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A D800 at last (1 Viewer)

Finally made the decision to buy the D800 which arrived yesterday. After a lot of thought on how I was going to use it, decided that I would normally have it set to DX mode. Whilst realising it would be similar to my D7000 in terms of mps in DX, I was hoping that I could use a higher ISO as standard and also be more successful at getting properly focused birds in flight shots - something I have not been particularly good at doing. I've attached a Lapwing photo taken this morning at ISO 1000 which has been cropped quite a bit. I also found that on AF-C, I am much more successful at getting sharp BIF shots than I was with the D7000 or the D300s. Very pleased with it so far.

Jon,
Well done on your purchase. Your going to be very happy when you see the detail with the 36 megs on your monitor.
I use the 1.2x crop mode a lot to get the extra 1 fps, and often the 1.5x crop.
You'll find it much easier to get bird-in-flight shots than with the D7000.
Neil.
 
Here are some recents flight shots with the D800 and the 500/4 AFS VR lens + 1.4x.
Neil
 

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D800

Thanks Eric and Neil for your replies.

Whilst, hopefully, there will be times when I will be close enough to use it on full frame with minimal cropping needed, on most occasions, in the past, I have found the DX format to be necessary - hence the D300s and D7000. The nice thing now is that I can switch very easily when one of those magical moments happen and a bird comes really near.

My first impressions endorse Neil's previous comments. I was always loathe to go higher than ISO 400 with my previous cameras but, when necessary, I feel more than happy to use ISO 800. Personally I have found the AF-C quicker to 'lock in' but I have a friend with the D7000 who seems to 'nail it' every time when it comes to flight shots so it could well be just me that couldn't get it right!

Like Neil, for general purposes, I have found the 300mm f4 plus 1x4 converter to be a very good combination.

As I've only had it for a few days, these are just initial feelings.
 
I found a new spot yesterday that I don't visit often as you need a car to get there.
There were about 12 species noticed from out sitting position and I managed to get some nice record photos of them from 7 - 25 meters.
I was using the Nikon 500/4 with the 1.4x and a monopod with VR switched on.
Neil.
 

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The D800 is now at its lowest price since its launch (non grey import). Just £85 above my self imposed maximum price.
 
The D800 is now at its lowest price since its launch (non grey import). Just £85 above my self imposed maximum price.

You'll soon be getting one then I take it !
Personally for £85 I'd just get in there now if that's the body I wanted. The longer you wait, the less time you have with it before another better replacement comes along. If you don't need it now then in all probability you won't in the future.
Spoil yourself !!!

Must admit I was surprised to see how small the price differential between the D800 and D600 has become. I haven't looked at the D600 specs too closely but I would have thought the choice a no brainer.
 
Way back in March when it was £2099, I thought wow if it's this price now it won't be long 'til it's under £2k. Truth is, too many people have reported too many problems and 36MP is not what I need or want. The wait for a D400 continues, unless the D800 drops to D700 levels.

The D600 price is just crazy, £1985, £1613, £1900. My experience with the D7000 will put me off for years.
 
I bet it is more the UK price normalizing with the US$ price post-London Olympics. The Olympics are always a nice excuse for retail businesses in the host country to fleece their customers. For example, I can fly BA to London now for JPY48,000. In July in was JPY198,000!

Here in Japan, we typically see prices for cameras creep up from their lows when bonuses are paid in June-July and Dec-Jan. Usually March-April and Sept-Oct are generally the lowest price months for cameras as companies announce their biannual fiscal results and need to pad sales.
 
Last edited:
I took the D800 out today to the wetlands with the 300/4 AFS and TC14E11 teleconverter.
There were no birds close but the light was not too bad.
Neil
 

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Just £85 above my self imposed maximum price.

See your dealer and make them an offer .........
If your offer is not way off the chart, and the $85 you mentioned are a not even a 5% rebate from the regular price tag, the dealer may go for it ........

Ulli
 
I have the TC 1.4 and haven't been overly happy with it on my 300 AFS F4.
One person suggested trying a different copy. I'd be interested in hearing from others about variance with the Nikon TC 1.4 E II.
 
I have the TC 1.4 and haven't been overly happy with it on my 300 AFS F4.
One person suggested trying a different copy. I'd be interested in hearing from others about variance with the Nikon TC 1.4 E II.

The only problem I've had with the T 14E11 is with screws working loose. I now carry a screw driver with me at all times.
Neil
 
The D800 is now at its lowest price since its launch (non grey import). Just £85 above my self imposed maximum price.

The D800 is now at its lowest price since its launch (non grey import). Just 59p above my self imposed maximum price. ;)
 
Too late to edit above post.

Now £1,995.59 from Amazon, taken since March to drop £100.

Wish Nikon would announce the D400. :t:
 
Hi folks. I'm happy with my D800 and af-s 300mm f4 with 1.4 TCII but I'm thinking about investing in the 2x TCiii for just that extra reach.
Some nice results seen on this forum but I'm a little puzzled that some prefer the 1.4.
Would anybody think this move is a mistake?
It's still a bit expensive so I don't want to waste my cash.

Thanks for your feedback.
 
The reason they prefer the 1.4 x TC is because it's a better performer than the 2.0x. The AF is still lightening fast and the IQ appears unchanged, at least to me anyway.
The 2.0x is still a good investment in terms of extending reach at a budget ( even though it's an expensive piece of kit) but don't expect to get the same super fast AF because it won't happen, particularly if you have a muddled back ground. You can improve performance by using the focus limiter on the lens.
The IQ is still excellent but will be softer than using the 1.4TC.
If your maximum reach is currently 300mm & 1.4TC =420mm, in certain situations the use of the 2.0TC will bring you shots you otherwise wouldn't have bothered with.

That said I have not tried one on a 300f4 but I have on the 500f4 VR.I don't think there would be much difference in performance but you might need to use a tripod to get sharper images.
 
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