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03/22/2012 02:32:21 PM · #1 |
While the camera arrived, the MB-D12 battery add-on is still one to two weeks away, which is disappointing since I need it for the airshows next week in Lakeland, Florida.
My first impression is that this camera body is much larger than I expected. So, adding the MB-D12 may make it physically huge. It already feels the same as my D3 but without the MB-D12.
The two cards slots seem to be stupid. I fail to see the logic of one SD and one CF slot. Why not make it two SD or two CF (like the D3). I am unclear why this was done but it means that I need to manage two disparate cards.
It feels different from the D300 which is okay, but the controls fall into place in a similar manner so my initial thought is that it should be okay to capture airshow aerobatics since it feels comfortable and familiar. If the MB-D12 was here, then it would be ideal since I need the larger camera to grip the body with longer lenses.
I like that Nikon has finally settled on a standard for the battery that works in the D7000, D700, D800, V1, and D4.
I will purchase a second body but will need some time to consider between the D800 and the D4. I have decided against the D800E, mainly because I am too lazy to fix the moire in the images in post-production. If Nikon delivers a D4x with the resolution that I desire, then that will be the ideal camera for me.
So, I am charging batteries and will snap a few images over the next few days to share more impressions. Stay tuned...
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03/22/2012 03:01:06 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by Morgan:
The two cards slots seem to be stupid. I fail to see the logic of one SD and one CF slot. Why not make it two SD or two CF (like the D3). I am unclear why this was done but it means that I need to manage two disparate cards. |
not really, just dont use both slots. |
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03/22/2012 04:29:43 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by mike_311:
Originally posted by Morgan:
The two cards slots seem to be stupid. I fail to see the logic of one SD and one CF slot. Why not make it two SD or two CF (like the D3). I am unclear why this was done but it means that I need to manage two disparate cards. |
not really, just dont use both slots. |
Canon did this with the 1DMKIII and 1DMKIV and it was a PITA. Now Nikon has done it with the D4 as well, but they are XD I think. I really like the dual CF cards in my D3 and D3s. |
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03/22/2012 11:21:04 PM · #4 |
| Will be curious to hear how you find it at higher noise levels. That always has been one my one beef about Nikon. |
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03/22/2012 11:52:12 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by snaffles:
Will be curious to hear how you find it at higher noise levels. That always has been one my one beef about Nikon. |
Noise won't be an issue from the raw and jpeg samples I have played with. Heck I shoot 12,800 ISO and higher with my D3s all the time.
Matt |
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03/22/2012 11:55:39 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Originally posted by snaffles:
Will be curious to hear how you find it at higher noise levels. That always has been one my one beef about Nikon. |
Noise won't be an issue from the raw and jpeg samples I have played with. Heck I shoot 12,800 ISO and higher with my D3s all the time.
Matt |
Dang, wish I could say that about the D90!!! But I do know I tend to underexpose, so partly my fault. Been trying to correct that. |
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03/23/2012 12:28:39 AM · #7 |
I am just jealous of your lens arsenal :P
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03/23/2012 02:04:45 AM · #8 |
Hi Susan, noise has not been a concern in the D300 or the D3. I shot court side at the Raptors game and was amazed at the results at 6400 ISO with no flash. In other cases in meeting rooms and places where flash is not permitted they have performed equally well. I expect no less from the D800. Michael
Originally posted by snaffles:
Will be curious to hear how you find it at higher noise levels. That always has been one my one beef about Nikon. |
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03/23/2012 02:08:52 AM · #9 |
Leo, this is what happens when you have been a Nikon guy since 1976 and are also a hoarder. Sad, is it not. Some days I think that I should sell it all and move on to a point and shoot, but it is an addiction.
My wife says that I have an addiction, it just happens to be to photo chemicals... Do I hear "intervention"? lol Michael
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
I am just jealous of your lens arsenal :P
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03/23/2012 02:55:57 AM · #10 |
depends on how you use the slots: my preference is to use them as mirrored backups. When used that way, one card basically never comes out of the camera. Take one out, offload the images, back them up. Card goes back in, reformat both cards, good to go. So, if you have a lot of CF cards, then you just need one SD card with the capacity of your largest CF card. And, used that way you can go ahead and use a LARGE capacity card, since you don't have to worry about losing all 16/32/64G, as you know you have back up card.
I have the D7000 now, and SD cards. So when I get the D800, I'll add a large CF card, maybe one backup CF card in the wallet. Either the SD or the CF card will just stay in the camera, get reformatted a lot. But if I need the backup images because one card failed, I'll be set. |
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03/23/2012 03:28:34 AM · #11 |
I purchased two new cards, both 128 GB. I bought the newer high speed Lexar models with the 60 MB/s transfer rate - UDMA7 for the CF and SDXC for the SD. Like my older D3, I am shooting one with raw and the other with high resolution JPEG. I put the JPEGs on the SDXC card. I do not understand why they could not just use two cards the same, I wish they would make up their minds. What is the value of the two formats, it does not make any sense to me.
Originally posted by chromeydome:
depends on how you use the slots: my preference is to use them as mirrored backups. When used that way, one card basically never comes out of the camera. Take one out, offload the images, back them up. Card goes back in, reformat both cards, good to go. So, if you have a lot of CF cards, then you just need one SD card with the capacity of your largest CF card. And, used that way you can go ahead and use a LARGE capacity card, since you don't have to worry about losing all 16/32/64G, as you know you have back up card.
I have the D7000 now, and SD cards. So when I get the D800, I'll add a large CF card, maybe one backup CF card in the wallet. Either the SD or the CF card will just stay in the camera, get reformatted a lot. But if I need the backup images because one card failed, I'll be set. |
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03/23/2012 11:30:33 AM · #12 |
Originally posted by chromeydome:
depends on how you use the slots: my preference is to use them as mirrored backups. When used that way, one card basically never comes out of the camera. Take one out, offload the images, back them up. Card goes back in, reformat both cards, good to go. So, if you have a lot of CF cards, then you just need one SD card with the capacity of your largest CF card. And, used that way you can go ahead and use a LARGE capacity card, since you don't have to worry about losing all 16/32/64G, as you know you have back up card.
I have the D7000 now, and SD cards. So when I get the D800, I'll add a large CF card, maybe one backup CF card in the wallet. Either the SD or the CF card will just stay in the camera, get reformatted a lot. But if I need the backup images because one card failed, I'll be set. |
Yes, my thoughts exactly. :)
SD cards are useful especially because my laptop has an SD slot. I don't even need to carry a portable reader. SD cards are also less expensive (and work in my D90 and D7000).
That said, I would have been happier with two SD slots. My theory is that Nikon's pushing in this direction, and that's why they mixed the slots. I wouldn't be surprised if the D900 has two SD slots. You heard it here first :)
Another option for more economical backup, is to set the second card to JPEG, and the main card to RAW (if you only use RAW like me). Then, you still have a emergency backup of the image, and you have a lot more space, so you can keep them there longer (while you use multiple cards in the main slot).
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03/23/2012 11:31:58 AM · #13 |
Apparently, DXO site is overwhelmed, but check out the DXOmark scores someone posted (captured from the DXO site). Apparently, D800 is the new king.
//nikonrumors.com/2012/03/23/nikon-d800-gets-tested-at-dxomark-gets-the-1-spot.aspx/#more-36446
And  Morgan, that's some pretty serious storage!
Message edited by author 2012-03-23 11:32:18. |
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03/23/2012 11:52:35 AM · #14 |
| I am reading all about it... D800 and D4 competing like crazy and D800 winning like it's the only camera to buy... which I disagree. If I had the money, I would still buy D4. It's totally my feelings, not looking at the tests. |
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03/23/2012 12:14:52 PM · #15 |
Neil I would caution you for taking anything the DXO site says with a grain of salt. Over time I've found many flawed things they say. Sometimes I wonder if they don't put things on their site because they are being compensated for it. Some of the things they have posted at times has just been silly. |
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03/23/2012 12:32:55 PM · #16 |
| Tapping fingers impatiently waiting for her D800 to arrive. Got 2 trips coming up and it would be fun to try it out whilst travelling. |
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03/23/2012 12:40:04 PM · #17 |
Actually, it was my plan to buy the D4. I have owned D1, 1x, D2x, and D3 in the past. I always bought them in pairs.
So, I may still buy the D4 as it offers features that I prefer that are not available on the D800, for example single frame HDR. I see the D800 more aimed at my work photography and the D4 aimed at my fun / creative photography. [Since I suck creativity, I need all the help that I can get!] If there was a D4x, then that would be ideal for me. Either way, I always run with two bodies and prefer them to match for ease of interchange. I asked to buy two D800 yesterday but was not able to due to limited supply of the camera.
Two of my friends have the D4 / D800 combination on order. So, I may go that way and retire my much loved D300 soon.
Originally posted by FocusPoint:
I am reading all about it... D800 and D4 competing like crazy and D800 winning like it's the only camera to buy... which I disagree. If I had the money, I would still buy D4. It's totally my feelings, not looking at the tests. |
Message edited by author 2012-03-23 21:02:12.
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03/23/2012 01:34:05 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by MattO:
Neil I would caution you for taking anything the DXO site says with a grain of salt. Over time I've found many flawed things they say. Sometimes I wonder if they don't put things on their site because they are being compensated for it. Some of the things they have posted at times has just been silly. |
Well it looks like Canon isn't paying them enough then ;) Maybe that's why the 5D Mark III is so expensive! |
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03/24/2012 05:14:11 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by salmiakki:
Tapping fingers impatiently waiting for her D800 to arrive. Got 2 trips coming up and it would be fun to try it out whilst travelling. |
Trouble with living in the middle of nowhere, we are not first in the list for getting new products. Just heard that it will be another 4-8 weeks. Annoying as I ordered the day after the announcement. Sigh.
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03/24/2012 06:50:57 AM · #20 |
If you haven't got one yet, and you are in the UK, be prepared for a price hike. Got a phone call from "a friend in the trade" who said I got a bargain. Price increase coming for the D800 of £200 and £500 for the D4.
Maybe they are trying to cash in on their popularity - they missed out with the popularity of the D7000.
Nikon Rumours
Message edited by author 2012-03-24 06:51:27. |
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03/24/2012 07:16:13 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by salmiakki:
Trouble with living in the middle of nowhere, we are not first in the list for getting new products. |
But once you've got them the photos are more interesting. |
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03/25/2012 12:08:48 PM · #22 |
I'm looking for comments on results, esp noise or other unexpected artifacts at the new pixel count. If they are as good as expected I'll have one some day but it will mean upgrading the entire processing chain esp my PC now five years old and slow even with D7000 RAW files.
My wife is getting a Mac but I wonder if there are some recommendable components to upgrade my PC processor/system board and GPU (currently Asus/AMD dual core/nVidia).
Message edited by author 2012-03-25 12:10:22. |
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03/25/2012 07:46:10 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by tvsometime:
My wife is getting a Mac but I wonder if there are some recommendable components to upgrade my PC processor/system board and GPU (currently Asus/AMD dual core/nVidia). |
For processor, get the Intel i7-2600. Choose the i7-2600K version if overclocking is something you'd consider, otherwise it's of no benefit over the 2600. Your motherboard is a harder choice. If I were building today, I'd look at the ASUS offerings with Ivy Bridge; I think there are at least three models. For GPU, I'd go with one of nVidia's Quadro workstation cards. If CS 6 is in your future, the Quadro 600 is probably the low end you should consider.
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03/27/2012 07:31:24 AM · #24 |
I am in Lakeland, Florida today for the annual Sun 'n Fun aviation event. So, I hope to start shooting with the D800 this morning. My concerns are not with noise or pixels per se, but with hand-held shooting. I have read that the camera is more sensitive to motion due to the higher pixel count so I hope that my VR lenses help to compensate for any shakiness that I exhibit. Since I flew down I do not have a monopod or tripod with me. So, this will be a test. As well as to see some first images from the new camera.
What greatly disappointed me was the back order of the MB-D12 battery grip. I need these grips for better hand-held shooting. I got a call that it arrived yesterday after I landed in Florida. Unfortunate. I agreed that the store could sell it to another customer on the promise that they would have one for me next week upon my return to Toronto.
Originally posted by tvsometime:
I'm looking for comments on results, esp noise or other unexpected artifacts at the new pixel count. If they are as good as expected I'll have one some day but it will mean upgrading the entire processing chain esp my PC now five years old and slow even with D7000 RAW files.
My wife is getting a Mac but I wonder if there are some recommendable components to upgrade my PC processor/system board and GPU (currently Asus/AMD dual core/nVidia). |
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03/28/2012 09:17:44 AM · #25 |
Thanks Fritz for the leads. I've fallen behind in the PC tech race so I appreciate narrowing the search. Asus has always been reliable although my A8N32-SLI burned up after only 14 mos - fully replaced under warrantee though. I had been particularly concerned about the RAID settings but as it turned out they were saved on the mirrored boot drives; so simply reconnected and started up normally.
About PS, I had to buy CS5 because Adobe wouldn't support D7000 in CS4 ACR. So probably CS6 and will not compromise on GPU or RAM this time around.
Message edited by author 2012-03-28 09:22:52. |
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