Just had a play around with a D700 in a store in London and overall it handles pretty much like the D300 except for the larger viewfinder. The one thing I didn't like though was the sliding card door which I think cheapens the camera and is a step backwards especially considering that this is supposed to be a pro body. Much prefer the lever system like the D300/D3. Why would Nikon want to cut corners on a premium product like this?

Phil

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Mmmm, I hadn't spotted that change. However it may not be "just" a cost cutting exercise (although it could well be part of the reason). Looking again at the rear of the D700 the use of the larger multiselector from the D3 has caused the rear of the D700 to become more crammed and Nikon have chosen to shoe-horn an extra button to relocate Info over to the right of the LCD.

I'll not going into what I think of yet another button being added to the rear or moving the info button yet again (this is the third location for it between only 3 cameras - fourth if you count the original implimentation of info on the D40 where it was on a different button still).

However going back to the op, I agree that a sliding door design is pretty tacky and if it had been a choice between the better D3 multselector housing and the door lever I think they made the wrong choice.

>I agree that a sliding door design is pretty tacky

Why don't we see how it holds up in practice.

""

>Why don't we see how it holds up in practice.

While it could be that the D700 may have the best ever implementation of a sliding card door ever conceived, it's unlikely to change my considered opinion, experienced from multiple cameras and other electronic devices that sliding card doors are, indeed, tacky.

Whilst I'd agree that the function of the card door has absolutely no impact on the quality of the final image, but IMHO it does have an impact on the owner experience of the camera. Yes, the simple design of sliding card doors means they are actually much less likely to malfunction than a door with a seperate latch design but that's not how it feels in use. Also the sliding door is probably much easier to weather and dust seal than a latched door but..... typically, they just feel flimsy.

Admittedly just personal opinion, but there it is.

It is funny that no one has any complaints about a battery door that has no lever, but a CF door without a lever is somehow a big deal.

I'm actually looking forward to a sliding door after a sticky CF door on my D300 and a D200 CF door that would not open after a minor bump disable the lever.

Have you handled the door on a D700 yet, Noel?

Brian
Welsh Nikonian
Check out the Nikonians Team pages

I've been using the door on my new D700 for about a week now. At first I found it a little awkward. But now I find it quicker and easier to open than the latch on the 300. It's now one movement ie sliding the door and my hand is already over the card slot. After a few days I forgot about the lever on the D300 ... until I picked up a friend's D300 and found that awkward to use(!). One downside is that the D700 generally lives in a medium-sized Crumpler Bag. If I reach in and pull it out by holding the door side of the body the door slides open. Soon adapted by tugging it out with the Nikonians strap.

Oh I should mention that it's one hell of a camera. It's great being able to set Aperture Priority and Auto ISO to range up to 3200 or more and get great looking images.

David
Cumbria, UK

Noel Said:

"While it could be that the D700 may have the best ever implementation of a sliding card door ever conceived, it's unlikely to change my considered opinion, experienced from multiple cameras and other electronic devices that sliding card doors are, indeed, tacky."

Just so you know, spaghetti almost came out of my nose as after read this.

J a m e s
My Gallery

Using his camera as a pen, it is the photographer's job to tell a story: Each page authored in frozen moments of time.

All of my work is dedicated to my father, Terry Lee Geib (1943-2009)

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

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My favorite door is the one from my D100. I just flip it open. Seven years of abuse now and it is still just like new. On the other hand the D2X has two doors to open with two buttons to push just to get the card out. This is overkill.

Regards,

Don Kesler

http://www.donaldkesler.com

Through the judicious use of adjustment layers, no pixels were actually harmed in the processing of my shots..

>...Much prefer the lever system like the D300/D3.
>Why would Nikon want to cut corners on a premium product like
>this?
>

The only current pro body that I am aware of is the D3.

I had thought that the D700 was much like the D300 in that it would appeal to a much larger market than the professional market.

There are cross-overs in the market (the gray world), of course, between professional-commercial photography, amateur photography, hobbiests, artists, and so on. But the body itself is largely based on the D300 design, which is also not a pro body, no?

>the body itself is largely based on the D300 design,
>which is also not a pro body, no?

Yes (or rather, no... ) Nikon Europe at least classify the D300 (like the D200 before it) as a Pro body that counts towards NPU/NPS membership.

Brian
Welsh Nikonian
Check out the Nikonians Team pages

I had similar thoughts. "Why did they go to this style of CF card door?! It's always going to be open by accident."

Then I remembered by D50, which has a similar design. Thousands and thousands of photos and never a single problem. Ever.

So now I'm done worrying about it.

Nikon did it and there is nothing you or I can do about it but to live with it.

Anyway, I could really care less about the door change. I once had a D50, D80 and now have a D40 and never had any problems with the sliding door. I fine the sliding door to be easier and fast to use. Sometimes I have trouble finding that dam stupid little leaver on my D300 to get the door open.

Have fun with the D700. I know I will.

Later,
David
http://davidthenikonuser.blogspot.com/

D700 | D300 | D60
28mm | 35mm | 50mm | 150mm Micro | 300mm
24-70mm | 70-200mm | 80-400mm | 200-400mm
TC1.4 | TC1.7 | TC2.0

Well, it should also be noted, that besides the larger Multi-Selector switch, there is also the 'info button' just below where the switch would be.

Since the door requires two steps to open it, (slide it towards you, then open), it shouldn't be an issue.

Nikon gave us so many 'goodies' with the D700, this should be a 'non-issue'

Brad

I must admit, as a left handed, I do find the new CF door mechanism a little difficult to operate..


Cheers,

Dean
Aussie Nikonian in London
My Nikonians gallery
My Website

I am not bothered by it at all. I think it's a petty complaint at best . Sorry.

I have had no problems whatsoever with the CF door.

What I consider a real flaw in design is the rubbery cover on the opposite side of the body. That was very annoying! It kept on coming off.

LOL The D700s will probably address that issue.

Is the sliding door designed in such a way that it creates a better seal than the D300 lever-type door?

J a m e s
My Gallery

Using his camera as a pen, it is the photographer's job to tell a story: Each page authored in frozen moments of time.

All of my work is dedicated to my father, Terry Lee Geib (1943-2009)

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

Visit my Nikonians gallery.