Congrats! The D4s will blow the socks off the D90, a massive improvement.
Is the D4s still a good camera?
- Thread starter f_nanzer
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f_nanzer
Member
I admitted that I'm in love of D5 since the launch. It was an amazing camera, although the quality is not 100% caused by camera, but the results that I see, blazing awesome.
I knew Morten Hilmer because of Nikon D5 and fall in love of his work.
f_nanzer
Member
Will be like get out of a beetle and enter on a ferrari or mustang, I guess lol
Thanks so much guys, your support was so helpful and decisive
Most of the sightings I get around here are in snow covered fields hunting. By Spring they're hungry and get a little bit bolder and come out of hiding. Occasionally I'll get them in and out of the brush but I'd say it's 4 to 1 snowy fields.
f_nanzer
Member
It's not an easy mission then. But the results worthwhile! I love this animal, is so beautiful and graceful.
Congrats on the D4s ... I shot one for quite a while and loved the low light performance ... I still like the images I have in my files taken with it. I use D500, D850 and D6 now but would not cringe if I had a D4s again 
O
Well-known member
For me The D4s is spectacular, its a tool that on the right glass can deliver stunning results, note with any camera 90% of what you get depends on you, for me the D850 delivers far more detail , has far better crop ability, has very accurate colours and lots of dynamic range, The D4s has a purpose, simply its just sharp fast and accurate, the D5 is just that bit better at higher iso, the D4s i better at base iso with colour.
I sold my D4s and D5 a while back and bought 2 D850 units with no regrets, i use a power grip and get 9 fps.
Would i go back to a D4s or D5, Maybe a D5 for just that critical cant afford to miss the shot low light 12800 iso application of a life time but really for everything else i prefer the D850 image results by far.
Love the D4s D5 but the D850 and models going forward are a new area, now the Z9 is doing 45mp at 30 fps.
With the D4s i need to get physically close or be dependent on quality long glass, less so with et D850.
Only an opinion Oz down under
I sold my D4s and D5 a while back and bought 2 D850 units with no regrets, i use a power grip and get 9 fps.
Would i go back to a D4s or D5, Maybe a D5 for just that critical cant afford to miss the shot low light 12800 iso application of a life time but really for everything else i prefer the D850 image results by far.
Love the D4s D5 but the D850 and models going forward are a new area, now the Z9 is doing 45mp at 30 fps.
With the D4s i need to get physically close or be dependent on quality long glass, less so with et D850.
Only an opinion Oz down under
O
Well-known member
Dont regret having a D4s, i mean its spectacular love it to bits especially on good glass...........its a sharp fast accurate pro camera..........only for me i find the D850 suits me more for what i do.
The D4s is simply a super forgiving camera to use amazing quality and value.
I used to just shoot manual, 3200/4000 ss, floated the iso -07 ev F4 or F8 set and forget, i could nail everything and anything just point and shoot.....in lower light conditions i would peel the ss back to suite.
Oz down under
The D4s is simply a super forgiving camera to use amazing quality and value.
I used to just shoot manual, 3200/4000 ss, floated the iso -07 ev F4 or F8 set and forget, i could nail everything and anything just point and shoot.....in lower light conditions i would peel the ss back to suite.
Oz down under
O
Well-known member
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
D4s 28-300 hand held on the run. Full speed. Taken as Jpeg Fine.
Its all i had on me walking around doing a lighting reconnaissance in preparation for the open bull events.
The original image is super sharp and look...........no auto eye tracking LOL
This image has been reduced to 72 dpi and cropped heavily.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
DF (has D4 Sensor) 16mp 50mm 1,4 D hand held taken as JPEG fine, Ok the DF to many is a toy, top me, its a D600 carcass with retro top with manual dials and a tweaked D4 sensor, its weird but sorry like most owners it delivers just amazing image files, just love this toy LOL.
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D4s 150-500 Sigma with broken VR taken as JPEG fine, massively cropped and down sized to 72 dpi.
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
D4s 24-70 2.8 G hand held JPEG. Cropped and downsized 72dpi.
Only some examples of old snaps from the versatile D4s and 16 mp sensor.
The D4s has a beautiful sensor better than the D4, although the DF with the D4 sensor has been tweaked a little.
The D4s is amazing versatile, super fast sharp and accurate camera as long as you can take the sensor to the subject.
Its large pixels really harness so much light. I have had excellent results to 8000 to 10000 iso also on the Df.
The 28-300 on the D4s had steam coming of the lens LOL.
Enjoy your D4s i did very much, but for me I now use the D850 very hard to let go of.
Oz down under
O
Well-known member
Ray Hennesy’s Photography, to me he is an artist, he makes his photographs not just takes them.
The excellent use of negative space shows the environment that all adds to the story yet the eye still is drawn to the key subject, the composition is very artistic and beautiful, there is a story, an evoking of emotion for the viewer, his work is natural peaceful relaxing and the type of art you would like to hang on your wall at home or in a commercial environment.
His style of photography art is 95% him, i mean if he only stopped using the D4s a year ago says it all, while many people are running around paying thousands for the latest gear and still take mostly only record shots.
If your coming from a D90 to a D4s its going to be insanely brilliant.
I would look at B and H camera store Used department, for safety sake. A D4s i think currently used with low use should be around $2000 $2200 USD ???
Lenses............... you have some very good glass already, many will say differently.
I photograph sports action, wild life, models, street photography, landscape, sea scape, commercial, architecture, photo journalism etc etc and I remind myself of a simple principal...........
A camera only uses Time Light and Speed to record what you see, light is a photon, a photon is made of red green and blue colour, so get the combination right for perfect exposure, before all that comes focus, if its not in focus nothing else matters. The photo should be a picture a work of art like Ray Hennesy’s ..........
I run ............
14-24,
24-70,
70-200 fl,
200 500,
300 2.8 VR II,
16mm 2.8 fish eye,
100 F2 Ziess macro,
50mm 1,4 Ziess,
50mm 1.4 D (Made in Japan)
two D850 units with optional genuine grip and D4s Batteries.
DF i love for fun and street photography, its unobtrusive, discrete with stunning image files.
Anything else i hire/borrow.........like 600mm F4 etc D5 D6......lighting etc........
If i travel its with the 14-24, 70-200 fl 200 500 1x D850, the D850 for me adds 40-50% more reach through excellent crop ability, with the Df (having the D4 tweaked sensor) as back up. This Df D4 sensor being 16mp having super large pixel pitch tolerates TCs much better in my experience as did the D4 D4s.
What i mean about the Df sensor being Tweaked is that the algorithms or what ever you want to call the magic is, the camera is fully optimized for stills as there is no Video...........
so I have been told by some Nikon technicians.........for what its worth. Reviewers bag it as they have to but they all conclude there is something special about that image file.
Love the D4s/ Love the D5..........again I sold them for the D850 as 9 fps was plenty for me and i wanted the crop ability, the newer light sensativity of the sensor, dynamic range and colour accuracy, and
above all i really wanted (now standard on all cameras) was a tilt screen for laying on a rock almost at water level for landscapes.
Any way thinking about the D4s has taken me down a wonderful memory lane, good luck, enjoy.
Oz down under
The excellent use of negative space shows the environment that all adds to the story yet the eye still is drawn to the key subject, the composition is very artistic and beautiful, there is a story, an evoking of emotion for the viewer, his work is natural peaceful relaxing and the type of art you would like to hang on your wall at home or in a commercial environment.
His style of photography art is 95% him, i mean if he only stopped using the D4s a year ago says it all, while many people are running around paying thousands for the latest gear and still take mostly only record shots.
If your coming from a D90 to a D4s its going to be insanely brilliant.
I would look at B and H camera store Used department, for safety sake. A D4s i think currently used with low use should be around $2000 $2200 USD ???
Lenses............... you have some very good glass already, many will say differently.
I photograph sports action, wild life, models, street photography, landscape, sea scape, commercial, architecture, photo journalism etc etc and I remind myself of a simple principal...........
A camera only uses Time Light and Speed to record what you see, light is a photon, a photon is made of red green and blue colour, so get the combination right for perfect exposure, before all that comes focus, if its not in focus nothing else matters. The photo should be a picture a work of art like Ray Hennesy’s ..........
I run ............
14-24,
24-70,
70-200 fl,
200 500,
300 2.8 VR II,
16mm 2.8 fish eye,
100 F2 Ziess macro,
50mm 1,4 Ziess,
50mm 1.4 D (Made in Japan)
two D850 units with optional genuine grip and D4s Batteries.
DF i love for fun and street photography, its unobtrusive, discrete with stunning image files.
Anything else i hire/borrow.........like 600mm F4 etc D5 D6......lighting etc........
If i travel its with the 14-24, 70-200 fl 200 500 1x D850, the D850 for me adds 40-50% more reach through excellent crop ability, with the Df (having the D4 tweaked sensor) as back up. This Df D4 sensor being 16mp having super large pixel pitch tolerates TCs much better in my experience as did the D4 D4s.
What i mean about the Df sensor being Tweaked is that the algorithms or what ever you want to call the magic is, the camera is fully optimized for stills as there is no Video...........
so I have been told by some Nikon technicians.........for what its worth. Reviewers bag it as they have to but they all conclude there is something special about that image file.
Love the D4s/ Love the D5..........again I sold them for the D850 as 9 fps was plenty for me and i wanted the crop ability, the newer light sensativity of the sensor, dynamic range and colour accuracy, and
above all i really wanted (now standard on all cameras) was a tilt screen for laying on a rock almost at water level for landscapes.
Any way thinking about the D4s has taken me down a wonderful memory lane, good luck, enjoy.
Oz down under
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O
Well-known member
Thank you for looking/enjoying, these images (here super small files) all payed bills, so i need to be careful showing them, hence ultra small file sizes.
Its just wanted to demonstrate the versatility of the D4s Df sensor/camera.
The action shot from the D4s 28-300 was blown up to 1 meter and has sensational detail on the original camera file, this sharpness and detail came from the Light and angle of a late afternoon sun over my shoulder. Natures natural camera flash LOL.
The bird is taken on what people would today laugh at, a 150-500 Sigma at 500mm LOL, i still have it, again positioning for the best light helped, i mean in my mind light makes all the difference.
Oz down under
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Turberticus
Well-known member
Is the D4s a good camera? Are all the images taken with the D4s still good images? Of course, yes
Only important factor is that the D4s is not as technology capable as new cameras. Images are good, AF is not as fast, high ISO may not be as good, .. IOW yes but not as good as newer cameras. But you will pay a lot more for newer cameras
Only important factor is that the D4s is not as technology capable as new cameras. Images are good, AF is not as fast, high ISO may not be as good, .. IOW yes but not as good as newer cameras. But you will pay a lot more for newer cameras
O
Well-known member
The alternative is to use a Z6II and seems to be a very good option but it means using an adapter for your existing glass and that's ok, i don't know if teh 80-200 2.8 D works on the adapter i think it dose ?? buying all new glass not so ok.
Ray Hennesy in his Q and A section says he is using the Z6II more than ever before and loves it but for just fast action and fast focus acquisition he still prefers the D4s, i can relate to his findings.
The D4s is clean to 6400 iso the Z6II goes further with even more pixels, it is a completely different camera yet similar in price range to a used D4s.
I think the Z6 II is very underrated and defiantly got some advantages.
It will be interesting to see what the Z9 and family of drill down technology brings.
Oz down under
Ray Hennesy in his Q and A section says he is using the Z6II more than ever before and loves it but for just fast action and fast focus acquisition he still prefers the D4s, i can relate to his findings.
The D4s is clean to 6400 iso the Z6II goes further with even more pixels, it is a completely different camera yet similar in price range to a used D4s.
I think the Z6 II is very underrated and defiantly got some advantages.
It will be interesting to see what the Z9 and family of drill down technology brings.
Oz down under
f_nanzer
Member
Wow! I loved the results!
And yes, I think the eye-AF is overrated. Ok, is a powerful tool, especially when you need to photograph fast action, but it's not a feature that, without it, make impossible achieve that frame.
Probably mine D4s will be delivered tomorrow and on the weekend I already out shooting with her. Will be some dude playing acoustic guitar, but as soon as possible, I will go try some wildlife photography
f_nanzer
Member
Thanks for the class! You couldn't choose better words to describe the Ray works. It's so good, it seems to have some hypnotic properties.
I bought my D90 in 2010 and until 2013 I only had the 10.5mm fisheye and a 12-24mm (that was stollen when I went to Peru). In 2017, I met the work of Morten Hilmer and the Youtube channel of Jared Polin. And in this moment I started to educated my in photography, searching for books, tutorials, articles and etc. All the information I read, watched or listened to, used to say the same thing: glass, glass, glass. So I focused on that and in December 2019, I found a very good oportunited on a used AF-S D 80-200mm f/2.8 and a Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 IF EX DG HSM. In the middle of the pandemic I found this 200-400mm f/4 that I bought recent, because when I first find it, it was to expensive. Last month, the same lens, was almost 50% off, the condition was almost new, so I bought it and I loved it!
And now I start to search new camera, and found this D4s. I'm very anxious to received it tomorrow!
The support and comments of all you guys, was indispensable for the decision! Like the Steve, the members of this forum are some incredible, thanks so much!
f_nanzer
Member
I really like the Z6II, it's a very capable camera. Morten Hilmer uses one, in extreme conditions, and produces excellent results.
But for me, it's out of question, since all my lens wouldn't do AF with the adapter. Thats why I still stay on the DSLR, but I very curious about the Z9 as well.
Maybe in the future, when Nikon was very updated on the mirrorless tecnholigies (in AF, more specific) I have enough money to do the transition.
O
Well-known member
I mentioned earlier that you have nice lenses that may be a stumbling block to move to the Z system . I feel its the case for so many people including myself as i don't want to spend $30k AUD building a new system when the FX Dslr dose nearly everything i need or want, Yes hiring a Z9 may be the case on occasions when and if needed but gee if you cant nail shots with a D4s D6 1DX D850 going Mirroless may be the answer as you really don't need to many skill sets with an A1 R5 Z9 ? but you may need a Univerty degree to drive the massive software features LOL
I am more interested in enjoying photography from a compositional and technique perspective, i want to keep/preserve my skill sets, yes their are so many little advantages of mirror less and their will be more in each new model release, and ist the future etc etc but equally their are still very capable cameras and lenses out their in FX.
Enjoy what you have, remember 90% of the result comes from you.........for now.
Recently my girlfriend and i were on the beach at a surfing competition, she is not a photographer and has no idea how to use a pro camera, my friend for fun said have a go on this thing, its a A 1 Sony, she said where do i push the button and am i holding it right, yes my friend said, she pointed at some gulls flying towards her, people walking, pelican landing, and gave the camera back and said thank you but this is boring, she took her surf board and said I am off to catch a few waves.
Well each shot was a money shot technically eye in focus the whole lot..........this is amazingly the future for camera manufactures, converting unskilled or less skilled people into pro level photographers with added video capability.
I am not against Mirroless in fact i am very pro mirror less just not yet.
Enjoy what you have, Ray Hennesy’s a clear example of what i am saying............
Only an opinion Oz down under
f_nanzer
Member
Sorry for my late reply, I was travelling for work and I had no free time and no internet connection.
I couldn't agree more with you. I love the mirrorless technology, I really think the neu AF system and the EVF was good improvement in the photography gear, but like you said, 90% of a good photo, came for the photographer. If you are unable to do good photos with basic equipaments (like a smartphone) wouldn't be the most expensive camera that will do this for you.
robertrear
Active member
I'm still very happy with my D4S however if I did sell it the price would be between 1700.00 to 2,000
O
Well-known member
There is going to be a lot of D850 units hitting the market in the near future.
A great transition from the D4s would be a D850............its a path i took and have absolutely no regrets, the dynamic range colour accuracy and crop ability is amazing.
If you keep a d4s battery and get an after market charger and grip you get 9fps......i have used a D4s since and love the focus attacking speed but if i had to live with one camera that just dose everything well hands down its the D850. But yes I love the D4s stunning, fast sharp accurate.........but after living with the D850 its a compromise worth making.
Oz down under
f_nanzer
Member
I usually hear that the D850 files are just stunning. A lot of megapixels, for good crop ability, huge dynamic range and accuracy colors.
Definitely i will keep my eyes on it, because I spend a lot of money on F glasses and here in Brazil the Z lenses are too expensive, so I will stay on F mount for couple more years and in a few months I will start to look for one second body, and it will definitely be a D850.
O
Well-known member
Given the prices of Z product and availability where you live........You don't really need the Z series, that said i just ordered a Z9 but i will play with it for a few months and sell it quickly unless it really really adds a lot to what i do.
For me In real terms ....What any camera dose..............
First comes .................Light, then focus, then sharpness, then exposure..... all cameras do exactly the same thing, they use a combination of time light and speed.
The camera doesn't make the picture............ you do.
My default settings for nearly everything is
Manual, SS 4000, Float the ISO to 6400, -07 ev as default, F7.1, the ISO balances the exposure, of course i can adjust settings all the time if needed the ISO balances the formula.
I use this for out doors day light conditions........... for all sports action or fast moving subjects........
Tracking is for me not critical, i use on the D850 9 or 25 points in Matrix, i pan and place the points on the head of the subject it usually gets great results, the Z9 may do this better but the liabilities that come with it may not be worth it.
Enjoy what you have focus on composition story telling
Example what this image means to me is, Love is in all of us when we are born, Racism is taught, this image succeeds over all technical aspects.........this is photography
Further to the image..........
This Film photo tells a story, for the viewer evokes and creates emotion, reflection.
The little girl with no shoes was sad cold and had been crying, the little girl with the shoes was comforting her, they became great friends..................
To me "Love is born in us, Racism is taught"
No eye tracking or needle sharpness or high resolution way back then, LOL
Oz down under
For me In real terms ....What any camera dose..............
First comes .................Light, then focus, then sharpness, then exposure..... all cameras do exactly the same thing, they use a combination of time light and speed.
The camera doesn't make the picture............ you do.
My default settings for nearly everything is
Manual, SS 4000, Float the ISO to 6400, -07 ev as default, F7.1, the ISO balances the exposure, of course i can adjust settings all the time if needed the ISO balances the formula.
I use this for out doors day light conditions........... for all sports action or fast moving subjects........
Tracking is for me not critical, i use on the D850 9 or 25 points in Matrix, i pan and place the points on the head of the subject it usually gets great results, the Z9 may do this better but the liabilities that come with it may not be worth it.
Enjoy what you have focus on composition story telling
Example what this image means to me is, Love is in all of us when we are born, Racism is taught, this image succeeds over all technical aspects.........this is photography
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
Further to the image..........
This Film photo tells a story, for the viewer evokes and creates emotion, reflection.
The little girl with no shoes was sad cold and had been crying, the little girl with the shoes was comforting her, they became great friends..................
To me "Love is born in us, Racism is taught"
No eye tracking or needle sharpness or high resolution way back then, LOL
Oz down under
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wild-pics
Member
Enjoy what you have focus on composition story telling
Example what this image means to me is, Love is in all of us when we are born, Racism is taught, this image succeeds over all technical aspects.........this is photography
View attachment 27314
Oz down under
[/QUOTE]
Profound statement, completely agree. Nice shot of the Lorikeet in your previous post.
I stopped looking to buy a D4S and ordered a Z9 last week.
Example what this image means to me is, Love is in all of us when we are born, Racism is taught, this image succeeds over all technical aspects.........this is photography
View attachment 27314
Oz down under
[/QUOTE]
Profound statement, completely agree. Nice shot of the Lorikeet in your previous post.
I stopped looking to buy a D4S and ordered a Z9 last week.