Upgrade of D700 to D800 - Handheld Question

Biological_Viewfinder wrote:

That was a good answer, both answers above are good. I would just like to add that it depends on what you are photographing. If you're using wide-angle to mid-range zoom and photographing moving objects, you're fine with handheld. If you're shooting landscapes or static subjects, use a tripod.
What's really going on here is that Nikon has made a camera that allows you to take the time and get better results than previous cameras because of that amazing resolution. If you have plenty of time and use a tripod, a shutter release, and use Live-View, Mirror-Up then your D800 images will be more crisp than your D700 images. It's something you'll need to see, but the difference is such that it's worth the trouble to do all this when you're in front of a good waterfalls or a nice mountain scene.
What this means is that the D800's resolution is so incredibly high that most people don't ever use it. A handheld shot is never going to be as sharp as a solid technique tripod shot, ever. The only way to see the full resolution of 36MP is proper tripod technique, otherwise it's blurred to varying degrees and its useful resolution quickly becomes less. So if you aren't using the camera for its intended purpose (Landscapes and Studio work), get the D4. It's meant for people and birding. etc.

All that said, I often use the D800 for things other than what it is meant for. I like the results, but I know that they are never going to be 36MP of useful data. I get that out in the field when I'm using the full potential of the camera and being extremely deliberate. It's time-consuming, and it's a slower experience than other cameras; but the results are like looking at the next level of your photography. Every picture is like a panorama there's so much detail. That's true 36MP quality and the only way you get it is by taking your time and being quiet and methodical and precise.

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