Nikon d700 vs d800: Ok I have saved some money this year and would like to upgrade from my medium format d7000 to a full frame d700. or possibly a d800. I was thinking I could save...

diannarucker Loc: Iowa

Ok I have saved some money this year and would like to upgrade from my medium format d7000 to a full frame d700. or possibly a d800. I was thinking I could save some money between the d700 and d800 so that I could also buy an FX lens. What do you think ? Also what lens would you buy for the d700. I shoot mostly weddings/ seniors/ and families.

diannarucker Loc: Iowa

diannarucker wrote:

Ok I have saved some money this year and would like to upgrade from my medium format d7000 to a full frame d700. or possibly a d800. I was thinking I could save some money between the d700 and d800 so that I could also buy an FX lens. What do you think ? Also what lens would you buy for the d700. I shoot mostly weddings/ seniors/ and families.

also I have all the basic DX lenses for my d7000- 85, 24- 70, 70-200, 50 and a wide angle

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

diannarucker wrote:

Ok I have saved some money this year and would like to upgrade from my medium format d7000 to a full frame d700. or possibly a d800. I was thinking I could save some money between the d700 and d800 so that I could also buy an FX lens. What do you think ? Also what lens would you buy for the d700. I shoot mostly weddings/ seniors/ and families.

A good friend and good photographer used a D700 for years. A few months ago, he got a D800e, and he loves it. No regrets.

You can save money and get the D700, but you'll always regret your decision. there will always be lenses available. If you wait a year to buy a good lens, there will probably be something better available. VR IV ?

You can get good money for your lenses on ebay.

traveler90712 Loc: Lake Worth, Fl.

diannarucker wrote:

also I have all the basic DX lenses for my d7000- 85, 24- 70, 70-200, 50 and a wide angle

Nikon lens? The 24-70 is a FX lens, as is the 70-200, 85 and the 50.

The 800 would be great, but have you considered the D610?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

traveler90712 wrote:

Nikon lens? The 24-70 is a FX lens, as is the 70-200, 85 and the 50.

Whoops! I didn't notice that. :oops:

John Lawrence

We all tend to favor our own cameras but I've been shooting with a D700 with a 28-70 2.8 lens and a 50mm 1.4 lens for a long time. I do all of our family formal and candid pictures and events and find this combination to be perfect.

Your problem may be finding a D700. There are a few no-name places selling new ones on Amazon but they charge more than the price of a new D800. Your best bet would be a factory refurbished D700 if you can find one. Good luck.

John

steve_stoneblossom Loc: Rhode Island, USA

diannarucker wrote:

also I have all the basic DX lenses for my d7000- 85, 24- 70, 70-200, 50 and a wide angle

As traveler mentioned, these are all FX lenses. Which wide angle do you have?

I purchased a D700 shortly after they came out, and I love it. I agree with Traveler, finding a good used 700 may not be easy.

In another recent post, I proposed that the 610 was a logical step up from the 7000, and more affordable than the 800. Someone suggested that the "small" difference in price did not justify the compromise. I guess "small" is relative. I see the difference as being at least one nice prime lens, maybe 2.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

traveler90712 wrote:

The 800 would be great, but have you considered the D610?

The D610 is a very good camera, especially considering the price.

http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D610-vs-Nikon-D800

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

diannarucker wrote:

Ok I have saved some money this year and would like to upgrade from my medium format d7000 to a full frame d700. or possibly a d800. I was thinking I could save some money between the d700 and d800 so that I could also buy an FX lens. What do you think ? Also what lens would you buy for the d700. I shoot mostly weddings/ seniors/ and families.

I would highly recommend going to the D800. It has almost exactly the same pixel density as the D7000 you are used to, and triple the pixels of the D700. You will be amazed at the quality of images you will get out of it and all your listed lenses are already FX lenses. Lets your desire to improve be your guide, you will never regret getting the worlds highest resolution DSLR.

ZaneSmith Loc: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho....now MT

You have great lenses, you will have this camera body for years or the rest of your life, go big and get the D800, love mine.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

If you do want a D700, Fred Miranda's Buying & Selling area is pretty good.
There is a D700 for sale there for $1237.00 a the moment here: (link).
Seems like they come up there fairly often.
KEH Camera is another good source for used equipment and they tend to underrate their condition.
The high ISO IQ on the D700 is slightly better than the relatively newer D7000, the interface is better, in my opinion (important settings are not buried in the menu) and if you like more shallow depth of field, a ff sensor is better for that.

The D800 is a wonderful camera and it is a big step up from the D700 in regard to quality, resolution AND file size.
I tend to treat mine like a medium format camera and think more about what I'm shooting due to file size.
I don't use it for sports!

FYI: Medium format cameras are anything bigger than 35mm or full-frame sensor.
Large format is anything 4 x 5 inches and above.

Leon S Loc: Minnesota

I shot a d700, my wife shots a d800. I appreciate the ability of the d700 to shot in less light better than the d800. My wife likes the ability to crop the hell out of anything she shoots and still get stunning shots. I would not sell mine for the d800, she would not trade for mine. Either way you won't lose. Your 70-200 if vr I will probably be a better fit on the d700. Either way you can't go wrong.

amehta Loc: Boston

John Lawrence wrote:

We all tend to favor our own cameras

I have both the D700 and the D800. The D700 is in the cabinet while the D800 is in the camera bag. The D700 has been used only once in almost two years, for a photobooth at a wedding while the D800 was used for the event itself. And part of me wishes I had rented a second D800.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

D700 is a great camera. I have both D700 and D800. Image quality is comparable, more pixels on the D800 means you can crop more, or make larger prints. D700 is a faster handling camera, especially with battery grip.

D800 has greater dynamic range and better low light/high ISO performance, and can use a slower (F8 max aperture) lens and still focus. Controls are similar - D610 is a consumer grade camera - smaller lighter, less metal in the internal frame (just top and bottom plate is reinforced with magnesium). There are other differences, but if you are looking for a anazing camera, the D800 is your choice. If you are looking for a bargain, the D700 followed by the D610 would be a decent choice.

jjestar Loc: Savannah GA

I will be selling at least one 700 when I return home.