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Now reading: Heavenly bodies: Nikon D810 & D810A field test 111 comments

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Heavenly bodies: Nikon D810 & D810A field test

Published May 11, 2016 | Barney Britton

José Francisco Salgado is an Emmy-nominated astronomer, photographer and educator. Driven by a passion to show and explain our universe, José Francisco’s work has taken him all over the world, even as his camera lens is aimed far beyond our atmosphere. José Francisco joined us when we took Nikon’s D810 and D810A down to southern California recently, to capture the stunning desert vistas - and night skies - of the landscapes near Death Valley.

The D810 is Nikon's highest-resolution DSLR, and the D810A is a specialized version specifically designed for astrophotography. As well as a higher base ISO sensitivity, the D810A's sensor is modified to capture the specific wavelengths of the light transmitted by distant nebulae. Watch our video to see how José - and the D810A - performed.

Waiting for the D810 full review? We're pleased to tell you that it's being readied for publication! For now we hope you enjoy watching this field test, with José Francisco Salgado.

If you want to learn more about astrophotography make sure to visit our Astrophotography Talk forum.

Click here to read our full review of the Nikon D810

This is sponsored content, created with the support of Nikon. What does this mean?

Tags: video, astrophotography, nikon

Comments

All (111)

Most popular (15)

Editors' picks (0)

DPR staff (14)

Oldest first

Andy Loehr

Thanks a lot for sharing this view behind.
It is amazing to see the potential of a tweaked DSLR.
The M42 looks great. So sad that middle Europe has less dark spots.
My first astrophoto I have taken during our Honeymoon:
https://500px.com/photo/126229267/milky-way-over-maldives-by-andy-loehr

Thanks for inspiration!
Reagrds from Germany.
Andy

3 weeks agopermalink

BasilG

Can't figure out the cover shot of the video. It looks like Moebius arch, but if memory serves me right, that one is too small for a human to stand inside it. What am I missing...?

3 weeks agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

Hi Basil. It is the Mobius Arch. It's not huge but it is big enough for one to stand up inside. Google it and you'll find other photos with people. Take a look at the video if you haven't done so already. Cheers!

3 weeks agopermalink

BasilG

Thanks for the clarification. I've been there, in fact, so I'm just remembering it all wrong, it seems. ;) It's a very cool composition, fore sure!

3 weeks agopermalink

Arun H

Lovely. Thank you!

3 weeks agopermalink

locke_fc

Great video, and awesome photography.

José Francisco is totally right: we need more of the people in governments (not talking about the US alone) to have a basic understanding of science.

Minor nag: DPR, you guys managed to spell his name wrong ("Fransisco") two out of four times!

3 weeks ago*permalink

HB1969

I really love the field test videos. This one's my new fave :D

4 weeks ago*permalink

rrporto

what a great video ... thx for sharing!!!

4 weeks agopermalink

rev32

Thank you! For the D810 review and the video.
I am curious what white balance setting was used in camera and what corrections where made post processing. Whether its irony or synchronicity I don't know, I took my first star shots with a D810 last night, with camera in auto white balance. Got varying results. I could adjust in light room but would like some guidance.

Love the D810, have about 20,000 images since I bought it.
No regrets no remorse!

4 weeks agopermalink

Soulglow

I love this! I hope the snarky armchair photographers in the forums got some inspiration. I know I did.

4 weeks agopermalink

l_d_allan

Nice video.

My speculation is that the Pentax K-1 with pixel shift from IBIS could implement built-in star-tracking with 5 to 10+ minute exposures without star trails. That might allow low ISO captures of the Milky Way with a 14mm lens way longer than the rule-of-thumb of 600/FL.

4 weeks ago*permalink

mmrezaie

Is there a comparision about this feature of K1 and something like D810 with external tools? I would like to know how much just an IBIS technology can improve and let to take higher time exposure pictures.

4 weeks agopermalink

AstroStan

" pixel shift from IBIS could implement built-in star-tracking ... with a 14mm lens"

There is a serious problem with that notion: every short focus lens has significant geometric distortions (even a perfect lens suffers from the geodesic distortions of mapping a sphere onto a plane). It doesn't take much offset for stars to diverge. The result is zoom-like star tails that flay out from the center. This cannot be corrected in software.

Here is an example of that effect using a tripod static (no tracking) Canon 40d with Canon 17mm lens.: http://www.stanmooreastro.com/images/Sagittarius_17mm_register.jpg

4 weeks ago*permalink

Kater Karlo

I really enjoyed watching this! Great content, and editing and music are also really good!
Thank you!

4 weeks agopermalink

KL Matt

OMG you got to shoot with SALGADO!!!! Oh wait. It's not THAT Salgado.

4 weeks agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

Hey, I would get excited about shooting with *that* Salgado! ;-)

4 weeks agopermalink

KL Matt

Awesome reply and sorry didn't mean to dis you Jose Francisco. Your images ain't exactly chopped liver either! The B&W Canadian lunar tide photo in this video actually reminds me a little of the other Salgado's aesthetic, BTW. :-)

4 weeks agopermalink

HB1969

It must be a common name for awesome photographers :D

4 weeks agopermalink

I have a dream

So we'll have a review ? At last ! Even before the 820 is released. ;-)

4 weeks ago*permalink

Dale Baskin

Just for you, we published one this morning :)

4 weeks ago*permalink

I have a dream

Thanks ;)

3 weeks agopermalink

NDaniel

There are debates out there, D810 VS APSC body, would love to see that comparison as well in term of image quality

4 weeks agopermalink

Yxa

Very engaging video, with enthusiastic people
Well done DPR

4 weeks agopermalink

Studor13

Nebulosity. Cool word, very cool guy.

4 weeks agopermalink

Paul B Jones

Combines the human, gear and natural world elements of photography in an extraordinary way. Thanks DPR people.

4 weeks agopermalink

syberman7

Sensational. One of your best videos yet.

4 weeks agopermalink

Zorak

Each time, I'm really impressed by your field tests. Great job, team, and thanks.

4 weeks agopermalink

Alex Velasco

Fantastic video. Very interesting.

4 weeks agopermalink

jesus_freak

Great video! This is what photo and video should be all about.

Highlighting the tools used for storytelling, emotion, and art is much more impressive than shooting test charts pushed +6 stops.

4 weeks agopermalink

Rishi Sanyal

... and yet shooting test charts helps you figure out which tools to use to do your storytelling so that you can highlight the tools used for said storytelling.

Funny how that works. :)

4 weeks agopermalink

SushiEater

Hmmmmm Death Valley? Really.

4 weeks agopermalink

Barney Britton

Near Death Valley.

4 weeks agopermalink

SushiEater

Why not just name places as they are?

4 weeks agopermalink

Thematic

Why does it matter?

4 weeks agopermalink

SushiEater

Why did it matter you said Death Valley? For accuracy. Some people would like to know so they can go there. One place for example (most pictures) was Trona which is more than 60 miles from Death Valley.

4 weeks ago*permalink

Stollen1234

i could see the panamit mountains..telescope peak..
it is near death valley..it is true

4 weeks agopermalink

howardfuhrman

Excellent photos and video.

4 weeks agopermalink

skyflare

Great video. More please! Thanks.

4 weeks agopermalink

AnakChan

I was expecting a D810 vs D810A Ha comparison too :D. I have the D810A like it. Here's a timelapse I did a few months back.

https://vimeo.com/151637949

4 weeks agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

Good job. I'm assuming you used a fog filter, right? Cheers!

4 weeks agopermalink

AnakChan

Yes. Kenko Foggy B I believe. I don't know if the planes are a blessing or a curse.

4 weeks agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

I usually dislike planes but I must say that they add a cool factor to your sequence, especially with that filter.

4 weeks agopermalink

vFunct

This is the best video you guys have made so far. Production is dead on perfect.

4 weeks agopermalink

FuhTeng

Neat guys, what a lovely video! These are so fun.

I am surprised there was no direct comparison shot between the D810 and D810A to show us how the D810A's images are difference.

4 weeks agopermalink

HD Knucklehead

Quote, “these tools engage people and will make some young boy or girl to follow a career in science,” not realistic, these tools are too expense for a young boy or girl to purchase.
Interesting video though.

4 weeks agopermalink

Barney Britton

I don't think you have to buy the gear to be inspired by the images...

4 weeks agopermalink

HD Knucklehead

Years ago, I took two terms of astronomy then as a graduation gift, I bought myself a 10” Dobsonian telescope. I still have it.

4 weeks agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

You have a point, HD, and I had a similar thought after I said that but then I remembered that when I was teenager I worked many hours at the local shopping mall so I could buy my first telescope (a Meade DS-10). Back in the 80s $1000 was a lot of money but I did it so this is not that unrealistic, especially if parents and grandparents help :). I'm glad you found the video interesting. Thanks for your comment!

4 weeks agopermalink

Thematic

Rent. Don't make excuses.

4 weeks agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

True, @Barney, @Thematic.

4 weeks agopermalink

dialstatic

Also, you don't need a 810A plus tracking to get excited about this. I remember taking astro shots with my 350D and 50mm 1.8. Sure, they looked like crap compared to what mr. Salgado produces, but man, was I proud! And it taught me a lot about photography to boot.

4 weeks agopermalink

Turbguy1

Great vid!

4 weeks agopermalink

D Gold

Very nice review.

I've been doing deep space imaging with my D610, (a few of my better images in my gallery), and as I figured out what I was doing, (tracking object for hours, not minutes), I have come to appreciate it's abilities more and more and just how hard astrophotography is to do well. I tether my camera to my laptop and use a program called "Backyard Nikon", and IMO, that is the best way to achieve great focus and control over my image making process.

FWIW

4 weeks agopermalink

Rooru S

Now this was really interesting. Way to go DPR! More videos like these focusing in experiences and results instead of too much on specs.

4 weeks agopermalink

DanoFromMA

Thank you dpreview and all those involved in this video - great story and terrific production !

4 weeks agopermalink

Alex Efimoff

Not related to this article but inspired by it.
Guys, can you make/sponsor similar videos on influential creative photographers, who literally create their subjects, like still life photography or fashion and celebrity studio photography?

4 weeks agopermalink

obsolescence

...and architectural photography, and panoramic VR, please.

4 weeks agopermalink

kewlguy

NIce video, very inspiring!

1 month agopermalink

yuiop

Jose, go blue.

1 month agopermalink

Dale Baskin

Somehow José managed to get 'Michigan' into almost every shot...

1 month agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

I need to share this with my former professors, Go Blue! ;-)

4 weeks agopermalink

Noverdose

Music, science, and photography: I'm in heaven. Well done. Immensely inspiring. Encore.

1 month agopermalink

Andr3w

Another excellent video. I find this so much more interesting than the standard rundown of camera specs.

1 month agopermalink

Vegetable Police

I had no idea there was an app to locate planets in the sky. Thanks ;)

1 month agopermalink

Dale Baskin

We used an iOS app called Sky Guide. I'm sure there are others as well.

1 month agopermalink

Edymagno

Cool video. Great photog. Nikon rocks (pun intended).

1 month agopermalink

Robert Zanatta

There are a lot of beautiful photographs. The video is also very inspiring; makes me want to go out and try some astrophotography and canyon shots.

Thank you for creating such a great video.

1 month agopermalink

Svetoslav Popov

Good video. But wrong choice of music.

1 month agopermalink

Barney Britton

We tried using some Slayer in the rough cut but it didn't fit.

1 month agopermalink

sillen

Inspiring video

1 month agopermalink

Svetoslav Popov

Haha, nice one, Barney. But seriously, my choice would've been less busy sounding (very attention seeking strings!), more calm, so it doesn't compete with the narration. It's interesting, because normally i don't notice the soundtrack, but this time something was bugging me the whole time, and at the end i noticed. :)

4 weeks ago*permalink

Jonath

Fantastic video, proof that there is a point in designing high-end cameras with very specific use-cases in mind. BTW Maybe I missed it but is there a link to the images you shot anywhere? They look fantastic.

1 month agopermalink

Greg VdB

A comment I would like to make in this regard is that it is perfectly possible to get great results with cameras much cheaper than the D810/A as well. Up to a focal length of around 200 mm (400mm at a push), all you need is a sturdy tripod, an affordable tracker (Vixen Polarie, iOptron SkyTracker, SkyWatcher Star Adventurer), and a fairly recent aps-c or FF body. For ultra-wide Milky Way stuff, you don't even need the tracker.

1 month agopermalink

Arhire Adrian

Indeed, Greg. Also, many are modding their DSLR's by removing the filters in front of the sensor (IR, Bayer) and replacing those with a full spectrum filter.
I've seen people trying it at home with some success, although it's best to send it to a professional to do it.

1 month agopermalink

Jonath

Yes, some great shots in that forum you've pointed to, had not realised it was there.

My comment was not meant to suggest great shots weren't possible with other cheaper or custom setups, really more that there is nothing wrong with a camera, even if its expensive, that doesn't do everything and is aimed at a particular niche with features to fit, clearly they had a great time using it.

All that said, I don't doubt the person operating the camera has more than a small part to play in taking those great shots!

1 month agopermalink

Lars V

Beautiful, entertaining and informative, thanks for sharing.
Any chance you could tell more about the time lapse setups used?

1 month agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

Hi Lars, for the time-lapse sequence of the Mobius Arch shot with the D810A I used the following settings: 20 sec, ƒ/2.8, ISO 6400. I pulled more information from the shadows using Adobe LR6. Finally, I panned the sequence vertically in post using Adobe After Effects and rendered the movie at 30 fps. The other sequences shown were shot in Chile in 2009 back when my main camera was a D3. Please feel free to write for other details. Cheers!

1 month agopermalink

odpisan

Usualy "field test" does not atrackt me because almost with any camera nowadays it is possible to shoot best photos in good light of streets in a town.

And we all know that those "field tests" are made by pros, not by everyday people - like me.

But this one is exception.
The best one.

Great job DPR!

I know that Nikonisti are very happy & I am happy because I can feel their happines out of comments. Congratulation Nikonisti!!!
:o)))
______________________
ps:

May be ... may be that they feel a very small piece of my happiness because of Pentax K-1!
&
they will understand Pentaxisti without anger and hostility.

1 month ago*permalink

io_bg

I love your field test videos but this one in particular was really involving, probably your best to date. Thanks for doing it!

1 month agopermalink

WeAreShouting

Thanks sir. This one took some serious time in the edit bay to get the details right. We really appreciate you checking it out.

1 month agopermalink

Mark Banas

@WeAreShouting - Your hard work paid off. I particularly liked the soundtrack and the integration of the timelapse sequences. It all came together beautifully.

1 month agopermalink

A Owens

I very much enjoyed this video. Great job.

I too must confess to being puzzled by the lack of D810 review to date, but withhold judgement until the reasons become clearer in the review!

1 month agopermalink

Julian

I really enjoyed this vid, thanks DPreview once again! Keep up with these vids that draw us into new and fascinating areas of photography.

1 month agopermalink

dennishancock

Nice job!

1 month agopermalink

curiousmike1300

Loved it.

1 month agopermalink

LF Photography

Nothing against Nikon or the D810A, but this particular sponsored video at this time makes it look as if Nikon is worried about the Pentax K-1 taking over as the DSLR king of astro-photography, which it probably will. Hence this sponsored video, trying to convince astrophotographers to stay with Nikon.

Then again, I could be wrong and this could all be a coincidence.

Anyway, nice video.

1 month agopermalink

Barney Britton

You are wrong and it's just a coincidence :) Nikon had no involvement in the planning or scheduling of this video nor its timing (or content).

1 month agopermalink

LF Photography

I'll have to take your word on that ;) Still, it would be nice to see a comparison of the two when it comes to astrophotography.

1 month agopermalink

DDWD10

Until Pentax releases a K-1 with a selectable IR filter, the D810A has nothing to worry about.

1 month agopermalink

Eric Hensel

The interwebs -all conspiracy...all the time...

4 weeks agopermalink

Yxa

It would be nice to see a compairson of the Nikon D810 with the D800 if you catch my point

4 weeks agopermalink

Alessandro Catuogno

I'm not a Nikon or canon shooter,and i don't care much about the gear.
I like to say thank you, this video is inspiring, and sponsored or not, for me it's a pleasure to look.
Thank you again.

1 month agopermalink

Jose Francisco Salgado

This is my first comment at DPR and it goes to say thank you! I am glad it inspired you. Cheers!

1 month agopermalink

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