D850 underwater turns out to be a significant upgrade from D810

I've now got 30 dives in with my D850 in a Nauticam housing.  Previously I'd used my D810 in a Nauticam housing for 100+ dives.  I didn't think there would be a tremendous difference, but the results are clear.  For me, the autofocus is proving to be a huge step forward.  It quickly and accurately grabs focus and is giving me perhaps 90%+ accuracy in nailing the tough shots.  I'm thinking of shooting blennys in current surge where you simply can't keep the camera stable and have to trust continuous autofocus and vr.  With the D810 in those situations I took shot after shot, hoping that some of them were right on.  Sometimes 1 out of 30 was, sometimes none, but typically 50 in  those hard-to-focus situations.   Think standing on a swing in wind trying to shoot hummingbirds hovering in front of a feeder.   The D850 has been nailing them time after time.  It's been a real treat to see so many subjects in perfect focus - and with 45 mp for cropping.

Stunning shots.  Congratulations on the new setup.  I'm sure it's very satisfying to prove that you came out with the right decision to upgrade.  I know how that goes.

I have a few questions:

Did you use TTL?  If so, what strobes and trigger system?

Any post-processing?

Do you do video?  If so, how good is the focus tracking for macro?  For wideangle?

Now, I need to find out if upgrading from an a7rii would significantly improve af.  Macro with the 90 mm is pretty slow.

Again, very nice results you got there.

daveco2 wrote:

Stunning shots. Congratulations on the new setup. I'm sure it's very satisfying to prove that you came out with the right decision to upgrade. I know how that goes.

I have a few questions:

Did you use TTL? If so, what strobes and trigger system?

I do not.  I do not have a TTL controller and the D850 has no popup flash to use.

I pretty much set the strobes at half power and change their location as needed.  They are set for a certain distance, and if I have to shoot farther away I re-aim, shoot and accept that I'll have to push the image in post.

Any post-processing?

Yes, I do extensive post processing.  It's part of the fun.

Do you do video? If so, how good is the focus tracking for macro? For wideangle?

I do not do video.  The autofocus is not good enough for how I would shoot.  I'd say you need both a tripod and a mostly stationary subject.

Now, I need to find out if upgrading from an a7rii would significantly improve af. Macro with the 90 mm is pretty slow.

My 105vr really snaps to focus quickly.  FInally quickly enough that when I press the shutter release the image is actually in focus, not just on-the-way-there.

Again, very nice results you got there.

Thanks