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New Full Frame Nikon D700 (and new SB-900 Flash) Announced!

By Scott on Tuesday, July 1st, 2008 at 1:24 am | updates.

d700a.jpg

Nikon just announced the Nikon D700 DSLR: a brand new, full-frame FX format 12-megapixel camera (shipping near the end of this month for around $3,000), along with a new flagship for the Nikon Creative Lighting System: the Nikon SB-900 Flash (available July 25, 2008 for around $500).

The BUZZ on the D700: The outside still looks like the D300, but supposedly the inside is said to pretty much be that of a Nikon D3 (with a CMOS sensor and extremely low noise), but with some additional features not found on the D3. Unlike the D3, it comes with a built-in pop-up flash. It seems like it’s a D3 in a modified D300 body (RobGalbraith.com wrote, “Pictures shot with the D3 and D700 are expected to look the same in every respect.”)

The BUZZ on the SB-900: Faster recycle time, more powerful, better software, larger LCD window, and my favorite; a simple switch on the back for going from Master to Remote for wireless use. It automatically senses whether you’re using a DX or FX format camera, and adjusts accordingly. It’s extended zoom range auto-zooms from 18-200mm, and it features the ability to have its firmware updated via user uploads.

For the full scoop visit either:

>> Download Nikon’s 24-page Brochure on the D700 here (PDF).
>> Download Nikon’s Spec Sheet on the SB-900 Flash here (PDF)

I can’t wait to get my hands on that flash, baby!!!! :)

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  1. #1

    Heh, jsut had to stay up to post this as soon as the embargo was off didn’t ya?

    Must be a pain being under the CDA for all these things now and unable to speculate :-)

    Still have plenty to learn about my D300 here.

    G.

    Gavin Scott on July 1st, 2008 at 1:50 am
  2. #2

    It’s beautiful, I was just about to get myself a sb-800 too!

    Christian on July 1st, 2008 at 1:53 am
  3. #3

    Huge. I don’t know what else to say. This is huge news for Nikon and changes the industry. DX format, beware.

    Jon Van Dalen on July 1st, 2008 at 2:06 am
  4. #4

    Hey Scott - are you getting the D700 to replace your D300? :)

    Mike Lao on July 1st, 2008 at 2:13 am
  5. #5

    Looks pretty nice to be sure. I’m a Canon shooter, so this only makes me wish Canon would get with the stick… Gav

    Seim Effects on July 1st, 2008 at 2:21 am
  6. #6

    Nikon are really turning the screw on Canon. This release is really quite early in respect of the usual Nikon trends. Maybe they just want to keep Canon under pressure? Lets face it, with the failure of the EOS 1DS Mk111 and Nikons release of the D3, Canon simply HAVE to produce a 5D that works and also something to match the D3. Canon UK recently admitted they are under a lot of pressure - indeed they are!

    End of DX? Who knows. I believe Joe Public will perceive Fx as superior in all respects and will probably, as FX reduces in price, vote with their feet.

    Nick on July 1st, 2008 at 2:23 am
  7. #7

    Wow, what an important release for Nikon. I don’t understand why Canon had no 5D competition for so long. Finally high ISO of the D3 and full frame sensor in a smaller body. Wedding photographers rejoice!!!!

    Kurt on July 1st, 2008 at 2:47 am
  8. #8

    I wan’t one of those D700!!

    I think that Canons has something in their shirt sleve and will announce it very soon. Thay have to. Otherwise something is wrong up in the Canon developers office.

    Robin on July 1st, 2008 at 6:35 am
  9. #9

    Canon better get the much rumored son of 5D out pretty soon or there will be a lot of switchers (maybe myself included). New glass will be painful.

    Andrew Rodney on July 1st, 2008 at 8:52 am
  10. #10

    Wow ! Wow !! Wow !!!

    Scott, Thanks for sharing. Do you think D300 price will go down?

    Oscar Nonis on July 1st, 2008 at 9:11 am
  11. #11

    Unless there’s a typo in the specs for the SB-900, it appears to be less powerful than than the SB-800 (GN157 @ ISO 200 vs GN184 @ ISO 100). It must be a typo and I suspect the 900 actually has a higher GN due to the zoom. The power of flashes in this class are so consistent among brands.

    The D700 looks nice, but might take some sales from the D3. Expected $3000 for the D700 vs. I think $4800 currently for the D3.

    The Canon 5D has held up well for 3 years and has been dropping in price nicely to $1900 currently and probably further with the introduction of the D700. Could be a well-priced trailing edge acquisition.

    Lots of good choices and interesting price points out there. A big announcement like this benefits users of both Canon and Nikon

    Kurt Shoens on July 1st, 2008 at 10:25 am
  12. #12

    can anyone help went to open lightroom this am and a window pops up saying the catalog is not a valid catalog but its the only one i have
    please help

    David

    David Hopkins on July 1st, 2008 at 10:38 am
  13. #13

    I am more excited about the SB-900. I am planning to by my first flash in September, the plan was to get an sb-800 or two, now I can get an sb-900!

    So when do we get the review of the D700 - and is Scott going to buy one?

    Ed O'Keeffe on July 1st, 2008 at 10:58 am
  14. #14

    I have a question what is the Canon 5D better than the Nikon D3?

    Dwayne Tucker on July 1st, 2008 at 11:13 am
  15. #15

    I shouldn’t say better I should say witch one do you all prefer.

    Dwayne Tucker on July 1st, 2008 at 11:14 am
  16. #16

    @ Nick:

    “Lets face it, with the failure of the EOS 1DS Mk111 … Canon UK recently admitted they are under a lot of pressure - indeed they are! ”

    Please provide your source for these comments.

    Alessandro Rosa on July 1st, 2008 at 2:00 pm
  17. #17

    Hi Scott, this is my first time commenting :)
    The D700 looks very tempting, but still not great enough to warrant selling our D300’s. On the flip side, like any new technology, expect to start seeing an influx of D300 sales on Ebay (just like first gen iPhones).
    @dwayne: without going into an exhaustive answer, The Canon 5D is sharper than the D3 and gets amazing color. The D3 has better image quality at high ISO’s. It can also get up to 11fps with the optional battery pack. Lastly the D3 has dual CF slots). Other than that, there’s about a $3,000 price difference :)

    Dustin Diaz on July 1st, 2008 at 3:25 pm
  18. #18

    I received the Nikon D700 Brochure today with a release letter for dealers. Although aimed at dealers there was little that was not already available.

    One thing caught my eye however. Pricing.

    RRP
    D700 BODY £1999.99.
    D700 + 105MM AF-S VRII F2.8D MICRO NIKKOR £2079.99 - £80.00 EXTRA!

    Now, consider that the 105 macro retails at around £500.00!! A saving of £420.00!!

    Interestingly the D700 + 14-24mm F2.8 AF-S ED is £3049.99. A saving of about £150.00, not as good!

    The D700 + 50mm F1.4 is £2429.99! You can buy this lens for around £200.00! Not good!

    It appears if Nikon have made some printing errors! I`ve just ordered the D700 with the 105 macro and I`ll get a bargain!

    Nick on July 1st, 2008 at 4:46 pm
  19. #19

    If I didn’t have so much invested in Canon equipment I would probably switch to Nikon just for their flash technology. What would be the major trade offs using SB-900’s with my Canon 5D and some pocket wizards for the interface?

    Terry Reinert on July 1st, 2008 at 5:40 pm
  20. #20

    Has Nikon just put a firecracker under Canon’s backside and let it off, so we can practice how to take firework photos?
    Good news for both Nikon and Canon users.

    imajes on July 1st, 2008 at 7:04 pm
  21. #21

    Scott: what is your insights about the Nikon coming out with a FX camera, compared to their DX cameras?

    Should I go for the FX larger image or stay with my DX cameras I have? Have you shot with FX and DX?

    Is that a new revolutionary change in digital photography we should consider?

    Maria Senegal on July 1st, 2008 at 7:29 pm
  22. #22

    Terry: what do you see as the attraction of using the SB-900’s with Pocket Wizards? The one thing I see you’d get is the 200mm zoom, but you can get that effect with an accessory.

    The Nikon i-TTL creative lighting system wouldn’t be available to you, so there go the nifty new features. My guess is the SB-900 is about the same total power as the SB-800, Canon EX 580, and other similar flashes. Plus the SB-900 costs more than the alternatives.

    The i-TTL stuff is neat, but I think you’d have to go “all in” to take advantage of it.

    Kurt Shoens on July 1st, 2008 at 7:47 pm
  23. #23

    Scott,

    In on of the episodes of PSTV, you showed a way that CS3 can do a selective focus/DOF via Layers very nicely…almost equivalent of the plug-ins that you can buy…which episode was it? Thanks!

    -JM

    John M on July 1st, 2008 at 10:56 pm
  24. #24

    Boy, I sure was excited to read about this new D700! I drove right down to my local dealer and the first D700 that comes in will be mine! I just wish that Nikon had a full frame version of the 18-200 VR lens. I just love that lens when you have to grab a body and only 1 lens.

    Bryan Whitehead on July 2nd, 2008 at 7:35 am
  25. #25

    David - Re. Lightroom issue. This isn’t really the best place to get tech support - are you a NAPP member? There’s a terrific Help Desk from which you will get faster support.

    Have you been backing up your Lightroom library? If so, you’re safe. Go File > Open Catalog and then navigate to wherever your backups are stored. If not - well, this is why we do backups. Sorry, I wish I could give you more but in the few experiences I’ve had with Catalog corruption I’ve only been able to recover because I’ve had backups.

    Perhaps someone else can help, but I suggest you contact the Help Desk if you’re a NAPP member, or spend some time with Google - there are forums aplenty out there for just this kind of thing, and you’re bound to get a much faster reply there than buried in the comments here.

    Good luck.

    David duChemin on July 2nd, 2008 at 1:20 pm
  26. #26

    Does anyone know if this new D700 will ship with Nikon’s Capture NX2?

    Bryan Whitehead on July 14th, 2008 at 7:46 am
  27. #27

    Scott,
    I would have emailed you but since I cannot find an email address, hopefully I will get a response. We are at the point of upgrading from our D200’s for our business and from the ton of research I have done, I do not see a lot of difference in the D3 and the D700 to justify spending the extra $2000 per camera. I realize the D3 has the faster frame rate, dual memory cards, and the 2x greater shutter rating… but if you had to choose today is the D3 worth the extra $2000? We are a growing business so the extra $2000 does matter to us. Is there something I am missing between these cameras?

    Thanks,
    Shaun

    Shaun on July 31st, 2008 at 1:03 pm
  28. #28

    The D700 looks nice, but might take some sales from the D3. Expected $3000 for the D700 vs. I think $4800 currently for the D3.

    felix on August 12th, 2008 at 5:08 am
  29. #29

    i love d3 and d700. waiting for the feature camera more advanced.

    felix on August 12th, 2008 at 5:10 am
  30. #30

    Hi Scott, iam felix happy about d700 $ sb900 very, very good 1001% satisfied , longing to see : ‘ Nikon” world’s no1 company,
    Scott , not bother about de rate’s u coute,
    you are de only one the CUSTUMBER SATISFIER.

    felix on August 12th, 2008 at 5:26 am
  31. #31

    Hi Scott,
    I’m trying to decide on purchasing the D300 or the D700. Most of my lenses are DX but I need some direction. Please help!
    P.S. I LOVE your show!

    christine on August 13th, 2008 at 2:45 pm

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Scott Kelby

Scott Kelby is the editor and publisher of Photoshop User Magazine, Layers magazine (the how-to magazine for everything Adobe®) and President of the National Association of Photoshop Professionals (NAPP). Make sure you check out Scott's Gear *updated* and his Photography Portfolio.

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