>>So, uh, what differentiates it from the D3 other than the apparently small body and hopefully smaller price? Beats us for now, but we're hyped.

Probably the main difference, besides the vertical grip, is that the D700 won't be able to do 9fps like the D3(11fps in DX-mode). Likely around 5-6fps. So for pro-sports photographers the extra cost of the D3 will be justified.

I'm glad the Nikon went the high-ISO/DR performance route then the high-megapixel route with their 5D competitor.

Cost-wise I'm sure I'll slot in between the D300 ($1800) and D3($5000). So maybe $3,000?

Scaramanga

Why can't anyone ever take a decent friggin picture of these things? There's no doubt in my mind that Nikon *will* release an FX camera in a smaller body. But until they do these sorts of things are just speculation.

And I can't see them doing it at the same price as the D300.

Oh, and the new lenses they talk about aren't new. The 24mm PC-E lens has been out several months and 45mm PC-E and 85mm PC-E were announced at the same time as the 24mm but aren't available yet.

AndyMac

The look of the body seems like a mash-up between a D300 and a D80. Which would be a mistake on nikon's part. One of the biggest markets for full-frame is the photojournalist crowd, since you can get much nicer depth of field effects with a 24mm than with a 16mm. PJ's also need a body they can beat the crap out of and while the 5D isn't as robust as the 1D series it's a step up from the 40D. So if their new full-frame isn't as robust as their cropped sensor model they've made a serious mistake.

spawnofbill

I call BS.

But then again, I say wait and see.

szrimaging

Not going to happen. Close inspection of the "article" reveals mistakes and evidence of photoshop.

Check out the comments at Nikon Rumors for details.

winter_in_asia

wtf is the picture of the thing?

crazypilot

My wife was right! I really didn't need the D300.

Tehrab

Oh please cost the same as a D300.

iTheophilus

@Scaramanga: Agree that the form factor of the lower end Nikons isn't ideal. Its not just sturdiness at stake either--my wife shoots a D200 and only when I can't snag that will I grab my D80. The layout of the D200 buttons is much more ergonomic--I never have to pull my eye from the viewfinder to make adjustments with the 200... I know where the buttons are and don't have to fiddle with funky pictograms designed for point-and-shoot users.

Thud

>>I want D300 guts (minus the screw drive and top LCD) in a D40 form factor for $900.

That's almost a Sony A700. Uses the exact same sensor and image processor as the D300, no top LCD. Granted, larger then the D40, but much lighter then the D300. And can be found for around $1,100 street right now. Also, the D80 is also due for a replacement, lets see what comes of that.

But personally I think the D40/D60 feels too cheap and have preferred a sturdier build. However, I've always wondered why Nikon has never made a smaller/sturdier DSLR in the form-factor of their old S-series cameras (except with a reflex mirror).

Scaramanga

I want D300 guts (minus the screw drive and top LCD) in a D40 form factor for $900.

One camera to rule them all.

bobdobbs' MBA is going to Europe

@daveNYC:

I would love a 1900$ D700 (and hate it cause i really couldnt justify buying it, but man...i just might) but if thats what a 5d runs now, a D700 could be around 2500$ if you gave it D200/300 quality body and D300 autofocus.

both of those features are considerably better than what the 5D offers.

endless

@daveNYC:

LOL. Why the hell should a next gen Nikon FF mid-range camera be in the same price range as a 2 generation old Canon? Check the internet for prices, Nikons tend to be priced HIGHER than Canons on average. The body will definitely be a modified D300 which is a SEALED body unlike the dust-loving 5D. The D700 (or whatever the real Nikon contender is) will compete against the Canon 6D ( or whatever Canon will call the 5D successor).

So, no. It doesn't have to cost the same as a discounted 4 year old Canon

:)

b33g33

>>The Canon 5D body is $1900. Nikon will have to be close to that or even a bit lower.

Question becomes what Canon puts in their 5D mkII. If they make it like their current 5D(basically full-frame sensor mated to a amateur 9-point AF sensor) then it'll likely be a ~$2k camera. It they put their professional 45-point sensor into their 5D MkII then expect it to cost more. If this D700 rumor is true, then its basically a mini-D3 complete with a the pro-specs and AF of the D3. Also remember, the original 5D launched closer to $3k.

Scaramanga

Well, I have a D200 and want a D300. I don't need FX so I hope if a mid-range FX comes out that it drives the price of the D300 down.

dwette

The Canon 5D body is $1900. Nikon will have to be close to that or even a bit lower.

daveNYC

Just curious, would you guys link to my blog if I made up some stupid shit about a non-existent Nikon Full Frame camera?

Something like this...
Nikon D450:
Full Frame, same image processor as D3
Same size as D40, but made entirely of titanium
Full Live View
Full 1080p HD movies
Compatible with every lens from every company ever
Shoots through bras

james-42

@james-42: Well, I'd like the last feature, bt i know it wouldnt be a laser guided weapon, more of a carpet bomb.

BenjiClayton

@james-42:

First off, the blog linked to didn't start this rumor (nor this blog for that matter). It comes from an Asian forum, which has subsequently removed the pictures, which was then subsequently linked from fredmiranda and dpreview boards.

I remember around the same time last year, "leaked" D300 images and specs were almost universally considered fake (primarily due to the new red stripe), but turned out to be true. Not to mention the D200 "leaked" images back in October of 05'. Same goes for the "leaked" 70-300VR & 105VR that was posted on the Chinese bulletin boards. All turned out to be true.

If this D700 is fake, its a pretty elaborate one, but Nikon has a long history of "leaks". Who knows, maybe they are leaked by Nikon's marketing division themselves to create hype?

Scaramanga

@james-42:

There is a difference between obvious BS and credible leak. At the moment, this info is closer to the latter considering the history of Nikon 'leaks' of marketing material (think about the D3 and D300 last year). It certainly is worlds more credible then the bad-photochops of the D10 and D90 rumors previous posted here.

Also, the point of these rumors and leaks is because Photokina is coming less then a couple months. Canon, Sony, Nikon, et al are going to show their wares in an increasingly competitive market. Its really not the point if you can wait or not, this is site for people interested in technology and gadgets, credible leaks more then deserves to get posted here.

Scaramanga

@Scaramanga: Right, but there are so many bogus rumors that you really have to wonder what the point is. If you are a pro (or just have lot of money), you can not wait on rumors, just buy a D3 now if you need the low light sensitivity, or the D300 if you don't. For anyone else, get the D40.

Or if you are really just dying for full frame, but can't afford a D3, get an FA.

There, that was simple, no more need to beat a horse that might or might not show up sometime next spring.

Until it has been released and reviewed it don't mean squat to me.

That does it for my anti rumor rant, hope that helped someone other then myself.

Still want to hear about it though, damn me to hell, straight to HELL!!!

james-42

@Scaramanga: My suspicion is that the D700 or something very similar to it is real, largely cause we keep hearing about it—it'll make up the mid-range, while the D3x, which has a fairly solid paper trail pointing its existence, will be the top. The question is what happens to the D300 and D3 then since they're not exactly old.

matt buchanan

@matt buchanan:

D300 will probably be unaffected. Its rumored to be a $3,000 camera and there is a sizable price gap between the D300 and D700. The bigger issue is the D3. If the D700 does come out as rumored, the main attribute the D3 will have over the D700 will be the speed, but Nikon seems to be willing to sacrifice some cannibalism between their lineup to sell more cameras overall, unlike Canon, who likes to keep the hierarchy and features well separated.

Perhaps, Nikon feels they have already made-up their investment in the D3 and want to sell a cheaper variant of it to drive overall sales. After all, economics 101 (aka 'shoe me the money'", says price elasticity of demand dictates a cheaper product will sell more, selling more D700 will offset any loss they would incur from people not buying D3s.

There is a rumored D3x that is suppose to get the 24-megapixel Sony sensor (also, the recent D3 firmware upgrade alluded to 23-megapixels). The likely competitor will be the 1Ds, which keeps the D3 safe as a sports/action camera. What might happen is the D3 might get a minor upgrade mid-way through its life cycle (similar to upgrade Nikon did to the D2X to the D2Xs).

Scaramanga

www.kenrockwell.com

$3200

JChristopher

Together with this Nikon is rumored to also announce:
- 6 new lenses
- New Nikon SB-900 speedlight
More here:
[www.dslrgossip.com]

echelvan

the rumored D90 and SB-900 flash may also be announced July 1st, can't wait to see.

westonalan