Nikon D800......
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I can't answer that question Rikki but I'd like to know the same for those who ordered from Amazon ?
I tried to stay away from here and tell myself not to get worked up about the delay but I just can't do it ! I'm really itching to get my hands on my D800, damn you forums !!
I tried to stay away from here and tell myself not to get worked up about the delay but I just can't do it ! I'm really itching to get my hands on my D800, damn you forums !!
I got mine from WEX - ordered on the 7th February and I got it on Saturday morning.
I also ordered from Amazon hedging my bets but got an email from them about a week earlier than this saying that they were "working with Nikon, blah, blah" and that it would be several months until it came. I've cancelled that order now.
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Several Months ?? That's not what I wanted to hear.
Hmmm, ok, hang on and get a £500 discount or cut my losses and try elsewhere ?
If it was £100 I wouldn't even think about it but £500 is a different story.
7th Feb too!
Blimey, 'several months' for a day 1 order.
Unless I'm mistaken, the D800 no longer appears in an Amazon search - in fact I can't find it at all. http://www.amazon.co.uk/
Oh dear, you are the bearer of bad news. How can they go from and expected date of delivery 'next week' to 'several months'?
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I wonder how good it will be for landscapes when Nikon themselves recommend using f8 or wider (may be f11) to avoid diffraction problems?
With every shot, the quality is limited by something, be it number/quality of pixels, quality of lens, dof, etc. Are Nikon saying that because the D800 is capable of quality at high resolution, diffraction will therefore be the limiting factor past f11, or are they saying that past f11 you'll actually have a worse final print than if you used a D700? I assumed the former, but I don't know.
I'm getting to grips with using the D800 now and you have to be SPOT ON with your technique to ensure you get good results every time. If you click on the link below, this gives a 100% view of a picture that I took tonight with lots of detail in it. The only bit thats unsharp is the top left hand corner and this must be softness in the Nikon 24-70mm lens I used. It was shot at 70mm, F/8 and ISO 100. Again, its a big file so will take a few moments to load and its saved as a JPEG so there's some degradation through compression
http://www.alunallcock.com/gallery/22311281_BHBRZG#!i=1782708163&k=hx24WRn&lb=1&s=O
http://www.alunallcock.com/gallery/22311281_BHBRZG#!i=1782708163&k=hx24WRn&lb=1&s=O
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The detail in that one is much better than the last, but for me it's when viewed at X3 that the resolution really shines! Would it be reasonable to expect that prints, even up to very large sizes, will look as good as this? I reckon they would
The detail in that one is much better than the last, but for me it's when viewed at X3 that the resolution really shines! Would it be reasonable to expect that prints, even up to very large sizes, will look as good as this? I reckon they would
I think its a good point. Ive only printed one picture I took last week at A2 and it was (if you don't mind me blowing my own trumpet) fantastic!! I think the thing is that (especially for me printing at A2) the native size is actually bigger (77.89cm @240ppi on the long side) than the size I need to print (usually 54.4cm on the long side) so stuff like noise just gets lost when its downsized and everything tightens up
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I reckon this is the key point! I still feel it's not quite the extensive cropping tool that's being portrayed but when being used just like any other camera then the D800 will excel thanks to the level of detail it originally captures.
I've seen some sports shots with it but then the photographer has time to setup and prepare for the shot but I'd love to see some journalist or wedding shots with it to see how the detail holds up in a fast paced environment where the shot has to be taken quickly
I reckon this is the key point! I still feel it's not quite the extensive cropping tool that's being portrayed but when being used just like any other camera then the D800 will excel thanks to the level of detail it originally captures.
I've seen some sports shots with it but then the photographer has time to setup and prepare for the shot but I'd love to see some journalist or wedding shots with it to see how the detail holds up in a fast paced environment where the shot has to be taken quickly
Again, a very good point Graham!
Ive yet to use it as a "point & shoot" regular camera (I haven't used it in autofocus yet!) but I've an initial feeling that it might not be the optimal for this camera (as well as c.40MB raw files for your "holiday snaps?)
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I've been watching this thread with interest - D800 looks great.
Us 5DII users have been struggling with high pixel counts for quite a while; there's a lot to re-learn.
D800 users are going to go through the same experience, and then some
The biggest change is that taking images that look great viewed at 100% requires near perfect technique.
Established techniques like hyperfocal distance and 1/focal length are all based around a target print size of roughly 8" x 10" and look rubbish viewed at 100%.
Also, diffraction is an IQ killer; the guidelines Nikon have produced are more aimed at producing large prints, not to produce a sharp image viewed at 100%.
Trouble is that we all like to look at 100% to see how good our images are.
The hardest new skill you will need is to view an image at 100% and make a judgement about whether it will produce an acceptable A3+ print. The image quality will often look shocking, but may be good enough to produce a cracking print.
Last summer I wrote a couple of hefty forum responses that may be applicable to D800 owners.
Both from the same thread - Is My 24-105 a Soft Copy?
First - my thoughts on perfect technique needed to ensure a sharp images viewed at 100%.
Second - how I use my 5DII for landscape photography with the goal of 'only' producing high quality A3+ prints.
Do let me know if you found that useful.
Us 5DII users have been struggling with high pixel counts for quite a while; there's a lot to re-learn.
D800 users are going to go through the same experience, and then some
The biggest change is that taking images that look great viewed at 100% requires near perfect technique.
Established techniques like hyperfocal distance and 1/focal length are all based around a target print size of roughly 8" x 10" and look rubbish viewed at 100%.
Also, diffraction is an IQ killer; the guidelines Nikon have produced are more aimed at producing large prints, not to produce a sharp image viewed at 100%.
Trouble is that we all like to look at 100% to see how good our images are.
The hardest new skill you will need is to view an image at 100% and make a judgement about whether it will produce an acceptable A3+ print. The image quality will often look shocking, but may be good enough to produce a cracking print.
Last summer I wrote a couple of hefty forum responses that may be applicable to D800 owners.
Both from the same thread - Is My 24-105 a Soft Copy?
First - my thoughts on perfect technique needed to ensure a sharp images viewed at 100%.
Second - how I use my 5DII for landscape photography with the goal of 'only' producing high quality A3+ prints.
Do let me know if you found that useful.
Instead of having to learn such judgement through trial and error and keeping some samples, why can't we just decide what print size we want, and then view at an appropriate zoom level to judge the quality. Just zoom out a bit.
EDIT - and interesting links, thanks
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Ive just posted my thoughts on the first weeks use of the D800 on Google+. You can find it if you search for me +Alun Allcock
The Nikon D800 - One Week On and Is It the Right Camera for Me?
Lets face it, as photographers we all love talking about the gear. The latest camera, backpack, lens - we all do it! One of the cameras that has definitely caught peoples imaginations lately is the Nikon D800, partly because its been four years since the launch of the D700 which at the time seemed the ideal prosumer camera (full frame quality in a small body), and mostly because of the game-changing 36mp sensor that Nikon have chucked into the mix.
Ive been waiting for the replacement for my D700 for some months and the grapevine (us photographers talking about gear again!) was alive with rumours and speculation on the when/what/how of its replacement. Ive been lucky enough to get my hands on my own D800 a week ago and have been out shooting at every opportunity I have had since then. This is not a technical review. Its just me, a regular punter and photographer, giving his honest thoughts on the D800 and how it's working for me. If youre that way inclined, you can feed my thoughts into your decision-making whether it would be the right camera for you.
There are plenty of YouTube videos and articles about the D800, mostly by people who have never shot with the camera! There are many glowing tributes to the camera from Pros but heres an area that we need to be careful of, People - the impartiality of pro photographers who just happen to have strayed to the front of a very, very long queue and are evangelising the latest product (and expensive accessories). Do they ALL give 100% impartial, honest feedback 100% of the time? With a very few exceptions, my guess is not.
The major areas of comment using the camera from me are as follows:-
Technique
Your technique needs to be SPOT ON! This camera does not take prisoners and any weaknesses you have with sorting the focus or the depth of field will be far more evident in your (printed?) work than ever before. This will come as no suprise to those who have shot with large format or digital backs but for people who are buying this as just my SLR might get a shock when their sloppy technique is exposed. If you're getting the D800, spend the months youll be no doubt be waiting for delivery getting your technique down.
In the week I have had the D800, I have never shot with the autofocus so I cant really comment on that but the few shots I have taken seem OK, the focussing being very quick and accurate. If you are using the D800 to focus manually on a tripod or handheld then the rangefinder indicator seems much more accurate and responsive than the D3/D700 was before which is a big plus point from me.
Lenses
Again, the high resolution sensor in the D800 will show up any weaknesses in your lens choice with major softness in the corners being an issue for me with my (previously!) sharp Nikon 20mm f/2.8 prime. The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 at f/8 and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 at f/8 are great. The best lens I have used and this really shows the capability of the camera, is my 24mm PC-E - and YES! it does work on the D800 (sort of). You can rotate the lens on the camera without it sticking but it will only rotate in one direction. You have to think on if you do this that your downward tilt becomes an upward tilt when it's rotated but other than that it meters fine and is a real joy to use and super-sharp.
Usage
I love shooting landscapes and for me the D800 is the dream package - a poor mans medium format camera (providing you spend wisely on the right glass) in a very portable package. The prints I have made from it and the way it resolves details and colours in the sky are just phenomenal.
But in answer to my first question in the title of this post, I think the honest answer is Sometimes. Whereas before if I was going to Barcelona for the weekend, I wouldnt give a second thought to packing the D700 (or even the D3s for that matter). But the D800 - do I really want to come back with 300 x 40MB RAW files (using Lossless compression @ 12 bit)? Or do I shoot JPEGs which kind of defeats the point of such a fine camera. Would I go for my weekend with a View camera? Its the same thing with the D800 - horses for courses and this might come as a shock to some people when they get to actually using one. Its not the coverall DSLR beast that were used to getting from Canon or Nikon. Its a very specialised tool in my opinion. And the D800E?? Oh, dear.........
The camera I hoped Nikon would have brought out to replace my D700 was the D400 - Nikons entry into the full frame sensor world? The D400 could be a very interesting camera (there we go, talking about gear again!). If Nikon make it into a D700 with the 12mp D3s chip in it. Now that would be a go to camera.
The D800 is without doubt a fantastic camera which produces amazing results but there's quite an investment that goes into each picture to ensure that. As landscape photographers making a picture is what we do and finessing the focus/composition/hyperfocal distance is all good when your subjects not going anywhere. But Street photography? Reportage? Point & shoot holiday snaps? Im not so sure!?
Alun
The Nikon D800 - One Week On and Is It the Right Camera for Me?
Lets face it, as photographers we all love talking about the gear. The latest camera, backpack, lens - we all do it! One of the cameras that has definitely caught peoples imaginations lately is the Nikon D800, partly because its been four years since the launch of the D700 which at the time seemed the ideal prosumer camera (full frame quality in a small body), and mostly because of the game-changing 36mp sensor that Nikon have chucked into the mix.
Ive been waiting for the replacement for my D700 for some months and the grapevine (us photographers talking about gear again!) was alive with rumours and speculation on the when/what/how of its replacement. Ive been lucky enough to get my hands on my own D800 a week ago and have been out shooting at every opportunity I have had since then. This is not a technical review. Its just me, a regular punter and photographer, giving his honest thoughts on the D800 and how it's working for me. If youre that way inclined, you can feed my thoughts into your decision-making whether it would be the right camera for you.
There are plenty of YouTube videos and articles about the D800, mostly by people who have never shot with the camera! There are many glowing tributes to the camera from Pros but heres an area that we need to be careful of, People - the impartiality of pro photographers who just happen to have strayed to the front of a very, very long queue and are evangelising the latest product (and expensive accessories). Do they ALL give 100% impartial, honest feedback 100% of the time? With a very few exceptions, my guess is not.
The major areas of comment using the camera from me are as follows:-
Technique
Your technique needs to be SPOT ON! This camera does not take prisoners and any weaknesses you have with sorting the focus or the depth of field will be far more evident in your (printed?) work than ever before. This will come as no suprise to those who have shot with large format or digital backs but for people who are buying this as just my SLR might get a shock when their sloppy technique is exposed. If you're getting the D800, spend the months youll be no doubt be waiting for delivery getting your technique down.
In the week I have had the D800, I have never shot with the autofocus so I cant really comment on that but the few shots I have taken seem OK, the focussing being very quick and accurate. If you are using the D800 to focus manually on a tripod or handheld then the rangefinder indicator seems much more accurate and responsive than the D3/D700 was before which is a big plus point from me.
Lenses
Again, the high resolution sensor in the D800 will show up any weaknesses in your lens choice with major softness in the corners being an issue for me with my (previously!) sharp Nikon 20mm f/2.8 prime. The Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8 at f/8 and the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 at f/8 are great. The best lens I have used and this really shows the capability of the camera, is my 24mm PC-E - and YES! it does work on the D800 (sort of). You can rotate the lens on the camera without it sticking but it will only rotate in one direction. You have to think on if you do this that your downward tilt becomes an upward tilt when it's rotated but other than that it meters fine and is a real joy to use and super-sharp.
Usage
I love shooting landscapes and for me the D800 is the dream package - a poor mans medium format camera (providing you spend wisely on the right glass) in a very portable package. The prints I have made from it and the way it resolves details and colours in the sky are just phenomenal.
But in answer to my first question in the title of this post, I think the honest answer is Sometimes. Whereas before if I was going to Barcelona for the weekend, I wouldnt give a second thought to packing the D700 (or even the D3s for that matter). But the D800 - do I really want to come back with 300 x 40MB RAW files (using Lossless compression @ 12 bit)? Or do I shoot JPEGs which kind of defeats the point of such a fine camera. Would I go for my weekend with a View camera? Its the same thing with the D800 - horses for courses and this might come as a shock to some people when they get to actually using one. Its not the coverall DSLR beast that were used to getting from Canon or Nikon. Its a very specialised tool in my opinion. And the D800E?? Oh, dear.........
The camera I hoped Nikon would have brought out to replace my D700 was the D400 - Nikons entry into the full frame sensor world? The D400 could be a very interesting camera (there we go, talking about gear again!). If Nikon make it into a D700 with the 12mp D3s chip in it. Now that would be a go to camera.
The D800 is without doubt a fantastic camera which produces amazing results but there's quite an investment that goes into each picture to ensure that. As landscape photographers making a picture is what we do and finessing the focus/composition/hyperfocal distance is all good when your subjects not going anywhere. But Street photography? Reportage? Point & shoot holiday snaps? Im not so sure!?
Alun
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Alun thanks for posting this honest review of the D800. I'm far more inclined to listen to your views that the magazine "reviews".
I am thinking about getting a D3s for my sports work and adding a D800 as a backup body but also one I can take travelling and for doing mostly photography for pleasure. I am now wondering if the D800 might be too good for what I really need. How would you say it compares to the D700? A real plus of the D800 for me would be the video features so I wouldn't have to take a video camera and stills camera when I am away. However if the D700 compares favourably then I might be willing to sacrifice the video features.
I am thinking about getting a D3s for my sports work and adding a D800 as a backup body but also one I can take travelling and for doing mostly photography for pleasure. I am now wondering if the D800 might be too good for what I really need. How would you say it compares to the D700? A real plus of the D800 for me would be the video features so I wouldn't have to take a video camera and stills camera when I am away. However if the D700 compares favourably then I might be willing to sacrifice the video features.
intresting. you the second person to say they would take the d700 over the d800 for everyday usage. when everything isnt setup.Mein thein being the other. he has stated this on dp aswell as his blog.
seems tgeres also a few new issues coming to light. An AF issue and the camera locking up.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=41128645&page=1
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/07/nikon-d800-locks-up.aspx/
seems tgeres also a few new issues coming to light. An AF issue and the camera locking up.
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=41128645&page=1
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/04/07/nikon-d800-locks-up.aspx/
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Not good!
The D800 is an amazing camera (for certain things) - you won't be disappointed with the D700 either
There's always a firmware update pretty soon after a new Nikon DSLR launches. Also, the UK batches start 6000 so if the autofocus is a batch issue then we should see this in the UK with "genuine" stock
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Great practical post Alun, thank you.
Was considering an upgrade but in reality I can produce a decent A2 print (and in truth I rarely print above A4) from my current gear and I really dont need/want to be handling massive file sizes with the associated issues.
My current thinking is 12 mp is enough for most people, and there will be limited benefit in going to higher mp counts. High ISO performance on the other hand is most welcome, maybe a D700 is a better choice for many as has already been stated.
Was considering an upgrade but in reality I can produce a decent A2 print (and in truth I rarely print above A4) from my current gear and I really dont need/want to be handling massive file sizes with the associated issues.
My current thinking is 12 mp is enough for most people, and there will be limited benefit in going to higher mp counts. High ISO performance on the other hand is most welcome, maybe a D700 is a better choice for many as has already been stated.
Thanks Dave and I'd agree with you.
I bought the D800:-
1. Because I'd already sold my D700!
2. My D3s is too big to carry on remote trips but I love the images I get from it
2. I wanted the increased dynamic range for landscapes (WAY more important than pixels) - 9.8 stops on the D3s increased to 14.5 on the D800!
3. Didn't particualy need the mega-increase in pixels
4. Will never need the video
At first, I ordered the D800E but after thinking about it for an hour, I cancelled that order and re-ordered the D800 imagining that issues such as focus and lens quality would be even more acute. I'm glad I did now. Any clarity benefit with the D800E that removing the AA filter brings can, in my view, be brought back with the D800 through proper sharpening.
If I was in two minds, I'd personally wait to see what Nikon do with the D300s overhaul which is long overdue. Do they make this camera the entry into the FX range? 12MP sensor taken from the D3s? I'd buy one at the drop of hat (and keep the D800!!
)Does yours have the AF issue Alun?
(Ming Thein refers Asian batch numbers 8000xxx to 8001xxx - http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/readflat.asp?forum=1021&thread=41128645&page=1)
No I haven't noticed it. My camera starts with "6000" serial number.
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The more I read about real-world use of the D800 and the practical problems of focusing etc (as well as "do you ever actually print that large..." - like most people, 99.999% of my output is purely digital), the more I feel that the D4 is a better choice and keep the D700 as 2nd body...now...if only they hadn't put the prices up, which just annoys me on principle... grr...
arclight
Oooh that burglar's a cutie
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I would wait,till the issues have been sorted out
Yes - never be the first to try the new (or the last to give up the old).
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simonblue said:I would wait,till the issues have been sorted out
Sounds like a firmware issue, waiting or not won't make any difference. Considering the waiting list for these new cameras is measured in months atm, I really wouldn't worry about minor issues...
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icnoble said:
Remember you don't get a UK warranty with Pixmania, any issues and the camera ends up having to go back to the country of origin, usually France......
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