Introduction

It is 2020 and my Nikon D700 just came back from Nikon service. This FX DSLR from 2008 - Made in Japan - is one of my favourite digital cameras.

If you are reading this article, you are most likely considering to buy a D700 more than 12 years after its release. It is not the latest ad or forum hype that led you here, but the search for a true photographer’s camera - a camera that gets the job done, and does nothing else. Be at ease, your journey is over.

Review

The D700 is a professional-grade full-frame DSLR for Nikon’s F-mount. Here are some key specifications:

12mp CMOS FX sensor
ISO range 200 to 6400 (extension ISO 100 / 25.600)
5 frames per second
flash sync 1/250
Multi-CAM3500FX with 51 AF points (15 cross-type)
single CF-card slot (Type I)
3d Color Matrix Metering II with 1005 pixel RGB sensor
Built-in flash
Live View with AF
No video
Weight ~1kg

Nikon D700 - back (without BM-9 LCD cover)

Build Quality and Design

At a first glance, the D700 is very similar to Nikon’s current DSLR-offerings. It is well-built, durable and feels very solid. The buttons and dials are of high Nikon quality and made to last. The D-pad feels a bit mushy - don’t be unsettled, though, it was designed that way.

The control scheme is just excellent - a thing to love about all Nikon DSLRs. All relevant camera functions can be accessed via buttons. I’d even say that the D700 control scheme is superior to the newer ones as found on the D800 and onwards. The D700 still has dedicated AF-Area and AF-Mode switches. The new models use a single button which then re-assigns the control dials to set everything AF-related.

The sensor cleaning system is pretty basic and it is quite likely that you have to get the sensor cleaned every once in a while, depending on environment and usage.

Image Quality

On paper, the 12mp D700-sensor borrowed from the D3 doesn’t sound all too exciting, but the 12mp is nothing short of amazing. The colour rendition is exceptional and the dynamic range is good, even by today’s standards. Reality is that 12mp resolution is more than enough for 99% of all applications.

Over time, a sensor can develop dead pixel. You can send your camera to Nikon for a Check and Clean and they will map them out for you for little cost - no worries there.

For sample images, I invite you to take a look at a portrait session I shot with the D700 at ISO 400 to 800. This brings me straight to the noise performance. As long as you don’t leave the native ISO range from 200 to 6.400, the images are great. Let’s be honest, who really needs higher ISO than 6.400 anyways (get a prime lens!) and additionally, I don’t mind a little bit of "digital grain” in high-ISO image. Here are two ultra-low-light sample images - pretty good I’d say:

Nikon D700 @ISO 3.200 / camera JPG, no additional noise reduction

Nikon D700 @ISO 6.400 / camera JPG, no additional noise reduction

Autofocus

The AF system is slightly slower than Nikon’s recent high-end (!) offerings. In reality, this means: The AF-system is very fast and accurate in almost all but the most difficult of situations. Only in direct comparison the difference is noticeable, but it is not a huge difference.

Even the 3D-tracking works reliable, except in backlit situations and when there is a lack in contrast / different colours.

The 51 AF points cover a decent part of the frame - I was always happy with the coverage (it is not a D850 of course…).

To conclude: it’s a Nikon DSLR, so the AF just works - don’t worry about it.

Performance & Usability

A camera is always more than the sum of its parts / specifications.

To me, the D700 feels like the solid professional companion I want to have with me at my job.

The shooting experience is snappy and reliable - it does not show its age. Thanks to incredible battery life, you can usually shoot a whole day on one or two batteries.

5 frames per second are enough for me and the buffer depth is perfectly adequate.

The built-in flash is a useful extra for many situations (e.g. backup-trigger for studio flashes).

Although I would not fully rely on the weather sealing after 12 years, the camera does not feel like it would go down easily in adverse conditions.

Consider that although the D700 has a live view option, this mode is only viable when working on a tripod or still subjects. The refresh rate is quite slow and the AF is very, very slow - but accurate.

F-Mount Bonus

The D700 benefits from Nikon’s F-mount legacy and dedication to lens compatibility. The vast amount of lenses available are a huge benefit for every budget-oriented photographer. And there is simply no focal length that isn’t available for the F-bayonet.

I highly recommend AF-D lenses in conjunction with the D700 - thanks to the camera’s AF motor, they are fully compatible.

Nikon D700 with the Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 AF-D - a match made in heaven

Conclusion

There are many things to love about the D700 - what I love the most is that it does everything a serious photographer needs and nothing else. It has enough resolution, but it does not clog up your hard drive with superfluous megapixel - I’d even go as far as to state that it offers the perfect resolution for social media and web use. It has a great usable ISO-range, but no ridiculously high (usable) ISO settings.

Availability & Pricing

The D700 is no longer sold new. It can be had relatively inexpensive ranging from 350 to 400 € depending on accessories and shutter count.

More and more photographers discover the D700 as a backup or portrait camera. That’s probably why I’ve seen prices go up recently.

Verdict

I would definitely recommend this Nikon for every photographer on a budget.

If you know what you are doing, this camera won’t let you down.

If you don’t know what you are doing yet, you can learn everything with this great companion.

Serviceability

Keep in mind that Nikon offers “Check and Clean” and repairs for the D700, but they do no longer guarantee that they have all spare parts in stock. A Nikon representative from Germany ensured me though, that there is still “enough stuff in the drawers”.

Nikon D700