The SB-800 is a large flash. The SB-900 is even bigger, by quite a margin! Check out this animation…

Up to the launch of the D700, we never actually saw any leaked photos taken with the camera. Nikon have now posted their official D700 samples. Click the images below to see the full-sized versions on the Nikon server.

Michael Reichmann over at Luminous Landscape has posted a very interesting article exploring Nikon’s strategy concerning the D700, and what it means depending on how Canon’s much-rumoured 5D replacement turns out.

For Nikon to enter this arena so soon (just over a half year) after shipping its first full frame Pro offering, and by doing so with a camera which offers all of the image quality and almost all of the features of the D3, at some two thousand dollars less, is either a master-stroke or misguided. At this time I can’t quite figure out which it is, but for photographers it’s a big win, and ultimately that’s what counts the most.

Well worth a read.

Although most of the focus on Nikon’s recent announcements has been squarely on the D700, they also announced something that’s of a lot of interest to many strobist-types: the SB-900 flash unit.

Joe McNally has had a pair of these for a couple of weeks now, and has written up his experiences in his usual entertaining fashion.

Along comes the 900. I’ve had two for a few weeks now, and the unit is, well, smooth. What can I say? Ed Fasano, a General Manager at Nikon, asked me what I thought after handling it, and I told him, “Well, if the SB800 is a real nice Chevy, this baby’s a Cadillac.”

So it’s official - the Nikon D700 exists. You’ll know the specifications by now, so here’s a run-down of the latest news from the internets:

• Nikon’s press release, official D700 page, and the D700 brochure (PDF).
• The folks over at DPReview have one of their usual in-depth hands-on previews.
• Rob Galbraith has posted his take on the news in a detailed article.
• Imaging Resource also have been lucky enough to be able to get a unit in for their hands-on preview
• Thom Hogan has his usual thoughtful analysis of the D700 news.
• Love him or hate him, the black-or-white Ken Rockwell has his D700 page up too.

It’s the first of July here in Europe, and the news is coming out before the embargo is officially lifted.

It’s everything we expected - The D3’s sensor in a smaller (but not small) body. Throw in a built-in flash and a sensor cleaning system, and there’s the D700. Nice!

Yes, it has Hi-ISO 2 (ISO 25,600), 14-bit RAW, 1/250s flash sync speed, the fantastic 3″ LCD, and uses the EN-EL3e battery.

Full updated specs to come in the morning.

Here’s a shot of the new SB-900 too:

Specs:
FX sensor
Sensor cleaning
Built-in flash
95% Viewfinder coverage
5w/o, 8fps with battery grip
AF module from D3
no speaker/mic
one CF slot
virtual horizon
2599EUR
Availability: end of July.

SB-900:
DX/FX mode
improved user interface
500EUR

UPDATE: Here are some high-rez scans, thanks to “heavymeister” on DPReview. Click on the thumbnails to see larger versions.

Damn.

[ Original image on Flickr ]

Release date: Monday 30th June 2008. Click image to enlarge.

[ Digital Depot ]

Spotted on a Chinese camera site:

The image looks quite real; even though that could be a D70 strap, the terminal covers and prism look about right. It’s also possible that the d700 is currently being produced in China, so it would make sense that this is where the images are leaking from. Time will tell!

Original post, via DPR forums.