Is adding a D800 to my D600 the right thing to do?

[BackdoorArts]

Can't fill a frame that requires a 750mm when you only have a 500mm.

 

[Johnathan Aulabaugh]

Can't fill a frame that requires a 750mm when you only have a 500mm.

hahaha sure ya can. Get closer! I do a lot of wildlife photography man and while I am not always in the right spot, I have just never been the type to crop much in post except to straighten a bit if I need to. I will admit it has put me in some very unique situations and I have even questioned my own sanity at times but if I can't get into position the way I want then that was my fault. I know that does not fit with some photographers perspective but the ones who I have learned from, that's just how they do it.

 

[Scott Murray]

I am actually considering a second body maybe another D800/E or maybe a D3s. I am unsure at present, might wait and see what the future holds.

 

[BackdoorArts]

With some you can move, with others you can't. You can't always get closer, just like I'd never always shot in DX. I don't suspect with the 24MP sensor in my D600 I would, but when I can get 16MP's from a D800 and 25 seconds of continuous shooting I'll never say never.

 

[Scott Murray]

hahaha sure ya can. Get closer! I do a lot of wildlife photography man and while I am not always in the right spot, I have just never been the type to crop much in post except to straighten a bit if I need to. I will admit it has put me in some very unique situations and I have even questioned my own sanity at times but if I can't get into position the way I want then that was my fault. I know that does not fit with some photographers perspective but the ones who I have learned from, that's just how they do it.

I am about to go on a safari in Africa and I am presuming there will be times where I will be struggling with my 400mm as most safari vehicles cannot drive closer or off the beaten track, you also are not able to leave the vehicle as this could result in injury or scaring the animals off. I cannot afford a longer lens and do not think it would be practical. So my only other option is DX xrop mode or cropping in software. Atleast with the D800 I do have this option and it is still quite good clarity and detail as can be seen in my D800 cropped thread. Sure I might not be able to print out poster sized prints but they will still be usable photos.

 

[RockyNH_RIP]

hahaha sure ya can. Get closer! I do a lot of wildlife photography man and while I am not always in the right spot, I have just never been the type to crop much in post except to straighten a bit if I need to. I will admit it has put me in some very unique situations and I have even questioned my own sanity at times but if I can't get into position the way I want then that was my fault. I know that does not fit with some photographers perspective but the ones who I have learned from, that's just how they do it.

I understand and agree in Principal... sometimes though it is just not possible. I move closer when I can (300mm) but sometimes (like my ducks at Horseshoe Pond), they are out in the marsh and down an embankment (slippery wet, mud snow) Sure, I could get a boat and come around but it is not practical at the time I see them at lunch..

If I can get closer to fill the frame I try.. otherwise, I take wwhat I can get and see if I can make something out of it!

Pat in NH

 

[gqtuazon]

I understand and agree in Principal... sometimes though it is just not possible. I move closer when I can (300mm) but sometimes (like my ducks at Horseshoe Pond), they are out in the marsh and down an embankment (slippery wet, mud snow) Sure, I could get a boat and come around but it is not practical at the time I see them at lunch..

If I can get closer to fill the frame I try.. otherwise, I take wwhat I can get and see if I can make something out of it!

Pat in NH

There are more situations where you just can't move any closer especially if you are watching a concert, parade, or just like what you've mentioned.

If there is a dedicated button to assign the "image size" feature, I would prefer that instead of the picture control since I shoot RAW and the jpgs are mainly used to preview the images once they are in the computer.

 

[stmv]

if you do buy 800 family, I would recommend the e version, to squeeze out that last bit of detail.

I own the 5100, 700, 7000, 800 as my set of bodies..

which pair do I use 98% of the time

800 as the primary

5100 as the super light when I don't want the hunker of the 800.

The 800 just does things so well..

Ultra high quality shots
Low light camera
decent burst in FX mode - 14
great burst in DX mode - 23-25
really nice bracket depth
dual slot
covers both the FX and 1.5 DX range
better build quality/weather sealing


frankly, at 2800 dollars, I cannot understand why the D800 is not collecting dust on the shelves. they are no longer seem to be selling at high rates.

after 10 months, I am still totally sold on the 800. I am going out west for a 10 days, and the only camera body I am bringing - yup,, the 800. I have total faith that it covers everying in a single package.


even with the D600 out,, if I was buying new again,, I would save my dollars for the 800.

 

[Johnathan Aulabaugh]

Cropping post shot is just not something I do much of. I would rather get a set of telecons if I have to. That's my preference guys. That's how I was taught by other professionals. I rather get it right in camera than other wise. As for a 400 on safari... thats awesome, take a telecon as well and you are almost assured of getting the shot without stretching the pixels later in post. I am not saying my way is the only way, obviously. We work with what we have when we need it. Every one here has seen shots that are cropped to the point that you are not just seeing the noise but nearly the pixels themselves and to me that is just not acceptable.
That being said, I have not used a camera like the D800 or even 24mp fx for more than an hour or so. I actually have more experience with a D4 (not mine) than either of these so switching to a crop mode in camera might not be all that bad. I can certainly see where as far as memory and processing goes where the D800 in DX makes sense.

All of that being said, I have been doing my homework on the D800 as well. Has anyone who shoots with the D800 noticed any noise issues? Times where what appears to be black to the eye comes out more gray?
Build quality is a major factor here as well but really when it comes down to it.

 

[Scott Murray]

Cropping post shot is just not something I do much of. I would rather get a set of telecons if I have to. That's my preference guys. That's how I was taught by other professionals. I rather get it right in camera than other wise. As for a 400 on safari... thats awesome, take a telecon as well and you are almost assured of getting the shot without stretching the pixels later in post. I am not saying my way is the only way, obviously. We work with what we have when we need it. Every one here has seen shots that are cropped to the point that you are not just seeing the noise but nearly the pixels themselves and to me that is just not acceptable.
That being said, I have not used a camera like the D800 or even 24mp fx for more than an hour or so. I actually have more experience with a D4 (not mine) than either of these so switching to a crop mode in camera might not be all that bad. I can certainly see where as far as memory and processing goes where the D800 in DX makes sense.

All of that being said, I have been doing my homework on the D800 as well. Has anyone who shoots with the D800 noticed any noise issues? Times where what appears to be black to the eye comes out more gray?
Build quality is a major factor here as well but really when it comes down to it.

Here is cropping on the D800 - http://nikonites.com/d800/11514-cropping-d800.html

 

[Johnathan Aulabaugh]

Thanks for the Link, the First shot is pretty good. Only a little degradation. The second is very noticeable to me. Reading through the rest of that thread though, there are some compelling information as to using DX vs FX modes in the D800. File size I think would be the big thing, although, as is always stated when processing comes up, Memory is cheap!!! I actually use external hard drives for storage and back up anyways so it is not that big of a deal

 

[BackdoorArts]

How you're taught, what you'd like, and what you experience with a camera in hand are three very different things. Anyone who crops because they're lazy is probably producing something you wouldn't want to look at anyway. There are times you're out searching for a photograph, and there are times if finds you, often when you're not only not looking, but just fortunate that you have a camera in hand. And in each of those cases there are the subjects that will pose and wait, and those that require you to shoot first and adjust later.

There are rules, but there are no absolutes. Even when you think there are and subject yourself to them. And just because I'm willing to use a tool doesn't mean it's my favorite, or that I'm advocating that everyone try it. But I'll certainly use it if it's in my toolkit, particularly if the alternative is missing a shot.

 

[Johnathan Aulabaugh]

How you're taught, what you'd like, and what you experience with a camera in hand are three very different things.

Um no. getting it right in the viewfinder is the same as getting the exposure itself right. I know you do not understand that and I am not trying to bend you to my way in the least, and could care less if you agree with me or not. Cropping IMO is for changing the frame from say a 4.6 to an 8x10 at the request of a client. I am not the only one who thinks like this. It is just how I look at photography and photographers.

http://www.moosepeterson.com/blog/2012/12/27/the-crop-revisited/

What he said ^^^

 

[BackdoorArts]

Um, yes. And apparently you do care if I agree with you.

I'm not saying that the art of photography doesn't begin in the viewfinder. I am certainly saying that it doen't end there, and it doesn't necessarily have anything to do with being sloppy - though there are certainly sloppy photographers who rely on it. Dollars to donuts, when Moose is shooting a bear photo and, say, a pair of Eagles burst into the scene, when he captures something worth capturing and there's crap in the image, Moose will crop to make it work, and be happy to sell it. And that's what I'm talking about.

 

[Scott Murray]

I have created a new thread so that we can bring this one back on track, please try and post your views on cropping in that one

http://nikonites.com/off-topic/11725-crop-not.html

 

[Johnathan Aulabaugh]

Nice way it bring it back around Muzza haha.
As I was asking before I have heard that the D800 starts to show noise in high ISO's even before the D600. also in some comparisons I have seen the D800 looked to have issues picking up blacks in night photography. Anyone else notice these issues?