heimbrandt

Like Sandy, I will post photo of an insect. This one was not as lucky, it got killed by a Fiat 500 and was wedged in between the radiator grille and the bonnet.

Nikon D800E, PC-E 85/2.8D

Yes, sorry I meant EN-EL15b.

Still, I find it interesting that the EN-EL15b can be charged in the camera whereas the others cannot. I would have thought it depended on the camera rather than camera and the battery.

Perhaps that is the new thing about the EN-EL15b, more circuitry to make people want to buy it.

My answer to Matt's question is yes. This past weekend, The Swedish Armed Forces held their annual air show. This is an HKP15, as the Swedish Air Force call the AgustaWestland A109.

Nikon D500, AF-S 300/2.8 VR, TC-14EIII

Since the camera has now been shown to the public and I am far from the only one that have checked it out first hand, I think the Z7 does deserve an early impressions thread.

Swedish Nikon Pro retailer Kameradoktorn had an event this morning where you could look at the Z6 and Z7 and try them out for yourself. My main interest was the Z7 and how well it stacks up against the D850. Thus, I did not spend that much time with the Z6. With regards to build quality, both cameras gave the same quality feel. Much more D850 than D750. Both give a very solid impression. However, the small size and the claim that even a micro SD card would require too much space (see below) makes me wonder about how it will react to an impact. I felt the old metal vs. plastic debate from the 80s might be revived if one ding results in cracked PCBs.

Please note that the following is by no by means a review. These loose comments are only my personal impressions after having checked out a pre-production sample in a store.

The grip is on the small side but probably still large for a mirrorless camera. While my first impression was that it had a cluttered layout, I still could find most button intuitively. Having used cameras with large top LCDs since the 90s, I was surprised by the small display on the Z-series. It was still easy to see the information and it was very comfortable in dim light.

The viewfinder is nice and easy to see. The diopter dial to the right of the EVF changes the image size (let us say it changes the eye point), which is very much appreciated for us who wear glasses. It was really easy to see the entire frame and the information below. While the viewfinder offers a nice image, I was not convinced for my photographic needs. It did lag, most apparent when panning and following slow passing cars outside the shop window. The spokes on the rims where all blurry and I for one would find that lag tiresome and less than ideal for birds in flight. I am less disturbed by the mirror blackout.

Focus with the new 35/1.8 was accurate, but not as fast as I had hoped for. Even compared to the D800E, it felt slower, but I attribute that to the lens. The lens had the same plastic feel to as the consumer grade DX lenses. It seems weight is key here.

According to Nikon there was simply no place for a second memory card. While I asked about the space requirements for even a micro SD card just for backup, I was informed that size would be adversely affected and that they therefore had opted for a single memory card. It will take CFExpress cards after a firmware update. When that is due, they could not say. Speaking of memory cards, they will not enter the business, but re-label existing cards as a way to push the format.

VR worked very well and will probably help drive the prices up for older non-VR AF-S supertele lenses. If a VR lens is used, the IBIS and VR will work together.

We were not allowed to examine photos other than on the camera displays, so I will not comment on image quality. However, the rear display seemed even better than that on the D850. It had excellent detail and colour accuracy, clearly better than the EVF. The sensor was said to be new as well, so not only is the Expeed processor new, we also have a new sensor. It will be interesting to see how it has been tuned and how it differs from the D850.

The Nikon representative mentioned that they have received notice that a battery grip is in the works. It will hold two EN-EL15 batteries but there was no scheduled release date.

The standard response to most software and feature related comments, apart from the single memory card slot, was that this is a pre-production sample and that several changes are already planned for the first firmware update.

All-in-all, a promising start. It will be a contender and a strong first entry for Nikon. It will not be to everybody’s liking, but who says mirrorless is?

Sorry for the poor photo.

Matt went for maximum depth of field while Dieter and blurrist went the opposite way. I thought of using another photo but chose to do like Dieter and post a macro photo shot at f8. However, I used tilt to minimize depth of field.

Nikon D800E, PC-E Micro 85/2.8D

Jochen, the Nikon grips for the D800 series are attached after removing a rubber seal and screwing them in place. You can then either use the battery in the camera, a standard camera battery in the grip, AA batteries or a battery from the D4/D5 cameras. When you use AA batteries or the one from the D4 or D5 frame rate is increased. You also have a couple of buttons, so they do contain electronic circuits, buttons and command dials. The dials and the connection to the body is what I am most concerned about.

Sandy, thanks, I did a web search for professional rain covers before I purchased the one I have from Wildlife Watching Supplies. However, that was not my question.

mike, most often is is rain water, which is fine. Occasionally, salt water spray, hence my question.

Thanks for your input Jochen. I know that I cannot expect Nikonos sealing, but I would expect a grip not to make me more worried of using the camera in less than ideal conditions.

I ask because I sometimes photograph birds in flight and then want the extra speed, weight and improved ergonomics of the grip when handholding a heavy camera/lens combination. To be honest, I prefer using a grip with longer lenses even when I use a gimbal and tripod for the same reasons. I have never been a fan of missing a good photo because of poor weather. Sometimes, that is what makes the photo. I do have a rain cover for my longest lens and camera but the question is still of interest to me.

Heimbrandt, you know what they say about the dreaded word assume?

That is why I have stayed away from this thread. :)

Ilkka, I know the manuals clearly state that you first mount the TC om the lens and then on the camera. But how many users always do that? To be honest, I am curious as to what damage it may cause doing it in the wrong order. As i see it, a mounted TC would just be an extension of the camera when the lens will be mounted and the mounted TC should just be an extension of the lens when it is time to mount it to the camera. That it may cause damage if the TC is not fully mounted to either the body or lens is another matter. Oh, and then there is the question of always turning the camera off before changing lenses...

Mary, the advantage lies in accuracy when shooting with higher frame rates. The lens opens up and stops down between every frame, even on the D5 in its quickest mode. The mechanical spring that stops the aperture down may not be as precise as the electronic aperture control on modern E lenses.

Regarding your example; the increased cost is most probably for VR and the new optic formula (E VR version is better) rather than the E itself. Note that the less costly 200-500/5.6 is an E lens, while the expensive 200-400/4 VRII and 300/2.8 VRII are not, so it is not a feature that adds much cost to the lens.

mike_halliwell, I would assume it will be like the teleconverters - that it does not matter in what order you mount things.

I assume Nikon's battery grips have the same weather sealing as the bodies they are made for. Thus, the MB-D12, 17 and 18 should be (reasonably) sealed against the elements. I have never considered the MB-D12 to be a weak point on my D800E in poor weather.

What about third party grips? Does anyone have experience from either good or poor weather sealing with a D8X0 camera? I have noted that the DSTE and Mcoplus MB-D18 clones have received good reviews. Most talk about the ability to reach 9 fps, but I am more interested in the weather sealing aspect of build quality.

When you hope for a clear sky and some Milky Way shots, this is what you get:

Nikon D800E, AF-S16-35/4VR

I do not think Nikon will drop the price for the AF-S 105/1.4E just because Sigma has made an equivalent lens. That is wishful thinking, although it would be nice. Just look at the 24-70/2.8E VR, 70-200/2.8E and most Nikkor super-telephoto lenses. Sigma also make corresponding lenses for those, but unfortunately, that does not seem to factor in when Nikon set their prices.

Like most people in this thread, I own neither. However, I would not even consider the Sigma for its weight and size alone.

Moon over Venice.

Nikon D800E, AF-S 16-35/4VR

I really enjoyed the AF-S 10-24/3.5-4.5 on my D7000. I did use it for environmental portraits too and you do not need to set it to 10 mm all the time. It does have a very useful range and worked great on the D7000.

Sometimes you may want to go for that really wide effect for a striking portrait. If artsy is done wrong, nobody would like it. If creative is done right, your clients would like it. Sometimes you even have to resort to the shorter focal lenghts; shooting in a cramped space is not the same as going for the distorted nose that fills a third of the frame or the skateboarder in the skate park shot at minimum focus distance-look. When you have backed up against the wall, the foot zoom simply does not work any more.

High up, up close. Taken in the Swiss Alps near the Italian border.

Nikon D800E, PC-E 85/2.8D

Someone may, though the D850 is a very new camera and the new mirrorless will probably take off for real when it has more native lenses available. I would not expect it to be a huge sales hit until a range of lenses are available. I also like optical viewfinders and have no plans of buying the new camera, but for silent photography applications, eventually, some version of a mirrorless camera may be useful to me.

Have you looked at dpreview's samples for the Leica 75/1.25?

No, I have not but I believe you that it is wonderful. Still, I consider it a special item like the Nikkor 6/2.8, 300/2, 1200-1700, and the more modern 800/5.6 and Canon’s 12000/5.6. More to show off what is technically achievable than what would actually make them money. Ah well, one can dream and sometimes rent.

I suppose you mean the 600/4 VR?

No, I have a 300/2.8 VR with a TC-20EIII, hence 600/5.6 VR. I have looked at the 500 and 600/4 VR and would like one for birding as I am sure it would be better with my TC-14EIII. It is a lot of money though and for horses and many other things, the 300/2.8VR is more versatile.

New cameras are always a good thing, perhaps a D850 owner will want one of them and sell their camera to me. Mirrorless is not really my thing as I prefer an optical viewfinder. Horses for courses.

The f0.95 hype is mostly about marketing and fanboy bragging rights. When I want extremely shallow depth of field in a portrait, I use my PC-E 85/2.8D and tilt it. The 105/1.4E is probably even better in that respect. Noise at ISO 25? Cue the marketing department and enter the fanboys. The D8X0 range already have noise levels at or near base ISO that most would, at the very least, call ”good enough” not to call it the biggest area of concern and need for improvement in the range.

While I do not use the levelling indicator, I can relate to it beeing difficult to see under certain conditions. Why not activate the grid then? It is a function that I think is better implemented in live view (turns green when level) and the only time I ever find other levelling aids than grid lines useful is when I shoot ’Hail Mary’ style.

All in all, I am still quite happy with the D800E. I find its af on the slow side when I shoot birds with my ”600/5.6 VR”. I have tried the D850 and it was much faster. Enough to make me want it. Bird photography is all about reach and the D850’s improved cropping capabilites is another reason for me to want it. And yes, I want longer glass too. Thus, I am personally more interested in the soon-to-be-launched AF-S 500/5.6PF than Nikon’s mirrorless offerings.

If you do not know what to look for when checking out a used camera, I humbly sugest buying second hand from a dealer offering warranty. What you pay for is the knowledge that you have a warranty if something happens. Buying used from a dealer also means that you may have some wiggle room on the price. Even those in the know cannot predict failure, so a warranty of sorts is always a good thing.

The D610 is excellent value for money, if you buy used. When buying new, the D750 represents better value due to its better autofocus system. I would not say the af is so much better that it makes up for the higher price when buying used. Better to spend the money on better lenses. I had no problems whatsoever shooting indoor showjumping with the D610. Granted, I got a AF-S 70-200/2.8 VRII. I went from the D7000 and felt at home with the D610 from the first photo. The difference in noise is worth the move to FX if you donlow light photography. Only reason I sold the D610 was that I wanted even more resolution for bird photography.

Here is a photo from a previous vacation in Switzerland, when we drove over Furkapass. The sun broke through the clouds and lit up the abandoned Bélvèdere Hotel. A place perhaps most well-known today from Goldfinger, where James Bond chases Goldfinger's Rolls Royce in his Aston Martin.

Nikon D610, AF-S 70-200/2.8 VRII, TC-20EIII

I looked at my filters and lens (a 300/2,8 VR) and the edges of the lens barrel are rubberised. There is no friction when inserting or removing the filters, apart for the last millimeters when putting the polarizer in place. However that is just enough to hold it in place, should you turn the lens upside down before locking it in place.

The lens’s slot has two metal clips that help guide (and probably fix) the filter holder. If I look down into the slot, the clips are out of sight. Perhaps one or both have gotten loose or damaged/bent on your lens?