Want FX but not impressed by D800 build quality

Owning both the D4 and the D800, I agree with you on the build of the D800.

The D4 however is in a whole other world and I think it's the most beautifully built Nikon ever.

Solid, tactile, every button where you need it, responsive and beautiful to hold.

Bruce

Buy a second hand D700 and wait until Nikon properly replace it and get their act sorted out.

Dave

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Does anyone else has issues with the paint job pilling off the D800 on the right lower side, where your hand is holding the grip? I only had mine for 6 months and it's already pilling off.

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odedia
http://500px.com/odedia
http://d800club.com

FYI

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Or 21.

If he doesn't like the D800, he wont like the D700. Build quality is very similar. I find them both to be of excellent build quality.

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Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html

Coming from the D200 also, I really don't remember any big differences in construction between the two.  However, since I no longer have my (beloved) D200, I can't compare them.  I do know that while the D200 was an excellent camera, and was capable of taking excellent photos; the D800 is a superior camera for photography.  That is no surprise since the D200 is over 7 years old now.  Enjoy the camera and take some photos.

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Paul
http://www.pbase.com/pajarrett/galleries

If you want ergonomics...

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Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html

Go back and try again. The D800 has excellent build quality. A huge step forward from the D200, D300 and the D300s and as a matter of fact, also the D700 AFAIK.

35mm back in a large format camera, how you dare!

Leo

That is freaking impressive. Could you elaborate how it works... like how do you actuate to expose, etc. How is the IQ, any sample pictures? I have often thought doing such a contraption but...

Wow!

Seems to me that if the OP likes the D200 better than the D800, then he doesn't agree.

What bothers me most about camerashy's reply is that he seems to think that the D800 is not the "proper" D700 replacement.  First, like it or not, the D800 is the D700 replacement.  Second, even if Nikon came out with a 12-16 MP camera with the same fps, body size, and viewfinder as the D700, it would still have the same build quality as the D800 -- so he hasn't addressed the OP's question and has just used the question as an excuse to gripe that he isn't getting exactly what he wants from Nikon.

I was under the impression the D800 has the same general build as the D300.  I personally have not held the D800 yet, hope to get some time on my friends this holiday.

The D800 has the same full magnesium body as the D200/D300, so I'm not sure what you are saying there.  Having owned both the D200 and D300, I can say I personally feel the build quality is better on the D300 then the D200.  But, I like the feel of the rubber grip on the D200, it is softer, more substantial.   The down side is the grip has begun to peal back a few places.  I suspect they made the change with the D300 to hold up better.

Back in the film days I made a cherry wood back that would hold a Graflok back for the Zone VI view camera. Fotodiox makes an adaptor that attaches a Nikon DSLR to a Graflok back. The Fotodiox allows you to slide the Nikon horizontally so you can shoot three images. You then remove the adaptor and Nikon, turn it over and shoot three more. The Nikon is mounted offset vertically so turning it over moves the camera to a different part of the image. The adaptor is a bit funky, but usable. They also made an adaptor without the offset, but it may have been discontinued. I would have preferred it for the D800E. Don't really need six images. I originally used it with a D700.

You work the camera very much as you would when using Nikon bellows. Manually open the aperture on the lens to focus. Manually close it to the right setting to shoot. If the lens has a shutter (as this Schneider APO 210mm f/5.6 lens does) you keep it open.

This is a single shot with this rig and a D800E. It makes a stunning 20x30" print as the lens is very sharp.

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Robin Casady
http://www.robincasady.com/Photo/index.html

I think the D800 has a very solid feel to it. But hey of you dont then get the D4 as thats your only choice for a new camera from Nikon. You sure wont like the canon 5D3. Hard to believe you talking about build but more about ergonomics. You dont like the buttons feel and so forth. Get over it as it will have no real effect on the images you make. Just a matter of getting used to it. This coming from a former canon user. Its just a matter of getting use to new layout.

Or like a few other get an old D700 if you feel 12 meg is enough. I havent myself shot less than 16.7 meg for many years now.

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http://www.pbase.com/dc9mm

It's Photoshopped, I tell you!  Just look at the pixels!

Now this is a camera:

http://www.shutterphoto.net/article/the-truth-your-camera-is-better-than-ansels/

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RG www.lostrange.com

If you're happy with the D200 but can't be satisfied with the D600 or the D800 (or the D700) then I would suggest that you might be like the homeowner asking too much for your house due to emotional attachment .   The D200 was a nice camera in it's day but any of the FX models mentioned are superior in almost every way.

The D200 and D800 feel very similar. Both have a magnesium shell. The D800 also has some higher grade features such as an eyepiece shutter. Maybe the shape of the D200 gives the illusion of being sturdier.

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I totally disagree with you on this. Ive had both the 700 and now the 800E. Excellent buld quality. It is magnesium body as well. I find them to be identical, if not the 800 feels better in your hands.

what would you say if you handled the Canon cameras?

Yes, agreed. The D4 has been honed to near perfection (true perfection is impossible).

A thing of beauty ..

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Rudi - freelancer
'Never mind the quality, feel the width'