Oly Pros is the D-700 a consideration?

I find the price of the D-700 for full frame and a low light gem begins to sway me. With a E3/50-200/14-54 and seriously considering a 35-100 the dollars are pretty close for a pretty big jump in the Nikon offerings. What do you see as the advantages over Oly? Does this camera make you look towards this pretty impressive box. How does the E3 even compare with the D-700. Would like to know what you think.
Thanks,
G>
--
Gelwin

If I didn't mind the size, I would be very tempted to go with one. I still mind the price though. I think when it hits $2k, if I didn't mind the size, I would probably buy one.

As for the strengths - shorter DOF in certain situations, more DR, better noise handling by 1-2 stops on each.

If Nikon made a full frame as small as a D60, at $2k tops with these characteristics, I would be very very interested.

The D700 seems like a cool camera for sure, just not for my needs.

--
Raist3d (Photographer & Tools/Systems/Gui Games Developer)
Andreas Feininger (1906-1999) 'Photographers — idiots, of which there are
so many — say, “Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great
photographs.” That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It’s
nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest. That’s what
makes a good photograph.'

A good guess is that I will own a D700 sometime next year. I am also eagerly awaiting the MICRO4/3 cameras.

For me it would be a great combo.

Nikon gets the nod for it's lens line up (not saying better ) with a number of primes, new tilt shift as well as others, including older legacy. Flash seems incredible and more importantly the low light ISO abilities. I don't do macro or shoot many birds but if I did I might think E3 for it's amazing long lenses. I still do everything with one E300

I can't wait to see M 4/3 and from what I have seen and very briefly used the D700 is an event photogs dream camera.

--
Charlie
http://www.63images.com

In the short term, bodies are sexy to techies... but if you're serious about your photography, it's all about the choices you make in lenses. I've just bought an Olympus ZD 7-14, a ZD 50mm f2 macro and a 2nd E-3 body... because I don't believe Nikon can compare for this quality of glass at this price.

When the next generation of 4/3rds sensors are released, and we have 30fps video, HDR and high resolution through on-chip multi scanning, I'll be glad that I built up a lens collection to make the most of it.

Kind Regards

Brian
--



You can register to receive all UKPSG Special reports here :
http://www.ukphotosafari.org/ukpsg-reports/

Take a look at our event report from the CLA Game Fair... I think you'll see that the Olympus range of bodies and lenses does perfectly well in that department - we were shooting side by side with heavily laden Canikon shooters (they looked very hot and bothered

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1022&message=28933672

Kind Regards

Brian
--



You can register to receive all UKPSG Special reports here :
http://www.ukphotosafari.org/ukpsg-reports/

I'd sooner invest in more oly glass before decidng to go Nikon. The F2 zooms are realy in a class of their own, and I'd wager oly over Nikon with those lenses attached (Of course if you're only shooting iso 1600+... this does not apply, but 100-800 is oly domain).
--
W.L. Clark Swimm
http://www.clarkswimm.com

Help me out here! I have tried and failed on many occasions to login or register etc.

I just got the email from you. Do I need to join the group through the invitation link to view the reports. It used to be so easy and you guys go and get all big time!

;-)

Let me know.

Thanks

--
Charlie
http://www.63images.com

its share of options. The super high end glass costs ballpark of the Oly glass and it's also pretty good.

I think Olympus delivers, but someone looking into better sensitivity at high ISO and can afford the D700, may do well looking into it.

The FX ultra wide high end of Nikon (the new one) from what I have seen, bests the 7-14 of Olympus (though they seem pretty close).

--
Raist3d (Photographer & Tools/Systems/Gui Games Developer)
Andreas Feininger (1906-1999) 'Photographers — idiots, of which there are
so many — say, “Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great
photographs.” That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It’s
nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest. That’s what
makes a good photograph.'

I think it's worth mentioning for someone into architecture, having tilt shift lenses is a good thing to have around.

I am not into that, and while I would love the sensitivity of the D700, it's too big for me. The price wouldn't be so bad to me if I wasn't already 4/3rd-s invested, if I was starting new and the size didn't bother me, it may have been just ok. I would prefer to see it in the $2k USD bracket though for being really more interested.

--
Raist3d (Photographer & Tools/Systems/Gui Games Developer)
Andreas Feininger (1906-1999) 'Photographers — idiots, of which there are
so many — say, “Oh, if only I had a Nikon or a Leica, I could make great
photographs.” That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard in my life. It’s
nothing but a matter of seeing, and thinking, and interest. That’s what
makes a good photograph.'

It requires a FF body to see any benefit...

If those focal lengths were covred by equally suberb glass in the FX formate the story may be different.... but then I still preffer oly bodies and color in that category.
--
W.L. Clark Swimm
http://www.clarkswimm.com

--
W.L. Clark Swimm
http://www.clarkswimm.com

Brian Mosley said:

In the short term, bodies are sexy to techies... but if you're
serious about your photography, it's all about the choices you make
in lenses. I've just bought an Olympus ZD 7-14, a ZD 50mm f2 macro
and a 2nd E-3 body... because I don't believe Nikon can compare for
this quality of glass at this price.

When the next generation of 4/3rds sensors are released, and we have
30fps video, HDR and high resolution through on-chip multi scanning,
I'll be glad that I built up a lens collection to make the most of it.

Click to expand...

Perhaps. 2 years ago, there was only system with a great ultrawide lens, only one camera-maker selling FF cameras, and only one camera-maker with in-body stabilization. Things change fast.

Given that the camera-makers are all trying to turn SLRs and lenses into a consumer-electronics business, I'm not sure how much sense it makes to try and game things for the long-term. Get what suits you now and enjoy it. But don't expect it to necessarily carry over.

--
MFBernstein

'Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit.' - Ed Abbey

I have no doubts that the D-700 is a fine camera. I have taken, and have seen many many outstanding pics on the internet with the E-3 and don't even follow what the other manufacturers are putting out any more.

I have invested heavily in a complete Oly system and wont tease myself with other offerings.

I am a firm believer that it is the photographer, not the camera, that makes or breaks the photos.
David

Call me an Oly fanboy if you want. I'm proud of it

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

I think the D-700 would be a prime candidate for anyone shopping for a FX format camera. I doubt that very many 4/3 users would be inclined to shoot that format though.

--
Good Shooting,

English Bob

Have an Oly, (mostly) know how to use it, have what I need to get the results I want, so can't be bothered to worry about what the other manufacturers are up to... Besides, would have to be a significant improvement or feature to tempt me to buy into and have to learn a different system.
--
Art P



Select images may be seen here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8131242@N04/

Thank you all, very incisive input, creative knowledge and words from the heart. I started out in music and tripped into film production when I was in L.A. 70-80's. I have worked with and been around the finest equipment and instruments as well as people in the world. There is something about Oly equipment and pictures that reminds me of my 30 year old 00-45 Martin with it's silky overtones yet percisson and acuracy in the neck, body and overall design. My temptation is over ridden by those things I do not feel in Nikon's, as good as they are. With Oly it's not something I really talk about it is something I feel. Thanks for the output/input.
G>
--
Gelwin

Because I shoot a lot of architecture the D700 really looks interesting, combined with the tilt/shift 24mm. Don't know how strong the effect of this lens is however. I do a lot of PP perspective correction at this moment, thus reducing the effective resolution of the image. Combined with the better high ISO performance of the D700 (when taking interior shots this is very important) it is an interesting combo. But I've decided to wait at least a few more months before possibly buying a D700 and in the mean time I hope Oly has come up with some interesting news. (Tilt-shift lenses will not be part of this but maybe a sensor with better high ISO performance??).

Otherwise I love the E-3, combined with the 7-14 it is a dream combo, the adjustable LCD is very helpful!
--
E-3 / 7-14 / 14-35 / 35-100 / FL-50R / EC-14 / HLD-4

We have been happy with the E3, both bodies and grips have performed really well, plus the clients have been happy with the image quality for brochures and events. The only fly in the ointment has been the AF performance of the E3 and the 14-35/2 for event work - quite disappointing. The D700 and the 24-70 could become quite tempting, if the issue is not fully resolved; but am sure Oly will find a solution. I would also like to get a similar perspective and D.O.F. that I get when using my old F100 and 85 1.8 for events and portraits - maybe Oly will produce a nice 45/1.2 at some point.

I'm not a pro, but I'll add my opinion all the same

I have an E3 (as well as a 510, 410 and E1). I also have a fair bit of Canon DSLR gear although I rarely use it these days.

The D700 is a really nice bit of kit and is argueably a "better" all round camera than the E3. But then it also currently costs about twice the price so it most certainly should be "better".

I'm certainly attracted to the D700 but does it really do anything for me that I need? Sure, it'll do some things that the E3 won't (faster frame rate, much better high ISO / long exposure performance), but are they things that are important to me? Not really. I'd like to have more fps and better high ISO / long exposure performance but not enough to shell out the money for a compeltely new system. Your priorities and situation might well be different of course.

I've invested a lot of money into my Olympus system. I really love the quality of the lenses. There's room for improvement in the system as a whole but Oly are addressing these areas all the time.

The Oly kit I have covers what I need for about 99% of my photography. So as much as I lust after desireable kit from other brands, it really doesn't make any sense to switch.

--
http://www.v11.com
Olympus and Canon digital cameras. Mamiya film cameras.