D700? What do you reckon...

Blimey, I've found myself a little overwhelmed with wanting a D700 or maybe even it's replacement. In fact I guess the question really is whether full frame is worth it yet (for me, it will come!)?

I have my D300, very capable camera, but the D700 offers low light performance and importantly a bigger viewfinder. Those of you relatively new to photography with a DSLR should go a look through a 20 year old film camera and then wonder why we look through piddly little viewfinders now. Back then we all wondered why we looked through piddly 35mm film SLR's when we could have medium format viewfinders!

The D700 offers some way to get a decent size viewfinder back, and probably near optimum digital performance but at the expense of increased size over the D300 (just) and a heavier kit bag. Why? Because it needs bigger and heavier quality lenses more than a DX camera. Hmmm...I already have been acquiring lenses ready for full frame (see kit list) although these are still not going to get the best from that camera.

So, after all that...those of you with a D700 - or even a canon full frame, did you notice much difference in day to day stuff? Those with a D200 or D300 why haven't you moved up? Do you think DX is good enough?

I am flying in a few weeks, I was thinking I will see the D700 the cheapest in a long time at the airport duty free. If I want one, seems an opportune moment.

Well, most people know my feelings about them - I cannot wait to get one! However, every time I save for it, my svaings get knocked at the last minute :/

I think they're a fantastic camera, and well worth forking out for, but then - I guess it depends on how much you need/want full frame. I know the image quality just appears so incredible on every photo I've seen it take.

Like you I've been buying full frame lenses too, I'm sure we'll all end up going full frame at some point anyway - and I knew I wanted to sooner rather than later!

xx

Will all your lens be compatable on a d700?

The only thing stopping me is the expense really - although ideally it would have video too.

I reckon you should go for it - the quality of the D700 is just awesome!! And if you can get it cheap...

I love my D700. It can shoot in practically in any light situation. It's my go to camera in indoor events. The nice big finder is gorgeous. it really sucks when I'm using both the k20 and the d700, and going from a big finder to the smaller one on the k20d takes a bit of getting used to.

as far as everyday stuff. That really depends. I do tend to lean more on the d700, but the size and weight sometimes makes me reach for my k20d. (d700+mbd10+nikon 24-70 f/2.8+sb900=back breaking). shots wise. it's a toss up, with the tiny finder and the smaller less dots lcd screen on the k20d makes me think i fudged some shots, surprise me when i start my post. The d700 produces great images, but seems a bit flatter in terms of colours compared to the Pentax, but It all gets worked on in post anyway.

in my case, I tend to use the d700 more so than the k20 do, since i do more indoor poorly lit events, and the focusing on the d700 is just that much faster in lower light.
outdoors tho, i tend to reach for the k20d more....if you find yourself doing low light work a lot tho, then yeah, upgrade to the d700. thing is, if you have a d300, i'd wait till the d700 replacement -comes out..(not so much as the D700x, maybe d800?)
if you have a d200, i'd upgrade..

I will add this tho, no crop factor is awesome (shooting 24mm @ 24mm is joyous)
and usable...usable unedited ISO 6400 shots is also joyous...
(i've sold an ISO4000 shot @ 24x26 the noise looked film like...)

It's a great camera, I'm glad i invested in it, but solely to get more business. (2 systems better versatility)

Post some more of your D700 pics GTa86, they might just push him over the edge

Go ahead and buy it, you know you want to

Know very little about Nikon but I LUUURRRRVVVE my Canon 5D MKII. Loved the 5D (still got it) before just as much.

So much less noise with FF sensors which equates with being able to up the ISO if required.

Yes it is heavy but I used to lump around a 6x6 kit on landscape forays. Now that was heavy

I use the Canon 40D also especially when the light is good and I need rapid frame rates. Image quality is not quite up to the 5D but sometimes you get the shots that you would miss with 5D.

I my opinion FF is the way to go and in the not to distant future a lot more cameras will be FF.

Steve

Yep, on a guilt trip really. I have just been to the Festival of History event today in Kenilworth, Northants. It was all sorts of historical visuals, people in uniform with all the hardare form WW2, Romans, mediaeval times, etc. etc. and for me, an unscheduled and unexpected fly past of the Vulcan bomber. Anyway, I have never seen so much hobbyist hardware...there were many, many hobby photogrpahers with brilliant kit, Canon mainly. There were quite a few professionals, but some you knew were amateurs. Saw several 5D mk1's and 2's, several D3's, D700's, but what amazed me was so many people with expensive big telephoto lenses, wide aperture monster quality pieces...anyway, with that in mind, I did feel a bit inspired and not so guilty about investing a little more!

Think I'll just watch what's happening for a short time, 24 meg sensors seem to be becoming popular...