I’ve been in a new relationship for about a week now.  I know, I know.  It hasn’t been very long.   And  it’s awfully early to be blabbing about this to all of you.  But it’s got me giddy.  I certainly don’t want to jinx it.  Still, I’ve just got to spill the beans…  Everyone always told me that it would happen when I least expected it, when I wasn’t looking for it.  That always sounded like trite “wisdom” offered to console and encourage poor suckers who are up shit’s creek.   But it turns out they were right.  In my wildest dreams, I never thought this would happen.  Not to me.  And if you’d asked me a month ago, I’d never have have guessed that I’d be shooting with a Nikon D700 today.

Shortly after Valentine’s day, my Canon 5D broke up with me.  I was totally blindsided.  Oh, if you ask him, he’ll tell you it was mutual.  But I hardly call nose-diving off the sleek and sturdy Manfrotto tripod that I bought him last Christmas something I wanted or encouraged!  I know he’d say that I gave up on the relationship too easily.  Bailed as soon as the going got tough.  What can I say?  He made such a scene — pointed to his broken heart and threatened to electrocute me.  I felt betrayed.   It’s OK, though.  I’m not bitter.  5D was a good camera.  An excellent companion.  You could do a whole lot worse.  (An embarrassing rebound fling with the Powershot hammered that point home.  I’d just rather forget about it.  Let’s move on.)  5D and I have come to terms with what happened.  We’re both adults.  He’s fully healed and ready to move on.  It turns out that we just weren’t meant to be.

Right after the big break up, when I was at my most vulnerable, someone suggested that I give a Nikon a chance.   I stopped into a camera store on Fairfax and there it was — the D700.  I swear it didn’t take its eyes off me once.  I played it cool at first, but eventually I couldn’t resist.  The moment I picked it up it just felt right in my hands.  I instinctively found all of its buttons.  And I know how to push ‘em!   But it was too soon, and I was vulnerable.  I thought about getting back together with 5D, after all we’d had a pretty good run.  But we all know how that goes… Weeks passed, and I still couldn’t get that D700 out of my mind.  Eventually, I gave in.  I called Adorama and asked them to hook us up.

I know about half of you won’t approve.  (And a few of you will just roll your eyes, weary of this story.)  Say what you will.  It won’t change my feelings.  I am unabashedly in love with my D700.  (Don’t even get me started on the 24-70 lens!  What a piece of glass!)   We don’t all have to love the same things.  There’s no “right” or “wrong” partner.  Just the one that helps you be the best version of yourself.

We spent a long, languorous  Sunday together walking up and down at the Redondo Beach pier.  People were staring.  I heard them whisper.  But we just kept shooting.   From the bright early afternoon light, through a glorious sunset, to a glittering seaside twilight, we remained hand to grip.  Sure, there were some awkward moments, a few clumsy moves.  But that’s not what I remember most.  The perfectly noiseless long exposures.  The tack sharp candids.  The quick handling.  The accurate, deep colors.  The clear, honest portraits.

Together, it feels like there’s nothing we can’t do.

(For those who were looking for a more serious product review, I apologize.  I’m in the honeymoon phase — and at the moment I just can’t be objective.  Until I come to my senses, check out Ken Rockwell’s write up.  I trust him about all things except mid-range zooms.  Scott Kelby is more effusive about this model.  Bear in mind, this is a 2008 model — “outdated” by the standards of the thousands upon thousands of gearheads who are impatiently awaiting the arrival of its replacement the fabled D700x or D800.  The D700 is more camera than I know what to do with presently.  Plus, I was able to get a sweet deal since most buyers are trying to hold out for the replacement. For my money, the discount + Nikon’s current rebate on lens + body combos, were a great deal.  Now. I’ve got to finish selling my Canon gear….)