Upgrading from a Nikon D700

benners

benners

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hi everyone :)

I have 2x gripped D700s, which I primarily couple with a Nikon 24-70 f2.8 and Nikon 70-200 f2.8. I mainly shoot concerts, events, etc... low light stuff.

I'm a bit out of touch with recent with Nikon bodies released over the last few years (D500, 610, 750, 800, 7200, etc.) and where the D700 now sits in the performance league table. I'm sure I've read in a few reviews that the D700 still performs better (esp. in low light) than some of the newer bodies.

So apart from the D3, D4, D4s, D5 level of pro camera, I was wondering which 'new' Nikon bodies people would consider upgrades to the D700 - if I ever thought of upgrading to another Nikon?
(I'm not interested in video, or printing on a large scale).

:)
 
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Never had a D700 but a D750 is awesome value for money. You could buy 2 for just over £2k which is a bargain. The noise performance is awesome and so is the AF. It's also a really comfortable camera to hold.
 
benners said:
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I'm a bit out of touch recent with Nikon bodies released over the last few years (D500, 610, 750, 800, 7200, etc.) and where the D700 now sits in the performance league table. I'm sure I've read in a few reviews that the D700 still performs better (esp. in low light) than some of the newer bodies.
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The D500 (if available) and the D7200 are DX or crop bodies whereas your D700 is FX or full frame. In terms of low light performance all of the mentioned FX bodies out perform the D700 now and in some cases quite noticeably so. Even the DX bodies (well the D7200 - no experience of the D500 yet) will match the D700 just about in terms of low light. The D610 has a 39 pt AF sensor that can in some circumstances be a frustration - low contrast/light being one ime so I'd avoid that. The D8xx series have the same "pro" type body as the D700 but produce much larger files (36mp vs 12mp) so may mean a PC upgrade, the D750 has the "non pro" type body and has an excellent AF system and produces 24mp files, still bigger than your D700 but smaller than the D8xx series. It is excellent in poor light too as are the files it produces with plenty of scope to recover details. For concerts & events then the D750 is probably the best bet imo (other than a D3s/D4/D4s//D5).
 
Thanks @PaulButler and @T_J_G, it's a really interesting conversation for me!
I appreciate you taking the time to reply... i could go and google all the spec and bring up comparison tables, etc. but recommendations and "hands on" comments from users are really welcomed :)

If I get the funds, I might look into upgrading one of my D700s and see how I get on... keep 'em coming!
 
D750 seems the obvious choice unless you want the larger D700/800 series body. Awesome camera and excellent VFM.
 
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This is the exact same 'problem' I'm trying to deal with right now. I shoot a D700 and it has paid for itself time and time again. ( Ishoot everything from sports to food, portraits to events). Nobody has ever complained about the quality of the images I supply but nonetheless I think it's time to upgrade.

I'd be buying used but none of the options appeal though:

D610 and D750 - I know they'd be a step up in quality, and the pivot screen/better build of the D750 appeals, but I really don't want the amateur level body. (I have a D7000 as a backup but don't like the handling or controls much).

D800 - Can be had for about £900 but a lot of the improvements offered by the D810 mean I'd regret the purchase. File sizes put me off too.

D810 - File sizes again

D4 - Twice the price used as a D750. You can buy some nice glass for the extra money.

D3/s/x - Technology is too old now I think, I'd want to see some serious improvement in low light capability for my money.

If only Nikon would chuck the D750 into a pro body. I'd pay D810 prices for that.
 
Easy one - D750, and you will see an improvement. Other option is the D810, but it just has more of the things you don't need.

Edit: crossed post with above. I wouldn't call the D750 an amateur camera in any sense.
 
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HoppyUK said:
Easy one - D750, and you will see an improvement. Other option is the D810, but it just has more of the things you don't need.

Edit: crossed post with above. I wouldn't call the D750 an amateur camera in any sense.
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I didn't mean that the D750 was an amateur camera, but it does have the button layout of the lower end models. For me the difference between using a 700 and a 7000 is chalk and cheese.
 
MissingMan said:
I didn't mean that the D750 was an amateur camera, but it does have the button layout of the lower end models. For me the difference between using a 700 and a 7000 is chalk and cheese.
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hmm, I hadn't realised that... I too would prefer the "pro" layout. It'd be interesting to know who Nikon was aiming the D750 camera at... it's an FX, but with a D300 style layout?
 
benners said:
hmm, I hadn't realised that... I too would prefer the "pro" layout. It'd be interesting to know who Nikon was aiming the D750 camera at... it's an FX, but with a D300 style layout?
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No it's not. The D300 layout is similar to the D700 you have. The D750 has the so called consumer body style layout, as in it has a scene mode dial where the iso/wb/qual/metering dial is on the D700 and those buttons are on the back of the camera. This is in line with the D7xxx range of bodies, the D610/D600 are also the same. The D8xx and the single digit bodies have similar layouts as the D700. fwiw I prefer many of the button placings on the D750 to my D810 but as long as it does the job ...

Also to be fair, it usually doesn't take too long to figure out where each function is. The difference between a D8xx and D700 will be noticeable too, things move and move on :) It's always a learning curve.
 
MissingMan said:
I didn't mean that the D750 was an amateur camera, but it does have the button layout of the lower end models. For me the difference between using a 700 and a 7000 is chalk and cheese.
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I'm not a Nikon user, but have used D700, D750 and D810 quite a lot through my work. Not side by side it must be said, but I didn't have any trouble and I don't recall any huge differences. Just typical Nikon.

This is something the OP should check out personally. Handling changes can make a big difference, and even small things can be very off-putting initially, but providing all the key functions are there you soon get used to it. Probably best to upgade both bodies at the same time though.
 
benners said:
I'm sure I've read in a few reviews that the D700 still performs better (esp. in low light) than some of the newer bodies.
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It doesn't perform better than the D750 in low light, or for high ISO performance in my experience.

The button layout soon becomes intuitive and I prefer it now to that of the D700. I also like the lighter weight. It might not make such a good hammer as a D700, but it's survived my mistreatment so far -including an unplanned drop from knee height.
 
I recently bought a D300 as a stop gap whilst my D750 was away being repaired and I must say I much prefer the D750 layout. I have always had the 'prosumer' body though having previously owned the 7000/7100 so perhaps that's something to do with it. I also don't BBF so again, could be a factor also.

The D750 files are a dream to work with though and the high ISO performance is incredible.

@GHP went from a D700 to a D750, perhaps he could advise...
 
I used to have a D700 very capable camera even now. At the moment we are using D750's and D810's I hated the first D750 we got passionately and nearly sold it on straight away. In the end I ended up keeping it and bought another, they are very good value for money. My main dislikes was the lack of the round eye piece and the slower maximum shutter speed and I didn't like the controls at all having been so used to a D700 style body. I also had a D800 at the time as well. Later on down the line I also got a D4S but every time I used the D750 I liked it a little bit more eventually I sold on the D4S and bought another D810 and D750 recently to replace it.

Personally I would rule out the D610 it isn't in the same league as the others and is terrible in low light. D750 & D810 are both excellent camera's although with the D810 moire can be a real problem. D800 is worth a shout too can buy them for peanuts now and is a very capable camera although slow to use compared to the D750/D810.
 
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I went from a D700 to a D610 and the newer sensor is miles better than the older one, it really is nice (and is pretty much the same as the D750). I'm not sure what @f/2.8 means by "terrible in low light" but that simply wasn't my experience in coming from the D700, yes the AF isn't as good but as long as you only use the centre point it is perfectly good.

However, the ergonomics are COMPLETELY different and I missed a lot of the controls from the D700, AF selection and metering mode especially. Still, these haven't been replaced in the same way in any of the new cameras so if you want newer you'll have to do without them as you are used to.

My sister also went from a D700 to D610 and hated it, swapped that for a D750 and loves it and if I were to go back to Nikon, money no object, it would be a D750 (but I won't, I don't feel the need for a big bulky DSLR any more).
 
Nawty said:
I went from a D700 to a D610 and the newer sensor is miles better than the older one, it really is nice (and is pretty much the same as the D750). I'm not sure what @f/2.8 means by "terrible in low light" but that simply wasn't my experience in coming from the D700, yes the AF isn't as good but as long as you only use the centre point it is perfectly good.

However, the ergonomics are COMPLETELY different and I missed a lot of the controls from the D700, AF selection and metering mode especially. Still, these haven't been replaced in the same way in any of the new cameras so if you want newer you'll have to do without them as you are used to.

My sister also went from a D700 to D610 and hated it, swapped that for a D750 and loves it and if I were to go back to Nikon, money no object, it would be a D750 (but I won't, I don't feel the need for a big bulky DSLR any more).
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You have answered your own question there and it's a matter of opinion I guess I wouldn't have said that the AF wasn't as good I would have said it was awful even the D700 is much better and the O.P is using this for low light stuff.
 
they are both wonderful cameras - but the feel, weight and UI are very different

the manufacturers can only reduce the size of a DSLR by so much but the D810 feels much bigger than the D750 and is near to the D700 that you are used to

both has functions that the other does not have - the pixel densities are different but with both you can shoot in crop mode for shots when you do not need FF which will reduce the file size.

you need to physically experience each but I am sure that you would not be disappointed by either - at the price the D750 is fantastic value and I would not worry about pixel density too much

you will notice the extra time needed to process the D810 FF RAW files ........ unless you have a really fast computer, (I only have a 5K 27" Retina with 8GB ...... and I don't think that I can upgrade the RAM ............ it is fine with the D750 files but is noticeably slower with the D810 RAWs), ..... this is noticeable D810 versus the D750
 
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I have a D700 and a D750. Had a D800 for a while but kept finding myself using the D700 instead so chopped the 800 in against a Fuji outfit. GAS struck and the D750 was enough of an upgrade from the 700 to make it worth doing for me and it served me very well on an Iceland holiday as well as normal use back here when the weight of it doesn't matter or the benefits of an SLR over the Fuji make it a better choice. Still use the D700 as well when I'm not likely to be printing the results.
 
D750 all day long. Unless you can justify the expense of the single digit pro bodies.
 
I too used D700's and shot at least 300,000 images with them when I had my equestrian event business. I upgraded to d4 and low light ability is a stop cleaner.
Now I have D750 because I'm a hobbyist. It's OK but much prefer D700/D3-4 layout. I'm a commited back button man..

Maybe get a used D3s..
 
I like the D300/300s/700 layout as usability is big for me. I'm not sure it's really worth an upgrade from a D700 just yet given new and used prices. I'd want to ask myself what I am getting worth the extra cash. If there's a D700 FF type body with the same layout but 20mp and 10 frames per second I'd be all over it. Is there? If no, I'd stick to the D700 until there is.
 
condyk said:
I like the D300/300s/700 layout as usability is big for me. I'm not sure it's really worth an upgrade from a D700 just yet given new and used prices. I'd want to ask myself what I am getting worth the extra cash. If there's a D700 FF type body with the same layout but 20mp and 10 frames per second I'd be all over it. Is there? If no, I'd stick to the D700 until there is.
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that's really interesting... don't get me wrong, I love the d700 and still produces great images.
i have noticed on a few shoots recently that when I've pumped up the iso, it starts to get pretty noisy at 3200, certainly 6400. of course i can combat a lot of this in Lightroom, but it does start to affect the sharpness and clarity of images.

it would be great to be able to get slightly cleaner shots at higher iso, straight out of the camera, so less PP to do. I'm just wondering if this is achievable without having a d3/4/5.
 
Yup, high ISO isn't a big deal for me. 1600 is about it. I either shoot in beautiful golden hours light on safari or on walkaround street shooting during the day. That's as far as my interests go. I suppose I'm easy to please body wise.
 
I think my main reason for considering an upgrade is that improvement in low light performance. I don't need more pixels than the D700 offers, but when I'm shooting sports or some theatre wide open, I'd like to go to 6400 ISO without any major compromise on image quality.

The D750 is so tempting but I just can't bring myself to spend over £1000 on a body with a control layout I don't like.

My feeling is that I'll stick with what I have until a used D4 is around £1500-£1600 as they will surely be one day, or go D810 an upgrade my PC to cope with those file sizes.
 
I went from a D700 to a D750, and although it took a while to get used to the layout, IMO it`s well worth it. No different to changing cars, or any tech for that matter.
 
I was really sceptical moving from the D700 to the D750.
I was confident that the 750 was a "better" sensor, better focusing, better low light performance etc etc, but I much much prefer the "pro" layout of the D700/D3 etc.
I always use back button focus, and I am just accustomed to the layout, size, weight etc.
However, when I tried the D750 , even though I was expecting it to be too small, too fiddly, too "hobbyist", I was quickly convinced otherwise.
Yes, it's smaller, but I use a grip, so it's not tiny with that on it. I soon got used to the size. In fact, the grip is excellent on the 750, and the fact is, when it's in use all day, it's not too cumbersome or heavy.
As for the button layout, again, it was something I just worked with until I got used to it. In fact, some of the features of the "hobbyist" D750 are really useful.
The U1 and U2 settings are really handy, even if you don't use them often. Much easier IMHO than the memory banks on the D700.
Focusing is quicker, and just works, even in really, really low light.
And the High ISO capabilities are extraordinary. I've shot at 25,600, and still had usable images with a bit of PP.
So, my D700 is now my second body, a backup which I use alongside, but the D750 is my new number 1.
@benners where abouts are you? If you're around Essex ish I'm more than happy to meet up, and you can give it a proper go.(rather than a quickie in a shop!)
 
benners said:
that's really interesting... don't get me wrong, I love the d700 and still produces great images.
i have noticed on a few shoots recently that when I've pumped up the iso, it starts to get pretty noisy at 3200, certainly 6400. of course i can combat a lot of this in Lightroom, but it does start to affect the sharpness and clarity of images.

it would be great to be able to get slightly cleaner shots at higher iso, straight out of the camera, so less PP to do. I'm just wondering if this is achievable without having a d3/4/5.
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A D3 will give you nothing more than you currently have except bigger muscles ;) - It has the same sensor and whatnot as your D700.

The D3s on the other hand will give you another stop or so of usable ISO gains as will the D4/D4s/D5 (I'd expect the D5 to be better but not tried one so ...). All of the later FX bodies will give you noticeably better high ISO performance.
 
MissingMan said:
The D750 is so tempting but I just can't bring myself to spend over £1000 on a body with a control layout I don't like.
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How do you know you don't like it?

I'm with Gary above.

I really got on with the D3s and D700 I used to use. Loved the controls and handling, and their solidity Then I got myself a D750 mostly for the light weight. Found it a pain to use for a week or two. Now I prefer it all round. Controls are different, but assigning ISO to the movie button is a BIG improvement for me as are the U1 and U2 settings. I thought I'd hate the eye cup, but I don't. I find the back button perfectly usable now my thumb knows where it is. The deeper grip is great, as is the much reduced weight. Once I became accustomed to the layout I found using the 'pro' bodies clunky.

Unless you need any of the features it lacks the D750 has to be worth trying out. In low light it's a bit better in my experience than the D3s and a lot better than the D700. The only downside I've found is that when I want to club something to death I can't use my camera any longer...
 
Just to add, I didn't like the square eyecup either, so I changed it to a round one, just like my D700 !
 
Gary, any chance of a link to the eyecap you brought only I have lost mine. I preferred the round one I had on my D3.
 
I was in a similar dilemma, having had a D700 for about 7 years, but wanting to change to either a D750 or D810. Spec wise I'd have been happy with either, so I did what the usual advice on these forums is and went into a camera shop to try them out. In the end I opted for the D810 - it felt more D700-like in size and handling but with the benefit of being a bit lighter.
 
Ed Sutton said:
How do you know you don't like it?

I'm with Gary above.

I really got on with the D3s and D700 I used to use. Loved the controls and handling, and their solidity Then I got myself a D750 mostly for the light weight. Found it a pain to use for a week or two. Now I prefer it all round. Controls are different, but assigning ISO to the movie button is a BIG improvement for me as are the U1 and U2 settings. I thought I'd hate the eye cup, but I don't. I find the back button perfectly usable now my thumb knows where it is. The deeper grip is great, as is the much reduced weight. Once I became accustomed to the layout I found using the 'pro' bodies clunky.

Unless you need any of the features it lacks the D750 has to be worth trying out. In low light it's a bit better in my experience than the D3s and a lot better than the D700. The only downside I've found is that when I want to club something to death I can't use my camera any longer...
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Agree. You've got to give it a proper go, proper use over a reasonable time. A quick camera shop fondle will only emphasise the slightest differences and likely alienate. At some point you've got to believe that Nikon knows what it's doing, mostly, or you'll never upgrade to anything.
 
thanks guys, interesting points... and @GHP that's a really kind offer for a look at your 750 :) Might take you up on that one day ;) (I'm in Suffolk).

Sounds like it's going to boil down to 750 or 810 possibly... I will do some more reading up :)

I think I agree with a number of posters above, that I'm not going to lose any sleep over a new button/function layout... more than happy to get used to something new, and they're pretty customisable (I presume, still)
 
razer said:
Gary, any chance of a link to the eyecap you brought only I have lost mine. I preferred the round one I had on my D3.
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No Problem. Consists of 3 parts:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000JLM3PA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00005NPWA/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00007EDYD/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fits really well, and the rubber folds back when in the camera bag.
Hope this helps.
 
Thanks Gary, I will have a look into them.. no pun intended..lol.
 
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