First impressions on the D800 & D800E from EJ Peiker

[Morkel Erasmus]

Check out this insightful op-ed...
Fairly written with pros and cons from a guy who's shot with both the big brands.

http://www.naturescapes.net/docs/index.php/articles/512

[Lefty]

Now that's what I call a review!

And I totally agree with the "eyeglass wearer" comments...

Can't wait to get me hands on a D800E!

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

looks like a pretty well put together piece, thanx for the share!

[walterpike]

Good review, although I think that you can do the shooting bank stuff he feels that you cant. I access that through the info display, but not something I actually use so he may be right, but when I was trying to learn the camera it seemed to function correctly.

The thing that perplexes me is the setting of the crop factor. I can understand trying to increase the fps but is there another logical reason. Every format is merely a crop from the full frame isn't it? The so called extra reach of the DX is just a crop so is an illusion. For me it makes sense to shoot using the entire sensor and if you want to crop the edges for lens effects or to Dx size - for the reach - just do it.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Quick question for you Nikon D800 owners. Does shooting in fx mode increase the fps, or do you also need to do the battery grip upgrade to get the higher frame rate?

[kobuspotgieter]

Shooting at full resolution - 4fps
5:4 crop - 4fps
1.2 crop - 5fps
1.5 crop - 5fps

All with standard camera, standard battery.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Shooting at full resolution - 4fps
5:4 crop - 4fps
1.2 crop - 5fps
1.5 crop - 5fps

All with standard camera, standard battery.

Thanx Kobus, So why do the R11k Battery grip upgrade? is it only for larger battery = larger capacity?

[kobuspotgieter]

Battery grip (with 8x AA batteries or d4 battery) will let the camera do 6fps in 1.5 crop mode. Don't know if it will also do that in 1.2 crop mode ?

The grip imo is way overpriced. Grip will be handy if you shoot in portrait orientation, but I will have to live without it.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Battery grip (with 8x AA batteries or d4 battery) will let the camera do 6fps in 1.5 crop mode. Don't know if it will also do that in 1.2 crop mode ?

The grip imo is way overpriced. Grip will be handy if you shoot in portrait orientation, but I will have to live without it.

Ah... ok.. gotcha.

The Grip itself isn't too bad, but I doubt people realize they will have to buy an extra charger and batteries to get the maximum out of the upgrade...

The way I understand it, if you run maximum capacity and speed, you are running two different batteries in the camera+grip, and that means two different chargers?

[kobuspotgieter]

The Grip itself isn't too bad, but I doubt people realize they will have to buy an extra charger and batteries to get the maximum out of the upgrade...

Yes and No - you could use the same batteries as you would in your flash. I have done so with my D300 - same concept. Normally when you want the faster fps you don't use the flash.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Ah, ok... But does the AA batteries last for any decent time? On the older canons it was known as a 'get me home' pack. Just enough juice to finish off the last few pics. If the d800 eats so much power that the lithium battery only does 400-500 shots, how much will you typically get from AA's?

[kobuspotgieter]

Ah, ok... But does the AA batteries last for any decent time?

Suppose it will depends on the quality of the AA's. Mine were quite adequate in the D300.

Don't think the D800 "eat so much power". The battery runs down quicker (compare to say D700) because the new battery now have to comply with some or other legislation regarding lithuim batteries in Japan. Apparently this lead to the batteries having less fuel in the tank than the previous ones.

Haven't had the chance to shoot a battery empty on the D800, but having done a shoot of 200 odd shots, I suspect the D800 to do quite a bit better than 400-500 shots - in my style of shooting anyway.

[Forgiss - Sean Nel]

Ok, I also thought it might have a lot to do with new owners pixel peeping more than normal because it's a new toy.

[Nqina Dlamini]

Quite a read. I enjoyed the Moiré interference explanation.
Thanks for sharing.

[kobuspotgieter]

Ok, I also thought it might have a lot to do with new owners pixel peeping more than normal because it's a new toy.

LOL !!!

Exploring maybe. For pixel peeping the D800 files you will need more than a 3 inch screen !!