Nikon D800

acparsons · Jul 29, 2020

Hello All,

I've researched this a bit on the internet, but would also like opinions from people that I hold in high regard(aka The Photo Forum Members).

I'm looking at buying a used D800. If you have used a D800 and D610, how would the D800 compare in terms of dynamic range and overall performance(focus speed, dynamic range, etc...)

Than k you for your input.

Strodav · Jul 29, 2020

I have a D800 it is an excellent camera and you will not go wrong buying one. It was released in the spring of 2012, so it is a bit long of tooth for a dslr, but was one of first higher pixel density, lower SNR bodies out there. Later models slightly improve on SNR, but not a lot. It is great for almost all photography, but the AF system is a bit behind more modern bodies like the D810 and D850. The D800 has an anti-aliasing filter to avoid moire with just a very, very slight decrease in sharpness compared to the D800E, which has no anti-aliasing filter. If you are going to buy one, check the shutter count.

Peeb · Jul 29, 2020

@Braineack has both the D610 AND the D800. He can give you some input.

Derrel · Jul 29, 2020

Almost the same in noise. The 800 has a better AF system, 51 vs 39 AF points . The 800 has a higher megapixel count which allows you to crop in much more significantly

Derrel · Jul 29, 2020

D800 crops f/8, cheap 28-80 D from the 1990s.

from seated full body to
tight close-up, the amount of detail that the D800 yields Is surprising.

acparsons · Jul 29, 2020

Thanks all. I'm looking for something a bit better in low light and a better auto-focus system than my D610. Looks like I'll wait a couple of more years.

Derrel · Jul 29, 2020

The D800 has a better focusing system but in low light both cameras are almost identical in performance.

Derrel · Jul 30, 2020

If you turn on the AF Assist light, the D610 will AF in very poor light

Braineack · Jul 30, 2020

D800 is great. However.

Some of them suffer from a Back Focusing issue. It's really obviously when shooting with fast glass wide open. I've had two and both had the issue, I paid Nikon to fix my current. If you google it, you'll see they were plagued with it. Honestly, Nikon should have offered a free repair for it, along with the D7000 who also suffered from it.

That being said, again, if you get a good one, or repair it, it's great.

However again. I'd still pick a 810 over it, and wish that's what I splurged on. the electric curtain is quieter, the native ISO is better, the processor is better, the FPS is better, the AF module is improved, i like the highlight metering option, the LCD is slightly better (yes, you can tell), the ergonomics are just slightly better.

it's enough little things that to me, add up. I've shot with both and used my own 800 as the secondary and a rent 810 as the primary and much preferred it.

Compared, the D800 offers identical IQ but much better resolution. I can take the same image with both, and the D800 will provide much better detail. The D800 blows the D610 out of the water when trying to focus in the dark, and it's not even great to today's standards. I have a post comparing the two somewhere on this forum.

Peeb · Jul 30, 2020

Braineack said:
D800 is great. However.

Some of them suffer from a Back Focusing issue. It's really obviously when shooting with fast glass wide open. I've had two and both had the issue, I paid Nikon to fix my current. If you google it, you'll see they were plagued with it. Honestly, Nikon should have offered a free repair for it, along with the D7000 who also suffered from it.

That being said, again, if you get a good one, or repair it, it's great.

However again. I'd still pick a 810 over it, and wish that's what I splurged on. the electric curtain is quieter, the native ISO is better, the processor is better, the FPS is better, the AF module is improved, i like the highlight metering option, the LCD is slightly better (yes, you can tell), the ergonomics are just slightly better.

it's enough little things that to me, add up. I've shot with both and used my own 800 as the secondary and a rent 810 as the primary and much preferred it.

Compared, the D800 offers identical IQ but much better resolution. I can take the same image with both, and the D800 will provide much better detail. The D800 blows the D610 out of the water when trying to focus in the dark, and it's not even great to today's standards. I have a post comparing the two somewhere on this forum.