Initial impressions after shooting D700 for a day

[picturecrazy]

Picked up this badboy friday...
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/d700.jpg

Ok, after shooting a day with the D700, I thought I'd lay out a couple subjective opinions coming from a 20 year canon user. First of all, this is NOT SCIENTIFIC, and definitely NOT COMPREHENSIVE. It's just my initial opinions and impressions and should not be mistaken as a qualified review.

Stuff I love about the D700 (and some are Nikon general comments):
-It's such an awesome package they put together in terms of features.

-Pro level AF.

-Man, Nikon viewfinders ROCK! ALWAYS loved all the info they can put on the screen! Like crop lines and such that can be added or removed at any time!
wicked! Canon has NO SUCH DYNAMIC viewfinder displays. LAME.

-Dedicated switch for MF/Servo/oneshot focusing. I switch between Servo and one shot a lot and a dedicated switch is nice!

-Reassignable buttons! You can reassign some of the buttons on the body to do whatever you want to do. That is nice and customizable. Canon mark III has this to some degree, but it's much more limited.

-LCD screen has much higher resolution.

-To delete a photo, you press the same button twice. Love this! Much faster than "press delete, spin wheel, press ok".

-Impressed with the speed and responsiveness of the D700. Viewfinder blackout is also very short.

-Good set of custom functions

-Virtual horizon is cool for an idiot like me who is notorious for slanted horizons

-Higher ISO settings. Even though I found ISO12800 and 25600 to be pretty crappy and useless, it's still there for you in a pinch. I use 6400 a lot on the mark III so I could see myself using 12800.

-Select between 14-bit RAW and 12-bit RAW. This is cool in that it saves a bit of space, and I'd probably use 12-bit for less important images.


Stuff I didn't like about it:
-Ergonomics. Ok, people are going to blast me for this, as they say nikon always has had better ergonomics. But I disagree. The main wheel is right UNDER the shutter release, whereas canon puts it above. Well, my middle finger sits as high up on the grip as possible, which is millimetres away from the wheel. This is interfering with my index finger trying to spin the wheel! I can't get the meaty fleshy part of my index finger on the wheel to spin it well. I tried holding the camera lower on the grip, but it was not comfy. I tried spinning the wheel with my middle finger but it's weird trying to hold the camera with just your ring finger and pinky. I just couldn't use the damn wheel! WTF?

-The rear wheel is not at all like Canon's. Where canon has laid the rear wheel out flat so it looks like a disc, nikon's looks much like the main wheel in that it's a slit where the edge of the wheel sticks out. It's placed well in a comfortable spot, but I'm not used to how slow using that wheel is! For example, I go from F/18 to F/2.8 often on a sunny day, when I suddenly go indoors. On canon, this literally takes LESS THAN a QUARTER OF A SECOND to change. SUPER fast! On the Nikons, it takes me SEVEN spins of the wheel to get there. Talk about SLOW! Probably not much of an issue to most but this bugged the crap out of me. The main wheel isn't so great either, it takes more spins to get to where you want over canon's wheels. (BTW, by default the shutter speed is set on the rear wheel and aperture on the front wheel. I switched everything to work as much like a canon as possible)

-Live view. I thought live view would KICK A$$ on the D700 as it has a MUCH higher resolution LCD screen than the mark III or 40D. All I can say is a big WTF?? Live view BLOWS compared to Canon's implementation! It's frame rate is painfully choppy, and zooming in so freaking blurry and nasty! And if indoors, the amount of noise you see on the screen is horrendous! Canon's liveview works at like 60+ FPS even in low light, MUCH less noise, and when you zoom in 10X, the image is SOOOO FREAKING clear and sharp when in focus! I am 100% confident in manually focusing with canon live view. I couldn't trust nikon's live view for manual focus. The image just never gets tack sharp, even when in focus. Man what a letdown.

-Controls on top left of the camera. Ok I think this implementation totally blows. See image here: http://a.img-dpreview.com/previews/nikond700/images/topleft.jpg
First of all, changing ISO is an awkward two handed affair. You press the ISO button and spin the wheel to change it. By default, you gotta HOLD down to ISO button to change it, but I quickly set it so you don't have to do that (a la canon). Second of all, the button doesn't protrude, so you have like no tactile feedback on when your finger is on the button! Third, I tried this with a heavy 2.8 telephoto on the camera... I had to take my face away from the camera to change ISO, because the left hand, which supports the weight of the heavy lens, now has to press that button high up on the body. I think it's terrible. I switch ISO a LOT when shooting, and with canon, your hands do not even move to change it. And on the 40D/mark III, your right index finger does the whole job. Same deal for WB, though this doesn't bother me as much. Fourth, to change from single shot, to high speed/low speed burst, timer etc are all on that dial, but it has a lock button, so it's a PITA to spin it. And when you DO spin it, it doesn't have good tactile feedback with definite CLICKS when you land on each setting. There ARE clicks, but they are SUPER WEAK! Not a big deal though as I don't switch between burst modes too often, and not like canon's method is fool proof either. One cool thing is that Mirror lockup is right on this dial so it's not a custom function to access it. But ever since live view, I could care less. Now I just switch on live view whenever I want a mirror lockup shot.

-Chimping... although the LCD rocks and full images look fantastic on the screen, the reality is it looks like crap when really zoomed in. I'm suspecting the limitation is that it's viewing just a low res thumbnail much like canon's system, so even with high res screen it still looks like garbage zoomed in a lot.

-No ISO 50. 100 is as low as it goes.

-Menu interface is really clunky compared to the 40D/mark III tabbed layout. Using the two wheels on the canons, it's brutally fast to rip through the menu
system. Nikons menu system requires a lot of button pushes to get through, and some settings have all kinds of sub menus and stuff which to me is a lot slower to get through.

-My menu. Ok, it's a great feature, but on all my latest canon cameras, right at the top of My Menu is FORMAT. I tried adding that to the D700 menu and it specifically says it will not allow FORMAT to be added to your custom menu. WTF??? I use this all the time, so it's great to have quick access to it. whatever...


I haven't put AF really through it's paces yet, so not too much to comment there. But using the 50 1.4, I figured it would have plenty of light to AF well. Strangely enough, it had trouble focusing on stuff I thought it shouldn't. Then I'd pick up the 1Ds mark III with the 85 1.8 and boom, no problem focusing on the same thing. I don't know if the lens sucks or if it's the body, but it definitely couldn't lock onto stuff that I'm used to locking onto. It could very well be user error... maybe it prefers a different kind of contrast to what I've been giving it? I dunno... I think I need to play around more before giving a solid opinion on it. But first impression is that the AF is no better than canon's.

Anyhow, i was certainly and definitely impressed, but it didn't blow me away and I don't think I'll be making the jump. It's an awesome camera but not anything that isn't easily answered by what I already have, or by what canon will release in the near future. So right now I'm leaning towards NOT WORTH MAKING THE JUMP... despite all my 1D and 24-70L problems.

Curious to see other's D700 impressions and whether that (and the D3) are enough to make them jump.

[SimonG]

That's a nice looking camera Lloyd... thanks for the review. I'd be interested in hearing more about the AF performance once you've had a chance to put it through its paces a bit more, and don't forget to include some sample pictures. :)

[cryforashadow]

Main wheel's place looks weird.

[RX350]

very interesting , Thanks for posting.

[gool]

Did you buy it, rent it, borrow it?

The guy at my church loves his D3. He says it's the first camera to make him excited about photography in a long time and he's had a load of cameras over the years.

So no other hand-me-downs for me yet? hehe
Actually I'm trying to decide which UWA to buy. :)
Hopefully a 70-200 next year.

[Sauk]

i for sure like the ability to see crops in the view finder if I read that right. Is that not possible to get in a canon at all?

[sadatk]

Great impressions--seems like a great camera. Excellent descriptions of the ergonomics problems as well, really makes sense.

[darosk]

Thanks for the impressions - interesting read.

[m-bartelt]

Great spot review! :)

The D700 was certainly out of my price range when I bought my 40D in May, however I seriously considered the D300. I know that price comparison isn't valid, but after playing around with a 40D for a few minutes, the thought of the D300 quickly vanished. Yeah, the D300 LCD is nice... It's a very solid camera, but I just don't like the ergonomics and general "hold" of the camera.

Compared to the 40D which has a more relaxed grip, it feels like I need to wrap my figners around the front of the grip and dig my fingertips in just to get the proper hold, where I can just grab the 40... This is what finally sold me.

And yes, the Canon implementation of two wheels is nicer, as well as the menu system which is just easy. Sure the Nikon does have more bells and whistles, but the Canon is much easier to use, IMO.

[PhotoJourno]

You da man lloyd, thanks for the so far really biased and welcome review on the D700. :D

[cdifoto]

You da man lloyd, thanks for the so far really biased and welcome review on the D700. :D
Whatchu talkin' bout, Willis? Sounded more neutral than Switzerland to me. I lost count of WTFs though.

[JC4]

Awsome, thanks for the review.

I really want a 5d-700. I love my 1d-III, but not the bulk. If Canon doesn't deliver soon, I'll start working on a Nikon package. :)

[lonelyjew]

Great review. How does ISO performance compare to Canon when at the same ISO? Doesn't the Nikon only start to digitally boost the ISO after 6400? It would be nice if Canon could follow suit. Even if ISO 25,600 looks awful I would still love to have the option of using it; you could get pictures of things you never could at lower ISO settings.

edit*
Instead of getting on to studying my exams I found some ISO tests for the D700 and impressed isn't even the right word. ISO 25,600 is a bit on the ugly side off course but it honestly doesn't seem sooo much worse than ISO 1600 on my 350D! You couldn't get beautiful portrait shots with it but I can't even begin to imagine how useful it could be to capture a moment where little light is available.
Here's the link
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/review/2008/07/03/8782.html

[PhotoJourno]

Great review. How does ISO performance compare to Canon when at the same ISO? Doesn't the Nikon only start to digitally boost the ISO after 6400? It would be nice if Canon could follow suit. Even if ISO 25,600 looks awful I would still love to have the option of using it; you could get pictures of things you never could at lower ISO settings.


Uhhh. Glad someone asked this. Curious to see what the results are.

[sadatk]

D3 is about one stop ahead in iso performance so I'd suspect the same for the D700.

[Keith R]

One stop ahead of what?

There's not much at all to choose between the D3 and the MK III up to 3200 from what I've read and seen, and you definitely lose (fine) detail to the D3/D700's in-camera NR.

[MDJAK]

Lloyd, how you been? Long time no see since the Albany wedding meet. For those not familiar with Lloyd, he's a consummate pro and expert on off camera lighting who shared his knowledge and techniques freely with all attendees. He's also an extremely funny dude to hang with.

Now on to his "biased" review. I think the above poster meant UNbiased, which it definitely is.

I haven't had an opportunity to play with a D700 yet, but it's very close to the D3 so I feel I can comment.

As to the control wheels, Lloyd is not far off the mark, though once you get used to them, they are fine and just as usable.

It's strange, but Lloyd compliments the dedicated switch for af manual, servo, etc. That's actually a mechanical switch necessitated by Nikon's adherence to their old lens mount. I much prefer Canon's button to change that.

The ISO switch on the D3 is along the rear bottom of the camera. I do NOT like its placement. But, the fact that by default it does not stay active is neither here nor there. That is easily switched.

The menu system, while very complex and offering many, many features, is not laid out well and ordered poorly.

The rubber feel of the Nikons is tactily better to my hands than Canon. the rubber is tackier and I like it better.

As Lloyd says, the viewfinder is awesome.

One thing he left out is the auto ISO feature which is a big plus. With this activated, you'll never miss a shot.

As to high ISO, the camera, at least as of now, is definitely better than Canon. I can take pictures in near darkness, where my MKIII would be put away in its bag. And if you convert them to B&W, the grain is in no way objectionable. Kinda looks like film.

I have absolutely no focus problems with the D3. The AF is better, more spot on and more reliable than the MKIII. The metering is also more accurate, with less blown highlights consistently.

Great job, Lloyd

me

[John_B]

picturecrazy,
Thanks for the interesting review :)
Now if you could just put some cream on top by posting a side by side photo comparison with one of your Canon bodies? ??? Please.........

[Naturalworldphotographer]

Thanks for what you said picture crazy, but it just doesn't compare to this very informative video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZBsd16aNZM Coming from someone who really knows what they're talking about....maybe? >_>

No but seriously, watch the video, lol, and it's interesting to know what you think about nikons latest - thanks alot!

[sadatk]

One stop ahead of what?

There's not much at all to choose between the D3 and the MK III up to 3200 from what I've read and seen, and you definitely lose (fine) detail to the D3/D700's in-camera NR.
One stop in amount/quality of noise. For example, ISO 6400 on D3 is similar to ISO 3200 on 1D III.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3193/2477479364_5c0c9596a8_o.jpg

[Ocean Blue]

My first day thoughts are over on http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=5992937&postcount=387

I posted a few out of the camera JPEGs later on in that thread.

[hsma]

Whoa, didn't know they released the D700 yet. Looks like a sweet camera.

[radiohead]

One stop ahead of what?

There's not much at all to choose between the D3 and the MK III up to 3200 from what I've read and seen, and you definitely lose (fine) detail to the D3/D700's in-camera NR.

It's a stop, no question. And I can't see a problem with fine detail.

[pgulati]

Hi,

I am also one of those, who jumped the ship. I had been a canon user for last 12 years. Recently, instead of upgrading from 30D to 40D, I jumped to D300. My 30D used to give me useless pics at ISO 1600. With D300, I am printing pics A4 @ISO3200, without any problems. I shoot at ISO800 all the time, with full confidence (which I could do with my 30D too). Focusing is a little slow, but tack sharp. Colors are awesome. Now, I have to do very little PP. I am seeing the POP, which I had seen in 5D type of images.

Using flash is a pleasure, because of wonderful and accurate metering.

Still trying to unlearn canon and learn Nikon layout, but will get there.

Very satisfied and happy with my D300. :)

[cklc]

-My menu. Ok, it's a great feature, but on all my latest canon cameras, right at the top of My Menu is FORMAT. I tried adding that to the D700 menu and it specifically says it will not allow FORMAT to be added to your custom menu. WTF??? I use this all the time, so it's great to have quick access to it. whatever...



I'm guessing Nikon didn't allow "Format" to be put in My Menu because it's actually possible to format the card without going into the menu at all.

Here's how:

If you look at the Trash Can button on the camera, you'll see a red "Format" icon. Now look at the Mode button, again you'll see the red "Format" icon.

If you hold the two simultaneously for a second or two, the top LCD will show a blinking "FOR" as well as the remaining shot counter. Press the two buttons again simultaneously and voila, the CF card will be formatted instantly; the remaining shot counter will reflect that as well.

[Ocean Blue]

I'm guessing Nikon didn't allow "Format" to be put in My Menu because it's actually possible to format the card without going into the menu at all.

Here's how:

If you look at the Trash Can button on the camera, you'll see a red "Format" icon. Now look at the Mode button, again you'll see the red "Format" icon.

If you hold the two simultaneously for a second or two, the top LCD will show a blinking "FOR" as well as the remaining shot counter. Press the two buttons again simultaneously and voila, the CF card will be formatted instantly; the remaining shot counter will reflect that as well.

Yep - no need to go into the menus to format as cklc notes. There's a button function - much faster than on my 5D. I have yet to encounter anything that is more difficult to do on my D700 and have found many direct button functions, direct assignment button options that make things easier.

[Permagrin]

Hi,

I am also one of those, who jumped the ship. I had been a canon user for last 12 years. Recently, instead of upgrading from 30D to 40D, I jumped to D300. My 30D used to give me useless pics at ISO 1600. With D300, I am printing pics A4 @ISO3200, without any problems. I shoot at ISO800 all the time, with full confidence (which I could do with my 30D too). Focusing is a little slow, but tack sharp. Colors are awesome. Now, I have to do very little PP. I am seeing the POP, which I had seen in 5D type of images.

Using flash is a pleasure, because of wonderful and accurate metering.

Still trying to unlearn canon and learn Nikon layout, but will get there.

Very satisfied and happy with my D300. :)

now that's a nice feature!

[Keith R]

It's a stop, no question.
I'll believe the evidence of my own eyes, which says "no worthwhile difference" up to 3200.[/quote]

And I can't see a problem with fine detail.
That might say more about individual standards and expectations than anything else...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4603559&postcount=18

"Just loses too much detail..."

And given that the Mk III is a crop sensor, I'm even more impressed with it over the FF D3/D700.

[Permagrin]

I'll believe the evidence of my own eyes, which says "no worthwhile difference" up to 3200.


That might say more about individual standards and expectations than anything else...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4603559&postcount=18

"Just loses too much detail..."

And given that the Mk III is a crop sensor, I'm even more impressed with it over the FF D3/D700.

In all honestly, I'd never state something as true based on viewing on the web. It appears that the nikons have some serious in camera NR but unless I shot with it and compared it head to head with my M3, it could just be web compression...the people who are using it seem thrilled with their real life shots. Also it's rather condescending to attribute it to "higher standards"...imo.

[radiohead]

That might say more about individual standards and expectations than anything else...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4603559&postcount=18

"Just loses too much detail..."

And given that the Mk III is a crop sensor, I'm even more impressed with it over the FF D3/D700.

As a wedding photographer I can't say I'm too concerned with astro-photography.

My standards are plenty high though, thanks.

[Ocean Blue]

That might say more about individual standards and expectations than anything else...

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=4603559&postcount=18

"Just loses too much detail..."

And given that the Mk III is a crop sensor, I'm even more impressed with it over the FF D3/D700.



I read all of that as well. I note that Michael Reichmann notes that in looking at large prints on his gallery wall, the quality of the D3 images is such that it's very difficult to try and tell the IDs MK III prints apart from those of photographs taken with the D3. Also see the DPReview.com section and all of their "compared to" pages for pixel-examination compared to several models. http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3/ There you'll see side-by-side for the D3 sensor as compared to the 1D Mk III, 5D, IDs Mk III. They go through default JPEGs and then RAW:

On the 1D MKIII "Once again taking the camera's (default) JPEG processing out of the equation reveals a slightly different story with the D3 and EOS-1D producing images that are almost identical save for minor colour mapping differences (and depth of field - the paper clips in the D3 shot are acutally out of focus). The D3's slight resolution advantage is more visible but there's not enough difference here to consider either camera to be anything even close to a clear winner."

Here's the ISO side-by-side comparison page: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3/page32.asp
And another with the 5D and 1Ds MK III: http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikond3/page18.asp

[picturecrazy]

My theory is that Nikon puts a LOT more in camera noise suppression than Canon. The reason why I think this is just from using Live view on the D700 compared to the mark III. In a low light situations, the D700 shows horrendous noise during live view. It's crazy! The mark III live view under the same conditions is much cleaner and clearer. I'm guessing that there isn't any software noise reduction going on during live view.

But in any case, it doesn't matter which sensor is cleaner natively, as long as the resulting image is good.

[Ocean Blue]

My theory is that Nikon puts a LOT more in camera noise suppression than Canon. The reason why I think this is just from using Live view on the D700 compared to the mark III. In a low light situations, the D700 shows horrendous noise during live view. It's crazy! The mark III live view under the same conditions is much cleaner and clearer. I'm guessing that there isn't any software noise reduction going on during live view.

But in any case, it doesn't matter which sensor is cleaner natively, as long as the resulting image is good.

There are posted examples of the D3 with NR off - digital outback photo does the on and off comparison. With NR off, the results are what you'd expect from a 12 MP FF sensor, so I'm not sure what was going on with what you saw in live view or what it means. Perhaps it was just easier to see on the better screen. ;)

[Ocean Blue]

Did you buy it, rent it, borrow it?


What was the answer to this - Picture crazy, what was the back story on the D700 you used? Are you still shooting with it? If so, how is the adjustment going for you?

[picturecrazy]

What was the answer to this - Picture crazy, what was the back story on the D700 you used? Are you still shooting with it? If so, how is the adjustment going for you?

No, I bought it. It's mine. I don't know any place within a couple thousand miles that would have it for rent as they can't keep them on the shelves. It looked like a serious offering so I have it with the serious intent of using it and deciding whether leaving canon is worth it. Not really thinking in terms of this camera only, but long term...

So far I'm learning towards staying canon. The new Nikons are great, but not THAT great.

[picturecrazy]

There are posted examples of the D3 with NR off - digital outback photo does the on and off comparison. With NR off, the results are what you'd expect from a 12 MP FF sensor, so I'm not sure what was going on with what you saw in live view or what it means. Perhaps it was just easier to see on the better screen. ;)

Does turning off the noise reduction setting in the menus actually turn it 100% off? Because even canon has the high iso noise reduction settings (which I believe are off by default) but even though they're off, there is still a great deal of in-camera noise processing happening.

[drisley]

Wow, lots of bad. It just goes to show, you can't believe all the hype out there about these new nikon cameras.

A friend of mine had similar complaints about the D3. We did some comparisons, and when you take into account resolution lost due to heavy NR, the D3 is about 1/2 stop better than the 1D MK3, not enough to worry about, especially with all the negatives on the nikon.

[narlus]

My 30D used to give me useless pics at ISO 1600. With D300, I am printing pics A4 @ISO3200, without any problems. I shoot at ISO800 all the time, with full confidence (which I could do with my 30D too).


either you had a lemon, your exposure was habitually off, or you have an exacting preference with regards to 'noise'.

i shoot @ 1600 on my 30D pretty much 80% of the time and i've never seen this to be an issue at all.

[Ocean Blue]

Wow, lots of bad. It just goes to show, you can't believe all the hype out there about these new nikon cameras.

A friend of mine had similar complaints about the D3. We did some comparisons, and when you take into account resolution lost due to heavy NR, the D3 is about 1/2 stop better than the 1D MK3, not enough to worry about, especially with all the negatives on the nikon.

What? The files I'm getting are lovely, sharp and I'm finding lots to love about the camera. I think the hype - camera of the year awards, DPReview noting if there's a better red carpet camera out there, we've yet to meet it, etc, is fairly well placed for the D3. Scott Kelby (president of NAPP and D3 shooter noted that D3s even outnumbered Canon's at a recent Atlanta Brave's game in the photographers' pit). For the D700, they've taken their fantastic, fast, and intelligent AF, put it in a 1D-robust body with a frame rate between 5 body only and 8 with the grip, not otherwise taken away from the top level features and are selling it for just under $3,000. That's phenomenal. On top of that, it's an incredibly fun camera to shoot with. The technology is pretty amazing. The gels on my SB-900 flash (which can control the shape of the light it emits and can be triggered remotely by the D700 without having to buy another speedlight) even tell the white balance system what color they are so AWB can take account of it.

[radiohead]

It seems that about 90% of the OP's negatives about the D700 are related to ergonomics and the body layout.

Not a huge surprise if you've been shooting Canon for years.

[arrgeebee]

Lloyd,

Thanks for the honest review. It's refreshing to read a realistic review with good and bad instead of just the typical glowing review that skips over the annoyances.

[smcclelland]

Good reviews from picturecrazy and MDJAK. The AF on the MK3 is the one big thing that concerns me and held me back from going that route after seeing Rob Galbraith's oncoming AF tests and then reading the night-time AF comparison between the D300/D700/D3 and the 1DMK3.

While I don't normally enjoy the jumping back and forth between camps it seems that there are lots of little things that Nikon thought of which have yet to grace a Canon body and I'm not sure will.

MDJAK: how is the 14-24 2.8? Heard stellar things about that lens on the D700/D3.

[SOT]

I have the D3 and bought some lenses with it. I will say that I agree with most of what the OP said. For me the D3 is almost entirely outclassed by the 1Ds MkIII. Granted I have done no real testing, nor am I educated enough to tell you the outcome of any real testing. It seems to me that the D3 is like an overgrown P&S. It is certainly nice, it has some smart features, the snaps look good and it had some cool post production algorithm's built into the camera but as a flagship camera, it is weak. I actually like the 5D better.
As to ISO performance, it is very hard for me to tell how much better it is then the canon, I just don't "see it" and most of it seems to be some sort of heavy post production style/software then really great hardware.

http://a519.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/55/l_1c5ecc30daad5082c7e28eb57d2ab08e.jpg

http://a824.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/126/l_970e00b8800c7ed412e761e4a42af3ef.jpg

http://a573.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/94/l_c3a3bdf1d382eadae431fcea0bbfa744.jpg

http://a799.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/125/l_7b5bd0eac6330b049ca9929ad268c9a6.jpg

http://a907.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/16/l_521a2af67677edc266a4217db4450bf2.jpg

http://a670.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/27/l_24b445a09b20d8d5a50cb597fdce76ed.jpg

http://a410.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/128/l_79862e99ef4dea577ce67fc32b476961.jpg

[radiohead]

It seems to me that the D3 is like an overgrown P&S.

Probably the funniest comment I've yet to read here.

Can you explain to everyone just how the D3 is 'weak' please? I'm really looking forward to this one. And for starters, the resolution comparison between the 1Ds III and the D3 is out of the equation as they are aimed at very different markets.

Over to you....

[condyk]

Great review Lloyd ... i enjoyed it and would disagree with many of your impressions, but agree that those are accurate for you. handling is very important IMO and we will all weigh things differently. I think the D700 is a very classy piece of kit and the ergonomics are very different to Canon, so some adjustment is necessary before coming to final comcl;usions. That is the problem with initial impressions. Most of us use what we know as a benchmark, when really the benchmark may lie elsewhere. I have been very impressed with the D700 but I am stuill only 1/4 way through the 444 page manual. I posted my own initial impressions elsewhere here (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=549757)i am a fairly simple-minded photographer hence my weighting towards primes and enjoyment of MF. I want a camera that feels right in hand and in usage. The D700 does.

I am reading a few 'I read somewhere' forum experts in this thread and their comments are laughable when I look at the D700 in front of me and consider my own hands on experience. But as I say, It'll take time to adjust and try to get the best from this body and maybe in that process I will notice some weaknesses in IQ. I'm just interested in the best tool for how I prefer to shoot.