I'm getting ready to write Mastering the Nikon D7000—due out spring 2011. Had to have a camera, of course.

I called up my favorite camera house, Berger Brothers, and got my D7000 kit. I highly recommend Berger Brothers. Brad Berger has always treated me well, delivers products in a reliable way, and gives me a good price.

I ordered very early and just got my camera. I absolutely love this D7000. It is very much a mini-D300S. Great quality in all respects.

I bought my D300S from Brad Berger last year. As far as I'm concerned, he's my "dealer." I understand that Berger Brothers is a supporter of Nikonians.org. If you have a hankering for some hot, new Nikon equipment, why not call Brad!

Very glad to hear you are writing the D7000 book. You do such an excellent job. You helped me with previous AF systems, and I'm looking forward to your help on this one. The viewfinder system is pretty much business as usual, but the live view/movie system is all new to me.

David

Looking forward to you book. If it's as good as the others, then it's worth the wait.

Mark

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Hope you will provide <extensive> coverage on video, especially regarding auto-focus issues (there are many).
Good luck with the book.
Dennis

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Great to hear Darrel.

I also got my camera today, just finished initial programming and taken the first few test photos.

Sounds like your new and improved D300S book is a doozy too!

Best regards, SteveK

'A camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.' -- Dorothea Lange
My Nikonians gallery
My Nikonians Blog

I'm impressed with the power of the D7000's video modes. The AF-F mode (full-time video autofocus) seems to work very well. It has face detection that grabs a face and hangs on for dear life, even if the person is moving around (plus there are additional AF modes besides face detection).

You can force autofocus by moving the AF point square anywhere on the monitor and pressing the shutter release button down half way, without exiting video mode.

The autofocus makes some noise, although it seems quieter than my D300S. If you are serious about video, you'll still need to use an external stereo mic. The D7000 provides a stereo plug, unlike the D90 or D5000.

One thing I like is that the D7000 doesn't seem as prone to the "jelly wobbles" (CMOS rolling shutter) as most cameras. If anything it's even better than the D300S in that respect.

You can bet that I'll cover the Live View and Video modes in exquisite detail in my book. The video on the D7000 seems mature to me. I am now ready to start shooting some video for stock sales. This cool camera is the cat's meow!

By the way, I forgot to link to Berger-bros.com's website. Here it is: http://bit.ly/c1EDoi. Their phone number is: 800-542-8811

Give Brad Berger a call and let him set you up with a D7000. He got mine to me as quickly as possible, and I appreciate the good service.

Darrell, great news about the video focusing and rolling shutter observations. Keep us posted.

I'll agree with what Darrell is saying about video. Having AF is great for video. Be sure to read page 52 to understand how the different focus modes have different results.

Hi Darrell

I have your "Mastering the Nikon D700" book and have enjoyed it very much.

Can I ask you what you paid Berger Brothers for your D7000? I might also be interested in the camera if their price is as good as you say, and I would also purchase your book, of course.

jP

Here is a link to the D7000 kit with lens:
http://www.berger-bros.com/page/BBCVD/PROD/NIK25474

Here is a link to the D7000 Body only:
http://www.berger-bros.com/page/BBCVD/PROD/NIK25468

Thanks, but I wanted to get Darrell's price.


>I called up my favorite camera house, Berger Brothers, and got my D7000 kit. I highly recommend Berger Brothers. Brad Berger has always treated me well, delivers products in a reliable way, and gives me a good price.


I think that with this much free advertising, that we should all get Darrell's price.