Is the D800 handicapped?
Nov 12, 2012 08:50:15 #
In researching a possible D800 purchase, I read all these problems with image sharpness.
Some of what I've read:
Due to mirror slap vibration, you should shoot handheld shots at 1/1000 or faster. If you want to shoot slower speeds you need a tripod and/or live view.
Due to the 36mb high res. sensor, it shows vibration/movement worse. So again, handheld shots are really limited.
Since it shows so much detail, you'll get diffraction with any f-stop higher than about F8.
Are all these comments true? Is it a really specialized camera meant mainly for tripod work?
Even though I'm serious about obtaining image quality, I am still just a part-time amateur (with older trembling hands and a lack of desire to lug a tripod everywhere.) My main use will be for travel, landscape, wildlife and family photography. Will this camera frustrate me?
I have to decide soon. My D600 with sensor dirt issues is on it's way back to B and H. Need suggestions on whether I should upgrade to the D800.
Thanks so much. I have been an avid reader here for some time and I respect the knowledge of so many posters here.
Ps. One of the main reasons I'm looking at the D800 is the ability to crop wildlife photos, essentially using it as a digital zoom. So I would put the extra pixels to good use.
Some of what I've read:
Due to mirror slap vibration, you should shoot handheld shots at 1/1000 or faster. If you want to shoot slower speeds you need a tripod and/or live view.
Due to the 36mb high res. sensor, it shows vibration/movement worse. So again, handheld shots are really limited.
Since it shows so much detail, you'll get diffraction with any f-stop higher than about F8.
Are all these comments true? Is it a really specialized camera meant mainly for tripod work?
Even though I'm serious about obtaining image quality, I am still just a part-time amateur (with older trembling hands and a lack of desire to lug a tripod everywhere.) My main use will be for travel, landscape, wildlife and family photography. Will this camera frustrate me?
I have to decide soon. My D600 with sensor dirt issues is on it's way back to B and H. Need suggestions on whether I should upgrade to the D800.
Thanks so much. I have been an avid reader here for some time and I respect the knowledge of so many posters here.
Ps. One of the main reasons I'm looking at the D800 is the ability to crop wildlife photos, essentially using it as a digital zoom. So I would put the extra pixels to good use.
Nov 12, 2012 10:00:15 #
Nov 12, 2012 10:08:32 #
Maybe I should rephrase my question then: Does the perfection of the D800 show up every flaw.
By handicapped, I meant that if you can't shoot above F8 due to diffraction and you have to shoot at 1/1000th, isn't the camera handicapping itself?
By handicapped, I meant that if you can't shoot above F8 due to diffraction and you have to shoot at 1/1000th, isn't the camera handicapping itself?
Nov 12, 2012 10:18:35 #
I have no idea where you are getting this information, but it seems it has to come from a jealous Canon user or salesperson. I have shot the D800 from 30sec to 1/8000sec shutter speeds and used lenses from F1.4 to F42 with no issues at all. I have even tried hard to get the D800E to replicate the so-called moire issue and have never been able to do so no matter what patterns I shoot. It does require a good lens though as the sensor will make a cheap lens look like a coke bottle bottom. "Sharpness" is a function of the lens, NOT the camera.
Nov 12, 2012 10:23:55 #
If you buy an automobile, you have to learn to use a steering wheel.
I generally shoot my d800e live view and from a tripod. My small collection of lenses are very,very sharp. When hand held, I shoot slower than 1/1000 and I shoot above f/8. For the first time I no longer have a fear of cropping.
For the best optical results, the camera simply will not take abuse from the photographer. That said, in real life, the limitations are far exaggerated. If you don't give it the love it deserves, it is not the camera for you. Respect this precision machinery and don't get carried away by the negative aspect of the reviews. It has so very much to offer.
I generally shoot my d800e live view and from a tripod. My small collection of lenses are very,very sharp. When hand held, I shoot slower than 1/1000 and I shoot above f/8. For the first time I no longer have a fear of cropping.
For the best optical results, the camera simply will not take abuse from the photographer. That said, in real life, the limitations are far exaggerated. If you don't give it the love it deserves, it is not the camera for you. Respect this precision machinery and don't get carried away by the negative aspect of the reviews. It has so very much to offer.
Nov 12, 2012 10:35:41 #
I assume you owned other cameras before the D800. Do you do anything different technique-wise with it?
Nov 12, 2012 10:44:31 #
I don't know where you're hearing about all these problems. I shoot my D800 handheld exclusively. I shot an entire wedding handheld at about 1/125 with the massively heavy 70-200mm VRII with flawless results. I'm usually using the 50mm 1.8G and often have a full open aperture, still no real issues.
The diffraction is something I could maybe agree with, but it's so consistent that it hasn't been a huge problem either. on the 50mm, I get a slight red fringe. It's probably about the same as you'd get on any other camera but you're able to zoom so far in to each shot that it becomes more noticeable than it might be on a camera with considerably fewer pixels. When I import my batch into Lightroom I just have it set to immediately apply a chromatic abberation fix, with the red slider set to 5 and the problem is solved across the board.
If you're looking at the D800 I would absolutely go for it, you're not gonna find another camera out there that can out-perform it.
The diffraction is something I could maybe agree with, but it's so consistent that it hasn't been a huge problem either. on the 50mm, I get a slight red fringe. It's probably about the same as you'd get on any other camera but you're able to zoom so far in to each shot that it becomes more noticeable than it might be on a camera with considerably fewer pixels. When I import my batch into Lightroom I just have it set to immediately apply a chromatic abberation fix, with the red slider set to 5 and the problem is solved across the board.
If you're looking at the D800 I would absolutely go for it, you're not gonna find another camera out there that can out-perform it.
Nov 12, 2012 10:52:53 #
GregWCIL wrote:
I assume you owned other cameras before the D800. Do you do anything different technique-wise with it?
Numerous cameras previously. Except that I now do a lot of live view, I haven't changed.
Nov 12, 2012 11:00:03 #
Thanks for all the replies. Makes me more comfortable with my decision. Now I just need to get it and learn by doing.
Nov 12, 2012 11:03:01 #
lightchime wrote:
Numerous cameras previously. Except that I now do a lot of live view, I haven't changed.
GregWCIL wrote:
I assume you owned other cameras before the D800. Do you do anything different technique-wise with it?
Numerous cameras previously. Except that I now do a lot of live view, I haven't changed.
So are you using more live view to eliminate mirror vibrations? Due to my bifocals, I think I can get better framing and a better view of what I'm doing with the viewfinder. But, I'm open to suggestions.
Nov 12, 2012 12:08:07 #
GregWCIL wrote:
So are you using more live view to eliminate mirror vibrations? Due to my bifocals, I think I can get better framing and a better view of what I'm doing with the viewfinder. But, I'm open to suggestions.
lightchime wrote:
Numerous cameras previously. Except that I now do a lot of live view, I haven't changed.
GregWCIL wrote:
I assume you owned other cameras before the D800. Do you do anything different technique-wise with it?
Numerous cameras previously. Except that I now do a lot of live view, I haven't changed.
So are you using more live view to eliminate mirror vibrations? Due to my bifocals, I think I can get better framing and a better view of what I'm doing with the viewfinder. But, I'm open to suggestions.
Yes, I am. I do mostly landscapes and I like the ease of moving around my point of focus and watching the virtual horizon. I think there are times when you may also consider live view - especially with bifocals. I wear progressive lenses and have a beginning cataract situation. It is so nice to be able to enlarge the focus point and have the ability to adjust for my limitations.
If you get it, you will appreciate its offerings.
b
Nov 12, 2012 12:24:36 #
I've been shooting mine handheld in normal light situations with no problem. I've just purchased a good tripod for those situations which will require it. I also still have my D7000 which I initially intended to sell, but because it's such an outstanding camera, I decided to keep it as second camera. I will also use it for my wide angle lens to eliminate the need to change lenses.
Nov 12, 2012 16:34:36 #
SteveR wrote:
I've been shooting mine handheld in normal light situations with no problem. I've just purchased a good tripod for those situations which will require it. I also still have my D7000 which I initially intended to sell, but because it's such an outstanding camera, I decided to keep it as second camera. I will also use it for my wide angle lens to eliminate the need to change lenses.
What shutter speed and lens combos do you shoot handheld? I know I will need a tripod eventually but am hoping to put that off a little while. In fact, we have an Alaska trip planned for summer 2013 and I plan to buy a monopod for hiking/wildlife photos.
Nov 12, 2012 16:58:28 #
lightchime wrote:
I do mostly landscapes and I like the ease of moving around my point of focus and watching the virtual horizon.
That virtual horizon is a nice feature. Kinda makes me want to take up flying lessons.
Nov 12, 2012 17:28:10 #
The short answer (as already stated) is: NO!
However, for serious landscape photography you probably are not racing around, and a tripod using mirror-up is always a major plus to quality.
I completed a trip to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Made over 5000 exposures in an exhausting 6 days and did not notice any significant problem with mirror vibration. This trip was performed almost exclusively hand held due to shooting in very confined spaces. Most of the time a tripod would have been a liability and just begged for someone to trip over it, injuring themselves and banging up the camera.
However, for serious landscape photography you probably are not racing around, and a tripod using mirror-up is always a major plus to quality.
I completed a trip to the Amalfi Coast of Italy. Made over 5000 exposures in an exhausting 6 days and did not notice any significant problem with mirror vibration. This trip was performed almost exclusively hand held due to shooting in very confined spaces. Most of the time a tripod would have been a liability and just begged for someone to trip over it, injuring themselves and banging up the camera.
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