Nikon D700 for street photography.

Ian Miller
2 days ago
3 min read

The D700 has fantastic dynamic range and tonal depth, making it a solid choice for street work, especially in low light. The weight can be a factor, but with the right technique and a well-balanced lens, it’s manageable. If you’re using a compact prime, like the 35mm f/2 or 50mm f/1.4, you’ll get a great balance between portability and performance.

The Nikon D700 has several features that make it well-suited for street photography, despite its weight. Here are the key advantages:

Full-frame sensor: The D700’s 12.1MP full-frame sensor gives excellent dynamic range and tonal depth, crucial for capturing nuanced street scenes, especially in changing light.
Great low-light performance: Its ISO performance holds up remarkably well even today, allowing you to push past ISO 1600 without excessive noise—ideal for shooting in dimly lit streets.
Fast autofocus: The 51-point autofocus system with 3D tracking was cutting-edge for its time, making it reliable for capturing fleeting moments.
Robust build: Weather-sealed magnesium alloy body means you can take it out in less-than-ideal conditions without worry.
Strong battery life: The EN-EL3e battery lasts a long time, so you won’t be stopping often to swap batteries when covering long shooting sessions.
Well-balanced with primes: Mounting lightweight primes like the AF-D 35mm f/2 or 50mm f/1.4 creates a manageable setup that maintains speed and flexibility.
Classic shutter sound: While not as discreet as mirrorless cameras, the satisfying mechanical shutter sound adds to the experience and can be useful in certain situations where audible feedback is helpful.

For street photography with the Nikon D700, the best settings will help maximize speed, responsiveness, and image quality.

Exposure Settings

Mode: Aperture Priority (A mode) – This keeps exposure dynamic while letting you control depth of field.
ISO: Auto ISO with a maximum set to 1600 or 3200 (if light is low). The D700 handles higher ISOs well but staying under 1600 ensures cleaner files.
Aperture: Around f/5.6 to f/8 for zone focusing and capturing layers of a scene.
Shutter Speed: At least 1/250s to freeze motion; higher if subjects are moving quickly.

Autofocus & Drive

AF Mode: AF-C (Continuous Servo) + 9-point Dynamic AF – Helps track movement while staying responsive.
Drive Mode: Continuous Low (CL) at 3fps – Enough speed to capture sequences without excessive file clutter.
AF Assist: Off – Street work benefits from faster focusing without delay.

Metering & White Balance

Metering: Matrix Metering – The D700’s metering is reliable in various light conditions.
White Balance: Auto (AWB) or custom presets based on your film simulations.

Other Adjustments

Picture Control: Neutral or Standard, adjusted for contrast/sharpness.
High ISO Noise Reduction: Low – Preserves detail while reducing digital noise.
Active D-Lighting: Off – Keeps natural contrast without artificial HDR effects.
LCD Preview Brightness: Lower than default to avoid misleading exposure perception.

Extra Tips

Zone focusing: If using manual focus, pre-focus at f/8 with 2–3m distance, ensuring a sharp zone for quick subjects.
Shoot RAW + JPEG: RAW for editing flexibility, JPEG for immediate review.
Use a discreet strap and grip: The D700 isn’t small, but keeping it tucked in a sling or grip-ready improves reaction time.

Effective street photography requires a balance of technical skill, anticipation, and an understanding of human behaviour.

1. Zone Focusing

Since you already use manual focus lenses, perfecting zone focusing is key:

Set your aperture to f/8 or f/11 to maximise depth of field.
Focus at around 2–3 meters to create a sharp zone where subjects naturally enter.
Use a wide-angle prime (e.g., 35mm or 50mm) for an intuitive composition range.

2. Anticipation & Patience

Observe scenes before taking the shot—street photography is about capturing the decisive moment.
Find interesting backdrops and wait for the right subject to enter.
Learn to predict body language and movement.

3. Shoot from the Hip & Discreet Framing

For more natural candid shots:

Hold the camera lower and use live view or rough framing.
Pre-frame your shots with a wider lens so slight adjustments still work.

4. Composition & Layers

Use leading lines, reflections, and framing to add depth.
Capture interactions—subjects in the foreground and background add narrative strength.
Consider contrasting light sources to create visual drama.