D800E replaced by D4

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I have a D750 but find its handling after eight months to be somewhat awkward (the grip doesn't feel right for my right hand), I also run into the small buffer limitation frequently, it has too few AF fine tuning slots, and finally I don't like the sound of the camera when the picture is taken. However, it is compact and a reasonable backup camera because it doesn't take that much bag space. The image quality is good, and the AF works well (but covers a too small area of the image). Sometimes the tilting screen is useful. If the OP is interested in a fast camera, in my opinion the D750 is not quite it, as the buffer limit is likely reached very quickly in applications where the 6.5 fps rate is actively used. I find it very annoying when the camera slows down or refuses to take a picture, and I prefer the slower fps rate and large buffer of the D810 as it is something that I can rely on.

To the OP I would recommend getting the D500 and keeping the D800E for now. The new Multi-CAM 20k is a big improvement especially for off-center subjects (along the long dimension of the frame) and/or low light action. I think people shooting action a lot will want to phase out cameras using Multi-CAM 3500 series as new models come out using the Multi-CAM 20k autofocus better and the focus system is easier to fine tune.  There is no D8x0 yet with Multi-CAM 20k but I think it should be coming soon. Once that happens you can then consider the "D820"/D500 pair for the long term which should be excellent all around.

For me the D810/D5 pair works well.

[Frank Fremerey]

I'm talking about the handgrip on the camera itself.

One has to add a lot of bulk, plus another accessory (battery inset) to be able to use a big D4/D5 battery for the D500. So one gets a relatively speaking huge camera almost the size of a D3/4/5 class body, yet no audio recording.

absolutely.

I ran the gripped D500 alongside the D3, gripped D600 and D5. The D500 was my favourite, then the D5, the D600, the D3.

[John G]

Thank you Ilkka and Bjorn, Frank
Your commitment to the D500 and reassurances are being well received.
Ilkka has left me dreaming of  a all new 8#* series,
hopefully with a in camera software supporting the UHS II SD card for full capacity function.
I have read up on this in 2015, only a few bodies were fully supporting this new tech, Sony is one I believe.
As for a D5- D810, I can only think of a Cheshire Cats renowned expression.

[John Koerner]

The D500 is probably the best value in cameras right now: 1.5x reach, the best AF of any camera on earth (save the D5), yet less than 1/3rd the cost of the D5.

Excellent DR, high-ISO, beautiful color representation, etc.

I totally disagree as to the ergonomics of the D500: they are superb.

The poorly-though old ISO function in elder Nikons (requiring 2 hands to change) has now been intelligently-upgraded in the D500, which can be done with the just right hand only now.

ALL CAMERA CONTROLS WITH THE RIGHT HAND; ALL LENS CONTROLS WITH YOUR LEFT HAND, the way it should be.

I have both the D810 and the D500, and (for field use) I use the D500 NINETY PERCENT of the time, with the D810 now only an afterthought (if I need a landscape shot or whatever).

My only complaint about the D500 has been some card-read errors (now fixed with a firmware update) and a rather loud shutter-sound (which has scared some birds away).

Other than that, it is a MUCH more usable camera than the D810 and by a country mile.

If you are shooting wildlife, REACH and SPEED are the number one factors, as well as AF, and there isn't a single camera on earth that has BOTH the reach, and the speed, of the D500 ... combined ... as well its AF abilities ... along with all of its other modern qualities and conveniences.

It is simply the best wildlife camera for the money right now. By a longshot.

Jack

[Erik Lund]

The ISO can be dialled in using one hand on the D810 as well, by reprogramming the function of the Video button.

[Frank Fremerey]

JohnG .... I am really waiting for the next D8xx or D9xx.

Because the wait was too  long and the D5 not convincing for my purpose I chose to buy the D500
as a compromise.

Using her daily I can say from the heart that she is so much more than a compromise. Many times
I thought of buying a second D500. The best DSLR I ever had.

But I am still waiting for the next D8xx....

[John Koerner]

The ISO can be dialled in using one hand on the D810 as well, by reprogramming the function of the Video button.

True, my video button is programmed as the ISO button.

But, again, it's more than that. The AF + the reach of the D500 make it the better camera for wildlife.

Another element is also the LCD ... it is terrible in the D810 (terrible for high-mag macros, dark, grainy, unless I am in fairly bright light--or use artificial light).

The LCD in the D500 is very nice, much brighter, much clearer, and the touch screen is wonderful.

Again, I have both camera, and I bring both cameras, but for wildlife the extra reach + the much better AF mean the D810 hangs on my hip, in a camera holster, used infrequently, while my D500 sports the expensive action glass and is what is always in-hand.

I don't even use my D810 + Voigtlander for nature macros much anymore. (Why attempt to get super-close to a butterfly, when I can get essentially the same-quality shot from 10' away with a D500 + 300mm + extender?)

I only use my D810 if I (1) have optimal light, (2) am able to shoot a non-mobile subject, (3) can use base (or near-base) ISO, and (3) use a tripod to get an ultra-clear image with a lot of DR.

Under those perfect conditions, I love my D810

However, if I am trying to capture "a fleeting moment," where I spot some wary, mobile creature in the woods, the D500 is the action camera--and it excels at its job.

[John G]

Enough of this D500 talk.
My 25th Year Wedding Anniversary fund is about to be plundered.
Me and my Darling wife will end up at the Sea Front in October eating take away fish and chips, with her new love rival hanging around my neck accompanying her hands.