Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I remember when I got mine I wanted to load in my AIS lens profiles and assign that function to the button front lower right (can't remember what they call it).
After about half an hour sitting at my PC with the PDF open I eventually figured it out ... just as I was about to hurl the thing out the window! LOL
Oh ... and don't make the mistake of putting a lens on the D700 and looking through the viewfinder before you have a charged battery in it! That was a frightening experience until I read in the manual that even the viewfinder won't work correctly without power!
After about half an hour sitting at my PC with the PDF open I eventually figured it out ... just as I was about to hurl the thing out the window! LOL
Oh ... and don't make the mistake of putting a lens on the D700 and looking through the viewfinder before you have a charged battery in it! That was a frightening experience until I read in the manual that even the viewfinder won't work correctly without power!
Chris101
summicronia
YAY! It's what you wanted, so the other camera would not be nearly as good.
The next two days are going to take F O R E V E R !
leica M2 fan
Veteran
This waiting is not good, fortunately I have enough to keep me busy. On Wednesday every truck sound I hear I will thinks it's the Fedex truck! You are right though it's the one I really want and I'm happy with my decision.
Klyment
Member
I realize that the O/P has made a decision already but feel that I have something to add seeing as how I have used the D200, D2X, D300, D700, and D3 and have borrowed a D7000 briefly.
I'd consider the D300(s) and D700 before looking to the D7000. I value the tonality of a 14bit RAW file. AF is noticeably better in the D300 than the D7000 and AF performance is why I keep Nikon gear around.
The choice between DX and FF, and specifically between D7000/D300 and D700 isn't just about what lenses you already have and money, it's about optimizing a system for a series of assignments. If you mostly work with a medium do-it-all zoom, I argue that the 17-55/2.8 alone is worth keeping to the DX format. It is slightly more distorted than the 24-70/2.8 but in my experience it focuses much faster and more confidently than the 24-70 and is sharper edge to edge. Also, if you work more with longer lenses and you frequently need to work in continuous autofocus mode keep in mind that the D300 and D700 all share the same AF point layout and distribution with the D7000 being similar but having poorer distribution. Except that the D700 adds all of that extra sensor area outside of an unmodified AF sensor array making it have even poorer AF point distribution than the D7000. The D300 AF sensor distribution already covers less than what you find in the D2x and even in the D200 and you are introducing even more space in which you don't have AF points.
However, if you're mostly shooting with primes of stationary subjects, I'd highly recommend considering the D700 . . .unless you can wait a couple months.
I'd consider the D300(s) and D700 before looking to the D7000. I value the tonality of a 14bit RAW file. AF is noticeably better in the D300 than the D7000 and AF performance is why I keep Nikon gear around.
The choice between DX and FF, and specifically between D7000/D300 and D700 isn't just about what lenses you already have and money, it's about optimizing a system for a series of assignments. If you mostly work with a medium do-it-all zoom, I argue that the 17-55/2.8 alone is worth keeping to the DX format. It is slightly more distorted than the 24-70/2.8 but in my experience it focuses much faster and more confidently than the 24-70 and is sharper edge to edge. Also, if you work more with longer lenses and you frequently need to work in continuous autofocus mode keep in mind that the D300 and D700 all share the same AF point layout and distribution with the D7000 being similar but having poorer distribution. Except that the D700 adds all of that extra sensor area outside of an unmodified AF sensor array making it have even poorer AF point distribution than the D7000. The D300 AF sensor distribution already covers less than what you find in the D2x and even in the D200 and you are introducing even more space in which you don't have AF points.
However, if you're mostly shooting with primes of stationary subjects, I'd highly recommend considering the D700 . . .unless you can wait a couple months.
Chris101
summicronia
Sometimes when I am expecting something like that, I stay home from work. When I do that, they always seem to get there at 6:30 or so - after the time I would have been home anyway.
ps, I am envious.
ps, I am envious.
SolaresLarrave
My M5s need red dots!
Well done!! You can start reading the downloadable pdf version (non-printable, you can get it from the Nikon USA site) while you wait for the camera to come.
I must add that I too read the manual only when I'm looking for answers about this camera. It handles so much like an F100 or any other good ole film camera that you can shoot it right out of the box (provided the batteries and charged).
If possible, get the MB-D10. It adds a shutter release button and it's particularly good on very cold days.
I must add that I too read the manual only when I'm looking for answers about this camera. It handles so much like an F100 or any other good ole film camera that you can shoot it right out of the box (provided the batteries and charged).
If possible, get the MB-D10. It adds a shutter release button and it's particularly good on very cold days.
unohuu
Established
You do have some awesome Nikkor glass to mate with either digital body. I started Nikon with the D70s; graduated to the D80 and early last year, bought a used D700 on fredmiranda (sell fell through). I am happily using a D300s and will probably still get the D700 or the upgrade. Metering, focusing, AI glass is all wonderful with the D300, so I imagine the D700 would be a total gas. Good luck!
leica M2 fan
Veteran
My D700 arrived today just before noon!
My D700 arrived today just before noon!
First of all I expected a very large camera and very heavy and it isn't at all. I guess I'm used to the F100 with MB-15 I could carry the new one with no problem. I spent some time setting basics while the battery was charging and later took it out front and shot some pictures with the Nikkor 50/1.8 and the results at 200 were marvelous! With the DX on the D70 with the same lens I got passable pictures but nothing like the FF of the D700. I know I will be very happy with this one. I have no regrets about buying this camera. Again, thanks to everyone here in helping me to make my decision. You guys are all great!
My D700 arrived today just before noon!
First of all I expected a very large camera and very heavy and it isn't at all. I guess I'm used to the F100 with MB-15 I could carry the new one with no problem. I spent some time setting basics while the battery was charging and later took it out front and shot some pictures with the Nikkor 50/1.8 and the results at 200 were marvelous! With the DX on the D70 with the same lens I got passable pictures but nothing like the FF of the D700. I know I will be very happy with this one. I have no regrets about buying this camera. Again, thanks to everyone here in helping me to make my decision. You guys are all great!
gavinlg
Veteran
Sounds great - the full frame sensor really makes digital photography fun!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Congrats Tony ... I'm glad you don't think it's overly large or heavy because that certainly wasn't my impression when I first got mine either.
The build quality is awesome IMO.
The build quality is awesome IMO.
jarski
Veteran
am not envious at all, am not am not am not am not... :bang:
nobbylon
Veteran
A few I took last night, it's a great camera for late night stuff,
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N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Good to hear. It is only large and heavy if you are not used to a modern film SLR.
Bob
Bob
Armoured
Well-known
I'm late to this discussion, and this is not exactly a dissenting voice, but...
I think anyone reading this should be not at all shy or concerned about buying a d7000. Long story, but I gave away my previous digital SLR and then needed a replacement sooner than I expected. The d7000 I bought is brilliant. I'd really been thinking more about jumping to a full frame but decided to make that decision later.
In the meantime, the advantages of the d7000 or points on which it comes very close indeed:
-It's quite a bit cheaper, and yet still great performance and a solid build.
-It's noticeably smaller and lighter. (The big surprise for me actually was how much smaller than the Canon d60).
-The viewfinder is surprisingly good - not as big a difference from the d700 as I would have thought.
-Quality of the shots produced even at high ISOs is very good indeed. I'm sure d700 is better but still excellent.
-I don't know what's driving this, but the flash, colour and overall IQ seems vastly improved (to me).
For me, stepping up from an earlier generation camera, the overall IQ, size and price were clinchers - it'll allow me some room to buy more lenses and spend money on other stuff.
I'll probably eventually get a full frame but I'm in no rush (I've got film cameras to use too); when the time comes, I've no doubt that I'll be quite happy to use this as a backup body for the foreseeable future.
At any rate, just to say that anyone really on the fence should also look hard and compare - the d7000 is very far from being a slouch.
I think anyone reading this should be not at all shy or concerned about buying a d7000. Long story, but I gave away my previous digital SLR and then needed a replacement sooner than I expected. The d7000 I bought is brilliant. I'd really been thinking more about jumping to a full frame but decided to make that decision later.
In the meantime, the advantages of the d7000 or points on which it comes very close indeed:
-It's quite a bit cheaper, and yet still great performance and a solid build.
-It's noticeably smaller and lighter. (The big surprise for me actually was how much smaller than the Canon d60).
-The viewfinder is surprisingly good - not as big a difference from the d700 as I would have thought.
-Quality of the shots produced even at high ISOs is very good indeed. I'm sure d700 is better but still excellent.
-I don't know what's driving this, but the flash, colour and overall IQ seems vastly improved (to me).
For me, stepping up from an earlier generation camera, the overall IQ, size and price were clinchers - it'll allow me some room to buy more lenses and spend money on other stuff.
I'll probably eventually get a full frame but I'm in no rush (I've got film cameras to use too); when the time comes, I've no doubt that I'll be quite happy to use this as a backup body for the foreseeable future.
At any rate, just to say that anyone really on the fence should also look hard and compare - the d7000 is very far from being a slouch.
kxl
Social Documentary
Congrats! it's not overly large at all, as you've found out. It's when you mount that beastly 24-70mm/2.8 that you get into the overly large territory.... but those images are SWEEEET!