gavinlg
Veteran
Couple of combo's I would look at:
17-35mm f2.8 nikkor
+
50mm 1.4G/85mm f1.4
OR
24-70mm f2.8 (one of the best zoom lenses out there - can act as a portrait lens and a wide landscape lens)
OR
14-24mm f2.8
+
50mm 1.4G/85mm f1.4
Some questions for satisfied D700 users.
- Thread starter Keith
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Couple of combo's I would look at:
17-35mm f2.8 nikkor
+
50mm 1.4G/85mm f1.4
OR
24-70mm f2.8 (one of the best zoom lenses out there - can act as a portrait lens and a wide landscape lens)
OR
14-24mm f2.8
+
50mm 1.4G/85mm f1.4
gavinlg
Veteran
BillBingham2
Registered User
Keith,
Do take a swing over to nikonians.com and become a member for free (30 or 25 day trial). There are specific forums for the most of the models. In the D700 forum you will find on a sticky, a spread sheet about recommended settings which I think you will find VERY useful as a starting point for configuring your new friend. I have an early copy if you need.
I suspect that Nikon will be coming out with a replacement for the D700 shortly as they are all about HD video these days and the Olympics are soon. The D4 is rumored to be loaned out there. As mentioned earlier the PMA short is really soon and that's a great high profile event to show new stuff. My guess is the D700 price will drop, but not enough IMHO to make it work waiting if you need it to make money.
Quite frankly if you are looking to take the same type of pictures as you use the M8 for I'd say dump the M8 and pick up an M9 when the M10 is release.
B2 (;->
Do take a swing over to nikonians.com and become a member for free (30 or 25 day trial). There are specific forums for the most of the models. In the D700 forum you will find on a sticky, a spread sheet about recommended settings which I think you will find VERY useful as a starting point for configuring your new friend. I have an early copy if you need.
I suspect that Nikon will be coming out with a replacement for the D700 shortly as they are all about HD video these days and the Olympics are soon. The D4 is rumored to be loaned out there. As mentioned earlier the PMA short is really soon and that's a great high profile event to show new stuff. My guess is the D700 price will drop, but not enough IMHO to make it work waiting if you need it to make money.
Quite frankly if you are looking to take the same type of pictures as you use the M8 for I'd say dump the M8 and pick up an M9 when the M10 is release.
B2 (;->
BillBingham2
Registered User
One of the things that makes me wonder why folks are so in love with the M4/3 systems. You move back to the days of preset lenses and non-auto return apertures. Do you meter first and the focus? a royal pain. If you focus first what happens when your subject moves? another royal pain.
Paul,
Just from a size perspective you might look at a couple of older Nikkors. 28/2.8 AIs (only the AIs, no others) and the 85/1.8. Old, reasonably priced and not impossible to find. The earlier 85s can all be ai-ed with ease.
B2 (;->
gavinlg
Veteran
The LCD screen on m4/3 cameras brightens when you stop the lens down. So basically f5.6 on a lens doesn't make a difference in screen brightness from the LCD. It's as if the lens isn't stopped down at all.
My e-p1 actually automatically stops down even the standard 17mm zuiko lens in bright daylight a little bit (probably 5.6 or 8) because it's too bright wide open - Without even taking a photo. You can hear the aperture clicking back and forth in the lens sometimes.
kxl
Social Documentary
While the 14-24mm is a superb lens, IMHO its FL range does not make it a good candidate for a 2-lens set up.
If you think you will go wider than 24mm, then lens #1 should be the older 17-35mm/2.8 AFS. If you don't think you'd need to go wider than 24mm, then get the 24-70mm/2.8 AFS.
Your other lens (portrait) can be either an 85/1.4 or the classic 105/2.5 AI/AIS.
I'd pair the 17-35mm with the 85 and the 24-70 with the 105.
M
Makten
Guest
I thought I'd share some shots with the Nikkor 35/1.4 AIS. It's a nice lens, but the bokeh @ f/1.4... Well, you'll have to see for yourselves.
Wide open:
f/2:
f/2.8:
f/5.6:
Wide open:
f/2:
f/2.8:
f/5.6:
fbf
Well-known
I wouldn't bother with the AF zooms at this point. AF primes are way smaller and lighter if you really need the AF.
Like mentioned above, ZF lenses and most of the Ai, Ai'ed classics really shine on the d700.
Like mentioned above, ZF lenses and most of the Ai, Ai'ed classics really shine on the d700.
italy74
Well-known
Ciao Paul
I agree that some of the finest lenses for D700 are still primes and old primes too, namely the Nikkor 105 F/2.5 AIS (manual focus) if you can't afford the 85 F/1.4 or other expensive lenses. A couple of highly regarded 3rd brand alternative could be the Tamron 90, one of the very best-sellers out there, good both for macro and portraits and (for other purposes) the Sigma 150 F/2.8 HSM macro.
Within wide angles, I'd go too for the 17-35 if you can afford it because, hypes aside for the 14-24, is still a great (and more versatile imho) lens both for film and digital.
In general, if you don't mind MF, whatever zeiss or CV lens is good enough (or more) to be paired with a D700, especially the ZF 21 / 35 / 50 and 100 MAKRO as well as the 40 F/2 from Voigtlander. Unfortunately, Zeiss are quite expensive and being manual focus, you must be really sure you want to deal with MF anytime.
p.s.: I talk for DIRECT experience, since I have some of the aforementioned lenses.
I agree that some of the finest lenses for D700 are still primes and old primes too, namely the Nikkor 105 F/2.5 AIS (manual focus) if you can't afford the 85 F/1.4 or other expensive lenses. A couple of highly regarded 3rd brand alternative could be the Tamron 90, one of the very best-sellers out there, good both for macro and portraits and (for other purposes) the Sigma 150 F/2.8 HSM macro.
Within wide angles, I'd go too for the 17-35 if you can afford it because, hypes aside for the 14-24, is still a great (and more versatile imho) lens both for film and digital.
In general, if you don't mind MF, whatever zeiss or CV lens is good enough (or more) to be paired with a D700, especially the ZF 21 / 35 / 50 and 100 MAKRO as well as the 40 F/2 from Voigtlander. Unfortunately, Zeiss are quite expensive and being manual focus, you must be really sure you want to deal with MF anytime.
p.s.: I talk for DIRECT experience, since I have some of the aforementioned lenses.
nobbylon
Veteran
nobbylon
Veteran
Keith,
I'd agree with all the positive about the D700. You really wont be disappointed with one. Size wise, yes it's big (ish) but no more so than the R8 I used to carry around. I've carried mine around nearly every day for the last 8 months so it's not a major issue.
The one thing I did add was a DK17M eyepeice magnifier which makes the already fantastic viewfinder even better for focusing my manual lenses. Since buying my D700 I have hardly used film. I have to make myself shoot a roll every now and then!
A few pics, no post process, just straight from RAW TO JPEG with NX2. D2x MODE 1. No noise reduction
iso 9600
iso 25600
iso 8500
iso 6400
iso 6400
I'd agree with all the positive about the D700. You really wont be disappointed with one. Size wise, yes it's big (ish) but no more so than the R8 I used to carry around. I've carried mine around nearly every day for the last 8 months so it's not a major issue.
The one thing I did add was a DK17M eyepeice magnifier which makes the already fantastic viewfinder even better for focusing my manual lenses. Since buying my D700 I have hardly used film. I have to make myself shoot a roll every now and then!
A few pics, no post process, just straight from RAW TO JPEG with NX2. D2x MODE 1. No noise reduction
iso 9600
iso 25600
iso 8500
iso 6400
iso 6400
Last edited:
nobbylon
Veteran
Well......I bought mine 9 months ago and the price has gone up!
sahe69
Well-known
If you're into shooting with 50's, by all means get the Sigma 50/1.4 HSM. This is really a spectacular lens, and I did have the Zeiss ZF 50/1.4 and Nikon 50/1.4 G first. Even if you're not into AF's, give it a try. I'm sure you'll love it!
nobbylon
Veteran
I'm posting this to show what 25600 looks like after dfine and b&w convertion.
migtex
Don't eXchange Freedom!
Keith
You can not go wrong with the D700. Period. The Katzeye and the DK17M magnifier may help (a lot!) but the D700 is already good at it. The use of AI/AIs is just straight foward.
70% of my pictures were taken with the D700 (22489 in 2009).
At 6400 ISO with a Sigma Macro 150/2.8
Or if you like rock concerts (AC/DC no less ;-) ) here one can see 6400 ISO pics with a Nikkor 80-400 Lens
You can not go wrong with the D700. Period. The Katzeye and the DK17M magnifier may help (a lot!) but the D700 is already good at it. The use of AI/AIs is just straight foward.
70% of my pictures were taken with the D700 (22489 in 2009).
At 6400 ISO with a Sigma Macro 150/2.8
Or if you like rock concerts (AC/DC no less ;-) ) here one can see 6400 ISO pics with a Nikkor 80-400 Lens
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Keith
You can not go wrong with the D700. Period. The Katzeye and the DK17M magnifier may help (a lot!) but the D700 is already good at it. The use of AI/AIs is just straight foward.
70% of my pictures were taken with the D700 (22489 in 2009).
At 6400 ISO with a Sigma Macro 150/2.8
Or if you like rock concerts (AC/DC no less ;-) ) here one can see 6400 ISO pics with a Nikkor 80-400 Lens
Who cares about cameras ... I loved that ACDC slideshow! 😀
Angus is an absolute legend!
paul 101
Newbie
The Best AF Lenses for the Nikon D700
The Best AF Lenses for the Nikon D700
Thanks very much to Dino, Nobbylon, and Sahe69 for your quick response and wisdom on great lenses.
I did forget to mention ... I do prefer AF, as I have found my vision capabilities in low-light are limited with MF, and this is frustrating.
If anyone else has thoughts on GREAT lenses for the D700, which are AF, please let me know.
Once again, many thanks !!!
The Best AF Lenses for the Nikon D700
Thanks very much to Dino, Nobbylon, and Sahe69 for your quick response and wisdom on great lenses.
I did forget to mention ... I do prefer AF, as I have found my vision capabilities in low-light are limited with MF, and this is frustrating.
If anyone else has thoughts on GREAT lenses for the D700, which are AF, please let me know.
Once again, many thanks !!!
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
After doing some internet searching I've discovered an Oz seller that has the D700 for $2410.00 AUD ... they also have the 5D II for $2520.00 and after reading the two reviews at DP Review I think I would still choose the Nikon if the prices were the same!
If it was going to come to spending $2000.00 for a second hand one or $2400.00 for new that's not such a hard decision. I saw a used one with a few thousand accuations go for $2450.00 on Oz eBay the other night 😱 ... do people not do any research when buying something worth this much????
If I do get the camera in the next week or so I will be needing a huge favour from someone local with an f1.4 35mm lens ... with my next gallery opening documentation only two weeks away I would like the opportunity to leave the M8 at home and fly the new rig but the price of the camera will clean me out financially for a few weeks at least!
I suppose I could shoot the event with my 50mm Zeiss ... after all on the M8 the 35mm Nokton is effectively a 47mm!
Is it wise to leap into something like this with a camera I won't be totally familiar with?
If it was going to come to spending $2000.00 for a second hand one or $2400.00 for new that's not such a hard decision. I saw a used one with a few thousand accuations go for $2450.00 on Oz eBay the other night 😱 ... do people not do any research when buying something worth this much????
If I do get the camera in the next week or so I will be needing a huge favour from someone local with an f1.4 35mm lens ... with my next gallery opening documentation only two weeks away I would like the opportunity to leave the M8 at home and fly the new rig but the price of the camera will clean me out financially for a few weeks at least!
I suppose I could shoot the event with my 50mm Zeiss ... after all on the M8 the 35mm Nokton is effectively a 47mm!
Is it wise to leap into something like this with a camera I won't be totally familiar with?
jky
Well-known
Keith,
...you can set up the D700 like your M8. Aperture priority, CW metering and your manual focus lens. Though you're not familiar with the camera's feature set, I don't think it would be too much of a learning curve for you at all.
As many before me mentioned already, it is one fantastic camera.
The only down side so far that I've encountered is the louder shutter (compared to my now sold upgraded M8)....however, the mirror/shutter mechanism is so quick it doesn't linger the way the motor of the M8 does after a shot. For your particular use - gallery openings & such - the shutter most likely will not be a distraction.
btw... something that hasn't been mentioned here yet is the D700's dynamic range. I find the ability to retain highlights pretty remarkable...
...you can set up the D700 like your M8. Aperture priority, CW metering and your manual focus lens. Though you're not familiar with the camera's feature set, I don't think it would be too much of a learning curve for you at all.
As many before me mentioned already, it is one fantastic camera.
The only down side so far that I've encountered is the louder shutter (compared to my now sold upgraded M8)....however, the mirror/shutter mechanism is so quick it doesn't linger the way the motor of the M8 does after a shot. For your particular use - gallery openings & such - the shutter most likely will not be a distraction.
btw... something that hasn't been mentioned here yet is the D700's dynamic range. I find the ability to retain highlights pretty remarkable...
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
That's one area that I'm hoping will be a major improvement. At 320 ISO the M8's sensor can just hang on to the highlights and still give me some shadow detail but you can tell it's operating at it's limits. At 640 it's a different story and I can't seem to have one without loosing control of the other ... this is an extreme scenario for any digital camera I suspect where I'm attempting to retain detail from all the screens and monitors but still have some detail in the darkest areas which are often seriously dark I might add!
Noise won't be a problem ... my early M8 definitely gets the odd glance with it's staple gun sound! 😀
Stealth is such a bourgeois concept! 😛