The Nikon D4 owners thread =) (1 Viewer)

Announced last night. Looks like I missed the first cutoff for Amazon preorders but I intend to be among the first owners on Feb 16th when it launches worldwide.

16.2 effective megapixel, full-frame sensor (16.6MP total)
10fps shooting with AF and AE, 11fps with focus and exposure locked, 24fps 2.5MP grabs
91,000 pixel sensor for metering, white balance, flash exposure, face detection and active d-lighting
ISO Range 100-12,800 (extendable from 50 – 204,800)
MultiCAM 3500FX Autofocus sensor works in lower light and with smaller apertures
Two sub-selector joystick/buttons for shooting orientation
1080p30 HD video at up to 24Mbps with uncompressed video output
New EN-EL18 battery (21.6Wh capacity, CIPA-rated at 2600 shots)
Twin card slots - one Compact Flash and one XQD

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http://www.nikon.com/news/2012/0106_flagship_01.htm
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/01/05/the-official-announcement-nikon-d4.aspx/
http://www.joemcnally.com/blog/2012/01/06/shooting-the-d4/
http://www.imaging-resource.com/PRODS/nikon-d4/nikon-d4A.HTM
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/7799914638/nikon-d4-overview/
Brochure:
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d4/pdf/d4_12p.pdf
Sample images:
http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d4/sample.htm
11fps:
[VIDEO]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix17NtapV_w&feature=player_embedded[/VIDEO]
Fro recap:
[VIDEO]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT0Pb5SNXmU[/VIDEO]
7 minute Video:
[VIDEO]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZZMIo7Zfys[/VIDEO]
Announcement video:
[VIDEO]http-~~-//www.youtube.com/watch?v=vP1x2DbS55E[/VIDEO]
This is likely to be the last 'true' DSLR I ever buy. I have taken my D300 around the world and put over 100k clicks on it, I will keep it and continue to use it as my backup along with my lightweight EVIL cams. But I have been dying for a REAL full frame camera to bring back full size eyepieces and the low light capability that are inherent to the form factor (along with the weight).
This is going to be the biggest gear purchase I have ever made, it will cost me more than anything I've ever bought except for cars and houses. I've been saving since the day the D700 was announced, knowing that eventually I wanted a FF cam, regardless of form factor. I'm a bit nervous about it (and I WILL get it insured against theft or loss!) but I am also so stoked to play.
Edit:
Engadget quick look:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/06/nikon-d4-hands-on-and-sample-images-video/
Unofficial 12k image:
http://www.alinpopescu.eu/blog/lansare-nikon-d4-in-romania/

Once you go FF, you'll never go back to crop if you can help it. I just picked up a second FF body just so I can keep a prime on one FF, and a light-weight wide/mid zoom on the other FF.

Did you buy two 5D Mk2s? That's pretty badass. You might like the double strap I use when shooting football:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/645448-REG/Black_Rapid_RSD_1BB_RS_DR_1_Double_Strap.html
They were significantly cheaper at the Photoplus show...
The good news is I have all the quality wide-angle and normal Zoom glass I want right now (14-24 and 24-70) so I'm really set for glass on FF, it's just the times when I want more reach that I've got further purchases ahead of me.
Unfortunately that includes the exotic telephoto. Unless I seriously pursue sports photography I can see the 70-200 2.8 VR2 on my horizon but the 400, 500 and 600 are going to be out of my budget...
Of course the 105VR and the 24, 35, 50 and 85 primes would be nice too, but....

Yeah, I went dueling 5D MKIIs just because I was always frustrated by not having a prime lens for the shot I wanted when I was also using a zoom for most of the other shots during prime shooting opportunities (and didn't want to swap lenses all day long), so life's short, and gotta make the best of it, with less compromises...
I will have to check into double-strap options.

Nice, that really is badass.
Adorama is taking D4 preorders but they collect NJ sales tax. Sad panda:
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/01/06/adorama-now-taking-nikon-d4-pre-orders.aspx/comment-page-1/#comment-217047

I am starting to consider a FF body, too, as the prices of the Canon 5DMkII keep dropping. My plan would be to keep my 7D as a second body for the wildlife / telephoto shots, and use the 5D for landscapes. For ultra-wide angle, I would probably stick with using the 10-22mm on the 7D, since I do not really shoot much UWA anyway. This setup would allow me to avoid changing lenses in most situations when we are traveling.
Anyone interested in buying a Canon EFS 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens?

I would really love to have a D4. But, $6,000 is a little rich for my blood. I guess I'll just have to keep living with my D7000............

Scott Merryfield said:

I am starting to consider a FF body, too, as the prices of the Canon 5DMkII keep dropping. My plan would be to keep my 7D as a second body for the wildlife / telephoto shots, and use the 5D for landscapes. For ultra-wide angle, I would probably stick with using the 10-22mm on the 7D, since I do not really shoot much UWA anyway. This setup would allow me to avoid changing lenses in most situations when we are traveling.
Anyone interested in buying a Canon EFS 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens?

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With my move to FF completely, it pains me to have to sell off my Canon 17-55mm IS F/2.8 lens as well (looks like the going price is about $800).
The Canon 5D MKII is a FF deal right now (even with the MKIII on the horizon), I like my 5D MKII just fine, and they can be had used for $1700-$2100 depending on shutter count and condition. I almost went with a 7D for a 2nd body, but in the end, I just like having to deal with FF bodies, and not worrying about the crop factor and dealing with EF-S lenses anymore. EF all the way, bay-bee!!!
Holy thread hi-jack! Sorry! Hah!

Patrick Sun said:

With my move to FF completely, it pains me to have to sell off my Canon 17-55mm IS F/2.8 lens as well (looks like the going price is about $800).
The Canon 5D MKII is a FF deal right now (even with the MKIII on the horizon), I like my 5D MKII just fine, and they can be had used for $1700-$2100 depending on shutter count and condition. I almost went with a 7D for a 2nd body, but in the end, I just like having to deal with FF bodies, and not worrying about the crop factor and dealing with EF-S lenses anymore. EF all the way, bay-bee!!!
Holy thread hi-jack! Sorry! Hah!

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I am considering the 5DMK2 plus 24-105mmL "kit" lens for $2,799 at Amazon. I have almost $300 in Amazon gift credits right now, which really brings the price down. The 24-105mm would work on my 7D, too. My only two EFS lenses are the 17-55mm (which I would probably sell) and the 10-22mm, which I would keep for the occasional UWA shot. When carrying two bodies, having the 24-105mm on the 5D and 10-22mm on the 7D would provide a very nice UWA to short telephoto focal range. Exchange the 10-22 for either my 70-200mm f/4 IS or 100-400mm on the 7D, and I also get great range from wide angle to super telephoto.
I would probably eventually replace the 50mm f/1.8 (which I never use on my crop body) with the f/1.4 version for use on the 5D, as I do use the 28mm f/1.8 lens quite a bit on the 7D. I really dislike the AF performance of the 50mm f/1.8, but haven't bothered to do anything about it, since I do not use that focal length much when using prime lenses on a crop sensor anyway.
Giving up the 7D is not an option for me. The auto focus system and crop sensor are features I really use when photographing wildlife. I occasionally shoot some ice hockey, too, but that's not a big consideration, since it's just playing around.
Sorry about the hijack, too. Now back to your regularly scheduled drool-fest over Sam's dream camera.

The D4 looks good, Sam. Any thoughts on the Canon 1D X?
Have the 5DMkii myself but waiting for new lens announcements... Would love the 135 f/2 but I feel a new version may be due soon...
Joe

The 1DX looks like an awesome beast! I got to play with one briefly at PPE, it felt great.
My d4 pre-order is in!

B&H is now accepting pre-orders.
I may regret it, but I am keeping my order with Ritz. Better to be in the first batch with these guys than far down on the list from B&H? Time will tell!
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/01/09/bh-opened-their-nikon-d4-pre-orders.aspx

B&H is no longer taking pre orders.
Engadget shows off the server mode over ethernet:
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/12/nikon-d4-hands-on-video/#continued
Terrific details:
http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?cid=7-11673-12223

D800 is now official and so far I have absolutely no regrets with my decision to go to a D4. I have no idea who needs 36 megapickles and the video capabilities are the same at best to the D4 at exactly half the price.
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/06/nikon-d800-announcement.aspx/
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/07/nikon-d800-now-available-for-pre-order.aspx/
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/07/joy-ride-the-nikon-d800-promo-video-is-out.aspx/
All I wanted was a D3s sensor in a D700 body, since that's not happening for at least another year D4 it is. Truly boggled at this direction that Nikon is taking but time will tell if I soften on that or if it's one of the worst missteps in Nikon history.
If I owned a D3X right now I'd be crying tho =)
It's not what you wanted but it's a monster:
http://gizmodo.com/5882583/nikon-d800-its-not-what-you-wanted-but-it-is-a-36+megapixel-mini+monster
Are you ready for some pixels?
http://bythom.com/d800intro.htm
http://prophotocoalition.com/index.php/dcarr/story/nikon_launches_the_36mp_d800/
http://cliffmautner.typepad.com/ has samples

If I owned a D3X right now I'd be crying tho =)

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I own a D700, so no terrible urge yet to upgrade. But I find the D800 fascinating.
(And the D4 as well!)

I suppose Canon users will now start looking out for a Mk III release.


Cees

My friend told me that the release date for the D4 got pushed back a month (to mid-March).

That's the rumor, no official confirmation yet that I know of, Adorama is warning that it's been moved back tho.
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/11/adorama-estimates-the-nikon-d4-delivery-as-late-march-2012.aspx/
More D4 info/hands on:
http://nikonrumors.com/2012/02/11/nikon-at-the-2012-cp-show-pictures-d800-hands-on-d4-demo-videos.aspx/
Check out that burst depth!

I have a canon at the moment but I seriously might upgrade to this nikon, anyone read any reviews about it, I am assuming actually someone has tried it despite its pushed back release date. loos nice and compact and I think nikon is a really reliable brand, guessing there might be a bit of competition to get our hands on the first ones! I am not great with photograpghy though, does anyone know what lenses are best etc? I wouldnt be using it professionally, just for family holidays etc

rosebud said:

I have a canon at the moment but I seriously might upgrade to this nikon, anyone read any reviews about it, I am assuming actually someone has tried it despite its pushed back release date. loos nice and compact and I think nikon is a really reliable brand, guessing there might be a bit of competition to get our hands on the first ones! I am not great with photography though, does anyone know what lenses are best etc? I wouldnt be using it professionally, just for family holidays etc

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A $6,000 camera body is probably overkill if you are not an advanced amateur (like Sam) or a professional.

Originally Posted by Scott Merryfield /t/317481/the-nikon-d4-owners-thread#post_3900207
A $6,000 camera body is probably overkill if you are not an advanced amateur (like Sam) or a professional.

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But $3000 isn't overkill, necessarily, for a non-professional. The D800-body is just below that amount.


Cees