Nikon D700 review

The Nikon D700 is a full format Nikon FX camera and is Nikon's second full format DSLR camera. The camera was introduced in the summer of 2007 and is now the cheapest full frame from Nikon (unless, of course, film cameras) Most photographers attribute the Nikon D700 to reportage cameras.

Legendary Nikon D700 with MB-D10 booster and Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor (MKIII) lens

Legendary Nikon D700 with booster MB-D10 and lens Nikon 50mm 1: 1.8D AF Nikkor (MKIII)

I have been using Nikon D700 for a little over 3 years, during which time I have changed several of these cameras.

Nikon D700 is a professional camera, it has no automatic modes shooting. This camera is designed for people who know the basic skills of working with photographic equipment and for whom it will not be difficult to work in semi-automatic or manual modes P, A, S, M.

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Nikon D700 - heavy, dustproof and waterproof chamber with uncompromising metal alloy housing. But trouble, trouble, over time, the gum on the handle and throughout the camera body swell, peel off, and badly spoil the nerves. In addition, the lateral rubber plug for different connectors after swelling of the rubber does not want to close and constantly hangs. On my last Nikon D700, I just cut off this stub. Hanging gum and dummy plugs for PC-sync under studio light and contacts for the remote control. You can replace the rubber bands in the service center, but they take a lot of money for this pleasure, and the rubber bands come from China for quite a long time.

Example photo on Nikon D700

Example photo on Nikon D700

My Nikon D700 cameras are badly worn out from fighting, which is why metal began to appear under their black paint. Due to its heavy weight, the Nikon D700 distributes weight well with heavy lenses like the 70-200 / 2.8. It is best to use a Nikon D700 with a battery grip.

Example photo on Nikon D700

Example photo on Nikon D700

We accelerate the Nikon D700 to the cherished 8 fps

In normal mode, the Nikon D700 can shoot at a speed of 5 fps (with any image quality settings, color depth and compression level RAW) Using battery pack MB-D10 or network adapter EH-5a / EH-5, the speed can grow up to 8 fps. But, to make the camera shoot at a speed of 8 fps, one MB-D10 not enough. You need to use a special holder MS-D10 with 8 AA cells (batteries or rechargeable batteries). The MS-D10 holder is supplied with MB-D10. Also, 8 fps can be achieved using a more capacious battery. EN-EL4 (from cameras Nikon D2h, D2hs, D2x, D2xs) Or EN-EL4a (from cameras Nikon D3s, D3, D3x), but this requires the optional BL-3 cover (which is not included with the MB-D10). In addition, if you buy a battery EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a, you will have to additionally buy and charge Nikon MH-21 / Nikon MH-22 for it. If in MB-D10 use a regular standard battery EN-EL3e, then the burst speed will not change. Battery pack MB-D10 equally suitable for D300, D300S and D700.

Recently, I have been using Nikon D700 with a booster MB-D10 and one EN-EL3e battery. I want to note that the booster (battery pack / portrait grip) MB-D10 performed not logically. Only one battery is inserted into the booster, the second is inserted into the battery compartment of the camera itself. As a result, to use the camera with two batteries, you need to remove the booster from the camera, insert the battery into it and reinstall the booster. I think this method is stupid, impractical and in general, after the bustare from Nikon D200, such illogical behavior is just a mockery of the photographer.

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Unpleasant feature of batteries No. 1

At low temperatures (not necessarily freezing), the camera does not fully release the shutter, and an error message 'Err' appears on the display. To resume camera functionality, just press the shutter button again, after which it will perform a full cycle and you can continue shooting. This behavior in cold weather is most likely due to a drop in battery capacity, which is not enough power for a full shutter release cycle. The repairmen say that diaphragm drummer absorbs a lot of energy and this problem can be observed with many Nikon cameras. This feature is also observed when working with a booster. In any case, in cameras of this level I would like not to encounter such unpleasant features. I get around this shortcoming with 'warmed up' batteries, of which I have 6 spare pieces.

Unpleasant feature of batteries No. 2

When using non-native (Chinese counterparts) batteries with a battery pack, the camera often reports that the battery is completely discharged. At the same time, if you install it in the main battery slot, which is located in the camera, then everything will work fine.

Trouble number 3

With the active use of external flashes, the hot shoe of the Nikon D700 camera breaks, after which the flash begins to behave similarly poltergeist. Even if you put the camera on a table or a tripod, install any flash, for example, the native Nikon SB-910, the flash can turn on any of its functions on its own. Usually a malfunction manifests itself in the fact that the camera stops “seeing” the flash, or blocks the shutter release, the flash can spontaneously give any number of pulses of any power (you can burn your eyes), the flash focusing grid is activated, etc. If you move the flash in the hot shoe a little, the problem goes away for a few seconds. Clamping the metal contacts of the hot shoe only solves the problem for a while. It is treated by replacing the shoe.

Example photo on Nikon D700

Example photo on Nikon D700

The camera has a great small monochrome displayon which all the basic settings are available. I write small because, compared to Nikon D200, D300, D300s the monochrome display has decreased, since the Nikon D700 uses a large pentaprism, which pushed and reduced the secondary display. The monochrome display has a pleasant green backlight, which is turned on using the camera's power lever. The monochrome display saves battery power and simplifies camera setup and shooting.

Sample photo on Nikon D700

Sample photo on Nikon D700

The main display of the Nikon D700 at 920.000 points, the same as that of the cameras Nikon D90, D300, D300s, D7000, D3, D3s, D3x. The display is nice and has a protective cover that I never take off. You can adjust the brightness of the display for yourself.

Nikon D700 uses big and fast cards CF. My Nikon D700 works with a 32GB 400x card without any problems.
Nikon D700 is not big at all frame buffer. Depending on the type and format of the image, the buffer can hold a maximum 18 RAW shots (at conventional compression, 12 bit RAW), 15 shots of Tiff, 24JPEG L FINE (size priority). I almost never saw information in reviews about the fact that some functions reduce the number of frames in the buffer. Because, attention: if you enable ADL, noise reduction at slow shutter speeds and high ISOs, frame buffer reduced to 6 shots - this is a very, very bad indicator. But, even if you take the maximum - 18 RAW files with disabled additional settings to improve images, this is 3 frames less than in the ancient professional Nikon D200.

Given that the maximum shooting speed is 8 fps, with the Nikon D700 you can shoot series no longer than 3 seconds. So, the Nikon D700 is not quite suitable for serious reporting. Frame buffer - one of the main indicators of camera performance and speed. Well, if it is very important to shoot in series in RAW, then in DX mode the buffer can hold as much as 26 frames (with normal compression and 12-bit color depth).

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Nikon D700 camera has everything 12.1 effective megapixels... This is small enough for a full frame camera. A small number of megapixels increases the diffraction threshold. CMOS sensor type, Nikon D700 is the first full frame matrix from Nikon, because it is not the most ideal. In a number of characteristics, the D700 is inferior even to amateur cameras. Nikon D7000, D5100... Full frame is not a panacea for image quality. In general, I do not recommend chasing the number of megapixels, for more details in my article Battle of Megapixels.

Wedding photography for the Nikon D700 is not a problem at all

Wedding photography for the Nikon D700 is not a problem at all

Nikon D700 has built-in focus motorthat allows you to automatically focus with AF optics, for example, with  Nikon 50mm F1.8DNikon 85mm F / 1.8D AF Nikkor and other AF lenses.
For measuring exposure thrown out 3D Color Matrix Metering II with 1005 zones. The camera works wonderfully even with old AI-S, Pre-ai lenses. In principle, froze exposure available and tin can instead of lens, and even without a lens at all. The camera can memorize 10 manual lenses. I love to use Nikon D700 with Soviet lenses, since the camera has an electronic rangefinder (arrows near the green dot, which suggest which direction to rotate the focus ring on manual lenses).

Full-length portrait on Nikon D700

Full-length portrait on Nikon D700

At the camera 51 focus points, 15 of which are cruciform. After using the camera for a long time, I do not feel the difference between cross-shaped and regular focus points at all. A serious focusing drawback is the fact that all points are placed only on the DX area of ​​the camera - you cannot focus at the edges of the frame. Focus module MultiCAM 3500FX use older cameras Nikon D3, D3s, D3x.

The camera has a main ISO range from 200 to 6400 and an expanded from 100 (1) to 25.600 (hi 2). It's a shame that the Nikon D700 does not have a true ISO 100. The shortest excerpt the camera is 1 \ 8000c. Funny but one of the first Nikon D1h could shoot at 1 \ 16.000. Short excerpt and minimum ISO are very important when using fast lenses.

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Nikon D700 can control flash according to the protocol Nikon CLS. Funny but before the release Nikon D800 (D800E) The XNUMX was the only full-frame camera with built-in flash. Yes, that's right, in Nikon D3, D3s, D3x, D4, D4s, Df there is no flash at all, therefore, the SU-800 module is recommended for flagship cameras. You can read how to control flashes in the section about Nikon CLS. Many do not respect the built-in flash frog, but in skillful hands it turns into an ideal flash synchronization device. Of course, the Nikon D700 has fast flash synchronization and can shoot in FP mode with flash for at least 1/8000 s, in more detail in the section on flash in the afternoon.

The battery on the camera is quite powerful, without a flash it easily fulfills 1000-1500 shots. The battery is completely identical to Nikon D80, D90, D200, D300, D300s and compatible with D100, D70, D70s, D50 (but not vice versa).

Nikon D700 behaves well in the studio

Nikon D700 behaves well in the studio

A thousand and one useful things: bracketing, control HA in JPEG, vignetting control, virtual horizon, Live View, viewing depth of field, multiple exposure, matrix cleaning, interval shooting, etc. If you have questions about small things, write in the comments, I will try to answer quickly.

If you take the matrix and the stuffing from the flagship camera Nikon D3, and shove it into the case from Nikon D300 (Nikon D300s), we get the Nikon D700.

With Nikon D700 and a cheap fifty dollars, you can squeeze a lot

With Nikon D700 and a cheap fifty dollars, you can squeeze a lot

About Nikon D700 and Nikon D3, I highlight the main differences in bold.

  1. Different level... Nikon D700 is professional and Nikon D3 - flagship professional camera. In any case, Nikon D3 is positioned for a different circle of photographers.
  2. Different body. And therefore, Nikon D3 has better ergonomics of management, more capacious battery.
  3. Nikon D700 has dust cleaning matrixand the Nikon D3 doesn't have one.
  4. Nikon D700 takes off 1 f slowerthan Nikon D3
  5. Nikon D700 has another pentaprism with less coverage, covering only 95% of the picture.
  6. Nikon D700 only one slot for memory cardsThe Nikon D3 has two. Professionals value this feature in the Nikon D3 very highly.
  7. Funny but Nikon D3 does not have a built-in flash, and the Nikon D700 has, from here comes up a whole series of Nikon D700 work options with Nikon CLS with groups of flashes. I really appreciate this feature.
  8. Different shutter. Nikon D700 will last two times less than Nikon D3
  9. Various little things in the menu settings, etc.

Speaking on the case, I did not use Nikon D3, but, given that the cameras have the same matrix and the same focusing system, the image quality and functionality are very close. Now both cameras are outdated, as Nikon D3s, D4, D4s, D5 are much better than these two old ladies.

Example on Nikon D700

Example on Nikon D700

About Nikon D700, D600, D800,D800E:

D600 D700 D800 (E)
Pixels 24MP 12MP 36MP
Native shooting speed k / s 5,5 5 4
Maximum possible speed k \ s 5,5 8 6
Number of Focus Points 39 51 51
Cruciform sensors 9 15 15
Focus Sensors at F / 5.6-F / 8.0 33 0 15
Focus Sensors at F / 8.0 7 0 11
ISO 100-6400 200-6400 100-6400
Maximum high ISO 25600 25600 25600
Maximum low ISO 50 100 50
Minimum speed excerpts 1 / 4000s 1 / 8000s 1 / 8000s
Minimum sync speed 1 / 250s 1 / 320s 1 / 320s
Chassis Part from M. alloy Magnesium alloy Magnesium alloy
Memory cards 2 X SD(HC, XC) 1 x CF CF+ SD(HC, XC)
Video 1920 x 1080 no 1920 x 1080
Display 3.2 in 3 in 3.2 in
Dots on display 921000 921000 921000
Viewfinder Coverage 100% 95% 100%
Viewfinder Zoom 0,7h 0.72x 0,7h
Weight with battery 850g 1075g 900
RAW Buffer (FX Mode) 15 18 16
HDR Yes no Yes
RAW Compression only Without compression Without compression
Measurement exposure 2016 pixels 1005 pixels 91000 pixels
Shutter 150000 150000 200000

I note that Nikon D600 and Nikon D700 - these are cameras of different levels, despite the fact that the D700 is much older Nikon D600, but still its 'charm' is noticeably better than the 600. In choise Nikon D800, D700, D600 I would adhere to this sequence, leaving the budget: Nikon D810 -> Nikon D800E -> Nikon D800 -> Nikon D750 -> Nikon DF -> Nikon D610 -> Nikon D600 -> Nikon D700. Nikon 810a will be chosen only by experts in their field.

Sample photo on Nikon D700

Sample photo on Nikon D700

Interesting options for setting up and managing the Nikon D700:

  1. You can set the center selector button to view captured images at a specific magnification. Roughly speaking, when viewing a picture, with one press of the central button of the selector (joystick), you can get an increase in any area of ​​the picture. This is very useful for checking sharpness. Moreover, the increase is done at the focus point (or group of points), according to which the picture was taken.
  2. I adjust the FN button for auto ISO controls. This is not so easy to do, which is the strong minus of the camera. To do this, add the item “Auto. management feels. ISO ”, and in the function key programming menu select“ Call. top. item MY MENU ”. The button is configured via the “INFO” menu.
  3. I program the preview button to select the manual lens. Moreover, it is very inconvenient that you can only select the lens number with the specified parameters. On my Nikon D200 with this setting, it was also possible to change the parameters of the lens, which is very useful when using lenses with manual aperture controls and zoom lenses. The button is configured via the “INFO” menu.
  4. I program the AE-L / AF-L button for the 'Live View' mode, after which the Live View mode becomes more familiar for the convenience of switching on, for example, as on Nikon D90. By the way Auto focus in Live View is only available in AF-S mode and only with the AF-ON button and only when 'tripod' mode is selected.
  5. I turn off the audible focus alert, which greatly disturbs and annoys some people when shooting, for example in церкви.
  6. In the playback menu, you can configure the camera so that the focus points that participated in focusing (on which the subject was focused) are displayed in the image when viewing images. This is done through the "Display Mode" submenu.
  7. Focus mode AF-C set to shutter priority, and AF-S to focus priority. You can find useful information on working with these modes here.
  8. All other settings (and previous ones too) can be customized to taste and needs. Do not forget that the Nikon D700 has several banks of settings that you can save and change. More details about this here.
Nikon D700 portrait example and rare manual lens

Nikon D700 portrait example and rare manual lens

More examples of photos with RAW source files obtained with Nikon D700 can be viewed and / or downloaded in the following reviews:

  1. YONGNUO 35mm 1: 2 (YN35mm F2N)
  2. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 2.8GII ED N VR Nano Crystal Coat SWM IF (portraits available)
  3. YONGNUO LENS YN50mm F1.4N E
  4. Nikon AF Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8 (portraits available)
  5. Nikon Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.4 (portraits available)
  6. Sigma 50mm 1: 1.4 DG HSM EX (portraits available)
  7. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm 1: 4G ED SWM VR IF Nano Crystal Coat (portraits and reportage available)
  8. Tokina Macro 100 F2.8 D AT-X PRO N / AIS (portraits available)
  9. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-135mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (there are portraits in the review)
  10. Sigma 50mm 1: 2.8 DG Macro D EX (various scenes)
  11. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 24-120mm 1: 4G ED VR SWM IF Aspherical Nano Crystal Coat (reportage and portraits)
  12. Sigma 70-200mm 1: 2.8 APO DG HSM EX Optical Stabilizer (different stories in the review)
  13. NIKON ED AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm 1: 3.5-5.6G SWM VR IF Aspherical (various scenes)
  14. Voigtlander Nokton 58mm F1.4 SL N / AI-S (a lot of bokeh in the review)
  15. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 (indoor portraits)
  16. Tokina AT-X SD 100-300mm 1: 4 (there are portraits)
  17. Sigma AF Zoom APO 70-210mm 1: 2.8 (portraits available)
  18. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-105mm 1: 3.5-4.5 D (in the review photo of the autumn)
  19. Sigma High-Speed ​​Wide 28mm 1: 1.8 Multi-Coated Aspherical (in the autumn photo review)
  20. Nikon AF NIKKOR 20-35mm 1: 2.8D (landscapes)
  21. MC TAIR-3S 4,5 / 300 (different scenes at different ISOs)
  22. Tamron SP AF Aspherical LD ​​[IF] 28-105mm 1: 2.8 276D (many autumn photos in the review)
  23. Tamron AF LD 200-400mm 1: 5.6 75DN
  24. Sigma Zoom 15-30mm D 1: 3.5-4.5 DG EX Aspherical IF (in the autumn photo review)
  25. Nikon AF Nikkor 35-70mm 1: 2.8 (just color pictures)
  26. Quantaray - NF AF 1: 3.5-4.5 f = 35-70mm Multi-Coated (outdoor)
  27. Nikon 80-200mm AF Nikkor 1: 4.5-5.6D (flowers, street)
  28. Cosina 70-210mm 1: 2.8-4 MC Macro (nature)
  29. Nikon AF Nikkor 24mm 1: 2.8 (MKII version)
  30. MC HELIOS-44M-4 58mm 1: 2
  31. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 300mm 1: 4
  32. Sigma Zoom 28-70mm 1: 2.8 (miscellaneous)
  33. Nikon AF Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8D (colors)
  34. YONGNUO 40mm 1: 2.8
  35. Nikon N AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm 1: 2.8G SWM ED IF Aspherical Nano Crystal Coat (macro)
  36. SIGMA ZOOM 28-105mm D 1: 2.8-4 Aspherical (miscellaneous)
  37. Nikon 180mm 1: 2.8D ED AF Nikkor MKIV (Street Photography)
  38. Tamron SP AF 20-40 1: 2.7-3.5 Aspherical 266D (street shooting)
  39. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 18-35mm 1: 3.5-4.5D IF Aspherical
  40. YONGNUO LENS YN 14mm F 2.8 N
  41. Nikon AF Nikkor 35mm 1: 2 (MKI) (miscellaneous)
  42. YONGNUO LENS 100mm 1: 2
  43. Nikon AF DC-Nikkor 105mm 1: 2 D Defocus Image Control (studio)
  44. Sigma EX 85mm 1: 1.4 DG HSM (portraits available)
  45. Nikon ED AF VR-Nikkor 80-400mm 1: 4.5-5.6D Vibration Reduction (portraits and high ISO available)
  46. Sigma Zoom 24-135mmD 1: 2.8-4.5 (miscellaneous, portraits)
  47. Nikon AF Nikkor 28-70mm 1: 3.5-4.5D
  48. Tamron DI SP 70-300mm F / 4-5.6 VC USD A005NII
  49. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 70-300mm 1: 4-5.6D (there are portraits and high ISO)
  50. Sigma 170-500mm 1: 5-6.3D APO
  51. Nikon N AF-S Nikkor 28mm 1: 1.8G Nano Crystal Coat SWM RF Aspherical
  52. Yongnuo YN60mm F2NE MF MACRO
  53. Nikon ED AF Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (MKII)
  54. Yongnuo YN 85mm F1.8N
  55. Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 80-200mm 1: 2.8D (gray)
  56. Nikon AF-S Nikkor 85mm 1: 1.8G IF SWM (many portraits)
  57.  Tokina AT-X PRO 28-80 1: 2.8 Aspherical N / AIS (miscellaneous)
  58. Sigma Auto Focus UC ZOOM 70-210mm 1: 4-5.6 Multi-Coated
  59. Nikon ED AF-S Nikkor 300mm 1: 4D IF Silent Wave Motor

Personal experience:

Nikon D700 is a very good camera. I work as a photographer and really appreciate her 51 point focus, quick response. It's funny, but all 51 focus points are in the DX area of ​​the image, it seems that the Nikon D700 is not Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FXand Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX from Nikon D300 (details here) Also, exposure meters Nikon D700 is afraid of flare. For example, when shooting in a church, if a small light source in the form of a candle enters the frame, matrix and centrally weighted measurements take a strongly underexposed frame. The dynamic range of the camera is small, Nikon D7000 it is much higher, but do not blame the old Nikon D700, because it is the first full frame matrix from Nikon. Also, the Nikon D700 is one of the few cameras that has a useful Live View mode and at the same time does not need to overpay for the video function. When viewing an image in Live View, it is very slow. For example, Live View at Nikon D90 much better "understands", especially when enlarging an area of ​​the image. Often, Nikon D700 is the first FF camera for photographers, and whether it's worth switching to full frame at all - everyone must decide for himself, perhaps my article will help with this. 'Crop identification'. Regarding the matrix noise: yes, Nikon D700 bypasses any Nikon DX camera in terms of noise, there is nowhere to hide the cat in the bag. Regarding the recommendation of lenses for use: it all depends on the needs and tasks of the photographer.

D700 and skinton

Some do not like the way the camera conveys skin color (skin tone). Indeed, sometimes you can seriously complain about this. But for the Nikon D700 (and also for Nikon D300, D300s, D3, D3s and D3x) there is one unusual solution - to shoot in RAW, which then needs to be 'developed' using Nikon ViewNX (Nikon ViewNX-I) or CaptureNX (CaptureNX-D), while making sure to select Picture Control (Picture Control Mode) 'M1 D2Xmode1 ', or 'M2 D2Xmode2', 'M3 D2Xmode3' to your liking. These are special picture management sets that mimic the operation of cameras. Nikon D2x и D2xs... Try it, the result is sometimes very, very pleasantly surprised. So, the 'M1 D2Xmode1' is best for portrait photography.

For those who do not want to bother with RAW files: these same image management modes can be installed right into the camera by downloading them on the official website here to register:.

On the net you can find the same profiles for Lighroom and ACR ( link), after which working with RAW files can turn into a pleasure. Also, I advise you to look into my note about RAW converters.

Live, die and live again!

A little addition: after 150.000 shots at one of the weddings, I refused camera mirror... The cause of the breakdown - the mirror lever broke, the repair at the official service center in Kiev took over 1 month and stood at around $ 650, as they explained, in the D700 all the mirror, shutter and diaphragm mechanisms are connected, so the entire front mirror bay had to be changed ... After the repair, the frame counter showed 10 pictures.

Mirror sticking

Another small addition: I got another Nikon D700 camera, I bought it second-hand with a range of about 10.000 frames. At 330.000 frames, problems started with mirror sticking.

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Example shot on a Nikon D700

Prices for modern Nikon cameras in popular stores can look at this link.

Comments on this post do not require registration. Anyone can leave a comment. Many different photographic equipment can be found on AliExpress.

Results

Nikon D700 - Nikon's most affordable full-frame digital SLR camera.

I do not recommend to beginners - it is heavy and requires an understanding of photography techniques.

I do not recommend to professionals - the potential of other full-size cameras will last for many years to come.

Elder Nikon D700 is interesting only for the price and full frame. I recommend Nikon D700 for upgrade after old DX cameras as budget option FX camera.

Nikon D700 is a long-running legend.

Nikon D700 is one of Nikon's most balanced cameras. Until now (in the summer of 2016) there is no full replacement for her. Nikon D750 - not at all. It is Nikon D700, not Nikon D300, that can be considered a reduced copy of the TOP Nikon D3.

Have questions about Nikon D700? Ask them in the comments, I have been using this model for a very long time and I know a lot about it.

Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram

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Comments: 924, on the topic: Review based on a very long communication with the Nikon D700

  • Vladislav

    Arkady, the question is.
    A friend threw me a photo of a night street, roads with cars, neighboring houses with windows, taken from a balcony 700, iso 800, exposure 1/20 sec. The photo is excellent, clear, sharp, nikon 35-70 / 2,8 d lens.
    Another friend, at my request, also tried to take a photo of a night lit street with a Sony A850 camera, also full-frame at iso 800, but nothing came out of hand, so the exposure was about 10 seconds. I changed the iso to 1600, but the shutter speed was also 1,5 seconds, it turned out to be a little blur. We do not take noise into account. Why did the 850 fail to have a shutter speed of 1/20 like the 700? Like the matrix are both full-frame?

    • B. R. P.

      Such shots do not need to be hand-held. What lens was on Sony? There is nothing to do with the full-frame matrices, it is possible that different metering modes were used on the cameras.

    • Aleksey68

      can not understand anything. What prevented Sony from shooting in M ​​mode and setting the same parameters? meaning to shoot at night in Av?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Because this is a spherical situation in a vacuum. According to these data, nothing and in any way and never can be judged. This is pampering :)

  • Vladislav

    On the 850-ke stood 28-75 / 2,8
    The exposure metering was different. There is something else, another reason.
    Only Arkady or other pros can answer.
    Is the reason in Sonya's matrix?

    • B. R. P.

      Vladislav, it seems to me that you are fooling Arkady and the “other pros” a little)

  • Vladislav

    There is no catch in my question.
    In this review of the old Nikon D700 camera, I, on the contrary, wanted to emphasize the advantages of this wonderful camera with my question and the given example of high-quality photography at 700 at night with iso 800, f2,8, shutter speed 1/20 sec. I did not find an article on Arkady's blog about photographing it at night with hands at relatively short shutter speeds and relatively high iso, naturally with an open aperture of a fast lens.
    And the example with the Sony A850 showed the superiority of the Nikon D700 when shooting at night.
    In daytime shooting and good studio lighting, the Sony A850 will give better results than the Nikon D700.
    Arkady himself admits that he had several D700s, but does not give night photo examples.
    That's all I wanted to know and say.
    Because I myself am looking at this wonderful camera.
    Or am I wrong that the Nikon D700 can still work wonders?

    • Anatoly

      I can answer you as a former owner of d700, which was especially important for me:
      The camera has perfect ergonomics, it sits perfectly in the hands, especially with the baht block.
      Maximum working (stretched) 3200.
      The camera has a very fast autofocus, it is ideal for reporting !!!
      Good bright viewfinder, although it only covers 95% of the frame.
      The camera is able to fully control other flash units by means of the built-in flash.
      A very large fleet of good old high-aperture AF optics at cheap prices.
      Now about the cons:
      - It's a bit heavy, it was kind of normal for me, but my wife dragged me around a little.
      - Sharpness and detail, 12MP is still not enough if you want perfect detail, although in general the picture is of quite high quality.
      - there is no video and you can say no live view.
      In choosing the d700 VS a850, I consider the d700 to have a clear advantage in everything except the resolution, and take into account that the price of the a850 is 1,5 times higher than that of the d700, the choice is obvious! Although, if I were you, I would take a closer look at the Sony a7, the price + is the same, but the picture is much better.

      • Jury

        I changed nikon700 to A850 and I don’t regret it, but I bought a nikan D 7500 for reporting. I closed everything both nature and sports

  • F0ta

    Hello. The link to profiles for LR / ACR on mail.ru cloud "died".

  • Anatoly

    Good afternoon, Arkady!
    Tell me, please, if you had experience or maybe you know how to work with the jinbei tr-q7 transmitter on the d700. On my device, hss mode faster than 250 does not work. When I set the sync-x setting in the transmitter settings to be hss, the camera does not exit this mode when it goes into standby mode. Only switching off and on again helps. I read that the hot shoe of the d700 is a weak knot. And maybe that's the reason. It is not yet possible to check the operation of the transmitter on another camera.

  • Sergei

    I do not have full frame optics (36 * 24mm), which camera should I prefer in terms of image quality Nikon D700 or Kenon 5 M2? Both used with a run of about 200-290K at a price of 22990r.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      More reporting - d700 (focus, speed)
      Most of the rest - 5dm2 (color, details)

  • Sergei

    Thank you for your reply!

  • Oleg

    The photos are just awful... O_o

  • Alexander

    Tell me what limitation is better to set in auto iso so that the picture quality does not suffer.

    • Seladir

      1. Take a series of shots at different ISOs.
      2. View them and, based on your requirements, decide on which ISO the picture still suits you.
      3. Set this ISO as the limit.
      4. ???
      5. Done! You are gorgeous!

    • Victor

      What does "not to suffer" mean? Is it valuable for you to get a frame (if you can’t get it in any other way without raising ISO) or how?
      If you shoot in bad conditions, open the maximum aperture for your scene, set the maximum shutter speed in the autoiso settings for your conditions again, and go ahead.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      No more than 250, but shoot at lo1
      In general, a lot depends on the skills of Rav to finish. By trial and error, you need to independently determine the ISO threshold that specifically satisfies you.

  • Konstantin

    Hello dear community, I ask for your advice, I want to try a full frame on the Nikon d700, I already have 2 DSLRs from this brand. but here is the situation, in the secondary market this unit is not cheap, for a mileage of + 200k they ask starting from 18, claiming that the valves nurse up to half a million freely. Attention to the question - is it worth buying a camera with such a mileage, because in addition to the shutter resource, this model probably has its own sores. Thanks in advance for your reply.

    • Arkady Shapoval

      The shutter goes for a long time, but the mirror is on average 150.000. Take at your own risk. Better save up and look at d600, d610 or Canon 5dm2, 6d, they are more tenacious

    • Sergio

      See my example: I bought a D700 for about 200tk. I clicked 5 thousand. I noticed this jamb: in the cold -10 the camera goes into error. In warmer weather there are no problems. Moreover, when I bought it, everything worked both in winter and summer. I think the problem is related to the eccentric, a known problem with the D700. If you take it apart, clean it and lubricate it, everything will work. So this work will cost at least half the price of a carcass (I took it for 20) and then it’s easier to replace the eccentric altogether. In winter I take D7000.

      • Rodion

        Sonya A has the same garbage in the cold. It seems that this is connected with the diaphragm striker, the capacitors of which do not have time to charge, doesn’t it?

  • Valery

    Problems with autofocusing began with this camera model, on different lenses. Focusing is acting weird. it will show up right away. then it will miss and freeze, or yuzat back and forth and hang. You have to do a few refocusing before the AF works. I looked under the mirror at the window with lenses, outwardly I did not see anything suspicious. What do you advise? Thank you.

    • B. R. P.

      Service, what else. Maybe they'll revive it. Although…

  • Mr. boggy

    Although I am a Kenonist, I take my hat off to this camera from Nikon, this is already a photo classic dear to my heart! Takes the shades a little amber, but still a great camera!

    • B. R. P.

      Exactly)

  • Igor

    I want to buy a camera for the telescope.
    Your photos are excellent. Only standing in a boat is very dangerous. Did you fall into the water?🌝

  • Somebody

    where to download M1 D2Xmode1?

  • Vladimir

    Good afternoon Is it possible to shoot with lenses with M700 thread on the D42? I shot with Helios 40, removed the adapter, installed a standard lens... The aperture was no longer readable by the device. I switched the modes... The camera's operation was restored... I called the service. There they told me that the adapter cannot be installed. What do you say? Do you have experience photographing with threaded lenses?

    • B. R. P.

      Look at the reviews on M42. -those.

  • Igor

    A late question, but still: does it make sense today (February 2024) to take this camera?
    I had a Nikon D5100 - I sold it, but I want to buy something in return - well, I can’t (and I don’t want to) take pictures with my phone!

    I was thinking about D7100/7200 and D610.

    All my “choices” are a bit old, I understand - but finances! All these cameras in my location cost from 400 to 700/800+ USD. - which is not so little.

    And such a nuance - mileage, how relevant is it, how to treat it - 20-30-40% of the “guaranteed”, how relevant is this, because the service life also matters?

    • Arkady Shapoval

      Better look at the d600/610
      d700 - only if there is a fleet of full-frame optics

      • Igor

        I have Nikon 35/1.8G and 50/1.8G (never sold it :) )

        What would you recommend as a universal lens? Is it possible that selling these two/one is also possible?

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Usually, a universal lens means a zoom lens. State your budget.

      • Igor

        That's right - a zoom lens.

        The budget is not defined - it’s used. will. How the price is formed there is not at all clear.

        As an example, the same Nikon 50 mm /1.8G costs from 90 to 200 USD. And it’s clear that the top price is a wish list, how realistic is it?!

        Here, rather, it is interesting to rank this class of lenses into three (maybe four) groups. Like the same cameras - amateur, advanced, professional and top. And then, in reality, we will choose. But I’m definitely not going to the top!

        Thank you.

        • Arkady Shapoval

          Without a budget, it's a waste of time.
          Take 24-120/4 and you won’t go wrong

  • Yuri V.

    Hello! The Nikon D700 makes a very loud sound when the shutter is released. Could this affect the quality of sharpness? I try to hold the camera tightly. Maybe someone else had something similar. You focus on one point, and when viewing the photo, the camera shows the focus point higher, that is, shifted across the monitor screen by 1mm or even 1,5mm. I sharpen my eyes. I would like to figure out if this is a breakdown or something else?

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