RICHARD46 Loc: New Jersey

My Nikon D700 is now swimming with the fish. Talking with friends of mine I went with a Fuji XT-1. I don't like the electronic
view finder or LCD screen.
Can use some good advice on another Nikon. Not looking to spend a lot of money do photography as a hobby.
Rich

MtnMan Loc: ID

Refurb D5300 is best buy IMHO.

But it does not swim well.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Depending on your budget, I would look at a refurbished D7100 or possibly a refurbished or used D7000. The reason I would recommend these over the D5xxx refurbished is that the D7xxx has a focus motor in the camera thus making it compatible with older lenses. You would go wrong with any Nikon D5xxx either but the D5000, D5100 and D5200 are the top of Nikon's entry level cameras and do NOT have a focus motor in the camera. This means that any lenses you purchased would need the SWM (silent wave motor) built into the lens, which would restrict your lens purchases. Now, you can use auto focus lenses that require a motor in the camera on the D3xxx and D5xxx but you would have to manually focus them and remember to switch the lens to manual focus.
KEH, Adorama, and B&H have some good deals on both refurbished and also used D7xxx cameras. I even bought the wife a used D70s camera for $80.(NOTE: it was to replace her old D70s which died and she already had a bunch of CF cards so it was an easy decision). It also has a motor in the camera but is much slower, has a 6.1 mega pixel sensor vs the 24.1 mp sensor of the D7100. Please note that there are others that also have some good deals on used cameras but these offer a warranty with theirs and I have dealt with them. I am sure Cameta does too. But many others may or may not have a warranty that lasts until the camera goes out their door or your money is in their hands, so be careful.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The D700 is a full-frame camera.
I assume you have full-frame lenses to use with it.
If you go to an APS-C (DX) sensored body like the D5xxx or D7xxx series, your existing lenses will not be as wide.
Seriously, if you're looking to stay with a lower budget, get a refurb or used D700.
It's still a great camera.
KEH camera probably has several.

ottopj Loc: Annapolis, MD USA

I have never had a 700 but do have a D5500 and really love the camera, especially, the touch screen. Makes life so much easier. Here is a comparison:

http://cameradecision.com/compare/Nikon-D5500-vs-Nikon-D700

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

Although I now have a D810, I kept my D700 and will never give her up. The quality of the pictures it produces is outstanding. Sometimes I wonder if getting the D810 was necessary at all. The only thing newer Nikons have over the D700 is megapixs.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

I am new to Nikon, just recently acquired a D7200. Prior to purchasing that body is did a lot of research on Nikon bodies. Based on all that research I'd recommend a refurbished or good used D7100. They can be had for a reasonable amount and they are comparable to the D7200 without some extra bells and whistles, an excellent crop frame camera.

RICHARD46 Loc: New Jersey

How are the d7xxxx compared to the
Nikon D700 which is FF

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Rich, depending upon your budget, and what features you want, you can't go wrong with any of these.
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/nikon-store/refurbished-cameras.page?#!/tag:8ps:Digital%20SLR%20Cameras

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

We have recently purchased a D7200 refurb and are getting to know it a little. What you are asking is like asking if apples are the same as oranges. Both are cameras but have different qualities. One is lighter, one has more megapixs, one is smaller, one has less outside controls, the 7xxx series is more directed to shooters who don't change settings or shoot in program mode more often. The 700 is more rugged, better weather sealed, (not that that's a problem for you - not), doesn't have video, generally uses more expensive lenses, doesn't perform the best with dx lenses, has a proven track record for performs the same as a D3 when a Nikon grip is attached. Nikon sells a refurb D3 for $3000, they don't have any refurb D700 with or without grip. Both d700 & d7xxx take very good pictures in the right hands, and most people could not tell the difference between them when viewing prints of 11x14 or even higher. We chose to purchase a 7200 to fully utilize a couple of good quality dx lenses we are not willing to sell at current prices. I could go on but it comes down to what can you afford and what feels good in your hands. Leon

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

The D700 is still a bit better at high ISO compared to the D7000 ( I did a test) but the newer 7000 series may eclipse it. If you don't shoot low light and don's use wide angle, it may be better to go with the 7xxx series.
The build quality is about the same and a slightly smaller body.
I don't care for the interface of the 7xxx series myself.

bobfitz Loc: Kendall-Miami, Florida

I use the D7100 and love it. I shoot mostly animals, nature and land and seascape and have never been disappointed with the results. It is a DX format with a 1.5 crop sensor and also an additional 1.3 crop option. Therefore, a 100mm lens would act like a 150mm or a 195mm in the crop sensor mode.

MtnMan Loc: ID

But if you buy from Cameta they provide additional warranty to one year for free. Adorama also for a small amount but some hoops to jump through.

MtnMan Loc: ID

The D5300 takes the same images as the D7100. Plus it is 1/2 the weight, has a very useful fully articulated screen, and built in WIFI and GPS.

But it isn't weather sealed, doesn't have focusing motor, second card slot, or ability to control multiple flashes. You don't need the focusing motor for any modern lens: they are in the lens. Just be sure to get AF-S lenses.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

"Swimming with the fish"!?!?
I presume the strap broke?
Maybe worry more about which strap to get so the new one doesn't go swimming too!!!! :lol:
SS