D800/D800e Experiences Thread

[Diver]

I have been shooting a D800 for about 3 weeks now. Based on my crude tests, the left side AF points are properly calibrated. Compared to my now departed D700, all automated functions work better. Increased resolution and dynamic range show up in image quality. It took all of 10 minutes to learn the changes to the focus mode setting process, and it is an improvement.

If you have a D800 or D800e, please post your experiences here. Images are welcome.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Diver

... Based on my crude tests, the left side AF points are properly calibrated. ....

I shoot Canon, but curiosity makes me ask if there's typically a problem with the left side AF points with Nikons, or why do you mention this?

Dave

[Diver]

Originally Posted by dcstep

I shoot Canon, but curiosity makes me ask if there's typically a problem with the left side AF points with Nikons, or why do you mention this?

Dave

There is an issue. Go to Thom Hogan's site to read about it. I will say he might be sensationalizing it a bit. Nobody knows how prevalent the problem is. I do not believe it is typical, but more prevalent than it should be. I have seen many articles about customer satisfaction that set a .5% threshold for a problem to be significant.

If anyone around here has experienced this, I would like to hear about it.

For whatever reason, Canon seems more popular with members of this forum. Perhaps the white lenses make a good match with Alpine White Bimmers

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Diver

...

For whatever reason, Canon seems more popular with members of this forum. Perhaps the white lenses make a good match with Alpine White Bimmers

Most users here don't have the super-teles, which is where Canon really shines.

The complaint I've seen about the D800 is White Balance, resulting in greenish videos and previews on the LCD. For single shot people, like me, I don't think that's be too big an issue because I don't do video and shoot in RAW 100% of the time.

If I'd invested a zillion dollars in Nikon lenses instead of Canon lenses, I'd be all over the D800 (probably the E version) because of its detail resolution.

Dave

[Diver]

I have not noticed any white balance issues. It seems better than the D700 in that regard. The LCD preview issue was solved with a firmware update. D800e is capable of higher resolution, but everything must be absolutely perfect. Only a few lenses are capable of showing the difference, and the camera must be on a tripod. For landscapes the atmospheric conditions must be just right. So far, the only shooters that seem to be able to get the extra bump out of the D800e are the macro guys. In short, the resolution is there, but it is hard to get there.

[mrtanz]

I use a D800 for wedding photographer and i know of another photographer who is using the D800E.
He has said there is no difference and he cant tell the moire effect is prevailent.

I love the D800 and using it for photography and cinematic video wtih glidecam, sliders...
The quality is amazing. Yes some people complaineda bout the greenish tinge but it was fixed easily enough.
One thing that Nikon has over Canon is AUTO-FOCUS during video. massive plus especially for us guys who do HD video with glidecams

[Diver]

Originally Posted by mrtanz

I love the D800 and using it for photography and cinematic video wtih glidecam, sliders...
The quality is amazing. Yes some people complaineda bout the greenish tinge but it was fixed easily enough.
One thing that Nikon has over Canon is AUTO-FOCUS during video. massive plus especially for us guys who do HD video with glidecams

I have not yet tried video and did not know AF worked. What I do know is Canon video guys pushed up the prices of Nikon MF lenses used in their video work.

[MaximusJ]

Mine is getting shipped tomorrow. (ordered on the day of the annoucement!!!). I tried to put some pressure to get it sooner, but I guess the wait was the price to pay to get is $700 cheaper then retail.

Ill post my review sometime next week when I get it.

[Chewy734]

how did you get it for $700 less than retail?

[MaximusJ]

I got government pricing through my employer. I wasnt supposed to disclose that information, but since they ended those pricings a couple weeks after placing my order, I guess it doesnt matter anymore.

I got it with an extra battery for $2819; taxes and shipping included instead of 3449 with taxes in stores just for the body.

It was worth the wait; even if it was painful to see all the reviews everywhere and not having it in my hands.

[MaximusJ]

The first thing that impressed me over the d7000 is the accuracy and speed of the autofocus. In AF-C, my dog was WAY too fast for my D7000 autofocus as he couldnt keep up.

The D800 is a little more prone to camera shake then my D7000 tho, but that's something that I can live with. It works well in high ISO so a higher ISO setting to get a faster shutter speed handles a part of the problem.

The extra resolution gives more options when it comes to cropping a picture to make post shooting composition and like Diver said, it really shows up in the overall quality.

My only gripe for now is how noisy the mirror is when it comes up and back down. I will get used to it.

I really like the overall design and position of the controls compared to the D7000, having quick ISO access and metering options for autofocus is really a must. And the extra customizable buttons and the four settings banks are also a plus. On the D7000, the ISO button is at the back of the body, you get only one customizable button if you use back button focus and no settings bank.

Really like it so far. At a point where i'm wondering if i'll ever want to use my D7000 ever again. Time will tell.

[scollins]

In general, we all know Ken Rockwell to be a jackass. But his comparison of the D800 vs. the D800E had me rolling!

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d800/vs-d800e.htm

[Diver]

Originally Posted by scollins

In general, we all know Ken Rockwell to be a jackass. But his comparison of the D800 vs. the D800E had me rolling!

http://kenrockwell.com/nikon/d800/vs-d800e.htm

"The D800 is for making pictures, while the D800E is for counting pixels."

=Ken Rockwell

Well, KR does have entertainment value.

[MaximusJ]

I smiled a couple time reading that review too. But you'll unleash rodi's fury is you mention that name!

The latest firmware update resolved all the issues with the left side AF points and the greenish LCD. Mine was sent out already updated. So it was really a first batch issue.

[Chewy734]

which firmware update? 1.0.1?

[MaximusJ]

Yup
May 29, 2012
Firmware Update "D800 A Ver. 1.00, B Ver. 1.01"

[Chewy734]

The greenish tinge LCD still shows on my buddy's D800 with that firmware. I recall him telling me that the firmware wasn't supposed to fix it.

• When a still image was captured while viewing existing images in playback mode, the monitor turned off, the memory card access lamp glowed steadily, and, in some rare cases, the camera ceased to respond to operations. This issue has been resolved.
• When the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 was used with certain settings applied, RAW images were also transferred when Wireless transmitter > Transfer settings > Send file as was set to JPEG only. This issue has been resolved.
• A dark shadow sometimes appeared at the bottom edge of images captured with Active D-Lighting set to any option other than Off with Image area set to 5:4 (30x24). This issue has been resolved.

[Diver]

The firmware does not solve the left side AF sensor issue. The camera must be re-calibrated by Nikon. I am going to send my D800 in for repairs unrelated to focusing in about a week. I took a bad fall and the back of the camera has cracked. It only hurts when I laugh.

[dcstep]

Originally Posted by Diver

The firmware does not solve the left side AF sensor issue. The camera must be re-calibrated by Nikon. I am going to send my D800 in for repairs unrelated to focusing in about a week. I took a bad fall and the back of the camera has cracked. It only hurts when I laugh.

Ugh. Sorry to read that.

[MaximusJ]

Doh... Will Nikon cover the physical damages? I hope so but i'm afraid they wont.

About the greenish screen and focus points, I saw that info on nikonrumors. Some users said the new update on the D4 resolved the same issue some were experiencing. Since the D4 share the same LCD, maybe I deducted things; i'll check again. Oh well, i'm sure it will get handled pretty soon if not already done. Makes sense about the focus calibrating tho.

I hope both of you get well soon!

[Diver]

Originally Posted by MaximusJ

Doh... Will Nikon cover the physical damages? I hope so but i'm afraid they wont.

It isn't covered by warranty, but I have insurance through my credit card because the camera is so new.

[MaximusJ]

Originally Posted by Diver

It isn't covered by warranty, but I have insurance through my credit card because the camera is so new.

I have this too; but never thought they would cover this kind of claim. Good to know!