Just ordered a D800E

[kxl]

I must admit that my interest was piqued from reading all these posts about the Sony A7R, but in the end I decided that my immediate needs are better met by the D800E. The $300 instant rebate (ends tomorrow) for a new body helped me decide (I am somewhat leery of buying used digital cameras), in addition to my strobist needs (I really like the Nikon CLS system).

That doesn't mean I won't ever get an A7R (or future models); I'm just not getting one at this time.

 

[majid]

Now all you need is a Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 to actually match the quality of the sensor...

 

[kxl]

Now all you need is a Zeiss Otus 55mm f/1.4 to actually match the quality of the sensor...

Yes, I need to put in my pre-order for the ultimate no-compromise $4K lens... then I'd have to cancel the pre-order because I don't actually have the $$$$ :bang:

 

[jarski]

Congrats! Its great camera.

 

[kxl]

Congrats! Its great camera.

Thanks - I think it's the right body for me at this time. 🙂

 

[hans voralberg]

It's a great body and if you're shooting strobe a lot you'll be hard press to find a better camera. That's one area where mirrorless fall short I'd say. Some time the PC port and a cord is invaluable to have with your client barking up your ass.

 

[Addy101]

What? Not a Nikon Df :bang:

😀

Have fun with it!

 

[willie_901]

Good call.

It's still amazes me one can get the results that required $20K to $30K medium format digital backs just a few years ago.

PS Pocket Wizards or even the inexpensive Yongnuo wireless system and strobes are just as reliable as physical cords. I started using these in 2008 (PWs) and the only time they failed is because the PC cord to the flash wore out or the trigger batteries were low. I've used wireless triggers in over a hundreds of homes and businesses and never experienced any issues due to RF interference. The Yongnuo triggers and flashes are equally reliable. In fact after using the Yongnuo system for 4 months I sold my PWs, bought more Yongnuo units as back ups, and had money to spare. I now carry five Yongnuo flashes and four Yongnuo triggers. This cost about half as much as four used Nikon strobes (SB-80 DXs) and four PWs.

 

[Samouraï]

It's a great body and if you're shooting strobe a lot you'll be hard press to find a better camera. That's one area where mirrorless fall short I'd say. Some time the PC port and a cord is invaluable to have with your client barking up your ass.

Why do mirrorless cameras have issues with strobes? I'm thinking of the A7r, mainly.

 

[Stuart John]

Hope you enjoy the D800E. I gave up with my X-E1 and got a D800 instead. I'm very pleased with the D800 and the new 50mm 1.8g and 85mm 1.8g are pretty good too.

 

[Canyongazer]

Congratulations Keith...it is an excellent camera, so excellent that I believe it will delay the "my old digital camera is obsolete" curse for a long, long time.
Excellent today and no less excellent tomorrow.

 

[RichC]

An excellent choice! I can't imagine replacing mine until it falls apart - it does everything I need (too much, actually), and the image quality is superb, plus you can print huge images.

If you haven't already, consider buying the DK-17M viewfinder magnifier (1.2x increase). This makes a good viewfinder great, and helps with critical focus - especially if using a manual lens. I sometimes wear glasses, but can see the entire viewfinder (YMMV).

Of all the lenses, the 60mm macro AF-D is my favourite - cheap(ish), sharp as a tack (including at distance), very little distortion, and inset front objective means no awkward lens hood needed. I think it's one of Nikon's best lenses. Only a couple of faults: manual focus ring has a ridiculously short throw (but still usable), and autofocus can hunt in low light.

 

[2WK]

Congrats on the new camera. I am jealous!
I need something similar for work. Be it, shooting a lookbook, or the odd event etc.
I have been using an Xpro, and it just doesn't work quite as well for those applications.

I am kind of torn between a nikon (d600/800e) or the new sony a7r. On one hand, I can use RF lenses on the sony, and it is a smaller package. On the other hand, I have a bunch of nikon lenses….and an Sb-800 flash. I have read that Sony flashes have a tendency to overheat.

 

[Addy101]

Congrats on the new camera. I am jealous!
I need something similar for work. Be it, shooting a lookbook, or the odd event etc.
I have been using an Xpro, and it just doesn't work quite as well for those applications.

I am kind of torn between a nikon (d600/800e) or the new sony a7r. On one hand, I can use RF lenses on the sony, and it is a smaller package. On the other hand, I have a bunch of nikon lenses….and an Sb-800 flash. I have read that Sony flashes have a tendency to overheat.

If the xpro won't cut it, the A7 won't either. For some things a DSLR simply is better.

Re. overheating: in some heavy use cases the overheat protection of Sony flashes will kick in - if you're using a lot of flash in a short time (like during weddings) get an external battery pack.

 

[kxl]

Thanks guys - I seriously considered the A7R, but it came down to which needs I really needed to meet in the very near term (holidays through spring). In the end, at least for me, the ultimate advantage of the A7R was the ability to mount my M lenses on a full frame digital body, albeit a non-RF experience.

I have a few Nikon AFS lenses and regularly use Nikon CLS wireless lighting with the DSLR and built-in flash as commander and Nikon strobes (SB-800, R-200, etc...) as wireless slaves. I use this set up for product work, indoor portraits and macros. I primarily use the 24-70mm/2.8 and 85/1.4 for portraits and the Kiron 105/2.8 for product/macro work. And I plan to get a Nikon 200/4 AFD Micro in the next few weeks (I don't know why I ever sold the one that I had).

So I guess, for me, what ultimately compelled me to buy the D800 was the desire to leverage as much of my current D700 workflow, but with greater resolution and much larger images. The D800E was a logical next step from my D700. And the $300 instant rebate + 4% reward (from B&H or Adorama) pushed it over the top

 

[f/14]

Congratulations Keith.
Have had the 800E for about a year.
It is so good that since it arrived most of the discussion about chip formats, Mpixels etc has just sounded like a background mumble to me.
I guess there will be even better cameras, but the constant urge to get a new and better digital camera that has been there for the last 10 years is gone.
I can live with this one for quite some time.