GEAR TESTS: NIKON D810

Robin Dodd Backscatter Team Member

The Nikon D810 with a Nikon 105VR lens in the Nauticam NA-D810 housing was my go-to rig for macro shots. The 105mm lens allowed me to nail insanely detailed full-frame shots of some tiny critters like arrow crabs and banded coral shrimp.  The anti-aliasing feature of the D810 really shines on these macro shots where facial details are critical.

The NA-D810 really made me appreciate the intuitive control schemes and innovative techniques that make shooting a Nauticam housing an ergonomically great experience. With only one or two control exceptions, I never had to take my hands off the handles to change settings on the camera. The critical controls of shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and image review are all located right at your fingertips. This makes adjustments on the fly second nature and effortless. I found this to be a huge relief when there are already so many other factors to consider when going for that perfect shot.

I found the most valuable asset on this system to be an expanded 45-degree viewfinder. The expanded viewfinder not only provides magnification so that you can really clearly see your shot before taking it, it also allows you to get your face back from the rear of the camera for more convenient shooting position and convenient quick image review. You can't really make a great image unless you can see it and line it up before snapping the shutter, so the investment in an expanded viewfinder carries a critical value that all shooters of any experience level can instantly utilize.

READ MORE GEAR TESTS: