Nikon D800......

D800, Nikon 70-200mm VR MKII @f/2.8

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Osmo said:
Fracster, Bastic, please stop! I haven't really got a spare £2000 at the mo, and your shots aren't helping me! :)
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Sorry mate.

I thought long and hard about the D800, my self justification is that it makes my 500mm a hell of a lot longer than a 600mm due to the ability to crop in so heavily,so,in fact, I saved myself money.

The misses just gave that "stop talking crap" look...........:lol:
 
Here's one from Duxford a few weeks ago, we were passing en route to Dover so decided to stop by the road for an hour. Only had the 24-120mm f4 with me so stuck the camera in DX mode to see what (if anything) I could get.

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Pretty awesome detail in those.. does anyone here have the D800 and a Sigma 150-500 to see what its like as a combo?? I am looking to get the D800 but have a 150-500... without having to spend another few 000, I am going to try out the 150-500 first.. any one want to try this out? If you are free to meet for a beer and try the lens out on a body.. that would work too.. I am near Watford, Herts..:thumbs:
 
Deano_uk said:
Arggghh....h This mooring I talked myself out of the D800 and back in to the D600 but I love the detail in those shots.
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What was the reason you talked yourself out of the D800??
 
I would imagine it is to save money? But if you think long term, and you know you'll end up buying an expensive tele-lens for the D600 - Get the D800 and a shorter tele, like a 300mm instead of the very pricey 400mm you may be eyeing up! A little crop on the massive files gets you there without a significant drop in quality. Never have megapixels meant so much as they do with the D800.

I remember someone saying to me one time - as they were talking me into going a bit larger [on small sensor compacts] "20 megapixels of crap, is still crap .." And so very true. But, in this case, 36mp of pin sharp loveliness does indeed make a huge difference.

If I hadn't got my D800 already, and was pondering it, I know I'd be all the more tempted by the examples posted here. I'm an openly admitting cropper :D I just like to know the option is there, I don't crop all the time, but I will take shots at times - like a bird in a tree - knowing it'll require a fairly large crop later. And so long as the quality doesn't dip dramatically, I see this as a huge bonus.
 
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fracster said:
Sorry mate.

I thought long and hard about the D800, my self justification is that it makes my 500mm a hell of a lot longer than a 600mm due to the ability to crop in so heavily,so,in fact, I saved myself money.

The misses just gave that "stop talking crap" look...........:lol:
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The 'Stop talking crap look' is the look i was most scared of too....even with some creative accountancy! And my father in law frequents TP too and doubt he would grass!! :D
 
Osmo said:
The 'Stop talking crap look' is the look i was most scared of too....even with some creative accountancy! And my father in law frequents TP too and doubt he would grass!! :D
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I sold some stuff that I very rarely used or would stop using to pretty much fund mine.

Macro lens,D300 with grip and my Nikon 17-55,no DX left,so sold that. The sale of those were a big chunk towards the D800 and an FX mid range zoom , go through your gear,be harsh and sell what you rarely use.
 
I did same when buying mine. Sold all my Dx gear. I was lucky enough to receive a fair bit of cash back from something long overdue also, and happened to get a few portrait jobs and gigs all at once. I still had to add to buy lenses to go with, but having a bit to start with softens the blow.
 
Fracster, its funny you mention a d300 and grip. I have exactly that combo that could go. The problem is, ive already given those to swmbo! I could sell my d3s to buy the d800 and then no problem, but im concerned i would miss the versatility of my current cam, as gramps mentioned.
 
Cagey75 said:
I did same when buying mine. Sold all my Dx gear. I was lucky enough to receive a fair bit of cash back from something long overdue also, and happened to get a few portrait jobs and gigs all at once. I still had to add to buy lenses to go with, but having a bit to start with softens the blow.
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Im no way good enough cagey for pro work. I love my photography, but completely amateur status so i can maintain my olympics eligibility! ;)
 
Osmo said:
Fracster, its funny you mention a d300 and grip. I have exactly that combo that could go. The problem is, ive already given those to swmbo! I could sell my d3s to buy the d800 and then no problem, but im concerned i would miss the versatility of my current cam, as gramps mentioned.
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I kept my D700 mate, glad I did to be honest,it is a lot more forgiving than the 800.
 
Spot the sparrowhawk!





well it was with a 24mm f1.4!!!!





Useless I know ... but it does show the crop-ability :)
 
fracster said:
Cheers, pretty much full frame withthe 300 F4 and 1.4 tc.

But, I have the exact same settings in both my 700 and 800, the 700 is superb, the 800 is worse. I have tried upping the shutter speed to 1/4000 and above, but I just cannot get birds in flight right with it. It must be something that I am doing wrong, the lenses are fine, the bodies are,unless I have missed something new to the D800.

I have tried single point focus,9 and 21 point, it just does not deliver in flight shots like the 700.

I`ll keep practising and trialling new settings,i`ll get there.
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I was desperately disappointed at failing to get any blue tit shots sharp yesterday. Only tried a few today and they were no better, but I am working with a D of F of about 2 cms so that is a big drawback.

However, I tried 3D focussing today on larger birds in flight that just happened by the house and got about 90% success rate.

Camera set to AF-C
In CSM:-
set a1 to Release
set a4 to AF-ON

Set focus preference to Dynamic (I am using 21 focus points).
I hold in the AF-ON button whist tracking and shooting (you could leave focus and shutter release on the default button I suppose).

In Dynamic. the focus point in use jumps about in the viewfinder which is initially distracting, but it can be ignored.

Funny thing is that aircraft passing 3000 ft overhead at about 180 kts.never seem to produce any unsharp shots no matter what focussing method is used.

Small birds in flight are a problem for me, but to be fair they always were with previous cameras too.
 
gramps said:
Spot the sparrowhawk!

well it was with a 24mm f1.4!!!!

Useless I know ... but it does show the crop-ability :)
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Holly Molly!!! That is awesome!!
 
Osmo said:
Sorry mate. I thought that your gig work helped pay for the 'beast'. :)
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I have done the odd paid gig aye - Have shot some album covers and covered gigs for local bands. As well as some family portraits. It's not regular enough to be pro-work and it never pays a whole lot. But it all adds up.

Also nice one gramps, just noticed you used a 24mm! woah. That does indeed show mega-crop-ability
 
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Cagey75 said:
I have done the odd paid gig aye - Have shot some album covers and covered gigs for local bands. As well as some family portraits. It's not regular enough to be pro-work and it never pays a whole lot. But it all adds up.
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For me, if you get paid even once, no more olympics for you! :) Awesome shots and camera though.
 
Nah, pro = working week in week out, getting paid for most of your shoots. 80% of what I shoot is basic family stuff, or just stuff I like shooting personally - and stick them on flickr or whatever. It's much more a hobby than anything else.
 
arclight said:
I was desperately disappointed at failing to get any blue tit shots sharp yesterday. Only tried a few today and they were no better, but I am working with a D of F of about 2 cms so that is a big drawback.

However, I tried 3D focussing today on larger birds in flight that just happened by the house and got about 90% success rate.

Camera set to AF-C
In CSM:-
set a1 to Release
set a4 to AF-ON

Set focus preference to Dynamic (I am using 21 focus points).
I hold in the AF-ON button whist tracking and shooting (you could leave focus and shutter release on the default button I suppose).

In Dynamic. the focus point in use jumps about in the viewfinder which is initially distracting, but it can be ignored.

Funny thing is that aircraft passing 3000 ft overhead at about 180 kts.never seem to produce any unsharp shots no matter what focussing method is used.

Small birds in flight are a problem for me, but to be fair they always were with previous cameras too.
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Edit just reread your comments, I'm intrigued now as to 3d tracking on the D800 as I've never ever got on with it on my D3s
 
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I would imagine this was taken at a low ISO, because of the good outdoor light.

Try yours on static subjects next sunny day we get, hopefully tomorrow! It's great to be able to use fantastic glass at ISO 100, where they really shine most.

I really liked the 70-200 VRII, used it for a few shows, with good results. But because my back is a little ruptured I found it a bit grating to hold steady for long periods. I also wanted to lighten the load in my bag. So I sold it, along with my 105mm macro and bought the Sigma 150mm OS macro and the sigma 35mm 1.4 and an 85mm 1.8G - with change left over. It's also easier lighten the bag as I only take with what I know I'll use.
 
gpa said:
Edit just reread your comments, I'm intrigued now as to 3d tracking on the D800 as I've never ever got on with it on my D3s
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Yesterday was the first time I have ever tried it. Admittedly that was purely out of getting zero success in getting small flying birds in focus. I have still to try it on that subject (wx has taken a dive so that will probably not be today). I am wondering whether the combination of a tiny subject that is close to the camera is relevant. I just don't know.

Normally I use AF-S focussing with only the centre focus point in use and that is fine since I mostly photograph landscapes/static subjects. However, I will persist with 3D focussing to see how it handles my general photography.

I have seen super in flight pics of swallows etc. on here and I would be interested to learn what focussing set up was used to get those. Good captures of those birds have also eluded me. (I am not a dedicated bird photographer or anything like it and that most likely a very significant factor in explaining my failure).
 
I have been having problems with my shots not being quite sharpe, so decided to use a higher iso to increase the shutter speed.
So should I leave the sensitivity on Auto or Off and hope that my setting is good.
 
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swiftflo said:
I have been having problems with my shots not being quite sharpe, so decided to use a higher iso to increase the shutter speed.
So should I leave the sensitivity on Auto or Off and hope that my setting is good.
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Think you need to know whether camera shake or out of focus is the problem.

Stick the ISO on Auto and shoot with a high shutter speed and you'll rule out camera shake.

What have you been photographing that is not sharp ? Did you photograph the same sort of subject with another camera before getting a D800 and, if so, were these shots sharp ?
 
arclight said:
Think you need to know whether camera shake or out of focus is the problem.

Stick the ISO on Auto and shoot with a high shutter speed and you'll rule out camera shake.

What have you been photographing that is not sharp ? Did you photograph the same sort of subject with another camera before getting a D800 and, if so, were these shots sharp ?
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I was taking shots of all sorts whilst on holiday. I tried the camera on a tripod on flowers in the garden and the shots were very crisp using 200 ISO.
 
swiftflo said:
I was taking shots of all sorts whilst on holiday. I tried the camera on a tripod on flowers in the garden and the shots were very crisp using 200 ISO.
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Sounds like camera shake was your problem when handholding the camera, Peter. Need to think about higher shutter speeds / check your technique (http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-shake.htm).

I don't want to carry a tripod everywhere, but if there is a dyke or fence etc. handy I use it. I carry a piece of bubble wrap with me to put between the camera and whatever I rest it on.
 
arclight said:
Sounds like camera shake was your problem when handholding the camera, Peter. Need to think about higher shutter speeds / check your technique (http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-shake.htm).

I don't want to carry a tripod everywhere, but if there is a dyke or fence etc. handy I use it. I carry a piece of bubble wrap with me to put between the camera and whatever I rest it on.
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Thanks for your input.
 
Ozei said:
"Take three shots in rapid succession" - that's a good tip.
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Still to try that. Control of breathing in the way suggested in the article definately steadies you up. Some of the shooting fraternity on here probably use that too when aiming.
 
arclight said:
Still to try that. Control of breathing in the way suggested in the article definately steadies you up. Some of the shooting fraternity on here probably use that too when aiming.
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True that. I learnt to shoot recently and picked up a lot of stuff that's useful with cameras.

BTW the 3 shot thing....depends on technique and to some extent the camera model but usually the second is the sharpest. It takes place just as you are settling the camera from the mirror slap of the first and the camera is quite still. IU don't often bother with the third on a D800. Not at 50MB per frame.....
 
Hi
Never used a 'L' bracket before but I think it would be useful for my tripod shots. I'm assuming I attach the bracket to my camera and then the bracket to my tripod via the quick release clamp? ( I use a Manfrotto head) Or have I got it all wrong? Why do the Kirk ones, then, say Arca Swiss fitting. Sorry if it's so obvious but I can't get my head round it. I know WHY I would use one (in my case it would save having to re-arrange the camera for verticals/horizontals).
Thanks for any info.
JohnyT
 
The L bracket fixes to the camera so that you can fix the camera to the tripod head in a vertical position (or a horizontal position!), without the camera hanging over the side of the tripod head.

They all seem to be arca swiss fitting, but I think you can get a plate to fit the tripod head to accept the bracket without having to buy the whole head.

An L bracket is definitely on my list of things to buy, but they do seem rather expensive!
 
The 'L' bracket fits onto the camera as you say but needs an arca swiss type head (bit like a vice to grip it) - you can get tripod heads or adapters for heads ... I got a Sunwayfoto from eBay ... example ...


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Gary Coyle said:
WOW, thats still a rip off
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Why? How much would you charge for a custom machined piece of aluminium designed to fit precisely one camera model (so when Nikon bring out a new one you'll have to redesign)?

I have that exact one for my D800 (though IIRC I paid a little less) and I have a Kirk on the D3S. IMO the Sunway one is actually better.

Once you try one you'll never want to go back ;)
 
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