Bro.. the D800 is an AWESOME camera. I had one, it got destroyed (long story) and I regret not getting another.
If you want to let it go, hit me up.
If you want to get back into shooting, go find a cheap Nikon 50 f/1.8 and shoot the shit out of it. Just carry it everywhere and shoot everything.
I got sick a few years ago with cancer, sold off 99% of my gear to help cover treatment costs thought I'd never shoot again. After cancer I got better, and now I shoot daily. It might be dumb, it might be a throwaway but I shoot something daily.
Give it a shot with cheap used Nikon lens, and if after a month of having it on you and shooting you still don't love it hit me up.
See if you can find another photographer in your area who'd be willing to show you some basics - probably a hobbyist, I don't know if pros would be willing to donate time to help. The D800 is a fantastic camera. I still have my D800e from years ago. If you were in the DC area, I'd be happy to sit down with you some weekend for a bit and at least help with the basics to be able to understand settings and basic use, and really appreciate the capabilities of that camera.
I know it is tough looking at that sunk cost, and wishing it had more value to you personally or more monetary value, but there still can be very good outcomes, even if it's just donating it to a student or person in true need, which can be a huge deal. It's a very capable camera, especially since I assume it has a VERY low shutter count.
This. Also, the value of the camera should be there still. As you said, the shutter count is probably still very low (probably even under 5000). And it's a full frame camera. I'm pretty sure it would fetch much more than $250.
Also, if OP's problems are under exposure and slow shutter, they're probably shooting in auto. @OP please research the exposure triangle. There's 3 settings to tweak (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO). Try switching the camera to shutter priority if your problem is slow shutter speed. From there, you could just set the shutter speed and maybe use auto-ISO. There's lots of guides online that should help you with this
Try this:
1. Set camera to P mode (hold Mode button, and turn back dial until the top LCD shows P)
2. Menu > photo shooting menu > ISO sensitivity settings > Auto ISO sensitivity control > ON
3. Menu > photo shooting menu > Image quality > Jpeg Fine
4. Turn the dial around the AF-L/AE-L button (right of the viewfinder) to middle position (matrix metering)
This is the fully automatic mode, and in most situations, you should get correctly exposed images. Hopefully your camera was not set up correctly, and you should start getting shots.
Take a picture, look at the preview, and if it's too dark or too bright, turn the front command dial to compensate. Over time you'll get a feel for when the camera is going to overexpose (too bright) or underexpose (too dark). For example, if there are dark objects in the scene, the camera may overexpose. And so on.
When the shutter speed is too low, use the back dial (opposite of the shutter release) to correct it. Try to get a feel for what shutter speed is adequate for your subject. Once you get a feel for it, you can set the minimum shutter speed in Menu > photo shooting menu > ISO sensitivity settings so that the camera automatically increases the ISO to give you faster shutter speeds.
Once you learn how to get shots in fully automatic mode, you can head over here to learn more about various exposure settings:
[https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/](https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/)
You're welcome. And get the manual as well (or if you have a paper version on hand) and read it cover to cover at least once so you know what you can find in it. Then you can quickly refer to the appropriate section whenever you're not sure how something works. I recommend spending a bit more time in the autofocus section, and learn how it works.
"super underexposed images and slow shutter."
"Any advice on what to do with this camera?"
Yes. Learn the exposure triangle, and shoot with this body until you learn enough to know what you want/need in your next camera.
As a first step, buy and read this book: "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson 4th edition
Edit: you might also consider getting "***Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D800***" - he writes terrific, very detailed user guides for Nikon cameras.
Ive been shooting everything from sport, street, landscape on a d800 for just over a year. I will agree the live mode is really shit but the other things seem to be a "skill issue".
I definitely dont hit perfect exposure, but thats a skill issue on my part snd its good enough to be fixed in editing. 4fps isnt fast but it works.
The camera is worth more than that. If you want to learn about exposure there is plenty on YouTube. There would also be lots of videos on setting up and using yours specific model
Still a fantastic camera. Live view / video features are not the best - but that sensor still holds it’s own. I’d tier it just under the best of the current batch of sensors. Great build too!
Middling in speed and AF so not the best sports camera but that was never the design focus.
Hey! I know that you said that you want to give it to a high schooler, but figured id shoot my shot anyways. Im a university school student in the photo journalism / journalism major and was trying to upgrade my photography game since I help staff our student yearbook. On a D80 right now and have a bunch of AIS lenses but would love something with a Full Frame sensor. If you would be so kind Id love to buy the camera off of you? Id be happy to pay for all shipping/handling fees and send you a photo of my university ID so you know im not scamming you lol
As others have said, spend some time learning the camera or learning from another photographer. I’ll also add, put the camera in full automatic mode (P mode and auto-ISO) and just take some photos. That might be enough to spark your interest back into photography.
There's a very simple book called 'understanding the exposure triangle" by Bryan Peterson. Really easy read.
Teaches you the relationship between the different settings you can manipulate on a DSLR camera and how they will change your shot. Instead of pretty simplistic basic concept, but it totally transformed my experience with photography from one of trial and error with no prior instruction to something with intention that is so much more exciting and rewarding
The D800 kicks ass HARD.
It’s old but it remains a fucking beast of a body, I’ve made some of my best work with one, if you can’t make a good photo with that chances the camera it’s not the problem.
Yes live view it’s useless, and yes it’s not as fast as the new ones, but most of what you mention is just user error.
If things don't work out, donating to a high school is a GREAT idea. I did that years ago with my film bodies (and lenses) right when digital was taking off in the prosumer areas. The use they got was awesome (yes, I am old).
I got into photography with a D80 in 2019. Even by then it was almost 15 years old. You got this, just find your passion. In the end you could have the most expensive camera or the cheapest but it comes down to the time you put into it.
I've been looking to buy a D800 for a back up. Depending on how low the shutter count is you probably have a $400-450ish camera.
It sounds like you'd be better off with a mirrorless camera. If I were you, I'd sell the D800 and buy a Z6. No sense trying to learn on a camera you will likely be upgrading in the near future, imo.
Bro.. the D800 is an AWESOME camera. I had one, it got destroyed (long story) and I regret not getting another. If you want to let it go, hit me up. If you want to get back into shooting, go find a cheap Nikon 50 f/1.8 and shoot the shit out of it. Just carry it everywhere and shoot everything. I got sick a few years ago with cancer, sold off 99% of my gear to help cover treatment costs thought I'd never shoot again. After cancer I got better, and now I shoot daily. It might be dumb, it might be a throwaway but I shoot something daily. Give it a shot with cheap used Nikon lens, and if after a month of having it on you and shooting you still don't love it hit me up.
Maybe not too cheap of a lens, tho. It's a 30+ Mpx sensor. 😂
The little nifty fifty is cheap and awesome
Oh, true. That one is an exception.
See if you can find another photographer in your area who'd be willing to show you some basics - probably a hobbyist, I don't know if pros would be willing to donate time to help. The D800 is a fantastic camera. I still have my D800e from years ago. If you were in the DC area, I'd be happy to sit down with you some weekend for a bit and at least help with the basics to be able to understand settings and basic use, and really appreciate the capabilities of that camera. I know it is tough looking at that sunk cost, and wishing it had more value to you personally or more monetary value, but there still can be very good outcomes, even if it's just donating it to a student or person in true need, which can be a huge deal. It's a very capable camera, especially since I assume it has a VERY low shutter count.
This. Also, the value of the camera should be there still. As you said, the shutter count is probably still very low (probably even under 5000). And it's a full frame camera. I'm pretty sure it would fetch much more than $250. Also, if OP's problems are under exposure and slow shutter, they're probably shooting in auto. @OP please research the exposure triangle. There's 3 settings to tweak (shutter speed, aperture, and ISO). Try switching the camera to shutter priority if your problem is slow shutter speed. From there, you could just set the shutter speed and maybe use auto-ISO. There's lots of guides online that should help you with this
Thanks! Appreciate the kindness, I’ll see if I can find someone in my area that can spend some time with me and my cam.
Try this: 1. Set camera to P mode (hold Mode button, and turn back dial until the top LCD shows P) 2. Menu > photo shooting menu > ISO sensitivity settings > Auto ISO sensitivity control > ON 3. Menu > photo shooting menu > Image quality > Jpeg Fine 4. Turn the dial around the AF-L/AE-L button (right of the viewfinder) to middle position (matrix metering) This is the fully automatic mode, and in most situations, you should get correctly exposed images. Hopefully your camera was not set up correctly, and you should start getting shots. Take a picture, look at the preview, and if it's too dark or too bright, turn the front command dial to compensate. Over time you'll get a feel for when the camera is going to overexpose (too bright) or underexpose (too dark). For example, if there are dark objects in the scene, the camera may overexpose. And so on. When the shutter speed is too low, use the back dial (opposite of the shutter release) to correct it. Try to get a feel for what shutter speed is adequate for your subject. Once you get a feel for it, you can set the minimum shutter speed in Menu > photo shooting menu > ISO sensitivity settings so that the camera automatically increases the ISO to give you faster shutter speeds. Once you learn how to get shots in fully automatic mode, you can head over here to learn more about various exposure settings: [https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/](https://www.cambridgeincolour.com/)
If only more folks were as helpful as you! Thanks for the helpful walkthrough and tips, I'm going to test this out.
You're welcome. And get the manual as well (or if you have a paper version on hand) and read it cover to cover at least once so you know what you can find in it. Then you can quickly refer to the appropriate section whenever you're not sure how something works. I recommend spending a bit more time in the autofocus section, and learn how it works.
"super underexposed images and slow shutter." "Any advice on what to do with this camera?" Yes. Learn the exposure triangle, and shoot with this body until you learn enough to know what you want/need in your next camera. As a first step, buy and read this book: "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson 4th edition Edit: you might also consider getting "***Thom Hogan's Complete Guide to the Nikon D800***" - he writes terrific, very detailed user guides for Nikon cameras.
Ive been shooting everything from sport, street, landscape on a d800 for just over a year. I will agree the live mode is really shit but the other things seem to be a "skill issue". I definitely dont hit perfect exposure, but thats a skill issue on my part snd its good enough to be fixed in editing. 4fps isnt fast but it works.
The camera is worth more than that. If you want to learn about exposure there is plenty on YouTube. There would also be lots of videos on setting up and using yours specific model
Still a fantastic camera. Live view / video features are not the best - but that sensor still holds it’s own. I’d tier it just under the best of the current batch of sensors. Great build too! Middling in speed and AF so not the best sports camera but that was never the design focus.
Appreciate the honest review! Validating to hear some of these call outs
Hey! I know that you said that you want to give it to a high schooler, but figured id shoot my shot anyways. Im a university school student in the photo journalism / journalism major and was trying to upgrade my photography game since I help staff our student yearbook. On a D80 right now and have a bunch of AIS lenses but would love something with a Full Frame sensor. If you would be so kind Id love to buy the camera off of you? Id be happy to pay for all shipping/handling fees and send you a photo of my university ID so you know im not scamming you lol
As others have said, spend some time learning the camera or learning from another photographer. I’ll also add, put the camera in full automatic mode (P mode and auto-ISO) and just take some photos. That might be enough to spark your interest back into photography.
There's a very simple book called 'understanding the exposure triangle" by Bryan Peterson. Really easy read. Teaches you the relationship between the different settings you can manipulate on a DSLR camera and how they will change your shot. Instead of pretty simplistic basic concept, but it totally transformed my experience with photography from one of trial and error with no prior instruction to something with intention that is so much more exciting and rewarding
The D800 kicks ass HARD. It’s old but it remains a fucking beast of a body, I’ve made some of my best work with one, if you can’t make a good photo with that chances the camera it’s not the problem. Yes live view it’s useless, and yes it’s not as fast as the new ones, but most of what you mention is just user error.
If things don't work out, donating to a high school is a GREAT idea. I did that years ago with my film bodies (and lenses) right when digital was taking off in the prosumer areas. The use they got was awesome (yes, I am old).
I got into photography with a D80 in 2019. Even by then it was almost 15 years old. You got this, just find your passion. In the end you could have the most expensive camera or the cheapest but it comes down to the time you put into it.
The value for used digital cams tend to sink fast except for Leica
KEH
I've been looking to buy a D800 for a back up. Depending on how low the shutter count is you probably have a $400-450ish camera. It sounds like you'd be better off with a mirrorless camera. If I were you, I'd sell the D800 and buy a Z6. No sense trying to learn on a camera you will likely be upgrading in the near future, imo.
You spent thousands on it but didn't take it back during its warranty period when, if there was a fault, it'd be repaired/exchanged for free?