So why is it that for the last gazillion years that every day that a new camera arrives it's pouring down with rain? WHY?
< sigh >
Some initial observations re: D800 vs D700....
Detail - Wow. In good light the D800 retains an amazing amount of detail. I'm seeing things I've never seen before (like patterns in desk top surfaces).
High ISO - Hmmm.... not as impressed as I thought I might be. Sure, you can down res to 12MP (or any other number) and it's better. The images are without doubt softer at high ISO than I had hoped (raw 14 bit). I'm going to have to play with this more to better understand the noise and over / under exposure characteristics.
I like that the front and rear wheels protrude more than on the D700 - making them easier to turn without rubbing against the body, but I'm not so enthusiastic about how shallow the finger hold is on the grip part of the body (I'm still waiting for the battery grip - so this on the D800 only). The D700 has a really nice indent that is not there on the D800.
-- Video Mode --
One of my real interests is the video mode because we shoot both photo & video for weddings and commercial work. I would put the video quality on-par with the 5D2 at this point. It's certainly not dramatically better at higher ISO settings (e.g. 2000-3200+). There is about the same noise level as the 5D2. I haven't had chance to check the coloured moire / aliasing (because it's raining!) but will get around to that in the comings days.
Focusing seems snappy enough.
The 100% view finder is fine too, but the DX framing is a little small (to be expected) for me to be using on a day to day basis.
The mode button - Hmmmm.... it's been moved and now I can't comfortably reach it with the shutter finger without moving my hand up a little, so it's not as easy as the D700 for changing modes while looking through the view finder. The video record button caused this!
Hand holding at slower speeds is simply not going to be possible in the same way I can hand hold the D700. I guess I have some muscle re-training to do
Now, if only the Grip would turn up and it stop raining!!!
I stopped using my Cokin P filter set about 5 years ago because every single time I put it on the camera it rained, literally within a minute of attaching it. Must have done it about 20+ times. It would even stop raining within a minute of taking it off the camera. I decided it was cursed and not worth ruining a nice day for so it's stayed off the camera and in a bag since.
Same thing happened to me...has been sunny weather in Paris with blue sky for 2-3 weeks straight...I get my D800 Friday night and go ou Saturday morning at sunrise for a shot...only to get a grey sky !!!
Dave_EP wrote:
So why is it that for the last gazillion years that every day that a new camera arrives it's pouring down with rain? WHY?
< sigh >
Some initial observations re: D800 vs D700....
Detail - Wow. In good light the D800 retains an amazing amount of detail. I'm seeing things I've never seen before (like patterns in desk top surfaces).
High ISO - Hmmm.... not as impressed as I thought I might be. Sure, you can down res to 12MP (or any other number) and it's better. The images are without doubt softer at high ISO than I had hoped (raw 14 bit). I'm going to have to play with this more to better understand the noise and over / under exposure characteristics.
I like that the front and rear wheels protrude more than on the D700 - making them easier to turn without rubbing against the body, but I'm not so enthusiastic about how shallow the finger hold is on the grip part of the body (I'm still waiting for the battery grip - so this on the D800 only). The D700 has a really nice indent that is not there on the D800.
-- Video Mode --
One of my real interests is the video mode because we shoot both photo & video for weddings and commercial work. I would put the video quality on-par with the 5D2 at this point. It's certainly not dramatically better at higher ISO settings (e.g. 2000-3200+). There is about the same noise level as the 5D2. I haven't had chance to check the coloured moire / aliasing (because it's raining!) but will get around to that in the comings days.
Focusing seems snappy enough.
The 100% view finder is fine too, but the DX framing is a little small (to be expected) for me to be using on a day to day basis.
The mode button - Hmmmm.... it's been moved and now I can't comfortably reach it with the shutter finger without moving my hand up a little, so it's not as easy as the D700 for changing modes while looking through the view finder. The video record button caused this!
Hand holding at slower speeds is simply not going to be possible in the same way I can hand hold the D700. I guess I have some muscle re-training to do
Now, if only the Grip would turn up and it stop raining!!!
Paul, Take it somewhere they're having a drought then, they'll love you and your magic rain filter
firewireguy wrote:
I stopped using my Cokin P filter set about 5 years ago because every single time I put it on the camera it rained, literally within a minute of attaching it. Must have done it about 20+ times. It would even stop raining within a minute of taking it off the camera. I decided it was cursed and not worth ruining a nice day for so it's stayed off the camera and in a bag since.
Dave_EP wrote:
So why is it that for the last gazillion years that every day that a new camera arrives it's pouring down with rain? WHY?
< sigh >
Some initial observations re: D800 vs D700....
Detail - Wow. In good light the D800 retains an amazing amount of detail. I'm seeing things I've never seen before (like patterns in desk top surfaces).
High ISO - Hmmm.... not as impressed as I thought I might be. Sure, you can down res to 12MP (or any other number) and it's better. The images are without doubt softer at high ISO than I had hoped (raw 14 bit). I'm going to have to play with this more to better understand the noise and over / under exposure characteristics.
I like that the front and rear wheels protrude more than on the D700 - making them easier to turn without rubbing against the body, but I'm not so enthusiastic about how shallow the finger hold is on the grip part of the body (I'm still waiting for the battery grip - so this on the D800 only). The D700 has a really nice indent that is not there on the D800.
-- Video Mode --
One of my real interests is the video mode because we shoot both photo & video for weddings and commercial work. I would put the video quality on-par with the 5D2 at this point. It's certainly not dramatically better at higher ISO settings (e.g. 2000-3200+). There is about the same noise level as the 5D2. I haven't had chance to check the coloured moire / aliasing (because it's raining!) but will get around to that in the comings days.
Focusing seems snappy enough.
The 100% view finder is fine too, but the DX framing is a little small (to be expected) for me to be using on a day to day basis.
The mode button - Hmmmm.... it's been moved and now I can't comfortably reach it with the shutter finger without moving my hand up a little, so it's not as easy as the D700 for changing modes while looking through the view finder. The video record button caused this!
Hand holding at slower speeds is simply not going to be possible in the same way I can hand hold the D700. I guess I have some muscle re-training to do
Now, if only the Grip would turn up and it stop raining!!!
Dave, my wife and I are huge fans of the show MI-5 (I believe Spooks in the UK). After watching all 86 or whatever episodes we have decided not to visit the UK because we have determined that; 1.) It is always raining, and 2.) something is always being blown up. My suggestion, since you live there, is accept reality and test new cameras inside while staying away from crowded markets.
firewireguy wrote:
I stopped using my Cokin P filter set about 5 years ago because every single time I put it on the camera it rained, literally within a minute of attaching it. Must have done it about 20+ times. It would even stop raining within a minute of taking it off the camera. I decided it was cursed and not worth ruining a nice day for so it's stayed off the camera and in a bag since.
Bring your D800 to Southwestern {Silver City area}New Mexico. We could really use the rain. If you need an excuse, we have the "Tour of the Gila" bike race coming up May 2nd through the 6th.
