The D3 in fairness has had a major price-drop in Japan (and likely will in the rest of the world when the D700 is released). "D3 is now (in Hirosaki Japan) 418,000yen about $3,900"

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Scaramanga

That is very interesting news. With the D700's MSRP at $2999 that means there's about a ~$1000 price difference with the D3.

zed0

This is going to blow Canon out of the competition lol

mushu

Nikon has really, really impressed me with this camera.

Unless you're a top-level photojournalist or sports photographer, there is no reason to purchase a D3. The D700 fills a very yummy gap.

I wonder if it has the same FPS rating, too. (Forgive me, I haven't completely read the specs in the previous post--yet.)

Gilbert

@Gilbert: wouldn't you say if you weren't a top level photographer that the D300 would be more than sufficient?

I guess I'm seeing it like this:

D300 - $1600
D700 - $3000
D3 - $4000-5000 (might lower to 4000)

I guess what I'm pointing out is that the D300 is very good for a pretty good price point. If you're a serious amateur photographer the D300 does a great job... if you're a professional you might as well drop another $1000 for the D3 and know you're getting a serious high end camera.

fusiongt

@Gilbert:

5fps and 8fps (with grip).

The D3 does 9 fps. For comparison with other full-frame cameras; the 5D can only do 3fps and the Canon 1Ds MkIII can do 5fps. Kinda surprised Nikon allowed the D700 to do 8 fps with the grip.

Scaramanga

@fusiongt: I think what it really comes down to is if you want a full frame sensor or not. I, personally, do not. I do weddings and portraits, so the crop factor of the DX sensor is my friend. If I were doing lots of landscapes or sports shooting, then I'd probably want the FX sensor to take full advantage of the potential wide angles.

Since I don't need/want those wide angles in my line of work, I don't foresee any inclination to upgrade from my D300.

singlecoilpickup

I think they might run into some competition from the current 5D. Right now you can get a 5D body for less than $2k. Even though that's just to clear inventory, it's still a full frame digital SLR for about half what the D700 is. That's tough to overcome.

daveNYC

As a current D80 user, this would be a great camera for me as I have wanted a full frame sensor. D3 is a bit steep, but the D700 might fit in a little better. I am definitely excited for this and CAN NOT wait for it to come out.

Lego Addict

@fusiongt - You do weddings and you aren't going crazy for the high ISO capabilities of this? That is HUGE for weddings - just what I've been waiting for as I don't need the extra speed of the D3.

I'll be getting one for sure.

ineedmoresleep

Interesting topic… I'm working in this industry myself and I don't agree about this in 100%, but I

added your page to my bookmarks and hope to see more interesting articles in the future

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workingforelite

@fusiongt: You make a good point, but with respect to the need for the D700, I'm referring to photogs who don't need to be out and about shooting every single day, but still do it at a high level. High fashion photogs are an example.

Then again--and I'm not bringing this up for bragging rights but more to refute what I had to say above--my girlfriend is a model and while on shoots she often takes note of the cameras most of the photogs are using, and it's the D300. Still, I get the sense that the extra FPS (as Scaramanga so graciously suggested above *thanks!*), insanely low noise/high ISO full-frame meter, and extended shutter life will fill the gap a little better.

As you suggest, however, the D300 is a very, very good bet otherwise, and even serves as the perfect backup body for any of the career paths listed above.

Gilbert

By the way, what happens after one goes beyond the 150,000 cycles? Is it possible/practical to have one's shutter replaced if it wears out?

ZeGerman

I for one am not giving up my D300 for this beast. Sure, the full-crop is nice, but I've invested in lenses that take advantage of the DX crop now, so it really doesn't make a difference to me any more. The ISO boost is admittedly dead-sexy, but I can already boost to 6400, and it's buttery-smooth. Compared to the graininess of my old D70's ISO 1600? Ridiculous.

I love that Nikon is bringing out the big dogs, though. Makes me all the more comfortable in their stable. Take that, Canon.

J.T.

@ZeGerman: The shutter on my D70 started going south at 42,000 shots. It was a $200 repair.

james-42

Trading in my D200, keeping my D300 as backup, and when I want a 12MP image with my DX lenses. Plan to use mostly primes on the D700. For those shooting mostly with daylight or flash, the D700 does not offer much over the D300. For those loving ambient light, available darkness shooting, it is ideal.

lnbolch