Nikon: Keep the D700 or upgrade to the D810. What to do?
Aug 15, 2016 16:25:57 #
Since I am closing-in on retirement, I am considering upgrading my Nikon D700 to the Nikon D810. My photography consists of landscapes, wildlife, street scenes, architecture, still life, and some macro. Since I am merely an amateur, my concern is whether the upgrade is justified in terms of noticeably higher quality photographs, or just bells and whistles. Money is not a major consideration and upgrading is not essential unless warranted (I still play golf with my 1988 Ping eye-2 irons and haven't found a better set to replace them). If the upgrade is superficial, I can find a home for the upgrade money elsewhere. The Nikon D810 upgrade is the only consideration I have. I would appreciate members thoughts on the subject, either personal or technical. Thanks for your response.
Aug 15, 2016 16:39:18 #
Johnj168
Loc: Granbury Texas
I have both and find lots of uses for both of them. The D700 technology may be old but it still takes one hell of a photo.
Aug 15, 2016 16:51:50 #
Nothing wrong with my 700. I will keep it to it fall over and will then consider a replacement. The big one needs bigger software, different batteries etc. I doubt it is worth the outlay unless you are a professional. 
Aug 15, 2016 16:58:23 #
Like the others, I've been using my D700 since January of 2010. I recently purchased a D800e, but continue to use the D700, as well. I did notice an improvement in image quality, along with certainly other qualities for which I'd hoped. I've no intent to quit using the D700.
--Bob
--Bob
Indiana wrote:
Since I am closing-in on retirement, I am consider... (show quote)
Aug 15, 2016 17:21:58 #
I dont know anything about the d700...my wife and I switch between a d810 and a d7100...And I can tell you will be quite happy with a d810...great IQ...and despite what some say a great BIF camera.
Aug 15, 2016 17:42:24 #
Indiana wrote:
Since I am closing-in on retirement, I am consider... (show quote)
I have a friend who decided to buy a D800e some years back. At first he had his D700 as a backup camera but soon he sold it and kept the D800e. This guy is actually printing large fine art work from his photographs and for him the D800e was a big step forward. Much better details in the pictures was the most important difference, but then also the other bells and whistles and better low light results, better autofocus and kind of better everything. The D700 is a legendary camera but the D800 range is actually even better. If it matters for you is for you to decide.
Aug 15, 2016 17:43:50 #
My D700 has traveled many roads, been rained on time after time, has been in the mud and worst and just keeps on taking outstanding photos without having to upgrade everything because of the large file sizes of the 800s. I couldn't imagine changing cameras unless it was just to say I have one
Aug 15, 2016 18:08:05 #
Indiana wrote:
Since I am closing-in on retirement, I am consider... (show quote)
Indiana, I know absolutely nothing about golf, so a baseball bat would probably work as well, but I do know photography!!
Get the 800!!! If you're gonna shoot birds, you'll never get close enough and you'll NEVER have too much feather detail, EVER.
If you must keep the 700, it'll make a great door stop down the road, otherwise get rid of it! Just my opinion and what I would do!!! Obviously, many here feel otherwise.
SS
Aug 15, 2016 18:16:34 #
Aug 15, 2016 20:04:33 #
If you are upgrading to buy yourself a retirement present I'd hold off. When I retired I bought an expensive electric guitar but I rarely use it. I'm comfortable with my cheaper favorite well worn guitar. The D810 has video and you can probably crop more due to the larger file sizes, and you will get a bit better low light performance and image quality and dynamic range. But only you can decide if these factors will improve your photography output, based on the types of pictures you take and how you post process them. You might want to rent a D810 for a few days and use both cameras with the same lenses to test them out. Then you will know if the difference is worth the money to you, and you will have just invested a few hundred instead of a few thousand dollars.
Here's the specs from snapsort:
http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D810-vs-Nikon_D700/specs
To get a balanced view, I always look at negative reviews on Amazon. Here's a link for negative reviews on Amazon for the D810. Only 10% of the reviews are negative, but it's something to consider.
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B00LAJQVR6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt_rgt?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=critical&showViewpoints=0&pageNumber=1
T
Here's the specs from snapsort:
http://snapsort.com/compare/Nikon-D810-vs-Nikon_D700/specs
To get a balanced view, I always look at negative reviews on Amazon. Here's a link for negative reviews on Amazon for the D810. Only 10% of the reviews are negative, but it's something to consider.
https://www.amazon.com/product-reviews/B00LAJQVR6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewpnt_rgt?ie=UTF8&filterByStar=critical&showViewpoints=0&pageNumber=1
Indiana wrote:
Since I am closing-in on retirement, I am consider... (show quote)
T
Aug 15, 2016 20:36:19 #
Aug 15, 2016 20:56:18 #
Miamisburg Jim
Loc: Miamisburg, Ohio, USA
I think I would wait and see what Nikon replaces the D-810 with.
Aug 15, 2016 21:42:52 #
Get the D-810 you will love the big beautiful images. I have a D-800 and a D-7000, I use them both but lean towards the D-800.
Aug 15, 2016 22:00:02 #
I have the D700, 800 and the 810.
They are all good but the 810 is clearly the best of the three.
It's quieter, has better image quality but wih the 36 megapixel resolution with the 800 & 810, raw files are HUGE! You will need to upgrade your computer and shoot with the best lenses to get the most out of it.
They are all good but the 810 is clearly the best of the three.
It's quieter, has better image quality but wih the 36 megapixel resolution with the 800 & 810, raw files are HUGE! You will need to upgrade your computer and shoot with the best lenses to get the most out of it.
Aug 16, 2016 05:41:46 #
Indiana wrote:
Since I am closing-in on retirement, I am consider... (show quote)
I have one D700 and two D800's. My assistant use the D700. When I am editing and rendering the final pictures the D800 captures are slightly ahead of the D700 in quality certainly in size. Love my D800.
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