leica M2 fan
Veteran
I now have a Nikon D70 and two kit lenses and many Nikkor AF lenses and am considering either a D700 FF or a D7000 DX format. Anyone with any input on why one over the other? I guess what I'm asking is it worth it to spend the extra bucks for the D700 for FF and better high ISO performance? Can the D700 be used with AI and AIS lenses? Any input is appreciated, TIA.
Pablito
coco frío
at dpreview.com you can run side by side comparisons and see for yourself...
dogberryjr
[Pithy phrase]
Yes, the D700 works just fine with AI, AIS lenses. As to value? Hard to say. I think the D7000 is the best bang for the buck right now, though.
kxl
Social Documentary
I have a D700 - full frame, great in low low light and works well with AI/AIS lenses. For me, the path from a D200 to D700 was easy -- primarily for low light and my preference to have the the same AOV from all of my F mount lenses whether they are mounted on a film SLR or DSLR. Also, I only had 2 DX lenses, so that wasn't really a factor in my decision.
nksdks
Established
I guess it depends on the premium you'd have to pay.
I have a d90 and am quite satisfied with it, but apparently the d700 is one of the better dslrs you can get, wrt to its price. And of course, full frame, whatever this means really.
Both of them would work fine with ai lenses.
I have a d90 and am quite satisfied with it, but apparently the d700 is one of the better dslrs you can get, wrt to its price. And of course, full frame, whatever this means really.
Both of them would work fine with ai lenses.
nobbylon
Veteran
I've had my D700 for just inside 2 years now and never regretted buying it. It's low light, high iso performance is still better than anything comparible. The viewfinder is large and with a dk17m eyepiece fitted is as large as an F2's. The smoothness of pics up to 3200 is awesome and even at 6400 it's perfectly useable.
2 things though,
1/ it will show up deficiencies in average glass so you need good lenses.
2/ get NX2 and then PS CS with a dfine2 plug in as an easy workflow from RAW to finished product.
I'm experimenting at the moment with 35,50 and 90 Leica R lenses and the shots with the 50 are awesome. Not used the 35 or 90 yet but expect the same.
AI and AIS lenses fit and are fully functional but again you need the good ones. I use the 28 AIS, various 50's and the 105 AI.
My favorite Nikon lens however is the 24-70 2.8 a/f which is comparible with any Leica glass I've used.
Oh and if you haven't already, get a new imac or better to work with the larger files compaired with the D70.
I went from a D70 to D700 and noticed immediately the better and more obvious dof control compaired to crop sensor and also how film like the D700 images look. It's a fantastic camera for sure.
2 things though,
1/ it will show up deficiencies in average glass so you need good lenses.
2/ get NX2 and then PS CS with a dfine2 plug in as an easy workflow from RAW to finished product.
I'm experimenting at the moment with 35,50 and 90 Leica R lenses and the shots with the 50 are awesome. Not used the 35 or 90 yet but expect the same.
AI and AIS lenses fit and are fully functional but again you need the good ones. I use the 28 AIS, various 50's and the 105 AI.
My favorite Nikon lens however is the 24-70 2.8 a/f which is comparible with any Leica glass I've used.
Oh and if you haven't already, get a new imac or better to work with the larger files compaired with the D70.
I went from a D70 to D700 and noticed immediately the better and more obvious dof control compaired to crop sensor and also how film like the D700 images look. It's a fantastic camera for sure.
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Phantomas
Well-known
Hands down D700 if you're willing to pay the premium. Full frame, ISO, nough said.
Both cameras will work with Ai(S) lenses. You will have focus confirmation in the viewfinder.
The only thing D700 misses is video, but it well makes up for that with image quality.
Both cameras will work with Ai(S) lenses. You will have focus confirmation in the viewfinder.
The only thing D700 misses is video, but it well makes up for that with image quality.
E.M
Well-known
I have D3 , which has the same sensor , and still love it . I bought it when it came out , it was the camera I had been waiting for because I only wanted full frame , coming from a F5 . I hope there is coming a high res. replacement for the D700 soon .
http://www.etiennemichiels.com
http://www.etiennemichiels.com
gliderbee
Well-known
I just sold my D200 after buying a D7000 and I was choosing between the D700 and D7000.
I chose the D7000: it's low-light performance (which was my main reason to change) was as good as that of the D700 and I did not have to change lenses. I'm VERY pleased with it. Never mind the video though: it does work, but the autofocus does not work very well while filming and there's to much mechanical noise when zooming or focussing.
Stefan.
Shac
Well-known
Tony - if your current lenses are DX then obvioulsy you'll need to buy more for the FF - that choice & costs is yours of course. Personally if you've just got the D70 I'd wait a while before deciding whether to go FF or get another DX (I have both incl the D700) but there are + & - for each.
bigeye
Well-known
I'd choose the glass you want to shoot first; that might drive the camera choice for you.
The D7000 does AI and AI-S, too, which finally gives DX old lenses. The only negative for the D7000 is the crop. (I hate what crop does to the FX focal lengths.) A bit more ruggedness and no crop doubles the price to the D700.
I imagine the FX line will be updated soon though, with the Canons and D7000 nipping at them.
The D7000 does AI and AI-S, too, which finally gives DX old lenses. The only negative for the D7000 is the crop. (I hate what crop does to the FX focal lengths.) A bit more ruggedness and no crop doubles the price to the D700.
I imagine the FX line will be updated soon though, with the Canons and D7000 nipping at them.
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FrankS
Registered User
I've read on line that a replacement for the D700 is coming shortly. Best to wait for that new camera IMO, even if just to get a lower price on the D700.
nobbylon
Veteran
where did you read that? i'm interested to see what they can do to it to improve apart from a d3s sensor. Going up in res will probably make the low light ability suffer.
Personally I don't think it needs any more megapixeldoodlies.
On a tangent I just had printed a shot I did with a 4mp canon sureshot of piazza san marco to 40x54 cm and it looks great. There's no need for any more other than lower noise.
The highlight info that can be recovered from D700 files is also brilliant, easily 2 stops.
ColSebastianMoran
( IRL Richard Karash )
Tony, from the D70, either of these cameras will be a big step forward. My D70 makes great images in good light, but the newer DSLRs have moved the ball forward a lot.
DX vs. FX is about money, lenses, and low light performance.
Low Light: I'm often shooting my D300 at 1600 and I'm very happy. D7000 would be similar. D700 gives you roughly another stop.
Lenses: DX extends your tele reach. Several nice DX lenses which are less expensive than the comparable lens in FX, if there is one. I like a 50 f/1.4 as a portrait lens on DX. The 10.5mm fisheye is nice. Lots of tradeoffs here.
Enjoy!
DX vs. FX is about money, lenses, and low light performance.
Low Light: I'm often shooting my D300 at 1600 and I'm very happy. D7000 would be similar. D700 gives you roughly another stop.
Lenses: DX extends your tele reach. Several nice DX lenses which are less expensive than the comparable lens in FX, if there is one. I like a 50 f/1.4 as a portrait lens on DX. The 10.5mm fisheye is nice. Lots of tradeoffs here.
Enjoy!
italy74
Well-known
Ciao Tony
D700 is great with AI/AIS lenses as well, I had one and the only reason I sold it was funding for more important expenses. Probably it might worth telling that a replacement for it looks to be coming very soon, so you might want to wait a few more months.
Look for yourself about AIs lenses, just among my shots: http://italy74.smugmug.com/keyword/ais
D700 is great with AI/AIS lenses as well, I had one and the only reason I sold it was funding for more important expenses. Probably it might worth telling that a replacement for it looks to be coming very soon, so you might want to wait a few more months.
Look for yourself about AIs lenses, just among my shots: http://italy74.smugmug.com/keyword/ais
italy74
Well-known
Ciao,
I think Frank's point was simply warning him about the possibility (as I know too) of a new camera coming out soon, thus he would have one more choice on what to do. Deciding it's of course up to him but knowing there's something in the pipeline is important regardless of the decision itself.
nobbylon
Veteran
Dino,
there's been speculation for the last year that something is coming! I've always thought of digital cameras like computers. If it does what you want at the price point you are happy to pay, then buy today. A lot of opportunities get wasted otherwise. There will always be something on the way. I'd even heard that Nikon were working on a digital rangefinder, full frame with M mount. M9 killer at a realistic price but who knows when?
rgds J
there's been speculation for the last year that something is coming! I've always thought of digital cameras like computers. If it does what you want at the price point you are happy to pay, then buy today. A lot of opportunities get wasted otherwise. There will always be something on the way. I'd even heard that Nikon were working on a digital rangefinder, full frame with M mount. M9 killer at a realistic price but who knows when?
rgds J
James24
Well-known
I have had a D700 for over a year now and absolutely love it. As this model has been out for a while, a replacement is likely this year. You can bet this will cost more though, so maybe consider getting a lightly used D700 now, and if you want to upgrade to the newer model you can do so without losing money on the D700.
GSNfan
Well-known
In case you buy the D700, your D70 kit lenses would stay DX so you won't benefit from FF. I don't know what F lenses you have but unless they're really good, those kit lenses for D70, which one of them I presume is the 18-70mm will out perform them easily. Not to mention their silent fast AF and manual override in the case of 18-70.
The D7000 sensor despite being APS-C scored the same as D700 on DXO rating, its high ISO performance is on par with D700. Its also top of its class right now, so it has a few years to go before its replacement is released.
Go for the D7000.
The D7000 sensor despite being APS-C scored the same as D700 on DXO rating, its high ISO performance is on par with D700. Its also top of its class right now, so it has a few years to go before its replacement is released.
Go for the D7000.
Ranchu
Veteran
D300?
Keep in mind that even if your future camera meters with the manual focus lenses, it may need adjustment to do so accurately, Nikon doesn't seem to bother much about MF, unlike their AF. The most important factor in whether this can be done is whether it comes stock with a shim underneath the focus screen. If so, focus can be adjusted both directions. I found the 28mm f2 AIS to be very good on a crop sensor.
Keep in mind that even if your future camera meters with the manual focus lenses, it may need adjustment to do so accurately, Nikon doesn't seem to bother much about MF, unlike their AF. The most important factor in whether this can be done is whether it comes stock with a shim underneath the focus screen. If so, focus can be adjusted both directions. I found the 28mm f2 AIS to be very good on a crop sensor.
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