Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

jeffclow · 02:19 PM

So, after reading all the rave reviews of the Nikon D7000, I walked into the Royal Caribbean Camera Store in St Thomas a few weeks ago and lo and behold - they had one on the shelf.

While I was looking at it, two other photographers came in and asked if they had the D7000, so I decided on an impulse to buy it even though I have both a D300 and a D700. What I didn't have was video capability and there have been times when I've had a DSLR in my hands that I wish I had that functionality - like the time a grizzly was feeding about ten feet away while I sat in my rental car.

This may surprise you, but after shooting for less than 72 hours I sold the D300 to another photographer .... and I haven't shot with the D700 since.

Here's my reaction after shooting for a few weeks - and the grades are based on any camera I've seen or used that cost less than $2000:

Quality of body - feels solid but relatively small form factor - Grade: A

Quality of images - equal to those produced by D300 - Grade: A

High ISO capability - equal to the D300, not as good as D700 - Grade: A-

Large Megapixel output - great for cropping - exceeds D300 and D700 - Grade: A

1080p HD video - first in any Nikon DSLR - does a really good job but the onboard microphone picks up noise as the camera continuously auto focuses. Grade: B

Price/Value relationship - Under $1200 (body only) - Are you kidding me? Grade: A PLUS

Anyone else pick up one so far? I'd like to read what other's reactions are to this camera.

ualymerej · 12-10-2010, 02:27 PM

I wasn't too thrilled with the continuous autofocus for video (though I haven't gotten to fully test it)... it seemed to hunt a lot, but I'm still playing around with the settings for the facial recognition focus. Audio even from an external mic could be better, but again, haven't fully tested it yet. Going to be recording some interviews for a video tonight so we'll see how it goes. Picture quality is great; no question about that; low light capabilities rival the D700 (but of course, not quite as clean - but this is a crop sensor).

jeffclow · 12-10-2010, 03:07 PM

Thanks, Jeremy....appreciate your perspective.

My thought process was fairly simple when I pulled the trigger and bought my new D7000:

I knew that a used D300 sold for around $1000 on eBay these days... and the fact that I could get a camera that had the same capabilities as a D300 for a couple hundred bucks more than I could sell my D300 for made it an easy decision.

Mosephus · 12-10-2010, 03:26 PM

Thanks for the feedback, I've been considering/dreaming about this one for awhile now. My D40 isn't cutting it lately.

SupaDave03 · 12-10-2010, 03:34 PM

Im holding out for nikon to make a camera equal to the D700 with 1080p HD video capabilities.....The d7000 sounds like a good buy for someone looking to upgrade

jeffclow · 12-10-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SupaDave03

Im holding out for nikon to make a camera equal to the D700 with 1080p HD video capabilities.....The d7000 sounds like a good buy for someone looking to upgrade

Apparently that camera - dubbed the D800 supposedly - is still a year away or so from being released, or so I've read on the Nikon rumor sites.

I, too, wanted the same combination - but I thought I'd take a flyer on the D7000 while waiting. And I'm glad I did since I've already gotten some videos that I'll treasure that I would have missing waiting...

KJ Smith · 12-10-2010, 04:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffclow

1080p HD video - first in any DSLR - does a really good job but the onboard microphone picks up noise as the camera continuously auto focuses. Grade: B

Did you mean Nikon DSLR?

jeffclow · 12-10-2010, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJ Smith

Did you mean Nikon DSLR?

Yes, I did. I've corrected in original post.

Cope · 12-12-2010, 07:40 AM

Jeff, I got my D7000 on 11/29, and other than a few trial shots, i didn't use it until yesterday. I took it to my wife's aunt and uncle's 60th anniversary celebration. I used my Sigma 18-50 at f5.6 with my SB-900 flash. The party was in a church parish hall; not the best for lighting, and I didn't have a bad picture all day. The camera was never turned off for four hours. After 85 pictures, I still had 96% battery left. When I play around with the different settings at the house, it drops to 80% pretty quickly. My experience was not lab quality, but real world.

jeffclow · 12-12-2010, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cope

Jeff, I got my D7000 on 11/29, and other than a few trial shots, i didn't use it until yesterday. I took it to my wife's aunt and uncle's 60th anniversary celebration. I used my Sigma 18-50 at f5.6 with my SB-900 flash. The party was in a church parish hall; not the best for lighting, and I didn't have a bad picture all day. The camera was never turned off for four hours. After 85 pictures, I still had 96% battery left. When I play around with the different settings at the house, it drops to 80% pretty quickly. My experience was not lab quality, but real world.

I have noticed the same thing - the battery life is really impressive.

Another thing I really like is the dual slots for two sd cards. Neither the D300 nor the D700 have that, and I find it incredibly useful. I put photos on one card and use the other for video.

KenJulio · 12-12-2010, 08:59 AM

How is the performance of the AF motor? Someone had one which said it wasnt as fast as his D700 and also, noticed it was noisier. He mentioned he used his Nikon 24-70.

I guess I'm looking to see if he made had a lemon or if you're encountering the same performance.

Thanks.

Cope · 12-12-2010, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffclow

I have noticed the same thing - the battery life is really impressive.

Another thing I really like is the dual slots for two sd cards. Neither the D300 nor the D700 have that, and I find it incredibly useful. I put photos on one card and use the other for video.

That is my plan as well. I have an 8GB in slot 1 and a 16GB for video in slot 2.

Cope · 12-12-2010, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ken74

How is the performance of the AF motor? Someone had one which said it wasnt as fast as his D700 and also, noticed it was noisier. He mentioned he used his Nikon 24-70.

I guess I'm looking to see if he made had a lemon or if you're encountering the same performance.

Thanks.

I've never used a D700, but the D7000 is quiet and fast, better than my old D200 or D90. For twice the price, the D700 ought to do a good job.