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Nikon D700-Should i get it?

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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7783 - Karma: 21,581

Hi M&A, I want to purchase a DSLR sometime in the next year or so. I'm considering the D700, mainly for the "FX"(APS-C) 35 mm format sensor, and the fact it is cheaper and lighter than the D3s. I shoot a lot of 35 mm film with my Nikon FA, and I want to be able to swap lenses from camera to camera. I have a Nikkor 50 mm 1:8 lens that I bought with the FA, also I lost a Tokina 70-200 mm and a macro lens I had for the FA which I would like to get rough equivalents to. I also am planning to get a wide angle soon, preferably a 17 or 18 mm.
The D700 would be at the very top of my budget, being listed at $2500 on the Nikon site, I imagine I would be able to find it a bit cheaper with some hunting. I will definitely be able to invest in new lenses in the future, and the fact I can put old lenses on it is a big plus because I have found older lenses are much better quality than most current ones, and are often less expensive.
I've been shooting 35 mm film for 3 years now, and have taken intro and intermediate photography courses as part of a BFA. I've also shot 120 mm film with Hasselblad and Bronica, and I've had a few month's experience with a Nikon D80 DSLR (I had it on loan). I have been regularly shooting with digital point and shoots for about 5 years.
I shoot a really broad range of subject matter, including concept-based suites (for example, discarded/broken tools), abstraction, plants, landscapes, action sports, portraits, copy work, travel. Basically anything one would use a camera for. I would also be using it on at least a weekly basis, if not every day, and it would be on me a lot of the time.
The reasons I am not 100% sure about the D700 is lack of video capability, price (as I mentioned it is at the top of my budget), and the fact there may be cheaper cameras available for my needs. Should I get a cheaper DSLR now and wait a couple years to get a better camera? Video capability would probably justify the price, since I am frequently filming, and if I get this camera I would not be able to afford a good video camera for several years. I think I would use this camera enough to justify getting it, but are there better options? If I do buy it, I'm hoping to keep it for the foreseeable future, until it is totally obsolete.
Thanks very much for your time, I hope I provided enough information.
-Will


Nov 7 2011 2:01PM
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eheath
Posts: 61457 - Karma: 121,975
first of all, aps-c sensors are 1.6x crop, similar to DX, not full frame, but thats kind of irrelevant.


ive heard great things about the d700 as a photo camera, but i think the d800 is coming out soon, should be the same price, have better features and have video.
Nov 7 2011 2:06PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
you said you do a bit of filming, what do you currently film with, and what other filming gear do you have (fluid head tripod, glide cam, microphone etc.)?
also, are your current lenses full manual or autofocus? Because the d700 has a focus motor that many lower end nikons lack, so if you have AF lenses, you would want a higher end nikon body. With that said, I know there are many rumors about a new full frame nikon for video, and the d700 was released in mid 2008 i believe
Nov 7 2011 2:08PM
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TWoods
Posts: 10014 - Karma: 8,386
The D700 is full frame, not APS-C.

It's an AWESOME photo camera. The D800 should be announced soon (hopefully) which should have video and new features. at that time the price of the d700 should drop a lot. The d800 will probably cost a little more than the 700.

If you want to go the route of a camera that's going to serve you well until you want to drop that kind of money, either buy a d7000 (has video) or wait for the d400 (d300 replacement) which should come out sometime around the d700. D400 should have video as well. Don't have a clue when it's coming though, and both the 7000 and 400 are DX sensors.
Nov 7 2011 2:11PM
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skiP.E.I.
Posts: 7783 - Karma: 21,581
I either use other people's cameras to film them, or I borrow equipment from my school. I don't have any filming gear. I just would like something to capture video, doesn't have to be great quality. I'm thinking of getting a gopro as well.
The lens I have is fully manual, I almost always use manual focus.

Thanks for the responses everyone, I may just wait for the new cameras to drop and re-assess.
All other advice is welcome.


Nov 7 2011 2:26PM
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MACAQUE
Posts: 2811 - Karma: 696
Wait a few months for the new cameras to drop. The D800 (probably what it will be called) may cost significantly more than the D700, and be up in the 3000-4500 range. There is also talk of 2 models, one being around 4 and the other being the same price as the current D700. You've been shooting film for a long time, so stick it out for a while longer.
Nov 7 2011 3:46PM
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123+ski
Posts: 2832 - Karma: 581
I would suggest waiting like very one else, but since your lenses are full manual, you technically don't need a nikon body with an internal focus motor (because from what you told me the lenses don't have AF). In this case, you could also consider canons, because nikon lenses are adaptable. The reason I asked about filming gear is that even though you can use the same lenses/camera for photo and video, there are many other hidden costs for video, like a good tripod, a handheld rig, a mic/external recorder, etc. But again, I would suggest that you wait a few months until these new models are released, then either get a new one, or pick up an older one cheaper
Nov 8 2011 10:49AM
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erikK
Posts: 3245 - Karma: 2,328
DEFINITELY wait for the D800 to come out. Once it does, you can decide whether you want a cheap D700 or a new D800. The D700 isn't even shipping in Japan anymore so the release date is pretty soon. Keep checking nikonrumors.com for the latest updates.
Nov 8 2011 12:00PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9929 - Karma: 9,374
Nikon aps-c is 1.5
Nov 8 2011 8:34PM
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eheath
Posts: 61457 - Karma: 121,975
thats why i said "similar" to dx
Nov 8 2011 8:55PM
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IanAvery-Leaf
Posts: 9929 - Karma: 9,374
my bad, but seriously OP, wait for the D800
Nov 9 2011 7:21PM
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