The Joys of dee Six Ten (D610 general Discussion)

heartyfisher

I have had my D610 for a few months now.. and its really an awesome camera !

Having had a D200 clone the S5pro I really enjoyed the layout and feel of the pro level cameras. The colours of the S5pro also really spoiled me and I just could not enjoy the images/colours out of the Cmos sensors (D90 onwards). I had the D70 before that and I enjoyed the colours from the CCD sensors (D200 D70 d40). Even the D7000 that I have seems a bit off.. and the Handling of the D7000 was such a painful downgrade from my D200 layout and response. Why am i telling you this? its bec the D610 makes all my irks go away !

1) Handling even though its so similar to the D7000 which I don't love, the D610 manages to streamline everything that little undefinable bit to make it not distracting at all..
2) The colours from the D610 are exquisite.. I still really like and miss the Fuji colours (S5pro) but the colours from the D610 although different, are really nice. I couldn’t bear to upgrade my D70 because everything before the D7000 just irked me even the D7000 gave me a niggly itch in my subconscious. However, I really fell in love with the colours of the D4 and the D800 (although they are really quite different). The colours of the D610 is somewhere in between the D4 and D800 probably closer to the D800 than the D4. I almost chose the Df instead of the D610 bec of the colours. But I use the CLS Commander flash a lot, the D610 won out.

3) The 39 AF system gave me pause bec I had the D7000 with the same 39 AF system specified. however in use the D610 vs the D7000 the Af seems much more sure and quick on the D610 compared to the D7000.

For me the D610 seems to have disappeared ! even more so than my S5pro/D200 clone. What I mean is it just gets out of the way. Its become automatic to use just like driving a car you just get in and then end up wherever you wanted to go to.


Another thing .. On this forum there are so many comments that the D610 is the "basic" version of the FX range. There is even a negative connotation associated with it probably due to the D600 fiasco. All that gives me a feeling of dissonance because in my experience with a dozen cameras or so the D610 is the best camera I have had and its very far from being "Basic" !

henrik1963

@heartyfisher: There is nothing wrong with the D610. For most people it will do the same job as a D8xx. And you are spot on when you say that the most important thing is that the camera does not get in the way of taking a picture you want.

I enjoy my D800 for the same reason - I am the limit not the camera.

NSXTypeR

While the D610 may not be the range topping model, don't worry about what others say. I got great photos out of a D40.

Long as you're enjoying what you get out of the camera, what does it matter?

Glad you're liking your camera! Looking forward to your photos!

WestEndBoy

The D610 is a great camera. It has better resolution than all but the best glass.

heartyfisher

While the D610 may not be the range topping model, don't worry about what others say. I got great photos out of a D40.

Long as you're enjoying what you get out of the camera, what does it matter?

Glad you're liking your camera! Looking forward to your photos!

From my old D70 same sensor as your D40..there is something very real about the colours.


Pink lake Melbourne ... 12-24 D610

[Deleted User]

The D600 is in my bag for almost 20 month now and it is incredible. I wrote that I bought it, because I 'am an idiot, due to the problem, but the service center solved it for me, so there is no need for me to go for the D610. I came from the D300 via the D70 and D200. I feel the same about this camera.

Oh, it is in my bag with the 50mm f/1.8 as walk around camera, light, small, great and ISO 6400 gives me 6!! stops more, that is a lot.

heartyfisher

I am just curious that if the D610 is being such great value, why are there so few of them in the wild?

henrik1963

@heartyfisher: My reason not to consider it: It was not out when I god a D800.

KnockKnock

Happy to hear a great summary review of the D610. I suspect there are plenty out in the wild. All of those complaints about the D600 spot issues didn't come from sitting on retail shelves ;-P

It's interesting, this talk about subtle color differences between models. My fiancée is no camera geek, but she has an artist's eye. I borrowed a D5Mk2, and she immediately saw the difference between its colors, vibrancy, than my D60. Not so much the bokeh, or perspective differences. Seemed like a quality-of-each-pixel difference. The 24-70 L glass didn't hurt.

The D7000 was considered a serious enthusiast model, and many pros kept one in their bags. Dig into its menu system and there's a ton of stuff that's way beyond consumer-level features. I see the D600 at that level too, and was happy to see it wasn't dumbed down to the D3xxx level.

Also had an experience helping a friend set up her D600. Spent about 30 minutes configuring and shooting, and paying with focus, and in no case did I fail to get what I wanted from it. Yes, it might require a little more focus/recompose, than a D7100's full coverage, but in my real-world use, I didn't notice it. I think those are more studio issues, macro, fashion portraiture. Valid concerns but for those there is the D800 etc.

tcole1983

Egh it isn't what other people think. If everyone didn't know I shot a d5000 previously they probably couldn't have told you what camera the pictures were taken with. As long as it does what you want it to. It seems like most everyone has moved to fx bodies and a majority being the d800, but it doesn't make the other camera lines any less suitable for pictures. If we all had unlimited funds we would have the top of the line everything right? However I can't justify spending a nice down payment on a car or a year aof daycare for my child on my camera body.

Glad you like your camera though...always makes it better when you are impressed with what you purchased. Look forward to the pictures.

spraynpray

"If everyone didn't know I shot a d5000 previously they probably couldn't have told you what camera the pictures were taken with."

+1

"It seems like most everyone has moved to fx bodies and a majority being the d800, but it doesn't make the other camera lines any less suitable for pictures."

It may be closer on this forum, but D800 owners are a spec in the ocean when compared to all the DX owners out there.

"However I can't justify spending a nice down payment on a car or a year of daycare for my child on my camera body."

Fair enough.

tcole1983

@spray...probably true. Whenever I am out I rarely see a non dx body. Actually I have never seen a d800 or d600 for that matter in the wild. Although I haven't been to many events lately. At least just walking around at tourist places.

As for cost...not saying spending the high $ on a body is a waste, just for me I can't justify it now. Photography is a hobby and I bought my d5200 with funds I expect to gwt from the wedding next month. Other then that it is just for pleasure. If I consistently made money doing it or it was a job then tools can always be justified.

WestEndBoy

I make a point of looking at the camera models in the wild. I see a few FX cameras. I even saw a D810 last weekend. But Spraynpray is right, FX is a spec in the ocean compared to DX.

I see more FX glass though. And this will all change as FX continues to decline in price.

Photobug

I also make a point of looking at the camera models in the wilds and on vacation. In Alaska I saw a couple FF Canon and Nikon DSLR's. Last year in the Smoky Mountains, I saw one Nikon D600. Now during the 4 day photo workshop in the Smoky's there were four Nikon FF (D600, D800's) and three Canon FF. Everything else was DX Nikon and Canon with one Sony. There were 20 students and 2 pros if you want to do the calculations.

In the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone NP I saw a few FF DSLR's - D4, D800, D600. The one that got my attention was the D4 +400mm +Teleconverter using a Gymball mount. Vast majority were DX.

Also agree with WestEndBoy about the FX glass. 70-200mm, 300mm, 80-400mm.

Tradewind35

I would just like to say that the Joys of Dee Fing are also nice........

heartyfisher

Discovered something cool about my D610 today .. probably applies to most other Nikons.

Anyway, I was shooting for fun at the zoo today and in the "night" parts where there were owls and bats I was having a bit of trouble seeing in the dark and so was the AF so I thought I would turn on live view and have a look. Sure enough I could see the critters better and of course I could focus better too !! So it looks like although the contrast detection AF is slower it has the ability to lock on sometimes where the normal AF would not have a chance ! and even if the AF didnt AF I can manually focus on the subject cos I can now see it !!

spraynpray

So I take it you don't do much night photography hearty? Live view and a good torch is essential for focusing on the subject on moonless nights like this:



The finished image doesn't do justice to how dark it was.

heartyfisher

Its not only the fact that you can focus using live view that got me excited.. but that the contrast AF works at very low light conditions. I would say it was at least -2 or -3ev cos I couldn't see to focus.. and I have good night vision.

Mickslick

+1 for the 610 - I just received my brand new D610 last week. I recently went through a drawn out analysis of Where I wanted to go with my gear. Prior to last week my setup included a D800 and D7100 with a mix of FX and DX glass. With the FX options getting so good from a cost to quality standpoint I made the decision to ditch DX and DX glass, and go all in with one format and lens system. A significant influence on this decision was the recent price drop of the 610, a wonderful FX second body, low light machine and overall great FX option for $1500 and change, wow! Plus picked up a needed full frame wide angle filter taking FX lens (The Nikon 16-35 F4) for under 1k with the camera / lens combo rebate. I feel great, like a bit of a weight is off of my shoulders, either the 610 or 800 will provide outstanding full frame goodness. Having two FX bodies gives me back up and two ready to go lens alternatives on the fly, plus I only have to think in terms of FX for any lens considerations, travel options or shooting projects going forward, I have a simple mind and this will just work better for me :-*

Photobug

Thanks for sharing Mickslick on the logic for dropping your FX gear and adding a 2nd FX body. It's interesting hearing people's logic for making changes and/or upgrades. Only you can make the decision and you certainly made a nice move.

heartyfisher

lol I am going back the otherway .. been shooting more with my D7000. It really is a nice kit with my 70-200 F4. that combo is so fine ! still D610 is nice .. I have been pairing it with my 24-70 tamron and that combination is also great !

spraynpray

Yes, my D7100 still gets a lot of use, especially with the 60mm micro and 70-200. It's good to have both formats I really like my DX, it still rules for macro and wildlife.

puppycat

I picked up a D610 back in the spring and have really been impressed with it. With all the hoopla about the 600 oil issues I was a little worried. Not to worry though, it's performed fantastically. I'm still getting used to the auto focus and trying different setting/conditions. My only (minor) concerns are it seems a bit slow for action shots, and the smaller reach with FX vs. DX. Will be looking to step up to a longer lens in 2015.

What do you think of the Tamron 150-600 for wildlife?

Ironheart

We have six pages of discussion:
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/2292/new-tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-vc-usd-a011-tests-/

puppycat

We have six pages of discussion:
http://forum.nikonrumors.com/discussion/2292/new-tamron-sp-150-600mm-f5-6-3-di-vc-usd-a011-tests-/

Actually, I was hoping to get some feedback specific to the D610. I'm interested in the Tamron's autofocus relative to the 610's focus points. How fast/slow it is compared to other telephotos and if there are problems with sharpness. Since this is specific to this model camera, thought I'd post here. If it's preferred that I continue this on the other thread, I'll move it over there.

heartyfisher

I am also considering the tamron 150-600. A guy at photography group had it. It was one of the first ones. It looks nice. Unfortunately its not nikon mount so I couldn't mount it to try. at 600 mm the view from the viewfinder sure jumps around abit. Even on a big tripod. I would ask in the other thread.