Speed and power, without compromise. That’s how I’d sum up my impression
of the new Nikon D800. Established medium-format image quality is
now inside a phenomenal, incredibly responsive Nikon machine. At 36.3
megapixels, the D800 produces unprecedented image quality and resolution
within a body that boasts revolutionary technological advances. The 3D color
matrix metering III, wide dynamic range and the improved AF performance
in low light are just a few features that are glaring improvements. The D800
allows me to concentrate on the light, the composition and my subject
without having to think about much else. In years past, wedding photography
was traditionally captured with medium-format equipment for maximum
image quality. When the 35mm format was adopted within the genre, it was
widely accepted that image quality was compromised in lieu of speed and
convenience. Now, my wedding portraiture will have a depth it’s never shown
before, and my style of shooting will be enhanced rather than compromised,
thanks to the D800.
When I’m shooting beauty and jewelry in the studio or fashion on location,
36.3 megapixels changes the industry standard: in image quality, dynamic
range, color rendering and the final print. The detail from the D800 produces
the look of a medium-format camera, but gives me the feel and response of a
D-SLR. The improvements in rendering skin tone and specular highlights, as
well as fabric and hair detail are superior to anything that has come before.
Autofocus quickly tracks models in motion. Nikon’s 91K-pixel RGB sensor
has noticeable improvements in metering accuracy, while the larger LCD is
easier to read. The camera body feels solid and ergonomically simple, while
also feeling lighter and smaller than previous high-resolution Nikons. New
cameras always inspire me to test and explore, and all the useful features
in such a compact package will open huge creative possibilities for my high-
quality prints and video.
To me, cameras are more like paintbrushes than technology. The goal is
not megapixels or technique but the image, and while camera models
are important, they are not the be-all or end-all. But after a lifetime using
countless cameras, I have found a new best friend. It was not love at first
sight. The sharpness and detail were initially intimidating, exposing my flaws
like never before. Subtle camera movements showed and differences of
acuity between aperture choices on various lenses were apparent. But now I
am enthralled with this technology. Why? Because the images almost feel as
though they were made with a 4x5 view camera! Special features like time-
lapse photography and the improved HD video quality and flexibility also add
tremendously to the camera’s personality. After spending a month with the
D800, I’ll never be the same again. Perhaps the best compliment I can express
is that now I will think differently about the images I make.
As a modern architectural photographer I am always looking for a lightweight,
compact and reliable camera system fulfilling the requirements of my personal
artistic and client expectations. The Nikon D800 will set new standards for
the high-end 35mm D-SLR market. I have never worked with a 35mm digital
camera that produces images with such exceptional quality and detail till
now. Particularly, the live view mode enables extremely precise compositions
and easy focusing in dim lighting, which simplifies my workflow. Superior
quality lenses such as the PC NIKKOR tilt & shift lineup are indispensable for
architectural photography. From my hands-on experience I found that they
perfectly match with the newly invented system and produce breathtakingly
clean, clear and sharp files. This camera gives me the photographic flexibility
to work at unusual shooting locations and capture images in an exceptional
range of light. It definitely takes my photographic versatility and image quality
to a new level. What a new companion!
The D8 0 0 On Assignment
Rob Van Petten
Fashion (U.S.A.)
Cliff Mautner
Wedding (U.S.A.)
Jim Brandenburg
Nature (U.S.A.)
Benjamin Antony Monn
Fine art/Architecture (Germany)
Printed in Holland Code No. 6CE11030 (1202/A)K
