Nikon D800E for a Beginner? (Page 3): I’m sure many of us have been through the procession of cameras. Start out with inexpensive to see if we like it, then move up a couple of times...

bikinkawboy Loc: north central Missouri

I’m sure many of us have been through the procession of cameras. Start out with inexpensive to see if we like it, then move up a couple of times after that, eventually having more money invested than had we bought a top end initially.

Since she will be starting out inexpensively but with a competent camera, if she decides she doesn’t like it she should be able to sell it and get her money back.

Yes smartphones are handy and nearly everyone has one and most take pretty respectable photos. I have a 2021 iPhone which does all that. However, if I try to crop very much, the image quality goes south rapidly, unlike my D800. One thing camera phones lack is what I call touch and feel. Over the decades I’ve used Brownies, Polaroids, all sorts of small cameras, Zeiss Ikon plus my iPhone. What they all lack, except the Zeiss is the natural shape and feel that conforms to one’s hands. Maybe not so much for lefties, but they feel much better than my iPhone. I guess if a camera phone is all you’ve ever used they feel ok, but if all you’ve ever owned is crappy fitting shoes they too feel ok.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

Vince68 wrote:

Not sure where you got your info from, but the Nikon D800E does in fact have a built in flash. It is the exact same camera as the Nikon D800, but without the Anti-Aliasing filter. It will not "which may hinder her ability to get those dark, close-up news shots" in any way.

Check out this comparison by Ken Rockwell on the D800/D800E to see the differences between the two cameras.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d800/vs-d800e.htm

BARRY COWAN

zug55 wrote:

Here is the dilemma. This certainly is a fine camera that can get the job done. However, this does not address the ethical dilemmas this poses.

We should get away from the notion that DSLRs are good starter cameras for young people. The DSLR format is dead. We are not doing young people a service getting them into cameras that have nothing to do what photography is now and will be in the future.

I disagree. The fundamentals of photography don’t change between DSLR’s and Mirrorless. I have both and use them regularly. The Nikon D800e is a great camera and has all the tools to help a young person learn photography.

zug55 Loc: Naivasha, Kenya, and Austin, Texas

Grahame wrote:

The DSLR format is certainly not dead.

I drive a 20 year old stick-shift car. Stick-shift is dead.

I like my car. I you like your DSLR that is fine too

elee950021 Loc: New York, NY

Jonathan!

The Nikon D800 and D800E are great cameras! I have one D800 and one D800E. With my "Holy Trinity" lenses
the camera can be a handful and heavy. I mostly use the 28-300mm F3.5 Nikkor and it too is no small compact lens but with the camera's 36MP count one can reduce the shooting image size or the file size or use the large 36MP file to crop from.

There are many reviews, tutorials and videos out there and learning its features should be no problem!

Plus if the camera is available at a great price and it's not for her, then it could be traded for a smaller D750 or D780 while still using the Nikkor lenses.

Be well! Ed

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

BARRY COWAN wrote:

I disagree. The fundamentals of photography don’t change between DSLR’s and Mirrorless. I have both and use them regularly. The Nikon D800e is a great camera and has all the tools to help a young person learn photography.

The process of acquisition is simply different.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

There's been a lot of expressed worry about the size and weight of a D800e. It's given me several really good chuckles. I've been working quite closely with young people (students and teachers) for the past 7 years. I've learned a lot about both groups during that time. One big thing is that no one needs to worry about the size, weight, or bulk of a camera used by a young woman. They are a lot tougher (and many times stronger) than young men the same age. They also whine and complain a lot less.

photoman43

My answer is Yes, the D800e will work just fine for her.

The next question concerns the lenses she will be using on it. They will be F mount Nikons, full frame. I hope the ones (that come with the camera ?)will be the ones she and the newspaper will need. If not, she can buy the needed F mount lenses.

I still have and use my D800e with my CF cards, CF card reader. I also have D850 and a Z9.

If her great uncle still has the Nikon software, Nikon Capture, it will process her images. She will need the install disk and the license code. The latest version of Nikon's free software, NX Studio, can be used too.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

It’s a pro level camera, no fully AUTO but has all the other common choices. Program mode would be a good place for her to start, then work up from there to explore all the other features.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

larryepage wrote:

There's been a lot of expressed worry about the si... (show quote)

Yup, I've never considered the weight in purchasing a camera (or lens), only what it can do.
I accept the weight for what it is.

PHRubin Loc: Nashville TN USA

gvarner wrote:

It’s a pro level camera, no fully AUTO but has all the other common choice. Program mode would be a good place for her to start, then work up from there to explore all the other features.

My thoughts, as well. Start simple then grow into the advanced capabilities.

kcooke Loc: Alabama

Lukabulla wrote:

How did she get a Job as photographer for a local newspaper if Shes a Beginner and does no post processing .. ?

If I’m not mistaken, Most newspaper photogs shoot JPEG because they have deadlines to meet and no time for post processing. A good friend owns a small group of more rural newspapers. He says most of the newspaper folks shoot jpeg for this reason. He would know I think

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

kcooke wrote:

If I’m not mistaken, Most newspaper photogs shoot JPEG because they have deadlines to meet and no time for post processing. A good friend owns a small group of more rural newspapers. He says most of the newspaper folks shoot jpeg for this reason. He would know I think

She can set the camera to shoot just JPEG.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

JonathanChemE wrote:

My niece may have an opportunity to acquire a used D800E from her late great uncle’s estate at a bargain price with some good lenses. She is a beginner but shoots mainly for a local newspaper. She does no post processing now but is planning to take a course. Would this be good for her or would it potentially just frustrate her? This question is mainly for Nikon users and I don’t know much about this camera other than what I read at the BH site. Right now she uses a CanonT100.

If you are going to force a Nikon onto someone comfortable with Canon get an up to date one at least not a dinosaur with likely only AF lenses that are obsolete. Get the Z50 for her.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

JonathanChemE wrote:

My niece may have an opportunity to acquire a used D800E from her late great uncle’s estate at a bargain price with some good lenses. She is a beginner but shoots mainly for a local newspaper. She does no post processing now but is planning to take a course. Would this be good for her or would it potentially just frustrate her? This question is mainly for Nikon users and I don’t know much about this camera other than what I read at the BH site. Right now she uses a CanonT100.

Until the D850 came out, the D800E was the finest DSLR on the market! Full professional features without the bulk or weight problems. Some of the sharpest images ever produced were with that body, which was identical to the D800 but lacked the anti-aliasing filter of all other DSLRs at the time. That and the amazing 36mp sensor made for a wonderful combination.
I kept and used mine, along with my D850, until I finally moved up to the Z9, and even then it was hard to let the D800E go. But with over 400,000 clicks on mine, it was time.
Tell her to grab it, she will likely never outgrow it!