The following Nikon D700 battery life numbers (how many photos can be taken before power from the Nikon EN-EL3e 7.4V, 1500mAh Lithium Ion battery pack or Nikon EN-EL4a 11.1V, 2500mAh Lithium Ion battery pack runs out) is extracted from the Nikon D700 Manual and the Nikon D700 Specifications page.
Nikon provides two sets of battery life figures, one based on the CIPA standard, and the other on their in-house, Nikon standard.
Three different power supply conditions are tested:
- One fully-charged Nikon EN-EL3e, either in-camera or in an attached Multi-Powered Battery Pack Grip MB-D10.
- One fully-charged Nikon EN-EL4a battery pack in the MB-D10 battery grip (a BL-3 battery chamber cover for the battery grip is required when you use EN-EL4a batteries).
- Eight AA-sized batteries in the MB-D10 battery grip.
CIPA standard
Figures calculated based on CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association) testing standards (see the section titled “Standard Procedure for Measuring Digital Still Camera Battery Consumption” for more information) are obtained in the following manner (quoted from the Nikon D700 Manual):
Measured at 23°C / 73.4°F (±2°C/3.6°F) with an AF-S VR 24–120mm f/3.5–5.6G ED lens under the following test conditions: lens cycled from infinity to minimum range and one photograph taken at default settings once every 30 s; flash fired once every other shot. Live view not used.
Nikon D700 battery life, CIPA standard:
- One EN-EL3e battery (in the camera or in the MB-D10): Approximately 1000 shots
- One EN-EL4a batteries (one in the camera and one in MB-D10): Approximately 1900 shots
- Eight AA batteries (in the MB-D10): Approximately 700 shots
Nikon standard
Figures calculated based on the Nikon standard are obtained in the following manner (quoted from the Nikon D700 Manual):
Measured at 20°C / 68°F with an AF-S VR 70–200mm f/2.8G ED lens under the following test conditions: image quality set to JPEG basic, image size set to M (medium), shutter speed 1/250 s, shutter-release button pressed halfway for three seconds and focus cycled from infinity to minimum range three times; six shots are then taken in succession and monitor turned on for five seconds and then turned off; cycle repeated once exposure meters have turned off.
Nikon D700 battery life, Nikon standard:
- One EN-EL3e battery (in the camera or in the MB-D10): Approximately 2500 shots
- One EN-EL4a batteries (one in the camera and one in MB-D10): Approximately 4300 shots
- Eight AA batteries (in the MB-D10): Approximately 1000 shots
Unlike Canon, unfortunately, Nikon does not provide separate battery life figures for Live View shooting and photography at 0°C / 32°F / freezing temperature.
Other Battery Life Factors
In the D700 Manual, Nikon advised that the following will lead to a reduction in battery life and number of shots:
- Using the LCD monitor.
- The shutter-release button is kept pressed halfway.
- Autofocus operation is repeatedly performed.
- Shooting NEF (RAW) or TIFF (RGB) instead of JPEG images.
- Slow shutter speeds.
- Using the WT-4 wireless transmitter (applies to WT-4A / B / C / D / E — designation depends on country / region).
- VR (vibration reduction) mode on VR lenses is activated.
Some lenses draw more power from the camera’s battery during operation due to their physical (heavy lens elements that need more power to move) and electronic (type and technology of the VR employed) properties.