Nikon D700 in 2015? Or Sony A7?

[jett]

Longtime film shooter making his way into digital. I primarily shoot medium format TLR's and 35mm RF's. Well, unfortunately, film is becoming increasingly less practical for me. So now, I'm transitioning into digital.

I mostly use cameras to take pictures of people (family and friends), in good light. High iso capabilities, incredibly fast AF, mega pixels, and video are unimportant to me. Size, weight, and noise can be compromised. My budget isn't rigid but I don't intend on spending too much on a body (less than $1k, preferably). I need FF, interchangeable lenses, and decent ergonomics. I've owned and borrowed M43 and APS-C bodies, but the images leave me dissapointed. I can go either way when it comes to AF or MF. I simply want a focusing method that works. I'm also open to EVF (although I prefer an optical viewfinder). 80% of the time I use a 50mm lens, if it is not 50mm, then it's 35mm/40mm.

I'm leaning towards a Nikon D700, but I'm also considering a Sony A7. I'm not considering a digital Leica because they are too expensive.

Reasons for Nikon,
Great build with good-enough AF and ergonomics. I've used various film and digital Nikons in the past and they are what you would expect from a camera.

Reasons for Sony,
The main advantage is that it's newer. The Sony is smaller and quieter too. I'm most skeptical about the build and ergonomics because Sony cameras tend to be inferior to their competitors in this department.

Any thoughts? I know this is apples to oranges but I'm sure that many of you have used both cameras.

 

[Shac]

I have both, and though a Nikon user since 1968😱 the D700 sits unused. But I'd suggest borrowing/renting an A7 (preferably an A7ll) or at least trying one in a store.
As for ruggedness - my A7 has been on many hikes &backpack trips in addition to the same conditions as my Nikon's -no problems. Manual focusing for me is easier with the A7 if that is an area of interest to you.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[mfogiel]

"but the images leave me dissapointed"

- Why? Not sharp enough ? Not enough DR ?

I do not shoot digital at all, but apart from high ISO capabilities, the main advantage of digital is the resolution and easy handling of colour. If you shoot people often, you should make sure that the colour is skin friendly out of the box, and that you can get easy background separation if you want it, so that would mean the capacity to use fast lenses with live view. I would probably go with the Sony and adapt some Leica R glass, particularly Summicron 35, Summilux 50 first version, Macro Elmarit 60 and Summicron 90. I would not worry about the build quality - digital cameras are disposable anyway.

 

[kxl]

I have owned the D700, and currently own the D800e and the A7R.

To be honest, your requirements aren't really all that demanding that they would eliminate either camera. Having said that however, consider what lenses you would primarily use with the body and I would think that you'd have a much larger list of options from which to select for the F mount. Yes I do realize that you can adapt the F-mount lenses to the A7, but unless you would like to play around with adapting lenses with different mounts, I would recommend the D700, assuming 12mp is enough for your needs. IMHO, the D700's handling and ergonomics are just so much better than the A7.

 

[jett]

I'd suggest borrowing/renting an A7 (preferably an A7ll) or at least trying one in a store.
As for ruggedness - my A7 has been on many hikes &backpack trips in addition to the same conditions as my Nikon's -no problems. Manual focusing for me is easier with the A7 if that is an area of interest to you.

Thanks. Manual focus doesn't really interest me per se. I prefer MF but it isn't critical to me. If AF works, then I'll use it. I will defiantly try out the a7.

"but the images leave me dissapointed"

- Why? Not sharp enough ? Not enough DR ?

It's just the small sensor "look". 50mm on FF just looks nicer than 35mm on APS-C. I don't think it's the resolution, alone.

To be honest, your requirements aren't really all that demanding that they would eliminate either camera. Having said that however, consider what lenses you would primarily use with the body and I would think that you'd have a much larger list of options from which to select for the F mount. Yes I do realize that you can adapt the F-mount lenses to the A7, but unless you would like to play around with adapting lenses with different mounts, I would recommend the D700, assuming 12mp is enough for your needs. IMHO, the D700's handling and ergonomics are just so much better than the A7.

True. I feel that I can be happy or unhappy with either choice. I'm somewhat minimal. I looked at the Sony E mount lens lineup and it's more limited. Do the Leica M adapters work well on the Sony? (I only have 35mm/50mm lenses).

 

[Addy101]

I love my Sony A900, I guess a D700 would be comparable. Using long lenses, a DSLR is better, IMHO, but as you want to use it around 50mm, the A7 would make a lot of sense.

You have to take into account the lens, I think the A7 has one very good reason to choose it: the Zeiss 55/1.8 lens, pictures taken with that lens are beautiful!

As with all cameras with an user-interface you're not used to, there is a learning curve. The mark II versions apparently have fixed some handling issues - but even if the A7 doesn't have the years of development behind it, like the Canon and Nikon DSLR's, I guess it still works. But try one if you have a chance to.

If I was in your position, I would go for the A7 with 55/1.8.

 

[Keith]

I would go for the D700. In spite of its age there is still little lacking in its performance compared to what else is out there.

I've never used or even seen one of the new Sonys though so take my advice as someone who just loves the D700 .... without a doubt the most competent digital camera I've ever owned.

 

[gavinlg]

A7 anyday - I wouldn't use a DSLR ever again after using pro level mirrorless cameras now for the last year or two.

 

[YYV_146]

The IQ difference is pretty significant, which is to be expected given how old the D700 and that the current D750 uses the same sensor design as the A7 (with some tweaks).

Handling will be largely up to the person. Sony prioritizes customizability although it is somewhat small for some people and the AF won't be as good in low light.

If you're only shooting in 50mm and 35mm I would highly recommend the A7. Nikon's 2/3 stop fast and roughly comparable (softer, better bokeh) 58mm F1.4 is twice the price of the 55mm F1.8. The 35mm F2.8 is slower but also a stellar lens. For manual focus there is the option of using a voigtlander 35mm F1.2 with an adapter. When it comes to 50mm and 35mm, Sony's options are arguably more robust than either Canon or Nikon.

 

[johannielscom]

The D700 nails it every time in my workflow. I use three Tokina AT-X Pro lenses with it and the combo can be heavy but the blueish rendering of the lenses perfectly evens out the sensor's tendency to oversaturate reds. I like my color images with low contrast and the vibrance of the colors easily allows for that. Older Ai lenses also easily deliver the lower contrast and I have six of those, they also play very well with the D700.

The A7, I have never even seen one in real life but it should be pretty darn good to beat the D700 at its game.

 

[nobbylon]

I would go for the D700. In spite of it's age there is still little lacking in it's performance compared to what else is out there.

I've never used or even seen one of the new Sonys though so take my advice as someone who just loves the D700 .... without a doubt the most competent digital camera I've ever owned.

I totally agree. The build quality alone is worth getting one, 12 MP is perfect for real world photography and storage. Add a decent AF lens like the new 35 or 50, 24-70 if you like zooms and you're set.

 

[peterm1]

Confession up front. I have and use a D700 and its a fine camera. To me the D700 has some advantages that the Sony lacks. The first is lens range in native Nikon mount. Lots of different lenses are available. While of course you can use a very wide range of lenses on a Sony via an adapter the lenses are not so integrated (e.g. lacking for the most part at least autofocus). Second big advantage that comes to mind is robustness. The Nikon is built like a brick outhouse. It just hangs on in there despite hard use. I have owned a Sony NEX 5 and a Sony NEX F3 and while I like them a lot they are not very robust cameras in my view. Certainly not in the same league as the D700. I anticipate the A7 being no different in this regard simply because it is physically small and hence has to be a bit more flimsy in build than the Nikon. But I would be first to acknowledge it has some advantages. It has a sensor with a larger megapixel count and overall is reported to perform as well as you would expect of a camera that is, what, four or five (or more) years younger than the D700.

 

[Larry H-L]

The D700 is a great camera, but it is really heavy. If you carry cameras all day, you will feel the weight.

A D610 doesn't have the incredible build quality, but it is lighter and has been extremely reliable in my experience. I've seen refurbed ones with warranty for really cheap.

Image quality out of either is great.

 

[willie_901]

The D700 will produce excellent with raw files up to ISO 1600. With some practice, MF with AI/AIS (or other non-AF F-mount) lenses is practical. The battery lasts forever. The D700 is tough. As you know, AF is excellent as well.

The D700 is heavy, but you don't have to use large heavy lenses. It is noisy, but for you usage that shouldn't be an issue.

I don't think the 12 MP sensor is a problem unless you rely heavily upon cropping as a compositional tool or plan to produce unusually large prints... say greater the 16 X 24".

I know nothing about the SONY.

I think your choice should revolve around lenses unless the weight difference between these choices is more important.

 

[f16sunshine]

I still use DSLR's especially for Portraits.

Consider closely the lenses that you would most like to use.
Then consider which focus method you would most likely use those lenses with.
If shot tele to longer primes I would still opt for a DSLR.

If you though you would be able to shoot with that Sony Zeiss 55mm f1.8 80-90% of the time, I would choose the One of the Sony A& models. That lens alone is "worth the trip".
It's just that good.
Zoom lenses are massive on the Sony. The small camera bodies form Sony, Fuji, and others really only work well with Primes.

Again, consider the lenses before considring which body or system.
New bodies will hit the shelves and come into the systme on regualr intervals. Bodies come and go,.... Lenses are forever. 😀

Nikon is well populated with great lenses. Sony less so.

 

[ferider]

Longtime film shooter making his way into digital. I primarily shoot medium format TLR's and 35mm RF's.

I'm like you and moved recently, partially due to my wife gifting me a digital RF last Dec.

I debated long which SLR to add. In the end I picked a Sony A850, and I couldn't be happier using it with Minolta AF lenses. In particular the 35/2 (there is no Nikkor equal), and the 85/1.4. Love the cameras bright 98% viewfinder, it feels almost like a film camera.

Just saying, the D700 is not your only option when you want to look at the world through an optical VF. And check the used prices of both cameras and lenses ....

Roland.

 

[GarageBoy]

Side note- what does the d3 give me over the d700- they're all relatively inexpensive

 

[Godfrey]

Had a Sony A7 for a year and some. It didn't thrill me, ultimately, and I sold it.

Have had a Nikon F for a long time. Acquired an F6 a few months ago. Acquired a couple of additional Nikkor lenses for the F6. Love it; I'd go for a D700 (or a D750, if I want new) without thinking too much about it.

Certainly a D700 over a D3, despite the extra goodness of a D3, because the D700 is quite a bit lighter and more compact.

G

 

[Lss]

I have owned a Sony NEX 5 and a Sony NEX F3 and while I like them a lot they are not very robust cameras in my view. Certainly not in the same league as the D700. I anticipate the A7 being no different in this regard simply because it is physically small and hence has to be a bit more flimsy in build than the Nikon.

Well, the build of the A7 series is certainly not the same as those NEX models. Sony makes several very different cameras.

 

[jarski]

native mount is hard to beat. but so is newer sensor. as some mentioned, Nikon D600/610 🙂