I have had both the D700 and the D7000 (and have the D3x), and have had a quick go with a D800 (getting the first production non-beta review sample this monday I hope, the Stockholm reviewers already have their test samples), and you can\'t compare the D700 to the D800. The D800 seems to be a few tenths of an Ev better than the D7000, and the D7000 is about two full stops better than the D700 for DR and usable latitude at base ISO. They\'re not even comparable.
And even the \"lowly\" D5100 has better shadow detail retention than the best MF back I\'ve ever shot (which isn\'t really that hot, a P45+).
The D3 (including the -s) and the D700 have quite terrible shadow detail retention at base ISO. Where they shine is at ISO640 and up, where they can work in their linear region.
Mikael did some reality based situation tests when trying out the Canon 7D against his 5D2\'s. The D7000 sweeps the floor with all the other cameras included. Note that all cameras were very accurately exposed to give the exact same highlight clipping point (sunlit left part of the shed). The images show the available in-camera latitude quite well. D7000 vs 5Dmk2
I have had both the D700 and the D7000 (and have the D3x), and have had a quick go with a D800 (getting the first production non-beta review sample this monday I hope, the Stockholm reviewers already have their test samples), and you can\'t compare the D700 to the D800. The D800 seems to be a few tenths of an Ev better than the D7000, and the D7000 is about two full stops better than the D700 for DR and usable latitude at base ISO. They\'re not even comparable.
And even the \"lowly\" D5100 has better shadow detail retention than the best MF back I\'ve ever shot (which isn\'t really that hot, a P45+).
The D3 (including the -s) and the D700 have quite terrible shadow detail retention at base ISO. Where they shine is at ISO640 and up, where they can work in their linear region.
