As D3 owner (8 months) who is very interested in the D700, I keep reading this notion that the D700 is an overpriced D300FX because the only difference between them is the sensor.

Having attended a couple of day-long Nikon events recently and handled the camera and seen what is under the skin, I have to disagree and say that the D700 is a more compact D3.

Holding the D300 and the D700 side by side should immediately put to rest this idea, but I don't think very many have had that opportunity.

The difference in "feel" between a D300 and a D3 is obvious to anyone who's picked both up. The D700 is in the D3 class -- not the D300 class -- of build and weathersealing. The D300 has a lot more plastic, the D700 is virtually all magnesium like the D3.

So in terms of pricing, the D700 is not "an overpriced D300FX" it is a "bargain D3 compact."

Of course, JMO!

Ah, thanks! That helps me understand what others refer to.

I had never handled either a D3 or a D300, so I don't know how those compare. Before I bought my D70 four years ago, it was a bit of a shock comparing the touch and feel and handling of that with that of my Nikon F4, which has such a solid, quality feel about it.

I've had my D700 for just a few days now, and I'm very happy with it. It's umpteen times much better than my D70 in every way. But the D700 does fall short of the handling and feel of my F4. Perhaps the F4 is somewhat similar to the D3??

I've not had a chance to actually handle or use one yet, but I've heard it's very similar in build quality and 'feel' to the old F100 (which I still use) - This sounds like the digital SLR I wanted three and a half years ago when I 'defected' to Canon...

-- Kevin --

¦ F100 ¦ 50mm AF ¦ 28-105 AF-D ¦ SB-600 ¦ Olympus Trip 35 ¦

Visit my Nikonians gallery.

thank's for posting this but I fear it will not help those who feel an urgent need to vent of their frustrations in the D700 group.

>thank's for posting this but I fear it will not help those
>who feel an urgent need to vent of their frustrations in the
>D700 group.

This is what I don't understand. Why would anyone be frustrated with the D700, please?

-- D700 users so far seem like a happy lot with their new toy.

-- Some would-be buyers may have encountered spotty shortages or delays, but stores are stocking them fine.

-- Prices are fairly fixed, with a few exceptions. That can be annoying.