Luminous Landscape review on the D800. They think it is..

[Tonyz]

..A nice camera.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re...ressions.shtml

A few words from the bottom line that feels very aimed towards Canon developers:

"Even a few weeks isn't enough time to get the full measure of as complex and versatile an instrument as the Nikon D800/E. I expect to spend the rest of 2012 working extensively with the D800/E, and it will be the benchmark from now on against which I measure other cameras that cross my desk. In fact, I believe that this camera is so exceptional, in so many ways, that it will force the rest of the camera industry to up its game – big time."

[cicopo]

I've been following a lot of threads on both the D800 & 5D3 and so far I think I agree with his thinking. Too bad there isn't a Nikon mount equivalent of the 35-350 L or 28-300 L because if there was I'd be in line for a D800.

[foxesamu]

Originally Posted by cicopo

I've been following a lot of threads on both the D800 & 5D3 and so far I think I agree with his thinking. Too bad there isn't a Nikon mount equivalent of the 35-350 L or 28-300 L because if there was I'd be in line for a D800.

The Nikon 28-300 is supposed to be an awesome lens.

[rick_reno]

Originally Posted by Tonyz

..A nice camera.

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/re...ressions.shtml

A few words from the bottom line that feels very aimed towards Canon developers:

"Even a few weeks isn't enough time to get the full measure of as complex and versatile an instrument as the Nikon D800/E. I expect to spend the rest of 2012 working extensively with the D800/E, and it will be the benchmark from now on against which I measure other cameras that cross my desk. In fact, I believe that this camera is so exceptional, in so many ways, that it will force the rest of the camera industry to up its game – big time."

I think they're right.

[i2iSTUDIOS]

[cicopo]

I've read what I could find on the Nikon 28-300 and It doesn't sound like the AF would be up to my use. I need very fast AF plus decent IQ in a superzoom.

[Turning]

What I would miss the most is the newer TS lenses from Canon. And actually I would miss my tse-90 which is a killer lens.

I am not liking what I am reading about the d800 live view implementation, though, as it sound a step backwards from my 5d2 for focusing at 100 percent.

[David Arbogast]

Originally Posted by Turning

What I would miss the most is the newer TS lenses from Canon. And actually I would miss my tse-90 which is a killer lens.

I am not liking what I am reading about the d800 live view implementation, though, as it sound a step backwards from my 5d2 for focusing at 100 percent.

Good points all, and good reasons not to get a D800. However, you've only listed a few points as cons and I can give you more than 36 million pros! Seriously, my own view is that Nikon is almost certainly refreshing their wide-angle tilt-shifts to be more competitive with Canon. It's now being reported that they've filed for patent on a new 17mm tilt-shift design; a clear sign of wanting to match Canon. In the meantime, I'm keeping my 5D II specifically for my TS-E lens until Nikon matches it with a comparable or better offering.

I've made plain my disatisfaction with the D800 LV, but it is usable. Especially by tweaking the shapness and contrast settings. It can get really noisy in low-light settings, so I might get a really high-output flashlight to assist my low-light LV focusing. No doubt, Nikon needs a lot of improving in the LV department.

No camera or lens is perfect, and you've highlighted some of the biggest shortcomings of the D800. But, make no mistake: it's an absolutely awesome camera, shortcomings notwithstanding. My preference is/was to get it, with the idea of just working deftly around its shortcomings in order to get straight to the more than 36 million pros. But, I'm not trying to persuade you to get one, just saying your concerns, while substantial, don't need to be an insurmountable obstacle. I can tell you, bad LV and all, I'm having more fun with the D800 than I've ever had in any camera before.

[Electric Shepherd]

Originally Posted by cicopo

I've read what I could find on the Nikon 28-300 and It doesn't sound like the AF would be up to my use. I need very fast AF plus decent IQ in a superzoom.

Andy Rouse, one of our well known nature photographers, uses the 28-300 a lot. I've heard him talk a couple of times and a lot of the shots he's shown have been taken with that lens and look pretty stellar.

[andrikos]

Originally Posted by Turning

What I would miss the most is the newer TS lenses from Canon. And actually I would miss my tse-90 which is a killer lens.

I am not liking what I am reading about the d800 live view implementation, though, as it sound a step backwards from my 5d2 for focusing at 100 percent.

No, no, no. Go buy the D800, it's the BEST camera ever made.
And please sell me your TS-E 90 when you go to the dark side...

[magwai]

I can't afford either at the moment so it is all a bit hypothetical but the D800 does sound sweet and it really is the proper descendant of the 5d2, which I am still perfectly happy with.

The 5d3 is great but it is optimised for different type of photography from what I can see.

[jetcode]

Hate to bail on Canon but I have a 5DII for sale. I can't pass on better hardware.

[cicopo]

I may be adding one to my gear list very soon. The pro I bought my 1Ds2 from is selling his (already) at a fair price. Still doing my homework on what lens I'd need to make it do what I need it to do.

[rick_reno]

I'm in a holding pattern on it, waiting to see how the various (reported) problems sort themselves out.