Update and Addendum to my last 3 posts on the D800e

I've been saying a few things which have riled up readers.  Well, that's OK.

1.  I wrote that getting the best out of the D800e would take the best technique (and glass) you can muster.

Several people took exception to this.  They seemed to feel that you DIDN'T need to be exceptionally careful to get good shots.  They are correct.  You DO need to be exceptionally careful to get out of the camera all that it is prepared to give.

2.  I wrote a satiric piece that suggested that if you were a raw hack, you really didn't need a D800 or D800e.  I then went on in the same blog post to outline some of the things that were critical in getting the most out of the camera, including any kind of camera blur or focus issues with examples from my own medium format work.  Some readers enjoyed the satire, some did not.  Some missed it altogether, and to those readers I regret their limitations and urge them to read other blogs.

3.  My last blog entry, which showed comparisons to work shot last week with the D800e and compared to very similar shots done with a Mamiya 645 / P25 digital back just a  year ago.  In general, the D800e shots were more vibrant, more alive, but had focus issues that while passable are not what I wanted.

Today I encountered a Nikon Technical Guide to the D800/800e.  Here's a link to it:   Nikon's Technical Guide .  I consider this less a technical guide that a Good Practices guide.  And guess what?  Every issue it addresses is found in my blog entries about this camera.

I can say "nyaah, nyaah, nyaah," or I can be polite and suggest only that readers wanting to get the most from this remarkable machine should download the PDF and study it.  I certainly will be.

Bottom line:  do your homework, work hard, and you may, just may take photos that live up to your aspirations.  That's my wish for you -- and for me!

Life's an adventure -- which means it isn't always fun, comfy, or easy.  I encourage everyone to be willing to get wet and skeeter-bit once in a while on the way to some worthy goal.