waykee7 Loc: Cortez, Colorado

Last year I was over at Great Sand Dunes hoping to photograph it in the snow. I struck up a conversation with a guy with a D800, and he said that it was an amazing camera, but that it would highlight your shortcomings as a photographer. I should have asked him what he meant. . .

So when I got diagnosed with prostate cancer in June, it was cause to do a lot of traveling. . . interviewing surgeons in 3 states, away from my rural home. When I decided on surgery (versus radiation), I told my wife that I was going to buy a D810 and three lenses the day after I got home from the hospital. That's exactly what I did.

I was concerned for some weeks that my 80-400mm VR II wasn't very sharp. I gradually realized that one of my shortcomings, my dislike of tripod use, was being illuminated in the most inglorious fashion. The D810 DOES highlight your shortcomings. Because I tend to shoot, move, shoot, move on, I'm not a very methodical photographer. So what I figured out was to pay particular attention to my shutter speed, and if need be, bump up the ISO, which is such a luxury with a full frame sensor, in contrast to the noise in my old D90 images even at ISO 400 or 640. So now I'm beginning to achieve the eye-popping image quality I'd imagined when I was going through the tortures of the medical system (hats off to them, I have a fine chance of a cure. . . and a D810 and three new lenses!).

These were taken a couple of evenings ago, golden hour stuff, along the base of Mesa Verde.

AmyJ Loc: Maryland

Beautiful images. I'm glad it's all coming together for you, especially the cure... I hope only the best for you!

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

the 810 does not forgive anything, iso included, but when you get your stuff together its magic.

ebrunner Loc: New Jersey Shore

Pretty images. Congratulations on your new gear. So glad to hear that your medical issues seem to have had a happy outcome. I like to think that I can hand hold everything; but the reality is that a tripod does this much better than I could ever do. I use a tripod quite often.

jeanbug35 Loc: Jonesboro AR

Nice set.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

I don't know if I could define it wayne, but I recognize your style every time I see it. Clearly defined, subtle earth colors, often cloud filled, but even if the photo had none of the above, they still have your name all over it. However you manage to do that, please keep it up.

snapitup Loc: Southwest Florida

Waykee7, I too recently (two years ago) had a bout with prostate cancer and had 45 daily 90-second radiation treatments. My PSA reading has been .02 since then. You should be fine, too. Yes, you will cherish the D810 camera for most pros now feel it surpasses in many respects the D4 at $6,600.

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

Glad that you are doing well. Yep....love that D810!

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Beautiful colors and composition, I also like the sky. Good luck with your recovery and wish you the best.

photo8greg Loc: Maryland

Very nice images I hate tripods because they Hender my creativity especially when shooting portraits and when shooting landscapes in the city I like not to be to obvious, at the age of 49 I had that cancer and had the surgery it was the best thing for me,keep shooting.

photo8greg Loc: Maryland

Very nice images I hate tripods because they Hender my creativity especially when shooting portraits and when shooting landscapes in the city I like not to be to obvious, at the age of 49 I had that cancer and had the surgery it was the best thing for me,keep shooting.

greymule Loc: Colorado

Great shots as usual, Wayne :thumbup: :thumbup: Western slope late sun is amazing

MtnMan Loc: ID

Nice shots. I had to learn the same with my D800. I usually use my tripod for landscape: aperture priority with low ISO, VR off and remote release...even though it is a pain with the stupid remote connector on the D800 and no infrared input. (Is the D810 still that way?)

But if in a "shoot and move" situation in the future I plan to make more use of M with auto ISO. There was a recent thread on this and though not a general fan of using M except when the situation demands it I tried it and kinda liked it for wildlife, which are often handheld shots with limited time to set up. It might not work as well for landscape because it might lead to very high ISO in order to get the high f-stop you need. But it works reasonably well for wildlife where I use minimum f-stop and high shutter speed.

SueMac Loc: Box Elder, SD

Yes, the 810 has the same remote release as the 800.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Too bad. I can't imagine why they put the screwed connector so close to the camera body. I can't get my fingers around the knob on the connector so have to always fight to get it on. I much preferred the infrared release on my previous Nikons. I kept it on the strap, also, so never had to search for it. I've gone to mostly using timed release when on a tripod so as to avoid fussing with that connector.

I'd hoped they would have fixed that or added the infrared release. When I need to replace the D800 I'll likely go for the D750 (or it's successor) for that reason, the tilting screen, and because it is lighter.