When working with a camera you realize many things, who does not emerge from the review of technical specifications. So even with the D610. During the last months I have photographed some events, and travel and can sum up by saying that I am very pleased to to a few aspects in the handling of the camera. I use mainly the following objectives:
For the wide-angle the 16-35 / f4
For the normal range, the 24-120 / F4
For the slight telephoto the 70-200 / F4
I suppose that many ambitious users like lenses utilize want and can say from my side that there is no cause for concern, the D610 would possibly it too small or not well balanced. Lenses in the weight range of about 700g - 850g make the D610 no prior problems. For longer sessions I have the battery grip MB-D14. These I use primarily but because of the associated longer battery life and the vertical shutter release always turns out to be useful in wedding photographs. The hand grip is required necessarily to improve the handling in relation to these lenses, I do not see.
Now even to what is stuck on negative trifles with me:
There would even control the flash exposure compensation on the camera to call. This can be true to -3EV correct downward, but only by +1 upwards. This is something incomprehensible in my eyes, because you use such as a diffuser combined with dark walls, you come with + 1EV often quickly reach the limits. A little trick helps here but I put my Aufsteckblitz always to + 1EV and correct again -1EV on the camera that brings me to +/- 0 in total. Thus I have made over the camera the range of -2 to + 2EV. So this is solvable but still kind of weird.
Furthermore, it is not possible the quick menu bar, in the one on the info - button is to configure itself. So you have to make do with the 10 pre-entries. 4 or 5 items are for pure RAW - photographer unusable because they relate to various noise reduction options, distortion and Vignettierungskorrekturen. For RAW - photographer of this Quick Menu is therefore more or less unusable. Too bad because this could override one or the other function from the still very complex menu quickly and clearly.
The operation by the LiveView is to put it mildly be described as "special". But one could also say it's just grottig. I'm sorry but Nikon Aperture adjusted in Live View by changing from the Live View and then to maybe even having to get out and then back inside so you can see the changes on the screen, in 2014 is simply no longer appropriate. And on the D800 it goes also - so it may very well Nikon. I personally do not use the Live View and the films also adheres in evil borders. Thus, it is not a big problem for me - other people who see here a significant portion of their work, but I would seriously advise once to take the D800 in the eye. I can very well imagine that this illogical implementation bugs at the D610 in the long run and you will be annoyed possibly greatly have not set from the beginning to the D800. Of course that would be priced again, considerable effort, but in the sum of all costs so bring a camera system to provide 600-700 ultimately not such a fundamental barrier.
Further Remarks:
Toll on the D610 is the very good image quality. By that I mean not only the low noise but a lot more still incredibly high dynamic range, which in the RAW - files infected. I am always fascinated by what is still everything to information in the images. You can really bring up dark areas without concerns arise without even the slightest blown-out image areas. The resolution is very high and it seems to me also that you have a very moderate AA in the D610 - has implemented filters. Compared to the D800 I see more emotionally more - effects - I'm almost inclined to say that there is hardly even the D7100 differences. Positive While this is actually not only once, but it is evidence of a very high resolution of the sensor.
Since I am on the subject of shutter speeds and lens choice. In particular, the 70-200 / F4 has the latest VR (3rd generation) and is known as the reference among the Nikon lenses when it comes to PR. One might therefore think that it would only give sharp images with this objective from 1 / 50s. However, after many hundreds of pictures I have to say that I myself can recommend in any way with active VR to use longer exposures than according to the formula / focal length, if it is not necessarily done differently. That sure sounds weird but it's only once as follows: VR helps tremendously and yes - it is possible to get clear shots at 200mm with 1 / 20s second. But there is a difference between sharp and focused properly. Especially with 24MP must work extremely precise and this supports the VR at about 1 / 160s to get for 200mm to absolutely super sharp images. Freehand is only possible in the windfall. The same behavior I also observed on my other lenses. Apart from the fact that one anyway motion blur gets into the picture at from certain exposure times, I can really recommend it represents the VR to "ON" and provides the ISO - Automatic to 1 / focal length. This is the free package for super sharp images.
So when it comes to lenses for the D610, I would buy from scratch only stabilized lenses. According to our own experience, I am no longer convinced by the argument that one example the popular 24-70 / f2.8 due to the high light intensity and manageable focal length an image stabilizer does not necessarily need. If you work accurately, one really sees at 24MP every little blur what in effect for the same lens much brevity exposure times required makes as yet on a 12MP D700. Knowing no VR, the difference can not judge - I've done several tests also at 24-120 / F4 or the 16-35 / f4 and always come to the same conclusion as with the 70-200 / F4.
In summary, I can say that the D610 is an excellent camera, with which you can also turn high quality videos. Nevertheless, it is less well suited, in my view for the video shoot or Live View mode as for example, the D800. Nikon offers the full range of sizes at a good selection of suitable lenses, which makes the package very attractive in the sum. From the feel to the touch is also compared to the slightly larger D800 fixed only minor differences. Interestingly, the size difference in the real world is much smaller than they might appear at product images. Basically, the D800 is only increased slightly upwards, thus the right hand slips a little further up. I have something smaller hands and through the more bulging shape of the handle on the D800, even the somewhat more uncomfortable posture (but very subtle). What I mean is that the D610 really good and balanced in the hand, and even with heavier FX - nobody asks lenses prior problems. For quite heavier telephoto lenses, or in general for long photo sessions I would recommend both the D610 as well as on the D800 the battery grip.
The technical limitations compared to the D800 are bearable for me. One gets for benefits such as faster image sequence of 6B / s, the more practical for the amateur 2xSD - card slots instead of one CF and one SD slot (I know of no laptop, in which a CF reader is installed), smaller image data with yet absolutely sufficient resolution (precision work is also here very important but it is even more important in the D800). The camera is much cheaper, also has the large viewfinder and also similarly protected against dust and water. Autofocus on the D610 may be a little slower than the D800 only I've never reached the limits (even at weddings under low light conditions), the slightly lower spread of the AF sensors on the viewfinder image is actually not a real obstacle for the important cross-type sensors on the D800 are also very centrally and precisely who are there but who still work in poor lighting.
Therefore, I would make up my mind in the FX range Nikon continues to be for the D610.
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As a longtime Nikon users with experience to Cropkameras (D200, D7000 and D7100) I've now gained the D610 after careful consideration. Decisive for the purchase were several factors that the full-frame alone even played a minor role.
Short for DX - History:
Nikon followed in my eyes a strange product strategy of ambitonierten amateurs in Crop - currently requires a lot of endurance range. The reason is not so much the camera range, but rather the very modest objective but offer. Because apart from the old and heavy 17-55 / 2.8, there is only faint zoom lenses in the upper price segment. As would be the 16-85 and 18-200 to name. I own both and can from my side so none really recommend. Apart from the low light intensity both have a very average bokeh (at 18-200 still more understandable since it is a superzoom and make compromises even more acceptable), which has also still 16-85 over the unpleasant property that the image stabilizer in exposure to the 1 / 80s always a slight blur in the picture "conjures up". This is already also noticed several other users - similar behavior has incidentally revealed 18-300mm Super Zoom lens in the test on dpreview for Nikon. In brief: The DX - Nikon lens offering is easy in need of revision and not really appeal to me. In this context, I ask myself the question, what is a possible upcoming D400, which is indeed desired by many users so bring. So that makes the FX - area much more attractive since there is quite a good standard lenses such as the 24-120 / F4.
Bumpy start to the amateur full-frame:
The D610 is, in effect, the D600 with a new closure. Besides the fact that Nikon it again (see behavior in flash SB900 / SB910) has failed to conduct an open and transparent education, the camera per se is of course a very great working device. A D600 Since I in my circle - owners have, which is affected by the unspeakable dust and oil problem, I can only every D600 equally concerned - owners advise necessarily the Nikon Service to insist that the camera is not only time "blown out" but the closure is replaced. It is then the same as built in D610 and then you really have peace.
D610
So - So now I have arrived at the D610. About it's already a lot has been written - I would like to go into more detail on the features and also make a comparison to the D7100, which I had until a few days ago in parallel with me and I was a good sparring partner in the ring at this time. The D610 I use primarily with the 24-120 / f4 lens, the D7100 with the 16-85èr. So roughly comparable worlds.
Fundamentally, both cameras are very similar in operation. I prefer the "A" - mode and set the ISO - automatic one. I am using image stabilized lenses, I put additional menu item "slowest shutter speed" on the tab Automatic and choose a panel to lower. This has the advantage that the exposure times according to the classic rule 1 / focal length (KB) again are one stop longer and the ISO - values adapt then. The automatic makes the manual operation of the ISO - value with a few exceptions - such as the flash or in certain sports motifs - completely obsolete. That's a really great thing that also the sub-optimal placement of the ISO - can get over on the left side of the housing button. The ISO - Automatic had not yet integrated the way my D7000. Profiles can be created so that, for example, when changing to a non-stabilized lens again only has to dive into the menu every time to reset the deliberate prolongation of the exposure time.
In connection with the shutter speed is precisely criticized in the D610 that it can only expose to 1 / 4000s - against the cheaper D7100 to 1 / 8000s. That's right, at first glance, but one has to consider 2 things. First: When do you need such a fast shutter speed at all? And Secondly, the D610, in contrast to a D7100 ISO 50 mode. So I have the same relationship restored. Even with the flash sync we speak of differences in absolutely negligible area. You have to sometimes keep in mind that the ancient D70 had possessed a flash sync speed of 1 / 500s. This circumstance disturbs someone and you prefer to grips why D70 as example for D800?
Autofocus:
I admit that I at the D7000 some difficulties with the AF and had therefore initially did not trust the AF of D610 on the way. That was actually the reason to take the D7100. Today I can say that these doubts are unfounded. Both AF - modules provide reliable sharp - but I am also not an action - or sports photographer of because the one time or another with the D610 certainly more to the borders comes as the D7100. But that is only speculation. For everyday use I can at any rate ever find anything negative. The 51 AF - points of D7100 listen to good, relevant cross-type sensors are also there unfortunately only arranged as in the D610 around the center. That's certainly better resolved by other manufacturers, such as the Canon 70D / 7D or the Pentax K3. There, the cross-type sensors extend to the edges. In Nikon - interen Verlgeich the value of AF is - the D7100 module but does not think as big as you. Field of small D610 - - Of course, the AF is but the area of the cross-type sensors is also in the D7100 only in the middle. Both work to F8 - which is great because if you just think of an (affordable) big telephoto focal length (the new Tamron telephoto or the sigmoid colon usually go to F6.3), you are there especially to the Canon 6D advantage.
Continuous shooting speed:
6IMAGES / second offer both, the D7100 makes but after 6 RAW - pictures conclusion. The D610 only after 15-16. I've got a little trick of the deficit into perspective with the D7100 a bit. First I put in RAW on the lossy compression method (as you can tell no difference at all), the bit depth but let exist in 14-bit. Then I set the CL - mode (slow shutter mode) at 4 frames per second, and use a very fast Sandisk Extreme Pro with 95MB / S. The D7100 has a small buffer but a very fast memory controller - which in this setting about 18 images are captured in RAW format before the camera then goes back to about 3 frames per second. Assuming equal to 3 frames per second and the settings on the grid above, she does so long RAW - shooting until the card is full. So continuous shooting can also be with the D7100 many do - but not with 6 frames per second. But here's a reminder: The D300s shaft in 14bit - mode only 2,5 RAW - fps.
Service
A real disadvantage is the lack of 1-Knob operation for the 100% view in the D610. This is a much more practical than the previous shortcoming things for me. At first I almost every time the OK - Button pressed accidentally and am in RAW - processing menu landed. You get used to as D7100 - User so quickly that you really do not want to miss. As I understand Nikon once again not just the feature times via firmware update nachzureichen. But I gebs now on - which is more likely to be a D620 ..... Otherwise, the operation is almost identical. What has not the D610 is the second Info button and the nonexistent OLED - display in the viewfinder. At first I also wanted the difference - until I came out that when the D7100 Wasserwage in the viewfinder means OLED - display can also be displayed on the normal information - in the D610, the bar turns down completely. This means you have at the D610, either displaying the spirit level or the information on the exposure time in the viewfinder. The D7100 can do both at once. And I must say that the OLED display is somewhat low in contrast - I sometimes have to recognize difficulties the bar. The old display the D610 "green on black background" is as almost better. So in my view, the OLED display no real added value.
The display of the D610 still comes with klassichem Hartplatikschutz which is the D7100, a scratch-resistant glass. That was me once again confirmed the Nikon service. Intuitively I still vertaue the old guard more :-)
So Well In summary I can say that the step towards the D610 is a truly meaningful step. I also advise each of possibly between the choice is D7100 vs D610: Take the D610. The future is full frame - Nikon itself depends indeed already very clearly from then. The upscale segment DX does not suffer in my eyes at the camera - but of useful lenses. A possible D400 will not change anything - no matter how good it is. Just take a look at the last standard lens, the Nikon DX - has published the field: A 18-140 F3.5-5.6. Oh great ... you is not bad but frankly not what I need in the upscale amateur. Then, the image quality of the D610 is really fantastic and again settled a significant step on the D7100. I photograph exclusively in RAW - Format and in the development you can clearly see that more dynamic is present, the image noise is also lower. One must not forget the everyday benefits that so brings the full format is: There would of course be the clearly larger viewfinder - so it does everything still a little more fun when shooting. And well priced the cameras are no longer so far apart. And really cheap, the D7100 is now being expected not.
The few few technical differences of the cameras themselves are marginal. That's why I would never decide for or against. At Canon, since the change in my eyes is much more difficult: Well equipped 70D or rather lean 6D? At Nikon we actually have two equivalent cameras. It becomes interesting when the lenses and there is in DX - Nikon range of not so much going on.
Best Regards
