I agree with SquamishPhoto although the difference is slight.

I think you have it backwards, Tord. The D600 should be a lot cleaner with noise than the D700 and the D800 has greater DR than the D600.

I agree with DaveyJ fully, although I own a D600!

Against the D600 comes the dust issue (dust appears very easily on the sensor, probably due to a design fault (according to Lens Rentals) - and that dust is not that easy to clean off), slightly noisier shots than either the D700, or the D800. The AF sensor is far better than the D700, but not quite comparable with the D800's.

The rest is just perfect for me, as it weighs quite a bit less than either the D700, or the D800.

The results, when shooting is superb, far outshining any APS-C/DX I've owned, or have tried (I come from Pentax K-5, which shares a lot of details with D7000, including the sensor, and I have a D3200).

So it doesn't resolve quite as tiny details as the D800, but it has few peers when it comes to dynamic range - some say it is better than the D800 in that respect.

I owned a D700 and sold it because I got a very high offer. It didn't have video and the guys at my business avoided taking it out to photograph with. The D7000 has been AWESOME for RESULTS. I looked very closely at the D600. The turnoffs to me were too numerous. But it does have video. If you are CERTAIN that video is NOT what you want, then the D700 is an excellent choice. I base this comment a lot on price. Lower the D600 price substantially and I would say buy that.

Nobody is mentioning that the D700 is totally sorted whereas there are still some quality question marks over the D600.

I looked at some Hi ISO shots of the D700 and they were so good that for me I would still consider the D700 with its MANY advantages over the D600 Vs perhaps slightly better Hi ISO and higher Mp.

As others have pointed out before the D600 and D700 are playing in different marketing segments (consumer vs. professional). This is not only reflected in the button layout, but also in small things, that might make a difference for you or not. Some that come to my mind are:
- faster shutter speed and x-sync on the D700 (1/8000 and x = 1/250 vs. 1/4000 and x = 1/200 on the D600)
- larger coverage of af points on the D700
- for auto bracketing (e.g. for HDR images etc) you can do up to 9 images on the D700 vs. 2-3 on the D600

The one thing on the D700 that I find annoying is that it does not have 100% view finder coverage. But I am getting used to it.

So before deciding what camera to get think about what is missing for you on your current camera and make sure it is not also missing on the one you are about to get...

Other than that have fun with whatever camera you will get!

generally new tech > old tech

you're right my D4 gives my a "bing and tweet too".

stupid me, but I though You buy the camera to take sames and not to make buzz. I guess world has changed.
anyway, sticking back to the main topic. if I would going to buy new d600 ornew d700 as my first fx, and I would shoot mostly reportage style photos I'll go with d700. for wildlife, landscapes, architecture I'll go with d600 - more pixels.

Andromeda said:

The D600 however does not seem to gain the same notoriety. Don't get me wrong it's a fantastic product and I have considered purchasing one but I just don't get the same "buzz" as when I first purchased the D700.

That would be because it is a lower range camera than the D700 was.

Andromeda said:
I just hope when Nikon finally decided what will officially replace the D700 that it holds the same great linage of such a brilliant camera.

They already did - the D800.

I can see the exact same longing for the good old days happening when they discontinue the D800 for the D900.

I own a D700 "beefed up" with the MB-D10 battery grip, DR-5 viewfinder coupled the 24-70 F2.8 and it's stronger brother lens the 70-200 F2.8 VRII can make for a “topic lead in” while out socially with both female and male admirers of photography.

With such camera’s you're taken seriously and beginners want to know more about DSLR's. It's a fact whether you agree or disagree.

The D600 however does not seem to gain the same notoriety. Don't get me wrong it's a fantastic product and I have considered purchasing one but I just don't get the same "buzz" as when I first purchased the D700.

One small thing I would like to have seen a 8fps as standard rather then the "D700" paced 5 fps. This would have given photographers who don't wish to use 'battery grips' more speed if required without the additional weight.

Also the 39 point focus system seems too tight for the FX focus screen. Either retaining the '51' or upgrading to a '63' would have given more "wow" to the specification when it was released.

Those who choose to buy the D600 won't regret it and nor should they. I just hope when Nikon finally decided what will officially replace the D700 that it holds the same great linage of such a brilliant camera.

#1 D3200, #2 D5100, #3 D3200 is update of D3100, #4 Yes, if you want to see what Nikon has coming out at Photokina. #5 Nikon will be with us in the current format for a long time I would think.

Probably, you should do a forum search on all of the above and see what others have said.

Here is one place to start, but there are threads on all the Nikon consumer cameras already on the forum.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2993

and http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=5216

My wife wants to take better pictures. Her birthday is this week.

Question #1: what's the best DSLR in the $350-500 range?
Question #2: is there a camera just above that range that I would be a fool not to consider?
Question #3: in the buying guide, the D3100 says "already updated." Does that mean the current D3100 is new or that there's a release due any day now?
Question #4: should I wait till Christmas to get her a camera because new models are due and prices will drop?
Question #5: EVILs are attractive but seem like a nascent breed and I don't want to get stuck with an overpriced camera whose format will be ditched in a few years.

Help, please.
Michael

Hehe, I didn't see this topic for a long time. :)

I was very sick, so I had to cancel my trade of D700 and 105mm 2,8

Right now I am trying to get better and waiting for the D600 to come out so I can hold it in my hands first.
Best scenario: the D600 will feel great in my hands and the iso will be somewhere near D700 so I will buy a new D600.
Second best scenario: I will get a used D700.

I am pretty sure both cameras will be a huge upgrade for me and I intend to keep them for a long time (that's why I am still leaning towards the D700 since it just has that "professional feel" that I might "enjoy" more).

Thanks for the responses so far and I hope we will learn something on the 22.

I own a D7000 and D700. Depending on and if the D600 comes out I'd venture on replacing my 7000 for the D600 and keeping my D700 as a backup. If not then possibly gating the D800 and selling the 7000 since the crop mode of the 800 is fairly equivalent to my D7000 for the two DX lenses I still own. Kind of waiting to see what happens over the next couple of months.

I like to see the objects I am shooting. And as in the Velodrome shots when the lighting is poor, fill flash is great. And if one uses a shutter speed of half second or more, rear curtain sync when they are approaching, then the effect is nice with a trail behind them. It looked like your "flash and pan" was a front curtain synch so as to get the effect of the start...always chaos in a bike race.

Keep up the good work....

Thanks for fixing my confused double posting.

Using a flash gives a different feel to the images created, and is frequently used in cycling photography where low light levels are a norm, whether outdoors during winter, for example mountain bikes or cyclocross, or indoors in velodromes where levels are very uneven AND often low, until the main lighting is switched onw.

EG:

Flash outdoors:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68039985@N08/7762818132/in/photostream

Flash & pan:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68039985@N08/7762822598/in/photostream/

Flash indoors:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68039985@N08/6255989946/in/photostream/

Flash not not needed, velodrome lights on, subject travelling at 70km/hour:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68039985@N08/6845194433/in/photostream/lightbox/

Cheers

Mick

OK, OK, I took care of the double post....now as to the photos....blurred images of bike riders was what I saw. And, as an art form, I can get into this. A rear curtain flash can be useful, or front, whichever gives the best result. Here is an example of a similar technique... http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/7569316256/sizes/o/in/set-72157630556228698/

where the goal is to see the people and have the car "in motion". This was actually my first attempt at this with the 16-35mm lens, and what I needed to do was set the focal point a bit differently so as to "rotate" the out of focus, blurred objects around the focal point. And, various shutter speeds can be used.

Here is another "slow pan"

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fantinesfotos/6864463174/sizes/o/in/photostream/

I have not used the flash, but this might add some interesting effects especially in lower light levels. My personal preference in shooting sporting events is to record the action as I see it, if cars, bikes, whatever, to be able to see the faces clearly. However, I think the art effect in the "motion blur" photos is certainly a nice and valid technique.

Delete your own comment feature?

The software package used for Nikon Rumors or the version is so old that it either doesn't do it and/or a major upgrade is long overdue to enable it.

I'd not hold your breath waiting for it. ;-)

But I'm sure you knew that already?

I've been shooting action sports recently using a pan & flash technique to get textural surfaces from the subject.

This below is from round 3 of the Australian national cyclocross series held in Adelaide's Victoria Park this weekend, 11/12 August.

Using the D3100 (DX) and 12-24/f4 lens (DX) I set a shutter speed of 1/2 sec, started panning, and fired the flash with each exposure.

More pix at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/68039985@N08/

Anyone here doing anything similar?

Mick

Getting BOT, since photography is a hobby for OP and not a money making profession, I don't see any reason why he should go for a 4 year-old (although superb) camera just because it would have a more professional... feel.

My advice: at the very least wait until the D600 comes out and you can try it out at a store to decide. Most likely, the D600 will be the camera for you. If you go for a D700, even though you'd be upgrading in terms of product placement, technologically you are downgrading.

Of course, if you can't wait and want FX NOW then this whole discussion become a moot point (favorite word/phrase for today ;-)

As far as lenses go, I can't speak for the 60mm although I've heard nothing but good praise about it. On the other hand I can't recommend 105mm enough. It's probably my favorite lens (tied along with 24-70mm). My avatar picture is a 1:1 photo taken with that lens and a D7000. It's not the best picture I've ever taken with it I know but I did take it handheld indoors with no flash so maybe you can cut me some slack ;-). I'll see if I can find better examples though.

Now, now boys (and girls)... play nice!

sevencrossing said:
I can't see any reason for the price of D700 to drop in next few months

In the Uk at least, new ones are in short supply

and a lot of us who bought 800s are keeping our 700s as a second camera

Given the expected limited functionality of the 600, I can't see any reason why any one who would want to down grade their 700 for a 600

Yes the 600 has video but 700 owners who need video, also have a 7000 or have upgraded
to a 800

the only camera that likely to drop in price is the 7000

The fact that the D700 has already been officially discontinued in Japan since January and in Canada since March pretty much renders the whole which-one's-got-more-buttons argument a moot point, don't you think?

http://nikonrumors.com/2012/01/25/nikon-d700-d300s-are-now-officially-discontinued.aspx/
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/03/07/rumor-nikon-d700-discontinued-in-canada.aspx/

I also wouldn't be surprised if they've already been discontinued in the States and Europe too and are just selling left over stock. The Nikon USA online store does still show the D700 for sale but it is listed as out of stock.

Honestly, I think it is basically inevitable now that its price will take a drop in the next few months. That is if anyone can even find them new at that point. However, I don't think the price will drop too much specially given the fact that Nikon does not seem to have any plans for a direct replacement (deliberately not saying successor <grin>) for the D700.

What I did find curious during my little stroll into Nikon's store (and what probably confirms your D7000 prediction) is that the D7000 is not even listed for sale on their website. You can find it refurbished for about $1080 but not new. So the next question then becomes: will we have a D600 and a D400 (which I have no doubt is coming) as well as a D7200? Or will the D600 simply be the product of a blissful marriage between the D700 and D7000 lines and thus leaving us with only the D600 and D400?

SquamishPhoto said:
Exactly. And I promise you that no one comes here for rumours found on the forum. Those are just wishful thinking and baseless speculations. The actual nikonrumors.com page is the namesake, not the forum, and thus where people go to see the rumours. Evidence for this can be found in the hundreds of comments that surface when a new rumour hits the front page.

+1

R8R said:
That is true. Rumors are fine and all, and it's fun to speculate.

If I want to read bullshit assumptions and half baked reviews, I'll go read Ken Rockwell.

Exactly. And I promise you that no one comes here for rumours found on the forum. Those are just wishful thinking and baseless speculations. The actual nikonrumors.com page is the namesake, not the forum, and thus where people go to see the rumours. Evidence for this can be found in the hundreds of comments that surface when a new rumour hits the front page.

sevencrossing said:
But the whole point of NRF is rumors :)

That is true. Rumors are fine and all, and it's fun to speculate.

If I want to read bullshit assumptions and half baked reviews, I'll go read Ken Rockwell.