Nikon Introduces D700 Full-Frame DSLR

Nikon entered the full-frame digital SLR race a bit late. Canon’s five-year head start, beginning with the EOS-1Ds in 2002, had given them an edge among many professional photographers embracing the advantages of a full-frame sensor. Nikon finally responded last year with the D3, which proved to be a very competitive alternative to Canon’s full-frame line. But there were two issues that prevented many Nikon users from immediately trading in their DX cameras for a D3 FX camera: size and price. With the recently announced D700, Nikon fixes these issues and hopes to make their full-frame line more accessible.

The Nikon D700 is essentially a D3 with the body of a D300. This is a considerable achievement, considering the mammoth proportions of the D3 and the significant size difference of a full-frame sensor. What’s the big deal about a bigger sensor? Because there is a lower pixel density on the larger full-frame sensors, photographers are able to boost the ISO comfortably, which allows them to shoot in low light without flash and get pictures that aren’t diluted with tiny red specks known as noise. The other main advantage of a full-frame sensor is the ability to use ultra-wide lenses that are wider than any lenses available for DX cameras because of the DX crop factor. Additionally, Nikon’s entire catalog of Nikkor 35mm film lenses will work on the D700 without being affected by any crop factor.

Although Nikon will keep their DX line for the foreseeable and distant future, their FX line will soon be in the hands of most professionals and serious hobbyists. The D700 aims to bring full-frame-sensor Nikons to a larger audience. For those looking toward the future of professional photography, the Nikon D700 is a good investment that will certainly continue to gain in popularity as Nikon continues to beef up its FX line of lenses.

This entry was posted by Nick on Friday, July 18th, 2008 at 3:53 pm

Viewing 8 Comments

Joe Scherzer 07/24/2008 09:51 PM 1 point
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Is it available? How much will it cost?

Do Let Me KNOW!

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TH Williams 07/24/2008 10:24 PM 1 point
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It is approx. $3,000.

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http://www.thwphotos.com/

Kitty Conrad 07/25/2008 11:52 AM 1 point
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I'm a little perturbed, as I just this summer bought a D300. I love it, but would have been delighted to spend an extra thousand for full frame Nikon.

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Kari Nyman 07/25/2008 05:19 PM 1 point
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Reviews praise the camera but not the kit lens. But do not recommend what lenses to buy instead. Experts reading this, please give us your recommendations! Thank you! Kari

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Nick 07/28/2008 03:16 PM 1 point
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Kari, I am assuming money isn't a huge issue for you, so here are my lens recommendations:

For ultra-wide angle, you can't go wrong with the excellent Nikon 14-24mm:
http://www.jr.com/nikon-1424mmf-2-8g-ed-lens/pe...

And for telephoto, the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR has been flying off store shelves since for the past couple years:
http://www.jr.com/nikon/pe/NKN_70_hy_200_SL_2_d...

Best,
Nick

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Yori Costa 07/29/2008 01:46 PM 1 point
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I'm no expert, but I stumbled upon this page, that has everything you could ask about lenses for the D-700:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d700/lenses.htm
Enjoy,
Yori

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Brett Brewer 07/31/2008 04:51 PM 1 point
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Whatever you do, DO NOT get a DX lens for a D700. In DX mode, the D700 is effectively a 5MP camera because it only uses the middle of the image sensor, which means that it will perform worse than the bargain D40, which can do 6MP with a DX lens, and which you can get for about $500 with a decent lens. DX lenses are designed for the non-full-frame cameras that have smaller sensors. The D700 can use almost ANY non-DX Nikon lens for full frame shooting, including any of your favorite old manual or autofocus lenses. If you have an investment in decent non-DX camera lenses, you should definitely consider the D700 or the D3. KenRockwell.com suggests that you are better off spending the extra buck and going for the D3, but I've waited a VERY long time for an affordable full frame Nikon that can use my old lenses. The things that make the D3 superior to the D700 really aren't that important to me to justify spending even more. I've just been waiting for full frame affordability, and so I'll probably opt for the D700 with no lenses and just use my old lenses for a while and see how that goes.

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don goldney 08/19/2008 06:00 AM 1 point
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I would love a D700 but feel i need to wait a bit until the price comes down. mY d80 is great and i love using it in all situations.If the D700 comes down to around 2200 ill buy one in a flash.
i

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http://www.fotki.com/donnnnnny