That's not completely true, though. The D700 has the virtual horizon/leveler feature, which I've used many times in the two weeks I've had it. The menus are a year newer, and the "info" button is more fully developed in the D700.
thought is was to good to be true, I'm a Canon Guy Looking to switch, since it seems Nikon is the only one now with there you know what together, I just don't want to buy now and something new is coming out in a few months
I hear you. The D700 is and always will be an excellent camera. Assuming you get a good sample, it won't let you down. If you don't need 5D Mark II resolution, it's as good as it gets (at least in terms of 35mm DSLRs).
luminosity wrote:
That's not completely true, though. The D700 has the virtual horizon/leveler feature, which I've used many times in the two weeks I've had it. The menus are a year newer, and the "info" button is more fully developed in the D700.
D300 has 100% viewfinder. I keep a bubble level on the hotshoe of my D300, so that feature is not a big deal to me.
Aug 11, 2009 at 01:23 AM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
luminosity wrote:
That's not completely true, though. The D700 has the virtual horizon/leveler feature, which I've used many times in the two weeks I've had it. The menus are a year newer, and the "info" button is more fully developed in the D700.
Gridlines -- works just as well to level horizons -- add a level and you are set for life. Info button? It's called "read your manual".
My point -- minor and relatively insignificant difference. There is more that is new and different between the D300 and D300s than between the D300 and D700 ... except of course the already aknowledged DX vs FX and subsequent viewfinder difference.
The D700 is the FX version of the D300.
Actually, now that I think of it, the D300s is the way to go. You get video, a higher frame rate (true for the D300 also) than the D700, and memory card support for both CF and SD flash cards. Also, a big deal to me is that the D300 has a 100% viewfinder (only 95% with the D700) as I like to get it right in the camera and not in PP.
I will ring in on my vote for the D700. I am extremely happy with mine.. and if you like the FOV from your film camer'a... then you'll be extremely happy with the D700. Get some more FX glass.... and you're good to go.
Wife and I have been together for 19 years. So, last weekend, without any reason (it's not our anniversary), I got us a room in a beautiful (expensive) hotel in Downtown, and we spent the night eating, drinking, and just making merry. We had so much fun, we swore to do it again every 6 months. I spent $400 dollars on someone wonderful (me and her). Reason I bring it up is I was wondering if I should spend it on us or on a new lens!
I have no regrets. If you're just in it as a hobby, and it seems that your better half loves (promised to buy you a new D700, right), then I think you should show that love back by keeping your hobby in check, and going all out and showing yourself as an equally good half.
Even if you were a pro! I've shot with the Nikon D1X and D100 for years (events/weddings), and I've made some exceptional images. It's not the camera, it's the passionate eye behind it.
Andre Labonte wrote:
Gridlines -- works just as well to level horizons -- add a level and you are set for life. Info button? It's called "read your manual".
My point -- minor and relatively insignificant difference. There is more that is new and different between the D300 and D300s than between the D300 and D700 ... except of course the already aknowledged DX vs FX and subsequent viewfinder difference.
The D700 is the FX version of the D300.
Actually, now that I think of it, the D300s is the way to go. You get video, a higher frame rate (true for the D300 also) than the D700, and memory card support for both CF and SD flash cards. Also, a big deal to me is that the D300 has a 100% viewfinder (only 95% with the D700) as I like to get it right in the camera and not in PP....Show more →
But no matter what the D300s has, it is still a DX camera, with a 1.5 crop factor. I actively dislike that crop factor, and the normal perspective that a D700 brings is much of what draws me to it. It will draw me to it in five years, when it's still a full frame camera, even when it has long since been technically surpassed.
Andre Labonte wrote:
Gridlines -- works just as well to level horizons -- add a level and you are set for life. Info button? It's called "read your manual".
My point -- minor and relatively insignificant difference. There is more that is new and different between the D300 and D300s than between the D300 and D700 ... except of course the already aknowledged DX vs FX and subsequent viewfinder difference.
The D700 is the FX version of the D300.
Actually, now that I think of it, the D300s is the way to go. You get video, a higher frame rate (true for the D300 also) than the D700, and memory card support for both CF and SD flash cards. Also, a big deal to me is that the D300 has a 100% viewfinder (only 95% with the D700) as I like to get it right in the camera and not in PP....Show more →
I just wanted to say that what's insignificant for you, can be important for others. The fact that the d300 to _you_ is the same camera as the d700, does not mean that it is like that fo r_others_.
Important distinction.
Aug 11, 2009 at 09:08 AM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
luminosity wrote:
But no matter what the D300s has, it is still a DX camera, with a 1.5 crop factor. I actively dislike that crop factor, and the normal perspective that a D700 brings is much of what draws me to it. It will draw me to it in five years, when it's still a full frame camera, even when it has long since been technically surpassed.
So the D700 is not a better camera than the D300 in general. BUT, since you want FX that you choose the D700. Not better, just what you want. That I can except and respect.
That said, they both have their strengths and there are times I wish I had a D700 for some of my applications, but then there are other times I'm glad I have a D300 and not a D700 (most of the time for me). The reasons are related to the format (FX vs DX) and not the camera itself as they are virtually the same other than format and other minor details.
Andre Labonte wrote:
The D700 is the FX version of the D300.
Which makes a huge difference. At least for us that like short DOF, small and fast lenses, and something getting close to a good viewfinder.
To me, the sensor is the most important part of the camera. Everything else is just stuff for getting the best out of the sensor.
Thanks everyone for your recommendations, there are valid arguments from both sides and that is what makes this tricky for me. I have decided to pick D700 at airport duty free on Friday when I fly out for my holidays. There is a new 24-85mm AFS available from a retailer for £350, is it worth buying this lens at this price? I will need to order this before mid day tomorrow in order to get it before I leave for hols. Also is 16GB SanDisk Extreme 3 card a good choice?
Thanks
Hash
Edit: the other option is to get 24-120 kit lens and it will end-up costing me about £450, but from what I have heard about this lens it doesn't sound that great.
Makten wrote:
Which makes a huge difference. At least for us that like short DOF, small and fast lenses, and something getting close to a good viewfinder.
To me, the sensor is the most important part of the camera. Everything else is just stuff for getting the best out of the sensor.
With a 50mm f/1.8 and a subject 10mm away, I get a 75mm FX FOV and a DOF of 2.2mm. That is shallow enough for me. Now if you need more than that, by all means, spend the extra money on FX.
Any one FX camera offers 2 of 3 "advantages" over a comparable DX camera:
1) Shallow DOF at the widest aperatures for a given FOV & subject distance (e.g. 75mm f/1.8 with subject 10mm ==> DOF = 0.7mm ... silly if you ask me)
Take your pick:
2) High ISO performance of ~ 1 or 1.5 stops depending on ISO for the SAME resolution in MP.
or
3) greater resolution where 24MP FX has the same pixel densisty of 10.7MP DX. (requires D3x @ $8000.00 )
Remember too folks, this is about helping the OP decide what he needs and will likely use. If the OP needs any of these three advantages, then he should consider FX. Otherwise, he should save his money and go for a D300 or D300s.
Andre Labonte wrote:
With a 50mm f/1.8 and a subject 10mm away, I get a 75mm FX FOV and a DOF of 2.2mm. That is shallow enough for me. Now if you need more than that, by all means, spend the extra money on FX.
Measuring DOF in millimeters is just stupid. What I want is blurred out background. A 50/1.8 wide open on DX is "good enough" for me too, but it will certainly not give very sharp results compared to an 85 mm lens stopped down a bit on FX.
You are also forgetting what lenses there is at hand. There are no eqivalents even to the not-so-fast f/2.8 wide angles for FX, if you go DX.
Sorry for crossposting, but for this shot I would have needed a 57/0.9 on DX:
hashaama wrote:
Thanks everyone for your recommendations, there are valid arguments from both sides and that is what makes this tricky for me. I have decided to pick D700 at airport duty free on Friday when I fly out for my holidays. There is a new 24-85mm AFS available from a retailer for £350, is it worth buying this lens at this price? I will need to order this before mid day tomorrow in order to get it before I leave for hols. Also is 16GB SanDisk Extreme 3 card a good choice?
Thanks
Hash
Edit: the other option is to get 24-120 kit lens and it will end-up costing me about £450, but from what I have heard about this lens it doesn't sound that great....Show more →
The Extreme 3 would be an excellent choice, you can get faster cards, but unless you're a sports shooter or you need the fastest downloading possible you won't notice the difference.
I'd go for the 24-85 AF-S, nothing I've heard about the 24-120 other than its convenient range and VR have been positive.
People's opinions on this sort of thing (this topic) are all over the place. It's pretty funny how defensive everyone gets, I'm sure the D700 will treat you awesomely!
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