You've got your Nikon D700: Now what?

One of the reasons you bought your Nikon D700 instead of, say, a the D300 or an amateur model is because Nikon's affordable FX-format (full frame) camera offers 90 percent of the features of the top-of-the-line Nikon D3, and is incredibly expandable. There are thousands of lenses, tons of add-on accessories, many electronic flash options, including the new SB-900, and a whole raft of things you can do to enhance the capabilities of your camera. But, where do you start?

I will have lots of recommendations, including reviews of many Nikkor lenses in David Busch's Nikon D700 Guide to Digital SLR Photography, available later this Fall. But I've begun putting together this web page, which I plan to use to provide more up-to-date advice, specifics about new lenses and accessories as they are introduced, and even links to where you can purchase this gear at a discount. I expect some sexy new lenses to be announced around September, before Photokina begins. But right now I've got a few key must-haves here and will be expanding this page to include even more goodies and recommendations in the future. This page should grow into a good resource for those who want to get some of the same lenses and add-ons that I use to upgrade the capabilities of any Nikon D700.

For example, you can add the MB-D10 Multi-Power Battery pack (which integrates much more solidly with the D700 and D300 than did the MB-D200 pack for the D200 model.) That gives you a longer-lasting power-source, a convenient vertical grip/shutter release for portrait-orientation shots, and the potential to fire off 8 frames per second with 12 megapixels of resolution.You can now add a WT-4a wireless transmitter for WiFi remote operation and direct transfer of your photos to a laptop or other computer. That capability was previously solely within the realm of Nikon’s top-of-the-line pro cameras. Want hi-res viewing? All you need is an HDTV and an HDMI cable.

Click to return to my Nikon D700 Page

My recommendations for Nikon D700 must-have essentials:

(Click picture for a discount price)


My guidebook, natch! My books on the D700 and D3 won't be available until this Fall, so stay tuned for updates.	The Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight I bought this the same day I got my D700, and it's a huge improvement over my old SB-800. Autofocus, and it recognizes when you use one of the included filters.	MB-D10 battery pack/vertical grip Adds 8 fps shooting to the D700 and much longer battery life!	Nikon D700 camera (body) Don't have your D700 in hand, yet? Order one here from a reliable retailer.

MC-30 remote release Never leave home without your MC-30 release! A must for HDR shooting on a tripod, or any relatively long exposures.	Manfrotto Monopod I own this, and the Manfrotto carbon fiber monopod. Super for sports, landscapes, wildlife.	D700 with 24-120mm VR lens You can order your D700 with this inexpensive full-frame walk-around lens.	Nikon DK-17M Magnifier Helps you focus your macro shots manually for better control over depth-of-field. The D700 uses this one, not the DK-21M used with the D300.

Take advantage of your D700's 8 fps rate with the MB-D10 and 8 alkalines or the EN-EL4/4a battery and get fast transfer to your computer as a bonus with this fast CF card.	8GB CF Card While the 4GB Sandisk card is great, I've standardized on 8GB cards. I can shoot all day on a single card for sports and travel photography.

More stuff I can't live without:

The New "Magic Three" Unless you're shooting close-ups or distant sports, you really don't need any other lenses. Sharp, fast, and expensive, these lenses do everything! They are full-frame lenses for both DX and FX formats, too.
	Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor	Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor

	The 80-400 VR gives you a bit more range for sports, and many photographers prefer it to the 70-200 VR for wildlife photography.	105mm VR Micro-Nikkor Vibration Reduction may be overkill for a macro lens, but folks said the same thing about autofocus. This one is great indoors or out.	Nikon 85mm f/1.4 "Cream Machine" Beautiful bokeh; this is the #1 portrait lens for Nikon dSLRs. Get one now before Nikon replaces it with something less. You can own a legend!