Nikon D850 vs Used Nikon D810 and a nice lens? I am a just beyond beginner photographer. I want to get better, especially at landscapes. I am wondering whether to get the best new...

markstjohn

I am a just beyond beginner photographer. I want to get better, especially at landscapes. I am wondering whether to get the best new Nikon, the D 850, so that it will be good for me for many years to come. Or to realize that the D810 is probably plenty of camera for me, and to buy a used version at about half the cost of the D850. Then I could use the money for a landscale lens like the 16-35mm. I am really vexed by this one. Thanks for any ideas.

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

markstjohn wrote:

I am a just beyond beginner photographer. I want to get better, especially at landscapes. I am wondering whether to get the best new Nikon, the D 850, so that it will be good for me for many years to come. Or to realize that the D810 is probably plenty of camera for me, and to buy a used version at about half the cost of the D850. Then I could use the money for a landscale lens like the 16-35mm. I am really vexed by this one. Thanks for any ideas.

It all depends upon your finances and your budget. If you have the $$$$ I would go for the D850. I use a D800 and do not plan to upgrade. Bottom line either choice you make is a good one. Welcome to UHH

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

markstjohn wrote:

I am a just beyond beginner photographer. I want to get better, especially at landscapes. I am wondering whether to get the best new Nikon, the D 850, so that it will be good for me for many years to come. Or to realize that the D810 is probably plenty of camera for me, and to buy a used version at about half the cost of the D850. Then I could use the money for a landscale lens like the 16-35mm. I am really vexed by this one. Thanks for any ideas.

There are plenty of comparisons on line. Both are top notch cameras and there are several more that you may never out grow. Look at the features to determine if the differences are worth the cost. Its a personal matter so other opinions may disappoint.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

The D810 is a wonderful camera you will be able to use for some time. I would concentrate on building your lens collection unless you can afford to do both at the same time. I think my D850 is an excellent upgrade camera but it isn't light-years ahead of other Nikon cameras like the D810, D800, D500, and D750. The proof of the pudding is always product results. Lenses, lighting and self-made opportunity will get you there first.

hpucker99 Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

markstjohn wrote:

I am a just beyond beginner photographer. I want to get better, especially at landscapes. I am wondering whether to get the best new Nikon, the D 850, so that it will be good for me for many years to come. Or to realize that the D810 is probably plenty of camera for me, and to buy a used version at about half the cost of the D850. Then I could use the money for a landscale lens like the 16-35mm. I am really vexed by this one. Thanks for any ideas.

You might want to buy a new Nikon D750 instead. It will be less expensive than the used/refurbished D810 and give you additional money for good lenses.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

markstjohn wrote:

I am a just beyond beginner photographer. I want to get better, especially at landscapes. I am wondering whether to get the best new Nikon, the D 850, so that it will be good for me for many years to come. Or to realize that the D810 is probably plenty of camera for me, and to buy a used version at about half the cost of the D850. Then I could use the money for a landscale lens like the 16-35mm. I am really vexed by this one. Thanks for any ideas.

For landscape, a D810 with a good 24 and 35 prime lens will do much better than a D850 with any zoom in that range.

PhilP

The D850's stacking function may make it the choice. The added ISO speed may also be useful to a landscape photographer. The issue at the moment is finding one for sale.

Another issue may be that this is a full frame (FX) camera. If you have DX (APSc) lenses, you will likely find them just about worthless with the D850

Acountry330 Loc: Dothan,Ala USA

If you can get the 850. Then it should be a long time before you need to upgrade. Happy shooting

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

PhilP wrote:

The D850's stacking function may make it the choice. The added ISO speed may also be useful to a landscape photographer. ...

Stacking is useless for landscape. You are usually focused on infinity.

High ISO is also useless for landscape. You should be shooting landscape close to base ISO.

Bill_de Loc: US

selmslie wrote:

Stacking is useless for landscape. You are usually focused on infinity.

Focusing at infinity limits your range of perceived sharpness. Focusing at the Hyperfocal distance increases that. Focus stacking could increase it even more. The faster the shots are taken the less chance of blurring from subject movement.

The D850 could change what you usually do.

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PhilP

selmslie wrote:

Stacking is useless for landscape. You are usually focused on infinity.

High ISO is also useless for landscape. You should be shooting landscape close to base ISO.

I disagree on both points. I want a huge DOF in many landscape shots. An infinity focus blurs out much of the foreground that I'm looking for in the finished shot.

There are times of the day/night when a high ISO is very useful to complete the shot.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

PhilP wrote:

I disagree on both points. I want a huge DOF in many landscape shots. An infinity focus blurs out much of the foreground that I'm looking for in the finished shot.

There are times of the day/night when a high ISO is very useful to complete the shot.

Don’t quit your day job.

selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Bill_de wrote:

Focusing at infinity limits your range of perceived sharpness. Focusing at the Hyperfocal distance increases that. Focus stacking could increase it even more. The faster the shots are taken the less chance of blurring from subject movement.

The D850 could change what you usually do.

---

Focusing at your hyperfocal distance guarantees that anything at infinity will be at the limit of your DOF - virtually out of focus and unsharp. The only distance that will be truly sharp and in focus is whatever (if anything) is at your hyperfocal distance.

Someone who shoots landscapes is not in a hurry. Decent landscapes call for a decent lens, tripod, mirror locked up, possibly a remote release, low ISO and aperture close to your diffraction limit. Shutter speeds don't need to be high because subject movement is seldom an issue.

There was no need to surreptitiously register yourself as PhilP to respond to my post. That was too easy to figure out.

Bill_de Loc: US

selmslie wrote:

Focusing at your hyperfocal distance guarantees th... (show quote)

I have one name on here Bill_de. Search for Philip somewhere else.

The outer limits when focused at the HF distance are what is still perceived as sharp. In other words it looks sharp to the naked human eye, not under a microscope.

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selmslie Loc: Fernandina Beach, FL, USA

Bill_de wrote:

I have one name on here Bill_de. Search for Philip somewhere else.

The outer limits when focused at the HF distance are what is still perceived as sharp. In other words it looks sharp to the naked human eye, not under a microscope.

--

There is only one plane of focus. Everything closer to or further from the camera becomes progressively less sharp until it becomes obvious at the DOF limits.

The piece you are missing is that HP distance only works for an 8x10 print viewed from about 10 inches. As soon as you change either of those measurements (or crop the image), the HP calculation goes out the window.

Spend some time with the Cambridge in Colour DEPTH OF FIELD CALCULATOR and you will learn how all of this works. Remember to click on the show advanced link to see all of the variables involved.

"Both" of you need to learn a lot before you will know what it takes to do landscape photography.