The Nikon D850 is now not only good, but also available
The Nikon D850 can do a lot, which is why it is very popular despite its high price. Unfortunately, there was a problem with availability. The worst bottlenecks should now finally be over. I had the opportunity to check out the camera weeks ago. But we didn't want to make your mouth water with something that is hardly available.
In theory, the Nikon D850 has been available since last September. So far, however, we have only received small quantities, which were always sold out immediately. There were far more interested parties than devices. No wonder, given the versatility of the camera.
We expect the camera to be more readily available from now on. That's why I'm presenting the Nikon D850 in more detail here. I have now had the opportunity to try it out myself.
A real all-rounder
With 45.7 megapixels, the D850 offers resolution to the max. Above all, this allows plenty of scope for post-processing. To illustrate: If I cut out the area marked in red from this image, it looks like this
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Despite the high resolution, the camera is fast. The autofocus is the same as in the Nikon D5 sports professional camera - I don't need to say much more about it. The continuous shooting speed is remarkable for a camera with such a high resolution: 7 frames per second. With certain accessories even 9 fps are possible. However, these accessories are quite extensive and, above all, expensive. You will find everything you need in the following bundle:
High resolutions lead to smaller individual pixels that can absorb less light. Nevertheless, the sensor has little noise. This is because it is a backside-illuminated chip. The light hits the silicon crystal directly without having to pass through a layer of material first. This technology is not new, but is still rare for such large sensors.
The lowest light sensitivity of ISO 64 (native, expandable to ISO 32) allows you to dispense with the ND filter for videos and possibly also for long exposures.
Some other things make the camera interesting for video producers. For example, the smooth aperture change in video mode or the uncompressed 4:2:2 output to an external recorder. Of course, the camera is also capable of 4K. And it does so without reducing the image section. The camera also offers a powerful time-lapse function, slow motion and focus peaking in LiveView. This is the colour highlighting of the focus area when you focus manually. What video professionals will probably miss is a log mode.
Here's a quick comparison: first the normal, graduated aperture change, then the gentle one with motorised support.
The camera also has illuminated buttons. I find this very practical when taking photos in the dark. If you don't want the lighting, you can switch it off. However, it is very discreet and invisible in daylight.
Conclusion: Normally, advantages in one area (e.g. more megapixels) bring disadvantages in another (lower speed and light sensitivity). With the Nikon D850, you have to make surprisingly few compromises.
Making the most of the resolution
With 45 megapixels, an enormous amount of detail is possible. However, you can only utilise this potential if everything is right. This includes high-quality, sharp lenses. This is because not all lenses achieve the necessary sharpness across the entire image area to utilise 45 megapixels.
The other sticking point of a very high resolution: even the smallest vibrations become visible. The shot must not have the slightest shake.
With SLR cameras, the impact of the mirror itself causes even a small shake (sometimes quite a large one). At certain exposure times, the image loses sharpness, especially in the telephoto range. Almost all SLR cameras therefore have a mirror pre-release: a short moment elapses between flipping the mirror up and taking the picture, during which the shock subsides.
Nikon has greatly improved this function on the D850. I no longer have to switch to the separate "Mup" mode (short for Mirror up), but can use it anywhere. In addition, very short delays (0.2 and 0.5 seconds) are now also possible.
In Quiet mode (Q and Qc), the mirror lock-up can be used in combination with the electronic shutter. This eliminates even tiny vibrations caused by the shutter movement.
Accessories
There are more than enough people who treat themselves to a great camera and then mess something up because the accessories are either completely missing or not at the same level. I have made this mistake myself and am therefore happy to pass on these recommendations from our product management team:
Tried out I: First impression
I had the camera with me for a few days and was able to check it out a little. My first impression was that the device is very solidly built. Nothing wobbles or wobbles, pulling out the screen is even a little too tight for me. I quickly got used to the considerable weight of around one kilogramme. Most of the weight is made up by the lens anyway, if you screw on one of the ones shown above.
If you shoot in RAW, the camera can also cope with pretty stark differences in brightness. Even if the image looks overexposed in the preview, you can usually bring out all the details again in post-processing.
Tried out II: The thing with the mirror shot
I took a small test series with a tripod and self-timer. At a focal length of 300 mm and 1/50 second, the mirror shake produced a very strong blur when no mirror lock-up is active. But see for yourself.
Without mirror lock-up: [[fullsizeimage:11176170]]
With 0.2 seconds mirror lock-up: [[fullsizeimage:11176171]]
With 3 seconds mirror lock-up: [[fullsizeimage:11176172]]
With 3-second mirror lock-up and electronic shutter: [[fullsizeimage:11176223]]
A mere 0.2 seconds is enough to eliminate mirror shake. This makes photography much easier. With the exception of sports and action, you can actually always leave the pre-solution switched on.
Tried out III: Battery life
According to the CIPA method, the battery lasts for 1840 photos. This does not mean that you can actually take that many photos. But because the CIPA test procedure is always the same, cameras can be compared with each other. And 1840 is a really good figure. Some cameras don't even reach 300.
My impression is consistent with this. I made a time-lapse video in sub-zero temperatures and took pictures for about 45 minutes because I was only reasonably satisfied on the fifth attempt. After that, I took a few more long exposures. In the end, my frozen ears almost fell off, but the battery indicator was still on full.
What Swiss professionals do with the D850
When testing the camera, I always had the feeling that I wasn't utilising its full potential. I'm not a professional photographer, my own camera is two price categories lower and, above all, I didn't have the opportunity to shoot in interesting locations during the short test period. However, Nikon Switzerland invited photographers Christian Ammann, Stefan Forster and Marcel Lämmerhirt to the Diavolezza in Graubünden. There they show what is possible with the D850. At Nikon Switzerland you can find pictures and descriptions of the shootings.
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David Lee
Senior Editor
David.Lee@digitecgalaxus.chMy interest in IT and writing landed me in tech journalism early on (2000). I want to know how we can use technology without being used. Outside of the office, I’m a keen musician who makes up for lacking talent with excessive enthusiasm.
