Nikon D800......

Morning all. I have a slight dilemma. I'm moving back to FX after a brief and enjoyable flirtation with m4/3. I've been missing the cleanliness and sheer quality of the raw files since I sold my D610 last year.

I've decided on a d800/e or D810. I briefly considered the D750 but I like the idea of 36mp files, perfer the body size of the D8xx and I really missed not having a view finder cover when I had my D810.

My main passion is cityscapes, landscapes, blue hour stuff etc but it will need to double up to shoot other things like fast moving kids, motorsport and maybe the odd portrait.

I'm drawn to the D810 mainly because of the ISO 64 and electric front curtain as they will be nice to haves for landscape. But the reported better high ISO performance is appealing and I hear that auto focus is better which might help a lot when shooting stuff that moves. If I buy a D810 used or new grey import, it's looking like £1600-1850 ish. D80/0e's seem to be about £1000-1300 for a good used example so quite a big difference but not necessarily a like for like comparison when you consider wear and tear and warranty etc.

So I suppose what I'm asking is whether or not the extra spend is worth it on D810? I know that can't really be answered definitively but interested to hear opinions and experience.

If it has any relevance I've settled on a lens line up of Sigma Art 24mm 1.4, Sigma Art 50mm 1.4 and 70-200 2.8 VR1.
 
gad-westy said:
Morning all. I have a slight dilemma. I'm moving back to FX after a brief and enjoyable flirtation with m4/3. I've been missing the cleanliness and sheer quality of the raw files since I sold my D610 last year.

I've decided on a d800/e or D810. I briefly considered the D750 but I like the idea of 36mp files, perfer the body size of the D8xx and I really missed not having a view finder cover when I had my D810.

My main passion is cityscapes, landscapes, blue hour stuff etc but it will need to double up to shoot other things like fast moving kids, motorsport and maybe the odd portrait.

I'm drawn to the D810 mainly because of the ISO 64 and electric front curtain as they will be nice to haves for landscape. But the reported better high ISO performance is appealing and I hear that auto focus is better which might help a lot when shooting stuff that moves. If I buy a D810 used or new grey import, it's looking like £1600-1850 ish. D80/0e's seem to be about £1000-1300 for a good used example so quite a big difference but not necessarily a like for like comparison when you consider wear and tear and warranty etc.

So I suppose what I'm asking is whether or not the extra spend is worth it on D810? I know that can't really be answered definitively but interested to hear opinions and experience.

If it has any relevance I've settled on a lens line up of Sigma Art 24mm 1.4, Sigma Art 50mm 1.4 and 70-200 2.8 VR1.
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If you can afford the difference easily, then get the D810. 'tis a win/win which ever way you go as the D800/e are still excellent cameras.
 
PaulButler said:
If you can afford the difference easily, then get the D810. 'tis a win/win which ever way you go as the D800/e are still excellent cameras.
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Hmmm, not sure 'easily' is the right word but I've certainly budgeted for a D810. Hard one to answer but I suspect I'll end up with a D810 from Panamoz once I've sold some other bits and bobs.
 
The D800 is still a mighty camera for the money. That said, I am preferring the D750 atm, AF locks way better in bad light
 
if its a bit over budget,just wait a bit and save up,I keep buying those £1 tin savings tin and put fivers tenders twenties every now and again,its amazing how much is in there after a couple of months,mostly double what i estimate.
worth the wait to get the best you want i would say,cheaper in the long run
 
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gad-westy said:
Hmmm, not sure 'easily' is the right word but I've certainly budgeted for a D810. Hard one to answer but I suspect I'll end up with a D810 from Panamoz once I've sold some other bits and bobs.
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"Easily" may not have been the correct word ;) but if I'd got a D800E (which I very nearly did) instead of the D810 I would always have had that "what if" itch ... sad really as it would have saved me some money and the D800E is still a mighty fine camera.
 
I've got a d800 which I've had for a number of years now - for portraiture work its immense and the only upgrade i could want over it would be digital medium format. That said I bought a film medium format camera earlier this year.
 
Sir SR said:
I've got a d800 which I've had for a number of years now - for portraiture work its immense and the only upgrade i could want over it would be digital medium format. That said I bought a film medium format camera earlier this year.
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Agreed it's a tremendous camera for the £££ they're going for
 
Sir SR said:
I suspect you'd be hard pressed to tell in controlled conditions.
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Getting that impression from everything I have read. It sounds like you have to look very hard to spot any difference.

Anybody had any issues with magenta casts on the d800 when shooting stars etc? It's something I've read about but I'm not clear on whether it effects all d800's or not.
 
gad-westy said:
Getting that impression from everything I have read. It sounds like you have to look very hard to spot any difference.

Anybody had any issues with magenta casts on the d800 when shooting stars etc? It's something I've read about but I'm not clear on whether it effects all d800's or not.
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Hate to quote myself but could really do with hearing about any first hand experience of long exposure thermal noise and cast issues on D800 adnd D800e's. I'm starting to lean on the side of getting a D800 in favour of a d810 and using the considerable difference in £'s for more useful things but I'm a little worried about some reports of thermal noise on long exposures. I enjoy shooting at night and this is perhaps the only thing making me concerned.
 
gad-westy said:
Hate to quote myself but could really do with hearing about any first hand experience of long exposure thermal noise and cast issues on D800 adnd D800e's. I'm starting to lean on the side of getting a D800 in favour of a d810 and using the considerable difference in £'s for more useful things but I'm a little worried about some reports of thermal noise on long exposures. I enjoy shooting at night and this is perhaps the only thing making me concerned.
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I was aware there was a potential issue with the D810 but that was fixed (by a firmware update possibly ...) - I have never experienced it with my D810 and I do some long exposures!! I didn't think it was an issue with the D800/e - and google only brought one example up yet it brought loads up for the D810. I googled "Nikon d800 thermal noise" btw ...
 
PaulButler said:
I was aware there was a potential issue with the D810 but that was fixed (by a firmware update possibly ...) - I have never experienced it with my D810 and I do some long exposures!! I didn't think it was an issue with the D800/e - and google only brought one example up yet it brought loads up for the D810. I googled "Nikon d800 thermal noise" btw ...
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Cheers Paul,

This might be a case of reading too many reviews! I actually wasn't aware of an issue on the D810. On the D800 and e I've read a little more about problems with long exposures, something to do with the way that sensor generates more heat than other nikon dslrs. Maybe thermal noise isn't the right word, a few people moaning about white specks appearing on their images and one or two cases of magenta casts. If they're manageable by using LE NR, I'm not too bothered though. I just can't seem to find much on it which might be the best indicator that it's a non issue.
 
gad-westy said:
Cheers Paul,

This might be a case of reading too many reviews! I actually wasn't aware of an issue on the D810. On the D800 and e I've read a little more about problems with long exposures, something to do with the way that sensor generates more heat than other nikon dslrs. Maybe thermal noise isn't the right word, a few people moaning about white specks appearing on their images and one or two cases of magenta casts. If they're manageable by using LE NR, I'm not too bothered though. I just can't seem to find much on it which might be the best indicator that it's a non issue.
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Its a slight issue. Both my D800's have a high number of hot pixels. I don't really do long exposures so its not a deal breaker.
 
gad-westy said:
Cheers Paul,

This might be a case of reading too many reviews! I actually wasn't aware of an issue on the D810. On the D800 and e I've read a little more about problems with long exposures, something to do with the way that sensor generates more heat than other nikon dslrs. Maybe thermal noise isn't the right word, a few people moaning about white specks appearing on their images and one or two cases of magenta casts. If they're manageable by using LE NR, I'm not too bothered though. I just can't seem to find much on it which might be the best indicator that it's a non issue.
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There was a big hoo har when the D810 first came out, Nikon did issue a service notice and it was all sorted in a short order. As I said mine has never shown any issues (except when I forget to close the viewfinder :oops: :$ but can't blame the camera for that). There are so many landscape photographers using the D800 that any significant issue would be known about by now I'd have thought.
 
This is partly a D810 question and partly a Paramoz question, but I can't find the Paramoz thread that I'm sure I'd seen not so long ago.

I'm now at a point where I'm finally seriously thinking about going full frame from my D7100. The D810 is on the radar, but I've been putting off a decision waiting to see whether Nikon are going to replace it, though I think I've put it off too long and now it's possibly time to bite the bullet as there has been no sign of anything in the rumours sites. (have I missed anything?)

My other camera is an IR converted D90. I was thinking that I'd get my D7100 converted and sell the D90, but I'm partly wondering if the D810a would be a usable compromise in a single body, if its any more IR sensitive (so go back to using a screw on filter) but still usable for normal colour photography, or would it be the worst of both worlds?


On to buying the thing....

D810s are going for ~£1800 second hand on eBay, usually with around 10000 actuation's. There is often no information on the original source of the camera (though the better sellers tend to say whether they're from a UK supplier) and obviously you don't know what you're really getting till it arrives.

Then you see Paramoz selling a brand new camera for £1811.

I know that demand drives prices on eBay, and this isn't a comment on second hand prices really. But why would I buy second hand from eBay when I can buy new for the same price, know the history of the camera and, worst case, probably have better support and come back from Paramoz? Am I missing something obvious? Has the market changed in the couple of years since I last looked? Is Paramoz still trusted? Is their "UK warranty" worth anything (I mean they're saying that if they can't repair it in the UK, they'll give you a new replacement!?)? Oh, and do they still offer further discount for bank transfer?
 
James Blonde said:
This is partly a D810 question and partly a Paramoz question, but I can't find the Paramoz thread that I'm sure I'd seen not so long ago.

I'm now at a point where I'm finally seriously thinking about going full frame from my D7100. The D810 is on the radar, but I've been putting off a decision waiting to see whether Nikon are going to replace it, though I think I've put it off too long and now it's possibly time to bite the bullet as there has been no sign of anything in the rumours sites. (have I missed anything?)

My other camera is an IR converted D90. I was thinking that I'd get my D7100 converted and sell the D90, but I'm partly wondering if the D810a would be a usable compromise in a single body, if its any more IR sensitive (so go back to using a screw on filter) but still usable for normal colour photography, or would it be the worst of both worlds?


On to buying the thing....

D810s are going for ~£1800 second hand on eBay, usually with around 10000 actuation's. There is often no information on the original source of the camera (though the better sellers tend to say whether they're from a UK supplier) and obviously you don't know what you're really getting till it arrives.

Then you see Paramoz selling a brand new camera for £1811.

I know that demand drives prices on eBay, and this isn't a comment on second hand prices really. But why would I buy second hand from eBay when I can buy new for the same price, know the history of the camera and, worst case, probably have better support and come back from Paramoz? Am I missing something obvious? Has the market changed in the couple of years since I last looked? Is Paramoz still trusted? Is their "UK warranty" worth anything (I mean they're saying that if they can't repair it in the UK, they'll give you a new replacement!?)? Oh, and do they still offer further discount for bank transfer?
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I briefly pondered the D810a as I love infrared but I felt that it would be too big a compromise for 'normal' photography. I'm sure it's as good as it gets for IR but you pay a lot more for one of those than a D810 and the difference might be better spent on a dedicated IR camera (or keep your D90 and pocket the change). I'd assume as well that for normal shooting on a D810A you'd need to use an IR cut off filter the whole time which might compromise IQ a little which would be a shame on such a capable camera.

I'm now sorted with an alternative but if it's any use there'll be a wanted thread of mine in the archives where @Swanseajack offered me what sounded like a very decent example for a reasonable saving over buying a new import. Might be worth considering.

I don't think panamoz still offer a discount for bank transfer. Not sure on your warranty question but maybe worth contacting them as they've always been very helpful when I've emailed them.
 
I might have accidentally clicked "buy" on that D810. Ooops. and an eBay special 24-70 F2.8. Oh no. Alas, woe is me.

:D

Though I bet Nikon announce the D810 replacement tomorrow or something... I "sold" it to my wife as "the last camera I'll ever need" - wonder if that was a mistake? :whistle:

No, they don't offer bank transfer any more, but the price had gone south of £1800 so it seemed too good an opportunity to pass up! Don't know if it was a Black Friday / Cyber Monday thing or if the price has gone down, but I can't see prices remaining low after the sales end.
 
Been busy with work a lot lately but we had a visit from this little treasure - actually, she stayed with us for 5 days but I only had 30 minutes of decent conditions to get any photos.

This is from a set taken with a 135/f2 DC - what a lens that is!



I can sing too! by Barry Cant, on Flickr
 
gad-westy said:
Cheers Paul,

This might be a case of reading too many reviews! I actually wasn't aware of an issue on the D810. On the D800 and e I've read a little more about problems with long exposures, something to do with the way that sensor generates more heat than other nikon dslrs. Maybe thermal noise isn't the right word, a few people moaning about white specks appearing on their images and one or two cases of magenta casts. If they're manageable by using LE NR, I'm not too bothered though. I just can't seem to find much on it which might be the best indicator that it's a non issue.
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I regularly shoot LEs with my D800E and have to use LE NR to remove the white specs. Its a bit annoying having to endure double exposure times but it is what it is. Not sure if the D810 suffers the same. As for the magenta cast, never had a problem as long as the viewfinder curtain is closed. As for IQ, my father has an 810 and ive never been able to tell them apart.

A couple of recent Le's with the D800E and the tank of a lens, the Nikon 28-70 2.8 AFD.

Statues Colour by Neil Almond, on Flickr

Side Light by Neil Almond, on Flickr
 
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Thanks Neil. I opted for a D810 in the end. Still getting used to it but all good so far.
 
chuckles said:
Been busy with work a lot lately but we had a visit from this little treasure - actually, she stayed with us for 5 days but I only had 30 minutes of decent conditions to get any photos.

This is from a set taken with a 135/f2 DC - what a lens that is!



I can sing too! by Barry Cant, on Flickr
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Yes it's a killer combination I will never part with the 135mm DC I've hated parting with the 200mm f2.0 VR but the weight was a killer for me.
Cracking quality capture!
 
NeilA1975 said:
I regularly shoot LEs with my D800E and have to use LE NR to remove the white specs. Its a bit annoying having to endure double exposure times but it is what it is. Not sure if the D810 suffers the same. As for the magenta cast, never had a problem as long as the viewfinder curtain is closed. As for IQ, my father has an 810 and ive never been able to tell them apart.

A couple of recent Le's with the D800E and the tank of a lens, the Nikon 28-70 2.8 AFD.

Statues Colour by Neil Almond, on Flickr

Side Light by Neil Almond, on Flickr
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"Excellent" work Neil, nothing more to be said.(y)

George.
 
SFTPhotography said:
I am keen to try the live view on the 810. Its supposedly a lot better in low light which will make manual focussing easier. Just want it to arrive earlier

Here is a good article about the ESC

http://nps.nikonimaging.com/technical_solutions/d810_tips/the_electronic_front/
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I've literally took delivery this morning so only had a quick mess about with various lenses around the house. But the fact you can zoom in and still retain some very good resolution will help no end when manual focussing with live view.

Will have a read of that at Steve.

If you use the Mup with live view and ESC enabled there is literally no noticeable motion or noise. That has got to be worth its weight in gold for us landscapers when shooting at long focal lengths
 
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