D700. Anyone unhappy with it?

[roypanos]

<p>After much agonising I'm on the verge of buying a D700 (I currently have a D200 and peripherals plus numerous AIS lenses). I'm also planning to get the 14-24, 24-70, and 70-200VR 2.8's. I can't really affford this little lot but the fact is in 12 months it'll be entirely out of the question. I see things getting VERY bad economically. I don't think we're even seeing the tip of the iceberg yet. And if the £ declines further, Japanese technology must surely go up in price.<br>

My thinking is that the lenses are a very long term purchase - maybe one day an affordable 25 Mp Nikon will come along and I'll be able to buy it. I'll already have adequate lenses. I'd like a D3 on the robustness count alone but it's an additional £1K. I also took a long look at the A900 as landscape is a great interest, if not overwhelming but decided that the advantages of interoperability with my existing kit trumped other considerations. So the D700 looks to be the best bet for the forseeable future. It's going to have to last me quite a long time.<br>

My question to D700 owners out there (& of the lenses I mentioned, for that matter) is, are you all happy with this camera? Can you see it fulfilling your needs for 5years +? Your coments will be appreciated - but make them quickly please!<br>

Roy</p>

[Matt Laur]

<p>Whatever economic turbulence is impacting things in the UK, Roy, is impacting Japan as well. Most of Nikon's sales are to people making entirely discretionary purchases. If people feel tighter for the next 12 months, it's going to affect everyone in the global camera market. Nikon won't want to cede ground to other manufacturers willing to discount those sales without staying in the game themselves. <br /><br />The bigger risk is from deflation caused by people holding OFF on such purchases in anticipation of falling prices, and in doing so, worsening the problem.</p>

[landon wright photography]

<p>I went from the D200 to the D300 and thought the extra ISO capability very helpful. Having said that I didn't see a huge jump in the D300's abilities to justify my upgrade. I had been eyeing the D700 but could not justify the switch from DX to FX lenses. Luckily I live in Brazil and Nikon cameras are worth almost double than in the States. I was able to sell my D200, D300 and most of my DX glass to pay for the D700 with the 14-24, 24-70 and 80-200. I chose the 80-200 f2.8 as a cheaper tele lens as I don't need a fast VR AF tele in my bag. I find it to be very capable for my needs. I noticed a huge difference in the D700 from both the D200 and D300. That goes without saying, what you will notice right off the bat is how easy it is to migrate from the D200 to the D700. Low light shooting is so easy with the D700. I am always amazed with my night shots with the D700 hand held. Hands down the D700 is the best Nikon I have used and the only complaint was how expensive the FX glass transition was. I was very reluctant to sell my D200 and D300. I hate getting rid of good cameras but the jump to the D700 was well worth it. <br>

I see myself keeping this camera and lenses for a while. I hope that in the next five years the Nikon D4 or MX will be here and my investment in FX glass will pay off. When that happens I will use it as a back up or give it to my son. <br>

I am fairly confident that you will not regret upgrading your setup with the D700.<br>

Good Luck. </p>

 

[jvf]

<p>Roy.<br>

Had D700 from the first day available, came from a D200,now sold but still have D70 for 18-70DX and 10,5 DX. Has 24-70 and 70-200, getting 14-24 as soon as possible. The best camera I ever had. My N90x has now retired permanently.<br>

To me the vignetting with 70-200 do not mean anything. 5 years+? Who can tell? It is my entention to keep it for a long time, like my film camera, i hope.<br>

God luck<br>

Jens </p>

 

[Rene11664880918]

<p>Matt is right! Myself I was planning to buy a 700 in March but all my foreign clients from England and Europe didn't expend as much money as I am used to. I might wait longer depending on how my sales are in the Spring. All because the Yen is too expensive for them. I might just keep my money coz you never know. So yes, the economy in the US, Europe and the UK is affecting Japan and I think the worst is too come. I think Japan will get really bad after the holidays.</p>

[roypanos]

<p>Thanks for the encouraging comments so far. I know it's Xmas (which isn't by any means my favourite time of the year!) but I'm absurdly excited by the prospect of buying this system. I have spent months reading extensively around the subject and now feel reasonably sure about the choice, if not the cost. My "5 year" question was really symbolic rather than precise. It seems to me that at this level of expenditure, and the current performance of the hardware, it's not unreasonable to see it as a medium-term investment. The limitations of the D200 were getting to me after less than a year. And before anyone else reminds me, I'm aware that ultimately my own limitations are most significant when it comes to results.<br>

One point I'd like to investigate a little more. I've read that the 80-200 performs better than the 70-200VR in terms of corner resolution (& contrast? don't recall). Given that I'm interested in landscape (big trip in May I hope) the resolution issue is significant. However at 60+ my stamina is not all it might be, likewise my sight, so the potential shutter speed improvements with VR may well outweigh the better resolution of the 80-200. Relative AF performance is of interest too. I'd appreciate a comment from anyone with significant experience of both. The other lenses, nit-picking aside, seem to garner unanimous praise.<br>

BTW Matt, it's a comfort to know that one is stimulating the economy! I just wish the economy would have a stimulating effect on my hard-won savings...<br>

Roy</p>

[photo5]

<p>At first I was resisting the D700 as I was so satisfied with my D300. But now after having the D700 for a month and a half I really love it. I like being able to use my Nikkor AI and AIS lenses as they were designed and not a cropped version. I had to sell the D300 to fund the purchase of the D700 and I still miss it. Too bad Nikon doesn't make a lens like the 16-85mm VR for FX format, from what I've read, the 24-120 VR isn't as good.</p>

[starvy]

<p>roy, your assessment of the financial situation is apt. i don't think that outsiders could begin to feel how the economy here is behaving. it is bad enough elsewhere, but my belief is that we are perhaps at a worse position than anywhere else in the world without any manufacturing capability. the service inductry, banking and retail, all three industries dominating britain tends to suffer more than anything else in an economic recession. if your camera gear is adequate for the moment, this is NOT the moment to buy. the falling value of the pound certainly does not make any sense to buy overseas goods. you shold have either made your purchases a few months earlier or wait for at least the year. there might be other better bodies and options available in a year's time. if you were thinking of maning the purchase on credit, it should be an absolute no no.</p>

[roypanos]

<p>SG.<br>

Well, we're in general agreement about the situation. I've no intention of buying on credit. My thinking is simply that when things get worse I won't be able to manage this kind of expenditure - maybe ever again. So at least I'll now be able to amuse myself taking really sharp snaps of the rioting in the streets and the bank executives hanging from lamposts (the latter is something to look forward to, at least!) - even at night...<br>

Since we're on this subject (or I am) it's horrifying that given the gigantic scam that's been perpetrated by the financial institutions and the immense skim that's been creamed off by the tiny population of humanity who have engineered this wheeze, there's not a more widespread clamour for justice and the prevention of any repetition: it will surely repeat, as soon as the dust has settled. If you had written a novel a couple of years ago where a man who was a senior executive of Lehmann Brothers before The Fall was now appointed to be in charge of the "recovery", and that the chairman of the Nasdaq had applied his skills to engineering a $50Bn, albeit primitive, fraud, and that major international banks would have invested in Ponzi schemes, it would have been dismissed as ludicrous...<br>

Privatised profits: socialised losses.<br>

Keep taking the snaps!</p>

[roypanos]

<p>Or, pictorially<br>

Canon Powershot Pro 1 (still fond of it) wobblyvision.</p><div></div>

[SolaresLarrave]

<p>Roy, I am very happy and satisfied with my D700. It is my first digital camera, and while I had to struggle for a while, dealing with the array of choices and possibilities, after about a week of use I settled for a number of features and commands that I consider useful and important in my photographing style. As a matter of fact, I waited for a long time before buying it, and even doubted Nikon would ever come with an FX camera that I could afford. The D700 may as well be my first and last digital camera... which means that five years from now I will still have it and use it. </p>

<p>Is that what you expected to read? I hope so. Now, jump, help your economy and use the camera long before your trip. That way you'll have it figured out before you leave. </p>

[colin cadle]

<p>"My thinking is that the lenses are a very long term purchase - maybe one day an<br /> affordable 25 Mp Nikon will come along and I'll be able to buy it."</p>

<p>Your day has come! The 24.6 Mp D3x was announced on the 1st December and my loacl supplier had one is stock yesterday! GBP 5450. I was in buying my third SB900 today and was warned of huge price increases coming from Japan with almost GBP1000 being added soon to the canon 1Ds Mk3. Food for thought Roy, you may be right, buy now!</p>

[ryan_hamilton]

<p>Change your money to Yen.... sit it in the back with interest and wait till summer.... your money will be getting interest and by summer if things get that bad... you'll probably get a smokin deal on everything as people try to get rid of things they aren't using. Or another camera will come out that's better... and you'll want it anyway!</p>

[ronald_moravec1]

<p>I will use my D700 until it fails and can not be repaired or I can not get a battery for it. Thinking of a battery grip so I can always use AA cells.<br>

It is so much better than my D200, the 85 to 200 mm AiS lenses work the way they are supposed to and 24 mm wide is really wide. What more can I say.</p>

<p>hold off on the 70/200 as a new one will come shortly that will not fall apart at 200 mm. The other two are pretty big. I am considering, but not inclined so far. My set of AiS lenses seem to be fine. The 18/70 and 55/200 from the D200 work well if I need AF zooms. Maybe only 5 MP, but you will still be impressed. Then I also have 24,35,50 &60 AF lenses.<br>

I would say get the camera, think a little on the lenses after trying what you have. I am sure they image nicely except for the 70/200.</p>

<p>Final note, 12/24 works fine at full frame 20 to 24mm if you have one of those. </p>

[photo5]

<p>I too am sure I'll be using my D700 five years from now.<br>

<br /> Roy, I too had a Canon Powershot Pro1 (back in 2004 before I got the Nikon D70) and I loved it! It was SLOW to use, but with patience, could make beautiful photos. It was sold in 2006 when I bought my D70s.</p>

[stevenseelig]

<p>I've been shooting with a D700 for several months now. Low light capabilities are terrific (I now use auto ISO with great regularity, setting the max at 6400 in situations where that is the only option. I prefer to stay below 1600, but when I want the picture I will go higher.<br>

I think the images are a bit softer than my D200 at ISOs of 200 (very very subjective interpretation)..and is only a minor concern. More problematic is I find the auto focus to struggle (particularly if you use the points outside of the central 15) and that the auto focus points are concentrated in the center of the chip. But I shoot portrait work mostly so focus points with better functionality outside the central 15 would be really nice.<br>

I have also switched to auto WB except when I am shooting in the studio or consistently in sun light. In mixed light, I let the camera decide.<br>

I really like the camera. I have all the lens you are considering and rarely use anything else except for my 105mm f2.8 VR macro...which is a great portrait lens on the FX<br>

Steven</p>

[roypanos]

<p>Colin<br>

You're joking right? I mean about the DX3. The body's more expensive than the whole system I'm about to buy (tomorrow BTW). I'd love one but it's not going to happen unless someone out there who realises how much I deserve it decides to make me an Xmas gift of one! There'll surely be a prosumer version before terribly long - bets are on "D700x" or "D800" I believe. Whether I'll ever be able to buy it is very questionable, but who knows?<br>

Re Pro 1. I still chuck it in my bag quite often, alternating it with a Nikon manual body. I see it as the predecessor of the current 4/3 idea. When I bought it the construction looked vastly superior to the similarly priced DSLRs of the time. Robust it isn't though, but that's another story.</p>

[ShunCheung]

<p>"<em>I too am sure I'll be using my D700 five years from now</em>."<br />Dave, I am afarid that we have heard (actually read) that before, in fact many times, although the camera model was different. :-)<br>

<br />Sorry, just can't resist any more.<br>

<br />Personally, if my D700 can last me a couple of years, I'll be happy. I would imagine that I'll add a 20+MP DSLR a year or two down the road, but certainly not at $8000, though. For now, I am very happy with the D700.</p>

[Jerry_]

<p>Currently I own a D3 and a D700.</p>

<p>Against: with the FX format, the NEF files of the two camera bodies are unique. (The D3 bought used had a legal CD of Nikon Capture NX, which works fine on D3 NEF files. It will not read a D700 NEF file.)</p>

<p>The D700 body was also bought used. It had a trial version of Nikon Capture NX2 on CD. Somewhere in the programming department, <em>the Crinch lives on</em>.... [i have contacted Nikon USA and the solution is perform a major memory dump. It seems the trial version cannot run without dialing up on the Internet to the Nikon USA web site. <strong>This the program refuses to do.</strong> But if one clicks on the button to purchase Nikon Capture NX2, the trial program has no difficulty in dialing up and making the connection to the Nikon USA web-site. Ugly. Period.]</p>

<p>But the Nikon D700 body work well and save the 'other' CF card slot, it is a solid camera.</p>

<p> </p>

[stevenseelig]

<p>Like all technology things, I like to skip at least one generation and sometimes two. And going to more megapixels generates storage issues which I am not sure I want to deal with at the moment or until cost per GB come down more. How big are the RAW files coming off of the D3x?<br>

Steven</p>

[mitchfalk]

<p>Keep your D200 untill the D700X or whatever Nikon will name their 24 MP prosumer version of the D3X arrives, and get the 70-200 VR (its actually sharper on DX than FX).<br>

BTW in 5 months let alone 5 years the current production models will all be proclaimed old junk by the Photography magazines and the so called internet experts !</p>

[roypanos]

<p>I've seen a few comments about a new 70-200 VR but it's surely nothing but speculation? It's the one lens I'm not sure about hence the question about the relative performance of the 80-200. As for the other two, yes they're big and heavy. But I've not heard anything else negative about them at all. And I'm a sucker for wide angles. Also I could use the 14mm end for VR panoramas - if my NN3 will cope with the weight; it even leans a bit with a D200 + 10.5 fe. Maybe I'l hold off and see how my antique 80-200 F4 pump-action AIS works with it, but poor sight plus specs makes AF a huge help.</p>

[walterh]

<p>Gerald are you using a firewall? Perhaps different ports are used for the different contacts by NX2 to Nikon and one request gets through and the other is blocked?<br>

I read that NX can actually convert D700 files like D3 files if one edits the exif data (change D700->D3). The thread was either on PN or dpreview. I have not tried it and instead I am now fighting other problems with NX2 software installation^^.</p>

 

[stwrtertbsratbs5]

<p>I bought my D700 a few weeks ago. My rational is that I've lost more in a few seconds investing than I've spent in a lifetime on Nikon gear, so why wait? <br>

It's a superb camera, and the high ISO performance is just amazing. I have no need for a D700x.</p>

[Peter_in_PA]

<p>Look carefully at the 14-24 before you buy it though. I've used the 17-35 on full-frame and it is PLENTY wide. The 14-24 is way too wide for most people to use well, takes no filters, and has a HUGE front element that is likely to catch both flare and scratches. If you are looking for a landscape lens for full-frame, the 17-35 is, imho, a better overall choice. 14-24 is a special purpose lens, not a general wide angle landscape lens. </p>

<p>I find ultra-wide lenses to be the hardest to use. 14mm is in ultra-ULTRA-wide territory.</p>