D800 in DX mode, what to expect?

Hi there!

I am still hesitates about bouying the D8oo. Its seems to be alot good and bad with that setup. (for underwater use).

I know have the D300s, Tokina 10-17mm, Nikon 60mm, Nikon 10-24mm, Kenko telekonverters 2x, 1,4x, and Sigma 18-50/2.8

I heard alot about D800 and sigma 15mm, but I don´t know if it work totaly perfect with Sea and Sea Optical dome. And ofcourse its alot of money to change both lenses and ports.

What Can I expect from D800 in DX with Tokina 10-17mm for wideangle, and then go to Nikon 105mm VR and FX for makro. And then in the future perhaps change port and to Sigma 15mm?

Is the qualite from D800 in DX better than D300s? And what size are the files?

/Mattias

Hi Matthias,

Many of the points you ask about are comprehensively covered in the Wetpixel D800 review and also in lots of forum posts.

The review is here:

http://wetpixel.com/i.php/full/wetpixel-d800-camera-review/

All the best

Adam

Is the qualite from D800 in DX better than D300s? And what size are the files?

Image quality marginally better. Viewfinder worse. Better AF, better synch speed.

Alex

The Sigma 15mm Diagona Fisheye works fine on the D800 on topside and it should work fine also

on a S&S housing with the Athena 174mm (or bigger) dome.

The problem of the Sigma 15mm is if you need a adapter ring as it set the dome too much foreward (approx 20mm) so the lens

will see the adapter ring and/or the border of the dome.

I will get my new Hugyfot Minidome in a few days and will test it soon, then i can post results.

Chris

Hi There,

Thanks! Looking forward to your pictures! I have almost decided to NOT buy the D800, and instead wait for D400 or similary. It seams like many users accutally complains abit about the D800. First of all becuase

• Slow workflow becuase of big files
  
• Difficuallt to find good WA ports
  
• Need of top of the line lines and port to get out the full D800 power
  
• Move only possible to do 30min becuase of batteri
  
• No WA fisheye zooms like the Tokina 10-17
  
• BIG setup to use the nice Nikon 16-35 lens
  

/Mattias

Hi There,

 

Thanks! Looking forward to your pictures! I have almost decided to NOT buy the D800, and instead wait for D400 or similary. It seams like many users accutally complains abit about the D800. First of all becuase

• Slow workflow becuase of big files
  
• Difficuallt to find good WA ports
  
• Need of top of the line lines and port to get out the full D800 power
  
• Move only possible to do 30min becuase of batteri
  
• No WA fisheye zooms like the Tokina 10-17
  
• BIG setup to use the nice Nikon 16-35 lens
  

/Mattias

I agree with you Mattias. I have the D800, and I love it, but it's not for everyone or all situations. I'm also lucky enough to have access to both a D7000 system and a D800 system. If I were to choose which one I would take for all situations if I had to choose one, it would be the D7000. In my opinion there is only one overriding reason to buy a D800- that's if detailed large prints where the 36 MP make a difference, are your primary objective.

Hi Loftus,

Thank you for your response! In what way do you prefer the D7000 instead of D800. I think the D800 and the FX format perhaps is not the best for UW. I hope for a D400 in DX format. That would be perfect!

/Mattias

It basically comes down to DX vs FX for underwater. I think DX just provides more versatility underwater, more wide angle options etc, also smaller, lighter for travel etc. When FX first came out, they were streets ahead of DX for low light, this is no longer the case. So one is really left with only one main advantage of FX which is more MP in the D800 which as I said is great for large prints, and a larger viewfinder is a secondary benefit. I can't think of any others underwater.

I love the D800 for my pool stuff, but then I am effectively using it as a studio camera.