Anyone still using the D4 for sports? I haver a D850, and Z6. But have always coveted a D4/D5/D6. Is it worth to still use one of these? I shoot a lot of sports with my D850 with the grip and always wondered what it would be like to have a 11 fps camera compared to the 9fps I have.
edward hyde
November 25, 2021 6:36 am
Are Nikons…, the plural not the possessive…
Tim Wheeler
May 1, 2020 12:04 pm
I’ve wanted one of these for so long, but the used prices have remained stubbornly out of reach. In the last year I’ve grabbed a D3x and a D3s for amazing prices. I got a nice D3s just as the lockdown as getting started here in the U.K., so I haven’t used it much yet. However I’ve been doing studio portraits with the D3x for the previous 14 months and love it. With the mania for mirrorless (and the latest thing), it is only a matter of time until a decent D4 with a sub 150K shutter count hits my price point. It will be interesting to see whether I like it so much that it will replace both D3s & D3x. Only proper hands-on and pixel peeping will tell me that.
Burghclerebilly
February 20, 2018 5:08 pm
It’s a great thing for the serious photography community that Nasim undertakes such thorough reviews, and also takes his time over them to avoid the ‘new-toy’ hype. An additional step would be to look back every few years and control at least the summary in comparison to latest models, and consider the second hand pricing. Having just picked up a fairly low shutter count D4 for $2200, I have to say this machine is still a beast. The concept of the build quality being 4-star, suggests that Nasim must regularly shoot with Victorian era industrial machinery (!); it’s bulletproof. Additionally, the handling is sublime and the dynamic range is pretty solid too. I’d say each of those features should be at least a 4.5 rating even in today’s D850 world, especially since it’s considerably better value. As it’s my second body, this is not my own new-toy excitement, just astonishing how well the Pro Nikon bodies last.
Dom
October 29, 2014 2:16 am
I have a D4 since September 2013. The only issue I had with the camera was at the beginning when it refused to write on a UDMA-7 card as well as a XQD (I write JPG on the CF and RAW on the XQD). This problem has been fixed by a firmware update and I have been happy ever since. I personally love the joystick and it never fell off my camera. The image quality is superb, the ability of shooting anything in any condition is in my opinion a plus compared to cameras like the D800. I cannot compare the D810 because I never owned one but I had a D800; once I used the D4, it was a different ball game all together and I sold my D800. Recently I have complemented my D4 with a D750 which I believe is an excellent product and 1/2 the weight of the D4 + bring a functionality not readily available on the D4 such as better video functions and improved AF despite a limited buffer… but it’s less than 1/2 the price!
joerg
October 26, 2014 3:39 am
Great review. Regarding the new mini joysticks – there are many different opinions among the owners. Indeed they were one of the reasons why I chose the D4 in favour to the D800 (another reason was that I did not require 36MP). For me the mini-joystick has a perfect position for my large hands. I was never happy using the main-selector to move the AF-Point around as it was for my large hands much to low.
In the past 2 years I did not have any issues with the mini-joystick, while it added much more comfort. In contrast, the color on the left-hand side of the body itself (around the menu and lock button) is getting off because of the heavy use.
I really hope that Nikon is keeping the mini-joystick in future models. That said, there is certainly room for further improvements regarding ergonomy and Autofocus operation. I’m still hoping for any type of solution for the situation, where I need to – move the Focus-point around (Thumb on the mini-joystick ; I usually use single-point AF-C, and move it to the subject even if its moving permenently around) – activate AF-On (via re-programmed Fn Button, as my thumb is already on the mini-joystick) – be ready to shoot (finger on the accuator button)
I agree that I don’t have that situation quite often, as the long glass has already a separate af-on-button at the front of the lens, but from time to time I’d love a additional af-on-button on the body which could be activated by the left hand (when the lens don’t have a separate AF-Button)
A Monoang
October 24, 2014 3:49 pm
Nasim,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. As an enthusiast, i’ve been fascinated by Nikon high end models (D4 and D4s), without being able to justify myself to get one. Reading your and the team’s eperience along with the great photos was very engaging. Thank you for the review. I look forward to reading your article on D4S.
Cheers, A.Monoang
Tom D
October 24, 2014 2:59 pm
Thanks for the review. It may be “late”, but it still has a lot of value. Plenty of people can only afford this kind of gear second hand and will still be looking at this camera and be curious how it compares with newer, cheaper models or to other second hand models. Plus your reviews are always worth reading.
Like quite a few above, I think the biggest take away from the review is you need to pursuade Tom Reed to post more photos! Your team is full of talented photographers, but even with the very high standard seen here Tom’s photos just blew me away. I’m going to go back and look at them again – WOW!
Great review as always, Nasim. Since you are reviewing older items, will you please finally review the Micro VR 105mm f/2.8 as well??? Thanks
Willy Gill
October 24, 2014 4:54 am
Hi. First of all thank you for a very interesting website that I enjoy very much! I have had a D3s for more than 4 years and I am very happy with it for my wildlifephotographing. For a couple of reasons I consider to sell it to buy a D810 or D750. I have my own photohide for Goosehawk, Sparrowhawk and sometimes Golden Eagles. I sometimes would like more than 12MP to make larger prints for my landscape work, and I also need better AF sometimes. I think that the 810 will give me more keepers of birds in flight with the New Group AF. I think it is too expensive to go for the D4s as long as I am not a Pro, although I make som Money on my dear hobby. So I would like an advice on keeping my D3s or og for a newer body. For travel work I use my Fuji XT-1 both for landscape and Wildlife. Thanks. Willy
Anyone still using the D4 for sports? I haver a D850, and Z6. But have always coveted a D4/D5/D6. Is it worth to still use one of these? I shoot a lot of sports with my D850 with the grip and always wondered what it would be like to have a 11 fps camera compared to the 9fps I have.
Are Nikons…, the plural not the possessive…
I’ve wanted one of these for so long, but the used prices have remained stubbornly out of reach. In the last year I’ve grabbed a D3x and a D3s for amazing prices. I got a nice D3s just as the lockdown as getting started here in the U.K., so I haven’t used it much yet. However I’ve been doing studio portraits with the D3x for the previous 14 months and love it. With the mania for mirrorless (and the latest thing), it is only a matter of time until a decent D4 with a sub 150K shutter count hits my price point. It will be interesting to see whether I like it so much that it will replace both D3s & D3x. Only proper hands-on and pixel peeping will tell me that.
It’s a great thing for the serious photography community that Nasim undertakes such thorough reviews, and also takes his time over them to avoid the ‘new-toy’ hype. An additional step would be to look back every few years and control at least the summary in comparison to latest models, and consider the second hand pricing. Having just picked up a fairly low shutter count D4 for $2200, I have to say this machine is still a beast. The concept of the build quality being 4-star, suggests that Nasim must regularly shoot with Victorian era industrial machinery (!); it’s bulletproof. Additionally, the handling is sublime and the dynamic range is pretty solid too. I’d say each of those features should be at least a 4.5 rating even in today’s D850 world, especially since it’s considerably better value. As it’s my second body, this is not my own new-toy excitement, just astonishing how well the Pro Nikon bodies last.
I have a D4 since September 2013. The only issue I had with the camera was at the beginning when it refused to write on a UDMA-7 card as well as a XQD (I write JPG on the CF and RAW on the XQD). This problem has been fixed by a firmware update and I have been happy ever since. I personally love the joystick and it never fell off my camera.
The image quality is superb, the ability of shooting anything in any condition is in my opinion a plus compared to cameras like the D800.
I cannot compare the D810 because I never owned one but I had a D800; once I used the D4, it was a different ball game all together and I sold my D800.
Recently I have complemented my D4 with a D750 which I believe is an excellent product and 1/2 the weight of the D4 + bring a functionality not readily available on the D4 such as better video functions and improved AF despite a limited buffer… but it’s less than 1/2 the price!
Great review.
Regarding the new mini joysticks – there are many different opinions among the owners. Indeed they were one of the reasons why I chose the D4 in favour to the D800 (another reason was that I did not require 36MP). For me the mini-joystick has a perfect position for my large hands. I was never happy using the main-selector to move the AF-Point around as it was for my large hands much to low.
In the past 2 years I did not have any issues with the mini-joystick, while it added much more comfort. In contrast, the color on the left-hand side of the body itself (around the menu and lock button) is getting off because of the heavy use.
I really hope that Nikon is keeping the mini-joystick in future models.
That said, there is certainly room for further improvements regarding ergonomy and Autofocus operation. I’m still hoping for any type of solution for the situation, where I need to
– move the Focus-point around (Thumb on the mini-joystick ; I usually use single-point AF-C, and move it to the subject even if its moving permenently around)
– activate AF-On (via re-programmed Fn Button, as my thumb is already on the mini-joystick)
– be ready to shoot (finger on the accuator button)
I agree that I don’t have that situation quite often, as the long glass has already a separate af-on-button at the front of the lens, but from time to time I’d love a additional af-on-button on the body which could be activated by the left hand (when the lens don’t have a separate AF-Button)
Nasim,
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this article. As an enthusiast, i’ve been fascinated by Nikon high end models (D4 and D4s), without being able to justify myself to get one. Reading your and the team’s eperience along with the great photos was very engaging. Thank you for the review. I look forward to reading your article on D4S.
Cheers, A.Monoang
Thanks for the review. It may be “late”, but it still has a lot of value. Plenty of people can only afford this kind of gear second hand and will still be looking at this camera and be curious how it compares with newer, cheaper models or to other second hand models. Plus your reviews are always worth reading.
Like quite a few above, I think the biggest take away from the review is you need to pursuade Tom Reed to post more photos! Your team is full of talented photographers, but even with the very high standard seen here Tom’s photos just blew me away. I’m going to go back and look at them again – WOW!
Thank you for sharing these amazing photos.
Thank you Tom
Great review as always, Nasim. Since you are reviewing older items, will you please finally review the Micro VR 105mm f/2.8 as well??? Thanks
Hi. First of all thank you for a very interesting website that I enjoy very much! I have had a D3s for more than 4 years and I am very happy with it for my wildlifephotographing. For a couple of reasons I consider to sell it to buy a D810 or D750. I have my own photohide for Goosehawk, Sparrowhawk and sometimes Golden Eagles. I sometimes would like more than 12MP to make larger prints for my landscape work, and I also need better AF sometimes. I think that the 810 will give me more keepers of birds in flight with the New Group AF. I think it is too expensive to go for the D4s as long as I am not a Pro, although I make som Money on my dear hobby. So I would like an advice on keeping my D3s or og for a newer body. For travel work I use my Fuji XT-1 both for landscape and Wildlife. Thanks. Willy