D810, All Discussions, Questions

Msmoto

To have a clean thread on the new D810 is probably a good thing. But, now that i have an "old" D800E, I am happy as well.

So, we can begin the discussion once we have the final truths about this improved model.

Paperman

With just merely a look at specs, I'm happy to announce we are back to the times we don't have to worry about our cameras' being obsolete the year after purchase ....

Ade

From the tech side, this looks to be the first Nikon DSLR with an Electronic First Curtain Shutter (EFCS) mode. This mode makes shooting stills from LiveView more practical (less lag, etc.) while reducing vibration and audible shutter noise.

Macro shooters will love this feature. Between EFCS and a new sensor completely without OLFP (unlike the "reversed" pair in the D800E), I'd expect to see some extremely sharp macro shots.

It will be interesting to see if there are problems with the EFCS implementation. Ironically, Nikon's "old school" F-mount mechanical aperture lever might help avoid some of the EFCS problems we've seen on competitor models.

1080p 60fps is a welcome addition as well.

Looking forward to the reviews to see if there's real improvement in IQ... including ISO performance, DR and/or color depths.

Fredericko

Looking forward to dxomarks rating on it

Ade

Interesting kit options from the press release:

"Additionally, Nikon will be offering two kits designed for videographers and filmmakers;

The D810 Filmmaker’s Kit consists of the D810 body, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G, AF-S NIKKOR 50mmm f/1.8G, AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G lenses, 2 additional EN-EL15 batteries, ME-1 Stereo Microphone, Atomos Ninja-2 External Recorder, and Tiffen® 67mm and 58mm Variable Neutral Density Filters (8-Stops).

For stop motion applications, the D810 Animator’s Kit features the D810 body, AF-S Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G ED VR lens, EH-5b Power Adapter, EP5B Power Supply Connector and Dragonframe™ Stop Motion Software plus Dragonframe USB Keypad Controller. "

Golf007sd

Nikon sure did make some cool upgrades to the D810. This feature will really come in handy: Split Screen Display Zoom (Stills)/Zebra stripes/Highlight Display (Video). Special in light of what Ade stated.

D810 Product Video.

TaoTeJared

There were a whole lot of video features added, not much of anything for stills.

A couple of thoughts:
•Highlight Weighted Metering: Ideal for spot/stage lit scenes - This is a cool new feature.
•Clarity option added to all Picture Control settings - This will be interesting to see. Like all picture controls it won't effect Raw. Personally I will like to see how it works - would be nice for event shooting where I shoot Jpeg 90% of the time.
•Group Area AF - Gained from the D4s.
•Number or Images in Time-lapse/Interval Timer Sequences: from 999 to 9,999
•Power Aperture Control using Internal Memory Cards - No clue what this is.
•EN-EL15 Approx. 1200 shots up from 900 - that is a good thing.

There surprisingly are many who shoot the Canon 5DIII that also shoot the D800 depending on situations (many time video) who I have read the Canon's video and AF was better. It will be interesting to see what comes out of some of those shooters.

Ade

Power Aperture is a video (LiveView) control to smoothly open or close the aperture. E.g., if you use Power Aperture to change from f/1.4 to f/2.8, the aperture will smoothly close down in a continuous (stepless) fashion instead of abruptly changing by 1/3rd-stop jumps at a time.

The aperture start and end points are still at 1/3rd-stop intervals, but during operation the aperture can smoothly transition in between the 1/3rd stops.

In the D800/e, Power Aperture cannot be used while recording to the internal card. So an external HDMI recorder is required to take advantage of this feature.

In the D810, Power Aperture is now available while recording internally.

Beso

A series of nice tweaks to the D800/E and priced the same as a D800E. What's not to like? Barring any quality control problems this should be a winner.

henrik1963

D800 to D810 US price: + 10 percent.
D800 to D810 Danish price: + 55 percent.

I hope Nikon is not playing the Nikon 1 price game - you only need to be burned once to play that game - Wait for the fire sale.

kanuck

I have to say that right off the bat I am pleasantly surprised with the specs on the D810. It's a bigger refresh than I had anticipated. It is even made in Japan as well. I will wait and see how much it will cost here in South Korea and what the difference would involve by trading in my D800E. Korea usually is one of the first places to receive such new products being so close to Japan and all. I find it interesting that this D810 has been priced the same as the D800E too. I am much more excited than I expected to be with this announcement ^^

Golf007sd

proudgeek

It's a nicely spec'd camera. I hate to sound whiny, but I was really hoping for an FX frame rate of 6fps with the MB-D12. Doesn't sound like we quite got there. But a great piece of gear nonetheless. Will I buy one? Not to replace my current D800, no. As a second body? Perhaps, although I'll probably wait a few months to see whether a D400/D9300 is released (and for the inevitable price drop).

Vipmediastar_JZ

I like that it can meter bAsed on the brightest spot on the scene.
Saves a step or two from metereing the sky and locking the value.

Elvishefer

With the slightly increased frame rate and small RAW feature, the 810 should kill off any 'D700 successor' holdout arguments.

It does for me.

It even kills any (small) lingering desire I have for a DX body.

As per the Nikon overview video and the product manager's repeated 'versatility' message, this camera seems to do everything I would ever want to do in the current photography technology environment.

Now to wait six months after it ships to make sure there are no glaring problems.

WestEndBoy

It is not a huge upgrade for me. I find 4fps enough. Is 5fps better? Sure, but not worth an upgrade from a D800. The only thing I find wanting in my D800 is a bigger buffer. I rarely shoot video, so that does not excite me.

That said, I commend Nikon for making a great camera better in important ways.

My next camera will likely be a DF. It will be a good lightweight FX option for travel etc. and I will enjoy the shooting style. Plus I am past 50,000 shots on my D800 and coming close to my 1st anniversary. I am going to wear it out.

After that? If the D5 has 36 megapixels, I will wet my pants and that will be my next camera. However, my guess is 24 for the D5 and 48 for the D820. We will see.......

donaldejose

I have a D800 and am very interested in the electronic first curtain shutter, the redesigned mirror mechanism, no AA filter, group area AF, face detection in OVF mode, and 64 base ISO: all features I think I would use. If the testing does demonstrate increased sharpness and increased dynamic range I may purchase one (if I have the money available and if someone wants my D800 with only 11,344 exposures on it). This may be the best Nikon body for the new high resolution lenses coming out; such as the Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art.

Vipmediastar_JZ

well the 64 base iso would be great for f1.2 or f1.4 lens without ND filter. According to DPreview now loss in dynamic range on that end.
I had my D800 serviced and they replaced the mirror mechanish I just wonder if they replaced it with the D810 mechanism?
I like the Face detection as well.

Ade

The D800 already had OVF face detection. It is enabled in the "Auto-area AF" mode.

If the D800 detects a face, it will always shift the meter (exposure) weighting to take the subject into account. This might not be what you want. The D810 has a new custom function to toggle this functionality on or off.

@Vip, I doubt you have the new shutter, unfortunately. Even if the part is compatible with the D800 (it likely isn't), I doubt Nikon would "release" the part prior to the D810's announcement. The new carbon-fiber composite shutter might be visibly different in appearance from the current shutter.

Pistnbroke

Will stick with me D800 ..no commercial sense in upgrading ....anyway lets see if that shutter stands up ..not everything made in carbon fibre has been a success

Vipmediastar_JZ

@Ade thats right I forgot about it; that was one of the things nikon promoted when it came out.

I doubt it too but it does sound quiter but in all honestly I really can't say for sure if it sounded louder when I sent it in. It does sound like it gets back to its possition in a firmly quiter way. The two other D800's that I "had" were louder and later realized the screech high pitch sound was actually when the mirror dropped back into place, something that many D800 owners compalined about at DPreview.

donaldejose

Why are you disappointed PitchBlack? When the tests come out they may show a significantly increased IQ at base and higher ISO settings plus more sharpness.

TaoTeJared

I'm with most, I don't see any reason to upgrade from my D800 for me. I'm not sure if it's worth the added cost over the D800 for a second body either. If you do a lot of video I think it is a no-brainer to get the D810, I just don't enough to warrant it. I can see if you shoot on the edge (sports, fast moving subjects) of what the D800 can handle the new AF and 1FPS may be enough to swap out bodies.

henrik1963

I think the D810 will turn out to be a better camera than D800 - but not by much. And for most there will be no difference in the final image quality. In fact I think most D800 owners struggle to get everything the D800 can deliver - that is true for me anyway.

Getting everything right from taking the picture to post processing to printing takes skill at every level.

If you are still shooting a D700 and want to upgrade then a D810 may be the way to go - but upgrading from D800/D800e seems like a lot of money for very little. But lets see what the first movers have to say :-)

Elvishefer

@pitchblack - yes, that stood out right away.

Vipmediastar_JZ

@pitchblack the lens used was not a Sigma Art lens or it mis focused