Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G

12.1-megapixel effective recording * full-frame Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor (23.9 x 36 mm) * AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED lens * 5X optical zoom (approximate) * Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System to keep image sensor clean * 3″ high-resolution (920,000 dot) LCD screen with brightness adjustment * 51-area autofocus with 15 cross-type sensors and 3D Focus Tracking for accurate, high-speed focusing * two live view modes for handheld or tripod-based shooting using the LCD screen * 14-bit A/D conversion for outstanding color tones and gradations * image size options in DX format (pixels): 2,784 x 1,848, 2,080 x 1,384, 1,392 x 920 * built-in i-TTL (intelligent, through-the-lens) flash * continuous high-speed shooting up to five frames per second (up to 8 frames per second with the optional MB-D10 multi-power battery pack) *

Nikon D700 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera with 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Features

• 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor. kit includes 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G ED IF VR Nikkor zoom lens
• 3.0-inch, 920,000-dot VGA color monitor. 170-degree wide-angle viewing and tempered-glass protection
• Fast, accurate 51-point AF system. 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes
• Base ISO range from 200-6400 can be expanded to range from ISO 100 (Lo-1) to 25,600 (Hi-2). 0.12-second start-up speed
• Capture images to CF I/II cards. compliant high-speed UDMA CF cards that will enable recording speeds up to 35 megabytes/second

User Reviews

I am no expert photographer. I am an amateur, at best, and lucky at worst. Why on earth did I buy the D700? I was looking to update my very old 3 megapixel Canon, which was wonderful, but a bit old and beat up. Besides, I had matured past it in my photography. As I do before most any major purchase, I read about my options. There were many "in-between" cameras that would have worked just fine, however I desired the full size sensor. Eventually, I chose the Nikon D700. I knew that it was a bit beyond my skills. I also knew that there was a lot of room to grow with this camera. I made a good choice. The controls and functions are easy to use and personalize. I haven't quite grasped the finer techniques of the master photographer, but that will come in time. I see this as a good long term investment. I chose Nikon because of their superb glass quality, however the lens in this kit fails to display that. Bottom line: Buy the camera, but buy a new lens. -- Amateur Perspective

The Nikon D700 is a strong performer in the PRO class of cameras and the images it produces with a high quality Nikkor lens are outstanding. The FX full frame sensor creates beautiful photographs. From the build to the features, NIKON QUALITY is at its best in this camera. -- Outstanding - Nikon D700

In the megapixel war, the Nikon D700 seems behind the times at "only" 12 megapixels. But there comes a point at which additional pixels don't count for much; the quality of the pixels makes for a better picture. With its superb noise reduction, stabilized lens system, and outstanding low-light capabilities, the Nikon D700 allows you to take photos -- without a flash -- that you really can't manage well with any other camera. Don't have a tripod? Poor light? There is still a good chance you can get a good, crisp image.

On the down side, the camera is large and heavy. It is weather-sealed, has a magnesium frame, and takes full-frame photos, so it is physically larger and heavier than most digital SLRs. It lacks the novice-friendly "scene modes" of many of the current SLRs. Instead, you have a massive variety of things you can set manually, or automatically, or in some hybrid synthesis of the two. The manual has 24 pages of prefatory material and another 437 pages of details, plus an index. It is a good thing that you can find what you want fairly quickly as there are a great many possible settings, tweaks and adjustments.

If you want an easy to use digital SLR camera, get something else, like a Sony Alpha or a Canon Rebel or a Nikon D90. On the other hand, if you've gone beyond the basics and are willing to invest the time and mental effort in learning more, the Nikon D700 will reward you by helping you go places you've never been able to go before. -- Outstanding performance, outstanding build

No complaints at all. Sold my D200 to get this and I have no regrets. One fine camera. The upgrades in the feature set from the D200 are well thought out and highly functional. I really like the tethered caps. Nikon has a winner. -- Fine camera

First -- I love this camera. I haven't had a dSLR that has behaved exactly like my old Nikon film cameras until the D700 -- it works with all my old Nikon lenses, and the full frame format is excellent. It is 99 percent of the D3 with only half the price.

Second -- I got the kit through Amazon only because the camera with the kit lens was cheaper than anything being sold locally for the Body Only. As prices drop, and if it becomes available on Amazon, purchase the Body Only and get your own lenses. The Kit lens is basically unworthy of this camera body. It has a nice range and the VR is nice -- but it is soft across the entire focal distance range, and there is severe vignetting at 120 -- some of the worst I have seen in a Nikon lens.

Finally --for those of you upgrading from a D200 or a D300, you hopefully know by now that your old DX lenses will work on the D700, but it will crop them to 5.1 megapixels (even the D40 has 6!)...unless you already have a lot of FX lenses (G-series lenses and the like) you are going to be spending additional money on lenses for the full format camera. I am surprised how many people don't do their research, but the D700, and then are upset that they have to shell out more money for additional lenses. As to lenses, my personal suggestions without breaking your bank: The Nikon 50mm 1.4 G lens - it's sharp and works great on this body. It becomes a walk-around lens. The Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens -- a fantastic zoom lens at 1/3 the price of the Nikon equivalent and possibly better IQ -- and either the Nikon 70-300 VR G lens or the Tamron 28-300 VC lens (That's what I have, and it is sharp and wonderful for large focal length situations). In a pinch, the old Nikon 28-80 G (the one that starts at 3.3) that came on old film bodies of the early 2000's creates awesome sharp photos and is a steal for 60 bucks from resellers.

Anyway -- the D700 has become my best friend -- the lens I eBayed right away... -- D700 is amazing...24-120 lens not so much