It’s time for my anual reminder to everybody that the Nikon D800 nonetheless exists and remains to be an excellent digicam certainly.
I’ve misplaced rely of what number of occasions I’ve waxed lyrical concerning the D800 over time, however even because it approaches its fourteenth birthday, I stand by my view that it’s one of the ignored cameras available on the market for individuals who wish to begin taking their images severely. And better of all, with every passing yr, the value plummets farther and farther.
At the time of writing, MPB is selling used D800 cameras from $304 to $519 / £224 to £309. Sure, the Expeed 3 is getting very lengthy within the tooth, the 51-point AF system is sluggish by at the moment’s requirements, and the 4fps max burst velocity is laughable.
But the D800 is a premium digicam that price round $3,000 / £2,600 upon its launch again in 2012. While nearly all of its specs place it manner behind the pack now, it’s nonetheless bought it the place it actually counts. To at the present time, the Nikon D800 nonetheless churns out attractive 36.3MP RAWs and boasts a bulletproof Japanese construct.
Its autofocus shortcomings received’t make it overly interesting for motion photographers – not that it ever was – and when you shoot video, neglect it. But when you’re a panorama photographer, an architectural photographer, or a portrait photographer on a really tight price range, it might nonetheless give you the muse wherein to construct a profession.
Heck, I minimize my motorsport images tooth utilizing the Nikon D800, and there are photos I captured on that digicam that stay in my portfolio at the moment. I’ve stated it many occasions earlier than, however you’re much better off compromising on the digicam physique – if it means you may spend extra money on high quality lenses – than you’re investing every part into an costly physique and having to make do with a package lens.
Casual photographers and fanatics can get by with an ordinary package lens, however if you wish to take your images extra severely, specialize, develop into a pupil of the medium, or tackle work, you’ll must spend money on lenses. And that’s the Nikon D800’s secret weapon. It’s a Nikon DSLR, and which means it’s constructed across the firm’s long-standing F-mount.
Now that Nikon Z lenses and cameras have come of age, F-mount glass has plummeted in value. You can choose up professional-grade ‘trinity’ glass for a whole lot quite than hundreds of dollars. And I can promise you {that a} ‘holy trinity’ of f/2.8 DSLR zoom lenses will stand you in significantly better stead than a tip-top, all-singing, all-dancing mirrorless digicam and a package lens.
If you’ll find one on a budget, the Nikon D800 remains to be an amazing digicam. I do know. I nonetheless use one!