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.

I pre-ordered one against my initial better judgement prior to seeing the reviews. This is not a D700 replacement. I own a D700. The D800 is a new category of camera. The pixel pitch is similar to the D7000. Basically a D7000 sensor just more of it. I suspect the best pre-review of the D800 can be found by reading the D7000 reviews. Granted, I may be over simplifying it.

I am betting on loosing only about 1 stop of ISO versus the D700. Keep in mind that the D700 has a five year old sensor. It has gone from a 12 mp, 25,000 ISO D3 sensor to a 16mp, 200,000 ISO D4 sensor since then. The D800 sensor is obviously not the D4 sensor but the point I am trying to make is that somebody appears to be defying the “then known laws of sensor physics”.

36 mp versus 12 mp. If all I loose is about 1 stop then I consider this an amazing achievement. We dwell too much on the sensors. Most of the damage is done moving the signal from the sensor through the electronics to the CF card. I suspect that here is where the bulk of the improvements lie.

I am also betting on much higher sensitivity to blown highlights with the D800. I have got about 2 stops of headroom to recover highlights in the D700. If the D800 is close to the D7000 I will be able to recover about 2 stops in the shadows without excessive noise. Nikon has finally wrestled their amp noise problem to the ground. This will require a different approach to shooting.

I suspect that I will top out at f8 versus f11 before defraction sets in. I have high end lenses but I am sure the D800 will push them to the edge of their performance or squeeze every last drop of goodness out of them depending on how you look at it.

And I am very sure that the D800 will force me to “up my game” with respect to my technique (mirror lock up, Live View focusing, tripod, remote trigger, etc.). You know…all those things that you probably should be doing anyway. That’s not neccessarily a bad thing. I doubt that the D800 will be as forgiving as my D700 but my D700 has occasionally let me get away with too much.

So I’m am betting a lot. $3,000 to be precise. But one thing that I will take to the bank is that Nikon has always delivered on their promise of industry leading image quality from their products. I’m betting that they will deliver again.

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

Jeff Cruz says:

March 29, 2012 at 9:57 pm

Hey all, first post on here. So far I’m loving the D800. I realized I now need to upgrade to a new computer system to handle the large files. Here is a link to my first impressions blog (with sample images) post about it: http://bit.ly/Hqkbgy

A few things that stuck out: battery door rubber stopper fell out second day. My mirror may have a hairline scratch. Camera froze on me during first test shoot with it. I had to remove the batteries to reset it.

What I love about the D800:
-Huge 36MP sensor dipping into medium format territory
-Great in low light performance
-New video features are great: power aperture, sound monitoring, broadcast quality.
-Lighter
-Smaller
-Improved shooting dial
-Dual card slots
-Great price at $2999.95 (at most Canadian retailers)
-Nikon service is top notch

What I’m not a fan of:
-Battery grip contacts
-Button spacing and layout is going to take some getting used to
-Shutter sounds a bit different
-Centre of gravity is different
-The camera froze during my first portrait shoot (we’ll see if it keeps doing that)
-Questionable quality? The battery door rubber stopper came off and a possible scratch on my mirror (need to confirm this)

Cheers!
John Ireland says:

March 26, 2012 at 5:29 pm

Apparently it’s the new King of cameras at DxOMark getting the #1 position with a score of 95. Very Impressive for a camera with 36MP. Better than some MF backs. I would say for $3K, this camera rocks.
Tim Colston says:

March 20, 2012 at 12:52 pm

It seems that people were really looking forward to picking up a “baby” D4 if only Nikon had followed its previous format that they provided with the D3/D700 offering. I own a couple of D700’s and despite having the capability, I never really used the ISO to the point where I depended upon it for EVERYTHING i shot. It’s nice to have the option, but being a studio/location shooter who lights when its needed, i think this is a great offering for me and the way I work. I’m still on the fence to see how far away from MF this camera is, because that is the next step for me. Better handling, robust AF and overall faster use, I am hoping it can bridge the gap for me until I can no longer afford to ignore the “gains” I will get from MF.
Knips says:

March 8, 2012 at 10:19 am

I pre-ordered one against my initial better judgement prior to seeing the reviews. This is not a D700 replacement. I own a D700. The D800 is a new category of camera. The pixel pitch is similar to the D7000. Basically a D7000 sensor just more of it. I suspect the best pre-review of the D800 can be found by reading the D7000 reviews. Granted, I may be over simplifying it.

I am betting on loosing only about 1 stop of ISO versus the D700. Keep in mind that the D700 has a five year old sensor. It has gone from a 12 mp, 25,000 ISO D3 sensor to a 16mp, 200,000 ISO D4 sensor since then. The D800 sensor is obviously not the D4 sensor but the point I am trying to make is that somebody appears to be defying the “then known laws of sensor physics”.

36 mp versus 12 mp. If all I loose is about 1 stop then I consider this an amazing achievement. We dwell too much on the sensors. Most of the damage is done moving the signal from the sensor through the electronics to the CF card. I suspect that here is where the bulk of the improvements lie.

I am also betting on much higher sensitivity to blown highlights with the D800. I have got about 2 stops of headroom to recover highlights in the D700. If the D800 is close to the D7000 I will be able to recover about 2 stops in the shadows without excessive noise. Nikon has finally wrestled their amp noise problem to the ground. This will require a different approach to shooting.

I suspect that I will top out at f8 versus f11 before defraction sets in. I have high end lenses but I am sure the D800 will push them to the edge of their performance or squeeze every last drop of goodness out of them depending on how you look at it.

And I am very sure that the D800 will force me to “up my game” with respect to my technique (mirror lock up, Live View focusing, tripod, remote trigger, etc.). You know…all those things that you probably should be doing anyway. That’s not neccessarily a bad thing. I doubt that the D800 will be as forgiving as my D700 but my D700 has occasionally let me get away with too much.

So I’m am betting a lot. $3,000 to be precise. But one thing that I will take to the bank is that Nikon has always delivered on their promise of industry leading image quality from their products. I’m betting that they will deliver again.
Sebastian says:

March 5, 2012 at 1:46 pm

funny! nikon user questionnaires _ the 36mp. and as a canon user, you are just jealous. Canon releases in my opinion, one not improved still image camera? but reaches nikon up to medium format?