Flickr: Discussing New Nikon D610 vs used Nikon D800 in Nikon D600/D610 CLUB

Asking for advice: my D5100 was stolen and would like to move to full frame. Looking at used D800 from B&H, Adorama and KEH in around the $1500 range (about the limit of my budget). I can also pick up a new D610 for around that same price. I enjoy night photography, but also have an eight and eleven year old that are often my subjects. Thoughts & opinions from the D600/D610 Club is appreciated. 4:24PM, 22 January 2016 PDT

acase1968 says:

For a bit more I would go with a new D750.

amzn.to/1K1QXZn

You can also get a used D750 for about $1,500.

88 months ago

mausgabe
says:

+1 for D750 or D800.

88 months ago

moemay9 says:

both the d750 and the d800 have far better capability in acquiring auto focus in low light condition. If you like night photography they will make your outing much more enjoyable.

other than that they are all good camera, I for one is not all that crazy about 36 mag, pix,

Originally posted 88 months ago.

moemay9 edited this topic 88 months ago.

Hawaii Photo’s says:

what about a used D610 and a full frame lens *wink*

going from DX to FX hope you have some money for lenses, that is where the real money sink hole is 🙂

88 months ago

Jim529
says:

DABSYL
I’ve had my D610 for two years and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it. The focus in low light is about as good as the D7000 (and probably at least as good as the D5100).. I haven’t really been troubled by the focusing in low light. I’ve taken photographs in dim cathedrals and in dark conditions outside but not in pitch dark (and both the cameras you mention will do better in very very dark conditions). I think you would find the step up to the D610 from the D5100 a big one. The D750 won’t give you better image quality, and the extra controls of the D610 over the D5100 will be a big plus.
BUT the D750 is more modern technology focuses better in the dark and has the moveable back screen which you might miss. Your decision – cost vs advantages.

I personally would be wary about the D800. Bit heavier and according to the few users I’ve spoken to, demanding to use.

Good luck.

88 months ago

Yoshinori Matsunaga says:

Hawaii Photo’s:
do not promote used ones dope.

88 months ago

Infinite Vortex says:

The D750 would probably be my clear first choice. Failing that the D800 and D610 have different things going for them that can be important to you outside of resolution. For instance, the D800 maximum fps is slower and is bigger and heavier.

88 months ago

labrossephotography
says:

I use a D800 at work, I own a D610 and I often rent a D750 as a second body at work. If I were in your shoes I would go for the D750. If tracking kids is an issue then the increased auto-focus capabilities (better than both other cameras) alone will be worth it for you.

88 months ago

mo’funk says:

The D800 has a faster shutter but the D750 shoots more frames per sec. I would for go the D610 and look at the D800 or D750.

I’ve shot a few times in low light with my D750 and it floored me. When I uploaded the images I thought for sure that they were out of focus because the camera was too quick when taking the shots. Some of the shots I purposely shot them under exposed just to see how much editing I would have to do. Needless to say, my editing time was very minimal.

D800 is about 8oz more than D750 (one water bottle) lol

88 months ago

Tilden Katz says:

The question ‘how many full frame lenses have you got’ is a valid one and deserves some attention. The popular 18-55mm lens – although it will work – will not get the results one would be after, when upgrading from DX to FX.

88 months ago

Yoshinori Matsunaga says:

I do not like word lol. I think it is make fool of me when I see it anytime.

88 months ago

mausgabe
says:

<OT>
Yoshinori Matsunaga:
It’s usually about laughing *with* someone, not *at* someone. (Unless the writer is an insensitive jerk, one can present an opposing “argument” — point of view — without being antagonistic.)
</OT>

Originally posted 88 months ago.

mausgabe edited this topic 88 months ago.

vitalishe says:

Is this another one of those “ask and forget” threads where discussion continues without the original author ever checking back?

88 months ago

Hawaii Photo’s says:

Yoshinori Matsunaga:

aye, it was meant slightly as a joke, but slightly serious, and thought provoking

the OP wants FX, but it seems cost is prohibitive, due to his wanting a used D800, but seemingly can afford a new D610. But, will he have FX lenses to fit on his shiny new FX body? … ergo a used D610 and a good FX lens or two may be more economical for the OP. Also, I see no problems with used equipment, i guess there are people who are snobs about that sort of thing, but meh that is their problem. It would suck to have a shiny new FX body that shoots like a pinhole camera with DX lenses.

Originally posted 88 months ago.

Hawaii Photo’s edited this topic 88 months ago.

mausgabe
says:

vitalishe:

It’s only been three days. Sometimes real life affects Flickr time.

88 months ago

chris.roberts196577 says:

I just got my 610 and its a marvelous camera.

88 months ago

Paul CN Cornett says:

I moved from a D40 to a D610 which is a big jump, and your own jump would be similar. imo you would be very happy with the D610, or indeed the D750. I think a jump to a D810, excellent as it is, might be too much in terms of weight, lens requirements, size of images, etc.

As suggested though I would think about a 2nd hand / refurb D610 and a lens.

88 months ago

Yoshinori Matsunaga says:

mausgabe:
I agree with you Mr.

88 months ago

Yoshinori Matsunaga says:

Hawaii Photo’s:
I agree with you. Used ones are sometimes good. Round and round the economics. Thank you Mr.

88 months ago

kitaflix says:

My pathway…got the D610 and the 28-105mm/3.5-4.5 Nikkor-D + 50mm/1.8D + 75-300/4.5-5.6….three used lenses total cost: under $250….very good starter set when added to the refurbished 610 @ $1300 (+ $80 for ext. warranty)….plus $120 for SD cards and extra batteries for total of $1750.

Originally posted 88 months ago.

kitaflix edited this topic 88 months ago.

DABSYL
says:

Thank you all so much for your replies. This is lively group, and I have been reading your comments over the past few days. A couple of clarifications on how I would use the camera might clear things up. I rarely shoot multiple frames/sec., so burst rate isn’t important to me. I agree that the step up to full frame from DX will immediately impress me no matter if it’s a 610, 750 or 800. I have one FX lens (50/1.8) that I often used on my d5100, I plan on selling my other DX lenses. I have the money for more lenses; I’m just a cheap bastard and love a deal. In this world of “got to have the latest/best technology”, a used camera with a low shutter count from a reputable vendor seems attractive to me and will more than fulfill my needs. I enjoy shooting urban landscapes, most of the time in low light. This typically requires long exposures and my camera is usually glued to a tripod. For this work, I manually focus 95% of the time (I bring along a 1000 lumen flashlight to help me out) in live view, so I don’t need the camera to focus fast in low light. The larger file size of the D800 is attractive from a detail point of view, but a negative when considering how much it will tax my computer and fill up a hard drive. I think this strike against the d800 could be overcome with strict editing/purging of unwanted images, plus, not every image has to be shot at the highest resolution the camera can capture. The weight of the d800 isn’t an issue when it’s on my tripod, but hiking and/or travel with it around my neck would quickly grow old. Thanks for all your opinions! -dave

88 months ago

DABSYL
says:

Jim529:

Could you expand on how the d800 might be more demanding to use? Even hearsay is appreciated. Thanks, -dave

88 months ago

DABSYL
says:

Hawaii Photo’s:

I have one 50/1.8 fx lens, and my next lens will probably be a wide angle prime, but it doesn’t have to be fast, just sharp.

88 months ago

Jim529
says:

Here’s a comparison between D610/ D800 by Thom Hogan in guyiding buyers between the D800 and 600.

•Consumer DX user upgrading to FX: get the D610. It’s what you’re used to, on steroids. Sure, the 36mp of the D800 sounds like bragging rights, but short of being really good at handling your camera and having great lenses, you’re not going to see much bump from what you would see with the D610. Save the US$1000 or so and get some better support or lenses or photographic instruction. Heck, you might need that to upgrade your computer if you’re used to dealing with 6mp images.
•Professional DX user upgrading to FX: get the D800. It’s what you’re used to, but with the best sensor on the market as I write this. Frankly, it’s difficult to find serious fault with the D800’s features or capabilities; a D800 that works as designed is probably the most capable DSLR currently available, with the exception of burst speed and fps. If that’s what you need, the D4 suffices. Indeed, a D4/D800 combo is quite a punch for a pro bag, a clear step up from the D3s/D3x, which were already a mighty fine combination.
•Professional FX user seeking backup: the D610 suffices, indeed it’s the not-so-rich man’s D3x. A D800 is more than backup, it does things that your other bodies can’t do.
•D700 user looking to upgrade: technically, the D800 is the body upgrade, but both the D610 and D800 are performance upgrades, and even the D610 has tech in it that the D700 lacks (video, dual cards, better live view handling, time-lapse, HDR, and much more). D700 to D800 is a long stretch: you might want new lenses to fully utilize that extra resolution, and if you’re a pixel peeper, you’re going to have to tighten your shot discipline to get everything out of the D800. The D610 is less of a stretch. Let me put that in a context: the 28-300mm is a decent lens on the D700, an okay lens on the D610, and a marginal one on the D800. With each bump in megapixels you see more of the compromises in such a superzoom design, but the pixels themselves also don’t deliver the full gain you’d expect (especially as you stop down the lens). That’s not to say there aren’t gains, but the gains are clearer with something like the 24-70mm as you step up the bodies.

MY other “evidence” is anecdotal from D800 users. One was using a D800 at a recent photowalk and his phrase was something like “its a lovely camera but its hard work”. The other one was longer ago but I’d sum it up as “you’ve really got to be careful.” He was using a tripod when I wouldn’t have expected to. If you’re a tripod user with excellent technique…

87 months ago

DABSYL
says:

Jim529:

Thanks Jim, I appreciate all your help.

87 months ago

Mark Thode Photography says:

I own both the D610 and D750. The 610 is my backup and I seldom use it as it feels like a stoneaged brick after the 750 haha. The D610 takes great images no doubt about it, but there are a couple of key things that I really prefer on the D750 that just make things more pleasurable and easier:
– Ergonomically better, nice hand grip compared to D610
– Just ‘feels’ more solid but with a thinner form factor (much easier to handle)
– VERY fast and responsive live view compared to d610. I find myself shooting live view more and more when I don’t have to rush things, and the flip screen makes this even better.
– Exposure preview in live view. This is a god send for dialling exposure in manual on a portrait shoot and in landscapes – heck all the time.
– AF system is superb and virtually sees in the dark
– Navigation of the info screen feels more intuitive to me.
– DYNAMIC RANGE. underexpose drastically at lower ISOs and you can still pull a sweet image in post.
– High ISO sweetness. 6,400 is your friend (note: you will need to use noise reduction but the resultant image is so much cleaner than other cameras to my eye).
– Battery life – wow.

87 months ago

vitalishe says:

Mark Thode Photography:

Mark, all these advantages are good, but without mentioning drawbacks it is only half of the story, isn’t it?

Originally posted 87 months ago.

vitalishe edited this topic 87 months ago.

Infinite Vortex says:

Mark Thode Photography:

The 610 is my backup and I seldom use it as it feels like a stoneaged brick after the 750 haha.

Everyone’s different however for the way I use my D610 I would think the only benefits that would be worth paying for would be group-area AF and lower light AF… outside of that there’s nothing that I would get my wallet out for. Even then, I’m still using a D610 which means the two benefits I’ve highlighted still aren’t worth the wallet time.

That said, for others those differences may be far more worthwhile. Looking at the AF on the D5 and D500 a change might be in the wind. 🙂

87 months ago

Mark Thode Photography says:

vitalishe:

Well the topic of conversation was in the direction of D750 as an alternative to the D610, so I was merely trying to offer the advantages of the D750 that I see given I own both. Didn’t realise I need to provide a balanced academic assessment on the matter 🙂

In the end you can’t go wrong with either, I just find the D750 easier to use and more comfortable.

87 months ago

Jim529
says:

Like Infinite Vortex, I’ve got the D610 and it suits me. If I were choosing from scratch with prices as they are now, the D750 would probably be the choice but I’m not going to splash out for the extras now.

So I wouldn’t argue with anyone recommending the D750. The better AF would be well worth having definitelt. But Mark does seem to be going over the top a bit – some of those choices are personal, such as how it feels in the hand. And as I’ve never used LV, the D750’s advantages there are a bit academic for me. But the points about sensor confuse me – I thought sensor performance was virtually identical.

87 months ago

vitalishe says:

Something to keep in mind, is that D610 is about $600 cheaper than D750. That’s not quite double the price, but close. In terms of image quality they are close with sharpness going for D610. Low light performance there could be a tiny advantage for D750 but very very tiny if any.
So if one is planning to shoot landscapes or portraits they may choose to go with D610. Of course if they want to do sports or low-light events D750s AF has a clear advantage here. Also for awkward angles and video that screen is a bliss. In terms of video D750 still sucks. No focus peaking to manually focus, AF is not that good in live view, there is no pixel banning.
This is a more complete picture. Now try to decide if D750 is worth extra $600 for you over D610. I did not like D750 enough to keep and traded it for D3s, which I am very happy with.

87 months ago

Infinite Vortex says:

Jim529:

If I were choosing from scratch with prices as they are now, the D750 would probably be the choice but I’m not going to splash out for the extras now.

After looking at the AF system, and other features such as auto live view fine tune, that’s popped out of the D5 and D500 I’m wondering how long I’ll be able to convince myself to keep my money once something appears in the sub-$2000 price bracket?! hahaha

87 months ago

vitalishe says:

Infinite Vortex:

D500 is a nice camera, but it has a DX sensor. Unless there was some breakthrough in technology you will still prefer FX sensor for day-to-day use, especially in dim light.
Yet, there is hope that by the end of the month Nikon will announce a D5 sensor in D500 body – a true D700 upgrade. The likely price should be around $3K. So start saving up now in case it actually happens 😉

Originally posted 87 months ago.

vitalishe edited this topic 87 months ago.

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