Tuesday September 16
 
17:06
 
DLSR – 10 Months On

This weekend I moved closer to deciding to buy the new Nikon D700.

It’s been about 10 months since I bought my DSLR. I’ve learnt a lot about photography in the last 10 months. While this isn’t my first camera with manual controls, it is the first one where I have actively used them for more than just adjusting ISO and shutter speed to take photos in dark surroundings – and moving beyond manual controls, it’s the first camera where I’ve actively worked with an external flash unit. As time progresses I’m getting better at adjusting the individual elements individually to achieve the results I want – composure, depth of field, the correct shutter speed, lighting, etc.

I’m really starting to notice the limitations of the D40x, however. One of the main limitations I’m finding is the high ISO. These days I’m having to resort more and more to high ISO to achieve the photographs I want, and while the D40x has excellent high ISO, it’s not the crispness I want. I want to be able to take photos at ISO 3200 and have them look retain detail like hair, not fuzz it out. The only way to achieve that is to move to a full frame camera.

There are some other limitations of the D40x that I’m noticing also, all of which would be solved by having the D700: lens correction, DOF preview, virtual horizon, active D-lighting, direct access buttons for ISO etc (only one can be assigned on the D40x, and it isn’t conveniently placed).

There is one final limitation of my current setup that I’m finding – the lenses. My main lens is the 18-200 Nikon. It’s an astoundingly versatile lens, but sometimes I want something that is going to give me better sharpness and quality in exchange for the versatility. While I could solve this problem by getting another lens for my D40x, it would only be another lens which I couldn’t move to a full frame sensor. I know it would give me better sharpness but it wouldn’t take away the underlying ISO issue that I have.

There are just two problems with the D700. Firstly, it can’t use the D40x lenses without cropping. While I know that I need a new lens anyway, it would still be nice to be able to put on the 18-200 when I just want to go out and play around – the D700 can’t do that without dropping the resolution to 5MP. Secondly, there is not “custom settings” option, as on the top of the Canon 50D. This is something that I would love to have.

I have to admit also that I would like the video mode of the D90. It may seem like a gimmick – but take this weekend. I was on a Ferris wheel and the couple two cars behind me were screwing in their car. A photo through the semi-opaque glass shows nothing. A video would have shown her bouncing up and down :)

For the moment I’ve not bought. Since I need a new lens anyway for a full frame, I’m watching to see what Canon do with the 5D. It’s quite possible that their new camera might have the features I want from the D700 and more.

In the meantime, if anyone wants to buy a Sigma F1.4 30mm or Nikon 18-200mm VR lens, do get in-touch. It may sway my decision. It’s amazing to think that my D40x plus two lenses alone cost 200,000 Yen, which is half the price of the D700 with a good lens.