In 2008 Nikon Created A Truly Special Camera

In today's video I give my reasons for why the Nikon D700 is the most engaging photography experience you can have in 2025

[tsilmanav]

I love D700 videos. I got mine new in 2007, it was my first "real" digital camera. I still have it, I still use it, I will never sell it, I love it! Great video and a great subject.

[belowzero]

Spot on! D700 is highly capable camera and whoever says otherwise don’t know how to use it. I did today a commercial shoot with the Canon 5DIII despite the fact I could’ve brought my R5. Not only that old lady performed flawlessly, the entire experience shooting with that camera made it so enjoyable and quite frankly special. 5D3 didn’t skip a beat, images look simply stunning and I’m sure I’ll bring her out with me again.

[CeCeStevensColes]

I love how you give Nikon love on this channel. It's so refreshing!

[djtoman]

I "turned pro" with a D700 (acquired a 2nd one as soon as I could afford it) and shot some of my best images on them. I ended up with a D850 as my last DSLR and never thought I'd go mirrorless. But I am 100% mirrorless for professional work now, with the exception of action sports.

DSLRs have a lot to offer, and for anyone not needing video or the extensive use of Live View, they're just as good as mirrorless. For non-professionals and still photography only, I always say that anything from around 2006 and on can do the job. In fact, I put a D80 against a Z8 recently for studio headshots and there's no discernible difference as far as the end results shared online.

I'll always be grateful for the performance and reliability of my D700s, and will never forget that rather loud shutter clack.

[albertsmith]

Still using my D700 bought new in 2009. Came to digital with 50 years of film shooting, and have dozens of manual focus Nikkors, so I treated the D700 as a continuation of my working method, but without the cost of film.

Never felt the need to upgrade.

[antonvoloshin]

D700 is a great camera, it basically have only one downside to it - you can't learn photo editing, color grading. retouching etc... using it, because you just won't need it, this camera just delivers.

[filterfreephotography]

I love my D700. Another digital camera for that unique look would be the Nikon D200. It is a crop CCD sensor so the images have that special look to them.

[Makingthetransition]

I use a Leica D Lux 7 for the same reasons. I have about a dozen cameras. This my favorite because it’s much more comfortable to hold and keep with me at all times. I appreciate the manual features. The engagement I have with the camera while shooting, it allows me to feel like I’m a part of the process when I want to be, but allows me to quickly create true art at the highest level when I need to quickly.

[Michael-chg]

The D700 has always created some of the most beautiful images I've ever seen.

[tompoynton]

I just got a D750 and I’m absolutely loving it

[NazirAzhari]

I still re edit my old D700 files i shot in 2011-2016. I still love the output.

[romansivers]

Great video, Lucy. Since you asked for a list of cameras to try, here are my recommendations:
* CCD camera — Nikon D200. In good light it produces absolutely gorgeous skin tones, there are instances where I love it more than my D3x!
* Nikon Df — retro looking DSLR with a D4 sensor. Although I’m only a few thousand pictures into my Df (just learning its capabilities), but it is an inspiring camera with shockingly good build quality.
* Nikon flagship: D3 / D3s (or a D4s?). Talk about mirror/shutter sound! There is nothing that comes close to a D3/D3s shutter sound. If you like D700’s shutter sound, I can’t wait to see your reaction to a D3/D3s. It is an absolute sonic perfection. All other shutters sound weak and flimsy compared to a mighty slap of a D3/D3s. Yes, it is big and heavy, but there is a feeling that they can take absolutely any photo; they are super fast and responsive. Hard to describe — you have to try for yourself. They changed my perception about cameras. I have 12(?) different Nikon cameras, but I still use D3 more often than all my other cameras combined.

Hope this helps.

[lillianvalentine]

It was my first full frame camera, I've made large prints with it. I still have it, I honestly wish they still made cameras like this today.

[JaredTremper]

100% agree. I picked up my D700 in early 2025. The RAW files are amazing to work with, and compared to my Z7ii and D850 the file sizes are small yet surprisingly flexible in Capture One vis-a-vis dynamic range and noise. I admit I was surprised that I have a stronger emotional connection to the D700.

[paparawzellas]

That "Nikonian" shutter sound is so satisfying ... like hearing a very confidence shutter camera snaps ....

[danlee]

The D700 really is special. I'm only an amateur. But the photos I get from my d700 are way beyond the cgi looking photos I've taken with any modern Mirrorless. Truly sublime colours and rendition.

[gary]

The Canon 6D, beautiful pastel colors, great IQ, such a fun camera to use

[timcarter]

I love this! My Nikon d800 was one of the best digital camera purchases I’ve ever made. It’s a film camera with a digital output. I’ll be looking out for a d700. Great video!

[TheGermanCompounder]

My fav digital camera.
Bought one in 2018 for a trip to south africa and the images are incredible. Still use it to this day!

Especially with the 60mm 2.8D combo you are using in the video as well :)

[darylneumann]

I purchased new in 2013 a Canon 5D Mark 3. I have used it ever since and find that it is epic. The results are outstanding and have won several awards. I was going to upgrade to mirrorless but I am so impressed with the results now that it keeps getting put off.