Just bought a D700 - veryimpressed with IQ

[peterm1]

Thanks for all your comments guys.

We had lousy weather this weekend so I had not much time or opportunity to give this sucker a serious workout. But I did make a point of shooting off a few shots at various speeds including ISO 1600 and 3200. Pretty impressive performance. All the lies they tell about it are true. 😀

None of the following have been worked oververy much - just imported using Picture Project and given the slightest touch of sharpening. No noise reduction as I wanted to demonstrate how the camera performs natively on that front.

Dynamic range was probably my biggest bugbear with the D200. I like natural light photos so it was a constant fight to get the best out of images. My impression is too that the D700's metering is better than the D200. It seems to pick a good exposure more often - helped by the DR and Nikon D light adjustment which make it more forgiving I suppose.

One at ISO 800 to test dynamic range in a highly backlit situation - nothing to complain about here. When enlarged to full size there is a little noise in the dark area but nothing objectionable or problematic.

Two at ISO 1600 - certainly no complaint about either of these. Lots of detail, little noise - even with the cat fur shot in very dim conditions. Again at full size some noise is apparent but not much and what noise there is does not look ugly.

And just for the hell of it, one at ISO 3200. This one is a bit over bright as I think I was fiddling with that camera and left exposure comp on (oops). But very clean considering.

Well, like I say, I am pretty impressed. I think I am going to have fun.

 

[ray*j*gun]

D800 over D700 higher pixel count = greater ability to crop, video, greater dynamic range. 100% viewfinder. Against the D800, higher pixel count in RAW = huge storage space required, more computer power needed to work on pics.
Both IMHO are brilliant cameras and having had the d700 for over 3 years now my only complaint is the rear thumb rubber absorbs sweat, glue softens and they come off. I replaced the rubber for a fiver, not bad for 3 years use.
If there was a classic dslr I think the d700 and d3 would be it.

Thanks John!!

Have you heard anything about an AF issue with the 800? I was reading that some 800's have a back focus problem in AFs mode. Also, anything like that with the 700?

Thanks again John.

 

[nobbylon]

I have no experience of focus issues with 800. My 700 has been spot on from day one and would say that I would have no issue buying either of these cameras. They are strong and dependable and if the form factor suits then they are worth every penny.
A little time spent checking the a/f and doing some fine tuning may, with certain lenses be of benefit however after doing this I found mine was fine along with the majority.
I've used the D3 and with the same sensor as the 700 there's nothing to say really apart from dual card write ability which incidentally the 800 also has.
I'm still looking to get hold of a D3s which to me is perfect.
My friend just bought a 5D iii and seems like a decent machine however someone mentioned some issues here. What were the issues and was this weblore or actual user feedback?

 

[Keith]

I have no experience of focus issues with 800. My 700 has been spot on from day one and would say that I would have no issue buying either of these cameras. They are strong and dependable and if the form factor suits then they are worth every penny.
A little time spent checking the a/f and doing some fine tuning may, with certain lenses be of benefit however after doing this I found mine was fine along with the majority.
I've used the D3 and with the same sensor as the 700 there's nothing to say really apart from dual card write ability which incidentally the 800 also has.
I'm still looking to get hold of a D3s which to me is perfect.
My friend just bought a 5D iii and seems like a decent machine however someone mentioned some issues here. What were the issues and was this weblore or actual user feedback?

I was thinking about a D3s until I read about the D4. A few more megapixels, the same outrageous high ISO capability and apparently lighter than the D3s along with some neat tricks like lighting of the basic controls for shooting in extremely dark environments ... which I do often!

Pity about the price though! 😛

I saw an image on line somewhere shot at 12800 ISO with a D3s ... mind blowing, like 3200 (or better) on the D700!

 

[ray*j*gun]

I have no experience of focus issues with 800. My 700 has been spot on from day one and would say that I would have no issue buying either of these cameras. They are strong and dependable and if the form factor suits then they are worth every penny.
A little time spent checking the a/f and doing some fine tuning may, with certain lenses be of benefit however after doing this I found mine was fine along with the majority.
I've used the D3 and with the same sensor as the 700 there's nothing to say really apart from dual card write ability which incidentally the 800 also has.
I'm still looking to get hold of a D3s which to me is perfect.
My friend just bought a 5D iii and seems like a decent machine however someone mentioned some issues here. What were the issues and was this weblore or actual user feedback?

Hi John, here is just one of the sires that discussed the back focus issue with D800's which I have also read may have a mis-calibrated VF. http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/07/04/nikon-d800e-focusing-update-problem-solved/

Apparently the fix is easy for the Nikon people but it is off-putting to read about such problems. I just goggled "Nikon D800 focusing issues" and got lots of hits.

 

[BobYIL]

Congratulations; you will not be sorry.. In case of need some new lenses, the 28/1.8G, 50/1.8G and 85/1.8G are highly recommended; just finished testing them on the D800E. Corner to corner sharpness shines on all three, no difference (other than half-stop aperture) I was able to detect compared to the f1.4G lenses and altogether they cost less than the 85/1.4G..🙂

 

[mynikonf2]

...as I figured, the D700 is worth the effort (time & money) to make the switch from the D200 (where I have put both the time & new purchase price) that I have come to know rather well. Thank you all for your expertise & professional opinions & value on which is impossible to estimate (which is why I love RFF).

 

[peterm1]

Congratulations; you will not be sorry.. In case of need some new lenses, the 28/1.8G, 50/1.8G and 85/1.8G are highly recommended; just finished testing them on the D800E. Corner to corner sharpness shines on all three, no difference (other than half-stop aperture) I was able to detect compared to the f1.4G lenses and altogether they cost less than the 85/1.4G..🙂

Thanks. I have the 50mm f1.8G and its great. I think the 28mm f1.8 is looking very good too. Just read a review on it and was pleasantly surprised. I still have a 85mm f1.4 D (which is a pretty impressive lens) and will stick with that for a while - although I would love the 85mm f1.8 G from what I have read of its capabilities. Damn there are great lenses around right now..

 

[BobYIL]

Thanks. I have the 50mm f1.8G and its great. I think the 28mm f1.8 is looking very good too. Just read a review on it and was pleasantly surprised. I still have a 85mm f1.4 D (which is a pretty impressive lens) and will stick with that for a while - although I would love the 85mm f1.8 from what I have read of its capabilities. Damn there are great lenses around right now..

Get the 28/1.8G.. I am amazed with it.. According to the Lensrental's tests it is the best one after the Zeiss 25/2 and the sharpest wide angle lens of Nikon.. (Check Photozone too.)

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2012/03/d800-lens-selection

 

[nobbylon]

Hi John, here is just one of the sires that discussed the back focus issue with D800's which I have also read may have a mis-calibrated VF. http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/07/04/nikon-d800e-focusing-update-problem-solved/

Apparently the fix is easy for the Nikon people but it is off-putting to read about such problems. I just goggled "Nikon D800 focusing issues" and got lots of hits.

I'm as guilty in the past of reading too much on the multitude of net reviews and initially judging a product on that basis. I did it with the M9 quite a bit without ever having used one so I ended up getting one, didn't like it and sold etc. I tend now to limit anything I say about any product to stuff I've actually used or owned. If I'm considering a new purchase then yes, I get an initial feel from info in reviews but reserve the final judgement on my own experiences. This way I'm giving an accurate account based on real usage. All I can say about all the Nikon's I've used is that they are reliable, focus accurately and are my most trusted camera. If a product does not work correctly out of the box from new then it's a simple matter to return and get another.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Your quite right John, BTW I'm a Nikon guy all the way and feel as you do that they are excellent products. I'm just not used to thinking in terms of $2 to $3 thousand for a digital and am trying to be careful. Being older (with a growing problem focusing manually) I have decided to sell some of my manual focusing gear to fund a D700 or D800.

Thanks for your input!

 

[nobbylon]

Raymond,
I've had exactly the same choices to make with regard to manual focus issues over the last 2 years. I've been through a lot of cameras in the last 10 yrs and eventually ended up with what works for my eyes.
I even went through a period of manual focus with R glass on D700 but in the end admitted to myself that it's just easier and less frustrating using A/F.
I sold my MP last week as it just isn't fun to use anymore. For manual focus the only camera I find usable with any degree of accuracy is my Leicaflex SL. I had to sell my Nikon F and F2 collection as it was impossible to focus them. My prefered film camera is an F5 which has faster focus than F6 or indeed any Nikon Dslr. I haven't used a D4 so can't comment on those.
Whichever you choose, D700 or D800, I'm positive you will not regret it. Still being able to actively enjoy photography is what's important for me and Nikon cameras help me to do that.
Don't forget to put some cash into the better Nikon lenses for best results with FX cameras. I can recommend without hesitation the 24-70, 70-200 VRII, 50 and 85 1.4's.
regards john

 

[ssmc]

Re: MF and the D700

Re: MF and the D700

I know that modern AF DSLRs as a rule don't have screens that are particularly helpful for MF, but it is certainly possible if the VF screen is shimmed correctly. I posted a thread about how to do this a while ago:

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98098

HTH,
Scott

p.s. you are all dead right about the DR and shadow recovery abilities of the D700 - wonderful 🙂

 

[peterm1]

Your quite right John, BTW I'm a Nikon guy all the way and feel as you do that they are excellent products. I'm just not used to thinking in terms of $2 to $3 thousand for a digital and am trying to be careful. Being older (with a growing problem focusing manually) I have decided to sell some of my manual focusing gear to fund a D700 or D800.

Thanks for your input!

I must admit that as much as I love using my M8, I now struggle to find focus with it........ even though I have installed a (third party) diopter correction lens. I find using AF cameras just easier for this reason and as much as I love to use rangefinders I reckon I will have to think seriously about whether I sell mine in a few years - or even before.

I was even considering that maybe the latest crop of RF like cameras (the X Pro 1 for example) might be an option. If this or other as yet unspecified cameras have good MF focussing aids (as well as good natice AF for its own lenses) then maybe this is something I am going to have to consider soon as an alternative to the M8. (Wouldn't it be nice if M cameras had electronic focus confirmation to help old codgers like me!!!!!!! )

Or I just give up and restrict myself to shooting DSLRs only. Unfortunately I enjoy having the choice and apart from this being along time rangefinder user I am emotionally attached.

 

[willie_901]

My vision is similarly challenged at this point.

With the D700 I use the green dot with F-mount manual focus lenses. This works well except for when the DOF is rather narrow. For studio (tripod) work I focus manual lenses with Live View. You can zoom electronically to critically adjust focus. This even works when tethered to an iPad.

With the X100 and X-Pro 1 I start with the OVF and use the push-button method to see an electronically magnified view with the EVF. Sometimes I push the shutter then and other times I push the button again to use the OVF.

 

[john_s]

I must admit that as much as I love using my M8, I now struggle to find focus with it........ even though I have installed a (third party) diopter correction lens............

As we get older it becomes more critical that the eyesight correction diopter is the right value. Cameras that have built-in adjustment generally allow almost continuous adjustment with, I guess, about 0.25 increments.

Most add-in diopters are available in increments of 1 diopter which can be inadequate. Leica at least have 0.5 increments between +2 and -2. Furthermore, in an SLR the correction is fixed because the optical distance remains constant: you're focusing on the screen, but in a rangefinder, you're actually looking at the subject and the required diopter actually changes with the subject distance. I have a Megaperls x1.15 magnifier for my M Leica and I can make fine adjustments to diopter correction depending on the subject distance. I usually don't need to, but the effect is noticeable when taking close portraits in interior light.

And yes, the D700 is a wonderful camera.

 

[peterm1]

As we get older it becomes more critical that the eyesight correction diopter is the right value. Cameras that have built-in adjustment generally allow almost continuous adjustment with, I guess, about 0.25 increments.

Most add-in diopters are available in increments of 1 diopter which can be inadequate. Leica at least have 0.5 increments between +2 and -2. Furthermore, in an SLR the correction is fixed because the optical distance remains constant: you're focusing on the screen, but in a rangefinder, you're actually looking at the subject and the required diopter actually changes with the subject distance. I have a Megaperls x1.15 magnifier for my M Leica and I can make fine adjustments to diopter correction depending on the subject distance. I usually don't need to, but the effect is noticeable when taking close portraits in interior light.

And yes, the D700 is a wonderful camera.

Thanks for this. I have been using the Megaperls x1.15 magnifier on my M8 too. But even so I have found its not perfect.

But I think part of the problem was that I had earlier bought a generic fixed 1.2x magnifier from eBay and was using both together on the assumption that this provides a longer effective base length which should assist focussing. Also as the other generic magnifier is quite long when screwed into the eyepiece it gives more distance from the back of the camera - this helps in other ways - like not having your nose schmooshed aginst the LCD.

More recently I have removed the generic magnifier to see if using the megaperls one alone will help give a clearer image (even though the image is now slightly smaller than before). I have not had a chance to test it properly yet but my first impression is that reducing the number of glass elements has helped a bit.

Still I find myself chekcing and rechecking focus which means that I can use my M8 for landscape and other still shots but not for street work unless I zone focus.

Hence my new found love of the D700. It seems to focus better and faster than the D200 (which was still pretty good) and has the added advantage of much better dynamic range than either the D200 or the M8. When I nail focussing on images with taken the M8 however there is nothing to compare in terms of sharpness between the Leica and any other camera I have. The other thing that the D700 has that I like (but have not yet tried) is the ability to adjust backfocus of specific lenses in the menu. Quite useful fro critical focusing of lenses that suffer focus shift I imagine.

 

[jaredangle]

I had my D700 sitting on a tripod with water running of it a few weeks ago when I got caught in the rain photographing a billboard. A couple of weeks after that I spent two days photographing a vintage motocross meeting and the poor thing got caked in dust and dirt and looked atrocious. After a thorough clean it's sitting in the cupboard waiting for its next challenge ... still looking brand new!

I've thought about a D3s for the extra stop of usable ISO it offers and the D4 has crossed my mind for the same reason not to menton the ability to shoot 10-11 fps in raw mode. That D4 is some leap financially though and I would need to get more paid work to justify it.

Keith, my D700 was slung across my back while I was riding my bike through Rock Creek Park here in Washington DC, and I went right through a mud puddle, with the rear tire shooting mud straight up onto the camera and lens. She likes getting dirty... all in a day's work! 😀

 

[willie_901]

The focus adjust can be quite useful.