Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera info

[NatashaLover]

I want to upgrade my cam and was thinking of the Nikon D700, I know there are reviews out there but want a more personal review from a user. Does anyone in here have one of these? I want to know if this camera is worth the money?

[BLKGSXR]

its worth its price in the end I like and find the D5000 or D90 a bit more practical. the D700 is also in FX format vs. being in DX format.

[Bobzz]

The D700 is perhaps the best kept secret amongst pro and semi pro photographers. True that it is an FX format camera and the better lenses are significantly more expensive than similar range DX lenses. The only camera that comes close is the D7000 which I also shoot with and it's a little more than half the price of the D700. The D7000 also has really great video capabilities. What are you shooting with now?

[wjcdiver]

What do you want to shoot in what lighting conditions? Do you want to make large size prints, or post online jpg's files?

The D700 is a great camera, but there are better camera's for less money for many types of shooting.

[NatashaLover]

The D700 is perhaps the best kept secret amongst pro and semi pro photographers. True that it is an FX format camera and the better lenses are significantly more expensive than similar range DX lenses. The only camera that comes close is the D7000 which I also shoot with and it's a little more than half the price of the D700. The D7000 also has really great video capabilities. What are you shooting with now?


I have a D80 and a Pentax K-x for regular trip use, and of course a Nikon PointnShoot, Thanks for the info!

[NatashaLover]

What do you want to shoot in what lighting conditions? Do you want to make large size prints, or post online jpg's files?

The D700 is a great camera, but there are better camera's for less money for many types of shooting.
Cool like what other cameras? I am looking for lo lighting cond and to post online with high def.
not looking for big size prints. I also want it to be excellent in color. Thanks for the info! ;)

[Willie Escalade]

Sorry, I'm a Canon guy...

[NatashaLover]

Sorry, I'm a Canon guy...

Sorry, I am a Celtics Girl! :wiggle:

[cyber]

I have been shooting pro with Nikons since 1973. I would go with the D7000. The D700 has by computer standards, an old processor. It is still an excellent camera if you need a full frame sensor. Lenses for other Nikons like the D90, D80, D5000, D3000, D300 do not work on the D700. I still shoot with a D300, I haven't found any Nikon that does a better job in that price range.

[wjcdiver]

Cool like what other cameras? I am looking for lo lighting cond and to post online with high def.
not looking for big size prints. I also want it to be excellent in color. Thanks for the info! ;)
For low light the D7000 is the best low light camera value on the market. In terms of pure ISO performance it is on par with the much more expensive D700. The D7000 gives in spec ISO of 100-6400 vs. ISO 200-6400 for the D700. Both have maximum hi ISO of 25,600 - but at that level noise is very noticeable, but you can still get an image. Both can take basically every Nikon lens made, because they has an in body auto-focus motor and do not require AF-S or AF-I lenses to auto-focus.

If you want to maximize low light performance look at the Nikon 35mm f1.8 G lens - which gives a "normal" perspective, or a 50mm f1.8 AF-D, or 50mm f1.4 AF-S which is more portrait length (at 75mm equivalent.)

Cost wise the D7000 body is $1200, while the D700 is $2700. Also the D700 best uses FX lenses which tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive than comparable DX lenses. The D7000 can also act as the commander for Nikon CLS speedlights.

Another option to consider is the just released D5100 which is $899 with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR kit lens. It uses the same sensor as the D7000, and also gives ISO 100-6400 with hi2 ISO of 25,600. The key disadvantages of the D5100 vs. the D7000 are:
- D5100 no in camera autofocus motor so you need AF-S lenses (or older AF-I) lenses for autofocus D7000 can use any Nikon AF, AF-D, AF-S or AF-I lenses and autofocus - (D700 also has an in camera autofocus motor)
- Frame rate, the D5100 is 4 frames per second, the D7000 6 frames per second and D700 5 fps.
- The D5100 has no built in Commander mode for Nikon CLS Speedlights, both the D7000 and D700 have it.

The D7000 also has more flexible (professional style) controls than the D5100. The D7000 is a better camera than the D5100, but the D5100 is an excellent value.

Note: Both the D5100 and D7000 have 1080p HiDef Video and a 16.2 Megapixel sensor, while the D700 has no video and a 12.3 MP sensor. Color an image quality on both the D5100 and D7000 is excellent.

There are many people who love the D700, but I find it tough to justify the price difference at present, given the D7000 capabilities. A replacement for the D700 was expected this year, but that is likely to be delayed into 2012 due to the the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophe. Nikon's major plant for high end bodies and lenses, as well as product development, is in Sendai - the closest major city to the 9.0 earthquake. The plant was not destroyed, but its power situation is a major problem - glass manufacturing requires absolutely reliable electric power. Full production is not expected before the fourth quarter of 2011 at the earliest.

[wjcdiver]

I have been shooting pro with Nikons since 1973. I would go with the D7000. The D700 has by computer standards, an old processor. It is still an excellent camera if you need a full frame sensor. Lenses for other Nikons like the D90, D80, D5000, D3000, D300 do not work on the D700. I still shoot with a D300, I haven't found any Nikon that does a better job in that price range.
The FX D700 can use DX lenses, but since they focus an image on the smaller 23.6 x 15.6mm area of a DX sensor (an FX sensor is 36.0 x 23.9mm), the image only covers the center portion of the D700's sensor. Thus, using a DX lens on the D700, instead of its 12.3 mp image size, you get an image of just under 6 mp. The camera automatically compensates for this, i.e. only using the center portion of the sensor for the image - thus you don't get a 12.3mp image which has a very large all black border.

The DX lenses work fine, and give sharp images, but it is only about half the MP you expect from the camera.

[natina]

I HAVE A CANON

My lens is a 1.8 which allows me to take photos in low light

try some cameras a sammy's camera

[Willie Escalade]

Sorry, I am a Celtics Girl! :wiggle:
Good one!

[NatashaLover]

For low light the D7000 is the best low light camera value on the market. In terms of pure ISO performance it is on par with the much more expensive D700. The D7000 gives in spec ISO of 100-6400 vs. ISO 200-6400 for the D700. Both have maximum hi ISO of 25,600 - but at that level noise is very noticeable, but you can still get an image. Both can take basically every Nikon lens made, because they has an in body auto-focus motor and do not require AF-S or AF-I lenses to auto-focus.

If you want to maximize low light performance look at the Nikon 35mm f1.8 G lens - which gives a "normal" perspective, or a 50mm f1.8 AF-D, or 50mm f1.4 AF-S which is more portrait length (at 75mm equivalent.)

Cost wise the D7000 body is $1200, while the D700 is $2700. Also the D700 best uses FX lenses which tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive than comparable DX lenses. The D7000 can also act as the commander for Nikon CLS speedlights.

Another option to consider is the just released D5100 which is $899 with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR kit lens. It uses the same sensor as the D7000, and also gives ISO 100-6400 with hi2 ISO of 25,600. The key disadvantages of the D5100 vs. the D7000 are:
- D5100 no in camera autofocus motor so you need AF-S lenses (or older AF-I) lenses for autofocus D7000 can use any Nikon AF, AF-D, AF-S or AF-I lenses and autofocus - (D700 also has an in camera autofocus motor)
- Frame rate, the D5100 is 4 frames per second, the D7000 6 frames per second and D700 5 fps.
- The D5100 has no built in Commander mode for Nikon CLS Speedlights, both the D7000 and D700 have it.

The D7000 also has more flexible (professional style) controls than the D5100. The D7000 is a better camera than the D5100, but the D5100 is an excellent value.

Note: Both the D5100 and D7000 have 1080p HiDef Video and a 16.2 Megapixel sensor, while the D700 has no video and a 12.3 MP sensor. Color an image quality on both the D5100 and D7000 is excellent.

There are many people who love the D700, but I find it tough to justify the price difference at present, given the D7000 capabilities. A replacement for the D700 was expected this year, but that is likely to be delayed into 2012 due to the the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophe. Nikon's major plant for high end bodies and lenses, as well as product development, is in Sendai - the closest major city to the 9.0 earthquake. The plant was not destroyed, but its power situation is a major problem - glass manufacturing requires absolutely reliable electric power. Full production is not expected before the fourth quarter of 2011 at the earliest.

Excellent review and info~ Thanks wjcdiver! I think I will go with the D7000. Sounds like a great camera and its worth every penny for what I will use it.

[Bobzz]

For low light the D7000 is the best low light camera value on the market. In terms of pure ISO performance it is on par with the much more expensive D700. The D7000 gives in spec ISO of 100-6400 vs. ISO 200-6400 for the D700. Both have maximum hi ISO of 25,600 - but at that level noise is very noticeable, but you can still get an image. Both can take basically every Nikon lens made, because they has an in body auto-focus motor and do not require AF-S or AF-I lenses to auto-focus.

If you want to maximize low light performance look at the Nikon 35mm f1.8 G lens - which gives a "normal" perspective, or a 50mm f1.8 AF-D, or 50mm f1.4 AF-S which is more portrait length (at 75mm equivalent.)

Cost wise the D7000 body is $1200, while the D700 is $2700. Also the D700 best uses FX lenses which tend to be larger, heavier and more expensive than comparable DX lenses. The D7000 can also act as the commander for Nikon CLS speedlights.

Another option to consider is the just released D5100 which is $899 with an 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 VR kit lens. It uses the same sensor as the D7000, and also gives ISO 100-6400 with hi2 ISO of 25,600. The key disadvantages of the D5100 vs. the D7000 are:
- D5100 no in camera autofocus motor so you need AF-S lenses (or older AF-I) lenses for autofocus D7000 can use any Nikon AF, AF-D, AF-S or AF-I lenses and autofocus - (D700 also has an in camera autofocus motor)
- Frame rate, the D5100 is 4 frames per second, the D7000 6 frames per second and D700 5 fps.
- The D5100 has no built in Commander mode for Nikon CLS Speedlights, both the D7000 and D700 have it.

The D7000 also has more flexible (professional style) controls than the D5100. The D7000 is a better camera than the D5100, but the D5100 is an excellent value.

Note: Both the D5100 and D7000 have 1080p HiDef Video and a 16.2 Megapixel sensor, while the D700 has no video and a 12.3 MP sensor. Color an image quality on both the D5100 and D7000 is excellent.

There are many people who love the D700, but I find it tough to justify the price difference at present, given the D7000 capabilities. A replacement for the D700 was expected this year, but that is likely to be delayed into 2012 due to the the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear catastrophe. Nikon's major plant for high end bodies and lenses, as well as product development, is in Sendai - the closest major city to the 9.0 earthquake. The plant was not destroyed, but its power situation is a major problem - glass manufacturing requires absolutely reliable electric power. Full production is not expected before the fourth quarter of 2011 at the earliest.

Excellent overview WJC. I agree that the D7000 is the logical choice (but I still loves me my D700 and the D300). Just few more observations, with the MB-D10 battery grip (the same as the one used with the D300) the D700 can get up to 8 FPS. And the pop-up flash unit on the D700 can serve as a remote flash trigger with Nikon Speedlights. One of the real advantages for anyone who owns a D90 is that the lenses will have the same great utility on D7000. Use old lens as a backup, buy the D7000 camera body and then spend a little more money on something like the 18-200mm VR lens.

[wjcdiver]

For low light also look at the 35mm f1.8 G lens, or the 50mm f1.8 AF-D lens - under $150, or if available the new 50mm f1.8 AF-S lens (about $220).

If you want a fast zoom look at the Sigma 17 - 50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM (http://www.adorama.com/SG1750NK.html) which should be about $675, or the Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 XR DI-II VC (Vibration Compensation) (http://www.adorama.com/TM1750VNKAF.html) for about $650 both combine f2.8 speed and Vibration Reduction (VR) called OS (optical stabilization) at Sigma and VC (Vibration Compensation) at Tamron.
VR compensates for movement of the camera and allows you to shoot clear photos at the equivalent of 2-3 f-stops faster than without VR. This means that a stable image that you can shoot at 1/100th of a second without VR you can shoot at 1/25th of a second with VR. However, it compensates for the shake of the person holding the camera, it does not compensate for a fast moving subject.

[NatashaLover]

Excellent overview WJC. I agree that the D7000 is the logical choice (but I still loves me my D700 and the D300). Just few more observations, with the MB-D10 battery grip (the same as the one used with the D300) the D700 can get up to 8 FPS. And the pop-up flash unit on the D700 can serve as a remote flash trigger with Nikon Speedlights. One of the real advantages for anyone who owns a D90 is that the lenses will have the same great utility on D7000. Use old lens as a backup, buy the D7000 camera body and then spend a little more money on something like the 18-200mm VR lens.

MMMM interesting, do you know how many FPS does the D7000 gets?

[Bobzz]

I believe that it is rated at 6FPS and you get full 1080p HD video. The real rating limiting factor will be the memory cards, and how fast at 10 shot burst takes to clear the buffer. You'll need SD cards that are rated at least 6, preferably 10. Using less expensive lower rated cards can actually damage the buffer.

[tgurlvrnyc]

Wow, so even on different Nikon bodies, you have to use different Nikon lenses? That can get even more expensive than I thought.

Thanks, but I will stick with Pentax, and have the ability to use every lens made for Pentax ever since the M42 mount came into being in 1949.

[rbiller]

I too own a D7000 and just bought a D3100 as a backup. The 7000 is a fantastic camera and although the shutter is much quieter than previous Nikons, the shutter on the D3100 is even quieter still, and I like that. The only reason I could see for buying a D700 is if you need to shoot in low lighting conditions where I do think it is a little better than the 7000, but not much.

[RACQUEL]

As a Long Time Nikon user u can't go wrong.Lens prices for that camera r expensive but also fantastic! I use a Nikon D300/w 18-200VR Lens for almost everything/also a 50mm 1.8 for close up work. Enjoy>RACQUEL