Discussion
Ari said:
It seems a very high spec, and I'd be interested to know how it shapes up against the Canon 5D MKIII for instance?
And just generally how you've found it, what you use it for, what you think it's particularly good at?
Don't take this the wrong way, but you must be aware the D4 is Nikon's top of the range DSLR aimed at full time professionals who can depend on it to earn their living and don't mind the compromises of lugging around such weighty equipment. That you have to ask such a question suggests it probably isn't the camera for you. And just generally how you've found it, what you use it for, what you think it's particularly good at?
If you're keen on taking up photography, try a lesser camera (even your iPhone) and spend a month taking as many photos as you can to develop a sense of composition/timing/etc. Alternatively, one of the Nikon kit systems available from Jessops would be a great setup. They take the same lenses the Nikon D4 does
I use a D7000 at the moment and do some photography for an international magazine, hence considering an upgrade to a full frame camera, so wanting to go Nikon as of course all my lenses are Nikon.
A D4 is probably a bit over the top but I've made the mistake of not upgrading enough and then having to take another "bite" at it before, so considering going straight to the D4 and wondering what other people's experiences were of it. I also need HD video capability which the D4 offers, which my D7000 has (although I could just continue to use the D7000 for that)
Several colleagues use Canon 5D MKIII's with great success, hence wondering how it compared to that.
Thanks for the suggestion of using an iPhone though, but I'm not convinced it'll quite make the required grade!
A D4 is probably a bit over the top but I've made the mistake of not upgrading enough and then having to take another "bite" at it before, so considering going straight to the D4 and wondering what other people's experiences were of it. I also need HD video capability which the D4 offers, which my D7000 has (although I could just continue to use the D7000 for that)
Several colleagues use Canon 5D MKIII's with great success, hence wondering how it compared to that.
Thanks for the suggestion of using an iPhone though, but I'm not convinced it'll quite make the required grade!
Ari said:
I use a D7000 at the moment and do some photography for an international magazine, hence considering an upgrade to a full frame camera, so wanting to go Nikon as of course all my lenses are Nikon.
A D4 is probably a bit over the top but I've made the mistake of not upgrading enough and then having to take another "bite" at it before, so considering going straight to the D4 and wondering what other people's experiences were of it. I also need HD video capability which the D4 offers, which my D7000 has (although I could just continue to use the D7000 for that)
Several colleagues use Canon 5D MKIII's with great success, hence wondering how it compared to that.
Thanks for the suggestion of using an iPhone though, but I'm not convinced it'll quite make the required grade!
Ah, well it was hard to tell if you had any experience given your original question of "what is a D4 particularly good at?"A D4 is probably a bit over the top but I've made the mistake of not upgrading enough and then having to take another "bite" at it before, so considering going straight to the D4 and wondering what other people's experiences were of it. I also need HD video capability which the D4 offers, which my D7000 has (although I could just continue to use the D7000 for that)
Several colleagues use Canon 5D MKIII's with great success, hence wondering how it compared to that.
Thanks for the suggestion of using an iPhone though, but I'm not convinced it'll quite make the required grade!
Given what you've just said, however, what don't you like about the D7000 or what additional features are you looking for that your D7000 does not provide? It is a current/capable camera with a great sensor. If you're looking for a full frame camera, the new D600 has a body and controls that has more in common with the D7000 than the D4/D800.
The D7000 is excellent and I'm very pleased with it. However I really want to try and get my photos as absolutely good as I can get, and I think that going to a full frame sensor would be a good move for a variety of reasons, chiefly that it will allow me wider angle photographs, but also outside of the wide angle stuff, it'll allow me to put more "space" around what I'm photographing, which is preferred because then they can be more easily cropped to fit around text. Also, looking at the shots colleagues get with their 5D Cannons, when you zoom in tight, they're not just very good, they're damn near perfect. Appreciate a lot of that is skill, so maybe I wouldn't get the same results with the same kit, and of course lenses play a big part, but I am really really impressed with what they achieve.
I'd been looking at the D700 and D800 but I'm a bugger for buying something and almost immediately wishing I had the next model up. (Especially cars, bought an MX5 and swapped it within six months for a Sport with air con and leather, then later got an SLK 200K manual and swapped that within a year for a 280 SPort auto, both cars I should have just got in the first place).
The D4 is a lot of money, and it's clearly a very technical camera, hence wondering whether anyone had one and what they thought of it. It's probably a bit overkill to be honest, but I don't want to buy a D800 and within months wish I'd got the D4.
I'd been looking at the D700 and D800 but I'm a bugger for buying something and almost immediately wishing I had the next model up. (Especially cars, bought an MX5 and swapped it within six months for a Sport with air con and leather, then later got an SLK 200K manual and swapped that within a year for a 280 SPort auto, both cars I should have just got in the first place).
The D4 is a lot of money, and it's clearly a very technical camera, hence wondering whether anyone had one and what they thought of it. It's probably a bit overkill to be honest, but I don't want to buy a D800 and within months wish I'd got the D4.
I can understand your interest in shooting wider. Moving from a D300 to a D800 recently made me realise that there were no compromises being given up at the long end with the superb sensor and additional pixels the D800 resolved, and there were lots of advantages at the wide end.
I first tried the D600 which has a very similar sensor to the D800, but could not get on with the handling of it because it aped the D7000 handling which I was not used to (but you are). Given your experience with the D7000, the D600 may be worth a look.
My initial thoughts of the D800 are that it is superb. I would only want a D4 for the additional frame speed if I did a lot of fast [paid for] action sports photography and my shot depended on the motordrive.
I first tried the D600 which has a very similar sensor to the D800, but could not get on with the handling of it because it aped the D7000 handling which I was not used to (but you are). Given your experience with the D7000, the D600 may be worth a look.
My initial thoughts of the D800 are that it is superb. I would only want a D4 for the additional frame speed if I did a lot of fast [paid for] action sports photography and my shot depended on the motordrive.
I suspect the D800 would be absolutely all I require for my needs and ability to be honest, I just have this sense that if I'm spending a lot of money, I might as well spend a lot of money and go for the best and then I'm done. I'm afraid that otherwise I'll want to upgrade at some point, and it would have been cheaper just to buy the D4 to begin with!
Kind of the point of this thread I suppose, I wanted someone to say "I have one and it blows every other camera out of the water", or "I have one, don't really notice the difference", or whatever.
In other words trying to gauge just how much difference the D4 makes over something like the D800 (or compared to the 5D, which my colleagues seem to favour).
Kind of the point of this thread I suppose, I wanted someone to say "I have one and it blows every other camera out of the water", or "I have one, don't really notice the difference", or whatever.
In other words trying to gauge just how much difference the D4 makes over something like the D800 (or compared to the 5D, which my colleagues seem to favour).
I never really considered the D4, although had given consideration to the D3s before the D4/D800 was announced.
I think it's clear that if you need the ultimate in speed and handling performance, the most rugged build and weather sealing the D4 is worth every penny. BUT it is a lot of dosh, so the D800 or 600 is the compromise.
Personally I am delighted with a D800, a slight step down from my previous D2x, but a huge leap forward in sensor technology, processing and video capability. But it is a "slower" camera in terms of how I work with it. Personally this is good. With the very high resolution, there is the sense in which it demands you think about tripods, critical focus points, shallower relative depth of field (compared to DX format). All this suits me, because I think more about composition. I also don't have a great call for high fps. Of course file sizes are MAHOOSIVE and take some processing power in Lightroom. But I think of it as almost a pseudo medium format in a small package!
The D800 is still slow when you're switching Shooting Menus - Nikon must deliberately hide this away - but handling is probably quite close to D7000, but in handling terms I couldn't get on with a D7000, it just wasn't comfortable in the hand, too fiddly somehow. Points on the D800 like the new AF switching is a step faster in my book. The other advantage is you get almost a D7000 built in since when you switch to DX mode you are effectively looking at a D7000-like sensor and density.
So, and given the price point now, give the D800 a consideration if you think you can stand the compromises. You get two fantastic sensor configurations in one and you could buy two D800 for the price of a D4!
Just my view, FWIW.
(PS - I'm getting very impressed with battery life, considering the smaller batteries. A small, but practical point.)
I think it's clear that if you need the ultimate in speed and handling performance, the most rugged build and weather sealing the D4 is worth every penny. BUT it is a lot of dosh, so the D800 or 600 is the compromise.
Personally I am delighted with a D800, a slight step down from my previous D2x, but a huge leap forward in sensor technology, processing and video capability. But it is a "slower" camera in terms of how I work with it. Personally this is good. With the very high resolution, there is the sense in which it demands you think about tripods, critical focus points, shallower relative depth of field (compared to DX format). All this suits me, because I think more about composition. I also don't have a great call for high fps. Of course file sizes are MAHOOSIVE and take some processing power in Lightroom. But I think of it as almost a pseudo medium format in a small package!
The D800 is still slow when you're switching Shooting Menus - Nikon must deliberately hide this away - but handling is probably quite close to D7000, but in handling terms I couldn't get on with a D7000, it just wasn't comfortable in the hand, too fiddly somehow. Points on the D800 like the new AF switching is a step faster in my book. The other advantage is you get almost a D7000 built in since when you switch to DX mode you are effectively looking at a D7000-like sensor and density.
So, and given the price point now, give the D800 a consideration if you think you can stand the compromises. You get two fantastic sensor configurations in one and you could buy two D800 for the price of a D4!
Just my view, FWIW.
(PS - I'm getting very impressed with battery life, considering the smaller batteries. A small, but practical point.)
I had a D4 on order, but got a D800 on spec and cancelled the D4. I'll wait for the 4s or 5
If you really need the 'pro' features (rugged construction, better waterproofing etc), then the D4 is the best Nikon do, though if it were my money I'd probably still go for the D3s - ALMOST a D4, lot cheaper)... I have a D3 also BTW and find it easier to use than the D800 - but am still well pleased with the consistent results from the D800. Metering is as good as I've used, and if you do rock solid tripod & live view, the res & clarity is astonishing.
100% crop
If you really need the 'pro' features (rugged construction, better waterproofing etc), then the D4 is the best Nikon do, though if it were my money I'd probably still go for the D3s - ALMOST a D4, lot cheaper)... I have a D3 also BTW and find it easier to use than the D800 - but am still well pleased with the consistent results from the D800. Metering is as good as I've used, and if you do rock solid tripod & live view, the res & clarity is astonishing.
100% crop
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 6th December 17:50
GetCarter said:
I had a D4 on order, but got a D800 on spec and cancelled the D4. I'll wait for the 4s or 5
If you really need the 'pro' features (rugged construction, better waterproofing etc), then the D4 is the best Nikon do, though if it were my money I'd probably still go for the D3s - ALMOST a D4, lot cheaper)... I have a D3 also BTW and find it easier to use than the D800 - but am still well pleased with the consistent results from the D800. Metering is as good as I've used, and if you do rock solid tripod & live view, the res & clarity is astonishing.
100% crop
That is pretty spectacular.If you really need the 'pro' features (rugged construction, better waterproofing etc), then the D4 is the best Nikon do, though if it were my money I'd probably still go for the D3s - ALMOST a D4, lot cheaper)... I have a D3 also BTW and find it easier to use than the D800 - but am still well pleased with the consistent results from the D800. Metering is as good as I've used, and if you do rock solid tripod & live view, the res & clarity is astonishing.
100% crop
Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 6th December 17:50
Interesting that you mention the rugged construction and waterproofing though, my outside stuff can be rather demanding and both those things would be well worth having.
Ari said:
I suspect the D800 would be absolutely all I require for my needs and ability to be honest, I just have this sense that if I'm spending a lot of money, I might as well spend a lot of money and go for the best and then I'm done. I'm afraid that otherwise I'll want to upgrade at some point, and it would have been cheaper just to buy the D4 to begin with!
Kind of the point of this thread I suppose, I wanted someone to say "I have one and it blows every other camera out of the water", or "I have one, don't really notice the difference", or whatever.
In other words trying to gauge just how much difference the D4 makes over something like the D800 (or compared to the 5D, which my colleagues seem to favour).
if your shooting editorial stuff, then I think the D800 is the best camera for you. Unless your pushing ISO, the D800 has greater detail and dynamic range (than pretty much any other DSLR) and stands up well as a professional camera. The D4 excels more in low light situations, or shooting action stuff (sports) or when you're regularly in very harsh environments. Didnt mention but I also have a D700 and D800 as well as the D4.Kind of the point of this thread I suppose, I wanted someone to say "I have one and it blows every other camera out of the water", or "I have one, don't really notice the difference", or whatever.
In other words trying to gauge just how much difference the D4 makes over something like the D800 (or compared to the 5D, which my colleagues seem to favour).
That's really helpful advice, thanks Kman. 
There is quite a bit of action stuff that I do, but it's generally outdoor daylight stuff so I'm sure a D800 would cope with that fine (actually the D7000 is pretty good with this, so guessing the D800 can only be an improvement?)
The D800 sure is a more comfortable price, how long has it been out? I'm thinking a good secondhand one might be the way forward, then if I ever did decide to upgrade I wouldn't lose too much on it.
There is quite a bit of action stuff that I do, but it's generally outdoor daylight stuff so I'm sure a D800 would cope with that fine (actually the D7000 is pretty good with this, so guessing the D800 can only be an improvement?)
The D800 sure is a more comfortable price, how long has it been out? I'm thinking a good secondhand one might be the way forward, then if I ever did decide to upgrade I wouldn't lose too much on it.
Ari said:
The D800 sure is a more comfortable price, how long has it been out? I'm thinking a good secondhand one might be the way forward, then if I ever did decide to upgrade I wouldn't lose too much on it.
Only been out 9 months. They raised the price the week after launch as they released it was hurting D4 sales.... but as the man says, the D4 does have better low light performance (less pixels to get in the way).Edited by GetCarter on Friday 7th December 11:50
Ari said:
That's interesting (and frustrating!)
I notice there seems to be an 800 and an 800E, but looking at the specs it seems the 800 is the one to have?
I'd say the E model, the images I've seen albeit from low level togs have been out bloody standing from it. The image quality, sharpness and cropability is just staggering. I notice there seems to be an 800 and an 800E, but looking at the specs it seems the 800 is the one to have?
Ari said:
That's interesting (and frustrating!)
I notice there seems to be an 800 and an 800E, but looking at the specs it seems the 800 is the one to have?
This kinda sums it up. http://www.ephotozine.com/article/nikon-d800-vs-d8...I notice there seems to be an 800 and an 800E, but looking at the specs it seems the 800 is the one to have?
You have to be VERY keen to get slightly better results from the E, but if you're that keen, you'll get them. I'm a lazy git so went for the non E
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