Nikon D800......

The Sigma is a steal at the current price compared to the competition, really hope this Art line gets a 135mm. I was looking for a new lens, but instead bought a Sigma DP2 Merrill as a sunny day camera when I can't be bothered with the weight of the D800. Very impressed with the IQ so far, black and white especially. Although it wouldn't be Sigma if they didn't throw in some absolutely bizarre handicaps.
 
I'm holding out hope for the rumoured 24mm f1.4.. would be an excellent alternative to the expensive Nikon one.. that said my 24mm f2.8D is a very nice compact lens which makes the D800 a fairly light kit, so much so I'm tempted to buy a good Nikon 35mm f2 to replace my Sigma 35mm f1.4 when I don't want the weight.
 
Cheers Cagey. I decided not to bother with the mic as I'd never use it after, and went with the onboard mic and just sat in the front row. The kids shouted so loud the onboard mic was adequate. The video quality is impressive though, must use the feature more often.


Good stuff. And yup, the quality is great. I don't really know much about video, but even just filming the kids dancing about, or playing with the kitten, in low light, the quality is damn good. Once I get the focusing right. I normally just shoot wide, so there's less room for error, and less need to re-focus.

On the Sigma 35 1.4, I see some still pondering on it. Great lens, I don't use mine near enough, but it is the default that's stuck on my D800 90% of the time. Followed by the 85mm 1.8, then the 300 f/4 ... which of course is a more specific use lens. Oh, and then the 150 macro, again ... only gets pulled out for specific jobs. But the 35 .. is ready to go for most general shooting.
 
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Same here - Sigma 35 most of the time, sometimes the Nikon 85G. I don't even carry other lenses in my bag anymore, which lets me travel pretty lightweight.
 
I'm gone the same Achim, used to lug everything around with me wherever I'd wander. But over time, and after many asore shoulder, you realise the bigger or more specific lenses are only going to be used in pre-planned situations. If you're off trekking and looking for wildlife shots for example, or heading out to do sports. Most times the 35 + 85 are all I need too.
 
I've just found out, you can lock shutterspeed and/or aperture!
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But in what way is that useful??
 
I've just found out, you can lock shutterspeed and/or aperture!
dopey.gif



But in what way is that useful??

I found it to be very useful if I'm working in a studio environment and have a set aperture and shutter speed that I want to consistently use across a session, because of my lighting setup then I lock them to avoid accidental changes in handling the camera, putting it down, picking it up etc... which I can assure you can happen.

You could also use it in an environment where you are giving the camera to a less experienced operator and don't want them to change it themselves (assuming of course they can't also work out how to disable the lock). But more likely my first suggestion.
 
under which menu is this option please?

  • Shutter speed lock (S and M modes) - rotate main/rear command dial until 'L' appears in the viewfinder.
  • Aperture lock (A and M modes) - rotate sub/front command dial until 'L' appears in the viewfinder.
  • Unlock - rotate above dials until 'L' disappears again.

Manual page 126-7.
 
svhj.jpg


I see the Nikon D800 has a 3D setting as shown above but I don't recall Nikon making a 3D lens. Any thoughts? either as stills or video?
 
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It's 3D-tracking, one of the AF-area modes (for focussing). That's why the 3D icon is above the AF icon.
 
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Thanks Ozei for your quick reply, most helpful. Nikon posibbly could have put "track3D" or similar
 
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I found it to be very useful if I'm working in a studio environment and have a set aperture and shutter speed that I want to consistently use across a session, because of my lighting setup then I lock them to avoid accidental changes in handling the camera, putting it down, picking it up etc... which I can assure you can happen.

You could also use it in an environment where you are giving the camera to a less experienced operator and don't want them to change it themselves (assuming of course they can't also work out how to disable the lock). But more likely my first suggestion.
Ah, yes. I see! Good suggestions!

...I don't recall Nikon making a 3D lens. Any thoughts?
Yeah, read the manual!
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Page 93, AF tracking...


/edit: typing/reading w-a-y too slow!
 
I can use my panasonic camcorder for 3D work anyway. Just didn't understand the 3D as shown in the picture
 
Has the rubbers started falling off anyone else's D800 yet? Or is it just mine? :(

Can you get replacements? Its really starting to annoy me when shooting.
 
Not here, after over a year and 3mths. Still good as new. That did happen to my old D90 after about 3 years though. That had seen all kinds of conditions. And was out in the rain a lot, I remember. Over time the glue holding the rubber grips on started to giveway a little. Of course the D90 wasn't weather sealed. It shouldn't really be happening to a D800 already.
 
Mines coming away at the bottom where the little FX logo is and its coming loose on the hand grip at the front. Exactly the same thing happened on my D700 too! :(
 
Thanks for the advice. I was looking at the Nikon ME-1 and the Rode Videomic pro and manually setting the levels. I took the camera and had a quick video at rehearsal and the lighting was better than I thought.
When using external microphone, you will end up with small amount of white noise as most mics don't have internal amplifier - you can get a small headphone one and plug it in.
I found it out hard way after recording my other halfs recital...luckily those days, you can get rid of noise using appropriate software.but for that you need to extract Soundwave from video and then merge it back..with amplifier you should have less work ;)
 
Thanks Ozei for your quick reply, most helpful. Nikon posibbly could have put "track3D" or similar

Or you could have read your manual ;)
 
That's a good one David... pmsl ... read the ... hehe ... manual!??? :D

Does anyone?

have to say I'm guilty of never.
 
I must be weird then... I always read the manual :)

I know what everything on my camera does as a result though, and I don't have to ask questions on the internet.
 
I must be weird then... I always read the manual :)

I know what everything on my camera does as a result though, and I don't have to ask questions on the internet.

To be honest, googling something you can't figure out is usually quicker than flicking through a manual, if you're at a pc most times anyhow. Most of the rest of it you can figure out with basic cop on. I've never found that I needed to read a full manual, ever. I do flick through them now and then, I could probably read more while sat on the Jacks instead of playing with my phone I guess ... but mostly they remain in whatever device/contraption box they came in.
 
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Im the same Keith, that was until i got stuck and couldnt find how to change the AF from AF-S to AF-C, that one had me stumped.
 
To be honest, googling something you can't figure out is usually quicker than flicking through a manual,

Googling yeah... that's pretty much the same as looking it up in the manual. I'm referring to posting questions in a forum than can be easily answered by reading the manual. I make a point of not answering questions that are simply being asked because someone can't be arsed reading a manual or doing an internet search.
 
Has anyone got any suggestions on a decent long lens? Really looking for something that I can use for general purpose landscapes and possibly some plan spotting - not looking to spend a fortune have half a eye on the Nikon 70-300 VR which seems well priced.
 
Chris

I see you have a Nikon D7000 , maybe posting on another thread instead of a Nikon D800 one may give more help, or even starting a Nikon D7000 thread??????
 
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Bazza's more than likely looked on your information page - you put the info on there - hes only saying what you say you have....
 
But anyway whats your budget.. I've got a Nikon 18-200 that i have to say I'm less than impressed with on my 800.. - so don't recommend that...at least not with this camera
 
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Sorry Chris

Your profile needs updating to save someone else making the same mistake
 
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