Nikon D800......

The D800 is noticeably bulkier. Both are IMHO easy and intuitive to use. The D800 menu structure is in some areas quite different and has a lot more options, not all of them of interest to every photographer I assume, but I guess it's a pretty complete set of features. On a side note, why anyone would use image editing software built into a camera with the obvious limitations in usability is beyond me, but the software is there alright.

The D800 does not have an Auto (A) mode. However, it has a lot more buttons which allow me to make all the adjustments (for example switch the type of metering) I need more quickly. You want to shoot a landscape with a rural barn which is open on one side? Matrix. You want to shoot the barn and see what's inside? Spot, it's the flick of a knob on the D800.

The D600 also has a decent set of buttons, but the D800 is better. The flash of the D800 is stronger, but in terms of strength still not on par with a good external flash unit. The printed manual of the D800 is a little taller than that of the D600 and these 2 (or so) centimeters add a whole new world of readability. I've never read the paper manual of the D600 because it was nearly unreadable for me, while the readability of the printed D800 manual is good.

The dynamic range on both cameras is comparable, and so is the image quality. For hobby photographers like myself, the added 12Mp of the D800 allow for even more cropping, provided you had a good lens. The D800's AF is faster and more reliable, and the AF points cover a larger area, but the latter is irrelevant for me. Both cameras have good metering, the D800 seems to be a little better in determining the right settings.

The continuous shooting speed of the D800 is lower, but it maintains this rock-steady, while the D600 seems to shoot in shorter bursts rather than maintain a steady 5fps. The D800 has a CF slot, which is not bad as the CF cards have (as I read) their own controller, so the camera just hands the images over to that without having to bother about writing to the card - maybe that is the reason for the steady CH burst speed.

In the D800 viewfinder I can see a better DOF preview. I was told this is due to the viewfinder being a tad grainier, but for me, only the fact matters that I can see better what will be sharp and what will be blurred.

The D800 has an artificial horizon indicator shown in the viewfinder (press a button to turn it on), I forget whether the D600 had that too. It's handy though. You won't believe how often you don't hold the camera properly aligned horizontally or vertically.

There are probably more things I've noticed when using the camera, which I have forgotten to mention now, sorry for that. One major difference maybe, my D600 had the sensor dirt issue, the D800 was entirely problem-free.

Both cameras take great pictures. The D800 is for all practical purposes of me as a hobby photographer probably not £500.- better than the D600, but it is a great camera.
 
david357 said:
I have noticed that this in the main is not a D800 thread, but a D800 faults and focussing thread, and I have to agree that there is a lot of scaremongering on here, where some users will look for faults that they would never have found in normal use.
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Now I feel bad for raising the egg timer thing ;)

It's also worth bearing in mind how common the faults are - and how much people shoot.

I've noticed the egg timer thing 3 or 4 times recently. I shot about 5,000 frames on my D800 last week. (Yes, I have a very big hard drive....). For me, for the money I paid, the flaws are acceptable. I notice I tend to grab it for lots of things in preference to my D3S.

But if you shoot rarely and read threads about lots of "issues" then you could be forgiven for thinking this is a bad camera. For anybody thinking that I suggest you cut your losses put it in the classifieds at a knock down price. Just drop me a PM first ;)
 
AchimT said:
The D800 is noticeably bulkier. Both are IMHO easy and intuitive to use. The D800 menu structure is in some areas quite different and has a lot more options, not all of them of interest to every photographer I assume, but I guess it's a pretty complete set of features. On a side note, why anyone would use image editing software built into a camera with the obvious limitations in usability is beyond me, but the software is there alright.

The D800 does not have an Auto (A) mode. However, it has a lot more buttons which allow me to make all the adjustments (for example switch the type of metering) I need more quickly. You want to shoot a landscape with a rural barn which is open on one side? Matrix. You want to shoot the barn and see what's inside? Spot, it's the flick of a knob on the D800.

The D600 also has a decent set of buttons, but the D800 is better. The flash of the D800 is stronger, but in terms of strength still not on par with a good external flash unit. The printed manual of the D800 is a little taller than that of the D600 and these 2 (or so) centimeters add a whole new world of readability. I've never read the paper manual of the D600 because it was nearly unreadable for me, while the readability of the printed D800 manual is good.

The dynamic range on both cameras is comparable, and so is the image quality. For hobby photographers like myself, the added 12Mp of the D800 allow for even more cropping, provided you had a good lens. The D800's AF is faster and more reliable, and the AF points cover a larger area, but the latter is irrelevant for me. Both cameras have good metering, the D800 seems to be a little better in determining the right settings.

The continuous shooting speed of the D800 is lower, but it maintains this rock-steady, while the D600 seems to shoot in shorter bursts rather than maintain a steady 5fps. The D800 has a CF slot, which is not bad as the CF cards have (as I read) their own controller, so the camera just hands the images over to that without having to bother about writing to the card - maybe that is the reason for the steady CH burst speed.

In the D800 viewfinder I can see a better DOF preview. I was told this is due to the viewfinder being a tad grainier, but for me, only the fact matters that I can see better what will be sharp and what will be blurred.

The D800 has an artificial horizon indicator shown in the viewfinder (press a button to turn it on), I forget whether the D600 had that too. It's handy though. You won't believe how often you don't hold the camera properly aligned horizontally or vertically.

There are probably more things I've noticed when using the camera, which I have forgotten to mention now, sorry for that. One major difference maybe, my D600 had the sensor dirt issue, the D800 was entirely problem-free.

Both cameras take great pictures. The D800 is for all practical purposes of me as a hobby photographer probably not £500.- better than the D600, but it is a great camera.
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How do you find the size/weight v the D600?
 
No other thread is like this because no other camera bar maby the d600 recently has had such issues, look at that thread also. There's plent of post regarding its issues,similarly with the pro canon body that had issue's(can remember which model) but I'm sure it's thread had a fair share of posts regarding it.
That doesn't mean it should have its own issues thread, because some have issues it's best that users check there's, to say they shouldn't is ridiculous . Because yours doesn't doesn't mean others don't and shouldn't look out for it.would you rather just hide this from people.

If its become a faults thread that should tell your there's plenty with it. There's is No scaremongering going on here just advising to check.

As for them loosing money from it I don't it being Japanese made they are very reluctant to admit any issues especially with something so popular that is not going to I danger anyone.
For them to admit it would loose them a whole load of money, so why admit it.

I'm not doubting that's its a great camera and even with the known faults on some,I wouldn't advise people not to buy one just to check that there's is issue free.

I also have never said his will have any issues, but to check . I'm also sure that the camera requires more from lens than any fx so far, so making sure your lens are properly calibrated, won't give you the impression that you may have focus issues and will show you what this camera really is capable of.
 
Fair enough, but I don't think you should pick at someone for being positive.

I really feel people should buy without worry, if there are issues, they will let themselves be known fairly quickly.

Anyway, nobody using the 28-300? I'm thinking more on it and feel it might be a waste to just get one for trips, as I don't go abroad that often really. Maybe great for a back-packer?
 
Im as happy to burry this as much as anyone but those that say scaremongering etc just because they were mot affected really rile me. Great for you, but those who were affected found the advice in this forum as essential in resolving the issues they had, some of which took several attempts by Nikon to fix. I say once again, how do you explain that I posted asking for advice on how I perform the tests for left focus issue before I even received the camera only to find out I did have the issue when I received it? If it was so rare as you suggest then the odds of that happening would be unbelievably small. The thread i created is there to see with the sample images which i posted that showed the images taken were unusable and I'm not going to just "live with" a faulty camera at £2k anyway.

Anyway its been a long time since any new occurrences and most people seem to have any issues resolved now so unless anyone has any specific concerns that they want advice on then i agree we should move on to enjoying what is a fantastic camera.
 
the_local_jacko said:
Im as happy to burry this as much as anyone but those that say scaremongering etc just because they were mot affected really rile me. Great for you, but those who were affected found the advice in this forum as essential in resolving the issues they had, some of which took several attempts by Nikon to fix. I say once again, how do you explain that I posted asking for advice on how I perform the tests for left focus issue before I even received the camera only to find out I did have the issue when I received it? If it was so rare as you suggest then the odds of that happening would be unbelievably small. The thread i created is there to see with the sample images which i posted that showed the images taken were unusable and I'm not going to just "live with" a faulty camera at £2k anyway.

Anyway its been a long time since any new occurrences and most people seem to have any issues resolved now so unless anyone has any specific concerns that they want advice on then i agree we should move on to enjoying what is a fantastic camera.
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It's nobody's fault on here that you have issues either. And nobody is trying to "bury" it - just moving along. First you're riled, then happy to move along? what was the point of the post?

Anyone with serious issues should be doing something active about it, not just looking for suggestions on forums, IMHO.
 
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pmac said:
regarding the 28-300 cagey check out http://blog.mingthein.com/nikon/

He has reviewed it and also has a part in his first d800 review regarding it.

On the d800 i think the jist of it was that it was fine from 35-200, then each end suffered
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Cheers, will have a look.

Ok - direct link to the review: http://blog.mingthein.com/2012/04/26/review-a-controversial-lens-the-nikon-afs-28-3003-5-5-6-vr-g/

That guy looks to have taken some great shots using it, but in the review he seems to slate it as much as others have.
 
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Cagey75 said:
Fair enough, but I don't think you should pick at someone for being positive.

I really feel people should buy without worry, if there are issues, they will let themselves be known fairly quickly.

Anyway, nobody using the 28-300? I'm thinking more on it and feel it might be a waste to just get one for trips, as I don't go abroad that often really. Maybe great for a back-packer?
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Used it with a D700 and now with my D800E. Very handy walkabout lens.

Pic below was taken at 200mm focal length. ISO 1100 and shooting partly into the light. Hand held at 1/125th.


_LES0471 by Lensman44, on Flickr
 
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Nice shot! I think if I could find a nice used copy I might bite. It would be easy enough sell on later I'd say?
 
Cagey75 said:
It's nobody's fault on here that you have issues either. And nobody is trying to "bury" it - just moving along. First you're riled, then happy to move along? what was the point of the post?

Anyone with serious issues should be doing something active about it, not just looking for suggestions on forums, IMHO.
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Its a forum to discuss a range of topics. I don't particularly care you want to buy a 70-300 but that's the nature of a forum to discuss things and assist others. How about you "Do something active about it" and buy/rent the lens rather than post on a forum? Its not related to D800 so why not "start another thread". This is all advice youve given others discussing items that does not meet your agenda.

Anyway I can't believe im lowering myself to this so will make no further comment on the matter unless its to help someone who needs advice on a particular issue with the D800.
 
I took my 28-300 and D800 to Sicily for a weeks holiday. I took it off and put my Tamron 28-75 on.

The 28-300 is superb, as good a super zoom as you can get for Nikon imo,it works brilliantly on my D700 and did so on my D300.

It is crap on the 800.

Real world experience, the shots were like shooting with a cheapo crap uv filter on.

I`ll see if I saved any.

Looking at arclights shot above, maybe i`m being hyper critical.
 
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chrism_scotland said:
How do you find the size/weight v the D600?
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The D800 is bulkier and heavier, although not to the point where it would keep me from using it frequently. The size does not cause problems, but the D600 is a tad more nimble and easy to get out of (and back into) the bag.

Once out of the bag, in my hands, both cameras feel equally good.
 
Cagey75 said:
Nice shot! I think if I could find a nice used copy I might bite. It would be easy enough sell on later I'd say?
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Yes, probably so. Not a lens I'll part with. Just too handy and a respectable performer.
 
Cagey75 said:
Nice shot! I think if I could find a nice used copy I might bite. It would be easy enough sell on later I'd say?
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Here is a shot taken with it at 300mm, where it is reputed to be a bit softer.
1/180 at f8 ISO280


sdd by Lensman44, on Flickr
 
the_local_jacko said:
Its a forum to discuss a range of topics. I don't particularly care you want to buy a 70-300 but that's the nature of a forum to discuss things and assist others. How about you "Do something active about it" and buy/rent the lens rather than post on a forum? Its not related to D800 so why not "start another thread". This is all advice youve given others discussing items that does not meet your agenda.

Anyway I can't believe im lowering myself to this so will make no further comment on the matter unless its to help someone who needs advice on a particular issue with the D800.
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Yeah, see, I don't want a 70-300 at all. You just seem like you're only after a moan in general, so ill ignore from now on.

Thanks arclight and fracster. Food for thought there on both sides. It is the longer end I'm interested in, cheers.
 
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Oops, that was with my 300 F4 sorry, will try and find some with the correct lens.
 
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Love the d800. Am going to post a few pics to dilute the testing/bugs/focus posts we have! Hopefully others will also post some of their stuff.


Still feel I'm not getting the total best from it yet but hopefully getting closer each day!


Lencarta Test 4 edit by Sir SR, on Flickr


Pre-disguise B&W by Sir SR, on Flickr

What have you guys and gals been shooting?

S
 
don't know if this has already been answered so please excuse

Re using in movie mode

How does one auto focus in movie mode? Camera D800 - lens 24-70mm both set in AF mode with the camera in P mode and movie setting1280x720 @60fps.
Is this the best setting to use for panning in movie mode?
Next which setting produces the smoothest playback on a monitor.
Lastly which program (editing suite) is best for saving to and watching.

Typically of Nikon they give you a handbook of nearly 500 pages which in actual fact tell you nothing of what one wants to know

Thank you all for any answers

Realspeed
 
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Some cracking shots SR. Was its just Lightroom you used to edit them or were they put though silver efex. Just asking as the tons are great.

I've just to the nik collection, and don't know yet if it affects the exif.
 
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pmac said:
Some cracking shots SR. Was its just Lightroom you used to edit them or were they put though silver efex. Just asking as the tons are great.

I've just to the nik collection, and don't know yet if it affects the exif.
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Very kind - just Lightroom. No real science to what I do in Lightroom, I just "tinker" until I get the look I like.

I'll look later to be sure but usually a bit of a contrast boost then adjust the b&w colour sliders to taste.

S
 
Appreciate all the heads up about certain issues, I had read about them way before I decided to purchase. The left focus thing doesn't overly bother me as I usually stick to the centre point, focus and recompose, hopefully that will not cause me any serious bother.

Anyway, I now have the d800 today, trying to set it up as far as possible the same as my D700's, looking forward to using it in anger. Seems a fantastic camera.

jeff
 
I thought you said it was crap on the D800 fracster!? :D That looks great!

When traveling I wouldn't be looking for perfection or anything close, just nice crisp images of the towns and countryside on the longer end. I have the X100 for wider, street level, by the pool etc shooting. But for stuff going on in the distance, up the hills, out at sea or whatever. Looks good at 300mm right there. And I'd read somewhere that the quality degraded somewhat from 200-300, but then some say it's better at that end than the 70-300 which many hail.

I do have a 150mm, but that'll be too limiting on the move. I want that simple ability to go from a shot in that range to further if needed, really quickly. I imagine the Fuji will be on me at all times too for anything closer.
 
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Then it will fulfill your desires Keith, maybe I was being a tad harsh on it.
 
I got a genuine Nikon one on amazon UK a few months back, but looking at their listings now, seems there's a lot of fakes about. Not just third party offerings, but fakes, claiming to be genuine Nikon, but not having the right markings on the unit itself.

I got this one here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nikon-EN-EL15-Rechargeable-Li-ion-Battery/dp/B0045KGZOG

And it was a genuine, still have the proper Nikon box, and the battery works perfectly. I see some saying they weren't sure on it. Unless that company have gone dodgy since?

But aside from a local camera store, that's probably you're best bet.
 
ome from a local stroll round Oakwell Hall country park yesterday with the Tamron 24-135mm, lovely sharp lens

o1.jpg


o2.jpg


o3.jpg


o4.jpg


o5.jpg
 
https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18257

Scroll down for download links. This is for the D800 standard. Instructions are right above the download links. It's pretty simpleand quick, once you have a freshly formatted card and a full battery ready to go.

You want A: 1.01 / B:1.02. This update came out in April, but they upgraded the update in May, so even if yours is showing this version just copy over. I had updated when the April one came out, and recently updated with the same updated version and it seems to have fixed the freeze screen I was experiencing.
 
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Cagey75 said:
https://support.nikonusa.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/18257

Scroll down for download links. This is for the D800 standard. Instructions are right above the download links. It's pretty simpleand quick, once you have a freshly formatted card and a full battery ready to go.

You want A: 1.01 / B:1.02. This update came out in April, but they upgraded the update in May, so even if yours is showing this version just copy over. I had updated when the April one came out, and recently updated with the same updated version and it seems to have fixed the freeze screen I was experiencing.
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Thanks Keith, appreciate the quick response.
 
They just had the ceremony there, so it was in the hall itself. Light is lovely in there too! Much nicer than dark gloomy churches I've shot in! :lol:

969728_459353040817873_817189629_n.jpg
 
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