Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Dave_W

The Dude
Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Although I love my D800, Thom makes a very salient point about how Nikon has thus far handled this situation and I can't disagree with his conclusions.

From Thom's blog - Thom Hogan's Nikon Camera, DSLR, Lens, Flash, and Book site

Unintended Consequences
Ju
ly 23 (commentary)--

One More Thing
Ju
ly 23 (commentary)--



The content was removed from this post as it contained copyrighted material. Please follow the link above to Thom Hogan's site for the complete blog entries. Thank you.
 
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AC016

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

This is more about his beef with Nikon's QC and the fact that they were more or less brushing the issue under the rug.
 

stmv

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

I must be in a lucky bucket, after more than 4K images, I really have not seen any focusing issues, or maybe I am just not fussy enough. The 7 pictures I have posted have all been with the D800.
 

Rick M

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Great to read an honest review, instead of it's great click on this link to buy so I get a kickback.
 

fotojack

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

This is more about his beef with Nikon's QC and the fact that they were more or less brushing the issue under the rug.

Yeah, but it sure sounds like he has a legitimate beef. I certainly wouldn't buy one without knowing with absolute certainty that the problem was fixed. Would you?
 

AC016

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Yeah, but it sure sounds like he has a legitimate beef. I certainly wouldn't buy one without knowing with absolute certainty that the problem was fixed. Would you?

No, i would not. I would want to see a full press release explaining the problem, how they fixed it and an apology. And..... okay, i am getting carried away. I don't have thousands of dollars to blow on a camera. But no, i would not buy something knowing that some units have a defect. I guess i could cross my fingers, lol. It's a shame that such a great company acted like this. I am sure that quite a few people have "lost face".
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Nikon Rumours has a post made by someone with a letter from Nikon QC stating that the focus issue is resolved.

The Nikon guys name is Aleksander Nowak, Nikon Europe Support.

Alek claims that a "small percentage" of cameras had AF calibration problems and Nikon would gladly "readjust" the problem "WITHIN" manufacturer's warranty specifications.

My first reaction is, WTF? Within the specs means you pay shipping if you are not near a LCS or a Nikon office. I want to know how a manufacturer can get away with selling a product with a known problem and then dinging you to return it for "repair". There has to be a class action lawsuit in the making here.

The scary thing in all this is..... I AM ON DECK to get a D800! Do I buy or cancel? This whole issue and how Nikon is handling it has really cast a shadow over what should be an exciting and delightful purchase.

Thom's beef has some good arguments. If Nikon is not telling us what models are effected, your $3K purchase in two years will be worthless when you try to sell to upgrade. Who will want a camera with a problem? Assuming it isn't fixed. If all it is, is in fact calibration, I would assume once it is done, you are good to go.

Honestly, I am a little PO'ed with all this, just as I am about to drop $3.4K on a new camera, there are all these doubts on it's Quality and Performance. What should be a high for Nikon's return is turning out to be nothing more than a PR disaster if all this is true.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

I hear ya, photowiz, but don't fret too much. This camera is sooooo amazing and Nikon has a fix for the problem regardless whether they announce it or not, so don't worry about your upcoming copy. Yes, it sucks that the far left focus point has an issue. Yes, it would be nice if all 51 focus points would work but on the bright side, 50 out of 51 ain't all that bad. I have the problem and I've even been granted the cost of postage to Nikon but I can't quite bring myself to send it in, I'm having way too much fun with it. It's really not hard to avoid that far left focus spot and those of us who send our cameras in will have the paperwork to prove the AF has been fixed so I'm not worried about resale values. And frankly, I don't think I'll be selling this camera. So it's pretty much a moot point.
So relax and know you're getting a kick-arse camera that may or may not focus well on the farthest left focus point. If it doesn't, no worries, just send it in. And if it's too much to handle you can always return the camera and wait to buy it in the future. But take it from me, once you get this honey in your hands you'll be reluctant to let it go regardless of the AF issue. Because all the other focus points are razor sharp.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Thanks, I greatly appreciate the post and your thoughts. Unlike you, I can drive to Nikon, 20 minutes tops. My wait to get it back, if I suffer this is minimal, maybe 2-4 weeks.

I had hoped that their QC had been better and as the Thom review stated, cameras shipped after July 4 shouldn't have issues. I just find it extremely offensive to drop $3k and have to deal with this or even worry about it.

For a company that was #1 and would love to retain that title again, I believe this has all been handled poorly.

I am buying this from a reputable chain, they are huge and have never let me down, so I will ask some questions when I am in the store and see what the options are tomorrow. I think I will call Nikon as well and see what they have to say.

Since I am coming from a D90 with 11 points, 50 sounds like the world, but I am not happy about this whole issue. I haven't really jumped onto the AF bandwagon until now, as mine is in and I was hoping it would all be resolved by now.

I will post in a day or two and let you know how it works out.
 

Eduard

Super Mod
Staff member
Super Mod
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

One of the reasons I admire Thom Hogan is that he isn't afraid to praise or scold Nikon (or any other vendor on his mirrorless site) and his critique is always factual.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

I spoke to Nikon Canada 10 minutes ago. Here is what I was told:


a) this focus issue is NOT permanent. If a camera has the one focus point out of whack, Nikon will recalibrate your camera and the fix is permanent unless you damage the camera yourself somehow.


b) I my case, Nikon Canada has the proper equipment to fix the problem. Thom Hogan told me that repairs out of Melville, NY are done properly but there have been issues out of the Nikon Mississauga office. Regardless, they will fix it until the get it right. Not a happy way to experience a repair, hopefully, I don't have this problem when mine arrives.


c) Nikon Canada has had cameras come back with this issue but hasn't seen anything official from Nikon Japan on this issue. I guess what is getting some peoples backs up is that Nikon Japan is ignoring the problem instead of admitting it exists.


I was starting to get ticked a bit about this, but after talking to them, I am not that concerned. As I have said before, I think this camera is one of those defining technology advancements and this is a minor, insignificant hiccup, if that. I have to believe that the Nikon production people will get this right, it simply doesn't sound like a deal-breaking issue.

Lets hope I don't have to experience the grief of getting it fixed.

I can't imagine how many of these cameras Nikon has sold since they released it and this problem doesn't seem to be an epidemic. Also, the images I have seen are simply second to non. I think, I will be very pleased with this camera.

When I get it, I will post some images and give you my first impression.
 

Dave_W

The Dude
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Great to hear this info, thanks photowiz! That's pretty much my feeling, 1 point out of 51 potential points is not the end of the world for me. I'm thinking I'll send mine in at the end of the fall season, right now I have way too many plans with my baby to send her in anytime soon.
 

stmv

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

here is a comparison between Canon and Nikon warrants discussion, I have professional friends that have shifted back and forth between the two companies, and just rave on Canon's support and speed of response.

I know personally, I had an awful experience with Nikon service, and use my local pro repair shop now 100% when possible.

This type of reputation goes viral. Seems like all my photography frends know
about it, and now consider the D800 a flawed product. Nikon should be bending over backwards to clear this up.

But I will echo,, AWESOME CAMERA! just bad Customer Service, and folks that should know better that in today's connected world, this type of news can translate to millions of dollars impact to business.
 

Photowyzard

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

A flawed product? Seriously?

The flaw is ONE AF focus point of 51 on an insignificant number of cameras shipped and by and large, from what I have been told, this has been addressed. Even if you get one that is "flawed", it is an easy enough fix and the fix is permanent.

For $3K, this camera delivers more bang for the buck than anything on the market. I find this statement that the camera is "flawed", to be honest, a little over the top. I have to respectfully disagree with you.

I personally spoke to Nikon Canada and their customer service on the phone was totally professional. Don't see what you are saying from where I sit.
 
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Photowyzard

Senior Member
Re: Thom Hogan changes D800 "Recommended" opinion to "Not Recommended"

Great to hear this info, thanks photowiz! That's pretty much my feeling, 1 point out of 51 potential points is not the end of the world for me. I'm thinking I'll send mine in at the end of the fall season, right now I have way too many plans with my baby to send her in anytime soon.

I got by with 11 points on my D90, 50 seems like a deal, by comparison! :) I don't think this is the end of the world as we know it.

I am going to give my own review of the D800 in due time. I have no affiliations with anyone, just an enthusiast who loves to take pictures. I am hoping the D800 will be exactly what I expect it to be, and that is a technology defining photographic breakthrough.

More later....
 
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