Nikon announce D810A for astrophotographers

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http://www.nikon.com/news/2015/0210_dslr_01.htm

The D810A is an ultra high-definition model that boasts the best image quality in the history of Nikon digital SLR cameras with an effective pixel count of 36.3-million pixels, a Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor with no optical low-pass filter, and the latest image-processing engine, EXPEED 4. It makes the most of the incredible rendering capabilities of the D810, while utilizing an optical filter adopted to enable beautiful reproduction of vivid reds in images of nebulae that emit H-alpha light , something very difficult with run-of-the-mill digital SLR cameras.
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Isnt an optical low pass filter another name for an Anti-Aliasing filter? If yes, surely thats just the same as a D800E. Am I missing something?
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Am I missing something?
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Yes :)
The optical filter on the front surface of the image sensor is capable of four times greater transmission of H-alpha light than is that used with the D810. This enables clear and vivid reproduction of the strong red H-alpha light emitted by nebulae and galaxies.
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double post...weirdness!
 
they made some improved between 800E and 810 as the focusing mechanism got changed due to widely reported issue of left side (or right) focus points not reporting correct distances etc. this was a problem in their calibration unit apparently, and the unit that is used to calibrate all the slr was "knocked" off alignment which made all the cameras off alignment. and also 810 incorporated the non-AA filter approach.


though not sure if there are any real improvements....from the D810
 
Nikon_Nick said:
Isnt an optical low pass filter another name for an Anti-Aliasing filter? If yes, surely thats just the same as a D800E. Am I missing something?
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IIRC the D800E has 2 AA filters with the second counteracting the effect of the first.
 
Honestly, I don't see any need for this camera. This would be a killer camera 5 years ago.

Now that astrophotographers have a range of specialised astro cameras available for affordable prices there is no need for astro-only DSLR.

A typical cooled CCD camera will be way better than this for astro use without having to pay for unnecessary DSLR components (mirror, AF module, displays, bayonet mount, without CFA, ...) and without undocumented features of Nikon NEF.

Since this will be difficult to use for day photos without special filters why would any astrophotographer want to get this a not a proper Kodak KAI 11002 based camera instead?
 
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So is this like a dedicated astro body only? Can't be used for anything else? Bit like converting a body to infra-red only....... Expensive and limited use
 
Mark twiglet said:
So is this like a dedicated astro body only? Can't be used for anything else? Bit like converting a body to infra-red only....... Expensive and limited use
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utilizing an optical filter adopted to enable beautiful reproduction of vivid reds in images of nebulae that emit H-alpha light
Click to expand...

I'm no expert but I read this as saying if the H-alpha light is there it will capture it ... so presumable if it isn't it will just act as a normal D810. :)
 
mpe said:
Honestly, I don't see any need for this camera. This would be a killer camera 5 years ago.

Now that astrophotographers have a range of specialised astro cameras available for affordable prices there is no need for astro-only DSLR.

A typical cooled CCD camera will be way better than this for astro use without having to pay for unnecessary DSLR components (mirror, AF module, displays, bayonet mount, without CFA, ...) and without undocumented features of Nikon NEF.

Since this will be difficult to use for day photos without special filters why would any astrophotographer want to get this a not a proper Kodak KAI 11002 based camera instead?
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Yes, it would appear to be a very peculiar marketing venture to make a version of the D810 that is aimed at a relatively small niche. I cannot envisage a large production run at all. The price will be interesting.
 
It's over 3 grand apparently !
 
gramps said:
I'm no expert but I read this as saying if the H-alpha light is there it will capture it ... so presumable if it isn't it will just act as a normal D810. :)
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In normal light it will be oversensitive to IR and white balance will be way off so one would need to use custom WB all the times.
 
That's assuming they sell any
 
Not my specialism at all, but if it records the red spectrum, am I correct in thinking that this camera will act like a 'converted' IR camera? Can it be used as such?
 
Possibly but it's still a limited market!
 
arclight said:
If I ever get into astro-photography a D810A would come in handy as an extra body just for the two nights per year when the sky is clear :giggle:
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Sounds about right! Mind you if you could afford the body you would holiday in chile where the radio telescopes are ! It would be clear there more often !
 
If it works well as an IR camera, there are very definite medical and forensic applications for this camera especially given the resolution. Sell at least one/two to most hospitals/police forces/investigatory bodies world wide, who probably are less price sensitive than your average consumer and the decision starts to look a lot more sensible. Plus all the lenses and peripherals. There is not a lot of profit in parts of the consumer markets these days so looking beyond these for the sake of a minor manufacturing tweak and you have a very logical product extension strategy.
 
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