doesn't this belong to the 3rd party forum?
I have two other issues with the D800, but it's hardly fair to call them criticisms, since both are a natural consequence of the massive pixel count. Firstly, on a 36.3MP sensor, accurate focus is essential, since there is less margin for error than you'd expect from a 12, 16 or even 24MP sensor. When viewed at 100%, even minor focussing errors are visible in files from the D800 where they might go unnoticed in cameras with a smaller pixel count, and although I've been impressed by AF accuracy on Nikon's prime and zoom lenses (so far) if you're shooting at wide apertures - especially on longer lenses - accurate focussing is a must.
refutal by a nikonian expert
http://bythom.com/March 22 (commentary)--With D800's popping into users' hands this week, a new common question seems to be flooding my In Box: is a D800 any more averse to hand holding than a D7000?
Short answer: no.
All that said, the D800 has almost exactly the same pixel density as a D7000. If you can get sharp shots with a D7000, you'll be able to do so with a D800, especially if we put the same lens on and just look at the central area of the shot, where all lenses perform best.
The notion some people have that the D800 can't be handheld is wrong. It can. It just takes the same level of technique that D7000 users have had to attain.
makes sense. it is pixel pitch that matters, not total number. the D800 has a lower pixel pitch than the 7D, so if you can handhold a 7D, you can handhold a D800. Same goes for focus. The D800 is actually more forgiving than the 7D.
I think people need to stop the 36MP is bad for focus and handhold myth. Since these are FULL FRAME 36MP and not APS-C.
These two points listed (and the diffraction issue) are why I gave up on Nikon.
I look at it differently, with an eye towards what you CAN do. Diffraction isn't a problem unless you stop down beyond f8. And even so, shooting 22MP at f/22 vs 36MP at f/22, won't make the 22MP image look better because the 22MP will suffer as well. Diffraction affects both images and if you downsample the 36MP file to 22MP, the effect of diffraction is the same. Advantage nullified. But it is a question of having the option to capture more detail at f/8 and wider apertures versus not being able to. IMO this makes the D800 more versatile because it can do everything the 22MP sensor can do when diffraction is a problem, and it can outclass it when it isn't.
Secondly, the D800's files are massive. It isn't unusual for high quality JPEGs to take up around 30MB on a memory card, and the .NEF files are bigger again. Not only will they rip through hard drive space like there's no tomorrow, but manipulating files this large on a computer can be pretty time-consuming. If you're planning on purchasing a D800, some extra RAM for your PC should probably also be on your shopping list...
storage is cheap. memory cards are cheap and USB3 is very fast. Ram is cheap. I got 16GB for less than 100 bucks. If you're buying a 3000 dollar camera, spending thousands in getting to a location, why would these small things matter? This is after all a multi year investment. everything gets cheaper and faster storage wise. You're buying future proof today so you can be adequate tomorrow. It makes no sense to be conservative today when tomorrow's storage and processing technologies will outmatch the needs of today.
