If you've been shooting with a crop sensor DSLR for very long, you know that the reduced cost comes with some compromises. Most of them have to do with digital noise levels, low-light performance, shallow depth of field and frame width (aspect ratio). It usually isn't long before the advantages of lower weight and a larger effective field of view lose a bit of their luster when you start seeing how those compromises affect your final images.
Unfortunately, a full-frame digital camera never becomes more than a pipe dream for many photographers, for the simple reason that it costs too much. If you're one of those photographers wishing there was an inexpensive alternative, I'm here to tell you that there's one you should seriously consider. Nikon developed it about 8 years ago and it's still a great way to cross that full-frame sensor threshold, with a price that's more in line with the budget of an aspiring pro.
The D700 was created as a compact professional camera, squeezing that awesome Nikon FX sensor into a smaller, lighter body. As expected, some of the extras were sacrificed to shrink the case, like the built-in vertical grip, but it also included a few that its big brother, the D3, didn't have. A self-cleaning sensor and pop-up flash were the most outstanding on the list.
Now, for those readers looking at the 12.1 megapixel resolution and comparing it to 18 or 24MP for a newer DSLR, you can rest assured that, with a full-frame sensor, you'll be able to produce 11" x 14" prints at 300dpi with good quality. In fact, with the lower noise production, they may look better than the 8" x 10" prints from your crop sensor camera.
So, we're talking about a full-frame Nikon with a reasonable 5 frames per second continuous shutter, a 95% coverage viewfinder, ISO sensitivity up to 6,400 boostable to 25,600 and excellent noise reduction. Its buffer is rated exactly the same as the D3 in RAW mode, and only a few milliseconds slower in jpeg mode, so you won't notice any extra lag if you shoot in RAW (and you know you should). All in all, the D700 is a very capable pro DSLR, even though it may not look like you're using a full-frame.
Let's get to that all-important bottom line, shall we? What if I told you that you can own a fully tested, used or refurbished one for around $625 to $725? That's a little easier on the bank account than the typical $3,000+ price tag of a new pro camera, no? With a price like that, you can start shooting the images that will help you build your business to the point that the new one will be within reach.
Take a look at the selection of D700's available from Used Photo Pro. Each one is thoroughly tested and rated so you'll know exactly what to expect when you make your purchase. They're the most trusted dealership you'll find for high-quality used and refurbished photo gear. You'll also find a great selection of lenses and accessories like an add-on vertical grip at the same awesome prices to fully outfit your pro setup. Check them out while the stock lasts and step up to that full-frame DSLR today.