chambeshi
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 p.1 #1 · Nikon D780 for WIldlife Photography | |
I tested a D780 briefly in my local shop in early March; then I read up and weighed options through the pandemic lockdown. I narrowed down the choices/criteria to the peculiar demands of local conditions in which I stalk and photograph wildlife subjects - ranking 3 key factors for my local needs.
#1 higher ISO performance that is better than the D850 & Z7
(2) D5-D500 level AFC
and not least #3 access to Silent-Shooting and these instances cannot be predicted.
On paper, the Z6 specs of the D780 suffice for #1 and #3, with the added positives of the cloned Z6 AFC system with Silent Mode. Factor #2 is contingent on how well the combination of D5 AFC algorithms + EXPEED6 deliver in a "D3 modified" AF sensor [edit: more specifically the third generation of the 3500-series module.
Anyways, last week I took up the Special offer by Nikon running through June. I also decided the time had arrived to trade in the Z7, pending Nikon releasing a 2nd generation FX Prosumer Z. (To attract buyers/upgraders this Z8 must deliver D5 spec AFC prowess and greatly improve on current Firmware, especially the expanding options in Custom controls to catch up to the D5/D6.) In summary, the new D780 was almost a direct swop for a 1 1/2 year old Z7, which had seen almost daily use.
So far my decision confirms the recent detailed reviews: namely, Photography Blog, Photography Life, SLR Lounge and Thom Hogan’s. It really helps when the author actually tests the D780 properly, and takes the time to write a summary of their findings and how its performance and specs etc compare to the D750 and current options (including the Z6). AFC delivers, Silent-shooting works very well via Lv in my contexts. Preliminary IQ of images shot deliberately at ISOs > 3200 through 6400 to 12800 and 25600 confirm the technical evidence eg https://www.photonstophotos.net/Charts/RN_ADU.htm#Nikon%20D4S_14,Nikon%20D5_14,Nikon%20D750_14,Nikon%20D780_14,Nikon%20D850_14
I most certainly have criticisms of the D780. They include gaps in Menu options, No viewfinder dark-curtain, and No Grip. The Fn button is hard to reach with the bottom finger because it is positioned too low (unlike D500 and D850) (Why, oh why does Nikon mess up what works?). The biggest gap in custom-menu options is that the D780 cannot map AF functions to a hotkey. This poor design by Nikon stands out compared against to many options to assign exposure settings with Pv, Fn etc. [EDITed]
Thus with the D780, in the F3 Menu options, you cannot assign AF-On+AF mode to any Fn button (ie AE-AF Lock, AF-On, Fn, Pv)! In summary, you have the choice of 34 options for Pv and Fn1; AE-AFL has 7 options; AF-On has 6 options; Brkt has 4 only; and a paltry 2 functions can be mapped to the Red Record Button. [see e-Manual pages 628-629].
As the D780 stands, Nikon can do much better to upgrade the menu options. Most importantly, these Firmware fixes should sell more cameras. Currently, Nikon's shoddy design constrains realizing the rich potential of the AF system – for Action genres especially. After all, the D780 brochure emphasizes how the D780 is ideal to shoot action scenes.
Edited on Jun 20, 2020 at 08:28 AM · View previous versions
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