Nikon today released new firmware updates for the D3 and D700 DSLR bodies.  You can download them from the Firmware Updates page.

D700 Modifications enabled with A and B firmware Ver. 1.01

1. When Custom Setting a4 Focus tracking with lock-on was set to Off in Continuous-servo AF, the lens drive moved gradually without achieving focus. This issue has been resolved. 

2. When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed. This issue has been resolved. 

3. When the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 was mounted on the camera and an EN-EL3e battery inserted in the camera but no batteries inserted in the MB-D10, and SB-900 flash mode set to TTL auto flash mode, the flash mode changed to A mode when the exposure meters turned off or were reactivated, or the camera was turned off or on. This issue has been resolved. (This issue has also been resolved with SB-900 firmware Ver. 5.02.) 

4. An issue that, in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR in the shooting menu set to On has been resolved. 

5. Manamah, displayed in the Time zone options for the World time item in the setup menu, has been changed to Manama. 

D3 Modifications enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware from Ver. 2.00 to Ver. 2.01

1. Geodetic information is now displayed in ViewNX Ver. 1.2.0 or later and Capture NX 2 Ver. 2.1.0 or later shooting information for images captured with the GPS Unit GP-1 mounted on the camera. 

2. Autofocus-response performance in focus mode C (Continuous-servo AF mode) with relatively dark subjects has been increased. 

3. When the AF-ON button is pressed, the monitor turns off and a focus point can now be selected using the multi selector. 

4. Photo information displayed in full-frame playback has been modified as follows:
HI-, LO- has been changed to Hi, Lo
WARM TONE has been changed to WARM FILTER
COLOR CUSTOM has been changed to COLOR BALANCE

5. Manamah, displayed in the Time zone options for the World time item in the setup menu, has been changed to Manama. 

6. An issue that, in extremely rare cases, resulted in noticeable black dots in images captured with Long exp. NR in the shooting menu set to On has been resolved. 

7. When the Speedlight SB-800 was mounted on the camera with flash mode set to Distance-priority manual (GN) mode, and then the exposure meters were reactivated or the camera was turned on, the distance information displayed on the SB-800 changed. This issue has been resolved. 

8. An issue that, in some rare cases, caused images captured with the following lenses to be under-exposed, has been resolved.
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED (5.0x)

I’ve been playing and shooting with the new Nikon D700 FX full frame sensor DSLR and SB-900 Speedlight today.  This full frame sensor is amazing!  I finally can use all my AF-S f/2.8 glass as it was intended without the crop factor.  I love the fact that the D300 and D700 share the same MB-D10 Multi Power Battery Pack/Vertical Grip.  This is very useful if you have a D300 as a spare body as I do.  The MB-D10 makes the body feel more sold and better in your hand.  Similar to the feel of a D3 but does add weight.  This gives both the D300 and D700 up to 8 fps (frames per second) when using rechargeable AA batteries (NiMH).

Since the D700 has a larger view finder, the top facing LCD is about 25% smaller than the D300.  But it doesn’t matter as the LCD on the back now shows even more information and quick access menu icons.  I also notice that the shutter release is quicker and stronger sounding.  More so than the D300.  Its similar to the sound of the Nikon F5 film body.  

The SB-900 is massive.  Much bigger than the SB-800 but then again, its doing so much more also.  Build quality is top notch.  Great carrying case also.  Stay tuned for more.  So far I am very happy with this new body and more info will come as soon as I shoot more photos with it.

Today I received the call from Pro Photo Supply and they informed me that the goods are in.  A quick rush to the shop and back and we are here.  The new Nikon D700 and SB900 are just phenominal!  The D300 is now the backup body.  Sorry little guy.  For the complete unboxing photos, go to our Cadco Photography site and check out the link “Blog“.

This evening, Nikon released the anticipated FX full frame sensor DSLR, the D700.  Its basically a lighter version of the D3 workhorse.  They also released two PC-E Micro lenses and the SB-900 AF Speedlight.  You can see the details of the release at the Cadco Photography site.