D800 price are falling, what to do...

[D-B-J]

As I was teaching someone how to use their D3S this morning (sigh) and Osprey were diving in the drizzle, I kept thinking about the D800.. So let me re-ask my question in a different way... This shot is taken at ISO 4500 on my D7100. The cropped image size was 4175x2193. A quick calculation results in 3340x1754 on a D800, so would the D800 have looked better at ISO 4500 on this shot? Let's hypothetically say I wanted to print it 10x20. On the D7100 I would have around 200 DPI on the D800 I would have around 175 DPI.. which would look better? I had to use a ton of noise reduction, btw...

It just seems to me like you could have shot this at a lower ISO using the D800. I really want to say it would have still turned out better using the same ISO settings on the D800 due to it's better ISO performance.

Honestly dude, I would rent a D800 for the day and see what you think first hand.

Also a good option.

 

[greybeard]

I understand your thinking, the pixels on a d800 and the pixels on a d7000 are basically the same size. The d800 has more of them because the sensor is bigger. How can a shot from a d800 have any less noise than a shot from a d7000 if you have to crop the image from the d800 twice as much to get the same reach you are getting with your d7000, right?

 

[astroNikon]

As I was teaching someone how to use their D3S this morning (sigh) and Osprey were diving in the drizzle, I kept thinking about the D800.. So let me re-ask my question in a different way... This shot is taken at ISO 4500 on my D7100. The cropped image size was 4175x2193. A quick calculation results in 3340x1754 on a D800, so would the D800 have looked better at ISO 4500 on this shot? Let's hypothetically say I wanted to print it 10x20. On the D7100 I would have around 200 DPI on the D800 I would have around 175 DPI.. which would look better? I had to use a ton of noise reduction, btw...

It just seems to me like you could have shot this at a lower ISO using the D800. I really want to say it would have still turned out better using the same ISO settings on the D800 due to it's better ISO performance.

Honestly dude, I would rent a D800 for the day and see what you think first hand.

Also a good option.

Jake, That is a good idea.
Thus, a proposition. Go Rent a d800 for a year. In the mean time, send me the d800 that you just ordered.
If you don't like the d800 after a year you can return it. If you do like it, you can buy the one you are renting. :mrgreen:

 

[D-B-J]

It just seems to me like you could have shot this at a lower ISO using the D800. I really want to say it would have still turned out better using the same ISO settings on the D800 due to it's better ISO performance.

Honestly dude, I would rent a D800 for the day and see what you think first hand.

Also a good option.

Jake, That is a good idea.
Thus, a proposition. Go Rent a d800 for a year. In the mean time, send me the d800 that you just ordered.
If you don't like the d800 after a year you can return it. If you do like it, you can buy the one you are renting. :mrgreen:

That seems doubly expensive for me and cheap for you...

 

[astroNikon]

Also a good option.

Jake, That is a good idea.
Thus, a proposition. Go Rent a d800 for a year. In the mean time, send me the d800 that you just ordered.
If you don't like the d800 after a year you can return it. If you do like it, you can buy the one you are renting. :mrgreen:

That seems doubly expensive for me and cheap for you...

I'm fine with it

 

[D-B-J]

Jake, That is a good idea.
Thus, a proposition. Go Rent a d800 for a year. In the mean time, send me the d800 that you just ordered.
If you don't like the d800 after a year you can return it. If you do like it, you can buy the one you are renting. :mrgreen:

That seems doubly expensive for me and cheap for you...

I'm fine with it

My bank account is not...

 

[astroNikon]

That seems doubly expensive for me and cheap for you...

I'm fine with it

My bank account is not...

I'm still not seeing a problem here :scratch:

 

[coastalconn]

It just seems to me like you could have shot this at a lower ISO using the D800. I really want to say it would have still turned out better using the same ISO settings on the D800 due to it's better ISO performance.
Honestly dude, I would rent a D800 for the day and see what you think first hand.

Well the D800 will not change the exposure triangle, for the shutter speed I needed and the aperture that I shot at ISO will be the same on any camera...

I'm still debating my options. I just really wish I knew if Nikon is going to counter Canon's 7dm2...

I understand your thinking, the pixels on a d800 and the pixels on a d7000 are basically the same size. The d800 has more of them because the sensor is bigger. How can a shot from a d800 have any less noise than a shot from a d7000 if you have to crop the image from the d800 twice as much to get the same reach you are getting with your d7000, right?

This is basically what I am wondering... well actually the D7100 since the noise would be even finer grained...

 

[Aloicious]

you will still have noise on the d800, its not magic, but I would strongly recommend renting one, that way you could compare it in your own style, method, and using the lenses and such that you already have. Otherwise it'll just be comparing opinions from people on here...

I can tell you that I've been very happy with my 800E (and my previous 800). for all my use including wildlife, nature, landscape, astrophotography, sports, events, people, etc...sure there might be something here or there that I'd like, but for what it gives, it does extremely well. also since you're used to a 7100, you might want to look at the 800e rather than the straight 800, both the 7100 and 800e don't have the AA filter (or don't have the AA bluring effects)...where the 800 does have an AA filter. the difference is subtle, but with fine details like fur and feathers, it does make a difference especially when cropping (I've had both the 800 and 800e, I kept the 800e).

 

[IzzieK]

I'd wait until December 15 when the new prices will drop further more for the D800, 800E (as announced) before making any serious decision. In the meantime, be happy with what you have for another few months more...

 

[greybeard]

Given the quality of what you have been doing, I would think that changing formats to a system that is going to give you 1/3 less reach might be a step backwards. I'm basically in the same boat in that I shoot a lot of hand held macro (close ups) and I often crop heavily. Going full frame probably would not be that much if any help to me. I'm waiting for the D7200 or D9300. The idea of renting or borrowing makes the most sense. Camera shops need to have a program like music stores have for students starting into the band. The student rents a rental horn for a period of times and if they decide to stay with the program they return the rental and the store sells them a brand new horn and applies the rental moneys towards the price of the new horn.

 

[astroNikon]

I'm still debating my options. I just really wish I knew if Nikon is going to counter Canon's 7dm2...
..

Are you contemplating trying Canon ?

 

[manaheim]

D800 is a five year old camera? How do you figure?

From Wikipedia...

"It was officially announced on February 7, 2012 and went on sale in late March 2012[SUP][2][/SUP] for the suggested retail price of $2999.95 in the U.S., £2399 in the UK, and €2892 in the Eurozone.[SUP][3][/SUP] Shortly after the camera went on sale, Nikon's UK subsidiary increased the price of the D800 in that market by £200 to £2599, saying that the original price was due to an "internal systems error". However, Nikon honored the original price for all pre-orders placed before March 24, and added that no price changes would be made in other markets.[SUP][4][/SUP]"

As a side note, I got my hands on one the other day. The most surprising thing was the shutter. It was CRAZY quiet. Sounded like a pistol with a silencer on it.

 

[D-B-J]

D800 is a five year old camera? How do you figure?

From Wikipedia...

"It was officially announced on February 7, 2012 and went on sale in late March 2012[SUP][2][/SUP] for the suggested retail price of $2999.95 in the U.S., £2399 in the UK, and €2892 in the Eurozone.[SUP][3][/SUP] Shortly after the camera went on sale, Nikon's UK subsidiary increased the price of the D800 in that market by £200 to £2599, saying that the original price was due to an "internal systems error". However, Nikon honored the original price for all pre-orders placed before March 24, and added that no price changes would be made in other markets.[SUP][4][/SUP]"

As a side note, I got my hands on one the other day. The most surprising thing was the shutter. It was CRAZY quiet. Sounded like a pistol with a silencer on it.

I think he meant as in you could easily have it for five years. Like it's NOT old.

 

[astroNikon]

Camera shops need to have a program like music stores have for students starting into the band. The student rents a rental horn for a period of times and if they decide to stay with the program they return the rental and the store sells them a brand new horn and applies the rental moneys towards the price of the new horn.

Yeah, but the profit margin is absurd when you know what it is.
It's like renting a lens for several months ... at some point, when you learn all the costs involved, you realize it's cheaper just to buy than to rent.