D800 - to buy or not to buy - Hipe

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D800 - to buy or not to buy - Hipe

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NSXType-R

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sevencrossing said:
In fact in a few years the Leica was replaced but SLR and in 2 years time I was using a Nikon F.

Ok if kazbatus is on a budget I would recommend a S/H D700 but not a D600

If kazbatus wants to make money from photography, he needs a camera that will blow the soaks off the competition and that camera is the D800

Lewis Hamilton did not learn on drive on an old banger

just my humble opinion

Most F1 drivers drive go karts first.

By all means buy a D800 if money is not a problem, but it doesn't seem like you were all that accustomed to a D7000 before you decided to go FF.

Posted 6 months ago #
T140Rider

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The D800 is a very unforgiving Camera. It is most certainly not for the faint hearted. You should be looking a shooting at twice the shutter speed you would have done if you were using say, a D700. Every little shake gets recorded wheras on other camera with less MPixels you could get away with a lot.
I use the D800 with the 28-300 lens as my 'carry around' lens. Mine is pretty sharp and performs a lot better then the 24-120 Mk1 I have used on the D700.
The other 'old' lens I have that does not perform very well on the D800 is the 70-200 F2.8 VR Mk1.
I need to save up for some new glass...

But just to repeat, the D800 is very unforgiving. If a beginner bought one, they might even be put off photography all together. Better buy a DX camera...

Posted 6 months ago #
sevencrossing

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On my D800 I tend to use Auto ISO
the auto ISO is set to 2 "clicks" faster than default
the D800 auto ISO takes into account the focal length
This feature does not exist on the D700

the metering is very accurate and the CLS accuracy much better than the D700
the dynamic range is better than almost any other camera

setting to AUTO focus, and AUTO ISO, on average, produces sharper picture than any other camera I have used; but you do need to understand the difference between S and C

Assuming you shoot RAW and know what you are doing in Light room, I think the D800 a remarkably easy camera to use

Ok I am not a beginner, by any stretch of the imagination, but provided you "zero out" I feel the D800 is a very forgiving camera

kazbatus, if you do not have the foggiest idea what I talking about, then may be the others are right, the D800 is not for you

But if kazbatus bought a D600 ( he already has a D7000 )and set it to AUTO he is not going to learn anything

Posted 6 months ago #
chris_weinert

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@sevencrossing: Maybe this doesn't belong here, but while we're at it: How do you set this "two clicks faster than default"? I read about this but I can only set a shutter time, it seems this is different for each lens.

This is on the fourth page of the Shooting menu (the second menu, not the sub menu under custom settings).

Thanks,
Chris

Posted 6 months ago #
TaoTeJared

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Chris that is on the "auto ISO" settings on the D800/D4 and probably the D600.

kazbatus said:
First of all everybody thankxxx ;))) Here is some of my thoughts:
1. Since this will be my first Ful frame dslr. Iwill go for D800; (I already have d7000)
2. By universal I was thinking bout 28-300, but I will probably shot a lot of people in a “portrait” mode; I have decided to buy 24.120! (I hope this lens can afford all 36 Mpx, & nature). 24-70 is too expensive.
3. I’m in IL, windy city....
4. I will by one lens for first half year. I have been saving for this cam around 10 month.
5. I have already quite powerful retina laptop
6. I want to make and print pictures on the wall of my dorm (3*6 or 5*12ft etc.)
7. Also I’ll go for college next year and as a photographer I’m going to make “friendship” with all chicks around. ;)))))))))))

Not being sure why you want a D800 when you already have what you need. I would go for glass and flashes before a camera. You sound like you have bitten on to the marketing hype rather than getting the things you need to get better. D7000 is more than enough, and you would be wiser to spend the $$ on new glass (50,85,24-120 f4, etc) and flashes. You won't get the chicks with shooting with glass that doesn't pop the subject - or will a 36mp hide the really high iso images taken due to a slow lens. Lighting (as you can see from Donald's link) and fast glass is what makes those images - not the MP.

You don't need a D800 for large prints, but I think you are underestimating the cost of what those prints will be. I would rather buy a flash then pay for the cost of a print that large.

Funny how things must have changed, when I was in college 15 years ago, all I needed was a 12pack of beer to get the chicks. God - College has gotten expensive hasn't it ;)

Posted 6 months ago #
Geoff_K

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Get the camera you want. Too many want everyone to start with training wheels for some unknown reason.

Posted 6 months ago #
chris_weinert

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TaoTeJared said:
Chris that is on the "auto ISO" settings on the D800/D4 and probably the D600.

I know, that's what I'm asking. I read about this setting where you can have it set to focal legth x factor X, for example. I can't find that setting, all I can set is one lowest shutter speed.

Posted 6 months ago #
starralazn

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thanks for the website donaldjose , it gives me some insight that anythings possible and its all about how you sell yourself

Posted 6 months ago #
sevencrossing

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Chris
Set min shutter speed to auto
Then R click for faster slower option

Posted 6 months ago #
chris_weinert

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sevencrossing said:
Chris
Set min shutter speed to auto
Then R click for faster slower option

sevencrossing, THANKS so much! I would have NEVER figured this out, "Auto" is at the end of a list of something that feels like 500 items...

Thanks again,
Chris

Posted 6 months ago #
ashusood331

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Nikon D800 36.3MP SLR
Format: FX
Megapixels: 36.3
Continuous Shooting: 4 FPS
100-6400 ISO (Expandable to 25600)
FULL HD (1080p video at 30/25/24p)

and the camera available on snapdeal
http://www.snapdeal.com/product/nikon-d800-363mp-slr-body/422659

Nikon D800 is a 36.3 megapixel FX-format HD-SLR ideal for professional photographers.Â The camera boasts of superior performance, speed, handling and a fully integrated imaging system. Cinematographers and multimedia professionals can benefit from the true 1080p HD cinematic quality video. The camera includes inputs for stereo microphones and headphones, peak audio meter display, DX crop mode to maximize NIKKOR lens selection and angle of view. With magnesium alloy construction and environmental sealing, the D800 is as good out in the field, as it is in the studio.

D800 digital SLR camera is great for all shooting situations. It is an ideal camera if you want to shoot RAW (NEF), JPG or TIFF images. If you do not want to adjust your workflow (via software) to reduce the occurrence of moire and false colour, D800 will provide you optimum results.

Shoot broadcast quality video
Versatile shooting and fluid operation with D800
Benefit from EXPEED 3 image processing
Experience rich image previewing
Dedicated button for picture control

Posted 6 months ago #
Geoff_K

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On a side note. I called BestBuy and Amazon to ask what SN they were shipping. Neither one could/would tell me though BB did say they were shipping from a June lot they had received. I passed on that since they have sent me 2 from that batch that went back.

Amazon could/would not tell me anything, but someone posted they received a 3004xxx SN recently from Amazon gift. When I saw that Amazon had them for sale I almost pulled the trigger hoping for a 3007xxx or 3008xxx SN. Not certain I will now.

I may call Adorama, does anyone know if their return policy is hinky ? I am not going to get caught up in repair hell, so sending it in for repair is not an option for me.

Posted 6 months ago #
donaldejose

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Geof_K: If you are worried about a focus issue why not get a Nikon reconditioned D800? Most likely it came back for that reason and was fixed. At least you know a reconditioned camera was checked out carefully and repaired while one of the assembly line may not have been.

Posted 6 months ago #
parke1953

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Geof_K: I got my D800 from BestBuy back in August it's SN#3033xxx and Firmware version A:1.00 B:1.01 L:1.006. No problems.

Posted 6 months ago #
Geoff_K

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donaldejose: thank you for the suggestion. i am thinking (right or wrong) that nikon did not spend hte time checking and correcting the focus on every camera and would let the buyer send it back in for repairs. cheaper for Nikon that way because not everyone would notice/check/care and just keep it.

parke1952: thank you for the information. cool beans on the no problem. i am happy to hear success as i do want one. i really liked what i saw from the images shot with center point on the ones i had. i am willing to try again soon. i would feel better getting a 3008xxx in the hopes the glitch was ironed out. ;- )

Posted 6 months ago #
Paperman

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sevencrossing said:
On my D800 I tend to use Auto ISO
the auto ISO is set to 2 "clicks" faster than default
the D800 auto ISO takes into account the focal length
This feature does not exist on the D700

Just curious sevencrossing ...

Are you saying D800 would choose to go for ( let's say )

- 1/500 f4 @ ISO 800

if it has a 300-400mm lens on, instead of staying at

- 1/125 f4 @ ISO200 ?.

For the above case, I am considering AUTO ISO ON and set at 800 , Aperture Priorty . ( It obviously won't change the shutter speed in S mode )

I can't see this being a good thing. The loss from 2 stops more ISO can be more than the loss due to camera shake. ( I might as well be shooting birds on a monopod or sandbag. )

Previous DSLRs were set to go first for minimum ISO for best quality in AUTO ISO ( except flash mode ) and then play with shutter speed/aperture.

Posted 6 months ago #
sevencrossing

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Paperman

I mainly use a 24-120 vr

I have found when shooting a "busy" event, I have failed to notice the light failing and aperture priority giving me unacceptably low shutter speeds . Auto ISO takes care of this. I use this as my default setting

If I am working in a controlled environment, were the light level is not changing, I am more likely to set the ISO my self

It is a very personal thing, at most of the events I shoot, high ISOs is acceptable and I have found, I am more likely to lose a shot, due to camera shake or subject movement, than noise

I also use auto ISO for sunrise and sunsets, when I am not using a tripod

Posted 6 months ago #
Paperman

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Thanks sevencrossing . This is typical use of AUTO ISO as we all very commonly use but it is not the answer to my question.

I was just querying about what you said " the D800 auto ISO takes into account the FOCAL LENGHTH " .

So does it choose exposure values the way I gave an example of - overriding the minimum ISO choice to give a higher shutter speed when a TELE lens is on ?

Posted 6 months ago #
sevencrossing

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Yes. As the focal length increases, it sets a higher ISO value and higher shutter speed

but it will NOT go above the MAX ISO value you have set

nor, of course, will it go below the ISO value you have set

it does not seem to take into account if it is a VR lens

I set my max ISO at 6,400 and the default at 100

Posted 6 months ago #
Paperman

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Thanks Sevencrossing...

I am not sure if this is a function that would please everyone. It actually makes using it complicated and out of control. I like using the Auto ISO but it would be frustrating to see the camera choose "not the minimum ISO" when light conditions actually allow it. Just like I find it frustrating to be unable to shoot in manual mode with Auto ISO on ( where the camera changes the exposure to its liking shifting the ISO - totally disregarding the photographer's exposure choice. Every time I switch to manual, I have to remember to also switch off the Auto ISO )

Anyway, I don't have a D800 yet so no need to worry :-)

Posted 6 months ago #
sevencrossing

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Paperman said:
but it would be frustrating to see the camera choose "not the minimum ISO" when light conditions actually allow it.

I don't think it does. in daylight. between f4 and f 8 it will normally chose native ISO

Posted 6 months ago #
Rx4Photo

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@ Geoff_K, you could probably feel safe with ordering a D800 by now. I got mine from the Nikon Store, I don't know, a few months ago, and the Lot # was #3028XXX. Totally flawless for me. I even shoot occasionally using the leftmost (and right) focus points and get focused images. Honestly, I don't know if lot # has any bearing on what problems lurk inside but they should be pumping out those higher lots by now. Best of luck to you.

Posted 6 months ago #
Paperman

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sevencrossing said:
I don't think it does. in daylight. between f4 and f 8 it will normally chose native ISO

I was under that impression since you said it chose a higher ISO for the sake of a higher shutter speed - when a tele lens is on.

Posted 6 months ago #
TaoTeJared

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Rx4Photo said:
@ Geoff_K, you could probably feel safe with ordering a D800 by now. I got mine from the Nikon Store, I don't know, a few months ago, and the Lot # was #3028XXX. Totally flawless for me. I even shoot occasionally using the leftmost (and right) focus points and get focused images. Honestly, I don't know if lot # has any bearing on what problems lurk inside but they should be pumping out those higher lots by now. Best of luck to you.

+1 - everything was fixed by the 3 batch (4th month after release) and have never heard of issues from the new cameras. Remember they built up stock before releasing it, so it took a time for it to appear and made it seem worse than what it was. Of course there are always outliers here and there.

Paperman said:
I was under that impression since you said it chose a higher ISO for the sake of a higher shutter speed - when a tele lens is on.

It doesn't matter if it is a tele or wide - the adjustment basically pushes it up or down based on the focal length. Neutral is usually Shutter = focal length and it moves the ISO from there. The adjustments then push up the shutter 1-2 stops in either direction.

It works quite well. I do wish it would "remember" my settings for each lens as for VR lenses I can adjust down a couple of stops vs. non-VR.

Of course if you want a "look" the camera can't tell you do, it just always wants to get the "proper" exposure. I do like the button layout on the D800 - I can change every setting from the buttons very quickly for manual exposure and do not have to dive into the menus.

Posted 6 months ago #
Geoff_K

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We shall see what happens. My camera is expected to arrive tomorrow. UPS usually delivers to my house around 8pm

I decided to give Amazon a try. A camera customer concierge person sent me an email saying she was tracking my shipment and would alert me to any problems. she gave an email and a phone number to contact for problems. I was quite pleasantly surprised by this.

Posted 6 months ago #