D800 — In Hand
See yesterday’s discussion of how I will approach the D800.
D800 battery is charging.
Sharpness
The sharpness is stunning. Anyone who thinks otherwise is not using a good lens, not focusing properly, or needs to work on their skills. Examples coming shortly.
Ergonomics
Megapixels are nice, but what about ergonomic design?
Smart mirror delay with self timer
HOORAY! One can use mirror delay with self timer! Now I no longer need to carry a remote release to get sharp pictures!
Live View
Seems OK at first use.
Plastic battery door
The plastic door on the bottom for the battery belongs in a $50 toy. It already snapped off, just sitting in my lap, in the first 30 seconds I had the camera. I snapped it right back on, but this is not a pro build. Out in the field, when that battery door drops into the creek or blows away in the wind or into a crack or down a cliff... well WTF do you do then? Take tape with you and tape it down to be safe.
Handgrip
The truncated D800 grip is too short, and thus is very uncomfortable for my hand; it jams/cramps my two middle fingers uncomfortably against the camera body.
Nikon has created a serious ergonomic problem with a truncated grip. Or maybe it’s partly the grip depth plus the amount of camera that the hand wraps around... whatever, the result is a problem on the D800 for my hand. No such issue with the Canon 5DM3.
I have never had such an uncomfortable grip with a DSLR. I just cannot find a comfortable way to grip the D800. I am forced to use a less than secure grip, or deal with cramped fingers. Did Nikon test this camera with real people? I am not a particularly big guy.
This won’t matter on a tripod, but I can’t think of any other camera that has made my hand feel so ready to put the camera down.
Plastic LCD cover
The cheap plastic LCD cover makes the camera look like a $400 consumer camera. I removed it as it severely impairs viewing the LCD, adding a whole another layer of reflection. I never use such covers, they just get in the way of using the camera.
Left-side plugs
Left side MIC, USB, headphone plugs are going to be a headache with an L-bracket, or force an awkward L-bracket design. Shades of Canon 1 series design, which forces a convoluted overly large design.
Bookmark and check my Nikon gear page for D800 availability status (updated every 20 minutes, usually more timely than even the B&H notify mails).