Welcome to the Nikon D700 Manual, your comprehensive guide to mastering this powerful DSLR camera. This manual is designed to help you understand and utilize the camera’s features, settings, and modes effectively, ensuring you get the best results from your photography. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced photographer, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the Nikon D700.
1.1 Overview of the Nikon D700 Camera
The Nikon D700 is a high-performance digital SLR camera designed for professionals and enthusiasts. Featuring a 12.1-megapixel full-frame sensor, it delivers exceptional image quality and low-light performance. With a wide ISO range of 100-6400, enhanced autofocus, and compatibility with Nikon lenses, the D700 is a versatile tool for capturing stunning photos in various conditions.
1.2 Importance of the User Manual
The Nikon D700 Manual is essential for unlocking the camera’s full potential. It provides detailed instructions for optimizing settings, understanding features, and troubleshooting common issues. Whether you’re setting up the camera, customizing controls, or mastering advanced modes, the manual serves as a valuable resource to enhance your photography experience and ensure you achieve the best possible results with your D700.
Key Features of the Nikon D700
The Nikon D700 boasts a 12.1 MP full-frame sensor, weather-sealed body, 51-point autofocus system, and wide ISO range (100-6400). It delivers exceptional image quality, fast performance, and durability for professional photographers.
2.1 Sensor and Image Quality
The Nikon D700 features a 12.1-megapixel full-frame CMOS sensor, delivering exceptional image quality with rich details and vibrant colors. Its wide dynamic range captures subtle tonal variations, while low noise levels produce clean images even in challenging lighting conditions, making it ideal for professional photography and high-end applications.
2.2 Autofocus System
The Nikon D700 boasts an advanced 51-point autofocus system, offering precise and rapid subject tracking. With multiple AF modes, including Single and Continuous Servo AF, it ensures sharp focus in both static and dynamic compositions. Customizable AF settings allow photographers to tailor the system to their needs, enhancing accuracy and reliability in various shooting scenarios.
2.3 ISO Range and Noise Performance
The Nikon D700 features a wide ISO range of 200-6400, extendable to ISO 25600. It delivers excellent low-light performance with minimal noise, ensuring high-quality images in challenging conditions. Advanced noise reduction settings allow photographers to balance detail retention and smoothness, making it ideal for capturing crisp images even in dimly lit environments without compromising on quality or clarity.
Getting Started with the Nikon D700
Unbox and set up your Nikon D700 with ease. Familiarize yourself with the camera’s controls, charge the battery, and insert memory cards to begin capturing stunning images immediately.
3.1 Unboxing and Initial Setup
When unboxing your Nikon D700, ensure all accessories are included, such as the camera body, battery, charger, and neck strap. Begin by charging the battery fully before first use. Insert a compatible memory card into the slot, located on the right side of the camera. Power on the camera and follow the on-screen setup guide to configure language, time, and date settings. Familiarize yourself with the camera’s buttons and dials to start your photography journey efficiently.
3.2 Basic Camera Controls
Familiarize yourself with the Nikon D700’s essential controls. The Mode Dial on top selects shooting modes, while the Release Mode Dial (below the Mode Dial) adjusts burst or quiet shooting. Use the AF-area mode selector to choose autofocus options. The Multi-selector navigates menus and selects focus points. Ensure you understand these controls to optimize your shooting experience and quickly adjust settings as needed.
3.3 Charging and Battery Management
The Nikon D700 uses the EN-EL3e lithium-ion battery, providing excellent performance. Charge the battery using the supplied MH-18a charger. Ensure the battery is fully charged before use for optimal performance. Avoid extreme temperatures while charging and store spare batteries in a cool, dry place. For extended shooting sessions, consider carrying a second battery to ensure uninterrupted use.
Shooting Modes on the Nikon D700
The Nikon D700 offers a variety of shooting modes, including Auto, Scene, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority, and Manual. Use the mode dial to select your preferred mode, tailoring settings to your creative vision and lighting conditions for precise control over your photography.
4.1 Understanding the Mode Dial
The Mode Dial on the Nikon D700 simplifies shooting mode selection. Positioned on the camera’s top, it offers options like Auto, Scene, Aperture Priority (A), Shutter Priority (S), and Manual (M). Each mode provides distinct control levels, from fully automatic to manual adjustments, allowing photographers to tailor settings to their creative goals and lighting scenarios efficiently.
4.2 Aperture Priority and Shutter Priority Modes
In Aperture Priority Mode (A), you set the aperture, and the camera automatically adjusts the shutter speed. This mode is ideal for controlling depth of field. In Shutter Priority Mode (S), you set the shutter speed, and the camera adjusts the aperture, perfect for capturing motion effects. Both modes offer flexibility while maintaining automatic adjustments for optimal results in various lighting conditions.
4.3 Manual Mode and Custom Settings
In Manual Mode (M), you control both aperture and shutter speed for full creative control. Use the mode dial to select M, then adjust settings using the command dials. Custom settings allow you to save personalized configurations, such as autofocus modes or metering options, for quick access. This feature enhances efficiency and tailors the camera to your shooting style and preferences.
Autofocus and Metering
The Nikon D700 features an advanced autofocus system and metering modes to ensure sharp focus and accurate exposure. These tools work together to enhance your photography experience.
5.1 Autofocus Modes and Configuration
The Nikon D700 offers multiple autofocus modes, including Single AF and Continuous AF, to suit different shooting scenarios. Configurable settings allow customization of AF behavior, ensuring precise focus control. Refer to the manual for detailed instructions on mode selection and adjustment to optimize your autofocus performance for various subjects and lighting conditions.
5.2 Metering Modes and Exposure Control
The Nikon D700 features three metering modes: Matrix, Center-Weighted, and Spot. Matrix metering analyzes the entire scene for balanced exposure, while Center-Weighted prioritizes the central area. Spot metering measures a specific point for precise control. Exposure compensation allows fine-tuning, ensuring optimal results in various lighting conditions. Refer to the manual for detailed instructions on selecting and adjusting these modes effectively.
ISO and Noise Reduction
The Nikon D700 offers an ISO range of 200 to 6400, with noise reduction features to minimize grain in low-light conditions, enhancing image clarity and quality.
6.1 ISO Sensitivity and Performance
The Nikon D700 features a broad ISO range of 200 to 6400, delivering excellent sensitivity and performance in various lighting conditions. With enhanced noise reduction, it captures sharp images with minimal grain, even in low-light environments, ensuring high-quality results across a wide range of photographic scenarios and settings.
6.2 Noise Reduction Settings
The Nikon D700 offers customizable noise reduction settings, allowing you to balance detail and smoothness in high-ISO images. Users can choose between low, medium, or high noise reduction levels, ensuring optimal results in different lighting conditions. This feature enhances image quality by minimizing digital noise while preserving fine details in your photographs.
White Balance and Color Accuracy
The Nikon D700’s White Balance feature ensures accurate color representation by adjusting settings to match various lighting conditions, providing natural-looking images with precise control over color casts.
7.1 Understanding White Balance
White Balance adjusts the color cast of images to match lighting conditions, ensuring accurate color reproduction. The Nikon D700 offers modes like Auto, Daylight, and custom settings to optimize results in various scenarios, enhancing image quality and natural appearance. Proper White Balance ensures your photos reflect true colors, reducing unwanted tints and improving overall visual fidelity.
7.2 Custom White Balance and Presets
Custom White Balance on the Nikon D700 allows precise color control by setting a specific Kelvin value or using a reference object. Presets enable quick access to frequently used settings, streamlining your workflow. This feature enhances color accuracy and personalization, ensuring consistent results across different lighting conditions for professional-grade photography.
Flash and External Lighting
The Nikon D700 features a built-in flash and supports external Speedlights, offering versatile lighting solutions. Explore flash modes, sync settings, and advanced lighting techniques for professional results.
8.1 Built-in Flash and External Speedlights
The Nikon D700’s built-in flash provides convenient on-camera lighting, while external Speedlights offer enhanced creativity. Compatible with Nikon’s Creative Lighting System, these Speedlights enable wireless control, multiple flash setups, and advanced lighting effects for professional photography. Refer to the Speedlight manual for detailed instructions on setup and synchronization with the D700.
8.2 Flash Modes and Sync Settings
The Nikon D700 offers various flash modes, including Front-Curtain Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync, and Slow Sync, each suited for different lighting effects. Sync settings can be adjusted to optimize flash performance with ambient light, ensuring balanced exposures. These modes are accessible through the camera’s menu, allowing photographers to customize their flash operation for creative control and professional results.
Storage and File Formats
The Nikon D700 supports various storage solutions, including CF and SD memory cards, ensuring ample space for your images. It captures photos in RAW and JPEG formats, offering flexibility for post-processing and sharing. Proper memory card management is essential for efficient workflow and data security during shoots.
9.1 Memory Card Compatibility
The Nikon D700 is compatible with CF (CompactFlash) and SD (Secure Digital) memory cards, ensuring versatile storage options. For optimal performance, it supports high-speed CF cards, such as UDMA, and SDHC cards up to 32GB. Proper card formatting and regular maintenance are crucial for preventing data loss and ensuring smooth operation during photography sessions.
9.2 RAW and JPEG File Formats
The Nikon D700 allows shooting in both RAW and JPEG formats. RAW files (NEF format) capture maximum image data for post-processing flexibility, while JPEGs provide compressed, ready-to-use files. Shooting in RAW+JPEG saves both formats simultaneously, offering versatility for different workflows. Understanding these formats helps photographers choose the best option for their creative and practical needs.
Video and Live View
The Nikon D700 features Live View mode, enabling precise framing and focus for stills and video. While it doesn’t record video, Live View enhances composition and focus accuracy, making it ideal for photographers who prefer manual control and detailed monitoring of their shots on the camera’s LCD screen.
10.1 Live View Mode and Focus
Live View mode on the Nikon D700 allows photographers to preview and compose shots using the LCD screen. Activated via the LV button, it offers precise focus control, including contrast-detection AF and manual focus options. This feature is particularly useful for studio, macro, and tripod-based photography, where accurate framing and focus are critical for achieving professional results.
10.2 Video Recording Capabilities
The Nikon D700 supports video recording in 720p resolution at 24fps, captured in MOV format with H.264 compression. While it lacks 1080p, the camera excels in low-light scenarios due to its high ISO performance. Autofocus during recording is limited but can be adjusted for smooth transitions. This feature enhances creative possibilities for photographers exploring video storytelling alongside stills.
Custom Settings and Personalization
The Nikon D700 allows you to customize camera functions to suit your preferences. Assign buttons, save custom settings, and manage configurations for enhanced shooting efficiency and personal control.
11.1 Customizing Camera Buttons
You can customize the Nikon D700’s buttons to assign frequently used functions, enhancing your shooting experience. For instance, the AE-L/AF-L button can be set to lock exposure or focus, while the Fn button can be programmed to access features like ISO sensitivity or white balance. This personalization allows for quicker access to settings, improving your workflow and efficiency behind the lens.
11.2 Saving and Loading Custom Settings
The Nikon D700 allows you to save and load custom settings, ensuring your preferred configurations are easily accessible. Use the menu system to save up to four custom shooting profiles, which can be loaded whenever needed. This feature is ideal for different photography scenarios, enabling quick adjustments and maintaining consistency in your work without recalibrating settings each time.
Troubleshooting and Maintenance
Troubleshoot common issues like error messages or sensor cleaning. Regularly maintain the camera to ensure optimal performance. Refer to the manual for detailed solutions and maintenance tips.
12.1 Common Issues and Solutions
Addressing common issues with the Nikon D700, such as error messages or autofocus malfunctions, can be resolved by referring to the troubleshooting section in the manual. Regular sensor cleaning and firmware updates often resolve many problems. For persistent issues, consulting the manual or contacting Nikon support is recommended to ensure optimal camera performance and longevity.
12.2 Cleaning and Maintaining the Camera
Regularly clean the Nikon D700’s sensor and lens with a soft brush or microfiber cloth to prevent dust buildup. Use a cleaning solution for stubborn smudges. Avoid touching the sensor and ensure the camera is turned off during cleaning. Store the camera in a dry, cool place to prevent moisture damage and ensure optimal performance over time.