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Manual Control Options
The defining characteristic of a high-end SLR like this one is the breadth of controls it provides, and how easily you can access them. On both scores the Nikon D700 delivers exceptionally well. Automatic control systems consistently function well, which is important in even the most pro-oriented camera: in fast-changing situations, you want to point and shoot to capture the moment, not stop to tweak settings. That said, if your photographic eye says that a hair more sharpness, a slightly altered white balance setting under fluorescent light or an ISO setting between two common settings is your best option, the D700 offers precision control to make the camera match your preferences.
Focus
Auto Focus (9.50)
The D700 shares its 51-point auto focus system with the D3 and D300, which is a very good thing. It works fast and reliably, even in low-light conditions (in pitch dark, the bright auto focus assist illuminator kicks in, with good long-range results).
The continuous focus system takes full advantage of the breadth of focus points, in addition to the smarts of the predictive focus tracking technology. With the shutter pressed halfway down and the desired subject selected, the camera attempts to maintain focus based on observed movement patterns. We tried out the system on moving cars and a zig-zagging cat and found it worked effectively.
As mentioned earlier, the Live View system uses different auto focus systems depending on whether you’re shooting in Hand-held or Tripod mode. The Hand-held system uses the standard phase detection focus system used when shooting using the optical viewfinder, which ensures maximum precision and minimizes the situations in which the system fails to achieve focus, but at the cost of significantly slowing the shooting process as the mirror flips down for focus and back up again for shooting. In Tripod mode the D700 relies on a contrast-maximizing focusing system based on data from the image sensor itself. This system doesn’t have to black out the Live View image during focusing and, in our experience shooting stills on a tripod, produced sharp results.
Manual Focus (8.50)
Switching to manual focus mode is as simple as flipping a switch on the lens barrel. The viewfinder focus indicator works in manual mode as well as auto, displaying a dot to indicate the subject is in focus or arrows to indicate if the subject is behind or in front of the current focus position (though you don’t get the reassuring in-focus “beep” sound used in auto focus mode). The bright, clear viewfinder aids in manual focusing, as does the extremely high-resolution LCD display if you choose to shoot in Live View mode. You can also use the zoom-in and zoom-out buttons to magnify the Live View image while focusing, a major plus for studio shoots.
ISO (10.00)
As usual, Nikon plays a bit of a shell game when it comes to ISO specs. The official ISO settings, the ones presented with actual numerical values, range from 200 to 6400 (same as the D3, of course, since the two cameras share the same image sensor). There’s also an “expanded range” on the low end (down to ISO 100, labeled Lo1) and the high (up to ISO 25,600, labeled Hi2). We didn’t see much need for the lower ISO settings: given the camera’s exceptional low-noise performance, throttling down below ISO 200 doesn’t provide an image quality advantage, and we prefer not to imagine a shooting situation so blindly bright that ISO 200 won’t provide an acceptable exposure. On the high end of the extended ISO range, there could be situations where pushing to one of the three levels between ISO 6400 and 12,800 might prove useful in a pinch, though given the results we achieved at ISO 6400, we’d hestitate to go any further. As for the top ISO 25,600-equivalent setting, this seems more tailored to marketing than photography based on the image quality we experienced.
Low, Normal (default) and High levels of noise reduction are available. These can be turned off, though noise reduction will still kick in when shooting at an ISO setting of Hi 0.3 or higher.
Auto ISO setting is also available, Users can choose the range of minimum shutter speed and maximum ISO setting allowed.
White Balance (9.50)
In addition to auto white balance control, the D700 offers presets for sun, shade, fluorescent (seven settingsf or different bulb types), incandescent and flash, or numerically specify a Kelvin temperature setting. Each of the presets can be further refined by moving a cursor around an on-screen color map. You can also create a custom white balance setting by shooting a neutral grey or white surface, and store up to five custom white balance settings for future use. White balance bracketing is available while shooting, with up to 9 automatic exposures bracketed by as little as 1 mired.
Exposure (10.50)
The usual PASM suspects (Program, Aperture-Priority, Shutter-Priority and Manual) are provided. Program shift mode, controlled by turning the main command dial after Program mode calculates an initial exposure, shifts shutter speed and aperture value in tandem to preserve the same overall light level. Exposure compensation is also convenient – an index finger on the control to the right of the shutter, a thumb on the main command dial – and extensive, with values from -5 to +5 EV.
Auto exposure bracketing is available, down to 1/3 EV increments and up to nine shots.
Nikon’s Active D-Lighting system attempts to boost detail in shadowed areas and restrict exposure in overly bright regions that would ordinarily blow out. As with the D3, settings of Low, Normal and High for this function are available (the default is Off). The D700 adds a new wrinkle with an Auto setting, allowing the camera to determine when the image requires tweaking. A similar effect, called D-Lighting, is also available after the fact, through the Retouch Menu.
Metering (8.50)
For most shooting situations Nikon recommends using the 3D Color Matrix Metering II auto exposure mode, introduced in the D300 and D3. This system uses a 1005-segment RGB sensor to analyze a large portion of the overall frame and determine the optimal overall exposure settings.
Center-weighted metering is also available. The default area for center-weighted metering is a 12mm circle in the center of the viewfinder. Given the extraordinary level of user control, this area can be adjusted to 8, 12, 15 or 20mm.
Finally, spot metering targets a central spot representing about 1.5% of the total image area.
Shutter Speed (11.00)
Available shutter speeds range from 1/8000 of a second to 30 seconds. There’s also a Bulb setting which holds the shutter open indefinitely.
Aperture
The D700 provides a depth of field preview button to the left of the lens, which stops down the aperture to provide an accurate indication of what will actually be in focus when the photo is taken. Depth of field preview doesn’t work when shooting in Live View mode, though.
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Image Parameters