Jeff and the D700

[rawpaw18]

Review up, for those who don't always check the home page.

http://www.dcresource.com/reviews/nikon/d700-review/index.shtml

[Turo]

I am drooling over that ISO performance...

[rawpaw18]

It does kind of make us envious, our 50's don't quite compare.

I wish the D700 had more customizable features, seems lacking :)
How big is the manual anyways?

[Turo]

IIRC, I read somewhere it was 472 pages!

[tim11]

The IQ is amazing. I think Jeff stuffed up with the ISO test :D.
I remember when discussing the D300 test images, one of our resident Nikon critic said Nikon cheated to get such result; but I don't really care how Nikon (or any other camera companies) might cheat, for as long as they get clean images at the end; that's all that matters.

[Shaft]

It's actually 444 pages :)

[shshsh]

I wish the D700 had more customizable features, seems lacking :)

Indeed - it seems you can't customize the menu wallpaper or upload .WAV files for all the sounds (a.k.a. "idiot beeper")... ;-)


How big is the manual anyways?

Quite thick, but still far from complete. Thom Hogan's D700 e-book is quite a worthwhile investment.

[shshsh]

I am drooling over that ISO performance...

It's really quite incredible. And combined with auto-ISO it really rocks: Set max auto-ISO to 3200, max shutter speed to 1/200 (depending on the lens, of course), shooting mode to "A", and happily shoot away.

Some real-life shots:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2753758225_ef94ec3a74.jpg

I am drooling over that ISO performance...

It's really quite incredible. And combined with auto-ISO it really rocks: Set max auto-ISO to 3200, max shutter speed to 1/200 (depending on the lens, of course), shooting mode to "A", and happily shoot away.

Some real-life shots:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2753758225_ef94ec3a74.jpg

ISO 2800
Larger resolutions + full EXIF data: http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2753758225/in/set-72157601786651267/


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2754625206_a8e76e97be.jpg

ISO 3200
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2754625206/in/set-72157606676411291/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3176/2753827887_1102b0ff15.jpg

ISO 2500
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2753827887/in/set-72157606676411291/


In a castle's chapel with this kind of light:

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/2859818786_e03dc10584.jpg

ISO 200
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2859818786/in/set-72157602967321099/


...you get those results (no flash!):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3020/2859819526_d901036db6.jpg

ISO 1100
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2859819526/in/set-72157602967321099/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3175/2859819152_ea0edbde91.jpg

ISO 1100
That's almost (?) better than what you can see with your naked eye.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2859819152/in/set-72157602967321099/


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3044/2859815410_ef9013720f.jpg

ISO 3200 + (built-in) flash (didn't have the Nikon adapter for my Metz 54 yet)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2859815410/in/set-72157602967321099/


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3092/2858986201_91e8bb001f.jpg

ISO 1600 + (built-in) flash
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2858986201/in/set-72157602967321099/


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3035/2858987079_981771d164.jpg

ISO 1100 + (built-in) flash
http://www.flickr.com/photos/huha/2858987079/in/set-72157602967321099/

[Rooz]

that first image is outstanding.

[accord2003]

Those D700 shots are amazing.

[Gintaras]

i tend to believe D700 is the best semi-pro FF to date, and i suspect it will remain so after 5DII release. so i am saving pennies to switch myself to D700 next spring.

[tim11]

No noise up to ISO1600.... that will leave any serious photographer drooling.

[Rooz]

i tend to believe D700 is the best semi-pro FF to date, and i suspect it will remain so after 5DII release. so i am saving pennies to switch myself to D700 next spring.

i'm curious why you would switch to a d700. all of the images i see you post are in good light and i cant recall seeing much action photography from you either.

so it begs the question...if the d700's strengths are low light and AF performance/ speed and the 5dMkII's stregth is resolution, why a d700 ? to me the MkII seems a better choice for you're shooting style.

that aside...i'll race ya. :D

[Gintaras]

i'm curious why you would switch to a d700. all of the images i see you post are in good light and i cant recall seeing much action photography from you either.

so it begs the question...if the d700's strengths are low light and AF performance/ speed and the 5dMkII's stregth is resolution, why a d700 ? to me the MkII seems a better choice for you're shooting style.

that aside...i'll race ya. :D

Rooz, exactly, I want FF that would give me flexibility in lowlight, good AF will be critical too while mega resolution is not on my agenda. I skipped shooting lowlight too often because I needed clean performance at high ISO speaking of which 1600ISO is not that high. I had a chance to put my hands on D700 and loved it, simply in every aspect that looked great. I also liked such gimmicks like virtual horizon that to me sounds like indispensable for landscapes. I wait for Canon 5DMarkII to see reviews and opinions but one thing that immediately strikes me is Canon’s decision to give movie mode on 5D while skipping pop up flash … really weird, so I am afraid I have no high expectations for else on 5DII.

And I did not invest in glass for this reason so I am flexible to do a switch. I will keep XTi anyway for my wife and as a back up camera.

[Gintaras]

Rooz, why do you think 5DMKII would be better choice for me? why not D700? only because that might be a bit more expensive or else reasons?

[Turo]

Rooz, why do you think 5DMKII would be better choice for me? why not D700? only because that might be a bit more expensive or else reasons?

I think he already answered your question:


i'm curious why you would switch to a d700. all of the images i see you post are in good light and i cant recall seeing much action photography from you either.

so it begs the question...if the d700's strengths are low light and AF performance/ speed and the 5dMkII's stregth is resolution, why a d700 ? to me the MkII seems a better choice for you're shooting style.


Basically, based on your pictures, it looks like you would benefit more from a high resolution camera (5DMKii) than you would from one with fast AF/speed and good @ low light (D700).

[Gintaras]

Turo, high resolution means what, more pixels? how about dynamic range? or when you wish you could use ISO 6400 and have as clean as possible image? I have to admit I am DSLR noob so please educate me. And how 21MP will benefit me vs. 10MP if I print max A3?

Sorry, perhaps I sound like an idiot, but ...

[Rooz]

it means that it able to resolve and render fine details better. so think about leaves on a tree. fine architectural detail in a building etc. there is twice as much information recorded per file. that is a significant difference. there doesnt appear to be a dynamic range improvement with the 5dmkII, but neither is there one with the the D700 at lower iso's. the benefits of the d700 is that it can manitain detail and DR further up the iso which is not really relevant for you;re sort of shooting.

if i were shooting what you do, i'd be getting a MkII. i'm testing one in a couple of weeks.

[Gintaras]

it means that it able to resolve and render fine details better. so think about leaves on a tree. fine architectural detail in a building etc. there is twice as much information recorded per file. that is a significant difference. there doesnt appear to be a dynamic range improvement with the 5dmkII, but neither is there one with the the D700 at lower iso's. the benefits of the d700 is that it can manitain detail and DR further up the iso which is not really relevant for you;re sort of shooting.

if i were shooting what you do, i'd be getting a MkII. i'm testing one in a couple of weeks.

Rooz, as you rightly pointed a higher resolution means more detail but my experience tells that even with 10MP I am able to print A3 and maintain enough sharpness and details. What I also saw that higher resolution means less clean image in some situations, and like I told I wish my next camera has excellent high ISO. I agree for landscape that might be of no use as I can use tripoid and go max to ISO400, normally stay in ISO100-200... but in the evening city, indoors and at events you can forget about tripoid, so high ISO is the only way to go.

Btw Rooz, I am all ears to hear about your experience with 5DII compared to D700. And I have a lot of time for making my decision as winter time is not my favorite season for shooting.

[Rooz]

i'm not renting it to assess the IQ cos i'm confident the IQ will be exceptional. i'm renting it to see if it feels right in my hands cos the old 5d was a dog to use. (oh...and the 70-200/4IS may have something to do with it aswell. lol)

[rawpaw18]

On Nikon Rumors it was stated that Ritz is offering 10% off purchase if you
use Paypal on January 1st for your purchase.

sale price in cart as of now $2,399.99

less 10% $2159.99, pretty sweet deal if true
For anyone in the market

[Visual Reality]

Awesome price for that kind of camera...but the re-investment in lenses will make many very hesitant.