Nikon D700

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Nikon D700 12MP Digital SLR Camera

Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera

Description

The new D700 digital SLR camera having a bigger sensor than the D300 but with about the same megapixel rating indicates that the size/pixel density of the D700 is decreased from the D300. The ratio is 1.4MP/cm2 vs 3.3MP/cm2 for the D700 and the D300 respectively. A lower ratio means lower noise and this ratio preferences the D700. For the D700, this translates to lower noise in capturing the same image than when using using the D300. A 12.1-effective megapixel Nikon FX-format sensor that measures 23.9 x 36mm, which is nearly identical to the size of 35mm film. Benefiting from Nikon’s legacy of imaging technology innovation, the D700 offers both advanced and professional photographers stunning image quality, accurate color reproduction and revolutionary low light performance.

In a perfect world, DX lenses would not be utilized with the D700. This said, it is possible to use DX lenses with the D700. The D700 makes the switch to DX lens automatically with no need to adjust any settings. Because the DX lens covers only a section of the D700 sensor, the maximum resolution of using a DX lens on the D700 is only 5.1 megapixels. This lesser coverage is automatically identified by a box in the D700 viewfinder. In addition to the lower resolution, the extreme two ends of a zoom lens is not utilized. Within these confines, the D700 can use DX lenses and turns out first-class pictures although on a smaller resolution and file size.

Building on the immense success of the Nikon D3 professional D-SLR camera, the D700 offers pro-level performance and an extensive array of features and innovations in a comfortably nimble platform. In addition to the Nikon-original FX-format CMOS sensor, the D700 incorporates Nikon's EXPEED Image Processing System, Nikon’s renowned 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes that allow photographers to frame a shot using the camera's three-inch high-resolution LCD monitor. The D700 also features Nikon’s sophisticated Scene Recognition System and a new active dust reduction system.

Nikon’s flagship FX and DX-format cameras, the D3 and D300 respectively, established new benchmarks for digital image quality, speed, and unmatched ISO performance. The D700 maintains this new measure with exceptional overall image quality, broad tonal range and depth, and extremely low noise throughout its native ISO range of 200 to 6400.

Features

Nikon D700 Review FX Full Frame Digital Camera • 12 MP Camera • $3,000 • Introduced July 1, 2008• Image sizes: • Shutter Speed: • Size: • Weight: The D700 achieves a remarkable distillation of the finest imaging performance digital photography can offer. The D700's 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS image sensor provides exceptional image quality throughout its remarkable ISO sensitivity range. A large pixel size of 8.45 µm allows for an extremely low signal-to-noise ratio and a wide dynamic range. The 12-channel readout enables accelerated information transfer, allowing the D700 to shoot at speeds of up to eight frames per second at full resolution (using the optional MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack) and quickly write image data onto the CompactFlash card.

Specifications

Type Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens Mount Nikon F bayonet mount with AF coupling and AF contacts
Picture Angle Equivalent to angle produced by lens focal length (1.5 times when DX format is selected)
Effective Pixels 12.1 million
Image Sensor CMOS sensor, 36.0 x 23.9 mm; Nikon FX format
Total Pixels 12.87 million
Dust-Reduction System Image sensor self-cleaning function, Image Dust Off reference data acquisition (Capture NX 2 required)
File Format 1) NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed
2) TIFF (RGB)
3) JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8), or basic
(approx. 1:16) compression (Size priority); [Optimal quality] compression available
4) NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control System Four setting options: Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; each option can be adjusted
Storage Media CompactFlash (Type I, compliant with UDMA)
File System Compliant with DCF 2.0, DPOF, Exif 2.21, Pictbridge
Viewfinder SLR-type with fixed eye-level pentaprism
Diopter Adjustment -3 to +1 m-1
Eyepoint 18 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Focusing Screen Type B BriteView Clear Matte VI screen with superimposed AF points and framing grid lines
Frame Coverage Approx. 95% (vertical/horizontal)
Magnification Approx. 0.72x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)
Reflex Mirror Quick-return type
Depth-of-field Preview When CPU lens is attached, lens aperture can be stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or value selected by camera (P and S modes)
Lens Aperture Instant-return type, with depth-of-field preview button
Shutter Type Electronically controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Speed 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; Bulb; X250
Flash Sync Speed X = 1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/320 s or slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/250 and 1/320 s)
Release Modes 1) Single-frame [S] mode, 2) Continuous Low-speed [CL] mode, 3) Continuous High-speed [CH] mode, 4) Live View [LV] mode, 5) Self-timer [mark] mode, 6) Mirror-up [Mup] mode
Continuous Shooting Speed With Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e: 1-5 frames per second in [CL] mode, 5 fps in [CH] mode
With Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with batteries other than Rechargeable Li-ion
Battery EN-EL3e or AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5: 1-7 frames per second in [CL] mode, 8 fps in [CH] mode
Self-timer Electronically controlled timer with duration of 2, 5, 10 or 20 s
Metering TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
Metering System 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data)
2) Center-Weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-, 12-, 15- or 20-mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame
3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Metering Range 1) 0 to 20 EV (Matrix or Center-Weighted Metering), 2) 2 to 20 EV (Spot Metering) (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, at 68°F/20°C)
Exposure Meter Coupling Combined CPU and AI
Exposure Modes 1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program, 2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S), 3) Aperture- Priority Auto (A), 4) Manual (M)
Exposure Compensation ±5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Exposure Lock Exposure locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
Exposure Bracketing Exposure and/or flash bracketing (2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV)
Sensitivity ISO 200 to 6400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; can be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) EV below ISO 200, or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 (ISO 12800 equivalent), or 2 (ISO 25600 equivalent) EV over ISO 6400
Active D-Lighting Can be selected from [Auto], [High], [Normal], or [Low]
Autofocus TTL phase-detection AF, 51 focus points (15 cross-sensors) by Nikon Multi-CAM 3500FX autofocus module; Detection: -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 at 68°F/20°C); AF fine tuning possible; AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 1.6-9.8 ft./0.5-3 m)
Lens Servo 1) Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); Continuous-servo AF (C); Focus Tracking automatically activated according to subject status, 2) Manual focus (M) with electronic rangefinder
Focus Point Single AF point can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points
AF-Area Mode 1) Single-point AF, 2) Dynamic-area AF [number of AF points: 9, 21, 51, 51 (3D-Tracking)],3) Auto-area AF
Focus Lock Focus can be locked by pressing AE-L/AF-L button or by pressing shutter-release button halfway (Single-point AF in AF-S)
Built-in Flash Manual pop-up type; guide number of 56/17 (ISO 200, ft./m, 68°F/20°C) or 39/12 (ISO 100, ft./m, 68°F/20°C)
Flash Control 1) TTL flash control with 1,005-pixel RGB sensor; i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard
i-TTL fill-flash available with SB-900, 800, 600 or 400
2) Auto aperture (AA): Available with SB-900, 800 and CPU lens
3) Non-TTL auto (A): Available with SB-900, 800, 28, 27 or 22s 4) Distance-priority manual (GN): Available with SB-900, 800
Flash Sync Modes 1) Front-curtain sync (normal), 2) Slow sync, 3) Rear-curtain sync, 4) Red-eye reduction, 5) Red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash Compensation -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Flash-ready Indicator Lights when Speedlight such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX, or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks after flash is fired at full output
Accessory Shoe Standard ISO 518 hot-shoe contact with safety lock
Sync Terminal ISO 519 standard terminal
Nikon Creative Lighting System With Speedlights such as SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-R200, SU-800 (commander only), supports Advanced Wireless Lighting, Auto FP High-Speed Sync, Flash Color Information Communication, modeling flash and FV lock; built-in flash can be used as a commander
White Balance Auto (TTL white balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor);
Seven manual modes can be preset with fine-tuning; color temperature setting; white balance bracketing: 2 to 9 exposures in increments of 1, 2 or 3
Modes Hand-held mode: TTL phase-detection AF with 51 focus areas (15 cross-type sensors)
Tripod mode: Contrast-detect AF on a desired point within a specific area
LCD Monitor 3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Playback Function Full-frame and thumbnail (4 or 9 images) playback with playback zoom, slide show, histogram display, highlight display, auto image rotation and image comment (up to 36 characters)
USB Hi-Speed USB
Video Output NTSC or PAL; simultaneous playback from both the video output and on the LCD monitor available
HDMI Output Supports HDMI version 1.3a; Type C mini connector is provided; simultaneous playback from both the HDMI output terminal and on the LCD monitor not available
Ten-pin Terminal 1) GPS: NMEA 0183 (Ver. 2.01 and 3.01) interface standard supported with 9-pin D-sub cable and GPS Cable MC-35 (optional)
2) Remote control: via Ten-pin terminal
Supported Languages Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Battery One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
Battery Pack Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 (optional) with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery ENEL4a/ EN-EL4 (battery chamber cover BL-3 required) or EN-EL3e, or eight R6/AA-size alkaline (LR6), Ni-MH (HR6), lithium (FR6) batteries, or nickel-manganese (ZR6) batteries
AC Adapter AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5 (optional)
Tripod Socket 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)
Temperature 32-104°F/0-40°C
Humidity Under 85% (no condensation)
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 5.8 x 4.8 x 3.0 in./147 x 123 x 77 mm
Weight Approx. 2.19 lb./995 g without battery, memory card, body cap or LCD monitor cover
Warranty Nikon warranty

Item Includes

• D700 Digital SLR Body
• EN-EL3e Rechargeable Li-ion Battery
• MH-18a Quick Charger
• UC-E4 USB Cable
• EG-D100 Video Cable
• AN- D700 Strap
• BM-9 LCD Monitor Cover
• BF-1A Body Cap
• BS-1 Accessory Shoe Cap
• Nikon Software Suite CD ROM

Reviews

What a camera ... simply superb!, August 17, 2009

By Felipe Cruz Ferrero "Felipe @ CostaRica" (San Jose , Costa Rica)

Im one of those individuals that thinks 2, 3, 4 or maybe 5 times before buying a camera with this price, so based on the price and type of investment I did my homework, long hours of reading reviews, viewing hundreds of pictures taken with the D700 on Flickr until I decided to buy it 2 weeks ago.

Got the camera from The Shutterbug store bought through Amazon, I bought the refurbished version to save a little over $500 on the camera and dont regret it.

Its the seconds refurbished nikon unit ive bought ( bought a D60 for my sister ) and they work flawlessly.

First impressions on the D700
1- Extremely responsive
2- Great view finder ( although you get a 95% view, its awesome )
3- Love the bulky solid feeling of the camera
4- LCD Screen rocks ( very similar to the quality of the D90 or new D300s )
5- Contrast and colors taken on this camera are simply stunning, awesome, beautiful

Only negative so far is that the rubber cover for the mini usb & hdmi connectors constantly opens, this is a little weird considering that on my D90 its very solid and doesnt open that easy.

Ive been using the D700 with the Sigma 24-70mm new HSM lens, which i highly recommend as well.

I have some test pictures I did over the weekend on my personal blog in case you feel like checking them out.

[...]

The lens im using can be also purchased from amazon Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM AF Standard Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Hope this helps =)

This camera is fun to use, totally professional , of course im no professional but i can tell right away how it differs from the D90 ive been using for the last few months.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED


The best, June 28, 2009

By W. T. Rogers (Chesterfield, MO USA)

This one lives up to all the hype. I came out of a D200, and difference in image quality is immediately obvious. Of course, the move to FX comes with the ability to shoot with Nikon's pro lenses again, and the combo of the two gets you back to the kinds of images you remember from your film days. So ... the improvement is part camera, part lens upgrade ... but the results are just fantastic. Now I can use the same lenses for my D700 and my F4 body (backup) which makes packing my backpack a whole lot simpler.

For those of you moving up from the D200, the control layout of the D700 is very similar, so there's little learning curve regarding handling. If you are a tripod shooter like me, you'll love the ability to display the camera's settings on the rear display. I haven't found much of a use for live view yet, but I'm still playing with it. You'll find an excellent D700 settings guide out on Ken Rockwell's site.

If you are thinking about this camera, just buy it ... I've not regretted the extra investment for one second.

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