IT'S HERE... The Nikon D800!!!!--- PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS BLOG IS MY OLD, TEMPORARY BLOG IN ORDER TO HANDLE THE VOLUME OF TRAFFIC. WE'RE WORKING ON UPLOADING EVERYING ONTO A NEW HOST, THEN THE PRESENT BLOG WILL BE ACCESSIBLE ONCE AGAIN.

In 1978, my parents brought me to Manhattan to buy a camera. Having utterly no idea whatsoever, I convinced my dad to spring for a Nikon FE. Why?, because even though I was clueless back then, I knew the name Nikon was synonymous with excellence in the photography world. For the past 34 years- 30 now as a professional- I've felt as though I've had Nikon hands, and Nikkor eyes. My relationship with the Nikon Corporation has been an enormous honor. I'm incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to shoot this camera for the Nikon brochure. For more information on the D800, click on the Nikon Corporate site for more information and specifics on the D800.

I know, you want me to cut to the chase. Lets jump to May of 2011. I was approached by my friend Gen Umei at K&L in Tokyo, the Nikon Corp's ad agency. I'd had the privilege of working with them on a few projects. I took great pride in participating in a Nikkor lens campaign, a Nikon speedlight campaign, and a few other assignments as well. However, those campaigns didn't require secrecy for 7 months! After the box arrived, I ripped it open like a kid on Christmas morning. After shooting just a few frames in my studio with it, I ran upstairs to our digital lab and viewed a file on my 30 ACD. My first reaction was primal. With my jaw open, and after few superlatives left my mouth, I kept checking the monitor to confirm that I was looking at the file at 100%. 36MP. Wow. The image quality was astounding. I couldn't wait to get started.

My assignment was very clear: Incorporate the D800 into my typical wedding day workflow while demonstrating the various features and functions of this new technology. Below, you'll find a few images that clearly demonstrate a few things the D800 can do. I had it in my hands for only a month or so before I had to kiss it goodbye and send it back to Tokyo. I assure you, that was not an easy thing to do. Some of the images are from actual weddings, and some are from our location shoots with various models, but were shot in real world situations under the same conditions I'd encounter for a wedding.

Now, obviously, the impact of these files will be diminished when viewing them as low resolution web images. For those who want to view full size files, feel free to stop by the WPPI booth in Las Vegas. They'll have some gorgeous prints on display there. And, for those fans of nikonrumors.com, I'm sure you'll find some ways to speculate on the next piece of technology. In the meantime, lets enjoy this one. I really believe it's going to help me produce images I haven't made before.

In every wedding day scenario, I'll spend a few minutes making a few beautiful portraits of the bride with a little window light with my Nikkor 85mm 1.4G. I posted a similar image a while back, but that was taken with my D3S. This was from an actual wedding. For those interested- I put my D700 strap on the D800 body and nobody gave it a second look!

D800 ISO 640 Nikkor 85mm 1/250th @1.4

Yes, this is low rez, but it's a 100% crop of the prior image.

One of our models, Rachel Johnston in my studio. Window light only.

D800, Nikkor 85mm 1.4G, ISO 200, 1/320 @ 1.4

On a typical wedding day, it's impossible to choose our time of day to shoot portraits of our couples. On a bright sunny day in the summer here in the Northeastern U.S., it's either run for the open shade, or embrace the bright sun. I love the texture, dimension, and mood that the mid-day sun can give me. With my style of shooting, it was important for me to incorporate a bride in harsh lighting conditions. Nikon wanted me to put this camera to the test in these conditions. Here, our model Rachel Johnston was photographed in Philadelphia at around 3pm in July in very harsh back light. Absolutely no fill flash or reflectors were used. The dynamic range speaks for itself&. Detail in the veil, detail in the gown, and her face is well exposed. In my eyes, there is absolutely improved dynamic range with this camera. I'll be able to maintain more detail in these conditions that ever before.

D800 Nikkor 70-200 2.8G ED VRII ISO 200 1/500th @ F4.0

Our model Veronica Lane on location at one of the most beautiful wedding venues in the region- Ashford Estate in Allentown NJ.

Some of the more interesting technology introduced in this camera is the face recognition for auto exposure. The idea here is that the 3D color matrix meter III uses the face recognition information and exposes for the face- rather than the other elements in the frame. This is a real advantage in backlit situations. This image was shot in Aperture priority with absolutely ZERO compensation. The advantages here are obvious. Even in a challenging lighting scenario, if the camera can recognize the human face, it'll expose for that face without the need to adjust, thus, nailing exposure consistently without the need to compensate.

Face recognition for I-TTL flash is another feature that allows us to produce images without much adjustment. There is no flash compensation whatsoever in this image.

In years past, wedding photography was traditionally captured with medium format equipment for maximum image quality. When the 35mm format was adopted within the genre, it was widely accepted that image quality was compromised in lieu of speed and convenience. Now, my wedding portraiture will have a depth it's never had before, and my style of shooting won't ever be compromised-only enhanced- with the D800.

Speed and power, without compromise. That's how I'd sum up my impression of this camera. Old world, medium format image quality is now inside a phenomenal, incredibly responsive Nikon body. At 36 megapixels, the D800 produces unprecedented image quality and resolution within a body that boasts revolutionary technological advances. The 3D color matrix meter III, the improved auto focus with more cross sensors, additional dynamic range, and the improved AF performance in low light are just a few features that are glaring improvements. From a focus standpoint, I found it hard to believe there could be improvements to the D3S focus system. But, this camera does focus faster and will allow me to make pictures I couldn't make before.

For now, I need to give a huge thank you to K&L's creative director Gen Umei and art director Aoyagi Toshiaki- affectionately known as Mr. Blue. Ken-san, our Nikon engineer on hand to answer any and all questions, was an absolutely invaluable asset as well. Also, mi amigo Mike Corrado from Nikon USA. Mike always adds the perfect balance of serious work and comic relief to whatever we do. The fact that everyone involved trusted me to demonstrate what your newest technology can do in the real world is an incredible honor. Thank you so much for the privilege. I'll be posting a few more images in the next few days that highlight other features from the D800. Stop back soon. Also, please check out my friend, Rob Van Petten's site. Rob was also involved with this campaign and he's an amazing photographer.

Comments

[Damien]

Are your images published without image editing? That could help assess the capacities of this new body?
Thanks.

[Ryan]

Hey Cliff,

Great shots – fantastic work as always.

I had a quick question: for wedding work, are you going to be using the D800 or D800E?

I'm drawn towards the added detail of the "E" variant, but I'm worried moire is going to show up more than I'd like it to, especially on different fabrics.

Thanks for your thoughts on the subject and the great blog.

[Paul Hodgson]

'face recognition information and exposes for the face'...Cliff, that's astounding and the flash image you show as well. How far is this final image from how the image came out of the camera?

[Joey]

Thanks for the write up...very nice stuff! :)

[Gena]

Hi Cliff,

Do you have an image with ISO 6400, wide open (at least 2.8 or more) and shutter 1/60 or slower?
Could D 800 beat D 700 at High ISO?

[James Tippett]

Amazing work!!! Thanks for the review!

James Tippett

[Bill Keel]

Hi Cliff,
Terrific images. Loved the backlit Rachel Johnston. I did professional weddings in Philly in the '60's. That shot takes me back.

[DM]

Hmmm...I expected at least 1-2 ISO 1600-3200 shots :(

[Greg]

I often shoot at 1200 and 3200 ISO available light shots at weddings with my D700 with good results.

Will I be able to do this with the D800? I've scoured the web and haven't found anyone who has shot at ISOs above 640.

[Bruce Sawle]

Cliff stunning images.

[Shawn Fields]

Cliff,

You keep secrets well! Excellent stuff posted here. I love the 100% crop! That will be a game changer for sure. I guess we're all curious if we'll still need the D3s for the low light churches and such...

[Brian]

Cliff amazing work! Great preview of what to expect. Although you have a lot more talent than myself.

Beautiful Imagery!

[Nate]

Cliff you are the man! Thanks for posting these. Question...how is the high iso noise? I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Thanks!

[Gavin LISTER]

Hi Cliff. Looks great. I am curious though about its write times and how long it takes for a preview to appear on the rear screen with such large files. I did a 3 day class with you a few years back and in it you stated that the D3x was too slow for your style of wedding photography. How does the D800 compare?

[TurkNikon]

Hi Cliff,

Amazing work and great shots. We are the http://www.turknikon.com and we would like to translate this post into Turkish. Is it ok for you if we pingback to your post and link to the original images?

Regards
Alper

[Rhys Wheatley]

What an amazing camera, can't wait to get my hands on one.

[Marshal Ray]

Great images Cliff!

I'd love to see & be able to dload full size versions of these to examine like the ones on Nikon's site.

A Nikon blogger was wondering earlier today how well the DR of the D800 compares to that of the D700, especially in highlight details. I think these may just answer his questions.

[Paul Gero]

Photographs look amazing Cliff...congrats on getting your hands on the new camera!

[Towardsperfectfutures.wordpress.com]

Cliff, the dynamic range and interface of face-detection AF with exposure settings are just stunning. I can see an incredible potential to out of camera images with such intelligent features. Like many others, I'd really like to see how it can cope with higher ISOs, 1600 and up, my benchmark being the D700 it's replacing. I'm not sure it's fair given the dramatically increased resolution, but it's an important factor to consider.