Would you buy a D700 today?

[De_Corday]

My D700 is a beast. It's a true work camera. I've been running mine all week down in the Louisiana flood zone, and I have never once wanted for "more camera."
I have occasionally been tempted to go for a D3s or a D4 for better high ISO performance and quicker autofocus. but honestly the D700 is still so good in those departments that I've always convinced myself to put the money into glass (or a film camera) instead. I also came to the D700 from a D200, so the identical control layout was a plus.
I just shot night work in the bayou by pickup-truck headlight two nights ago. The 700 holds well through 3200 ISO, and for PJ work with some minor post-production color correction and de-noising, I can get totally solid files at 6400.
It is heavy, but that's a plus in my book. It is ridiculously reliable. Its battery life is excellent. If Nikon made a newer pro-level body with the same control layout and a D4 or D5 sensor I'd be all over it. But honestly the D700 is still king for PJ and documentary work in a compact package.
FWIW, I bought my 700 off of a good friend who does landscape work. He had opted for the 800E. He loved the 800's bigger file size, and the DR, but said the 700 had better low-light performance in his experience.

 

[De_Corday]

Oh also... I've made one modification: a canon manual focusing screen cut down to fit. Plain matte screen, no focusing aides. Purchased it from a Japanese vendor, I'll try to find the link... It makes the camera an absolute joy to use with my nice old Nikkors, and frankly helps out in low light with my AF-s 50 /1.4 too

 

[Ken Ford]

I have to say I've had absolutely no regrets with getting my D700!

 

[tedium]

Interesting. In general, what were the problems with the 'misses'?

I found getting a sharp shot very difficult. I have done some research into this and basically the higher resolution requires a different shooting technique. I also wasn't really happy with the auto focus even after adjusting it to each lens, it didn't seem constant. Also the high pixel count really demands good lenes to get the best out of it. Also I have been moving back to film in a big way so I sold the 800 while I could get good money for it still.
Now I have the 700 back I can see why it will be a mobern classic and I still holds its own today.

 

[peterm1]

I still have my D700 and have no plans to change although I have lusted after the latest Sony offerings - who hasn't. It's a classic and just keeps on keeping on. Besides I have never been one to keep changing my cameras every year. That's a lot of expense with little to show for it in terms of results for serious photographers. I did buy an m4/3 camera (OM-D EM 5) because the D700 and it's compliment of lenses and accessories is too big to take on holidays (or lug around all day in the field) if I can avoid it. But the D700 still beats it hands down where it matters such as focusing speed and certainty and image quality in tricky situations.

 

[Ronald M]

After my experience with a nice D3 when I found Nikon has no parts, my camera collection will be one or two working Nikons and two Leicas. NO MORE.

The D3 also went to an independent who tried to find parts from a donor.

And they will be medium to high grade only like D810 or D750. Certainly I like the pro cameras, but not $6500 worth.

 

[ColSebastianMoran]

When I bought the D300 the D70 had to go.
When I bought the D700 the D300 had to go.

My version:
- When I bought the D70, the film cameras had to go
- When I bought the D200, the D70 went on the shelf
- When I bought the D300, the D200 went, just went
- When I bought the D7200, the D300 went on the shelf

Or, as the song goes...

Once they 'seen 24MPx, how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm?

Serously, the D300 and D700 produce great images. Now that I have 24MPx, I'm happier than ever.

 

[shawn]

Still having a good time getting used to the new camera. I made a serious mistake yesterday, though - I checked out a 58/1.4G out at a local store after work. Ugh. This could prove to be expensive.

Try the 85 1.4D on the D700..... magic....

Shawn

 

[tedium]

Try the 85 1.4D on the D700..... magic....

Shawn

Yeah, the 85 1.4d is an amazing lens for the 700 it was the first one I used when I got the 700 back and I reminded me why I love this combo. I would highly recommend it over the g.

 

[bonatto]

Great,solid,reliable workhorse. Recently sold as did not need such a fast camera anymore.

All photos here taken with D700, 20mm 2.8 and on camera flash

http://www.vice.com/en_uk/read/swansea-is-a-paradise-929

 

[MadsJaeger]

My D700 has 270,000 actuations under its belt. It has never failed, jammed or misbehaved. Sure, newer cameras exist, but this thing is just amazing. I expect to keep it for a long time.

 

[Alpsman]

My version:
- When I bought the D70, the film cameras had to go
- When I bought the D200, the D70 went on the shelf
- When I bought the D300, the D200 went, just went
- When I bought the D7200, the D300 went on the shelf

Or, as the song goes...

Once they 'seen 24MPx, how you gonna keep 'em down on the farm?

Serously, the D300 and D700 produce great images. Now that I have 24MPx, I'm happier than ever.

Meanwhile my well used D700 got company ba a D800, sold by a pro in our town for a lowprice I could not resist. But the D700 will stay. I use the D800 only for panos & reproductin with 50 & 105 Ai/S Macrolenses.
The 36 MP from the D800 doesn't make me happier, I just can produce larger panos.

 

[ZivcoPhoto]

Wow -MADSJAEGER- 270,000 actuations...that's terrific. Since I bought my D700 in 2009 it has <10,000. It is a beautiful camera, mine stays on ISO 3200 most of the time, and with the 24-70G zoom, it can do most jobs and provide very excellent results. I just find the M8 and M9 or manual film cameras more stimulating to use....and those cameras peek my interest in photography.

 

[Alpsman]

My D700, bought in 2008, has nearly 30.000 actuations, scratches, dents and a sunburn in the mirrorhousing. Ah - the acculife is still 100%.,

 

[Jamie Pillers]

Focusing screens for the D700 can also be found at www.focusingscreen.com. They cost around $80 U.S.

 

[Keith]

All this D700 talk has caused me to rescue the old girl from out of the cupboard, charge the battery and take it out on an assignment tomorrow!

The 240 is 'not' impressed! 😀

 

[Austintatious]

So ten years after the release.... are folks still holding the D700 in high regard ?
I want to update my D50 and have around $500 I can spend. Most of the D700s I see are fetching that and more unless they have over 200 thousand shutter count. Are they just getting too old now to be reliable ? Don't really have the $$ for the D750 or D810.(retired)
I am also thinking about the D7100 if I stay with DX. Any thoughts on this ? Thanks.

 

[stupid leica]

if you REALLY want full frame, and you don't care about video, then yeah I think the D700 is the best option in that very specific (in 2018) subset of the market... especially when you consider the average pricing, and their great compatibility with old Nikkor glass. Wonderful files out of there, great autofocus, great meter, awesome build.

 

[bhop73]

IMO D700 is a huge upgrade over a D50, even today. Unless you'll have trouble funding FX lenses..

 

[shawn]

So ten years after the release.... are folks still holding the D700 in high regard ?
I want to update my D50 and have around $500 I can spend. Most of the D700s I see are fetching that and more unless they have over 200 thousand shutter count. Are they just getting too old now to be reliable ? Don't really have the $$ for the D750 or D810.(retired)
I am also thinking about the D7100 if I stay with DX. Any thoughts on this ? Thanks.

Do you have FX lenses? If you don't then you are adding to the cost of upgrading to the D700.

Shawn