D800 successor - any info, tips, rumors?

Photobug

D900?? D400 or as some call it D9000, no good rumors in a while. Lots of people expressing what they want in this camera.

buy the D800e and you won't be sorry.

WestEndBoy

The D800e is a little more expensive than the D800 and you probably have to be a macro photographer of fabrics (or something like that) to see the benefit. Unless you really need the benefit of the D800e (I really doubt it) save the $300 and put it towards nice glass.

BrucePhotography

The D800 is a damn good camera as is. Sure we could all come up with a list of things we want in the next model - WiFi, GPS, radio triggers for flash and better AF just to name a few things.

But if I had the lenses and the money I would not wait for the next model. Ask yourself what is preventing you from getting stunning pictures with a D800. In my case it is only lack of skill :-) My D800 is a joy to use. Very responsive and very forgiving - in short the best all-round camera ever build in my humble opinion. Go get one.

I agree. I have both the D800 and the D800E. I tend to want to save the "E" for landscape with tripod shots with my best prime lenses or with the 14-24. I came from a Canon background and I'm used to a fairly large laundry list of features that I'd like to have on a camera. I only wish some of the Canon fans would actually try the D800/E to see what low noise AND high MP have to offer with better dynamic range.

Ok I finally thought of what I'd like to see on a D800E additional model: A Canon mount so I could use all of my Canon lenses on this very fine Nikon body (I miss the very great 17 and 24 TSE lenses compared to the single axis Nikon lenses). This Canon mount Fusion camera would really shake up the Canon users because they could stay (at least at first) with their favorite Canon lenses but they too could see what Nikon is up to with their improved sensors. I would buy this camera in a heartbeat just to get the 2 axis TSE lenses. I have lenses in both camps and I would love to have Nikon bodies for both camps. The D800 and D800E are just great. I also am very happy with the D7100 but right now I'm have some sort of heat problem with lengthy shooting so I'm not going to say anything more about that camera for the moment except that having focus point out to the horizontal edges are really great. If they could move more focus points around the entire frame (including top to bottom) I would like to see that similar to what live view has.

WestEndBoy

A Canon mount on a Nikon Camera? I hear you on the TSE lenses.

But, it will never happen.

Focus points around the frame? Yes, that frustrates me and alot of people. Neither Nikon or Canon have it. I wonder if it is a compability issue with DX? I can't imagine that there are some simple workarounds for that.

Vipmediastar_JZ

Don't Delay Buy One Today

FreezeAction

To me, 36mp is great. I'd take more, but I'm greedy. What I would really like to see is 100,000 ISO noise free and 24 stops of dynamic range at 15fps. Can you imagine what you could do with 24 stops of dynamic range in post? or photos?

But as for a D800 successor, forget it. The only near-term improvements needed are more coverage in the autofocus, more consistently accurate autofocus, and more FPS. FPS increases are more likely to be seen in a D4x with a D800 sensor.

I can still guess that in the end there still will be a body optimized for landscapes and one for action.

They already have - D800 is landscape optimised and D4 is action optimised.

And this is my plan for now. What I think is there will always be a landscape model and an action model. Never a compromise like Canon tried with a 1DX.

WestEndBoy

Ok I finally thought of what I'd like to see on a D800E additional model: A Canon mount so I could use all of my Canon lenses on this very fine Nikon body (I miss the very great 17 and 24 TSE lenses compared to the single axis Nikon lenses).

Hey wait! The new (ish) Nikon PC lenses have Tilt Shift.

Msmoto

@BrucePhotography

Canon has a flange distance of 42mm and Nikon is 46.5mm. Thus the Canon lenses on a Nikon can never focus at infinity. Nikon lenses can be used on a Canon with an adapter I am told.

TaoTeJared

... Would be quite disappointing to wait for a few months and then buy a D800 when suddenly a D900 comes out 2 months after that...

Maybe the speculation and wish-lists are throwing you a curve. The answer is really simple - there has been no rumors at all about a D900 and it will be at least 1 year away and more likely 2-3 years. Pro bodies usually have a 4+ year refresh. And it probably will be called a 810 or 8x0 something. Only new Body/model styles get a new first #.

kanuck

I realize this topic is quite old now but now that there is a new release date for the D800/D800e set for the end of this month (June 26th) I was wondering how many current D800 owners will bite on this refresh? I have to admit I am a little underwhelmed with the new specs and the fact that it is most likely going to be made outside of Japan also turned me off a bit. Any thoughts? Worth the extra grand? It will be a tough call for me I think....

sevencrossing

An extra stop would be a big advantage
The built in GPS could be useful, I never know were I am

but as my D800 is very a battered I don't think I would get much when trading in, so I will wait till it dies

but for those still wanting a replacement for the D300s and can afford one, plus a MBD12
Apart from price and the mystical "reach" thingy, the D800S must tick a lot of boxes

swamesp

I'm a DX user (D7000) user, in the market for FX... Will wait for few weeks after the launch to see the performance (lesson from D600). I might bite the bullet. Also price point is something I would have to consider.

Regarding the camera being made in thailand, I don't care where it's made. Almost every product in the US is made in China, I have stopped to look into it. It's about the organization and the final end person, how well he is trained. Simple as that!!!

NOTE: I'm the old user swame_sp, somehow my id is missing!!!

proudgeek

Worth the extra grand? It will be a tough call for me I think....

Matt, where are you seeing "an extra grand?" (I assume you mean $1,000 USD) I will likely not buy this camera, at least not right away, for three reasons:
1. I have a D800 and certainly don't think this replaces it. At least for my meager capabilities, I don't see my photography getting any better.
2. The price will come down eventually and I don't NEED to do anything right this moment.
3. I think I'd like my second body to be the non-existent D9300. Like I said, I can afford to wait so if several months go by and it doesn't materialize I have the option of rethinking. At that time an older D800 might be closer to $2,500.

Golf007sd

I'm willing to hypothesize that a great majority of those that have the current D800 or D800e will find themselves very much in the same shoes at those of us that owned a D4 &/or D7000 and did not purchase their successor; hence, D4s or D7100. IMHO the current D800 models offer its owners get flexibility and performance.

Yet for those that have been waiting on the sideline, mainly DX and D700 users/owners that did not move over to previous released FX bodies...ie. the D600 issues & D610 lack of features, the new and upcoming D800xxx should be very attractive.

As for this new body being made in Thailand, well the 24-120 f/4, 70-200 f/4 (just to name a few) are made their and both preform great.

PB_PM

Not to mention that high quality bodies like the D200, D300 and D300's were all made in Thailand as well.

kanuck

Here in Seoul D800 bodies are popping up used for $1500 now and new for $1800. The D800e is still priced high but I expect these to drop as well. The new D800s is supposed to be around the $3500 range meaning the D800e will likely fall to around $2200 to $2500. I hate depreciation of bodies (I know its inevitable in a digital world), but I will wait to see what the D800s has to offer first and see if there are any issues with production. Nikon products made in Thailand are solid because of Nikon's rigorous inspection procedures and generally high quality control process. However, how the D600 censor was released unnoticed is a little unsettling. To be honest though I owned 2 D600 bodies before while juggling around with setups so that I could afford to finish my masters degree, and I didn't notice anything overly bothersome with spots on the censor. I have always found that all Nikon FX sensors show spots regularly anyways and a wet cleaning is necessary almost every month with regular usage...

TaoTeJared

I'm willing to hypothesize that a great majority of those that have the current D800 or D800e will find themselves very much in the same shoes at those of us that owned a D4 &/or D7000 and did not purchase their successor; hence, D4s or D7100. IMHO the current D800 models offer its owners get flexibility and performance.

I have zero interest in upgrading. There is nothing there that is worth it for me.

I am surprised to see it as it really is a very small incremental improvement. On the other side, they need to sell more camera's so maybe it might be enough for some to move from a D7000/7100. Even at that, I would tend to believe it will push the D800 price down a bit more and those who passed due to price may help clean out the D800 stock inventory.

In reference to @kanuck, In the US prices are not even close to that. Hell, D700 & D600s used are still going for $1300. D610 used is $1500, and D800 are going for around $2400.

PB_PM

Depends on the dealer. I got my D800 used (approximately 300 shots) last year for $2300 from a local dealer. Same dealer has a used D800 with 15k shot for sale at $2k today.

haroldp

My D800e is my main camera body today (I still use a D3x for events), but I am recently doing a fair amount of birding, and the higher frame rate, 1 stop ISO upgrade, faster auto focus, and hopefully more buffer, make the proposed D800s particularly interesting to me for birding applications. For most photography the D800e will be indistinguishable and I use multiple bodies.

... H

henrik1963

I don´t know what it would take for me to uprgrade from D800. It would be nice with better this or better that. But to be honest I dont think any of the rumored upgrades would make me take better pictures.

I used to suffer from gear-lust. But I have run out of things to wish for in a camera body - that is: wish for enough that I will pay for them :-)

Time to go buy some lenses :-)

donaldejose

kanuck: I have a D800 and will not be upgrading to a D800s. I do believe in skipping one generation so the "upgrades" become substantial.

spraynpray

Prolly 6 months into the new D810/D800s there will be some GREAT deals on that old D800 stock... :P

TBH and serious though, I will likely never go to more than 24mp so the D610 successor is more likely to end up in my bag.

Vipmediastar_JZ

I have 6 months left on Nikon warranty on my D800 so at least for the next 6 months I will not upgrade nor plan to upgrade after that. I say that now but my main camera is now the DF and the D800 is used on certain projects like landscape and gigs. The Dynamic Range is still incredible on the D800. I'm good with the D800 the way it is assuming it works great with focus and sharpness plus its already paid for and selling this d800 and coming up with the balance for the new d800 is not a wise or economical investment.
The only way I would upgrade would be if it was Needed and not just Wanted.

Elvishefer

I'm in a weird place for bodies right now and I'm not sure what I'm going to do.

The thing is, if the D800s comes out and drives the used price of a used D800e down a bit, I might get one.

I recently sold my D300s so I'm down to one body, and D800e/D700 backup might work out.

Meanwhile, I seem to be getting more photography jobs, so it might make sense to get a new D800s for the warranty.

I keep coming back to body depreciation and the value of a D800/D800e. Even with a D800s on the market they are great cameras and beyond what I 'need'.

When the value is that good, buying used makes a lot of sense.

proudgeek

That's the thing. Depreciation only matters if you plan on selling. So let's say in a month (assuming a D800s comes out) my D800 is now worth $2,400, even though I paid $2,800 for it. It doesn't matter. For me, the value is in its utility as a tool. The monetary value is beside the point.