Tag Archives: DSLR

Gear, Reviews

Nikon D850: High ISO Samples

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Nikon D850 High ISO Performance Tests

Nikon D850 High ISO Image
My test scene for Nikon D850 high-iso images

The Nikon D850 DSLR camera not only produces 45-megapixel images perfect for landscapes and studio work, but its fast frame rate makes it potentially appealing for sports and action photographers. In sports and action photography, shutter speed is critical, and that means being able to push the camera ISO well above its base value. I decided to do some Nikon D850 high ISO testing to see how it fares.

Watch: Nikon D850 unboxing video

The Nikon D850 has a base ISO of 64, but you can expand it up to 25,800. Beyond that, you can push the ISO two full stops (Hi 1 and Hi 2 settings) to get corresponding ISO values of 51,200 and 102,400, respectively. Nikon uses the “Hi” nomenclature to denote sensitivities that are not truly “in-spec” and in accordance with the ISO standard.

Nevertheless, we push our gear, so I captured a  sequence of shots from ISO 1600 through Hi-2 (102,400). Continue reading Nikon D850: High ISO Samples →

Gear, Reviews

Quick Test: D850 Dynamic Range

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D850 Dynamic Range Example

Nikon D850 Dynamic Range Test
A slightly backlit, pre-dawn shot of my backyard, mimicking conditions one typically finds on landscape shoots. Let’s see how much detail I can pull out of the shadows…

I grabbed a quick backyard test shot this morning to test the Nikon D850 dynamic range. This is not a scientific test; instead it is simply a photo I captured using settings and conditions that I typically encounter in the field while leading my landscape photo safaris. With the D850 adding nearly 10 more megapixels than the Nikon D810, there was some question as to how well the new sensor would deliver in the dynamic range department. For most Nikon shooters I know, we are less interested in having more megapixels than we are in having the ability to capture wide tone ranges in the field. Continue reading Quick Test: D850 Dynamic Range →

Gear, Videos

Nikon D850 Unboxing & Initial Setup

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Setting up the Nikon D850

Nikon D850 unboxing video
The new Nikon D850 is here!

Woot! My UPS guy just dropped off my brand-new Nikon D850 DSLR. With 45.7 megapixels and 7fps continuous shooting (9 fps with the optional MB-D18 battery grip), this is one killer DSLR. Let’s unbox this Nikon masterpiece and get it set up! Check out my Nikon D850 unboxing video after the jump… Continue reading Nikon D850 Unboxing & Initial Setup →

Gear, News

Nikon D850 Speculation Thread

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Coming soon: Nikon D850

Yesterday, Nikon announced that development is underway for the long-awaited successor to the wildly popular D810 FX DSLR, the Nikon D850.

Other than a beautifully produced time-lapse video and the mention of 8k video capability, details on the new D850 were particularly vague:

“The D850 will exceed the expectations of the vast range of photographers that seek the high resolution and high-speed capabilities that only a Nikon of this caliber complemented by NIKKOR lenses can offer.” — Nikon D850 Press Release

So, we’re left to speculate on what exactly the Nikon D850 will deliver in terms of specifications. Right now, the D810 is essentially the finest Nikon camera I’ve used, but there are a few features that I’d like to see improved. After using the D810 for the last three years and recently using the D500, here’s what I’d really like to see in the D810 successor: Continue reading Nikon D850 Speculation Thread →