D800 vs D700 vs D7000 (ISO, AF & Image Quality)

I have a D300s and I also want to go FF. I like the new D800, but I'm concerned about it's performance at stressing ISOs (above 500 or so). I've looked closely at the D700 and (to answer your 2nd and 3rd questions) I think it's AF and IQ is better than a D7000, and I'm thinking of adding this instead of the new camera.

My main reasons for wanting to go FF are the wider angle and low-light, which are two things wedding photographers should probably care about as well. So I would say (to answer your first question) that the D700 in the used market would be a great buy if you can find one in great shape with a low shutter count. I actually hope I can find one around $1600 or so to couple with my D300s.

Please explain how your D7000 "blows away" the D300 IQ wise... I'm not sure what you're looking for, but except for high ISO performance, (which is better than the D300 by about 1 1/3 stop if I recall correctly), and the higher megapixels, I'm not sure one is really better than the other.

1. Wait until the D700 drops in price. There are sure to be many people clamoring for the D800 and dumping their D700s to fund the upgrade. I will not be one of the people dumping my D700 as I will be keeping mine as a second body when I get my D4.

2. High ISO is slightly better with the D700 in my experience - by about 2/3 stop. IQ is better than the D300/s and the D7000 IMHO. Better saturation, less noise, better color rendition, pretty much better everything. It's the benefits of an FX format sensor.

3. AF is not necessarily better or more accurate - it's the same AF as the D300, but it covers less of the frame - which can be an annoyance, but you learn to live with it. - I will say that if you are using any screw-drive AF lenses, the D700 will be much faster than the D7000 due to the motor in the D700 being bigger and more powerful. AF-S lenses should be equally fast on the D7000 and D700.

RS

Could I ask if you shoot NEFs, or just JPEGs directly from the camera? (weddings)

D700 has better IQ (at higher ISOs) than the D7000. At low or lower ISOs, you probably would not see a difference.

AF is better on the D700 vs the D7000.

The main disadvantage I can think of for the D700 is that it only has 1 memory card slot.

" it's the same AF as the D300, but it covers less of the frame"

I don't understand this.

A camera can focus at only one plane in space.

How does the D300 or whatever 'know' what I want in focus? Why or how is a frame full of focus sensors better than just one?

If I point that one focus sensor at what I want focused, it's in focus. If I have 50+ turned on, it can focus on a pinky nail for all I know, the viewfinder is too small to detect that for the most part by eye when the button is pressed. I must be doing something wrong, because I don't get it.

(my Canon élan takes the focus point I am looking at, as far as I can tell my D300 doesn't. And I wouldn't want it to if it does)

" it's the same AF as the D300, but it covers less of the frame" -- I don't understand this.
I think he refers to the focus points spread; being the same, on the larger format D700 are more concentrated in the center of the viewfinder, while on the D300 they cover a larger area, given its smaller format.

Thanks for all of the initial reponses - it seems like most of us would agree that the winning option might be to go with a used D700 to add to my current lineup. In reponse to Richard's question, without looking at IQ charts or that level of detail all I know is color rendition, white balance and overall look of the photos are much clearer and cleaner than my D300 - not D300S just to be clear. I'd imagine there had been some tech improvements to attribute to this from the time period of when the D300 came out to D7000? Even at the lower ISOs, having the lower base ISO helps too I think. To the question about RAW or JPG.....fine JPGs.
Are any of you out there intrigued by the D800 for your line of work? If so - please explain why.
I do wonder if the IQ or AF would be any better on the D800 compared to the D700 and if so, does that make it worth the upgrade?

Thanks everyone!

Full frame has definite advantages but it also requires a significant investment in lenses. The D7000 is a fine camera. You do not NEED to "upgrade" your gear. Whether you WANT to in order to enjoy those advantages is another matter.

I would just sit tight and wait for the D300 replacement, which you know is certainly coming. It should have a more robust AF than the D7000, while sharing the D7000 sensor you are happy with. Do you think you will be able to charge more money or book more weddings if you have a D700? Do you think your customers will notice the difference between it and D400? Those are the questions to ask. I'm sitting tight for now as I wait to see what else Nikon comes out with this spring.

Kent in SD