Photo geeks, gear heads, and camera nerds listen up! This post is just for you. Nikon today (or yesterday by the time I post this…) just announced the new D810, a consolidation of the D800 and the D800E. I’m a photographer and not a gear review guy, but I get a lot of requests from readers to weigh in…. should you get one? Should you pass? While that is much more of a personal question, my hope is to add a little value to the core camera geek’s potential purchaser’s day by sharing my initial thoughts. Keep in mind, I’m referring mostly to the ‘concept’ of the camera (is it a good camera in the line of pro / am lineup), do the specs make sense, and do I think it’s a good value.
So then, here’s a quick 2 cents… The D800 was a super solid camera when I posted about it two years ago, but the D810 adds a handful of meaningful upgrades to the system. Some of its improvements below:
_36.3 megapixel full-frame sensor (same as D800) but paired with Expeed 4 processing for sharper images, 30% faster
_up to 5fps still image shooting (7 if you’re in DX with a battery grip)
_1080p HD video at 60, 30, and 24 fps.
_noise-free images from ISO range of 64-12,800 (expands to ISO 32-51,200).
_Live View with spot white balance
_Built in stereo microphone for audio recording
_weight = 31.7 oz (roughly the same as the D800)
_Expeed 4 engine
_51-point AF (straight outta the D4s)
_Zebra stripes for exposure checking in video mode
_Uncompressed HDMI output with simultaneous recording to memory card (bonus)
This might look and feel like the same camera as the D800, but that upgrade to the Expeed 4 processing is going to make a LOT of the difference here (same processing system from the D4s I think!) It’ll allow for crisper shots at high ISOs and jettisons the low pass filter from earlier iterations of the D800. Not only that, but thanks to the updated processor, the D810 shoots slightly faster as well. Note: I have had ZERO face time with the camera, so I can’t go too in-depth on all the changes, but if they send me one, I’ll have more to say/share (BTW, I’m not counting on it. They got scared of me when I started using iPhones and Canon’s to shoot video… Golden boy to Anarchist 🙂
If you haven’t seen the pictures of it, she’s very, very similar to the D800, but check out images of the camera below in case you want to get an idea of what you’re in for.
The question I’m asked every time a new camera comes out… Chase, are you getting this camera? My answer in this case is no. But not that I wouldn’t want it… It just can’t replace my D4. It would be great wildlife or portrait shooter, but I do too much high speed action and need that 10 or 11 Fps. I also don’t need to chop up my sensor to get 36 megapixels… But I see why some people would love it. So that’s all for me on this quick hit. You asked, so I posted 😉 LMK what y’all think/ first impressions/feelings and I’ll try to respond?
[Reminder that Nikon plays close attention to this blog, so your comments on this post — glowing or otherwise — might help inform Nikon about what you’re thinking.]Get all the juicy Nikon D810 updates and/or pre-order over at Adorama.
*Drooool* <3 <3 lol
Thanks Chase for the comments!
Photography has turned into a technologic apple kind mania where people just want more and more, when they cant even take 2 good pics in a row! The D810 is an outstanding camera, and probably you won’t need an upgade for years to come!
The purpose is to make great pictures for your clients, and I hear people concerned with 12800 iso’s and gps and blah blah blah!
Image quality has evolved in such a way, that people have lost focus in what is important nowadays!
It’s like complaining about the hi speed internet not working on the plane!!! you are FLYING 🙂 that’s what u should be saying, just fly with the D810 or whatever FF out there, many brands are doing great cameras!
Let’s just do some great images!
Cheers!
Tiago
Hi all. Having been made aware of the release of the 810 and 750 I’ve felt compelled to add my two cents. I’ve been a commercial photographer for 20 plus years and have used many formats including 8×10 and 4×5 film, all formats of digital and currently use the D800 for my own work. For faster frame rate stuff I’ll “go back” to the D3. Occasionally I’ll freelance for other studios; they tend to use Canon 5Ds. I use Mac with Lightroom, Mac with Capture One, PC with Capture One and PC with EOS Utility…it’s a drag! But they all work! I work with art directors all of the time; most of them don’t know one camera from the next and don’t question what’s being used; same goes for brand of lighting. What they all DO respond to is the light and composition “you” wrap around their concepts. As I’ve matured in the business I’ve come to view the camera as simply a black box that sits on a tripod and clicks when I command it to, however, I do place great importance on lenses. I feel guilty researching updates to gear etc. because I should be spending more time generating original concepts and executing them. Many dslr cameras from even ten years ago would capture great concepts from today with enough quality. Many, if not all, of today’s cameras can do a great job. Many of us simply spend too much time researching gear vs using what we have. Not knocking anyone because I’m guilty of falling prey to marketing as well. My main point? The cameras we have now are probably not getting in the way of making great photos, we are. Use what you have; if it truly can’t do the job get the “tool” that can. Can’t afford it? Rent it. We’d all benefit more if there was such things as “concept stores”. Good, original concepts are difficult to come by and even more difficult to execute at a high level. Just like “guns don’t kill, people do”; cameras don’t take great photos, people do.
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