That last depends a lot on context. I do not see replacing my D700 with
a D700x that would be to it what the D3x is to the D3. I don't yet see
any context that would make me unhappy enough with the D700 to "upgrade"
to whatever comes along, for at least 5+ years. Maybe more.

As to the manual, if Alan is willing to shell out a bit more, I suggest
getting Thom Hogan's _Guide_; well worth it in my opinion.

Jim,

I think for someone like me, a baby boomer, any future expenditures
would be better in the lens area than getting another camera, unless
things really change so drastically.  However, the learning curve with
digital is so drastically different than it is with film that you
never know where things will take you.  Learning with film is like
learning Algebra from my very sweet old 8th grade teacher who was so
boring I never learned how to solve quadratic equations.  

You need 100 times more dedication because the results are not
instantaneous.  When my son as taking Sequetial Math and he couldn't
understand quadratics either and he needed my help despite the tutors
he had.  It is amazing how easily I learned to solve quadratic
equations, as an adult, so that I could teach it to him.  And he
learned it well.

However, he took a test on quadratics and reversed the signs on two of
the 4 problems on the test.  His teacher gave him no credit for
solving these long equations and he got a 50.  I am not going to tell
you what happened afterwards with me and that teacher and that math
department who tried to destroy a kid who was getting 10s and 15s on
tests and with no help from them learned all this stuff well enough to
get an 84 on his math regents exam.  His self esteem was flying when
he went into the test after I threw out his alleged math tutors and
tutored him myself, to the chagrin of my ex.  That totally
unproductive rejection my son felt when he saw the 50 was the same
rejection I would feel when I got back a few rolls of film only to
find out something went wrong.  With digital, you know right away and
it is all under your own control.  If you really want it, you will fix
it and learn.  Imagine how great learning would be if, as you we're
taking an interactive math test and as you made an error, the computer
would stop you and tell and explain to you what you did wrong.  

Alan

Thanks Peter.  It's quite an advancement from my SRT101 and even the
F5.

Alan

I just ordered a D700 from B&H yesterday and the price in the cart was $2349
even though it showed $2699 before I added it to the cart. fwiw

For me that ability to go up the ISO ladder is what I need.  I am not
as steady as I was when I got my SRT101 or even the F5 and seeing how
that sensor sucks in light, I was sold right away.  A couple of stops
difference makes a big difference and I know that pictures in musuems
were tough with the F5 without pushing the processing and look at the
results.  Not the same as what the D700 can do.

The $300 is just a gift my wife owes me because we couldn't decide
what I wanted for my last birthday.  I would have gotten th camera
anyway but it's away of heading off that instant buyer's remorse that
I always have.  Sometimes, it's not easy being me, fun but not easy!

What I can't understand is why photo schools would want cameras like
the F5, when learning with a film camera is so much harder than with
digital.  However, I guess if you are processing your own B&W, the
film isn't as much of a problem since B&W is so easy to do yourself
and in developing, you do learn an awful lot about composition and
light as you watch the images appear.

Nikon has a $300 rebate that ends today but I assume mine has the
rebate removed already.  The Amazon ad was wierd.  You couldn't tell
if you were buying a refurbished D700 or a new one unless you hit the
right buttons.  I had to call customer service.  Everyone else seemed
to have the camera for $300 more, even after the rebate.

Alan

That was true with the D300 too, you have to use A, which
embarrassingly enough, I thought was the best mode for my F5.  I
learned on here that in fact it was TTL.  This time I am reading
everything!  I think I need to join a digital camera club.  There's a
pretty good one on Long Island.

Alan

3.  Where can I get rid of the F5 I own?  

  I'll dispose of it for you.  :)   Well, around here (NYC) B&H,
Adorama are the main used camera dealers.  Keh also has a good
reputation.

Best to contact Joel (joelm@adorama.com) in the Used Department at
Adorama; you can also hook up with the Adorama used dept. on Twitter -
and they have their own Facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Adorama-Used-Dept/97326762506?ref=ts

I hope this helps, but do contact me if you need anything else.

Sincerely

Helen Oster
Adorama Camera Customer Service Ambassador

helen.oster@adoramacamera.com
www.adorama.com

I bet the F2 with the photomic head (is that what it was called then)
is worth more than the F5, although, zillions of F2s were sold, not as
many F5s

When I got my first car, a 1970 Toyota Carona for $2,139 with tax, I
talked myself into the fact that the money I'd save on gas would pay
for the car.  At the time I was going to school in DC where gas was 29
cents a gallon (in Virginia).  However, the car I replaced was a 1960
Olds 98.

Alan

I was unable to find a D700 manual on the Canon web site. :D

There is one on the Nikon web site, but hey.

We have differing ideas of a good photo editor, I guess. Nikon does
charge for Capture NX2, which uses many of the same plug-ins available
for Lightroom and Aperture.

If pricks can't just congratulate the man on his purchase and offer to
answer his questions, perhaps they should just STFU?  Oh wait, then they
wouldn't be pricks.

If I had to shoot the pictures you shoot, I'd need so many
tranquilizers that nothing would be in focus, despite the power of the
camera.

I have a question, I have Kenko Tokina 2X teleconverter that I used
for my F5.  I thought I had the instructions but I can't find them.  I
don't remember how many stops you lose for 2X but you do get double
the power.

I have nothing against DX glass or DX cameras.  A DX lens on a D700 or
a D3 gives you 5 mpx rather than 12.  That's the problem not the
quality of the lenses or the cameras.  If I had no FX lenses then a
D90, D5000 or a D300 would have been great.  And I also understand
what that greater distance does for you.  Your setup happens to be
pretty cool and it serves you well.  Making  400mm lens become a 600mm
lens with losing only 1 stop is probably better than you can do if you
bought a 600mm lens outright and you are shooting right through the
middle of the lens.

Alan  

my On Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:17:40 GMT, "D. Peter Maus"
<DPeterMaus@worldnet.att.net> wrote:

Ooh, good idea!