Nikon D800 is Here. | Chase Jarvis

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Nikon D800 via B&H

Alright photo geeks. Indeed, Nikon just dropped another news bomb this week – the much-anticipated Nikon D800 is here. Not unlike the D4, I’ve known about its imminent arrival for some time. But there are some sorta cool curve balls….So let’s get into it.

Here’s some highlighted specs:

_36.3 megapixel, full-frame sensor (FX)
_up to 5fps still image shooting
_1080pHD video 24 or 30fps
_ISO Range 100-6400 (extendable from 25,600)
_Live View + External Monitor viewing for professional video applications
_Built in external microphone with audio monitoring capabilities via external headphones
_Twin card slots – one Compact Flash and one SD
_weight = 2 pounds 3 oz

The curve balls for me? The megapixels. There’s a lot of em. Also, this is geared a lot more toward video than I would have anticipated. But beyond that… Please note I HAVE NOT touched one of these cameras, and like the D4, NO I didn’t shoot the campaign. I haven’t yet spent time with the camera to tell you any gory details, although I’m assuming I’ll be able to chat more soon.

Aesthetics? Click thru a range of images of the camera via the above tabs.

So.. I (we) knew this was coming, but rather than me spouting off about having played with the system (I can’t – although some of you journalist types have I’m sure), or telling you what your feelings about this system should be (I won’t), I’m turning the tables on you.

What’s your take? Love, hate, indifferent? Insights?

[Reminder that Nikon plays close attention to this blog, so your comments on this post – glowing or otherwise – might help inform Nikon about what your thinking.]

Link to all the Nikon D800 details and/or purchase here via B&H.

For me, it’s clearly a great camera, but it’s not what I was waiting for. Like a lot of people above, I wanted something akin to the D4, less pixels but better noise control, a natural successor to the D700. The D800 is a very different beast. From a landscape perspective, and for general wedding working in good light it looks amazing, but then my D300 does a good job there too and in broad daylight my iP4 is no slouch either. What I needed was something to cope with low lit churches and chapels, the first dance at twilight without flash etc etc. What I was hoping for was a D700 with a few more pixels, will that be a 5d MkIII?

I’m a bit puzzled too at the price structure too. It’s launched at £1k more than Canon’s offering. I appreciate there’s a monumental pixel uplift but reading above, it appears no one was asking for that. To enter this part of the market 3 years late with a product that seems to be over specced and over priced suggests Nikon have misunderstood it’s market. If this camera was an ace performer at high iso then I’d see that as some sort of vindication, but it’s not. Sample images posted already on line show it’s top end ISO is unusable unless you b&w the shot and although 6400 examples looks ok in clean light, there’s noise there and I’d wager the second you start to push or pull the exposure it’ll jump out at you. To be expected on a sensor this size packing this many pixels? Of course, it’s not a crit, it’s just not what it seems most of us wanted from this body.

I’m puzzled too as to why it outguns the d3x on pix count. It’s like Nikon put the wrong sensors in the wrong bodies. If the D4 was a 36mp 11fps monster I’d get the price tag, but as the spec stands, I’m not totally sure where the extra £2.5k goes for the jump to D4.

Will I buy one? I genuinely don’t know now. My next upgrade was supposed to be a Nikon, and I’d still like it to be but I can’t stretch to a D4 and the D800 doesn’t really tick the boxes I need. I’m not waiving the Canon sabre to stir it up, but for the same price as an 800 body, I could pick up a 5d and a decent l series lens. For me now, (depending on what the mkIII version offers when announced), it sort of has to be a consideration.

If Nikon really do pay attention to this blog then a couple of things. First, I think you got this wrong. Two great products released no doubt, but possibly off target. Second, how do you justify a £450 price tags for the Wt-5? it;s a wifi card, they cost pence. And finally, please sort out your UK office. The apathy and arrogance I’ve encountered there really does the firm no justice.

225 replies on:
Nikon D800 Camera is Here. What do YOU Think?

michael murphy says:

February 12, 2012 at 4:21 pm

think overpaid by 4 grand for the d4! HA! JUST KIDDING. I think it will be a fine camera, both of them. A little angry with my d4 delivery date though. just found out, after thinking it would arrive in about a week, that all are pushed back a month or so. GRRRRRRR.
Daniel Cox says:

February 11, 2012 at 5:39 pm

Another amazing camera from Nikon. However, for the type of work I do I’m hoping they have an updated D700 coming. Maybe a D700AS or whatever. Can anyone remember the F2AS? I love the low light capabilities of the D700 but would love to see a new version with video and better AF. Time will tell.
Moto says:

February 11, 2012 at 1:22 pm

For me, it’s clearly a great camera, but it’s not what I was waiting for. Like a lot of people above, I wanted something akin to the D4, less pixels but better noise control, a natural successor to the D700. The D800 is a very different beast. From a landscape perspective, and for general wedding working in good light it looks amazing, but then my D300 does a good job there too and in broad daylight my iP4 is no slouch either. What I needed was something to cope with low lit churches and chapels, the first dance at twilight without flash etc etc. What I was hoping for was a D700 with a few more pixels, will that be a 5d MkIII?

I’m a bit puzzled too at the price structure too. It’s launched at £1k more than Canon’s offering. I appreciate there’s a monumental pixel uplift but reading above, it appears no one was asking for that. To enter this part of the market 3 years late with a product that seems to be over specced and over priced suggests Nikon have misunderstood it’s market. If this camera was an ace performer at high iso then I’d see that as some sort of vindication, but it’s not. Sample images posted already on line show it’s top end ISO is unusable unless you b&w the shot and although 6400 examples looks ok in clean light, there’s noise there and I’d wager the second you start to push or pull the exposure it’ll jump out at you. To be expected on a sensor this size packing this many pixels? Of course, it’s not a crit, it’s just not what it seems most of us wanted from this body.

I’m puzzled too as to why it outguns the d3x on pix count. It’s like Nikon put the wrong sensors in the wrong bodies. If the D4 was a 36mp 11fps monster I’d get the price tag, but as the spec stands, I’m not totally sure where the extra £2.5k goes for the jump to D4.

Will I buy one? I genuinely don’t know now. My next upgrade was supposed to be a Nikon, and I’d still like it to be but I can’t stretch to a D4 and the D800 doesn’t really tick the boxes I need. I’m not waiving the Canon sabre to stir it up, but for the same price as an 800 body, I could pick up a 5d and a decent l series lens. For me now, (depending on what the mkIII version offers when announced), it sort of has to be a consideration.

If Nikon really do pay attention to this blog then a couple of things. First, I think you got this wrong. Two great products released no doubt, but possibly off target. Second, how do you justify a £450 price tags for the Wt-5? it;s a wifi card, they cost pence. And finally, please sort out your UK office. The apathy and arrogance I’ve encountered there really does the firm no justice.
Levi says:

February 10, 2012 at 9:40 pm

I see a used D3s in my future.
1. J Duffy says:
  
  February 14, 2012 at 4:03 pm
  
  +1
  
  A used D3s for $3,500 and a D800 for $3,000. Luv it!
Brian says:

February 10, 2012 at 9:39 pm

I got a hands on experience with the new D800 and was totally impressed. Nikon continues to listen to blogs and photographers rants to improve there cameras. Kudos to you Chase and Nikon for this awesome release.

Here is my analysis from CP+ on youtube: http://youtu.be/m0Wru4tr-ig

I am buying a D4, D800 and D800E, I have been waiting too long!