D700 - probably the all-time best Nikon classic

[Tan Khokhar]

Having used the D700 for the last few months, I would hate losing iso performance over greater MPx. The D3s is selling well, almost sold out or hard to get in some areas and I doubt we will find its low light capability come to a lower spec body soon – they will probably max out sales potential first of D3s and provide D3s owners the feeling of having the best iso performance camera – Well for double the price of D700, they have got to have something special

However, I feel the D700 probably will probably become the most successful classical Nikon camera ever – I am still amazed by capabilities - for this price point, you cannot expect to have some major features of its bigger range. I just wonder how many sales Nikon lost of the D3 when D700 came out. But then again, it opened an area for thousands of photographers who could never have afforded a D3.

If Nikon were NOT to release an upgrade to the D700 for say another 2 years, do you really think your photography will suffer?

Tan

 

[Its me]

The machine is not the limiting factor in my photography! So yes, the D700 will suit me fine for a long time to come.
--
-Steve

 

[photonut2008]

However, I feel the D700 probably will probably become the most successful classical Nikon camera ever

The D300 sells many more times in volume, and the D90 in turn outsells the D300 and D300s. The D70 was arguably Nikon's breakthrough DSLR. In some narrow way you can say now that the D700 is Nikon's greatest camera ever; but twenty years from now it will likely be just one among many.

Frankly, I would not pay $1000 for a D700. No offense intended, but it just doesn't suit my needs. I would welcome a Nikon DSLR I felt as effusive about as you do about the D700, but for me such a camera will start with 20+ MP.

If Nikon were NOT to release an upgrade to the D700 for say another 2 years, do you really think your photography will suffer?

I think that Nikon would suffer.
--
Anthony Beach

 

[Phil Flash]

So much of the F100's design is in the D700.

--
Phil Flash
SF, CA USA

It's not the camera. It's you.

Stuff I own in my profile.

 

[antonoat]

It is apparently a fact D3 sales slumped due to the release of the d700, I'm a d3 user but either way I think the consumer is the winner here , happy days!
Cheers
Tony

 

[RoccoGalatioto]

The all around best Nikon classic was the Nikon F. Period, end of story. I has six at one time. None ever failed, none ever broke even after drops. Once the drop was so severe that the back got seriously messed up. I just replaced it and the camera kept on shooting, Now that was a camera. What a beauty, I liked it even more than my Leicas. The F with the regular prism was the most beautiful cameras ever made!
--

All the best,
Rocco Galatioto

http://galatiotophoto.blogspot.com

 

[michaeladawson]

D700 the top classic Nikon of all time? No way. For an all time classic Nikon camera you have to go back to film days. In this modern era of electronics models are too disposable. People love the D700 right now because the Dxxx is not out yet. When the Dxxx comes out odds are people will drop the D700 and the Dxxx will be the new "in" camera.

People still use their F, F2, and F3 bodies decades later. I doubt you will be able to say the same about any of digital cameras that have been produced to-date.
--
Mike Dawson

 

[Guidenet]

F with the regular prism was the most beautiful cameras ever made!

That was a beautiful camera, I agree. All mine had interchangeable finders.

However, here's what I think is/was one of the sexiest cameras made. Ignore the dust. I've not used it in a while. I can't tell you how many lawns I had to mow for this.



--
Cheers, Craig

 

[rayman 2]

The all around best Nikon classic was the Nikon F. Period, end of story. I has six at one time. None ever failed, none ever broke even after drops. Once the drop was so severe that the back got seriously messed up. I just replaced it and the camera kept on shooting, Now that was a camera. What a beauty, I liked it even more than my Leicas. The F with the regular prism was the most beautiful cameras ever made!

followed by the F2...... !

--

All the best,
Rocco Galatioto

http://galatiotophoto.blogspot.com

 

[Phil Flash]

It left me wanting for nothing. It didn't feel like a placeholder until the next iteration came along. I at last had my digital F100, with a built in flash and remote flash controller to boot.

--
Phil Flash
SF, CA USA

It's not the camera. It's you.

Stuff I own in my profile.

 

[tarnish]

followed by the F2...... !

One of the most beautiful things about the F2 was how one didn't have to dislocate the right index finger in order to fire the shutter. ;-) F owners know what I'm talking about.

 

[tissunique]

An interesting topic.

For me there are 2 classic DSLRs: The Canon 5D MK I, The Nikon D3. Both were groundbreaking and will remain in use for some time to come.

Tony

 

[fxdog]

no best camera so far is the D3... its what blazed the trail and its sensor is what makes the D700 so great and its history is retold in the D3s.

But I think a D700x @ 24 MP with 1080p video is Nikon's next move. It will be the camera for all to beat; A few pages from the D3s/x with some new punches of its own.

Then in late 2011 will see the new D4 and later the D4x and the cycle will start again. But the D700x will be the last great camera from the "3" generation; .... the best balance between ISO and MP.... some of the ISO strength of the D3s and all of the MP of the D3x

 

[Tan Khokhar]

In all my 25 years in photography, I have never experienced passion about cameras the way Nikon owners do. I have used both extensively and only switched to Nikon digital SLR having used Canon's since the 10d came out – there is just something about Nikon that Canon doesn't quite seem to match.

I was the proud owner of a new Canon F1AE film camera back in the 80's – brilliant camera but no one talks of it like a classic the way they do a Nikon F series. I thought the D3x and 24-70 F2.8 combo was heavy until I picked up an Old F series with motordrive and 50mm lens, not even a zoom - no need to go to the gym for weightlifting with one of these!!

I also now agree with an earlier post, that even the likes of D90 and D300 will become classics.

The Nikon statement about compromise between higher MP and iso sensitivity will ensure that I will keep my D700 and eye-up a D3s one day. The ability to capture images, with natural light in all conditions, hand held without flash and almost noise free is just a wonderful experience – and the fact I don;t think I ever need to enlarge greater than 20 x 30 ever so I am ok.

The D3s has come down in price quite a bit since its launch in UK, don't think it will go down much further though.

Tan

 

[RoccoGalatioto]

Indeed. However that screw mount was a killer.
--

All the best,
Rocco Galatioto

http://galatiotophoto.blogspot.com

 

[CFynn]

People still use their F, F2, and F3 bodies decades later.

I'm still using my F2 and Nikkomat FTn ~ as well as a much younger FM3a. IMHO all "classics".

• C

 

[rubicon]

Yes, my friend has a D700, and I've held it and shot some shots and its like my F100 is in my hand, the D700, right now remains my dream camera but I can't justify the price for my needs, but its a dream to hold and shoot, now if only the new D3S was priced like my D90????? Hmmmmmmm.

Love the F100, and the D700, every time I go over to Rays house I make him get the 700 out so I can play with it.

Rubicon:

 

[rhlpetrus]

The camera that changed photography, only the Leica M3 is on the same level, for a classic status.
--
Renato.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rhlpedrosa/
OnExposure member
http://www.onexposure.net/

Good shooting and good luck
(after Ed Murrow)

 

[reps2]

Yes! The Spotmatic was my first SLR, bought in February 1966 in Malacca! It did me proud.
--
Richard

 

[Guidenet]

Yes! The Spotmatic was my first SLR, bought in February 1966 in Malacca! It did me proud.
--
Richard

I agree. It did me proud as well. I had two SLRs prior, both Asahi Optical. One was an Asahiflex and one was a Pentax H. I still have the latter along with a number of lenses.

Here's the H model with a non-hot shoe. LOL



Here's some of my Takumars. The back one is a 105 and the front is a 35mm. Notice the aperture cocking lever? You had to **** them to open the aperture for focusing. When you pressed the shutter button, they snapped down. You then had to re-**** them. That was called Automatic at the time. I have some older than these that were preset. You focused open then dialed them to the aperture you wanted. Took the image, then opened them back up.



--
Cheers, Craig