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Archive 2017 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion

  
 
bs kite
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion



Preparing myself for a scenario: If the D820 does not come by July, I think I will likely get a D810.

I want the extraordinary sensor performance.

I've been shooting my D500 since May 2106 and am quite familiar with how it performs on birds in flight. But I have never shot the D810.

For those who have used, rented or owned both, I am wondering how you compare the D810 to the D500 for bird photography....especially its AF, for acquiring and holding birds in flight.

Thank you.

Robert



Apr 22, 2017 at 02:32 AM
Photozack81
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


The D500 is superior in every way except for the resolution.


Apr 22, 2017 at 03:11 AM
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion



Bottom line: How would you characterize the D810's ability to acquire and hold a moderate to large BIF?

I think we all agree the D5 and D500 likely have the best AF performance in the industry right now.

But still, I am wondering how those who own both cameras, would characterization the D810 AF performance.....when compared to the D500's AF performance.

How close is the D810 AF to the D500 AF?



Apr 22, 2017 at 03:47 AM
Photozack81
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


I can tell you this much, the D810 has a slightly slower AF processor than the D750, and the D750 can't touch the D500. D750 has the 3500FXII while the 810 has the 3500FX.

The D750 works plenty well compared to just about anything *but* a D500/D5

Will the 810 work? Sure, but you'll have more misses when compared to a D500. Can't beat the resolution though.

It does have group AF, which will help a lot for birds in flight. That alone ups the keeper rate considerably in my opinion.

I don't think you'd have any reason to be disappointed, but if you've been shooting the D500 for a while, you'll feel a bit underwhelmed by the performance of anything less. The resolution of the 810 should make up for a lot of it though



Apr 22, 2017 at 03:57 AM
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion




That's what I am looking for; i.e. your opinion/characterization. Sounds interesting. Interested in what others have to say about it too. Thank you.



Apr 22, 2017 at 04:00 AM
Christian H
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


You'll have to learn to work within the D810's limitations. The camera tends to back-focus on large birds such as hawks or herons flying straight at you, especially in close quarters. You won't get as many keepers. Birds flying across the frame are typically not a problem. Small, fast birds are definitely easier to shoot with the D500's AF system!

Christian



Apr 22, 2017 at 05:19 AM
Charles Loy
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


Agree with Christian, that birds flying away or toward will be a concern, flying across the D810 is fantastic (in my opinion). The 500 will grab a lock-on focus quicker in any situation than the 810, too. I like the 810 well over my 500 as it's an all a-rounder, but the 500 is just fast fast at everything.


Apr 22, 2017 at 06:26 AM
TAM63
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


I have both. For me, the AF of the D500 is vastly superior, the D810 blows it away in every other regard.

Large BIF, I have never had any great difficulty with the D810. When the bird occupies a smaller part of the frame, and the background is busy, it can struggle

The D500 is much easier to shoot BIF with, but it can be done with the D810.

I haven't had the D500 long, and I appreciate it for what it is (AF performance and speed) but I look forward to the day I can hopefully get that AF in a D810 successor.



Apr 22, 2017 at 06:50 AM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


I have no trouble with BIF coming right at me







Apr 22, 2017 at 07:06 AM
OwlsEyes
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


I own them both and have had the D4 prior to either. If you want to have the best AF and be able to select the best image based on wing, beak and eye position, the D5/D500 (or D4) would be better options than the D810. The faster and more consistent AF on the D5/D500 series and the faster frame rate makes these bodies a slam-dunk for flying birds. Furthermore, with several thousand images from 3 recent trips to edit, I would sooner poke my out then have to wade through as many D810 images with their ginormous files. The D810 has its place in my kit, but high frame-rate and fast action are not the times that I grab that camera. On the other hand, if you are looking to add landscape and animal portraiture to your repertoire then the D810 is the camera for you.

cheers,
bruce

Edited on Apr 22, 2017 at 03:33 PM · View previous versions



Apr 22, 2017 at 12:32 PM
bs kite
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


I would be one who would also like the D810 over my D500, in all situations other than BIF.

But right now, I also look forward to having that AF in the D810 successor.

We'll see what happens this summer.

Thanks. You answered my question.



Apr 22, 2017 at 12:43 PM
clickmepp
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


D810 - Landscape, Portrait, Architecture and Animals in Stationary
D500 - Sports, Action and BIF



Apr 22, 2017 at 01:21 PM
Hardcore
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


D810 is more than capable of tracking birds in flight without any issue.


Apr 22, 2017 at 02:02 PM
SoundHound
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


SENSATIONAL! Maybe photoshop out the background for sky and clouds?


Apr 22, 2017 at 02:33 PM
TimMunsey
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


D810 only good for flying fish.

http://www.wildphotolife.co.uk/ospreys/images/Osprey_003.jpg

D500 is a must have.



Apr 22, 2017 at 02:45 PM
OwlsEyes
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


To be clear... the D810 is a very capable camera (noting Tim's shot above), but it is not the first camera out of my bag when I want to shoot flying or running animals.

bruce



Apr 22, 2017 at 03:34 PM
DGC1
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


Before the D500 was available, we were able to do BIF extremely well. Many of the best bird photographers out there used Dxx's with stellar results. Is it the best tool for BIF? No. Will it do BIF? Yes. The D500 is a better choice as others have mentioned.

Edited on Apr 24, 2017 at 08:23 AM · View previous versions



Apr 22, 2017 at 03:45 PM
Gary Irwin
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


When it comes to BIF, my biggest frustration with the D810 is the slow lock-on even using single point focus. Once the D810 does lock on it seems to do a good job holding focus in my experience, but that initial lag is a killer for me. I like my D810 which is my favourite camera by far because of it's IQ potential, but when it comes to shooting BIF the D500 gets the nod -- but only for BIF.

Like I've said before, if Nikon took the AF system (and CPU's) out of the D5/D500 and put them in a D810 without even touching the D810 sensor, I think that would be the last camera I'd ever want to buy. Seriously.



Apr 22, 2017 at 03:47 PM
bs kite
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


Gary Irwin wrote:
When it comes to BIF, my biggest frustration with the D810 is the slow lock-on even using single point focus. Once the D810 does lock on it seems to do a good job holding focus in my experience, but that initial lag is a killer for me. I like my D810 which is my favourite camera by far because of it's IQ potential, but when it comes to shooting BIF the D500 gets the nod -- but only for BIF.

Like I've said before, if Nikon took the AF system (and CPU's) out of the D5/D500 and put them in
...Show more

Exactly!! +1

And I am hoping they have the sense to do that, without the concern of sabotaging any other DSLR in the line-up.

Hopefully we will see the D8XX by their July centennial anniversary. And hopefully it will be the very best they can do.

It has to combine those two into that one super camera. I am hopeful they will do it.







Apr 22, 2017 at 04:51 PM
ffstory
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Birds in flight photography: D810 vs D500.... your opinion


D500 has some cool features to improve chances to get a decent picture (pixel density, framerate, autofocus).

However, when taking a picture of your life. If you manage to get your lens close enough to your subject to fill the frame with it, achieve critical focus and wait for the right moment, then the RAW from D810 is the one you want go home with

I vote for D8xx. I can't wait for D810 replacement.



Apr 22, 2017 at 05:13 PM
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