the d700 IMO, is still much better than the D70000 in low light handling, and Dynamic Range. . .not including subjective things like brighter VF, FF not cropped, etc.
so wasn't really a consideration. . and it's priced too high, ~1k for a DX non professional body? I paid about ~$2k for my D700 and would trust it handling drops/abuse more than the D7k. . .(just my $.02, nothing objective here). . .

I have a d700 and have tried the d7000, love the new metering. Anyway, d700 still an amazing camera.

Many people like myself would not consider the D7000 because of the DX sensor. Don't get me wrong the D7000 is a wonderful camera and one of Nikon's best right now, I just need full frame for my work and I even prefer it for my hobby as well.

rbid said:
Did you consider also the D7000?
- It is newer than the D700
- It is lighter than the D700

The D7000 is an awesome companion to the D700. I spent the weekend at the state high school Solo Ensemble contest. I would put the D7000 on a tripod with either the 14-24 or 24-70 lens and then would shoot the D700 for stills with either the 24-70 or 70-200. That combination just rocked!

shivaswrath said:
So with business slowing down in the winter months (odd), my D3 was being used more for personal than professional work.

Got annoying - so I decided to sell it (and make a few hundred off the sale too, again, odd).

But being without a camera and waiting for a D4 was literally keeping me up at night - and on the verge of going on a vacation to Italy next week, I looked into renting a D3s or D700. . .instead of spending the $400-500 to rent one of those for 14 days, I bought a used D700 on the "cheap". . .

Did you consider also the D7000?
- It is newer than the D700
- It is lighter than the D700

the button layout has been the most difficult adjustment. . .but I'll manage. . .I did do the Firmware update for the Auto WB, but I agree, the D3 does seem to have the edge there ever so slightly,
but for now, it'll be my only body :-)

kanuck said:
D3 is a solid sealed body for harsh outdoor assignments, sports and studio work with all that weight of the body and pro glass. People can downgrade or substitute with a D700 accordingly depending on the demand for the camera itself. I still think dropping to a D700 from a D3 is not much of a downgrade. Kind of like dropping down a series in the BMW lineup^^ you mention that you have a D3s though and thats a different story. Amazing camera body to say the least...

I agree the D700/D3 produce very similar files. I thought the D3 had slightly better auto WB. I didn't like switching bodies during a fast moving wedding, the button layout difference was too extreme. The dual card slots with immediate backup was another factor. The D3 weighs slightly less than the D700 with a grip, I almost always used the grip.

D3 is a solid sealed body for harsh outdoor assignments, sports and studio work with all that weight of the body and pro glass. People can downgrade or substitute with a D700 accordingly depending on the demand for the camera itself. I still think dropping to a D700 from a D3 is not much of a downgrade. Kind of like dropping down a series in the BMW lineup^^ you mention that you have a D3s though and thats a different story. Amazing camera body to say the least...

I used to own the D700 and D3. I sold the D700 and now have the D3 and D3s. I have no desire to downgrade.

An overall good decision I think. Its much lighter and does basically everything the D3 does for much less money although they are getting to be similar in price now. You were smart not to wait around for any freshes as well it could be awhile in that department as mentioned in many other posts on here :)

Matt

My S5pro DR IS sick! .. My D7000 has great DR too! almost as good as the S5pro. Thats one of the reasons I waited for the D7000(the D300S or D90 DR was not up to scratch after using the S5pro) the DR from the S5pro spoilt me bad! But almost all lenses will look sharper on a D700 than on a D7000... sigh ...

The IQ truly is. . .DR is sick too. . .just do it before these prices get crazy.

I spent $2200 on a used D700 when I could've bought a new one for $2400 a MONTH ago. Oh well.

While I truly enjoy the D7000, I _might_ go D4whatever or D800 or D700.

I would really, truly, sincerely have to be convinced that the IQ was significantly greater than what I have.

My best,

Mike

sigh.............

FX
D3s
D4
D700

dreaming

Super Shooter said:
Dude sounds like you have no idea what camera you want. I'm sure 6 months after you buy a D4 you will sell it for a used D3s and you are right where you started! It's very silly to be switching back and forth in such a short amount of time.

haha, you never know! To the contrary, I'm not confused, I'm just working with what I got and going with the flow of business to minimize overhead in slow seasons. . .

But true, one's perspective constantly shifts. . .I think what really inspired the shift was the tragedies in Japan and realizing that obtaining the FX sensors will be nearly impossible to NON-NPS members for at least another 18 months. . .

And no, it didn't make sense to spend $5400 on a D3s that'll be worth $3500 in 8 months with the pro's dumping them back on the market with the D4 release. . .

shivaswrath said:
7. Built in flash.

Forget the flash, having a commander for CLS built in is the main attraction for me.

shivaswrath said:
3. My balance is thrown off shooting the following lenses: 70-200, 24-70 and 85 1.4 . . .but i'm loving the 50 1.4 and 20 2.8 on the D700, so light and travel worthy.
4. Slow fps. 5fps just is slow. DO i need it for weddings?

That's what they make battery grips for! :-)

shivaswrath said:
6. Light as all hell, and so small. . .

Funny how perspective changes depending on where you come from. The D700 was my first DSLR after using the FM2/FM3A for a very long time and my first impression was: what a large, heavy beast! But it is a great camera!

Sounds like the normal tweaks (but very good ones) when a newer camera comes out. It will be interesting to hear what you think after your trip!

LOL I think all is good! You have made some money out of your transactions! Still You may be working with your D700 for a year or so!!

Dude sounds like you have no idea what camera you want. I'm sure 6 months after you buy a D4 you will sell it for a used D3s and you are right where you started! It's very silly to be switching back and forth in such a short amount of time.

5 fps is slow?

I'm still working with 2.5 on the D40. On jpg. :D

So with business slowing down in the winter months (odd), my D3 was being used more for personal than professional work.

Got annoying - so I decided to sell it (and make a few hundred off the sale too, again, odd).

But being without a camera and waiting for a D4 was literally keeping me up at night - and on the verge of going on a vacation to Italy next week, I looked into renting a D3s or D700. . .instead of spending the $400-500 to rent one of those for 14 days, I bought a used D700 on the "cheap". . .

For those that have considered the switch down, few things to point out. . .

Pro's:
1. Sensor is less noisy - that lack of whip means "quieter" shots in the wedding ceremony
2. Less Sensor "gunk". . .not as much sensor lube, so I'm not cleaning as often. . . I'm assuming has something to do with the 150k vs. 300k shutter count. . .
3. Sensor dust-off. . currently, only the D3x lacks the sensor vibratoin feature in the "pro" lineup, so it was nice to have it on the D700. . .
4. Shutter black out time shorter than D3, odd. . .
5. Info button - nice feature, like having the data at my hands.
6. Light as all hell, and so small. . .
7. Built in flash. . . .

Con's:
1. No dual cards (duh) - I'm assuming update will have an SDHC slot for video, so moot point.
2. VF - I hate that I don't have 100% VF, I shoot tight crops and it's a bit annoying to have to crop out.
3. My balance is thrown off shooting the following lenses: 70-200, 24-70 and 85 1.4 . . .but i'm loving the 50 1.4 and 20 2.8 on the D700, so light and travel worthy.
4. Slow fps. 5fps just is slow. DO i need it for weddings? arguable. . .

I'll say this though, it's a technological marvel how they squeezed all that D3 in there. . .a good foundation for future FX sensors for sure.

I'll still probably sell it when the D4 drops. . .I miss the button layout of the D_ series . . .