D700- Wow, what a camera

A little background--I have a wedding photography business, and I own a D2X, a D300, a D200, a D50, and a Canon 1D Mark II N. I saw some of the reviews for the D700, and was curious--but skeptical--that it could perform at high ISO the way others were saying.

Let me tell you--put the keyboard down, sell your other cameras, and go buy one.

I bought one earlier this week, and tonight I had a chance to use it for the first time. I took it to a place I go to get autographs called Grimey's in Nashville. It's a really cool record store that has a lot of in-store performances. Tonight Billy Bob Thornton was there for a CD signing, along with country legend Charlie Louvin. This place is small, and very dark, and I usually only get a small handful of keepers each time I go using one of my other camera bodies. I set the D700 on ISO 6400, and shot away--and here are some of the results. Unbelievably low noise, and the noise that is there is very smooth and film-like. The two broke into an impromptu music set, and it was incredible. One of those 'you had to be there' experiences.

No Photoshop except resize, and black and white on conversion on a couple.
Lenses: Nikon 80-200 2.8, 50 1.4

Nice shots. I just ordered a D3 that's coming this Monday and seeing shots like this really has me giddied up. Since the image quality is the same, I can only imagine the things I'm going to be able to do once I have it in my grubby hands. ))

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And wow what a series, especially the B&W. Looks like quite a bit of fun. The D700 causes real pleasure for sure. Once it goes down in price enough I will buy another one because once you get into this camera, being without it would be cruel. Thanks for posting and what a lucky guy to have such an intimate musical setting and allowed a camera no less.

Nice set although I think the WB is slightly off in the color photos.

The B&W ones are REALLY good... well done...

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Nikhil
http://shniks.smugmug.com

First of all, what an incredible photo opportunity!!! Second, those really are CLEAN shots for the low lighting. Very impressive!
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Nikon D300 and assorted lenses

I am looking at the D700 for lowlight street/candids/functions. These are exactly the type of photos I keep looking for. Most of the places here(Goa) are intimate(relatively speaking),lowlight and I can get close.

When I travel within India many interesting places are pretty close quarters.

I will keep D300 for other use.
Cheers,
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Tom
http://taja.smugmug.com/

The B/W, second to last is my fav. Kinda funny... Billy Bob's shirt has the name/logo of my high school.

Good stuff.

Now what are you going to do with your D2X, D300, D200, D50, and Canon 1D Mark II N?
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Geoff B
http://www.gbphoto.com.au/

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Your 4 'Cees' for photography: Crisp, Clean, Composed and Colourful
http://www.tigadee.fotopic.net

I suppose it was shot as jpg. Did you use the default settings or something else (for example NR high?). And which picture style?
regards
PeterA

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Nikon D700, 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-300mm VR, SB-600
http://www.aczelpeter.uw.hu

In many ways they are now obsolete--granted, they all still take great photos, but the D700 can do everything they can do...better.

NR was set to the default which I think is 'Normal', and Picture Control was set to 'Standard'.

Agreed - a Great camera.

My first assignment was at a reception held in an iron age roundhouse - with just a bit of evening light through the hole in the ceiling & the doorway. Shooting at ISO1600-3200 the shots were well received by the clients.

I was loaned this camera to try out. I desperately looked for something to convince me it wasn't as great as the hype, thinkng I should spend the money on a phototravel trip or better glass...but the more I looked for fault the more I found I liked the camera.

BUT - Please don't buy one without first writing to Nikon to demand they supply you the software. I will return this loaned one and refuse to give Nikon so much money unless they give me NX or NX2 with it.

Please, we should all protest at their backward step in shipping these cameras with demo software. This is an outrageous rip off.

I can't see anything.

fotophool

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7131002@N05/

Same here - can´t see a dicky bird!
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'the road to success is always under construction'

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Steve

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Regards, Renato.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/11435304@N04
OnExposure member
http://www.onexposure.net/

You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus
(Mark Twain)

Sorry, made some changes today, they should be back up now.

Hi, just wondering if you could give me some info on image number 7. The bokeh is lovely. I am guessing that is the 50mm. Just trying to improve my photo eye Thanks! And you got some great shots.

Your eye is right.

It's the 50 at f2.