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Jul 01 2008

Nikon D700…What’s the Point?

Posted by jeff in New Product, News, Nikon

According to the news from the overseas site Nikond700.com, the D700 has been officially launched.  Of course this is still un-official here in the States (update: it’s official!  check out the official D700 website) but there has been some serious buzz and leaked press that I am now pretty convinced that it’s accurate.  According to the reports, the D700 is pretty much the D300 with the full frame FX sensor.  The price is also reported to be in the $2500 to $3000 range.  If all this is true, I am struggling to see the reason for this camera being released.  My only thought is that Nikon saw the success of the Canon 5D with the full frame sensor and felt that they were missing out.  Meanwhile, Canon is starting to clean up on the lower end of the consumer market with 6 digital SLR models priced below the Nikon D300.

The Nikon D700 will also pull sales away from both the D3 and the D300 models which have had strong sales since their release.  What really surprises me is that Nikon didn’t replace the aging D80 or bust out a 23MP full frame D3x.  I guess what I find most surprising is the name.  What happened to the 400, 500, and 600 models?  I suppose if you were torn between buying the D3 and D300 you now have the best of both worlds in a mid-priced package.

The one thing that does make since is the release of the SB-900 flash.  The SB-800 has been a technological wonder that has completely changed the way photographers use flash.  It only makes since for them to carry the technology into a new flash unit.

Click on images for a larger view

Related posts:

  1. Some D700 Clarity and a Little More
  2. Nikon Announces 4 New Products
  3. Nikon D3100 Announced
  4. New Nikon for dSLR Video Shooters – The D5000
  5. Upgrading to a Full Frame Camera? You May Have to Leave Your Old Lenses Behind

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 12:07 am and is filed under New Product, News, Nikon. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

7 Responses to “Nikon D700…What’s the Point?”
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  1. Michael Tapes says:
    July 1, 2008 at 7:36 am

    Hi Jeff,

    I think it is kind of a glass half full/empty scenario. Perhaps you see the D700 as a D300 with an FX format (half empty), but I (and many) see it as a D3 in a svelte more versatile body (half-Full). it is a no-brainer for me to sell my D3, keep my D300 and buy a D700, with a Battery grip. Then I have a small body for FX and DX work, and able to be lean and mean (light weight), or bring the grip for hi speed action only when I need it. And a built in flash controller in both DX and FX formats. With Radio Poppers, WOW!

    I feel that Nikon has hit a Home Run with the D700. Just about perfect. And then with the D3x Nikon has come full circle to now lead Canon. And this from a Canon shooter (me). But in the end, whatever camp you “belong” to, these light tight boxes that we put lenses on can allow us to make great pictures, just like their brethren before them. After all. These gadgets are just tools, and it is how we use them, whether that be to make art, fun, or just play. There are many aspects to Photography. That is what makes it a great hobby that is so wide spread. From capturing memories, to documenting events, to making art, to collecting and playing with the gear. As long as you do not hurt anyone, enjoy photography, its art and tools in whatever way floats your boat.

    Happy Shooting.

    Michael Tapes
    WhiBal

    Reply
  2. jeff says:
    July 1, 2008 at 8:36 am

    I don’t disagree with you Michael in terms of the D700 being a great camera option. I am just having trouble seeing the business sense side of it for Nikon, who have now cut the throat on D3 sales. I am having trouble seeing why anyone would purchase a D3 for $1500 more with very little benefit to the buyer. Maybe I am missing something but the only advantage I can see is about 1 fps more and maybe a little bit more sturdiness. Trust me, I am happy that folks will get the chance to benefit from the full frame for less but I’m sure that there are a lot of D3 owners out there that are feeling like those first iPhone owners. I guess it still holds true that it pays to wait instead of always being first in line.

    Reply
  3. Michael Tapes says:
    July 1, 2008 at 8:48 am

    Hi Jeff (again),

    I think we are the same page, but I think the business incentive for Nikon is clear. Sell as many DSLRs as possible, whatever the model, and get those Canon folk to come over to the dark side (or light side depending on your perspective). The rewards to Nikon are to sell DSLRS, Lenses and Flash Units. Hand over fist…and keep up the momentum.

    As far as to decide between D3 and D700. I think it is simple…..

    D3 – Working Pros who need rugged, frame rate, fastest possible performance. For them it is a no-brainer. The $$ is irrelevant.

    D700 – The rest of us.

    Cheers…

    Michael Tapes
    WhiBal

    Reply
  4. Ken says:
    July 1, 2008 at 9:30 am

    I am a seasoned veteran of retail and direct sales, so my take with Nikon is a price point strategy. I would think Nikon did the demographics and found a market for the 3 levels of the pricing of Cameras. Not withstanding Nikon makes the finest quality and offers the market more choices.

    Planned obsolesce is the culture of today in electronic, its the nature of the beast so to speak. So I try to quality Lens ‘s that will retain value and try to “bump” up to the new generation of Nikon that will be coming.

    I have the D300 and about $6 thousand bucks in lens’s. My jealously meter was activated when I heard about the D700, but………I will wait 1 or 2 years and buy the D3 used….but who knows.

    A Nikon junkie
    Ken

    Reply
  5. Eric S says:
    July 1, 2008 at 10:44 am

    I believe Nikon’s strategy behind the D700 is just a direct competition with the canon 5D without really looking at their own product line. I know several former Nikon shooter migrating to the 5D.
    I was really to upgrade to D300 because I couldn’t afford the D3 but now with the D700 the choice is more obvious even priced at close to 3K. I really would like to hear what the D3 shooters think about this new product.

    Reply
  6. Darrin says:
    July 1, 2008 at 3:23 pm

    Jeff,

    There are a few more differences between the D3 and the D700 that might be important for pros:
    - D3 has a shutter rated for 300k exposure, D700 has one rated for 150k
    - D3 can accomodate 2 CF cards and provides those nice options to use them, D700 has only one
    - D3 viewfinder has 100% coverage, D700 viewfinder has 95% coverage
    - D3 has the 5:4 crop mode, D700 does not have it

    Other subtle differences might emerge when people start using the D700 (e.g. the speed of the AF system…).

    Darrin

    Reply
  7. Monty says:
    July 1, 2008 at 11:13 pm

    Jeff,

    As I said at the Georgetown photo walk, This is what Nikon needed to do. DX cameras and lenses are good. But for low light action you need the FX. I loved using the D300 when I borrowed it for a wedding. But the images just did not compare to the D3. This is a great middle ground for the to go.

    I already have my preorder in for the D700!

    Monty

    Reply
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