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D610 - should I go for it?


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10 replies to this topic

#1
NickOn

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Some time ago I asked the Forum about low light shooting and what kit to go for:

 

An upgrade to better low light peformance? - Nikon DX DSLRs - NikonForums.com

 

I've been offered A D610 body at a reasonable price and I'm tempted to go for it.  Just before I leap, I'd like any views on it.  It's had about 7,000 actuations in two years and the camera body appears well cared for with no scuffs or evidence of rough treatment.

 

I think the D750 is the next step up?  This may be beyond my budget but is it significantly better than the D610?  I hear of issues with auto-focus in low light conditions with the D610? 

 

I want to be able to confidently push the ISO for interior shots such as for a theme I'm following at the moment for people at work in forges, tannerys, brewerys etc.  Also just being able to do shots in woodland locations or at dusk would be great. 

 

I'm using a D300 at the moment.  

 

Any thoughts would be appreciated.



#2
Merco_61

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The AF isn't brilliant, even compared to the D300, but it works. The D750 has similar AF performance, the large difference is that it has a bigger buffer. How high will you have to push the ISO? Another advantage the D750 has over the D610 is that the DR doesn't degrade as much at higher ISO. The D610 is still very much better in that regard than any DX body except the D500.

 

If the price is right and you can get some shortish FX lenses soon, I'd say go for it. The D610 is a very capable prosumer body and if getting a used one rather than a D7200 or a D750 will mean that you can get some better glass for your needs because of the lower cost, getting it makes lots of sense.



#3
NickOn

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Nikonian,

 

Thanks, as ever, for your quick reply.  The auto focus is probably the one worrying me most, especially for low light, which is what I want to start doing more of.  The reviews I've read say the D610 has the older Multi-CAM 4800 FX AF, whilst the D750 has the Multi-CAM 3500 FX II, which apparently so they say, is better for low light and focus tracking.  Is there a real difference here?

 

The D610 has 39 focal points grouped near the centre and the D750 has 51 (as for my D300!) again group quite centrally. There are some nice things on the D750 such as a tilt screen as well.

 

The review said that the D610 has a "very, very conservative ISO range" at 100-6400, whilst the D750 has up to 12,800.  Both "expand" (not sure what that is) beyond their "native" (not sure what that is either!" range.

 

However, maybe I should remember that they are both excellent cameras and a significant step up from my D300 (which I will hang on to).

 

How far will I push the ISO?  I'm not sure, until I get more competent with this type of photography. Certainly way beyond the 800 to 1600 which I use on my D300.  



#4
Merco_61

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The D750 AF is better but to put the performance into perspective, EV-1 where the D610 AF breaks down is equivalent to ISO 6400, f/4 and 1/2 s, the same for the EV -3 of the D750 is ISO 6400, f/4 and 1/8 s.



#5
Brian

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The D750 has the better AF... BUT having a D610 and a fast lens would certainly work in the locations you mention.

 

A D610 and an 85/1.8 lens would go a long way or low-light situations.

 

I use mostly manual focus lenses with my Df, using focus confirmation in low-light. Same AF detector as the D610.

 

30150260914_daba0c3094_o.jpgSkate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

 

My Nikon Df, ISO6400, Manual Focus 85/1.8 wide-open at 1/60th second at the skating rink- "disco lighting".

 

F2 and 1/125th second.

 

30665031322_765dacc091_o.jpgSkate and Fun Zone by fiftyonepointsix, on Flickr

 

A D610 with a 50/1.8 or 50/1.4, 35/2, and 85/1.8 would go a long way for existing light.



#6
nbanjogal

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If it's a good deal and you have access to good, fast lenses, don't hesitate. I shot with the D600 (precursor to the D610) for a few years, and it performed quite well in low light as long as it was paired with a good lens--I used it frequently with a 50mm/1.4, 85mm/1.8, and 24-70mm/2.8.

 

Heh...as far as autofocus goes...my D600 with a Nikkor 24-70 outperformed my D810 with a Tamron 70-200 on autofocus at a dimly lit indoor wedding just a couple months ago. This is purely anecdotal, but to me it seemed that the lens makes a big difference.

 

It is a great camera, and saving on the body now should allow you to pick up a lens or two, yes?



#7
NickOn

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Thanks for the recent replies. 

 

You would go for an 85mm Brain and not a 50mm?

 

Thanks for the lens suggestions nbanjogal.  It will be one lens, I think!  I've an AF-S Micro 105mm f2.8 G and an AF-S 70-300 f4.5 to 5.6 G that will transfer over from my D300 kit so I'll be looking to add to this, with something fast.



#8
Merco_61

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When you have used the 35 on your D300, has it felt wide, cramped or just right? If it felt like you wanted to take a step closer all the time, an 85 might work best for you, if you wanted to take a step back, a 35 might be best and if it felt spot on for most indoor shooting, a 50 on FX is a no-brainer.



#9
Brian

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Thanks for the recent replies. 

 

You would go for an 85mm Brain and not a 50mm?

 

Thanks for the lens suggestions nbanjogal.  It will be one lens, I think!  I've an AF-S Micro 105mm f2.8 G and an AF-S 70-300 f4.5 to 5.6 G that will transfer over from my D300 kit so I'll be looking to add to this, with something fast.

The 85 allows more working distance between you and the subject. If you are looking to get the camera put of the "sphere of influence" of your subject, the longer focal length works. But- I usually keep one body with a Fast-Fifty and a second with the 85,

 

I have a lot of lenses. Most of the time, a 55/1.2, 50/1.2, or 50/1/4; 85/1.8 or 85/2; and 35/2 in the Nikon bag with the Df. The 50/1.8 AF-S is a bargain, the 50/1.8 AF-Nikkor- also a bargain. The F1.2 lenses are on the more expensive side "these days"-, the 50/1.4 or 50/1.8 are all you need with today's Fast ISO.



#10
alden

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I usually shoot with a 50mm f/1.8 with my D610. I've shot in lots of very low light conditions at ISO 6400 with that combination with extraordinary results.

 

My lens is an old AF lens that I bought about 20 years ago, and it works great. AF is snappy and it's razor sharp.

 

Here's an example, near a window on a moderately sunny day. ISO 1250 (which is the "sweet spot" low light ISO to me).

 

DSC_2538%20-%20bw-XL.jpg

 

Nikon NIKON D610 ISO 1250 Focal Length 50.0 mm (50.0 mm in 35mm) Aperture f/2.5 Exposure Time 0.005s (1/200)

 

Here's another with a very low ISO of 250, again interior near a window, 85mm f/1.4 manual focus lens.

 

Rokinon%20027-2-XL.jpg

 

 

Camera Nikon NIKON D610 ISO 250 Focal Length 85.0 mm (85.0 mm in 35mm) Aperture f/1.8 Exposure Time 0.01s (1/100)

#11
Dogbytes

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I have had a D610 for over two years and I like it far more than I ever expected to, I believe they're highly under-rated, being pitched as Nikon's cheapest FX offering. I use a 24/2.8 a 50/1.4 and an 85/1.8. (I can live with the 'slow' 2.8 on the 24mm because it's easy to hand hold it for longer to compensate!)

 

I haven't used a D750 but, if I needed a second body, I'd buy another D610 without a second thought.

 

For what you've described, I think the AF would be perfectly adequate. It pretty much has to be dark before the AF starts to become an issue, dusk it can deal with.

 

Performance at ISO6400 is easily good enough for me and whilst it has certainly deteriorated by 25,600 it is certainly usable.

 

I'd happily recommend the D610 as a very capable all-round camera body - and if it's a good price and you find you don't like it, you can always move it on.