go all all FX and just use a 1.7 or 2.0 teleconverter to compensate for the reach?

i hope i didn't confuse y'all... ;D

for those who have used the TC20EII, hows the image quality?

[Romy Ocon]

Full frame is king if the pixel density is high enough to make at least 8 MP on a Dx crop. I suppose the ultimate birding combo for your system is a D3x and a D3s. The first is for resolution and reach, while the second is for frame rate and low light.

In our system, I much prefer the 5D2 over my other bodies (1D2 and 40D) - AF is fast enough for BIFs, HD video is available (compared to the 1Ds3) and I go around the slowish frame rate by timing my BIF shots. The 7D should have been an excellent complement to the 5D2 for birding and nature, but AF is yet to be proven and I personally dislike the small pixels (too noisy for my taste at lower ISOs).

[Teddy Regpala]

This post is to add more for your confusion pleasure.

I agree with Romy, the ultimate might be D3x and D3s (that's an awesome combo).
Bur probably for now, If you can afford to keep the D300, keep i t.
You need a backup, or at least a second body for events so you don't have to switch lenses.

If you need to dispose the D300 now, for whatever reason, test the D700+TC 2x+600mm first yourself. And see how much you need to stop down to get acceptable results with the 2x TC.
Or you just need to get closer, and use the 600m with TC 1.4.
That's what your camo is for! ;D

Just my peseta/10.

[jonathandael]

Oct 18, 2009 22:51:07 GMT Romy Ocon said:

Full frame is king if the pixel density is high enough to make at least 8 MP on a Dx crop. I suppose the ultimate birding combo for your system is a D3x and a D3s. The first is for resolution and reach, while the second is for frame rate and low light.

In our system, I much prefer the 5D2 over my other bodies (1D2 and 40D) - AF is fast enough for BIFs, HD video is available (compared to the 1Ds3) and I go around the slowish frame rate by timing my BIF shots. The 7D should have been an excellent complement to the 5D2 for birding and nature, but AF is yet to be proven and I personally dislike the small pixels (too noisy for my taste at lower ISOs).

Hi Sir Romy, Teddy, thanks for your inputs.. FX is really the way to go for birding. however, the d700 has a lower pixel density.. though in reviews, it has about the same LPH resolution with the D300. (can't really figure out that one.. maybe a weaker AA filter?) I guess i just have to move in a bit closer.. and Teddy is right, that's what the camo is for anyway.. hehe! makes it more challenging too for us birders.

I've decided to keep the D300 for now till the D400 (better ISO) or D700x (more pixels) comes out. So the plan now is this: D700 by dawn, D300 by day, D700 by dusk... ;D D3s and D3x out of the question, err budget.. ;D

based on some reviews, i might try the 1.7 first as some copies of 2x are not so good... so they say.. we'll see...

[Teddy Regpala]

Out of the budget? I envy you, as you have a budget to think about. Me? Nada, hahaha.
Anyway, less problem to think about, otherwise I'll grow more grey hairs (yes, I have some ).

Oh yes, the TC 1.7 is still great, I've been using that a lot if I need to reach 500mm. From my experience with the 300 f/4. I just stop down to F8. You can still do wide open at f/6.7 though and still look good. 1000mm ain't bad on a full frame.

The reason I mentioned TC 1.4, is that you can hardly see any difference compared with the bare lens.

Good luck mate!