New D800, first few observations

simonkit

simonkit

Messages
4,240
Edit My Images
No
Just getting used to the new D800 and had more time with it last week whilst away on holiday so thought I'd post a few thoughts I've had.. I previously used a Pentax K5 crop sensor.

First of all the comments I've read about the incredible detail it captures are true in my experience, blows me away sometimes.

On the slightly negative the D800/16-35 combo seems to produce quite a bit of vignetting, at most focal lengths and apertures, it's quite pronounced when throwing a Lee 10 stop in the mix too.. on the plus it's very easy to correct in photoshop.

Depth of field is obviously less than the crop sensor, the D800 is much less forgiving if your focusing isn't spot on and the extra detail emphasises this even more.

Swapping from Pentax to Nikon has needed less adjusting to than I expected, the D800 ergonomics and menu system are excellent so no issues

Dynamic range is very impressive and lots of detail can be recovered from shadows...I do think that noise is perhaps a little more apparent on the D800 than it was on the K5 but I guess that was inevitable considering the pixel count

Simon
 
Last edited:
I've never used the 16-35, but a lot of D800 shooters swear by it for landscape. The widest I've used is the 24-70. I prefer longer focal lengths usually for landscape, I prefer the compressed look and feel, I think it pulls the viewer in more so. But that's just personal taste.

Good to see you're enjoying the camera. Don't get hung up on the "unforgiving" aspect, as I really don't think it's any more so than any other dslr. There's a lot of talk about this across the net, and most of it is just hearsay.

There's a D800 thread further down the page, has tonnes of info
 
Hi, Glad to see your liking the D800 so much, they're a fabulous bit of kit. Looking forward to seeing some of your work with it.:thumbs:
 
I've just sold all my Canon gear and recently did a deal for a D800 body, really can't wait to shoot with it in a few weeks time.

Exciting times ahead, learning curve ok.
 
Cagey75 said:
I've never used the 16-35, but a lot of D800 shooters swear by it for landscape. The widest I've used is the 24-70. I prefer longer focal lengths usually for landscape, I prefer the compressed look and feel, I think it pulls the viewer in more so. But that's just personal taste.

Good to see you're enjoying the camera. Don't get hung up on the "unforgiving" aspect, as I really don't think it's any more so than any other dslr. There's a lot of talk about this across the net, and most of it is just hearsay.

There's a D800 thread further down the page, has tonnes of info
Click to expand...

I did look at the 24-70 but it's a bit of a beast, especially for carrying around the mountains.. I carried the D800, 16-35, 70-200 F4 and a CF tripod during the 40 miles or so we walked last week and that was heavy enough.. be great if Nikon added a 24-70 F4 similar to the excellent IQ of the 70-200 equivalent, I'm even tempted to try the 24-85 although it doesn't get great reviews:shrug:

Simon
 
The older non VR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 is a quite good lens, forget the f/2.8-f/4 version, rubbish.

How about the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, brilliant on a D800 and lighter than moth crap.
 
Last edited:
PMFJI, but the reviews and lab tests on photozone.de (it's in English, despite the German domain) seem to have shown the f2.8 -4 D to be considerably better than the f3.5-5.6. So before deciding to take one of these 24-85 zooms, better check a couple of reviews.

I have the 2.8-4 and for a zoom, I found it quite good. It cannot compete with my primes, but it is no slouch IMHO. Under the link in my sig, down from those bird pics, you can see quite a few pics taken with that lens (I'm not saying the pics are good, I'm not an award winner like you :) I'm just saying there you can find example pics take with that lens)
 
Doh - you're right. It seems I had been reading the APSC version test, and even purchased the lens based on that? I'm getting old :)

Anyway, I have the lens, it is not bad.
 
I have the 24-85 f3,5-4.5 VR and find it quite a good lens, no complaints.
 
Gary Coyle said:
The older non VR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5 is a quite good lens, forget the f/2.8-f/4 version, rubbish.

How about the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8, brilliant on a D800 and lighter than moth crap.
Click to expand...

Thanks Gary, I'll have a look at the Tamron, I'm not going to ask how you know how light moth crap is though ;)
 
The D800 without the 24-70 is like a boat without a rudder, a fish without a tail. It's a partnership that was meant to be and a superb lens. If weight is a problem then perhaps just take the 24-70 & 16-35? It's all I have and if I can carry this kit I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have a problem
 
Don't be silly. You don't need a 24-70 whatsoever. And there are better lenses out there. I've not used mine since getting a 35 and 85mm primes.
 
Glad to hear you are happy with your new purchase, Simon, look forward to seeing some of your images.
Dave
 
Digifrog said:
The D800 without the 24-70 is like a boat without a rudder, a fish without a tail. It's a partnership that was meant to be and a superb lens. If weight is a problem then perhaps just take the 24-70 & 16-35? It's all I have and if I can carry this kit I'm pretty sure you wouldn't have a problem
Click to expand...
24-70mm on a D800 without a battery grip is very unbalanced, the 24-70mm is too heavy for a standard mid range zoom.
 
barratt1988 said:
Bit wide for landscapes 35mm?
Click to expand...

If you mean not wide enough? Nah. Landscape does not mean, and never has meant, wide as you can get. Some of my fav landscapes were more likely taken at 100-200 mm
 
Last edited:
I find myself needing more range/reach these days when shooting landscapes currently have 24-70 on FX; A 70-200 would be great for my needs to when shooting the Landscape

Glad you are enjoying the set up Simon, look forward to viewing you work as always.

Kevin
 
Last edited:
kevin obrian said:
I find myself needing more range/reach these days when shooting landscapes currently have 24-70 on FX; A 70-200 would be great for my needs to when shooting the Landscape

Glad you are enjoying the set up Simon, look forward to viewing you work as always.

Kevin
Click to expand...

Although I haven't used it that much yet it's pretty clear the 70-200 F4 is a really excellent lens, IQ from the few shots I've taken with it are excellent. I bought the 1.4x TC too and it doesn't seem to have any negative affect whatsoever, well worth considering Kevin

Simon
 
swiftflo said:
I have the 24-85 f3,5-4.5 VR and find it quite a good lens, no complaints.
Click to expand...

Hi, I too have one of these lenses that I use on a D800 and have found it to be optically excellent.

Hope this helps.
 
On the slightly negative the D800/16-35 combo seems to produce quite a bit of vignetting, at most focal lengths and apertures, it's quite pronounced when throwing a Lee 10 stop in the mix too.. on the plus it's very easy to correct in photoshop.

I'm surprised your having a lot of vignetting problems I find it is not really an issue when stopped down to say F8, are you using a wide angle adapter with your Lee big stopper?. :cool:

Sorry double post
 
Last edited:
Quote

On the slightly negative the D800/16-35 combo seems to produce quite a bit of vignetting, at most focal lengths and apertures, it's quite pronounced when throwing a Lee 10 stop in the mix too.. on the plus it's very easy to correct in photoshop.

I'm surprised your having a lot of vignetting problems I find it is not really an issue when stopped down to say F8, are you using a wide angle adapter with your Lee big stopper?. :cool:
 
old bloke said:
Quote

On the slightly negative the D800/16-35 combo seems to produce quite a bit of vignetting, at most focal lengths and apertures, it's quite pronounced when throwing a Lee 10 stop in the mix too.. on the plus it's very easy to correct in photoshop.

I'm surprised your having a lot of vignetting problems I find it is not really an issue when stopped down to say F8, are you using a wide angle adapter with your Lee big stopper?. :cool:
Click to expand...

Yes using the WA adaptor and just 2 slots on the holder, seem to get vignetting at most focal lengths/aperture settings, to differing degrees

Simon
 
simonkit said:
Although I haven't used it that much yet it's pretty clear the 70-200 F4 is a really excellent lens, IQ from the few shots I've taken with it are excellent. I bought the 1.4x TC too and it doesn't seem to have any negative affect whatsoever, well worth considering Kevin

Simon
Click to expand...

Was going to ask how you were getting on with it, I did end up getting the older version of it and am glad I did, can fit gear into my old small bag again now! :lol:

Kevin - there's a Sigma 70-210 2.8 going spare here if you want to have a play. :thumbs: .
 
simonkit said:
Yes using the WA adaptor and just 2 slots on the holder, seem to get vignetting at most focal lengths/aperture settings, to differing degrees

Simon
Click to expand...

With a wide-angle and Big Stopper, the lens is seeing through the filter at an angle towards the edges. So it's thicker and therefore darker.
 
Alan Clogwyn said:
Was going to ask how you were getting on with it, I did end up getting the older version of it and am glad I did, can fit gear into my old small bag again now! :lol:

Kevin - there's a Sigma 70-210 2.8 going spare here if you want to have a play. :thumbs: .
Click to expand...

Thank you for the kind offer Alan, unfortunatly can not make the Llandudno meet this time, which would have been ideal to test it, another time maybe.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top