Gear Talk > Third Party Manufacturers
My D800 Review
Mt Spokane Photography:
Having used Canon SLRs since about 1968, and having owned the 5D MK II and 5D MK III and currently, the 7D and 1D MK IV, I thought i'd give the D800 a try. There was nothing to lose, I can sell it used for more than I paid new.
So, I have a collection of many old film cameras, and a couple or three nikon AF lenses which I did not think would standup too well with the new body. I picked up a few lenses locally off Craigslist during the 3 weeks I've been waiting, so I had my od 50mm f/1.8D, a 80-200mm f/2.8D, a 500mm ReflexC, a 24-70mm f/2.8G, and a 200-400mm f/4 AIS ready for it to arrive, which it did last night.
I played with it today, deciding the 50mm wasn't that good while the 24-70 was excellent, and the 80-200mm was very good. The 200-400mm AIS had a difficult to use stiff focus ring, so I returned it to the seller for repair, and I haven't tried the 500mm Reflex yet. I'll be spending the evening taking low light photos of a play rehearsal, I used my 1D MK IV last night. It will be interesting to see what the difference, if any is to me.
My first impression was of the flimsy memory door and even worse battery door. Makes my 5D MK II door look like a battle tank. Then, the left half of the camera.. well, there wasn't one. no real issue inless you wanted to hold the camera with your left hand. The eye cup... Oops, it doesn't come with a eye cup either, a $20 or 30 after marked product is all there is.
I'm learning to use the controls, no problems there, just a matter lo learning something new. You can set a minimum shutter speed and that was one thing I set right away. Formatting your card is easy too.
I did attempt to disprove the high DR talk, only to find out that its all true, I could not blow out one area while retaining detail in the shadows, I was suprised to say the least.
High ISO images showed a lot of noise when viewed at 100%, also as expected. There is enough detail that a lot of NR can be used, and still have a very good image, but I need to see what happens tonight.
I haven't sold the ton of Canon lenses and bodies I own, but, I just might get a 14-24mm lens for the D800 if it works out, and it is off to a good start. Like Canon, I had to AFMA my 24-70mm zoom at -10. Thats just par for the course. My FoCal software will work with it, but I haven't had time to set it up yet.
There are some things I like better about the 5D MK III, but I'll have a better idea after a few thousand shots.
Orion:
Well, with all yur other gear, I would lveo to have the D800 JUST FOR studio and landscape. Leave the rest for mkIII . .. otherwise the mkIII will do it all, INCLUDING studio and landscape.
It will be interesting to see what you will do when Canon comes out with a MEGA res camera ;) Going to have to wait for the side by side field reviews :)
Thanks for sharing, and keep us informed!
sarangiman:
Mt. Spokane Photography: You will not regret purchasing the 14-24. I recently adapted it to my 5D Mark III with a Novoflex adapter, & with Canon's awesome Live View implementation, have no problem getting edge-to-edge sharp images at f/4. Gone are the days of shooting f/18 w/ Canon ultra-wide zooms & still getting one side partially soft.
As for the DR, yeah, 2-3 stops extra DR is no joke. I followed up my quantitative DR tests between the D7000 & the 5D Mark III with real world shots of scenes with DR greater than the camera, and, wow... those sensors starting with the D7000 are game changers.
I anxiously await my D800... though I find it hard to give up Canon b/c of its amazing AF system (I really like having cross-type AF points all over the field).
JR:
Keep us updated Mt Spokane. I did the same as you: I decided to give the D800 a try but am still waiting for mine. Already got a few lens for it but I am still also waiting for the 1DX! I have a fealing my final setup will be composed of the 1DX and the D800. Cant wait to try mine!
dirtcastle:
It's great to get a review from someone, who like most of us, is just looking for unbiased, no-BS info. Thanks!
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version