Got a new offer for trading D810 against a D4, not sure!

solamnus · May 26, 2016

So i got a pretty nice offer again about trading my new D810 for a used D4.

The D4 looks to be in very good condition, but has 45k exp on it. Mine has something like 4000. So mine is obviously "fresher". Still the allure for me is the better AF and ISO performance for events and sports or action which i shoot quite a lot. And for all the portraits i do i have the DF which is use mainly. I start to really like my D810, however all those pixels i find i do not use that often and that has its drawbacks as well with the filling up space etc.

So what is your suggestion? Is it totally out of the question for someone of my shooting habits, or is it a viable option? A used D4s would have been even better of course, but just wanted some opinions before i decide what to do.

/Martin.

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chipmaster · May 26, 2016

Used D4 going price is 2200-3000 USD depending on condition.

Used D810 can be had now for under 2K with patience and when the D810 replacement comes many will jump again, believe it will have new focus module, more pixels and new expeed. One can argue about the need/fascination for more pixels.

Having owned both the D810 and D4 and now D5/D810. I found D810 a great all around camera and loved the pixel and crop flexibility, but find the D5/D4 were such more responsive cameras. FPS/Focus and response on the D* are just second to none. If action is what you need D4 still a stellar value. All the pixels in the world can't fix the gap between 9FPS and 5 or an OOF shot ( though I rarely found the D810 missed focus ), but you do give up that very very sweet quiet shutter.

In the end comes down to what is your priority and what you wish camera X or camera Y had. I almost never said, geez needed to crop more, more often than not.. dang if only I was a split second earlier or later or dang that focus wasn't just right.

Osvaldo Cristo · May 26, 2016

chipmaster said:
...

Having owned both the D810 and D4 and now D5/D810. I found D810 a great all around camera and loved the pixel and crop flexibility, but find the D5/D4 were such more responsive cameras. FPS/Focus and response on the D* are just second to none. If action is what you need D4 still a stellar value. All the pixels in the world can't fix the gap between 9FPS and 5 or an OOF shot ( though I rarely found the D810 missed focus ), but you do give up that very very sweet quiet shutter.

(bold mine)

I agree, specially for the two points at bold above.

If action isn't your niche, I cannot see a reason to go to D4. Personally I do not like its size as well the fact to miss the embedded flash to fire my SB-200 when making macro. D810 is the best balanced general purpose camera for me.

Regards,

--
O.Cristo - An Amateur Photographer
Opinions of men are almost as various as their faces - so many men so many minds. B. Franklin

solamnus · May 26, 2016

chipmaster said:
Used D4 going price is 2200-3000 USD depending on condition.

Used D810 can be had now for under 2K with patience and when the D810 replacement comes many will jump again, believe it will have new focus module, more pixels and new expeed. One can argue about the need/fascination for more pixels.

Having owned both the D810 and D4 and now D5/D810. I found D810 a great all around camera and loved the pixel and crop flexibility, but find the D5/D4 were such more responsive cameras. FPS/Focus and response on the D* are just second to none. If action is what you need D4 still a stellar value. All the pixels in the world can't fix the gap between 9FPS and 5 or an OOF shot ( though I rarely found the D810 missed focus ), but you do give up that very very sweet quiet shutter.

In the end comes down to what is your priority and what you wish camera X or camera Y had. I almost never said, geez needed to crop more, more often than not.. dang if only I was a split second earlier or later or dang that focus wasn't just right.

solamnus · May 26, 2016

Osvaldo Cristo said:
chipmaster said:

...

Having owned both the D810 and D4 and now D5/D810. I found D810 a great all around camera and loved the pixel and crop flexibility, but find the D5/D4 were such more responsive cameras. FPS/Focus and response on the D* are just second to none. If action is what you need D4 still a stellar value. All the pixels in the world can't fix the gap between 9FPS and 5 or an OOF shot ( though I rarely found the D810 missed focus ), but you do give up that very very sweet quiet shutter.

Click to expand...

(bold mine)

I agree, specially for the two points at bold above.

If action isn't your niche, I cannot see a reason to go to D4. Personally I do not like its size as well the fact to miss the embedded flash to fire my SB-200 when making macro. D810 is the best balanced general purpose camera for me.

Regards,

Section10 · May 26, 2016

I used the d800e and loved it before getting a D4 which I like more. The ONLY thing to miss is some shots are needing cropping. Other than that there wasn't an IQ or dynamic range advantage like 'they' say there is. I compared equal shots at base ISO and most of them were equal but even the D4 looked to have better DR/IQ, just not as large of a picture. Resolution really doesn't equal IQ. D4 has a very unique advantage to photography. At any given moment, when you take a single photo of something, you could technically take 2 or 3 with the D4 giving you a higher chance of 'that shot' that you sometimes miss with a single shot. The shutter is rated higher anyway for probably this reason. For being such a large camera it really doesn't matter, it's the lenses that make them too large to bring places, the D4 just fills out the hand better. Sure my Sony A7ii is tiny by comparison but when i'm walking around with either one, the D4 is still more comfortable despite the extra weight.

Price value alone its a possible trade, D4s would be better but I wouldn't wait for someone to trade one. I think the 'extra detail' aspect to the high mp's cameras is mostly marketing. I didn't see that when I compared my 16mp image with the 36mp images, just bigger. However one thing I DID notice, the high ISO is incredible on the D4 compared to the 36mp. EVEN WHEN DOWNSIZING. Downsizing always lost IQ even though the noise can be matched. That's something that I never see in reviews. They always say the d810 will have so much more detail..(yeah when viewed at 60%, but at 100% it's just not as pleasant) and they never mention how much IQ is lost when you downsize to equal the noise of the D4. This is my real world experience, not scientific testing or marketing.

Seriously consider the D4 if you're not needing all the extra large size of the D810.

T O Shooter · May 26, 2016

First, decide which one you need. If it's the 810 you have it covered. If it's the D4 and it's a straight up trade, it's hard for you to lose. The D4 is worth more than the 810. You should be able to sell it and re-buy a D810 if it doesn't work out.

solamnus · May 26, 2016

T O Shooter said:
First, decide which one you need. If it's the 810 you have it covered. If it's the D4 and it's a straight up trade, it's hard for you to lose. The D4 is worth more than the 810. You should be able to sell it and re-buy a D810 if it doesn't work out.

solamnus · May 26, 2016

Section10 said:
I used the d800e and loved it before getting a D4 which I like more. The ONLY thing to miss is some shots are needing cropping. Other than that there wasn't an IQ or dynamic range advantage like 'they' say there is. I compared equal shots at base ISO and most of them were equal but even the D4 looked to have better DR/IQ, just not as large of a picture. Resolution really doesn't equal IQ. D4 has a very unique advantage to photography. At any given moment, when you take a single photo of something, you could technically take 2 or 3 with the D4 giving you a higher chance of 'that shot' that you sometimes miss with a single shot. The shutter is rated higher anyway for probably this reason. For being such a large camera it really doesn't matter, it's the lenses that make them too large to bring places, the D4 just fills out the hand better. Sure my Sony A7ii is tiny by comparison but when i'm walking around with either one, the D4 is still more comfortable despite the extra weight.

Price value alone its a possible trade, D4s would be better but I wouldn't wait for someone to trade one. I think the 'extra detail' aspect to the high mp's cameras is mostly marketing. I didn't see that when I compared my 16mp image with the 36mp images, just bigger. However one thing I DID notice, the high ISO is incredible on the D4 compared to the 36mp. EVEN WHEN DOWNSIZING. Downsizing always lost IQ even though the noise can be matched. That's something that I never see in reviews. They always say the d810 will have so much more detail..(yeah when viewed at 60%, but at 100% it's just not as pleasant) and they never mention how much IQ is lost when you downsize to equal the noise of the D4. This is my real world experience, not scientific testing or marketing.

Seriously consider the D4 if you're not needing all the extra large size of the D810.

Awesome

and yes i agree with a lot of what you write. Its like when im using my Df i like the pictures that comes out of it a lot more than my D810 ones for some reason. Its almost like comparing a well made movie which is beautifully filmed and compare it to a newer film with 3d and high frame rate etc, it does not mean that newer film will appeal as much for me at all. Still the high detail etc is great when shooting like landscapes etc, there it really comes into its own.

Only thing im a bit worried about is that much higher shutter count on the D4. But maybe its not that expensive replacing it.

CptAmerica · May 26, 2016

solamnus said:
So i got a pretty nice offer again about trading my new D810 for a used D4.

The D4 looks to be in very good condition, but has 45k exp on it. Mine has something like 4000. So mine is obviously "fresher". Still the allure for me is the better AF and ISO performance for events and sports or action which i shoot quite a lot. And for all the portraits i do i have the DF which is use mainly. I start to really like my D810, however all those pixels i find i do not use that often and that has its drawbacks as well with the filling up space etc.

So what is your suggestion? Is it totally out of the question for someone of my shooting habits, or is it a viable option? A used D4s would have been even better of course, but just wanted some opinions before i decide what to do.

/Martin.

Because you have a DF already, AND sometimes finding yourself shooting action with ISO performance requirements, a DF + D4 combo is better than a DF + 810 combo. Your D810 is fresher, but the D4 is more expensive...seems like a fair trade to me. I would certainly go for it. Most of my free-time shooting I spend chasing my son around the yard as he plays... and I don't think a lesser camera than a pro D body could keep up. As long as you are up for it's heft, go for it. It's about a half pound heavier... but is better balanced with a large lens.

solamnus · May 26, 2016

CptAmerica said:
solamnus said:

So i got a pretty nice offer again about trading my new D810 for a used D4.

The D4 looks to be in very good condition, but has 45k exp on it. Mine has something like 4000. So mine is obviously "fresher". Still the allure for me is the better AF and ISO performance for events and sports or action which i shoot quite a lot. And for all the portraits i do i have the DF which is use mainly. I start to really like my D810, however all those pixels i find i do not use that often and that has its drawbacks as well with the filling up space etc.

So what is your suggestion? Is it totally out of the question for someone of my shooting habits, or is it a viable option? A used D4s would have been even better of course, but just wanted some opinions before i decide what to do.

/Martin.

Click to expand...

Because you have a DF already, AND sometimes finding yourself shooting action with ISO performance requirements, a DF + D4 combo is better than a DF + 810 combo. Your D810 is fresher, but the D4 is more expensive...seems like a fair trade to me. I would certainly go for it. Most of my free-time shooting I spend chasing my son around the yard as he plays... and I don't think a lesser camera than a pro D body could keep up. As long as you are up for it's heft, go for it. It's about a half pound heavier... but is better balanced with a large lens.

Thank you, and yes, it seems like a fair trade. It looks to be in pretty good condition on the outside also, not much worn down by the looks of it.

Will give it some serious thought this week and decide if he still wants to trade this weekend now.

/Martin.

Section10 · May 26, 2016

43k on a D4 is what I call beginner.

It's rated at twice the D810 anyway. But I believe to expect $400-600 to replace. Mine is closer to 200,000k already and not thinking of getting it replaced any time soon.

solamnus · May 26, 2016

Section10 said:
43k on a D4 is what I call beginner.

It's rated at twice the D810 anyway. But I believe to expect $400-600 to replace. Mine is closer to 200,000k already and not thinking of getting it replaced any time soon.

That is great news then

Thank you for that. Then at least i know it is not going to break( anything can happen of course) right away but will last a while if nothing strange occurs.

/Martin.

faocisco · May 26, 2016

worried about that 40k ??

Loading…

www.dpreview.com

Francisco

CptAmerica · May 26, 2016

Fao91 said:
worried about that 40k ??

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4005695

Francisco

Yeah, the D4 is rated for 400k shots. 40k, it's just getting broken in.

solamnus · May 26, 2016

Fao91 said:
worried about that 40k ??

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/4005695

Francisco

ah haha, maybe not any longer

Cheers.

dccberry · May 26, 2016

I own and use both cameras, and my impressions are this: After (first) using the D810 for editorial jobs, and also for making large prints, it is tough to use the D4, which I bought recently. The D810 images have way more detail in them, so if image quality is a prime concern, there is no contest. Softer shutter of the D810 suits my needs for close-in candid work. That being said, I love the balance and build quality of the D4- no comparison to the D810. It fits perfectly in my hands, and just feels right. I don't think that its autofocus is substantially better for tracking action, but higher frame rate may be a bonus if you need it. If I shot a ton of stuff in bad weather, and needed super-high frame rate and bulletproof build quality, I would love the D4 more. As it is, for me, it is about image quality, and big prints (larger than 20x24), so I will probably let mine go. Not sure what I would replace it with though. I am actually having the most fun these days with my Ricoh GR, which blows my socks off for such a small camera.

Nexu1 · May 26, 2016

Think about what you want or need. Price aside, I'd pick the D810. I just like the combination of smaller body and higher MP better. I can't imagine you're in this deal for the dollars, that wouldn't make much sense to me. For me, I'd keep the D810.

chipmaster · May 26, 2016

No question d810 enabled incredible detail and flexibility, but bring the right lens and the d4 is pretty capable. My favorite print is still an old d3s where when I get up close the grass still looks good, probably not d810 sharp bit when I took the shot I had 4 shots to pick from, if the d810 was avaliable than probably only 2 shots, a huge advantage for action when moments are fleeting!

Sports/action d4, blow up big not convinced d4 can't do it also. I do think it is easy to be impressed by resolution and peeping and less clear when you just don't see the shot you missed, LOL.

jkjond · May 27, 2016

Surely a D4+810 makes more sense for what you do than a D4 + Df which share the same sensor? I'm pretty sure the Df would become a backup camera for me, where a d810 would have its specific uses.

Got a new offer for trading D810 against a D4, not sure!

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