Nikon Announces the D700: Second Full-Frame Nikon
by Wesley Fink on July 2, 2008 12:01 PM EST- Posted in
- Digital Camera
Our Take
The announcement of the D700 fills a huge hole in the Nikon model lineup. The $5000 full-frame D3 and $1800 crop-sensor D300 have both been extremely well-received. However, there was nothing in-between, and the D700 fills that void nicely. As Nikon’s second, and most affordable, FX (full-frame) model the D700 should sell very well – at least until the launch of Canon’s replacement for the aging 5D.
Nikon’s new models at the top have clearly out-shined the best from Canon. The 40D has been left to fight for market share on price, and the superb $8000 1Ds Mark III has lost many recent sales to the cheaper D3 with its remarkable performance to ISO 25600. At the top this has been a down-cycle for Canon, but it is likely a cycle and not the last battle in a war. At the entry level most would concede that the new Canon entry models – the XSi and 1000D just introduced in Europe are much stronger than the warmed over D60 and an aging D80 that is looking very short on features these days. As an aside the entry Canon 1000D will make its way to the US around September, but it will be called the Canon XS.
All of this will likely turn upside down again this September at Photokina in Germany. Photokina is still an every other year show, and the big guns like Canon and Nikon usually reserve big announcements for this show. The replacement for the Canon 5D is expected, and we will likely see a new Nikon replacement for the D80 with new bells and whistles gleaned from the D300. There will be many other surprises as well.
This brings us to the larger issue of the D700, and that is why is Nikon introducing the D700 now? This model was expected, but it was not expected until Photokina or later. Nikon could just be trying to strike again at Canon market share in a pre-emptive strike. Or Nikon could know or expect that the 5D replacement will be so good that it will hurt their D3 sales and cut into any sales of of a new lower-priced full-frame like the D700. In that situation you get the camera out first to capture sales while you can.
We don’t really know which scenario is the case, or if either is. We do know something unusual is going on to bring the D700 to market now. Either way the D700 is a really nice new choice in the full-frame DSLR market. Those who wanted a D3 but who didn’t want to spend $5000 or lug around a big, heavy speed demon will flock to the D700. It answers all their concerns and accelerates the move of the Professional DSLR market to the full-frame, no-crop-factor sensor.
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Wesley Fink - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
You are correct in the needed parts, which is why I mentioned "up to" 8 fps with the MB-D10 grip. If you insist on Nikon parts from your local dealer you can easily spend $500 for the 3 needed parts.However, I just did a little shopping on eBay and found you can get a Nikon MH-21 charger from several sources delivered for about $120. A Nikon BL-3 battery cap can be delivered for a total $45, and a compatible generic EN-EL4a battery delivered is about $30. That's a grand total of $195, which is a considerable improvement over the $500. You can probably do even better than the $195 if you shop a bit more.
It is always safest to go with the manufacturer's parts, but 2 of the 3 are genuine Nikon and only the battery pack is generic. A Nikon battery would be around $120 which still keeps an all Nikon solution below $300.
Lord 666 - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
Or just buy 8 AA batteries for the times you need 8fps over stock 5fps (6fps in D300)Pneumothorax - Thursday, July 3, 2008 - link
I hope you meant nimh batteries. I got stuck one time with a depleted EN-EL3a and ended up using alkalines with my D300. I liked the 6fps speed, but the batteries only lasted about 40 shots or so. I tried it again with nimh and I got about 300 shots instead.chibimike - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
You multiple times mention comparisons of the D3 to the 1Ds Mk III, but that is not the appropriate camera to compare it to. The D3 analog in Canon is the 1D Mk III. They are both high speed sports/photojournalism shooters, with similar resolution at ISOs upto 1600. The D3 excels at extremely high ISO shooting, nothing comes close.The 1Ds Mk III is competition to medium format digital backs and has a 21Mp resolution, that captures way more detail than any other 35mm digital SLR.
strikeback03 - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
For lack of any better comparisons, the D3 compares to both the 1DIII and 1DsIII. In resolution and speed it is closer to the 1DIII, but like the 1DsIII it is full frame and top dog in the lineup. Until Nikon releases a "D3x" and relabels the D3 the "D3h", the D3 will be compared to both Canons.So Nikon uses flashes of light to control their wireless flashes as well? Does Pocket Wizard have a patent on better control methods? Would be nice to have the flexibility to not need the wireless flashes to be able to see the camera.
slashbinslashbash - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
Page 1: "The D700 also uses the same MB-D10 Battery Grip used by the current D300..."Page 2: "The MB-D10 Battery Grip, which fits both the D300 and D700..."
Page 3: "The MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery Grip that was introduced with the D300 also fits the D700."
You mention 3 times in as many pages that the MB-D10 battery grip fits both the D300 and the D700. I think I got it the first time, thanks.
Also, "This is in stark contrast to Nikon EF-S lenses for their APS-C models which will not even mount on the Canon 5D or 1Ds models." -- should be Canon EF-S lenses, not Nikon.
Wesley Fink - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
This is what happens when the Web Editor is sick and you have to self-edit and self-post :)Reference on page 2 was eliminated, so the two remaining are less redundant.
The incorrect Nikon moniker on p.3 has been morphed to Canon. Thanks for bringing these to our attention.
Lord 666 - Wednesday, July 2, 2008 - link
Since when does 3Com make digital cameras?haplo602 - Thursday, July 3, 2008 - link
Wesley, correct the article header:Date: July 2nd, 2008
Topic: Digital Camera
Manufacturer: 3Com/U.S. Robotics
Author: Wesley Fink
I doubt 3Com is the manufacturer ...
Wesley Fink - Thursday, July 3, 2008 - link
Corrected to Nikon.