Is the D4s still a good camera?

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

f_nanzer

f_nanzer

Member
Member's gallery
Hey folks, could you help me, please? Although I'm not a full time professional photographer, I gain some money taking pictures of local bands, concerts and some portraits.
In the hobby side, I'm starting to shot wildlife (always loved photography animals, although I did this very few times lately) and I plan do some travels specific for that next year.
Since my equipaments are very humble and old (but do a pretty good job for mine needs), I use one D90 since 2010, she probably can die any moment, afterall she was rated for 100k shots, I starting to search for new cameras and I found a Nikon D4s with only 20k shots (confirmed). For 2021, is still a good camera? Can I achieve good results with her?
I will put the price in here, but is not a refference for who live in USA, Canada, Europe, because here in Brazil, we live in a parallel universe. This D4s came on the 'original' kit and have one more battery, for US$ 3200,00.
All my lens, with only one exception, already are FX, so this not be an issue if I change de crop factor.

Thank you so much!

(Sorry by my english, is very rare I wrote in another language than portuguese)
 
Member's gallery
f_nanzer said:
Hey folks, could you help me, please? Although I'm not a full time professional photographer, I gain some money taking pictures of local bands, concerts and some portraits.
In the hobby side, I'm starting to shot wildlife (always loved photography animals, although I did this very few times lately) and I plan do some travels specific for that next year.
Since my equipaments are very humble and old (but do a pretty good job for mine needs), I use one D90 since 2010, she probably can die any moment, afterall she was rated for 100k shots, I starting to search for new cameras and I found a Nikon D4s with only 20k shots (confirmed). For 2021, is still a good camera? Can I achieve good results with her?
I will put the price in here, but is not a refference for who live in USA, Canada, Europe, because here in Brazil, we live in a parallel universe. This D4s came on the 'original' kit and have one more battery, for US$ 3200,00.
All my lens, with only one exception, already are FX, so this not be an issue if I change de crop factor.

Thank you so much!

(Sorry by my english, is very rare I wrote in another language than portuguese)
Click to expand...
The price seems high. I just quickly checked prices in the US and they ranged from $950-$1500.
 
Member's gallery
Ralph Bruno said:
The price seems high. I just quickly checked prices in the US and they ranged from $950-$1500.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ralph! And yes, the price is high, but unfortunely here in Brazil, the market is not so 'honest', since Nikon shut down the authorized service in here. For example, the D780 brand new, is US$ 2700.00 and the D6, also new, is US$ 8400.00.

My plans was go to US in 2022 to buy new gear, but the COVID situtaion make this kind of impossible, since the flights and hotels became far more expensive (and our currency is very devalued (a dollar costs almost 6 reais)). So I started to search alternatives.

But my doubt is very huge! lol
I know that every camera newer than D90 will be give more quality and flexibility (in terms of autofocus, low light, speed and etc), but because the market and prices in Brazil be extremely high, I want to buy a gear that could be usefull for many years to come.
 
Member's gallery
Check Ray Hennesy’s website - up until a year ago he only shot with the D4s and his pictures are stunning. He still posts many D4s shots and they hold up very well.
The prices have gone up recently but one in very good shape still goes for about $2000. I’d buy one from a credible retailer in the US or Japan and have them ship it to you. You should still be able to save a bunch that way.
 
Member's gallery
f_nanzer said:
Thanks! The sensor of the D4 is the same of the D4s, right?
Click to expand...

Yes. There are some older YouTubes on the differences.

I am not a wildlife or landscape photographer, so others may have different opinion. While the D4/s won't keep up with the modern AF of pro bodies, the files are as good as I have seen. I use it regularly for studio (and some outdoor) work. My other Nikon is a D6 which is a whole different beast. But still, my best pictures from the 4 are as good as my best from the 6.

As far as price, with that count, unless it was abused, you're getting a virtually new camera.
 
Member's gallery
That D4s will make 500,000 clicks and likely keep going. Shutter count is very low, should be a great camera! It's over priced @ 3200$ but it may be acceptable for you.
I used a D4s for a few weeks, but can't say I liked it. I went back to my D3. But the D4s is a solid camera, 100% professional.
Current US price for a clean D5 is in the $3200 range, and such a great great camera. I used the D5 several years, then on to the D6 last late December.
 
Member's gallery
FB101 said:
Check Ray Hennesy’s website - up until a year ago he only shot with the D4s and his pictures are stunning. He still posts many D4s shots and they hold up very well.
The prices have gone up recently but one in very good shape still goes for about $2000. I’d buy one from a credible retailer in the US or Japan and have them ship it to you. You should still be able to save a bunch that way.
Click to expand...

The Rays work is phenomenal! I love it!

Yes, I agree with you. I don't know if I can buy from others country and send to here, because of the price. I tried to buy a lens on B and H, few months ago that cost US$ 1296,95 (or something like that) but when I put on the cart, the site advice that the value is more than the permited to send to my country.
I don't know if is a B and H policy, some rule of US customs or the Brazil customs.

Although is a beautiful country here, is very rough live in here! lol
 
Member's gallery
Nimi said:
Yes. There are some older YouTubes on the differences.

I am not a wildlife or landscape photographer, so others may have different opinion. While the D4/s won't keep up with the modern AF of pro bodies, the files are as good as I have seen. I use it regularly for studio (and some outdoor) work. My other Nikon is a D6 which is a whole different beast. But still, my best pictures from the 4 are as good as my best from the 6.

As far as price, with that count, unless it was abused, you're getting a virtually new camera.
Click to expand...

Nikon D6 is a piece of dream! lol

I imagine that D4 is an awesome camera! I very tilted to buy it, but the price making me overthink about. I love the files that I put out my D90, but she is limiting me somethings, mainly on concerts, that I need use high ISO
 
Member's gallery
Charles Loy said:
That D4s will make 500,000 clicks and likely keep going. Shutter count is very low, should be a great camera! It's over priced @ 3200$ but it may be acceptable for you.
I used a D4s for a few weeks, but can't say I liked it. I went back to my D3. But the D4s is a solid camera, 100% professional.
Current US price for a clean D5 is in the $3200 range, and such a great great camera. I used the D5 several years, then on to the D6 last late December.
Click to expand...

I think D5 is better than the D4s, mainly because of the type of the card. Although the XQD and CF Express is more expensive, here in Brazil is easiest to find.

I never use a professional camera before, I have the vertical grip on my D90, so maybe the weight and the size will not be so different to me, but the performance and the resources, wow! Will blow my mind kkk
 
Member's gallery
i have not used one, but I’m sure it’s a great camera and holds up well today. My concern would be if 16MP in full frame will be enough for your wildlife photography. If you’re easily able to fill the frame with your D90, you’ll be ok but if you need to crop heavily, you may want something with a little more resolution.
 
Member's gallery
f_nanzer said:
Nikon D6 is a piece of dream! lol

I imagine that D4 is an awesome camera! I very tilted to buy it, but the price making me overthink about. I love the files that I put out my D90, but she is limiting me somethings, mainly on concerts, that I need use high ISO
Click to expand...

D4, 70-200 (not VR version), handheld.


DSC_6565.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
 
Member's gallery
abc123brian said:
i have not used one, but I’m sure it’s a great camera and holds up well today. My concern would be if 16MP in full frame will be enough for your wildlife photography. If you’re easily able to fill the frame with your D90, you’ll be ok but if you need to crop heavily, you may want something with a little more resolution.
Click to expand...

I try hard to no to crop, exactly because D90 is low megapixels, but eventually I have to.

But I really think the D4s can attend me very well.
 
Member's gallery
It depends on how much some of the bells and whistles on the newer cameras mean to you. If it was a great camera at introduction it is still a good camera. Mirrorless intrigues me. It not enough to abandon my D500 just yet. It is still a great camera.
I don’t know what pricing is like in your country. If this is a reasonable price and you can afford it go for it.
 
Member's gallery
Shot the D4s for a few years. Great camera.

Fox Dive PS clone vignette_copy_1950x2437.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Female BB on the Wire_copy_1578x1578.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
WF Ibis Flyby 4_copy_2464x1640.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Elk eating Grizz_copy_1191x793.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
 
Member's gallery
I shot a D4 for a number of years and delayed upgrading to a D5 (which I have now), because I did not believe the D5 AF could be that much better than the D4. Turns out that it is, but I had so much confidence in my D4, I didn't believe it. I kept the D4 as a backup in case something should happen to my D5. I would not hesitate to use one.
 
Member's gallery
jeffnles1 said:
It depends on how much some of the bells and whistles on the newer cameras mean to you. If it was a great camera at introduction it is still a good camera. Mirrorless intrigues me. It not enough to abandon my D500 just yet. It is still a great camera.
I don’t know what pricing is like in your country. If this is a reasonable price and you can afford it go for it.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about the mirrorless as well, but my lenses are kind of old, so will not do AF on any Z cameras (except the 200-400mm f/4), unfortunately. So will be to much expensive to me to trade. The price is ok, at least for where I live. And I think I already decide to buy it, thanks to the great support you gave me.

As soon as the camera arrive, I will try go out and test her out and put the result in here.

Thank you so much people!
 
Member's gallery
DRwyoming said:
Absolutely. The D4 was and still is a great camera and especially good in low light situations like you might find with your concert photography.
Click to expand...

Low light is extremely important to me, even though I achieve pretty good results with my D90 (of course, inside of the possibilities that my camera offers me today). I decided to bought her, I hope the package come fast lol
 
Member's gallery
bsinc1962 said:
Shot the D4s for a few years. Great camera.

View attachment 26242View attachment 26243View attachment 26244View attachment 26245
Click to expand...


Awesome!!! I loved the photo of the fox! How difficult is to find and shot them? It is in my wishlist photograph foxes.

In 2013, with the nikon D90 and the kit lens (18-105mm) I try to capture our fox, but she was kind of lazy! lol (It was the first time that I go out to shot wildlife, I don't knew it any techinque)

Pantanal-34.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.


Pantanal-40.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top