Finally a Nikon D700
Dec 31, 2019 16:34:17 #
Great 'ol camera the D700. Still have mine, although don't use much, as the shutter is a bit noisy.
Dec 31, 2019 17:02:01 #
[quote=geodowns]Its been a long quest with a hundred thousand +/-(not to mention film) of photos taken from a D100 to a D300 and finally, I've got my hands on a low shutter count D700 at 375 shutter count
Geodowns, You're among friends today. I still have fun with the older bodies, D200/300, D40, D70S, D2Sx and D3S, as well as a 7000 and 7200. A couple of years ago, we snagged our first 700 pre-owned from Adorama, and a couple of months later, we found a privately owned D700 as main backup. At the time, Nikon had a two month supply of parts on hand so we decided to send them in them for refurbishement, and they purr like happy kittens. It's always nice if and when you can afford the newest/best/top of the line, but without getting super good buhs on pre-owned bodies, it would take much longer wouldn't be as much fun. Like Thomas's photos show, the D700 makes such beautiful shots, though it shares some of the features from it's cousins, it's going to be a great camera for many years to come.
We've always downloaded the Nikon manuals and put them on a tablet, but there's so much decent information on youtube, as long as you can tolerate the fluff, and video is easy to absorb. We have books dating back decades for 35mm and reflex photography, but the rules for light stay the same; only the hardware takes time to learn. Wish the D700 had the U1 and US user presets available but saving the profiles to the CF card helps. If you don't mind Ken Rockwell's writing style, he has a wealth of info on the D700, and a good lens cross-reference chart. (Mir.com's is also a great reference for older lenses). When possible, we pick up prime examples of older Nikon/Nikkor glass, the 24-120, 24mm, and snagged a pristine early 90's issue F2.8 80-200 D (no foot). It's as heavy as the Tamron 150-600mm, which sometimes makes it feel almost as large. Most of the old lenses have been out of favor (except with wise,older shooters) and can sometimes be had for what seems next to nothing, and even the pre Ai boat-anchor telephotos Nikon made work great in manual on the D700, as long as you don't mind doing without the extra data. You certainly have a great camera, so happy shooting and best wishes for the new decade.
Geodowns, You're among friends today. I still have fun with the older bodies, D200/300, D40, D70S, D2Sx and D3S, as well as a 7000 and 7200. A couple of years ago, we snagged our first 700 pre-owned from Adorama, and a couple of months later, we found a privately owned D700 as main backup. At the time, Nikon had a two month supply of parts on hand so we decided to send them in them for refurbishement, and they purr like happy kittens. It's always nice if and when you can afford the newest/best/top of the line, but without getting super good buhs on pre-owned bodies, it would take much longer wouldn't be as much fun. Like Thomas's photos show, the D700 makes such beautiful shots, though it shares some of the features from it's cousins, it's going to be a great camera for many years to come.
We've always downloaded the Nikon manuals and put them on a tablet, but there's so much decent information on youtube, as long as you can tolerate the fluff, and video is easy to absorb. We have books dating back decades for 35mm and reflex photography, but the rules for light stay the same; only the hardware takes time to learn. Wish the D700 had the U1 and US user presets available but saving the profiles to the CF card helps. If you don't mind Ken Rockwell's writing style, he has a wealth of info on the D700, and a good lens cross-reference chart. (Mir.com's is also a great reference for older lenses). When possible, we pick up prime examples of older Nikon/Nikkor glass, the 24-120, 24mm, and snagged a pristine early 90's issue F2.8 80-200 D (no foot). It's as heavy as the Tamron 150-600mm, which sometimes makes it feel almost as large. Most of the old lenses have been out of favor (except with wise,older shooters) and can sometimes be had for what seems next to nothing, and even the pre Ai boat-anchor telephotos Nikon made work great in manual on the D700, as long as you don't mind doing without the extra data. You certainly have a great camera, so happy shooting and best wishes for the new decade.
Dec 31, 2019 18:47:40 #
If you don’t find the book that you are looking for I bought a D750 and a book called Mastering the D750. I also bought one for an old D300s and there should be one for the D700
Check out Black and White Photography section of our forum.
Jan 1, 2020 00:58:30 #
Dean37
Loc: Fresno, CA
I really like. Busch's books and have several. He does put a lot of information in them, not all of which you need "until you need it". I return time and time again to find details and rediscover how well he addresses each camera.
He does cut and paste, because I have found identical paragraphs addressing the same features/issues in different books. One appeared to be written about a Canon feature yet it was in a book about a Nikon camera.
I'm not a pixel peeper and am not trying to dig at Busch, because I have to give him credit for writing his outstanding books that help us who buy them. There are some anomalies yes, but keep in mind he does ask for corrections to anything that seems out of line, or, . . .
Some years ago my Nikon D200 and a few lenses f/2.8, f/1.2, and f/1.4 were stolen along with the Busch book for the D200. A few years later I bought a used D200 and a couple of used lenses. I ordered the Busch D300 book by mistake, and WOW as soon as I could find a used D300 I bought one. I credit Busch with a lot of what I know about my Nikon cameras. As soon as I can see limitations that prevent me from creating photographs that others really like, I will upgrade from my D300. I have already purchased Busch's books for the Nikon D500, D600, and D750 and have looked at them seriously, I like what I can produce with my D300, and the f/2.8, etc lenses that I now have.
He does cut and paste, because I have found identical paragraphs addressing the same features/issues in different books. One appeared to be written about a Canon feature yet it was in a book about a Nikon camera.
I'm not a pixel peeper and am not trying to dig at Busch, because I have to give him credit for writing his outstanding books that help us who buy them. There are some anomalies yes, but keep in mind he does ask for corrections to anything that seems out of line, or, . . .
Some years ago my Nikon D200 and a few lenses f/2.8, f/1.2, and f/1.4 were stolen along with the Busch book for the D200. A few years later I bought a used D200 and a couple of used lenses. I ordered the Busch D300 book by mistake, and WOW as soon as I could find a used D300 I bought one. I credit Busch with a lot of what I know about my Nikon cameras. As soon as I can see limitations that prevent me from creating photographs that others really like, I will upgrade from my D300. I have already purchased Busch's books for the Nikon D500, D600, and D750 and have looked at them seriously, I like what I can produce with my D300, and the f/2.8, etc lenses that I now have.
Jan 1, 2020 03:08:21 #
RWR wrote:
The camera guides are fine for beginners and those who are incapable of learning from their experiences or cannot think for themselves. Sort of like training pants
Wow that’s pretty dismissive. Learning from your experiences is great, but looking something up in a guide can be a lot faster. Cameras are a lot more complex and have a lot more functions than my old completely manual Fuji. Just because someone uses a guide to learn more about their equipment doesn’t mean they can’t think for themselves. It seems to me if someone is using a guide instead of just blindly experimenting that is sign that they’re actually thinking about what they’re doing.
Jan 1, 2020 09:09:18 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
SuperflyTNT wrote:
Wow that’s pretty dismissive. Learning from your experiences is great, but looking something up in a guide can be a lot faster. Cameras are a lot more complex and have a lot more functions than my old completely manual Fuji. Just because someone uses a guide to learn more about their equipment doesn’t mean they can’t think for themselves. It seems to me if someone is using a guide instead of just blindly experimenting that is sign that they’re actually thinking about what they’re doing.
It was not my intention to put anyone down. The difference between the two books is that the manual explains how, the guide explains why. I highly recommend the guide for beginners, but experienced photographers like our OP knows the basics and should have no need for “blind experimenting.” That’s why I said the manual should be all he needs.
Jan 1, 2020 22:49:32 #
RWR wrote:
It was not my intention to put anyone down. The difference between the two books is that the manual explains how, the guide explains why. I highly recommend the guide for beginners, but experienced photographers like our OP knows the basics and should have no need for “blind experimenting.” That’s why I said the manual should be all he needs.
That’s fine for your basic functions, but many modern cameras have a lot of different functions and they often use their own terminology. There can be many times when even very experienced photographers could make use of a more in depth explanation of a unique metering or focus mode, not to mention things like built in focus stacking or HDR.
Check out Smartphone Photography section of our forum.
Jan 2, 2020 03:30:51 #
RWR
Loc: La Mesa, CA
SuperflyTNT wrote:
That’s fine for your basic functions, but many modern cameras have a lot of different functions and they often use their own terminology. There can be many times when even very experienced photographers could make use of a more in depth explanation of a unique metering or focus mode, not to mention things like built in focus stacking or HDR.
No doubt some could!
Jan 2, 2020 12:22:40 #
Dean37
Loc: Fresno, CA
I find it is very good to look at various authors books for information regarding their best way to use a camera. All cameras are essentially a box that allows light to strike a sensor/film for a limited time. The overall concept has been approached in various ways.
A friend had the largest camera I have ever seen. He had a print shop and this camera was a walk-in, about 7 or 8 feet in all directions, except for the wall that held the huge lens which moved on a track with a bellows to accommodate the movement. Of course there are some of you that could tell me more than I know about it.
I tend to read about cameras regardless of manufacturer, and use the information when I see it apply to my cameras, mostly Nikon. An open mind to evaluate what the author says is a good thing, then discard what you know does not work for you, from experience or equipment.
A friend had the largest camera I have ever seen. He had a print shop and this camera was a walk-in, about 7 or 8 feet in all directions, except for the wall that held the huge lens which moved on a track with a bellows to accommodate the movement. Of course there are some of you that could tell me more than I know about it.
I tend to read about cameras regardless of manufacturer, and use the information when I see it apply to my cameras, mostly Nikon. An open mind to evaluate what the author says is a good thing, then discard what you know does not work for you, from experience or equipment.
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