New here - D610 VS D800?

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

Hello, I just joined looking for advice on my next pick. Right now I have a d5200 and would like to make a step up, however I do not know which way to go.

I am deciding between the d610 and d800 to take close range and macro shots of my snakes. Mostly in "studio" set ups but also outdoors during the summer. If I were to put image quality as top priority which one would be better for me?

A few of my pics

DanielLewis76 · Dec 30, 2013

You must be reading my mind! I have the same question (from a D5200 also) but for sports and portrait work!

goodguy · Dec 30, 2013

For your needs I think the D610 is more then enough but to be honest the D5200 is a fantastic camera and I am not sure you will see a lot of improvement.
Mostly you will get better low light performance but IQ will be more a matter of better glass.

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

Thanks for the reply goodguy. But I was under the impression that the higher end models(d610 and d800) had better sensors?(and in the end producing better quality images). I need them to be as good as possible however I can only spend about 2-3g's(hence the choice between the these two)

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

Would you say that Nikons 105mm macro lens is a good lens?

DanielLewis76 · Dec 30, 2013

I can see you point but the the sensor on the 5200 is pretty good! The main diff from what I can see if that they are full frame cameras and so have larger pixels on the sensor which can therefore act more accurately to the light hitting them.

Have you considered just getting a good lens?

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

Sure why not.

Currently I only have two. One macro lens from Nikon(105 mm 1:2.8G) and one 18-105mm 1:3.5-5.6G.

What would you reccomend in place of those to take the best I can out of the d5200?(regarding the type of photos I want to produce(shown in the OP)

sashbar · Dec 30, 2013

You could do much, much better than these with your current camera, to be honest with you. I would say on these pictures at least you have not used even 30% if what your current camera is capable of. I think there are cheaper and far more effective ways to improve the IQ of your images than upgrading to FF.

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

sashbar said:
You could do much, much better than these with your current camera, to be honest with you. I would say on these pictures at least you have not used even 30% if what your current camera is capable of. I think there are cheaper and far more effective ways to improve the IQ of your images than upgrading to FF.

Could you point me in the right direction? And answer my last post regarding my lenses?

IByte · Dec 30, 2013

mikoh4792 said:
Could you point me in the right direction? And answer my last post regarding my lenses?

Save your money and look into the 105 2.8 macro lens if that's the genre you're heading towards.

It's quality skill and glass will get you where you want to be and good luck.

Edit: you already have the 105. If you were looking into doing studio work like Portraiture, why not rent 85 1.4/1. 8. If you have the resources for a FF body, 70-200mm. Again rent before you buy to see if it's your cup 'o' tea.

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

What do you guys recommend I do to make those shots better with the tools I already have then?

Mike_E · Dec 30, 2013

mikoh4792 said:
What do you guys recommend I do to make those shots better with the tools I already have then?

If you haven't already then read the book "Light, Science and Magic".

After that look at getting some lights. I'd start looking at monolights first.

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

Mike_E said:
mikoh4792 said:

What do you guys recommend I do to make those shots better with the tools I already have then?

Click to expand...

If you haven't already then read the book "Light, Science and Magic".

After that look at getting some lights. I'd start looking at monolights first.

Havne't read that book. I'll go ahead and order one. Thanks a lot.

hirejn · Dec 30, 2013

What is your specific question about the cameras? You could take these same images and better with a D200. Is the equipment you have preventing you from getting the images you want, or are you preventing it from recording the best it's capable of? Sometimes it's not the equipment that needs upgrading. You won't like my perspective because I approach the camera as only a tool, not the determining factor in image quality.

If you want better pictures, become a better photographer. Learn about the qualities of light that make interesting pictures, and learn how to master exposure. With those skills, you can take any camera to a new level. Those are the two biggest things getting in the way of better pictures. If you don't have good light and good exposure, you're only taking a snap shot or fixing a negative in software.

The lenses you have appear to be OK. In image 1, for example, just having better light on the snake would've made a much better picture. Since the snakes don't move much, you could try light painting (look it up; Dave Black has some good advice).

mikoh4792 · Dec 30, 2013

hirejn said:
What is your specific question about the cameras? You could take these same images and better with a D200. Is the equipment you have preventing you from getting the images you want, or are you preventing it from recording the best it's capable of? Sometimes it's not the equipment that needs upgrading. You won't like my perspective because I approach the camera as only a tool, not the determining factor in image quality.

If you want better pictures, become a better photographer. Learn about the qualities of light that make interesting pictures, and learn how to master exposure. With those skills, you can take any camera to a new level. Those are the two biggest things getting in the way of better pictures. If you don't have good light and good exposure, you're only taking a snap shot or fixing a negative in software.

The lenses you have appear to be OK. In image 1, for example, just having better light on the snake would've made a much better picture. Since the snakes don't move much, you could try light painting (look it up; Dave Black has some good advice).

Thanks, hopefully with that book Mike_E suggestd I will learn those things.

I'll look up light painting, however snakes do move a lot. Do you have experience photoshooting them?

Also you said my lenses were OK. What lenses would you recommend?