Thoughts on my Feb 2013 D800 purchase SN #3052XXX

Last week, i ordered the D800 and below are my experiences with it.

Short background info: I have been researching which Full Frame to get since the announcement of D800 and 5D Mark III back in early 2012.  So after I had enough with my research, reading articles, watching videos on youtube. I finally purchased the 5D3 back in August 2012 after Canon admitted the light leak issue and issued a fix for it.  My 5D3 SN# was clear of that batch so that was my one of the decision making factor. And not to mention the AF issues that some were having with their D800.  But due to financial issues I had to sell the 5D3.  So for several months, when I was without a camera, i did more research and I knew more about the left AF situation of D800.  I have always read so much rave about Nikon D800 Dynamic Range and the of course the 36MP.  But i was more interested in the DR capability of the D800.

Fast fwd to Feb 2013:  Excited, finally, gave in and ordered a D800.

1st: Received it, opened the box, popped the battery in, turned on the camera and what do you know the Date & Time was already set to: London, Casablanca, UTC 0 06/05/2012 05:51:37.  This was a bit strange since all the cameras & electronic gadgets that i have owned thus far has prompted me to input the DATE & TIME but this D800 did not.  Strange i thought...but the shutter was 1 with the first picture and the file was DSC_0001...moving on

D800 Date Time already set

2nd: The Ergonomic of the D800.  Coming from 5D Mark III & 7D, i must say that D800 body did not feel god in my hand.  I thought, it'll just grow on me or I'll just add the MB-D12 grip.  so i let that slide.

3rd: The White Balance was more towards Green & Yellow.  Where as 5D3 was more towards magenta which i preferred.  This i thought was subjective matter and i can just fine tune it to my liking.

4th: The low light performance:  From my experience, 5D3 performed noticeably better than D800.

5th: The Infamous AF of D800: Yes, I know...I know.... Nobody wants to hear it but it is what it is.  Before i purchased it last week, i thought How long has it been?...10 Months or so? Nikon has to have fixed the AF issue if there were any!  I read all the moaning & groaning about My D800 has this left AF issue, it has that issue....Frankly, i believed it about 20%.

and so i started shooting with my BRAND SPANKING New D800 SN #3052XXX  using the Sigma 35mm 1.4 full wide open, I was about 6.5 feet away from the subject in a fairly decent-good lighting.  The first shot you see below is held held, thinking this maybe a fluke, the following two shots were taken on a firm surface (High bar stool) (couldn't find my tripod then).  Sure enough there was the AF issue, wow could not believe it.

D800 Handheld Sigma 35mm 1.4 wide open

D800 + Sigma 35mm 1.4 wide open

D800 + Sigma 35mm 1.4 wide open

Decided to return the D800.  Was a bit sad to see it go and disappointed and why not!? I don't understand why do we pay close to $3000 and get such a defective product?

My next move: Having owned the D800 and the 5D Mark III.  I have no doubt in my mind that this time, Canon got it just right.  Wait and re-order the D800 after a month for fresh batch? newer SN#? or get the 5D3? i think i'm leaning more towards 5D3.

My goal by sharing this info is simply to inform those of us who are on the fence.  That the AF issue is very real and i decided that i don't have to work around it by using center focus pts and recomposing everytime i want to use the left or right focus points.  neither i want to send for "Fix" or keep returning hoping a working body.  I accept this or any expensive camera to work.

But at the end, it is your call, how much functional issues are you willing to accept with such expensive camera or any camera.

Best of luck for this who are contemplating on the purchase and Enjoy to those who have a fully functional D800.