"Your Favorite D800 Photos" Wed 26-Sep-12 01:02 AM by klrbee25
Chicago, US
Post them up. Let's see the best of your D800 library thus far. Not just ones you think are good. Let's see your FAVORITES. Here are four landscapes from my recent trip that I like best.
#3. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0 Wed 26-Sep-12 02:51 AM by sbpatel75
Chicago, US
Amazing pictures, Alex!
I'll steer clear of posting landscapes so as not to embarrass myself
Instead, I offer up these as my favorites because each possess various combinations of elements (sharpness, resolution, color, detail) that I truly believe speak to the quality of the D800 and which I could never get with my D200. These images were reduced to fit within Nikonian uploading rules, but I think the pictures still do the D800 justice.
#39. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 21
Chicago, US
Marsha & Hawk Eyes,
Thanks! Hawk Eyes is right, it's nice to see actual photographs instead of photographs of paper. Both have a place in this forum, but good balance between technical and creative is great.
#76. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 3
GREENSBORO, US
The eye and the heart of the photographer brings out the best from the lens and the camera!
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#9. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Chicago, US
Thanks everyone. I'm really enjoying your posts and work. Keep it up!
My recent trip to Yellowstone/Tetons really showed me just what a fantastic camera we have. The above images were all taken with a tripod except for the portrait of the yellow Aspens. Good technique really does get rewarded with this camera and poor technique magnified.
Looking forward to seeing more of your favorite shots.
#12. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 11
Poway, US
Bob,
It is one of my favorites, too. It was taken on the "17 Mile Drive" outside Monterey, CA and Carmel, CA (near the Pebble Beach Golf Course). The tree on the right is the iconic "Lone Cypress" which is the emblem of the 17 Mile Mile Drive.
My wife and I took the drive in the morning and the weather was very overcast with coastal clouds. We had a late lunch in Carmel and the sun came out. So, we hopped in the car and headed back to the Lone Cypress to find great late afternoon light.
#26. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 15
Dyserth, GB
Brilliant and birds and other wildlife really test the metal of the D800/E. As said, the feather detail is just about as good as it gets. I think I need to upgrade my VRI version of my 70-200mm and buy the TCIII
#31. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 28
Dyserth, GB
Wim
I only took up bird and wildlife photography 3 years ago. I have been waiting for the D400 to replace my D7000, but have now decided I've waited long enough. I've only had the D800 3 weeks, but already I have decided, apart from feeble fps, it will do everything the D7000 does and possibly the D400 could too, apart from fps. All is not lost fps wise, as I now also have the MB-D12 grip and on DX mode the D800 will do 6 fps, plenty for me.
If the sun ever appears in the UK again and the day stops looking like the night, I will look forward to getting out and about to do some more D800 work.
#16. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Fort Collins, US
I'm an airplane guy, so my favorites have to include a couple. The first two are old Douglas DC-3s. The feline is Grizzy the cat. What I consider interesting about it, though, is that it is taken at ISO 25600. Multiple crappy light sources in our TV room, but it's one of my favorites. I can't believe the technology in this camera.
#23. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
winnipeg, CA
I guess this thread really indicates that people with D800s go to really nice places and are able to capture that special moment. Really good stuff!!! Here is my effort. Early morning in Canadian Rockies just east of Jasper.
#29. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0 Thu 27-Sep-12 10:04 AM by phlpyro
Harrow, GB
Hi all Havent posted images before hope this works. I have had my D800 since July I have found it a steep learning curve from D300 (still a way to go) but I love it. Pictures taken at a production of The Cheery Orchard at Network Theatre (under Waterloo station). See more www.paul-h-lunnon.co.uk Phlpyro (uk) Paul H Lunnon
#59. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 32
Harrow, GB
Richard
Many thanks for compliments much appreciated most of the work I do is in low light hence the decision to invest in the D800. In fact I have to think hard when I am out in daylight. The work displayed on this post has been wonderfull.
#37. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0 Thu 27-Sep-12 03:36 PM by rwwright
Fairview, TX, US
not the greatest photo around, BUT ISO 3200, 1/20, f/6.3, handheld, 24-70 at 24 various adjustments including small amount noise reduction downtown santa fe church
#38. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 37
Chicago, US
Fabulous truck shot! I love realistic-looking HDR shots like this one. I like the versatility of HDR technique, but the cartoonish and impressionistic examples of HDRs never seem to appeal to me.
#41. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0 Fri 28-Sep-12 12:43 PM by phlpyro
Harrow, GB
When I posted my three theatre pictures earlier today I never exspected I would be in such exaulted company. After reading D800 post after post re problems that poor owners had suffered it is great to see what our cameras are capable of and spurs me on to do more. Thank you all for boosting my confidence in my purchase I knew I had made the right decision and this has now confirmed it and shows me what I have to aspire to. I wanted to coment on your photographs but there are just to many great images so I gave up, "pictures are better than words". Thank you fellow Nikonians
#43. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Bellevue, US
Hi Alex,
All of the images posted are great. I have a D800E and have been practicing with it before I go down to ANPAT in October. My images are not quite up to the rest but I am attaching an image of the mountains to the east of Mt. Ranier from a few weeks ago. It was taken with a 24 mm f/1.4G on a tripod with f/1.4 @ 1/4000 around 4:30 in the afternoon.
#44. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 43
Farmington Hills, US
Tom
With wide angle lenses it's easy to create great vistas that aren't quite as you remember them. Often the problem is there is no foreground interest. Getting down lower and getting a closeup of a couple of those wildflowers with the same scene in the background would be a major improvement.
It looks like we will have several D800/D800e cameras on ANPAT. It will be a great opportunity to share experiences about dealing with the high resolution and the large files.
Here's my D800e offering from today. This was one of several small runoff paths below a large waterfall in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The light was wrong for a compelling picture of the waterfall, so I turned around and found this shot.
D800e, Nikkor 28-70/2.8 @34mm with CPL filer. 1/13 sec, f/8, ISO 59 (Lo 1)
Gary in SE Michigan, USA. Co-organizer of the Southern Michigan Chapter Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the camera. D4, D800e, D300, D90, F6, FM3a (black), FM2n (chrome) YashicaMat 124, Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 My Nikonians Gallery & Our Chapter Gallery
#46. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 44
Bellevue, US
Hi Gary,
I agree with you completely -- that particular shot would certainly improve with some foreground interest. I am more than happy however with the camera in general and look forward to improving my own technique as time passes and I get out more.
#75. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 44
GREENSBORO, US
"...so I turned around and found this shot." So many times my most memorable images were revealed by just turning around! That routine should be taught at every photo outing, class and seminar.
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#57. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 43 Fri 28-Sep-12 04:43 PM by klrbee25
Chicago, US
Hey Tom,
That's some gorgeous mountain scenery. I actually like the way you framed it and used a large aperture. It gives it a bit of a dreamy feel with the foreground being out of focus. Is that what you were going for? Before I saw the photo, I had only read the EXIF data and saw you shot it at f/1.4 which is unusual for a tripod landscape shot.
#61. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 57
Bellevue, US
Hi Alex,
Thanks for the comments. I am still trying to get used to the D800E and what I can do with it. When I took that picture I was experimenting with a few things. It wasn't possible for me to include a foreground in that particular image so I thought about trying for something that would not emphasize the foreground and chose a large aperture. The camera is really an amazing tool.
#48. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Manorville, US
So many beautiful photos I just love looking through them. Thanks for posting them. But my favorite is the sleeping lion. Such beauty, such detail. Amazing Liz
#49. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 48
Jamesville, US
Hi Liz. Thank you for your compliment on my sleeping lion picture. It was a tough one to take as the princess was shot behind glass with some reflection. Reza ------------- Please visit my galleries: Reza Gorji Photography
#51. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Texas, US
Alex started this post out with favorites 'suitable for framing' and gorgeous shots of the mountains. Throughout there are some gorgeous landscape shots. Since I haven't been to the mountains lately, will have to content myself with some shots around TX.
These are some that I like for different reasons. All happen to be taken with the 70-300mm. I'm not sure any of these are suitable for framing, but I would welcome constructive comments, a la Gary's very helpful comments.
You try and you try. I like this one because I thought it just came out right. I have some BIF shots, but this is still my favorite.
I like this one because it exemplifies the DR - what you can pull out of the shadows with the D800
Finally, this one's fun because of the resolution - I didn't even see the dangling legs when the helicopter flew by...
#54. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 51
Dyserth, GB
Once again, yet another good match a D800 + 70-300. The bird image is excellent with lots of detail. I see it was taken at 300mm, which usually softens the image with the 70-300mm. My experience of that lens was excellent up to 250mm, but your copy seems fine at maximum.
<<I'm not sure any of these are suitable for framing, but I would welcome constructive comments>>
I have looked at your image and just darkened the mid tones and to my eye it looks better for it. I think it would make an excellent framed image.
#56. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 54
Texas, US
Thanks, Richard for your response. I had not heard about 70-300 softness at the long end. I very commonly run it out to maximum, because, of course, I would like to have 600mm.
Also appreciate your comment on mid tones, I'll look into that. I'm still a novice at PP.
#58. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0 Fri 28-Sep-12 04:54 PM by agitater
Toronto, CA
Door number 1. Shot for a poverty project on behalf of a research client. Spectacular dynamic range, endlessly fine detail, reds handled beautifully. The D800 is a home run for Nikon.
#62. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 58
Jamesville, US
Awesome shots by everyone and I mean everyone. Thanks for starting this thread. Maybe we should organize a thread a month where folks can show off their pics. ------------- Please visit my galleries: Reza Gorji Photography
#64. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 62
Chicago, US
I like it. The D800 forum seems to get bogged down with perceived problems and doesn't tout the real attributes of D800 ownership. Perhaps we can do a monthly photo contest with various themes but all photos must be shot with a D800 (so it's a D800 forum thread).
#66. "My Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
GREENSBORO, US
These were made with the 70-180mm f4.5-5.6 Micro-Nikkor Zoom (Pearl of Great Price and Magnolia2), the 70-300mm f4.5-5.6 VRII (July Cloud2) and the 16-35mm f4 VRII (Linville Wilderness36) lenses.
When I look at the full size images I have to put my socks back on!
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#72. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 69
CA
PhotoSpydie, These are incredible shots with respect to detail, composition and exposure. What a privilege to see the great success of others! M. Edmunds
#74. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 73
Farmington Hills, US
I believe these are the Grand Tetons in Wyoming. The second one is definitely the Mormon Barns site.
Regardless of location they are beautiful pictures.
Gary in SE Michigan, USA. Co-organizer of the Southern Michigan Chapter Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the camera. D4, D800e, D300, D90, F6, FM3a (black), FM2n (chrome) YashicaMat 124, Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 My Nikonians Gallery & Our Chapter Gallery
#78. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 77
Dyserth, GB
Perhaps not the best image, but taken under difficult circumstances. Lately, it doesn't want to stop raining in the UK and the light is particularly atrocious today. The Squirrel is eating peanuts in a shaded area of the garden with a dark background. To get an exceptable speed with my Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 OS lenses I had to increase ISO to 3200. The target was 90ft away.
What surprised me was the lack of high ISO noise and the out of camera sharpness. However, sharpness has been increased by amount 69 radius 0.9. This is the first image I've taken at ISO3200 and it exceeds the results of my D700 and not surprisingly my D7000.
Richard
Nikon D800 - Sigma 50-500mm f4.5-6.3 OS - Focal length 500mm - 1/200 @ f6.3 - ISO3200. OS ON - Handheld
#85. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Chicago, US
Great shots Everyone. I should have thought of it sooner but lets include our shooting data (shutter speed, focal length, f-stop, iso, and any other interesting details that 'made' the shot).
#86. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Simsbury, US
I've posted quite a few in the Sports and Macro forums (fora?) so I thought I'd post some shots of my grandkids having fun in the pool. I love the tonal quality of the D800. All with 70-200 VR1, all hand held.
#91. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 90
Southgate, London, GB
>What an impressive bunch of pics. I think I have some more >practice to do! > >Dan K.
Dan
I have similar thoughts to you.
Though practice is important in photography, a photographer has to see a picture and take it. Part of that is also luck in being there at a time where there is a real Kodak moment as opposed to a general photo.
Also imagination in croping on the electronic dark room can help, but this is related to an earlier point of mine - seeing a picture and taking it.
#92. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 91
GREENSBORO, US
And for me, that process has always been a lot of fun!
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#93. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 92 Wed 03-Oct-12 07:07 PM by backtoit
Burlington, CA
Awesome photos everyone. I am just a newbie with some great equipment. So now I must practice to achieve some great shots like all yours.
This is a crop of one I took handheld of my kitten (a ragdoll) I think I resized it ok in LR4 but I ma new to that also having upgraded(?) from CS3 to LR4
#97. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 96
GREENSBORO, US
Number two is exquisite!
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#98. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 95
US
I am new to the forum, and the D800. After seeing these photos, I am pleased with the D800's performance. (And my decision to buy one.) To all the photographers using it, I say Wow! I have some work to do. I hope to contribute some of my own. It will be a tough act to follow.
#101. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Farmington Hills, US
My wife and I were in Michigan's Upper Peninsula for the fall colors. We were on the path to view a waterfall. The only view of the waterfall was from above, access to the base of the fall was completely fenced off, the sun was at the wrong angle, etc. Needless to say the shots of the waterfall were a complete bust.
My wife saved the day though. She had wandered a few feet off the asphalt path and spotted this little flower in some plants that were so dry they were brittle. The flower was only about 1/2" (12mm) across. This is by far my favorite shot of the day.
Click this image to see a larger image. D800e with Nikkor 80-200/2.8 AF-S @200m and Canon 500D close up "filter". 1/50sec, f/5.6, ISO 400. This is a 1905x2406 crop (~4.5Mp) from the full image.
Gary in SE Michigan, USA. Co-organizer of the Southern Michigan Chapter Nikonians membership - My most important photographic investment, after the camera. D4, D800e, D300, D90, F6, FM3a (black), FM2n (chrome) YashicaMat 124, Graflex Speed Graphic 4x5 My Nikonians Gallery & Our Chapter Gallery
#107. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
San Francisco, US
Can someone please tell me how to post a picture from my webpage direct to a forum post? I have tried the HTML Reference guide however all that shows up when I preview my message is the link. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Thank you.
#114. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 112
GREENSBORO, US
These images in a word: "Inspiring!"
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#115. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 112
GREENSBORO, US
These images in a word: "Inspiring!"
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#111. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
St Petersburg, RU
No many available where I am with just the ipad but here is one from 2 days ago while walking in the park with a friend. A girl asked me to take a photo of her with her D90 and 50mm 1/8D. I did but the backlight was so strong that the fill flash did not brighten her face so I pulled out my D800 with sb900 from the bag. Not 5 minutes later another girl asks me to take a photo with her point and shoot but used the D800 instead. This time the harsh light was on her face so used the flash again which darkened the background for isolation Stan St Petersburg Russia
#121. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 118 Wed 10-Oct-12 11:29 AM by km6xz
St Petersburg, RU
Yes, Richard, I think we are losing important parts of the culture, like feeling comfortable meeting strangers and expecting, and getting only a pleasant conversation. When in the US, I do not use a camera at all in public places unless people are not around, particularly if children are around. When I first got my D90 I was visiting back in the US and my next door neighbor kid asked me to take photos of his trick skateboarding routine at the nearest skateboard park. About 20 shots into it, the police came and interrogated me in the back of a squad car for 30 minutes and made me give them my memory card because he was 17. The two cops said I was lucky, since they could have held me for 72 hours. I had owned a home there a block away for 20 years and they said since they did not know me, their assumption is, by policy, to think I was up to no-good. Someone called the police because an adult was taking photos of a kid doing extreme tricks on a skateboard.
What a difference in attitude here in Russia. If someone approaches another, it is assumed they have something to say, not that there is ill-intent. In my case, she approached me with the very common request to take her photo with her own camera. My D800 and lenses were hidden in my backpack. If I do take a photo of someone I always approach them to show it to them and they always thank ME for shooting, even if they did not expect a copy. It seems that this society is less uptight and relaxed by far than back in the US and in the UK where fear of the extremely rare impacts every aspect of life. Shooting a couple photos of some nice, smart happy young ladies is the norm on a brief stroll in the park, I only posted these because they were downloaded to my iPad and I sent them from that while sitting in a cafe. Socializing with and meeting strangers everyday is one of the real pleasures of living here. Stan St Petersburg Russia
#129. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 121
GREENSBORO, US
My "being watched" experience unfolded during a lunch break in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina. I enjoyed imaging the architectural details of nearby buildings and engaging in street photography for an hour each day when one day two plainclothes cops arrived at my office and interrogated me at length about my intended use of the images I was making (I also conducted my own photo business then). It was demanded that I come to the police station and provide a report of my where-abouts and what I was taking pictures of each day including ALL of my paid photo assignments and submit the report every week. I had to do that for more than a year whether I was at a local park, at lunch, out of town for a wedding and anywhere else I happened to take my Nikons. What was done with these reports I was never told. One day I simply stopped sending in the reports and have not heard from anyone since. BIG BROTHER is ALIVE.
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#130. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 129
Dyserth, GB
Good heavens,that must have been soul destroying. You bet BIG BROTHER is alive and in the UK and it's not helped by media paranoia and basically because people feel threatened because they are conditioned to be so.
#224. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 121
US
It is so true we have lost our way. The only place you can legitimatly taking pictures is in a public garden, like the Longwoods in PA, where they warn people away if you don't want in somebody's photos. Any other places, like a bridge, building, there will be people calling the security., because taking pictures is considered suspicious.
#122. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 119
St Petersburg, RU
No, she is very shy, and I am surprised she asked me to take the photo in the first place. She is only 18 and the girl in the upper photo is 29. When out and about, if I take a photo with someone in it, I offer it to them. They usually want one and I give them a card that says "Amateur Photographer" and name, email and phone number. I wait for them to contact me because I could never keep all the numbers and contact information straight of the people I meet every day. Stan St Petersburg Russia
#123. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 122 Wed 10-Oct-12 11:42 AM by richardd300
Dyserth, GB
<< They usually want one and I give them a card that says "Amateur Photographer" and name, email and phone number.>>
Yes, I carry one too. I got stopped in Chester during the holiday season and was asked not to photograph by a jobsworth street warden! As I was discussing in a polite manner what I actually could and could not do with my camera a police officer arrived. He apologised to me, explained to the jobsworth and told me to enjoy my day.
I also take photo's of the local junior football teams, but can only capture the local teams in the goal mouth or practicing. If playing, I would have to be CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) by every other team playing and there's 44 in the league. I hate it and feel most awkward when I take my camera out. Wish I lived in London or one of the big cities where because of tourism I would be more accepted. That's the trouble with living in a small minded backwater in a paranoid country. Sadly, I am restricted to Landscape and wildlife. This is why I love using my camera abroad and St Petersburg was a joy for a photographer.
#124. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 123
St Petersburg, RU
"I envy your freedom Stan." That is really an ironic idea, only 20 years after the fall of the Iron Curtain, we envy the personal freedom of those on the other side. That sense of personal freedom, that manifests itself every day is the most important single reason I am here. It is sad I can't feel normal back home Seems like we are hijacking the thread. I'll post some of my Scotland photos from 3-4 days after getting the D800. To get back on track here is a photo that convinced me that it is a special camera, the 11th image I took with it. It is facing into the sun which I cropped out, The shadows cast by Doune Castle were black. I added +4ev of shadow lift and there was very little noise in the resulting detail of the stone work. No DSLR could do that before the D800. Also, the shot was up under the castle with a lot of perspective distortion as expected from the 24mm so I messed with free transforms in Photoshop CS6 to correct most of the distortion caused by shooting up with a wide angle. Not a great image but really cool demo of what shadow detail there is lurking in deep shadows. Stan St Petersburg Russia
#125. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 124
St Petersburg, RU
Here is another one that benefited from lifting very dark shadows. This is inside the castle looking out to dark side of the castle. There was no detail seen of the interior, just the window light in the original file which is 1/125 sec; f/4.5; ISO 640 24mm. I was able to lift the shadows so be able to see the detail of the stone work, which is more than I could do with my unaided eye! Stan St Petersburg Russia
#126. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 125
Chicago, US
Nice example. The details you were able to extract from the stone are remarkable.
As for the conversation about photography and paranoia, I think gender really does matter in uptight countries like the U.S. I travel frequently alone and find that people have a friendly curiosity when I pull my serious gear. All kinds of people come up to speak to me, couples...elderly gents...elderly ladies....kids....passing strangers. Flashing people a friendly, shy smile seems to help too. I find showing off my camera is a great way to break the language barrier when traveling abroad. Granted, I am also 5'1" and about as threatening as a kitten, but regardless, I think women photographers enjoy many more freedoms and a great deal of latitude when photographing in public. About the only area I feel I have to limit myself is taking pictures in and around sensitive transportation centers (airports, train stations, subways). But, it those cases, I know that a brown person taking such photo may raise a ton of security flags. It's unfortunate because here in Chicago we have elevated subway tracks in the downtown/city center area that would be great subjects for long-exposure or HDR shots.
Sadly, no single men come up to chat. I think a serious camera in the hands of a women might be a bit intimidating for most men.
Here are examples of my latest reasons for loving my D800...
#128. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 127 Wed 10-Oct-12 06:55 PM by km6xz
St Petersburg, RU
I agree, it is not the camera but men are wary of being thought of as aggressive or as stalkers. Men who do not wish to offend, the nice guys stay away, because they have learned that a surprising percentage of random encounters turn out badly with the woman becoming angry or hostile. Even 5% of encounters turn out badly is lesson enough. The rude, unaware and actual aggressive men, don't care what the woman thinks and goes ahead and that further sets the impression that "men" are that way because the only ones to approach ARE aggressive and not nice. It was not always that way, when I was a young boy, my mom would box my ears if a woman was passed and I did not formally greet her and wish her a pleasant day. Now, doing that would get one arrested or at least detained so the negative reaction has trained 2 generations of men to ignore women in casual situations or actively avoid social contact. The genders are at war with each other,each accusing the other for being unapproachable. Just the opposite social norms are in place here. Women go out of their way to signal that they are approachable and friendly so men feel confident in doing so. Aggressive men are weeded out quickly and ignored and not used as an excuse to judge all men. Same with men assuming that less polite reactions are individual, rare and not characteristic of the female of the species. Take as an example of the coveted phone number. In the west men seek it as a symbol of acceptance and women protect it as if it is their bank account access code and both play games to exchange it. Here its viewed as simple another identification like a first name, and has no emotional import. Ask any woman or man for their phone number, and they will give it, even if they do not like you. But you have to give them a reason to not like you since most people are very non-judgemental. I am older yet, there is no stigma attached to it so I can and have walked up to just about any woman I have wished to, and asked them for conversation over tea or a drink and had them accept if I was polite and seemed to have something interesting to say. Interesting respectful conversation, good humor and decent social skills are well appreciated. I am more wary of the age differences than the woman I meet so when I go dancing, a couple times a week until 6am, I am frequently the only man on the dance floor most of the night, the only one over 30y.o. and only one who does not approach women/girls. But by 2am, I have gotten to meet them all, usually invited to join all girl parties(birthday or other celebrations etc) possibly because I seem to be there for the fun, not to find a girl, and always have something interesting to talk about the topic they are discussing. Almost all my close friends for years here are young women in their 20s to about 32 mainly because they are the ones with similar pursuits and activities. I like being around them because they are optimistic, well educated, well traveled, good humored and rather attractive, fit and stylish.
Yes, I do have a lot of fun;>) Stan St Petersburg Russia
#133. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 132
Seattle, US
I really enjoy seeing all of the great photos that have been posted. After being on a wait list for 3 1/2 months finally received my D800E and went on an 8 mile hike in the N. Cascades last weekend to see what the camera could do. I am blown away by the dynamic range and quality of detail in the shadows. Out of habit I took quite a few bracketed shots for HDR but during post processing discovered I didn't really need to resort to the HDR process.
Handheld (didn't want to carry the tripod this trip). I had a 30 lb pack so I only carried my 28-300 mm f/3.5-5.6. Looking forward to testing the camera with my 2.8's around home this weekend.
Fall reflections: 1/160 sec at f/11, ISO 400, 90 mm Log - Bulldogpaddle: 1/500 sec at f/11, ISO 400, 170 mm
#146. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 135
GREENSBORO, US
I call your attachment #1 "The Flying Dutchman". I get a smile on my face each time I view it!
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#143. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 142 Wed 17-Oct-12 03:42 PM by mark lj
GB
Jings but there are some amazing photos in this thread. Had the Nikon 800 for under two weeks and still waiting for lenses (previously Pentaxian). Not really taken any keepers so far but these are my two favourites so far.
#155. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 143
Ithaca, US
I love the atmosphere of the first one! A secondary title might be "Invasion of the windmills"...the mist gives the feeling of a post-apocalyptic event in which mankind has been wiped out...that or I just need to get some rest
#145. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 137
GREENSBORO, US
"From the Sea" is timeless...so says this old sailor.
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#144. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0 Wed 17-Oct-12 03:41 PM by Devek
Tucson, US
I keep visiting this thread to see the images only.
In my opinion, there is nothing between the beautiful images and the D800. It blows my mind how much credit is given to the camera, rather than to the eye behind the tool, the location and the timing.
The ONLY thing so far I love about the D800 is, the fact the images are captured at 36MP. The ability to crop is great. That's it.
I got great images from the D7000 (yes, DX, so what) and the Sony A55. The D800 was a huge investment and WITH it I capture great images, but I don't give the credit to the camera. It is only a tool.
I don't post process any of my images. If I did, I probably could have use a simpler camera to capture the same images, then massage them to make reality "better".
#149. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 144
Chicago, US
I agree that the camera doesn't make the photographer. However, I'm able to do things with my D800 that my D300 could never do. The dynamic range improvement is dramatic.
#150. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 144
St Petersburg, RU
One of the reasons users are fawning over the D800 is that every subsystem works in such harmony that we have not seen before. The metering is the best I've seen, the color is the best Nikon I have seen, the AF sticks after initial acquisition like Velcro, the DR is really evident and tolerate, the files are extremely flexible yet for my tastes, post processing is hardly done or needed.
Sure, the res grabs the headlines but the real world difference is how well everything works together in a balanced system, like nothing I have seen before. The D7000 is capable of very good images, absolutely but it helps to have some luck, as with the D800 it is a matter of routine. When I first got the camera, before even reading the manual, I went to Scotland and surprised myself on how few images I took, one per scene I was interested in. The only ones not kept were those which had composition problems, none were technically poor. Any conditions thrown at it, the D800 shined, dark unlit castle interiors, harsh backlit scenes, darting diving waterfowl, candid street shots at midnight handheld etc, all well exposed, very low noise, good color excellent WB with mixed sources. A recent wedding here was shot in natural light, with flash, at night, daylight, glaring sun, in a park, a dark forest and wedding venue and all those light mixtures, no post adjustment of WB, no exposure problems. I used a D7000 on the shoot also, some turned out really good as expected but no where near as consistent as the 1-frame gets from the D800. That is why I love the D800, others have their reasons but they DO have reasons. Stan St Petersburg Russia
#151. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 150
Dyserth, GB
I have similar experiences Stan. I bought Thom's book and before I could even digest 10% of it took myself off to Cornwall to flex the D800 muscles.
People got cross with me over my journey with the D7000 and my comment that other Nikon's "worked out of the box". Never did I have to work so hard to master that camera. The D800 arrived and within a day it felt so right, did as it was told and yes, the AF really does stick like velcro. The dynamic range is extraordinary and the colour rendering is just unbelievable. I could so easily run out of expletives to describe it.
I didn't think that my D700 could have it's title of "my best ever camera" taken from it, but I was so wrong. The D800 rocks. Mind you I've just bought a Nikon V1 and for it's size that camera boxes above its weight to!
#152. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Ludington, US
Here is my favorite shot from my first day out shooting with the D800. The scene is Black Lake in Oceana County Michigan. Shot at ISO 100, f/11 and a shutter of 1/200. Lens used is a 24-120mm at 35mm.
#156. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 152 Fri 19-Oct-12 07:46 AM by km6xz
St Petersburg, RU
Very nice, really like the balance of interest above and below the horizon so makes me step back to take it all in, the way an image should be viewed. It is such a joy to shoot at low ISO with this camera because the rewards are greater than in any other camera in retained tone range.
Here are a few handheld, one a crop using a 70-200 at 1/200 of a detail of local church in the late evening and the other is a 36mm shot of a local park when I first got the camera home from buying it in California. I was concerned about hand holding and in these cases I think, ever with slow SS, it is pretty forgiving. The next one is my friend's wedding and the 4th is catching my friend and her new husband in the ray of strong light from an overhead skylight. I purposely tried to over expose the bright light to get the faces brighter while giving a glow to the bright silhouette edges. Stan St Petersburg Russia
#160. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 158 Fri 19-Oct-12 08:19 AM by km6xz
St Petersburg, RU
Thanks Richard, but I am surprised by how muted and dull they all look after squeezing them down to 250k from the full sized images, I guess I have to learn how to downsize to appropriate ratios. The shots of my friend's wedding look downright blurry and dull compared to the large prints I had done as their wedding set. I just tried to downsize another image from the first 30 frames taken with the D800, this one uses a different downsize method to see it is any better. This is of a wildflower growing from the walls of the ruins of Inchamhome Priory in the middle of Lake of Menteith in Scotland, hand held, 70-200 1/200 on a dark cloudy, rainy day Stan St Petersburg Russia
#162. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 160
Dyserth, GB
Nice capture. I must admit I thought the images were sharp as a knife and wonder if it's your browser. Just re-looked and they certainly look fine to me. I can't imagine the church being sharper.
I check all my RAW images in Lightroom4 and if any really appeal I leave them at full resolution. The others I choose to keep I downsize to 16MP. If I want web images I retain the resolution of 240 ppi and resize the longest edge to 860 px and then save in sRGB at above 150Kb. My web site help team informed me that saving below 150kb can lead to odd and poor looking images. So I guess you are doing about the same as I do except your image size is larger.
#163. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 162 Fri 19-Oct-12 09:41 AM by km6xz
St Petersburg, RU
Thanks Richard, I will try the higher res resample, to 240, mine are lower, 72-100 to get under 300kb. Keeping the res higher and size lower might make the difference. I just tried viewing these 100ppi downsamples on my iPAD which has over 250ppi and they do look better but no where as nice as viewing the larger images shrunk down by the viewer on the iPAD so time to experiment or just link to larger heavier files. The two last shots of Luda, are intentionally blurred however for a dreamy romantic look, the originals are too sharp for a wedding book. But the glow from the highlights are untouched, no post processing. Time for a larger monitor if I am going to be evaluating super res D800 images sooc. Stan St Petersburg Russia
#164. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 163
Dyserth, GB
It's not just the camera in the case of the D800, it's the cost of upgrading the peripherals to manage it adequately and to get the best out of the images. I had to buy a new Windows 7 PC with 32GB RAM and improved Nvidia graphics
#159. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 154
Dyserth, GB
Every image I've seen on this thread has been terrific, but a favorite of the series had to arrive and this is it for me. As a bird fanatic I appreciate this image. The clarity and feather details with the wide aperture make this image special
#168. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 166
Dyserth, GB
I took a shot a few years ago with a D700 and 70-200mm f2.8 VRI of an European Eagle Owl. I think my technique has improved somewhat since then I hope.
#169. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Atlanta, US
I've been shooting this camera since about march. Its a mean machine. massive images, massive detail.
And these are from Dragon Con this year. We did some night shooting and the enlargements from this camera are like butter! And these small images DO NOT do them justice. We blow images like this up to 36x48 for theater marque images and they ROCK!
#173. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 171
Atlanta, US
Thank you. The 20x30 in the office of spiderman look like a painting. The Japanese girls detail in insane, and the backlighting brings out little motes of dust floating in the air.
#178. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 177
Oklahoma City, US
Thanks guys, it was one of those lucky things. I decided at the last moment to shoot the lake lighthouse, had never done so before. It was a mad scramble to get there in time, then I was rewarded with a spectacular sunset.
#181. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 180
Wichita, US
Here are a couple shots I recently shot that in real life are outstanding considering I shot the darker one after dark.I shot it with an old Sigma 135mm F2.8 ais lens. The exposure was 4 seconds at f16 the other was shot with a Sigma 24-60 F2.8. I have printed both at 24x36 and you can view them at what ever distance you would like. One thing I'm really liking is that the shadows contain so much color and sharpness when lightened.
#182. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 179
GREENSBORO, US
The candle holder and chandelier brought to mind the home of Miss Havasham of the novel "Great Expectations"!
"Great things are not done by impulse but by a series of small things brought together." Vincent Van Gogh Check out my Nikonians image gallery at http://www.tinyurl.com/f5titan
#185. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
CA
These are a few of the first pictures I took with my D800. I was testing to see how it would do with focus and how it would do hand-held. Pictures were taken in Banff National Park, Alberta.
#186. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Kings Lynn, GB
This is a picture I come back to and browse in it looking at the detail. It is a three shot pano with my D800E. 100 mm f2 Zeiss macro @ f8, 1/200, ISO 400. It is from an old dune looking into a dune slack on the Lincolshire coast. In the slack is the densest flowering I have ever seen of the Southern Marsh Orchid and hybrids of it. The original is 12,880 x 4695 pixels. The second picture is an 'actual pixel' crop from the pano showing the detail captured through the rain that was falling. I dream of 12 foot mural print! No other camera I have used would have captured the foliage of the bushes on the far dune with detail and texture like the 800E. This sort of shot defeated the D3X.
Another picture I return to is rather different. This is a close up with a Zeiss 15 mm f2.8 @ f4.5, 1/400, ISO 100. This a seedling of wild Delphinium elatum. Hand held this one with the 800E.
#187. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 186
US
Still learning the ropes with my new D800E. Spent a lot of years in the film world with both large format and 35mm. The D800E is my first DSLR.
Last weekend I ran across this exchange student from Spain doing some amazing kiteboarding and he asked if I would take some photos. I wish I would have had a 70-200 but still got some nice images with the hand held 24-70.
(The 70-200 2.8 is in my shopping cart waiting for me to pull the trigger)
#190. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 0
Tucson, US
Okay, I'm adding my images. No credit to the D800 here. I was there, this is my car, this is where I live, this is where I stopped to watch another colorful sunset in Tucson Arizona.
#191. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 190
US
I am just getting into learning bird photography. I love the resolution, color and dynamic range of the D800 to help me capture a favorite picture of a humming bird perching on a pear branch in front of my living room. Nikon engineering has done a fantastic job with the D800 !!!
This picture was taken hand-held with a 28-300mm Nikon lens at 300mm, 1/320 sec, f/5.6 with ISO 900 using Matrix metering.Its raw image was adjusted using LightRoom4. No pixel editing was performed on the image.
I learned how to use the D800 mostly from reading Darrell Young book's Mastering the Nikon D800.
Your cirtical comments of this picture are welcome and appreciated to allow me to become a better photographer.
#219. "RE: Your Favorite D800 Photos" In response to Reply # 191
Durban, ZA
Great pic and decently sharp. You must have been very close to get this with a 300mm lens.
Sharpening (either in-camera or in post processing) has created a coarse grain in the out-of-focus area behind the subject. This would look better (and enlarge better) if it were creamy smooth.
In my bird and wildlife pics I generally remove all sharpening applied by the camera and then mask the subject and apply sharpening only to that mask. This way, only the subject is sharpened. I use Nikon Capture NX2 but the same can be done in LR.
I am not sure if LR will allow you to edit the picture profile to remove sharpening applied in-camera. If not, you can do it by editing the picture profile directly in the camera (shooting menu). Rather than editing the existing profile, create a new one with your adjustments in it.
