I only have the D300 myself, but I found the D700 manual on the internet and it looks like D700 works the same way as my D300 with regards to metering with Non-CPU lenses.
Non-CPU lenses
The Zeiss ZF lenses are Non-CPU lenses (similar to the Nikon AI-S type lenses).
This means that these lenses have no electronic contacts and do not automatically communicate with the camera, and thus the user has to tell the camera which lens is mounted on the camera in order to make the so-called "3D Color-Matrix II metering" work (the most advanced metering). For reference see p. 210 in your D700 manual.
Go to the SETUP MENU >> Non-CPU lens data >> specify the following:
Lens number (your choice)
Focal length (mm)
Maximum aperture (wide open aperture)
Metering
The most advanced metering, the
3D Color-Matrix II metering, only works with Non-CPU lenses (e.g. the ZF lenses)
provided you have specified the Focal Length and Maximum Aperture of the lens in the SETUP MENU as mentioned above.
If you don't specify these data the camera will automatically
(?) use the less advanced metering mode: Centerweighted metering.
I other words
Centerweighted metering does work with Non-CPU lenses as well, if you prefer to use Centerweighted in specific situations, but there is this limitation: you cannot change the width of the Centerweighted Area in Custom Setting menu "b5". With a Non-CPU lens the Area is the default size of a 12mm circle in the center of the viewfinder.
And
Spot metering works as well, but again with one limitation: with a Non-CPU lens the Spot is locked to the center focus point and you cannot change that. For reference see p. 112 - 113 in your D700 manual.
I hope this is at least of some help. After all the above is just my personal interpretation of the manuals and the menu choices and of course I can be wrong about some of it. In that case I hope wiser members will correct me
/Steen