value for price (Nikon D700)

Member Name: mamoreira

Product:	Nikon D700
Date:	10/10/08 (66 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: functionality, flexibility and operability

Disadvantages: layout

Here's what Nikon has to say about the D700 in their press release:
"Nikon FX-format digital SLR - exceptional performance combined with superior mobility and functional versatility to provide serious photographers with outstanding value".

The D700 features an FX-format first introduced with the Nikon D3. Highly praised for its outstanding features,the D3 established a new level of professional performance in terms of overall image quality, extraordinarily low noise, ISO sensitivity range, continuous high-speed shooting, color gradation, image crispness, durability, weather-resistant operation, system versatility and more.

The new D700 incorporates an extensive array of features that boast a level of performance that is in many ways comparable to the D3. At the same time, it derives a wide range of benefits - including functionality, flexibility and operability - from the more agile D300, Nikon's flagship DX-format D-SLR.
A magnesium alloy is used for the exterior cover, rear body and mirror box to reduce weight and provide rugged durability. O-ring sealing where connections are made gives you valuable protection against dust and moisture. The shutter unit developed and manufactured by Nikon employs shutter blades made of a new material (a hybrid of carbon fiber and Kevlar). Tested on fully assembled cameras, the D700's shutter unit has been proven through 150,000 cycles under demanding conditions. The self-diagnostic shutter constantly monitors and maintains shutter precision.
I find it annoying to have 5 buttons to the left of the LCD, it's just not good for working blindly (whithout looking at them). The menu button would be better placed where the new info-button is placed (on the right side of the LCD), so you would be able to activate the menu and change the settings with the thumb of your right hand. Also, having 2 zoom-in/zoom out buttons is a waste and complicates things. Why not doing something like the D3 solution, but implemented in a better manner (zooming-in when pressing the left button + turning the rear wheel, instead of displaying a frame border of the projected zoom-ratio until you release the left button of the D3).

The D700 has everything it takes to satisfy a broad spectrum of photographic needs. The 12.1-megapixel FX-format CMOS sensor with a sensing area of 36.0 x 23.9 mm; a sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400; continuous shooting at up to 5 frames per second (and up to 8 fps with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10; Nikon's exclusive 51-point AF system; Scene Recognition System for optimum autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance detection - these are but a few of the advanced capabilities of the extraordinary new D700.
The camera is breathtakingly good, especially in low light. At that price, it had better be--for many people, a D90 or D300 will offer better price/performance. I decided on the D700 because I already had a Sigma 12-24 and Nikon 24-120 VR lenses; if I had bought a DX body, I would have had to replace both of them to get equivalent functionality. Therefore, it was worth it for me.

Summary: breathtakingly good

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