Nikon D700 for $3000 is abnormal!?

[gubak]

Nikon D700 is now real. Here is the announcement and features:
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera

I have to admit I'm a bit disappointed... I still might end up with a D700 but I may just may wait a couple months in spite of having planned for more than a year to instantly buy the next FF/small body camera to come out of either Nikon or Canon. I don't play favorites between the two.

However, the D700 really seems to me like at $2-2.5k camera. Maybe that's totally unrealistic, maybe I was expecting miracles. The D700 looks fairly priced when placed between the D300 and the D3, but I'd never looked too deeply in either of them before. In my estimation the D700 is fairly comparable to the aging 5D. It is certainly better than the 5D, but not two times better. In considering the D700 I've done more research into the D3 (to judge what to expect from the D700's performance) and I find myself questioning if the D3 shouldn't really be priced closer to $4k, maybe even as low as $3.5k. Live view seems a worthwhile innovation, a built-in flash (as a commander) is certainly nice, the LCD is gorgeous... these things matter in terms of bells and whistles, but they don't REALLY help me make better images which is what I'm looking for in a FF camera.

I don't need a FF camera, I just want one and had been wanting for a while so I can go on waiting.... waiting for something that promises an order of magnitude improvement over what has come before if it is to cost double of what I would compare it to.

So... quite unexpectedly I'll be waiting a few more months to see if a 5D2 does get announced. See if it does something game changing the way the 5D did... if not maybe I can get a 5D for even less than what they go for now which each day seems more and more like an absolute steal.

[Latinbob]

I think it's priced about what the 5D was at its launch. The price will come down once the early adopters get their fill. For those wanting the high iso performance of the D3 without all the weight ( and cost), the D700 is appealing.

Now where's my extra $3 grand?

Bob

[Nikonfreak]

Let's put it this way...everyone wants to be a performance leader and command a higher price. No one WANTS to be the low price leader from a business perspective.

Another example... how many of us go out there and say, "we want to sell our images for the lowest price out there"

The D3 is $4,800 or so right now. The D700 gives you a $1,000 price break on a D3 purchase. From Nikon's perspective, isn't that enough for cutting edge high ISO sensor technology and performance that no one is even close to in the market?

Also, you have some compromises... 5 fps, lower battery life, 95% viewfinder, shutter life expectancy

And you get some goodies from both a D300 and D3... anti dust system/cleaning, FX sensor, D3 high ISO performance,

I'd say it's a safe bet that this camera will sell very very well and be as much of a hit as the D300 and D200 were.

Julio

[Paul Shields]

It's priced at around $4000 in the UK, so looks like you've got yourselves a bargain states-side . Nice to see it come out and challenge the 5D at that price point. The 5D has great image capture but lacked certain features that the D700 has incorporated. I just wonder if Canon can raise the bar with the 5DMKII (or whatever it'll be called). They always seem happy keeping the feature list as low as possible in their 'sub-pro' range. Nikon should be a useful incentive for them at long last to try that bit harder.

[sean_buerger]

And now we just have to wait for the D800 to have a 100% viewfinder...

Cheers, Sean.

[cyclohexane]

And now we just have to wait for the D800 to have a 100% viewfinder...

Actually, we'll never get it at that line. Nikon only gives 100% viewfinders to the top of the line models.

[Gary Mayo]

Yeah, and a larger sensor. I fail to see why they released another 12MP camera.

Originally Posted by sean_buerger

And now we just have to wait for the D800 to have a 100% viewfinder...

Cheers, Sean.

[Songman45]

Originally Posted by lincolninked

Yeah, and a larger sensor. I fail to see why they released another 12MP camera.

Doesn't anyone expect a D7 with large sensor, full viewfinder, large display and something along the lines of 23MP?

[my li'l pony]

Slipped over to Digital Camera Reviews, News and Resources | Photography Bay before responding to this thread.They are really hyping the release of expected models from the various brands.Right now they're talking about the Sony A900 w/a 24 MP sensor.Get this! The price they claim will be around $2,000.Yeah,we'll see.If this does turn out to be true,then market prices should drop dramatically to keep pace w/Sony.Know where your coming from Julio on low prices but bragging rights for market share looks like it's taking priority.If true,this will finally let photagraphers buy professional digital equipment at analogue prices.Sony is also expected to introduce 2 fast aperture lenses w/Zeiss glass.

[ohenry]

I just read an article where Nikon got tired of not being the market leader and dominant force and revamped their team with some young guns, thus the change in direction they took. The recent gear produced at the price points they came out with is a direct assault to unseat Canon and regain market dominance. Whether or not that vision is obtained remains to be seen, but for now, they have gotten some major market attention and should have put Canon on notice that they're not the only player in the pro line market.

Sony is a relatively small player in the grand scheme of things, but is making strides to increase their share.

This is good for the consumer regardless of what camera system you prefer. Perhaps Canon will finally wake up and quit resting on laurels that are now quite fragile.

[my li'l pony]

Being a Canon shooter,I must say I agree considerably.Those 2 have always been a thorn in the others flesh.They'll just have to accept the fact that they need each other.Results matter most!

[Nikonfreak]

Originally Posted by Songman45

Doesn't anyone expect a D7 with large sensor, full viewfinder, large display and something along the lines of 23MP?

There's a definite market segment that won't spend $5,000 for a D3 but want many of the features of a D3. The D700 falls nicely into place.

I've only run into one assignment where someone wanted / needed image resolution higher than around 10 megapixels, but I'm not in the fashion segment. My studio use doesn't require more than 12 megapixels at the moment.

There is a segment that Nikon is missing since it did not introduce a D3x right now. This leaves a big question mark in the minds of professional photographers. That isn't a good thing.

If it's introduced soon... no harm done... If no intro comes before the end of the year... that's a really bad thing. If they save it for Photokina, then all is well...

I also note that missing from this introduction is the lens introductions. If the camera is shown with the 24-120...well... that's a really poor performing lens even on a DX camera. Here is Nikon's soft spot and what I've been harping on. (See my FX or DX blog post on the Camel for my post on this issue). The enthusiast or pro that has been shooting DX and has DX lenses will need to pony up major cash between the FX camera purchase and a few FX pro grade lenses to make the FX switch.

Sure, with the D700 intro, the differential between the D700 and the D3 will purchase a 24-70 f/2.8 lens... so ... maybe that's the Nikon thought pattern.

Julio

[cyclohexane]

Doesn't anyone expect a D7 with large sensor, full viewfinder, large display and something along the lines of 23MP?

Thom Hogan's been hinting at a D900 first- a D700 with the 24 MP Sony sensor, before a high resolution top of the line body. I think he said something along the lines of "Check back at the end of August".

I'd still expect a D3X/D7 before a D900, but who knows...

Another DPReview post where he talks about the "D900".

...and another. Want more? Stalk Thom Hogan here! =)

[Nikonfreak]

Thom makes some excellent points and if you really think it through, Nikon is taking canonball size shots at Canon (pardon the pun).

He's right ... if Nikon intro's a D900 at 24 megapixels in a D700 size frame at anything below Canon's 1DsIII high megapixel body, they'd have to do something to remain competitive as they'll have their legs swept out from under them.

[trapman]

IMHO, I think the megapixel race is slowing down. Great strides have been made @ Nippon Kogaku (Nikon for all you youngsters) in reducing noise at high ISO. The D300 has changed my life! No longer do I dread having to go to underlit sports venues, and then spend hours in PP! The D700, and all the new stuff that will follow, will amaze us all! I really drooled over the D3, but wisely for me, chose to plunk down the $$ for a 200-400 Nikkor and a 1.4 TC!! I think that I will realize more "bang for the buck" in how new photo possibilities will open up. Admittedly, my passion is sports...but I thought that some new glass would serve me better than a FF body. Agreed, though, that a D300 is not a substitute for a D3 OR a D700. Just don't let my wife know that I'm on a waiting list at B&H for a D700. Yikes! Somebody, please put me out of my "misery"!

[JDArt]

To me this looks like an interesting camera. I'll be watching closely to see the quality of pictures this unit produces. Street price is bound to be comparable to its main competitors. I don't think 3k is sustainable.

[trapman]

Yikes again! Preorder prices for the D700 are closer to $3500 than $2995! I noticed Berger Bros. on the banner at the top of this page. Amazon too!