In perhaps not the most unexpected news in the camera community, Nikon confirmed the rumours; it has launched a new FX camera, the Nikon D700.
Based heavily on the Nikon D3 - using the same 12.1 megapixel CMOS image sensor with the same 36mm x 23.9mm sensor size, the same EXPEED processing engine and the same 51 point CAM 3500 AF system found in the press camera (and more) the D700 is every inch a chip off the old D3 block. It even has the same ISO 200-6400 as standard, ISO 25,400 as Hi 2 in emergency sensitivity rating as the ground-breaking D3.
So, what's changed? The new camera is smaller (not much larger than the D300), comes with a pop-up flash that covers to 24mm and uses the smaller EN-EL3e battery system (although the bigger EN-EL4a batteries can be used with the optional MB-D10 grip. It also has a sensor cleaning system (although this means the full 100% viewfinder of the D3 drops to 95% of the image). The camera as standard takes five frames per second (eight with the MB-D10 and the right batteries), it only has the one CF socket, and has weathersealing to F6 standards.
In other words, the Nikon D700 is the D3 for everyone who isn't a sports photographer. It's expected to retail for a penny under £2,000 in the UK and will be in the shops by the end of this month.
Nikon also confirmed the specifications and price of two new lenses - the 45mm f/2.8 and 85mm f/2.8 PCE (or 'Perspective Control' lenses). Both feature Nano Crystal coated glass, a high degree of tilt and shift and both will cost £1,349.99.
Finally, Nikon also announced a new top-of-the-range flashgun, the Speedlight SB900. Priced at £349.99, the new flash is said to be able to zoom from 17mm to 200mm in just over a second, has an overrideable thermal shut down (it's claimed to recycle with just four batteries faster than the SB800 with five), a choice of three output patterns (centre-weighted/standard/even), can detect whether a FX or DX camera is in use and if a colour correction filter is being used (it uses a code printed on Nikon's own correction filters). It even allows the user to update firmware through the camera, should the need arise.
http://www.nikon.co.uk
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