D300 vs D700

If you want to use PC lenses to avoid converging verticals in your train pics then I would choose the D700. If you shoot relatively still subjects, and don't have interest in PC glass, and like to work with zooms, then a D300 would be just as good and in some respects (portability and cost), better. There is a considerable difference in image quality and features between the D300 and the D100. If you don't need certain specialty lenses, high ISO and the large viewfinder, the difference between the D700 and the D300 is very small.

On the other hand, if you plan on eventually replacing your 6x7 with digital, then going FX makes sense in the long run. There is already a 24 MP FX camera and in the future the quality can only go up, whereas with DX we are closer to saturation with 12 MP. I think getting FX lenses now to go with the D700 and eventually upgrading to a high resolution camera body would probably allow you to stop using 6x7 at least for color. For black and white I don't quite see digital replacing 6x7 film at least for me, but for color in some ways I think we're already there.

For those pics which you shoot hand-held at large apertures, the D700 would produce superior results. But you might get better results still if you can use a tripod, which is why I didn't start with that.

The D700 may likely be better for what you are doing. Everyone talks about hi-iso capabilities with this body but the fact is that base-iso with the D700 is absolutely superb. The flexibility of being able to shoot in a lot more varying light conditions without inducing noise is invaluable. I have found that the FOV with this sensor has "woken up" all my lenses. I thought I may have a hard time adjusting from the crop body D300 to the FF D700...in fact I took to FF like a fish to water. I just seemed totally natural. Now the D300 seems to occupy its space in my bag and never gets used. Eventually I hope to get a 300 2.8 or a 200 f2 to utilize the reach with the crop but for now I very much prefer the FF sensor. If you only shoot in good light and do not need to push beyond iso 800 along with more telephoto than wide angle work then the D300 may be your best bet. The D300 is still an awesome camera but compared to the D700 (for most varied conditions) I would say the D700 is where it's at.

>> "If you don't need certain specialty lenses, high ISO and the large viewfinder, the difference between the D700 and the D300 is very small."

The D300 actually already has very good high ISO performance and a very large viewfinder (not to mention it has 100% coverage). You will find it to be a much better/more advanced camera than the D100. Of course the D700 is even better for many situations/applications, for a higher price. The D700 would allow you to use the perspective controls lenses to their fullest potential: the 24 PC would end up as a 36 on the D300 (although it works perfectly on it), and the crop factor would almost certainly be a handicap. On the other hand, if you're a telephoto shooter, the D300's reach is very nice to have. (just look at the difference in terms of size, weight, and price between the 180 f/2.8 and the 300 f/2.8.)

I choose the D700 over the D300 and am very happy with it. The range of lenses I use is from 20mm to 500mm with a 1.4 TC. The D700 sensor delivers the best image quality yet IMHO. I think you will fine primes like the 50mm f1.8, 105mm f2.5 AIS and 180 f2.8 Nikkors very good lenses. I have a couple of zooms also that may work for you also, the 50-135 f3.5 AIS and 75-150mm f3.5 AIS both manual focus.

I suggest that you rent or borrow a D700 or a D300 and shoot it parallell with your MF camera. I think you still might be disappointed in the quality. If you want to go digital you might also look into the possibility of getting a good scanner that can scan your 6x7 negs, for instance a Nikon Coolscan 9000. Or a medium format digital back but that's a large investment.

I agree that the D700 would be the better choice of the two.

If you are really serious about challenging the 6x7 format, then you should consider the new Nikon D3x, which will have the finest/largest digital sensor of all. Then there is the question of lenses. For this, I direct your attention to the very fine Zeiss manual focus lenses in the Nikon F-mount. There are a couple 50mm lenses, and 85, and a 100 macro that would match well to your medium format experience.

If you frequently shoot under poor light, get the D700. DSLR technology has come a long long way since the D100, which I still own but would not use any more. In today's standards, the D100's low-light capability is horrible; at ISO 800 it is poor just like negative film.
But only you can decide whether you prefer the Pentax 6x7 or the D700 under your shooting conditions, but with the D700, ISO 800 and 1600 should become very useable.

I purchased the D300 as a backup to the D3 I shoot with. I shoot mostly fast moving action sports. After about a month, I sold the D300 and purchased the D700 as I was quite disappointed with the IQ of the D300. It did a nice job, but just not comparable to the FX D3. THe D700 on the other hand is a perfect match to the D3. The IQ and AF systems are the same. I consistently shoot this camera at ISO3200+. It is simply amazing.
Harry

What Harry said...