T. Hogan on D800 QC issue

My experience is as you point out. From the d70 to d200 to d300 & d700, I had 6 Nikons that didn't have an issue with AF, or any issues at all.  Although, to be fair, the d70 initially had a backfocus issue that seemed to affect a lot of users.  Then I bought a d7000 and d3s at the same time. The d3s is the best camera that I've ever used. The d7000 performs at a level less than expected.  I recently obtained a refurbished d800, firmly resolved to send it back if the AF or anything else didn't work as expected. So far, with lots of tests under extremely difficult conditions, I'm satisfied with the d800's performance.  It isn't as good as my d3s, but I think that it is at least as good as the d300/d700, and perhaps a bit better. It's too hard to say for certain exactly where it places, given that I have many thousands of shots with the older cameras and only a few hundred with the d800.

I had some serious reservations in this area too, but even if one assumes a worst case scenario that 30% will have QC issues, that still leaves 70% that are fine.  That's why I took the chance with the refurb, figuring that the odds were in my favor.

It's annoying to have lost that trust and to have to spend the first weeks doing nothing but tests, when I didn't have to do that with all of my other bodies. But until things change, I see no alternative.  When their stuff works right, it's really nice gear to have. Hopefully they will return to their old ways soon.

Kerry

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my gallery of so-so photos
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