p.1 #1 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
I have spent a lifetime involved in photography (editorial mostly) with extensive use of all film formats, B/W chemistry, and equipment.
I’ve been retired for a few years now, and travel about doing roadside portraits with my D500 and a 40mm micro. While somewhat of an amateur lens, it does provide the sharpness I desire in these tight facial portraits.
I’m wondering if I moved up to a D810 and a 60mm micro, would I see a noticeable difference in my 11x14 exhibition prints?
Nikon has refurbished D810s for sale at $999. At this late stage in my life, investing in a D850 is probably not a wise decision.
In light of my specific project… thoughts on the D810 in 2023?
p.1 #4 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
wsgullo wrote:
I have spent a lifetime involved in photography (editorial mostly) with extensive use of all film formats, B/W chemistry, and equipment.
I’ve been retired for a few years now, and travel about doing roadside portraits with my D500 and a 40mm micro. While somewhat of an amateur lens, it does provide the sharpness I desire in these tight facial portraits.
I’m wondering if I moved up to a D810 and a 60mm micro, would I see a noticeable difference in my 11x14 exhibition prints?
Nikon has refurbished D810s for sale at $999. At this late stage in my life, investing in a D850 is probably not a wise decision.
In light of my specific project… thoughts on the D810 in 2023?
Thank you.
*I didn't want to spend $19 just to post one pic. ...Show more →
The D810 + 60mm micro is a great combination but I don’t think you’d see much of a difference (if any) at prints this size.
Investing in fun is always a wise decision. You only live once. So if you want a D810 or even a D850, go for it.
p.1 #5 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
D810 is a fantastic camera, and refurbished by Nikon has an excellent reputation, you may even get an essentially new camera (I have myself bought several this way). For fun, I got this reasonable answer from Bing AI. Nothing new here for you, I am certain.
“When it comes to portrait photography, the choice of lens and camera can have a significant impact on the final image. The full-frame 60mm f/2.8 lens is a great choice for portrait photography because it provides a narrower depth of field than the APS-C 40mm f/2.8 lens. This means that the subject will be in focus while the background will be blurred, which can help to create a more dramatic and visually interesting image.
The full-frame camera also has a larger sensor than the APS-C camera, which means that it can capture more light and produce images with less noise. This can be especially important when shooting in low light conditions or when you want to create images with a shallow depth of field.”
A video which I have not personally viewed may also be helpful:
&si=MVjizRODXKX7VsDd
Aug 26, 2023 at 01:47 PM
AmbientMike Offline • • • • • • [X]
p.1 #6 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
wsgullo wrote:
I have spent a lifetime involved in photography (editorial mostly) with extensive use of all film formats, B/W chemistry, and equipment.
I’ve been retired for a few years now, and travel about doing roadside portraits with my D500 and a 40mm micro. While somewhat of an amateur lens, it does provide the sharpness I desire in these tight facial portraits.
I’m wondering if I moved up to a D810 and a 60mm micro, would I see a noticeable difference in my 11x14 exhibition prints?
Nikon has refurbished D810s for sale at $999. At this late stage in my life, investing in a D850 is probably not a wise decision.
In light of my specific project… thoughts on the D810 in 2023?
Thank you.
*I didn't want to spend $19 just to post one pic. ...Show more →
D810 should be fine, the jump from 36mp to current 45mp isn't huge. Although I haven't used one.
That said D500 should be fine for 11x14's. The difference between the two might not be that great at 11x14
I post from Flickr if you have an account there. Probably other free sites to post from. Should be able to get D810 less used, here or keh, mpb etc
p.1 #7 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
Good thing about the D810 is Photoshop CS6 will process the raw files. Not true with the D850. May not matter if you have the subscription anyway, but for those that never did, and kept old Photoshop to save money, it may matter.
p.1 #8 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
Thanks everybody. I've been perfectly content with my kit for this specific project, but have wondered if FF would enhance the signature look in any measurable way. Sounds like it won't, so I'll stick with what I have. Many thanks.
p.1 #10 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
A "refurbished" camera is a bit of a fraud. It is a used camera that was returned to Nikon and serviced. No way of knowing how extensively the camera was used or abused. I believe it is safer to buy a used camera from someone posting on fredmiranda where you know the actual shutter count and are usually buying from the person who bought the camera when new from a n authorized USA Nikon dealer.
p.1 #11 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
The D810 has one feature unique to the other D8xx. That is the shutter and mirror which are extremely smooth. I tend to grab my D810 more than the D850 for that reason.
p.1 #12 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
I had a D810 and thought it was a great camera, nothing at all for me to complain about. Have kicked myself for letting it go. Ended up getting D780 recently when Nikon had a refurbished sale. Camera was mint with no signs of use. Shutter count when I received it was '0'. Probably the best deal I have ever gotten on a camera.
p.1 #13 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
Without knowing much about your project or how you are shooting, it is hard to be too specific. D500 is an excellent camera and has some strengths that the D810 lacks. Specifically, the AF is faster, more accurate, and had better coverage across the frame. The tilting rear screen is also great, along with the backlit buttons. If your shooting other things outside of portraits these features may carry even more weight. If your not relying on AF heavily for your portraits or if subjects are stationary and well let—then even the D810 is overkill to get that sweet 36MP sensor. Used D800/E bodies have long since bottomed out.
Biggest questions I suppose for the OP are how are you shooting and what is most important to you?
p.1 #15 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
Simply stated, I would not be investing in an F body unless it was for nostalgic reasons like an F5 plus a few lenses because you just found a hidden supply of film Or you just like the look of something as a prop camera or display.
p.1 #16 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
11X14 isn't very big, and I really doubt you'd see any difference by switching from D500 to D810. If you want something that'll make a noticeable difference, try the 105 VR micro. The longer FL allows you to step back and have the same tight headshot and creates a more flattering portrait.
p.1 #17 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
At 11x14, iso 100, and uncropped, I doubt you will see a noticable difference. The big advantage the d810 has over the d500 is cropability which you don't do.
p.1 #18 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
A D500 image at 11X14 is over 300ppi, which is pretty well at the limit of perceivable detail and is the standard for gallery prints. Assuming you aren't cropping you images much, you aren't going to notice a material difference in print from a D500 to a D810 unless you go beyond 12X18".
If you ever crop, or if you like to use really low DOF, it would be easier to make a case for a higher MP FF camera.
p.1 #19 · Thoughts on a Nikon refurbished D810 in 2023?
I had both the D810 and the D500 along with the 60mm macro. Super sharp lens on both cameras. The D810 does indeed have a smooth shutter/mirror and is the sound of it is just a joy. The D500 has the auto af fine tuning feature that I don’t think the D810 has. I had a 24 1.4g that was so buttery smooth on that D810. I got rid of all this and went retro after I retired. I shoot a D3S now with AFD primes. But IF I were to go back I think I’d go with the D500–I just got tired if dealing with the much larger files from the D810. But either way, you win!
Or you just like the look of something as a prop camera or display.