D800/e real-world use

grotty

grotty

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I'm about to purchase a Nikon DSLR, and it's probably going to be a D800e or a D750. I've had the latter and I did enjoy using it, but I do have a bit of a hankering for the detail the D800e can capture. I think I'd also prefer the feel of the slightly more industrial build-quality of the D800e.

My main question is: I've read a fair bit about the D800/e being slow to use — to those that have used both, is it noticeably slower in real-word use?

To pre-empt the 'you don't need all those pixels' comments. I know this already.

Thanks.
 
The have a D800 and D750. I use the D800 for Architectural photography in manual focus mode and the D750 for video. The main differences I have found are the D750 has much better autofocus as a stills camera and much better video capability. With the exception of the number of pixels I don't think there is any real world difference in image quality eg. dynamic range.

If I were looking at your price point I would probably go for D750 as the better all round camera or push the boat out a bit and get a D810 which is generally better all round than the D800/D750.
 
I seen a review comparing images from the various d800 series and the d810 was a clear winner. They suggested Nikon tweaked the sensor a little with the 810 somehow. Now sure if that is true though, I don't own all 3
 
markyboy.1967 said:
Have you considered the D810, not as slow as the D800 and still has the pixels and detail- might be a good solution for you.
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Yes, sadly I can't really stretch to a D810 ‚ I'm buying used and my ideal budget is £1k max.

ah5168 said:
The have a D800 and D750. I use the D800 for Architectural photography in manual focus mode and the D750 for video. The main differences I have found are the D750 has much better autofocus as a stills camera and much better video capability. With the exception of the number of pixels I don't think there is any real world difference in image quality eg. dynamic range.

If I were looking at your price point I would probably go for D750 as the better all round camera or push the boat out a bit and get a D810 which is generally better all round than the D800/D750.
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Thanks. How much better is the AF? I've had D700 and D750 bodies — is the D800 as fast as the D700 with AF acquisition? Is the handling slow? Some of the stuff I've read makes it sound like it's very slow in handling, hence my post.
 
To me the D800/e can be slow to focus in live view, but is quick otherwise, it does depend on the lens being used.
If your into landscape the speed of the d800/e will not be an issue and you need to use those pixels somewhere.

Pete
 
seaodyssey said:
To me the D800/e can be slow to focus in live view, but is quick otherwise, it does depend on the lens being used.
If your into landscape the speed of the d800/e will not be an issue and you need to use those pixels somewhere.

Pete
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Thanks Pete. I don't think live view is too much of a big deal, and I will mainly be shooting people. I am aware I don't need the pixels (or full frame for the matter), but I am an art director/designer by trade and I do love the detail and the post work. It's definitely a want rather than a need.
 
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When you get into a low light or low contrast situation and want to use a single focus point the D800 can take a while to focus and the D750 nails it instantly in the same situation.

I don't understand the slow handling comment. You have a button for most things on the D800, if I am rushing to get he camera set up for a shot I find the D800 quicker due to all the direct access buttons.
 
ah5168 said:
When you get into a low light or low contrast situation and want to use a single focus point the D800 can take a while to focus and the D750 nails it instantly in the same situation.

I don't understand the slow handling comment. You have a button for most things on the D800, if I am rushing to get he camera set up for a shot I find the D800 quicker due to all the direct access buttons.
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Thanks — as I imagined then. I don't really understand the slow handling inferences I was picking up either. From what I can gather ISO 6400 is still very usable on the D800, suitable for moderate sized prints — is that your experience?
 
grotty said:
From what I can gather ISO 6400 is still very usable on the D800, suitable for moderate sized prints — is that your experience?
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The performance of the D750 and D800 at higher ISO is about the same I don't think there is any significant differences between the current crop of full frame Nikon's. Possibly back to back the D750 is about 1/3 of a stop better.

Your ability to nail a good exposure is important to get low noise images and I always find the metering of the D800 to be much more suited to my photography. I always find the D750 underexposes and I am constantly having to mess around with exposure compensation.
 
After owning a d700/d750/d800.... got to be the d750.

Enjoy the new camera.
 
It arrived today along with a 50 1.4G and though WEX had it as an '8' it is in really nice condition - they seem to have high standards with their grading. From a few pointless snaps in a dimly lit house, I think I'm going to like it very much. Feels nicer in the hand than the D750, and not really much heavier.
 
Had a D700, bought an 800 to run alongside it. Much preferred using the 700 to the 800 so chopped it (800) in against a Fuji X-Pro1 kit. Now run the 700 alongside a 750 for FF and an expanded Fuji kit for more portability. Used the Fuji more in a month than I used the 800 in the year I owned it.
 
Good buy a 800e. Holds value stupidly well. They are still roughly the same price as when I was looking at them early 2017. Near £1000
 
Nod said:
Had a D700, bought an 800 to run alongside it. Much preferred using the 700 to the 800 so chopped it (800) in against a Fuji X-Pro1 kit. Now run the 700 alongside a 750 for FF and an expanded Fuji kit for more portability. Used the Fuji more in a month than I used the 800 in the year I owned it.
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Hopefully I'll have a different experience, I guess time will tell. I had a brief stab at the Fuji system but I didn't really gel with it, though in all honesty I didn't give it enough time. I prefer micro four thirds for portable so will stick with that.
 
Much to my annoyance, I have to set AF fine tune to -20 for the 50 1.4G. My only other lens in a tamron 17-35 2.8-4 and that alters throughout the zoom range as I'd expect but does back focus a bit, but it's not very noticeable because of the wide angle and relatively small aperture. Long and the short is, not sure if it's the lens or body (or both), but my feeling is body. I'm thinking try to borrow a fast prime to test and see the outcome. All a bit of a PITA...
 
i have had the D800 version for some time, before the D800e came on the market. As you have just got yousr it is a used one, nothing wrong in that. I would suspect the camera as I have the same lens and fine tune is spot on.
With my D800 I was always struggling with the colour red and not that happy with sharpness/focus even from new

A few weeks ago I dropped it and it went for major repair,, what a difference!!! sharp and correct colours like having another camera. I am saying this because maybe yours need calibrating as well.,No way should you fine tune to -20.


Sent you a PM in" conversations" where mine was done. Worth giving them a call about costs.
 
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The D750 is an all round excellent camera, doesn't really have any faults particularly, and I wouldn't be without mine. Never really thought I am missing out on the 800 series.
 
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