D800 questions

Ksanti

Ksanti

Ksanti

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10 Feb 2010
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Alright I picked up my D800 this evening, loving it for the most part but there are a few things that I personally would like to change to get sorted to how I shoot in terms of settings.

1. Exposure compensation-
On my 5D I could have the shutter half pressed and then use the control wheel and set my exposure compensation like that. I can press the exposure comp button and do it like that, but anything that involves my index finger being off the shutter button seems like an unnecessary and superfluous step to me.

2. ISO control-
I never really thought that the button layout of the D800 would be such a sticking point when I ordered it. I don't like the ISO button being where it is and I certainly don't like it being a press + hold to change it function. Can I set the front function button to ISO control through some tweak in settings? I can't find it in the menus. Can I at least set the ISO to be just a one press and then roll the wheel function as having to hold it will likely be another slowing aspect of the user interface. Is it just a case of nobody shoots on manual ISO nowadays and I'll just have to get used to checking the ISO for every shot I take?

3. Navigation-
Can I set the the back control wheel to allow me to go through menus and folders? The control pad on the D5000 drove me crazy sometimes and if I can't use at least the rear wheel on the D800 it might drive my crazy here as well?

I might have more questions as I get familiar with the camera but I appreciate any help when it comes :)
 
I don't know about 1) but I use the 2nd control wheel to adjust ISO. In Shutter priority I use the front wheel and aperture priority back wheel, but I think I also swapped the rolls of these over so that I just use my thumb to change aperture since that is my most used mode.



With 3) I think you can do that and I might have that set up on my D90 but I don't go through the photo that often.
Edit, in fact 3) should be the default option anyway.
 
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I've managed to put the menu function for ISO onto the fn button but it's not the same as I need to take my eye away from the viewfinder to see the LCD screen - it would be nice if the menu list for ISO settings changed the viewfinder readout for ISO. I might just get used to using auto ISO I guess.

Two stops underexposed at 1600 and the files after correction in post to bring it up two stops and the noise is about the same as a perfectly exposed 1600 ISO shot from my 5D :) At least I know the sensor will be forgiving while I consistently muck up exposures getting used to the layout and exposure systems
 
Oh and just to double check, Nikon UK will honor warranties on EU stock right? I bought it from Amazon and it's got an EU plug and warranty. I vaguely remember checking before because amazon are listed as Nikon suppliers but these are EU plugs and just want to make sure?
 
Ksanti said:
I've managed to put the menu function for ISO onto the fn button but it's not the same as I need to take my eye away from the viewfinder to see the LCD screen - it would be nice if the menu list for ISO settings changed the viewfinder readout for ISO. I might just get used to using auto ISO I guess.

Two stops underexposed at 1600 and the files after correction in post to bring it up two stops and the noise is about the same as a perfectly exposed 1600 ISO shot from my 5D :) At least I know the sensor will be forgiving while I consistently muck up exposures getting used to the layout and exposure systems
Click to expand...



On my D90 I use the control dials to change the ISO without having to touch any other button, I am sure the D800 allows the same option. I remember it is not switched on by default. Otherwise you can use one of the Function buttons.

EDIT: and the ISO changes is displayed in the viewfinder when you make the change. I find the D90 viewfinder slightly small so when I change the ISO I will often just look at the top LCD but it is certainly displayed in the viewfinder and be setup to never need a butotn press to change, just a dial rotation.

As for waranty, best bet s to call up Nikon with the serial number and see what they have to say, if it is not UK I don't know what they cover.
 
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Actually I remember turning the EC control on a control dial off on my cameras because you can accidentally turn the dial without really noticing and end up with a load of badly exposed photos if you don't chimp.

My Dad was having terrible problems with my old D70 and accidentally setting EC and it turned out that that was what was happening. I

I guess in theory one can have the same problem if you use the dial to control ISO but then it is not such a disaster.
 
I found a bit of talk of putting the ISO on the video record button when you're shooting stills? That would probably be ideal?

Also looks like I won't need to be sharpening my photos so much any more... Turns out 36MP and a smidgen of clarity and harsh lighting adds about fifty years!

GDwMHpr.jpg


Absolutely loving these files though, can't wait to get a proper lens and proper scenario in front of it. Charging my only battery at the moment as my extras haven't arrived yet and I'm doing some shooting tomorrow :)
 
You can almost make out that I'm shooting the selfie with a D800 in the reflection in my eye in the full res photo. And that's shot with a 30 odd year old 50mm f/1.8 Ai! :) You can certainly make out that it's a DSLR of some description in the crop and I think most of why you can't make out more is just the depth of field.
 
@Dp
If your using a program mode like Av, then it makes sense to use auto ISO anyway.
The camera automatically uses the lowest ISO possible, and if it ever needs to up the iso, then it uses the slowest shutter speed you have set to be able to handhold.

As ISO isn't a creative setting, it makes no sense to change it manually if you are relying on your camera's metering anyway.
 
^^ Yeah I'm sure I'll get used to it. I've just gotten accustomed to always having what ISO I'm at in the back of my head in terms of me knowing what various settings I'm shooting at when I press the shutter release. It'll just have to become a habitual memory thing to check in the bottom right hand corner of the viewfinder whenever I shoot so I know what I'm at.
 
Unless I'm in a lowlight situation, I have no reason to keep checking ISO as it's usually at 100, especially if using fast primes. Even when the cam up's the ISO the files are so clean anyway it's not really a concern for me anyway.
I prefer to use that time to focus on my subject and where they are at in terms of comfort/enjoyment.
 
Also, I've turned the auto brightness off on the LCD because I keep thinking files are underexposed when I chimp them in a dark room - is that what you guys have done or is it just something you get used to?
 
Ksanti said:
Also, I've turned the auto brightness off on the LCD because I keep thinking files are underexposed when I chimp them in a dark room - is that what you guys have done or is it just something you get used to?
Click to expand...

Yes turn it off. My mac did the same and drove me nut's when processing until I worked out how to turn it off.

Also, as you have so much exposure latitude now, you may want to fine tune your metering system to the left a little. Then you can increase the LCD brightness so you can review the images at the 'correct' exposure. This should also help with viewing the LCD outside on bright days.
 
An Exception said:
@Dp
If your using a program mode like Av, then it makes sense to use auto ISO anyway.
The camera automatically uses the lowest ISO possible, and if it ever needs to up the iso, then it uses the slowest shutter speed you have set to be able to handhold.

As ISO isn't a creative setting, it makes no sense to change it manually if you are relying on your camera's metering anyway.
Click to expand...

The Auto ISO on my D90 is not quite so smart, e.g. I am sure it ignores the focal length that you are using.

I rarely need to touch the ISO for my shooting as I am either at base ISO on a tripod or shooting wildlife with a long lens and will be pushing the ISO to the top of what I think gives respectable IQ. When shooting wildlife I will push the ISO up and down a little but tends not to be too rapid. If I get a D800 then a good auto-ISo solution will be a welcome addition.
 
Yeah the auto ISO system seems good. Obviously I'll need to test it with an electronic aperture lens but on my 50 AI it seems to work pretty well.

I'm not sure you'll have an answer to this one Rhys, as it involves old (cue your shudder), affordable (cue your freakout :P) lenses, but on the non-CPU lenses options, I've set my 50 1.8 to number one, with the relevant details - 50mm, f/1.8 max aperture. The camera doesn't seem to recognise the first stop change in the wide open end i.e. it calls f/4.0 f/2.0 and continues that 2 stop discrepancy the whole way though.

i.e. the actual aperture setting over the cameras displayed aperture setting-
f/1.8 f/2.0 f/2.8 f/4.0 f/5.6 f/8.0 f/11 f/16 f/22
f/1.8 f/1.8 f/1.8 f/2.0 f/2.8 f/4.0 f/5.6 f/8 f/11

Is there anything I can do about this? I won't be using the 50 1.8 that much so it's not a huge problem but it's a little irritating at the moment.
 
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