Nikon D800 via B&H
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 think that it is stupid that they put in SD and CF cards.
Because when you have also a D4 and I think a lot of photografers out there are thinking about to have both, than you have to have THREE different types of cards which is bad.
And when the would have put in also these new XQD-or-whatever-cards then the f/ps-rate would propably have been higher.
I would only buy one if I would be a videographer
I have been waiting to upgrade my D300. Will I go for the D800? hmmm, only 4 images seconds… I still shoot wildlife, action and weddings. A bit slow. Nothing from the D300 is usable on the D800: batteries or grip. Grip for D800 is enough to by a decent reflex. glurp.
I do not have much comments on video as i am not so interested in it….
Plus de 36M pix to be handled in the bush most of the time (i still live in Tanzania) are definitely not a must.
Will i go for the D800. Not sure. I will however consider the D4 instead! more expensive but in the end not that much with regards to all the features and what I have to invest in total.
It is certainly a kick-ass camera but it does not kick asses where I wanted…
If you don’t prioritize video, I’d recommend looking at a D700, used or new, sooner rather than later before people drive up the price, as a way to save $4K over the D4. I have used both D700 and D300 alot, and the D700 is a BIG improvement in image quality, low-light performance. Or for cheaper, the D7000 has 6 frames per second vs the D700’s 5 vs D800’s 4.
As a current D7000 user wanting to go FX i love that it doubles batteries with the D7000 and uses SD card…!! Look forward to getting my hand on one..
Fearing the high Mpix is too many.. but we will see…
i know more who talked about investing in a medium format now will give the D800 a try and utilize their Nikkor lenses instead of the bigger investment…
Have a look at this though…
http://zackarias.com/for-photographers/gear-gadgets/why-i-moved-to-medium-format-phase-one-iq140-review/
Zack’s awesome, but…..
I lust after a Phase One IQ*** as much as anyone…and I don’t think the D800 will equal a 30MP+ MFD system, yet I would love to see a comparison of 24×36 prints from a IQ140 and D800. I expect a *massive* diminishing return on $$ investment with the IQ140. It’s 8X the price.
I’d 1st like to say that i’m a Canon 5d2 & 7D user but can still quite openly say that this camera looks like an amazing piece of kit, particularly to someone like me who shoots some commercial video alongside other stills work. I agree with many of the comments about overkill on the megapixels, and drawing on what was commented on by the user who suggested this system would negate the need to jump to medium format i’ve got two counter arguments: 1. Medium format lenses resolve a ‘different’ level of detail than those designed for 35mm or equivalent formats 2. The RAW files on my 5dmk2 are already large enough to slow my 2010 2.66gHz dual core macbook pro down to a 2 second ish standstill when previewing, and i’d suggest that anything more than this would drive me literally insane!
I think this is the first of the next generation of 35mm format DSLR’s which will eventually see a new class of lenses brought out for them in order to resolve sufficient detail, but at what cost? Surely the next line up of gear is going to be similar prices to medium format, in which case we’re kind of defeating the point…. Unless you’re Nikon/ Canon/ Pentax/ Sony & seeking to sell people on the way your camera works & therefore get them hooked on your system: excellent long game plan when you consider the epic way they’ve all dealt with the budget end of extraordinarily saturated the market. We’re all hooked, and soon everyone else will be too! That’s good business.
I am certain this camera literally kicks ass though…..!
There are some great comments here to sum up how I feel, but I’ll add this:
The problem I have is not with Nikon releasing this camera, but with how they’ve positioned it. This is a successor to the D700 in name only (which I own). It’s a new category. Hyper-MP, studio, commercial and a filmmaker’s camera. The issue is, will they release an actual successor for the segment that needs a D700? A camera that is efficient, good for volume, won’t choke Lightroom, shoots in the dark, and competes with the 5DmII/III in stills.
My take will change if the testing reveals that the D800’s still ‘medium’ (20mp) and ‘small’ (9mp) settings render images that surpass the D700’s overall quality, low-light performance, and especially file sizes. If this ends up being true, I’ll buy it. If it doesn’t, I cannot afford the D4 and so Nikon will not get my money until they release an actual D700 successor with world-class video.
Heck, they could solve this right now by releasing a D800L with the D4’s 16mp sensor. They would expand sales, not cannibalize from the D4 as much as they might think, so long as they delay the D800L’s release for 6 months.
If Nikon is reading the threads here and elsewhere… and I bet they are….it’s obvious there’s a major demand for the camera you described.
Instead of Nikon throwing the wonderful D3s sensor in the trash can, why not put it in a “D700s” and add video? Curious if such a camera would make you happy?