Warren T.
Well-known
I knew I should have stayed away from this thread, LOL. Now I have a very powerful GAS for the D700. Aaargh!
benlees
Well-known
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I used to shoot a billboard for an arts college that had a requirement to record the changes they made to it. From various angles and distances and one night half way through the process it started to rain and by the time I got to the final location and set the camera up there was water flowing down the legs of the tripod. The camera was totally unfazed!
Pablito
coco frío
I agree with post 31 and 32.
I make very large prints and I like to use ISO 3200 and 6400 when I need to.
Besides, I think of these cameras as basically disposable, although lately the improvements from one model to the next are almost imperceptible, at least in IQ
I make very large prints and I like to use ISO 3200 and 6400 when I need to.
Besides, I think of these cameras as basically disposable, although lately the improvements from one model to the next are almost imperceptible, at least in IQ
emraphoto
Veteran
My girlfriend/partner/whatever you call them these days is a commercial photographer. She shoots 8-10 hours a day, 5-6 days a week and regularly prints building size and billboards for nation wide campaigns. She still shoots the D700(s) and they keep rolling on. They are also both well past 150,000 on the shutters.
She also has a DF.
Guess which model has been off for service multiple time?
She also has a DF.
Guess which model has been off for service multiple time?
Tim Murphy
Well-known
If you want it you should buy it
If you want it you should buy it
Dear rfaspen,
I'm a Canon guy from 40 plus years ago. I bought a used F-1 off of a neighbor when I was about 17.
I have several Canon DSLR's but about 6 months ago I bought an old worn out Nikon D300 from a used camera dealer and I don't regret the purchase one bit.
If you think the D700 will work for you then buy it. Ten years ago virtually every single picture that was widely seen and people were impressed with was taken with a lesser camera.
Look at this way. If your had unlimited funds and could buy the absolute best camera available today given the progression of cameras by Christmas you'd be regretting your purchase.
Get something you like and use it.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
If you want it you should buy it
Dear rfaspen,
I'm a Canon guy from 40 plus years ago. I bought a used F-1 off of a neighbor when I was about 17.
I have several Canon DSLR's but about 6 months ago I bought an old worn out Nikon D300 from a used camera dealer and I don't regret the purchase one bit.
If you think the D700 will work for you then buy it. Ten years ago virtually every single picture that was widely seen and people were impressed with was taken with a lesser camera.
Look at this way. If your had unlimited funds and could buy the absolute best camera available today given the progression of cameras by Christmas you'd be regretting your purchase.
Get something you like and use it.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
All right. More posts with sage advice that brings me closer to getting the camera.
I go to check it out tomorrow....I'll have cash on hand. If the camera and I "click" (pun intended) I think I'll go for it. I'm operating on the idea that the camera will be a perfectly good buy on some level, and if I don't like it in the end, I can sell it on again, possibly for a loss, but that's the price of trying it out. Or, it could satisfy my current objectives and I end up using it as intended, and beyond. I guess I've decided to take the gamble. Besides, this would not be my main photographic tool. I'm a rangefinder guy but I've found that the best tool for acquiring certain images I want is not a rangefinder.
I go to check it out tomorrow....I'll have cash on hand. If the camera and I "click" (pun intended) I think I'll go for it. I'm operating on the idea that the camera will be a perfectly good buy on some level, and if I don't like it in the end, I can sell it on again, possibly for a loss, but that's the price of trying it out. Or, it could satisfy my current objectives and I end up using it as intended, and beyond. I guess I've decided to take the gamble. Besides, this would not be my main photographic tool. I'm a rangefinder guy but I've found that the best tool for acquiring certain images I want is not a rangefinder.
peterm1
Veteran
I would be surprised if you regret it. The D700 is just such a damn fine competent camera. It does not have some of the consumer directed bells and whistles proffered by more recent cameras such as video and high pixel counts but for a serious photographer it does what it does exceedingly well.
rfaspen
[insert pithy phrase here]
Update:
I did get the camera. In fact, I got an amazing deal such that I would be an idiot NOT to get it. Its a nice camera with 2 minor problems, and 1 major problem.
The minor problems are: lifting rubber pieces at various places. The pieces will need to be replaced. This is not a huge deal. The other minor problem seems to be associated with the battery grip that came with the body. When I leave the battery grip attached, the camera will unexpectedly and randomly lock up every now and then. Have to turn the camera off and on again to keep shooting. However, this issue has yet to happen when the grip is removed. So, this is also not a huge deal.
The major problem: Well, I actually started another thread here at RFF about the major problem. The previous owner wore cologne. Apparently, a LOT of cologne. The camera is quite, quite scented. I threw away the strap immediately. I've detailed my adventures with attempting to de-scent this camera on the other thread - "Scented Camera!" - and I am just now beginning to think I will win the battle.
I will continue to wipe down all plastic surfaces with alcohol every day or so. I then follow with a wipe down with vinegar. Then, I keep the camera in a box with two kinds of "odor eliminator" products. One is a zeolite based product in a mesh bag, the other is granulated activated charcoal in another mesh bag. After several days of these treatments, the stench is reducing. Then, with the replacement of all the rubber bits (which needs to happen anyway) I think I will get the stink down to a tolerable level. Also, with perpetual storage in the "odor removing box", I expect the stench to continue to diminish over time.
Now, the D700 itself is definitely a nice camera. Currently I hold my breath to use it, and I've tried some nighttime images to see how it performs. Better than the M9, that's for sure!
Thanks all for your opinions. I hesitate to say how good a deal I got, but it was much better than expected. Much. So I'm mostly happy. Just need to deal with the stink problem.....
I did get the camera. In fact, I got an amazing deal such that I would be an idiot NOT to get it. Its a nice camera with 2 minor problems, and 1 major problem.
The minor problems are: lifting rubber pieces at various places. The pieces will need to be replaced. This is not a huge deal. The other minor problem seems to be associated with the battery grip that came with the body. When I leave the battery grip attached, the camera will unexpectedly and randomly lock up every now and then. Have to turn the camera off and on again to keep shooting. However, this issue has yet to happen when the grip is removed. So, this is also not a huge deal.
The major problem: Well, I actually started another thread here at RFF about the major problem. The previous owner wore cologne. Apparently, a LOT of cologne. The camera is quite, quite scented. I threw away the strap immediately. I've detailed my adventures with attempting to de-scent this camera on the other thread - "Scented Camera!" - and I am just now beginning to think I will win the battle.
I will continue to wipe down all plastic surfaces with alcohol every day or so. I then follow with a wipe down with vinegar. Then, I keep the camera in a box with two kinds of "odor eliminator" products. One is a zeolite based product in a mesh bag, the other is granulated activated charcoal in another mesh bag. After several days of these treatments, the stench is reducing. Then, with the replacement of all the rubber bits (which needs to happen anyway) I think I will get the stink down to a tolerable level. Also, with perpetual storage in the "odor removing box", I expect the stench to continue to diminish over time.
Now, the D700 itself is definitely a nice camera. Currently I hold my breath to use it, and I've tried some nighttime images to see how it performs. Better than the M9, that's for sure!
Thanks all for your opinions. I hesitate to say how good a deal I got, but it was much better than expected. Much. So I'm mostly happy. Just need to deal with the stink problem.....
Brooklynguy
Established
Love my D700; in fact, every time I'm tempted to "upgrade" I realize that the D700 has enough MP, enough DR, enough high ISO, enough FPS, to meet my needs (printing to 17" wide). Sometimes more is just more, more is not always better.
You can get a set of rubber coverings from Nikon for around $40-50 IIRC; that may solve your scratch-n-sniff issues too. I would avoid the Fleabay China-direct replacement rubber covers--I've had a couple of poor experiences and the price difference (~$20) is not great.
As for the grip, have you tried cleaning the contacts with alcohol? Is it a genuine Nikon or a third party grip?--the third party grips can be flaky. Used genuine D300/D700 grips can be had for little money these days.
You can get a set of rubber coverings from Nikon for around $40-50 IIRC; that may solve your scratch-n-sniff issues too. I would avoid the Fleabay China-direct replacement rubber covers--I've had a couple of poor experiences and the price difference (~$20) is not great.
As for the grip, have you tried cleaning the contacts with alcohol? Is it a genuine Nikon or a third party grip?--the third party grips can be flaky. Used genuine D300/D700 grips can be had for little money these days.