Nikon D800 - Yes or No: I've been a Nikon shooter since I was a kid. Currently, I have a Nikon D80 (backup body) and D7000. I'm tempted to jump to the D800 but that will require all...

Laurie Colleen

I've been a Nikon shooter since I was a kid. Currently, I have a Nikon D80 (backup body) and D7000. I'm tempted to jump to the D800 but that will require all new lenses, as well as the new body. Big investment. I have been building my current collection of DX lenses for years. But I'm a quality freak. Is it worth the trade up and huge investment to D800 and FX lenses? Thoughts?

BobHartung Loc: Bettendorf, IA

Laurie Colleen wrote:

I've been a Nikon shooter since I was a kid. Currently, I have a Nikon D80 (backup body) and D7000. I'm tempted to jump to the D800 but that will require all new lenses, as well as the new body. Big investment. I have been building my current collection of DX lenses for years. But I'm a quality freak. Is it worth the trade up and huge investment to D800 and FX lenses? Thoughts?

As an 800E shooter, my response is simple: YES! (that's meant to be shouting). My D800E is not far off my Hassy H5D-50 and is nearly as good as the H5D-40 images I have seen.

Glass is a problem, but thoughtful purchases should cover the gamet of photography unless you need/use specialized gear to specific situations.

HTH

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I am waiting on my D800 to arrive this Tuesday. I have a D7100 that I am keeping. The D800 is big step for me and I am willing to afford it. I guess the question should be is that of affordability. If you can, go for it. Good luck.

Laurie Colleen wrote:

I've been a Nikon shooter since I was a kid. Currently, I have a Nikon D80 (backup body) and D7000. I'm tempted to jump to the D800 but that will require all new lenses, as well as the new body. Big investment. I have been building my current collection of DX lenses for years. But I'm a quality freak. Is it worth the trade up and huge investment to D800 and FX lenses? Thoughts?

Jbat Loc: Charleston, SC

Have had a D800 for almost 2 years and love it. I assume you have the money or would not be asking so the response is I would definitely recommend this camera. I had the same issue with lens and have built up my collection over the time. They will be good forever hopefully.

Laurie Colleen

Thanks. So far there have been no nay-sayers.

Laurie Colleen

Thanks!

BobHartung wrote:

As an 800E shooter, my response is simple: YES! (that's meant to be shouting). My D800E is not far off my Hassy H5D-50 and is nearly as good as the H5D-40 images I have seen.

Glass is a problem, but thoughtful purchases should cover the gamet of photography unless you need/use specialized gear to specific situations.

HTH

Bmac Loc: Long Island, NY

Don't do it!! Take a trek thru Ireland instead! :mrgreen:

Db7423 Loc: Pittsburgh, PA

Depends if you want/need to move to FX. If so, the D610 or D800 are great choices. I chose the D600 the day it was announced. For me 36mp is overkill so I won't be moving anytime soon. You say you are a quality freak which if I understand what you mean by that correctly means you will want all top quality Nikon lenses for your FX. A 16-35 @ $1300 or a 14-24 @ 2000, a 24-70 @ 2000, a 70-200 @ 2500 plus the D800 @3000. Total +/- $12,000. Or perhaps you will want all prime lenses instead and save a few bucks? Or you could get Nikons top of the line D7100 DX for $1,150. Decisions, decisions. ;)

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Laurie,

I also have a D7000 and love it. I heartily recommend the Nikon D800. I have only had mine since February but can say that for me it is the finest camera I have ever owned. My first photos with it seem (to me) to be of excellent image quality. If I was you I would keep the D7000 as a spare with the lenses you have for it. I would get the D800 and maybe one walking around lens for it to start. Many people on the forum will say you have to get the 2.8 series of lenses for the camera or you won't have the quality lenses the camera deserves. While I agree that those lenses are wonderful I have used the 24-85 f 3.5 lens and love it. It is wonderfully sharp and for me it is the walking around lens I use all the time. I say that because I don't need the 2.8 low light lens. If I am wanting faster speed I simply raise the ISO. Image quality is still great.

Good luck with whatever you purchase.

Dennis

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Laurie Colleen wrote:

I've been a Nikon shooter since I was a kid. ... But I'm a quality freak. Is it worth the trade up and huge investment to D800 and FX lenses? Thoughts?

you've shot nikon Full frame for years, you know what quality is.

Dump the DX gear while there is a market, spring for the 800 and some good used glass.

You'll never look back.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Laurie Colleen wrote:

Thanks. So far there have been no nay-sayers.

Another +++ from me.
I noticed big jump in image quality, even from the D700, but you do need the good glass to get full benefit.
It's almost like the difference between 35mm and medium format from when I shot film.
I find myself shooting differently as well-like I did with medium format.
With the relatively huge raw files it generates, I think more about the shot and find myself shooting fewer frames but more usable images.
The high ISO capabilities has me shooting things I never did before.
It's an awesome camera.

CResQ Loc: Cobble Hill, BC

I am a Canon user, having a 5dMkIII, 7D, and a T3 with a stable full of lens. If I were to do it again it would be a D800 all the way, it is a fine camera indeed. Your question I believe is not one of affordability, rather maybe a little angst about the lens or lack there of for the FX camera. However think of all the fun you'll have choosing new glass.
Pull the trigger, feel the anticipation waiting for the brown truck and show us some pictures when you get it. Cheers, Mark

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

You can use the DX glass on the D800.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Pepper wrote:

You can use the DX glass on the D800.

are there any negative aspects to using the crop mode on the 800 aside from resolution?

amehta Loc: Boston

Laurie Colleen wrote:

I've been a Nikon shooter since I was a kid. Currently, I have a Nikon D80 (backup body) and D7000. I'm tempted to jump to the D800 but that will require all new lenses, as well as the new body. Big investment. I have been building my current collection of DX lenses for years. But I'm a quality freak. Is it worth the trade up and huge investment to D800 and FX lenses? Thoughts?

What lenses do you have?

I think the photographer, camera, and lens should be of comparable quality to get the most effective results. If you are a "quality freak" for all three, then it is definitely worth the trade-up.

I moved from the D700 to the D800, and I had the "saintly trinity" of Nikon lenses, the 17-35mm f/2.8, 28-70mm f/2.8, and 70-200mm f/2.8. On the D800, they were soft, so even though I had FX lenses, I had to upgrade them. Now I use only primes, and the results are amazing. The "camera bag" needed it's own rider on my insurance policy, because it is about a third of my home contents value, and probably worth more than my car! :-)