Today I upgraded my DSLR

[kenny]

My old camera, the Nikon D7000, has a smaller sensor and only 16.2 megapixels.
The new Nikon D800 has a larger sensor (for better low-light performance).
The sensor is as large as old 35mm film and it has a breathtaking 36.3 megapixels allowing huge enlargements or greater cropping after the picture is taken.

Every 5 years or so Nikon and Canon produce a body that is a huge leap into the future.
This is a game-changing DSLR that rivals the resolution of the medium format Hasseblads, which start at 6 times the price.
Here's an interesting 17 minute video comparing the $3,000 D800 to a $17,000 Hasseblad not including lenses.
BTW the Hassy dropped in price down to $17K when the D800 was released.

http://www.petapixel.com/2012/04/29/nikon-d800-vs-hasselblad-h4d-40-comparison-video/

If you are curious about this truly revolutionary cameral body go to this link, scroll down just a little and click on "Digitutor" next to the yellow arrow.
There are a bunch of little videos.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Nikon-Products/Product/Digital-SLR-Cameras/25480/D800.html

The resolution is so high it exceeds that of some of my old Nikkor lenses.
So I'll be selling lots of lenses and a D7000 and a D200 body to help pay for the new toy.

 

[justginger]

How exciting - knowing the quality of photos I've seen on here from you with the old body, I'm keen to see what the new one does!

 

[pinkjewel]

Have fun with your new toy,Kenny! I'll look forward to seeing all your new FCD pics with it. I thought your pics before were pretty awesome so can't wait to see your photos with this camera!

 

[marcy]

Have fun with your new toy!

 

[madelise]

You need to be a pro bling photographer! I can't take good pictures of my goodies if my life depended on it! And I know a few jewelers who don't have good bling photographers.. and/or don't know HOW to take photos of their bling.. You should hire out your own hobby!

 

[kenny]

As time goes on, I really want to do diamond/jewelry macro photography professionally.

I returned the D800 today because I found a better deal elsewhere since I needed some other gadgets that the new store heavily discount if you buy a new D800 in the same transaction.

Since D800s are in such short supply, people wait weeks or months for theirs, it may be a while.
Nobody discounts a camera there are long waiting lists for but they can discount other goodies if you buy your D800 through them.
It is a stimulus to buy other lenses that are among Nikon's sharpest:Nikon's lens vary in price from $119 to over $10,000.
Apparently the vast majority of Nikon's lenses are not sharp enough to take full advantage of the 36.3 Megapixel resolution.
It's like a chain being as strong as its weakest link.
Most of my 30 year old Nikkor lenses will be sold off because of this.

I was a little stressed that the local store would not refund the D800, because the manager was an A-hole; but he happened to not be there.
I even called AmEx to initiate a dispute, but it wen't okay and I got my refund.

Actually I'm considering the D800E, which costs 10% more.
It omits a filter the D800 has which softens the focus just a tiny bit, but prevents moire pattern problems.



Riveting reading for photo geeks: http://cdn-4.nikon-cdn.com/en_US/o/Y6wrkA9OU_z04IreazIXl_22UII/PDF/D800_TechnicalGuide_En.pdf

 

[ame]

omg. envy.

 

[kenny]

Update, I spent all day on the frogging phone.
LOOOOOOONG story short, I ended up ordering the D800E (even higher resolution than the D800 that I returned yesterday) from a big reputable mail order vendor along with two lenses from the list of the only 16 of Nikon's 78 lenses that are sharp enough to make full use of the D800E's astronomicaly-high resolution.

Only these two of the 16 sharpies had substantial Nikon rebates if bought in the same transaction as a Nikon D800E.
So, I think I did as well as I could.
I think these lens rebates were not available yesterday and they expire in a week or so.

Now I'm going to sell 3 camera bodies and 8 lenses, while retaining only my sharpest three Nikkor lenses.

Now I'll probably wait for months for my toys to arrive.
If my stuff sells quickly I will be without any camera.

Here's what my new camera will look like . . .

 

[ame]

Add a little ranch and it will be perfect!

 

[kenny]

Oh, Dahleeng.
Just a spritz of lime.
Really.

 

[kenny]

Oppsy, my pic of my camera disappeared.

It's organic.

 

[AN0NYM0US]

Congrats on the new purchase. I can't wait to see what you do with it.

Have you considered listing your old camera setup(s) in the PS preloved section? I'm sure there are people around here that would be interested in them