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Should I make the big leap to D800E

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demonicangelz

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I've been pondering upon this question for a long while now. Since the D800E supply has been increasing and there is a higher chance of me getting the set w/o paying full RRP, I was thinking of making a reshuffle to the D800E.

My current setup is as follows:
Nikon D300s + MB-D10
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8
Nikon 18-200mm VR I

I am no professional photographer by any standards, just your average enthusiast. However, I do travel alot and would like to make my kit lighter when I travel. I shoot a considerable amount of landscape and portraits/travel photography so the lower end focal range is more important for me. According to Lightroom most of my shots were done with the 14-24mm on the D300s (21-36mm FOV equivalent due to DX sensor). The D300s+14-24mm+24-70mm which is what I usually carry weighs 2808g

When I travel, I usually leave the 70-200mm back at home and as a result it hardly gets any use.

I was thinking of a reshuffle to the following setup:
Nikon D800E
Nikon 28mm f1.8G
Nikon 50mm f1.4G
Nikon 85mm f1.8G
Nikon 16-35mm f4 VRII
X-Pro1 + 35mm f1.4

This setup would cost the same and weigh 2360g, but the weight saving maybe more significant cause I am no longer carrying 1800g on my hands (camera+lens), but something like D800+prime (1100g).

I don't think the whole zoom to prime thing is too big a change in this case because I have been using zooms much like primes. I realise that most of my shots are either 14mm (mostly landscape stuff), 24mm (when I'm lazy to change lens), 50mm, 70mm (again at max range of 24-70) or 200mm (when I use the 70-200mm I kinda need it for the telephoto so I'd turn to the max).

I'll probably get better image quality out of the ridiculous D800E sensor and gain the additional 1.3stops of light (although I will most probably still stop down to 2.8 for additional sharpness).

I wouldn't really call this an upgrade but more of a reshuffle as I am "upgrading the camera" but "downgrading the lens". I would be using more of the lenses in the sense that I would actually carry it out. Has anyone else made the switch or upgrade have any advice or opinion please voice them here. It is really a major reshuffle and I would like to garner as much opinion as possible.
 
Funny reading this as I have made a similar switch from the D7000. I ended up with the D800 + 16-35mm f/4, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and the 105mm f/2.8 Micro. The new 28mm f/1.8 is also on my short list for new lenses.

I am very happy with this combo. I wish Nikon would bring out a fixed wide FX lens 18mm or 20mm. That would interest me. The 16-35mm is great in many respects and I love the opportunity to have the 16mm available. But, it is quite large in size and as you I like to travel as compact (and light) as possible.

The 50mm f/1.4 is the lens I use most. It is amazing how much you can cover with this lens (for travel purposes you might consider exchanging the 50mm f/1.4 for the f/1.8 to save another 100g). The 85mm f/1.8 is a real bargain and optically excellent. I occasionally miss a "walk around zoom". The new 24-85mm could be something to consider if you are interested in this. It is quite lightweight.

Having said all this I really think the trade off of saving weight against image/optical quality can never really be resolved. You have to make some choices what is more important to you. The X-Pro1 looks to be a great camera but for instance compared to a D3200 it is not much smaller:

http://camerasize.com/compare/#258,317

Why not purchase the d3200 as as second body and use the lenses you already have instead of another set?

So I conclude that the combo you have suggested for yourself looks to be a very good setup for high quality travel gear.
 
The D800E has incomparable quality to the D300S. You will be amazed

Its also going from APS-C to FF means you can isolate with DOF better but also it needs high shutter speeds and smaller apertures to have focus across the board

I also travel light, but I just use primes. Only the 35mm f1.4G and the 85mm f1.4G, but will be adding the 24mm f1.4G shortly

In terms of your choices:

Nikon D800E - excellent

Nikon 28mm f1.8G - I would get the 35mm f1.4G instead of this and the 50mm f1.4G

Nikon 50mm f1.4G - I would drop this lens. If you want a closer prime the 60mm f2.8 EF-S is outstanding

Nikon 85mm f1.8G - A very good lens. Only you know how much you will use this focal length. Its between you and your bank manager over the 85mm f1.4G, which is superior but probably not worth 3x the price

Nikon 16-35mm f4 VRII - A good lens if you need this focal length but distorts alot and 24mm f1.4G i far superior. Again, between you and your bank manager

X-Pro1 + 35mm f1.4 - An excellent camera. But IMHO I would not take this and the D800E, either one or the other.

best of luck!

In terms of your choices:
demonicangelz said:
I've been pondering upon this question for a long while now. Since the D800E supply has been increasing and there is a higher chance of me getting the set w/o paying full RRP, I was thinking of making a reshuffle to the D800E.

My current setup is as follows:
Nikon D300s + MB-D10
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8
Nikon 18-200mm VR I

I am no professional photographer by any standards, just your average enthusiast. However, I do travel alot and would like to make my kit lighter when I travel. I shoot a considerable amount of landscape and portraits/travel photography so the lower end focal range is more important for me. According to Lightroom most of my shots were done with the 14-24mm on the D300s (21-36mm FOV equivalent due to DX sensor). The D300s+14-24mm+24-70mm which is what I usually carry weighs 2808g

When I travel, I usually leave the 70-200mm back at home and as a result it hardly gets any use.

I was thinking of a reshuffle to the following setup:
Nikon D800E
Nikon 28mm f1.8G
Nikon 50mm f1.4G
Nikon 85mm f1.8G
Nikon 16-35mm f4 VRII
X-Pro1 + 35mm f1.4

This setup would cost the same and weigh 2360g, but the weight saving maybe more significant cause I am no longer carrying 1800g on my hands (camera+lens), but something like D800+prime (1100g).

I don't think the whole zoom to prime thing is too big a change in this case because I have been using zooms much like primes. I realise that most of my shots are either 14mm (mostly landscape stuff), 24mm (when I'm lazy to change lens), 50mm, 70mm (again at max range of 24-70) or 200mm (when I use the 70-200mm I kinda need it for the telephoto so I'd turn to the max).

I'll probably get better image quality out of the ridiculous D800E sensor and gain the additional 1.3stops of light (although I will most probably still stop down to 2.8 for additional sharpness).

I wouldn't really call this an upgrade but more of a reshuffle as I am "upgrading the camera" but "downgrading the lens". I would be using more of the lenses in the sense that I would actually carry it out. Has anyone else made the switch or upgrade have any advice or opinion please voice them here. It is really a major reshuffle and I would like to garner as much opinion as possible.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.haroldmiller.me
 
gomoku said:
Funny reading this as I have made a similar switch from the D7000. I ended up with the D800 + 16-35mm f/4, 50mm f/1.4, 85mm f/1.8, and the 105mm f/2.8 Micro. The new 28mm f/1.8 is also on my short list for new lenses.

I am very happy with this combo. I wish Nikon would bring out a fixed wide FX lens 18mm or 20mm. That would interest me. The 16-35mm is great in many respects and I love the opportunity to have the 16mm available. But, it is quite large in size and as you I like to travel as compact (and light) as possible.

The 50mm f/1.4 is the lens I use most. It is amazing how much you can cover with this lens (for travel purposes you might consider exchanging the 50mm f/1.4 for the f/1.8 to save another 100g). The 85mm f/1.8 is a real bargain and optically excellent. I occasionally miss a "walk around zoom". The new 24-85mm could be something to consider if you are interested in this. It is quite lightweight.

Having said all this I really think the trade off of saving weight against image/optical quality can never really be resolved. You have to make some choices what is more important to you. The X-Pro1 looks to be a great camera but for instance compared to a D3200 it is not much smaller:

http://camerasize.com/compare/#258,317

Why not purchase the d3200 as as second body and use the lenses you already have instead of another set?

So I conclude that the combo you have suggested for yourself looks to be a very good setup for high quality travel gear.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your comments, glad to see that I'm not in this alone.

The advice on X-Pro is a little late though, I already bought it a month ago.
 
Yea, I thought the D800 would improve the quality of my pictures by alot as well. However, all the lenses you suggested are optically superior, but as I mentioned, I just don't have the money to afford ALL of them at the same time.

The bank manager is rather strict :) and I can probably only afford the equivalent of what I suggested in the first post. However, do you have any other suggestions of a complete setup that is of the same price as the equipments stated? I really can't fork out much more for just a hobby, since I dont do photography for money.
harold1968 said:
Its also going from APS-C to FF means you can isolate with DOF better but also it needs high shutter speeds and smaller apertures to have focus across the board

I also travel light, but I just use primes. Only the 35mm f1.4G and the 85mm f1.4G, but will be adding the 24mm f1.4G shortly

In terms of your choices:

Nikon D800E - excellent

Nikon 28mm f1.8G - I would get the 35mm f1.4G instead of this and the 50mm f1.4G

Nikon 50mm f1.4G - I would drop this lens. If you want a closer prime the 60mm f2.8 EF-S is outstanding

Nikon 85mm f1.8G - A very good lens. Only you know how much you will use this focal length. Its between you and your bank manager over the 85mm f1.4G, which is superior but probably not worth 3x the price

Nikon 16-35mm f4 VRII - A good lens if you need this focal length but distorts alot and 24mm f1.4G i far superior. Again, between you and your bank manager

X-Pro1 + 35mm f1.4 - An excellent camera. But IMHO I would not take this and the D800E, either one or the other.

best of luck!

In terms of your choices:
demonicangelz said:
I've been pondering upon this question for a long while now. Since the D800E supply has been increasing and there is a higher chance of me getting the set w/o paying full RRP, I was thinking of making a reshuffle to the D800E.

My current setup is as follows:
Nikon D300s + MB-D10
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8
Nikon 24-70mm f2.8
Nikon 70-200mm f2.8
Nikon 18-200mm VR I

I am no professional photographer by any standards, just your average enthusiast. However, I do travel alot and would like to make my kit lighter when I travel. I shoot a considerable amount of landscape and portraits/travel photography so the lower end focal range is more important for me. According to Lightroom most of my shots were done with the 14-24mm on the D300s (21-36mm FOV equivalent due to DX sensor). The D300s+14-24mm+24-70mm which is what I usually carry weighs 2808g

When I travel, I usually leave the 70-200mm back at home and as a result it hardly gets any use.

I was thinking of a reshuffle to the following setup:
Nikon D800E
Nikon 28mm f1.8G
Nikon 50mm f1.4G
Nikon 85mm f1.8G
Nikon 16-35mm f4 VRII
X-Pro1 + 35mm f1.4

This setup would cost the same and weigh 2360g, but the weight saving maybe more significant cause I am no longer carrying 1800g on my hands (camera+lens), but something like D800+prime (1100g).

I don't think the whole zoom to prime thing is too big a change in this case because I have been using zooms much like primes. I realise that most of my shots are either 14mm (mostly landscape stuff), 24mm (when I'm lazy to change lens), 50mm, 70mm (again at max range of 24-70) or 200mm (when I use the 70-200mm I kinda need it for the telephoto so I'd turn to the max).

I'll probably get better image quality out of the ridiculous D800E sensor and gain the additional 1.3stops of light (although I will most probably still stop down to 2.8 for additional sharpness).

I wouldn't really call this an upgrade but more of a reshuffle as I am "upgrading the camera" but "downgrading the lens". I would be using more of the lenses in the sense that I would actually carry it out. Has anyone else made the switch or upgrade have any advice or opinion please voice them here. It is really a major reshuffle and I would like to garner as much opinion as possible.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.haroldmiller.me
Click to expand...
 
Also, I'm quite worried about the quality of the 16-35mm. Is there a better prime in this range that can fit filters?

I know the CZ21mm f2.8 is better but I don't have the cash for it now.
 
demonicangelz said:
Also, I'm quite worried about the quality of the 16-35mm. Is there a better prime in this range that can fit filters?
Click to expand...
There is no need to be worried about the 16-35mm. The optical quality is very good (distortions are easily corrected in post) and VR is really useful. My main concern for traveling is size. For compact traveling there is the 20mm f/2.8 ( http://www.bythom.com/20lens.htm ). But, not all reviews are favorable. However, you can't beat the size/weight!
 
You can upgrade to D800E but I suggest you keep your trinity lens. And just add 1 or 2 primes. Like 85mm 1.4G and 35mm 1.4G.
 
I should mention that I can't afford to get the D800E without selling at least the 70-200mm and the D300S.

And if I do switch I wouldn't want to spend more money on my camera setup at this point. I'm an enthusiast and do not make money from photography. Doesn't make sense to put so much money into it considering my situation.

I am willing to however sell off all (or part of) my kit and get the D800E + $3.2k USD of lenses.
Luke Lim said:
You can upgrade to D800E but I suggest you keep your trinity lens. And just add 1 or 2 primes. Like 85mm 1.4G and 35mm 1.4G.
Click to expand...
 
yes, the quality of the 16-35mm is supposedly very good

if you want to drop cost, the 28mm f1.8G and the 60mm f2.8G would be my choice

optically the 60mm f2.8 is the bargain of the moment. Colours and contrast all all great:



and you also get a chance to do macro if you want:



best rgds
gomoku said:
demonicangelz said:
Also, I'm quite worried about the quality of the 16-35mm. Is there a better prime in this range that can fit filters?
Click to expand...
There is no need to be worried about the 16-35mm. The optical quality is very good (distortions are easily corrected in post) and VR is really useful. My main concern for traveling is size. For compact traveling there is the 20mm f/2.8 ( http://www.bythom.com/20lens.htm ). But, not all reviews are favorable. However, you can't beat the size/weight!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.haroldmiller.me
 
I'm not too sure actually, its because I have almost no use for a 60mm lens. I would prefer 50mm when working in the 35-70 range.. I would hardly have a purpose for the 60mm.

I am however looking at the 105mm macro because
a) I dont have anything longer than 85mm and
b) I can use it as a macro lens..

Anyone has any experience with this and the D800E
harold1968 said:
if you want to drop cost, the 28mm f1.8G and the 60mm f2.8G would be my choice

optically the 60mm f2.8 is the bargain of the moment. Colours and contrast all all great:



and you also get a chance to do macro if you want:



best rgds
gomoku said:
demonicangelz said:
Also, I'm quite worried about the quality of the 16-35mm. Is there a better prime in this range that can fit filters?
Click to expand...
There is no need to be worried about the 16-35mm. The optical quality is very good (distortions are easily corrected in post) and VR is really useful. My main concern for traveling is size. For compact traveling there is the 20mm f/2.8 ( http://www.bythom.com/20lens.htm ). But, not all reviews are favorable. However, you can't beat the size/weight!
Click to expand...
--
http://www.haroldmiller.me
Click to expand...
 
My most used lens on the D800E is the 24-70 F2.8ED.

I have the 85mm F1.8G and its quite good but 85mm is quite close so its slightly specific to portraits.

50mm in my opinion is more useful for most portraits.

21mm Zeiss F2 is the lens I consistently read about as a top lens in the widefield area.

Perhaps go with that and get fewer lenses. 21mm Zeiss, 50mm F1.8 (cheap).

Greg.
 
demonicangelz said:
I'm not too sure actually, its because I have almost no use for a 60mm lens. I would prefer 50mm when working in the 35-70 range.. I would hardly have a purpose for the 60mm.

I am however looking at the 105mm macro because
a) I dont have anything longer than 85mm and
b) I can use it as a macro lens..

Anyone has any experience with this and the D800E
Click to expand...
The 60mm is quite close to the 85mm and that is a drawback. I have no experience with it but the f/2.8 and macro capabilities means it is quite different from the 50mm f/1.4. It can't match the shallow depth and bokeh of the 50mm.

The 105mm f/2.8 Micro is a very nice lens on my D800. On the 'E' this should be no different. Apart from excellent macro capabilities it also works well as a portrait lens although not quite comparable to an 85mm. Also for traveling it is larger/heavier than the 85mm f/1.8. In the end it is up to what you find more important.

Since you are on a budget you also might consider the D800 instead of the D800E. I am sure the 'E' has its place but it seems like you need to work with the sweet spot apertures of your lens under quite controlled conditions to notice any difference - not quite the typical travel setup. For landscape this means that by stopping down the lens diffraction will reduce the difference between the two. With proper sharpening only very trained eyes in 1:1 pixel peeping exercises will be able to notice any difference. But there are a number of other discussions on this topic so I assume you have already made up your mind based on them and other sources. Just thought it could be something to consider due to your budget constraints.
 
Where I live the two are essentially the same price, so I was thinking of getting the E version instead.

I envision the 60mm having very little use if I get it, whereas I might still use the 105mm for macro. Wouldn't bring it for travel though.
gomoku said:
demonicangelz said:
I'm not too sure actually, its because I have almost no use for a 60mm lens. I would prefer 50mm when working in the 35-70 range.. I would hardly have a purpose for the 60mm.

I am however looking at the 105mm macro because
a) I dont have anything longer than 85mm and
b) I can use it as a macro lens..

Anyone has any experience with this and the D800E
Click to expand...
The 60mm is quite close to the 85mm and that is a drawback. I have no experience with it but the f/2.8 and macro capabilities means it is quite different from the 50mm f/1.4. It can't match the shallow depth and bokeh of the 50mm.

The 105mm f/2.8 Micro is a very nice lens on my D800. On the 'E' this should be no different. Apart from excellent macro capabilities it also works well as a portrait lens although not quite comparable to an 85mm. Also for traveling it is larger/heavier than the 85mm f/1.8. In the end it is up to what you find more important.

Since you are on a budget you also might consider the D800 instead of the D800E. I am sure the 'E' has its place but it seems like you need to work with the sweet spot apertures of your lens under quite controlled conditions to notice any difference - not quite the typical travel setup. For landscape this means that by stopping down the lens diffraction will reduce the difference between the two. With proper sharpening only very trained eyes in 1:1 pixel peeping exercises will be able to notice any difference. But there are a number of other discussions on this topic so I assume you have already made up your mind based on them and other sources. Just thought it could be something to consider due to your budget constraints.
Click to expand...
 
demonicangelz said:
I wouldn't really call this an upgrade but more of a reshuffle as I am "upgrading the camera" but "downgrading the lens".
Click to expand...
One of the many loveable things about the D800e is that it doesn't care what lens you put on it, all of them will blow away your 300s. You'll just have to open a raw on your own computer. Your paradigm will shift.
Suggested budget lenses:
Samyang 14
or
Tokina 16-28
Nikon 24-85VR This is the walkaround kit that won't kill your neck.
Nikon 70-300VR
35 f2
50G
Any 105 macro
 
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