p.1 #1 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
1. I shoot many things, but pertaining specifically to tabletop products (i.e., food) have you seen better overall IQ than with the Canons? (other than the ability to boost shadoows)? (I now use 5D2, and 1Ds3, which is a great camera.) I guess what I am getting at is whether the increased color depth and such lead to a better real-world end result.
2. Assuming you have a D800 with outer AF points that work, are they as accurate as the cross type outer AF points on the 5D Mark III? (this is one thing which is holding me back - Canon's outer cross type points work superbly when shooting people and such.) I am doubtful that Nikon's outer points work as well, but I would love to read some feedback.
Again, I know that some cameras have the whacked out left AF issue, and I do not want to discuss that issue in this particular thread ;-)
p.1 #2 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Questions like this are posted daily on this forum. You might want to read over some of the dozens (if not hundreds) of other virtually identical threads before starting another one...
p.1 #3 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Believe me, I have read hundreds.
If you know of a post which answers the two *specific* questions above - especially pertaining to the Canon cross-type vs. Nikon non-cross-type af points, perhaps you would post a link or paraphrase...
p.1 #4 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
I dont know about the 5d mark III.
But when I was shooting using D700, d300s and D3. I used the left/right points to lock onto a flying bird as it entered the frame and track through.
Left AF issue not considered, I would trust the AF module on Nikon D800
p.1 #5 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
vchowdhary wrote:
I dont know about the 5d mark III.
But when I was shooting using D700, d300s and D3. I used the left/right points to lock onto a flying bird as it entered the frame and track through.
Left AF issue not considered, I would trust the AF module on Nikon D800
Good to know. The few times I have tried the D800 in-store, the outer AF has NOT worked properly, so I have a hard time judging from that. I suppose I will either rent one (which may also be wonky) or just purchase and hope for the best.
p.1 #6 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Take a look at the d800 refurb thread, just down a few threads from this one. Adorama is selling them for $2500, 30 day money back guarantee. Can't beat that, IMO.
As to the question whether or not it's better than your Canons, or the 5dIII, for table top. It's hard for me to imagine why it would be, when you're in control of every aspect of the shoot.
p.1 #8 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Kerry Pierce wrote:
Take a look at the d800 refurb thread, just down a few threads from this one. Adorama is selling them for $2500, 30 day money back guarantee. Can't beat that, IMO.
As to the question whether or not it's better than your Canons, or the 5dIII, for table top. It's hard for me to imagine why it would be, when you're in control of every aspect of the shoot.
Kerry
Hey Kerry,
These D800 bodies are RETURN TO MANUFACTURER ONLY… Put cursor on (?) symbol near Refurbished. The normal Adorama fine print will not apply to these as far as i understand. The Refurbished clause supersedes the normal easy returns clause...
I am posting it here as well because i do not want anyone to get false sense of security by reading your post. The fine print is kind of tricky here and also Nikon service is not a pleasure to deal with. First place they never acknowledged the existence of the problem in any bodies. How can anyone be sure if these are indeed ones that are fixed.
p.1 #9 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
And I am not eager to tangle with Nikon repairs. Canon is generally a breeze - fast and accurate repairs, and they pay shipping both ways, etc. Last time I sent something in for Canon cleaning they replaced the focusing screen for free...and it was done sooner than they said it would be.
Gives me pause about the refurbished Nikon knowing that it can't be returned to the store...
p.1 #10 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
molson wrote:
Questions like this are posted daily on this forum. You might want to read over some of the dozens (if not hundreds) of other virtually identical threads before starting another one...
You just can't help it can you? Every time someone posts something, particularly new memebers you jump off the seat and start your hobby of bashing them... It's very simple you know, you can just NOT read the post and move on, or at least be courteous to others when you have a suggestion or you can direct them to an informative post. And by the way almost every "new" thread has been discussed before in one way or another...
p.1 #11 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
ronno wrote:
1. I shoot many things, but pertaining specifically to tabletop products (i.e., food) have you seen better overall IQ than with the Canons? (other than the ability to boost shadoows)? (I now use 5D2, and 1Ds3, which is a great camera.) I guess what I am getting at is whether the increased color depth and such lead to a better real-world end result.
If you do post processing on RAW file, the raw files from D800 can handle a lo more abuse then those from 5D Mark II/III. This means that you have much more leeway in getting the color like you want before noise starts to ruin your image. However in general, the difference is not that big to make you want to jump ship.
2. Assuming you have a D800 with outer AF points that work, are they as accurate as the cross type outer AF points on the 5D Mark III? (this is one thing which is holding me back - Canon's outer cross type points work superbly when shooting people and such.) I am doubtful that Nikon's outer points work as well, but I would love to read some feedback.
Again, I know that some cameras have the whacked out left AF issue, and I do not want to discuss that issue in this particular thread ;-)
Thanks.
I have no idea about 5D III (I switched from 5D II to D800e) but left point focus is right on, as well as every other point. My camera does not have the AF issue but I have tried almost a dozen camera which had the issue.
If you don't want the extra pixels, and the dynamic range, I think that at the current discount price of $2800, 5D mark III seems quite good upgrade. The initial MSRP of 3500 was ridiculous.
The reason I switched to Nikon are
1. DR
2. Extra pixels for extra reach. I love shooting 1.2x crop which gives my 5fps at 25MP. I plan to add a third party battery grip to get the full 6fps this camera is capable of.
3. Built-in flash. I use it a lot as fill light, commander, and sometimes even main light for macro. In many cases you will be hard pressed to tell that built-in flash (or any flash) was used.
p.1 #12 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Ronno... To give you some helpful comments (having owned 7D, then D800 now moving back to 5D III) on your original post.
(2)A cross type point is a cross type and a non-cross type is a non-cross type one. For still photography, "I" felt the canon cross type points were more accurate and precise than the Nikon's outer non cross type. Even when comparing cross type points, i felt the canon ones are more accurate. My experience is exactly what the review in the link below states
That said, for continuous AF (Birds in flight, sports etc.,), Nikon really does very well in comparison to my 7D. Tracking algorithms are much better on the nikons. The keeper rate was lower with canon. (do not know about the 5DIII yet)
(1) For product shots, to maximize your IQ. I think you should add a couple of tilt shifts and do manual focus. These help you create images of products in a unique perspective that is not possible with normal lenses.
If and when Canon comes out with higher MP/ better sensor upgrade and till then stick to 5DIII. Its definitely gonna happen. The grass always seems to be greener on the other side...
This is just my limited experience/observations and opinion. By no means i can prove my statements scientifically.
p.1 #13 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Good to know bbvaj.
And no, I do not use AF when shooting tabletop ;-)
I should note that when I have used the 5D3 to test, focus has been amazing, even with lenses with old AF - such as the 50 1.8; and even wide open. It seems to be great AF for relatively still subjects.
(bemyzeke, you have seen a dozen D800 cameras with the AF issue?? wow.)
p.1 #14 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Kerry Pierce wrote:
Take a look at the d800 refurb thread, just down a few threads from this one. Adorama is selling them for $2500, 30 day money back guarantee. Can't beat that, IMO.
As to the question whether or not it's better than your Canons, or the 5dIII, for table top. It's hard for me to imagine why it would be, when you're in control of every aspect of the shoot.
Kerry
bbvaj wrote:
Hey Kerry,
These D800 bodies are RETURN TO MANUFACTURER ONLY… Put cursor on (?) symbol near Refurbished. The normal Adorama fine print will not apply to these as far as i understand. The Refurbished clause supersedes the normal easy returns clause...
I am posting it here as well because i do not want anyone to get false sense of security by reading your post. The fine print is kind of tricky here and also Nikon service is not a pleasure to deal with. First place they never acknowledged the existence of the problem in any bodies. How can anyone be sure if these are indeed ones that are fixed. ...Show more →
I am not convinced that they are return to manufacturer only item. Maybe so, maybe not. That seems to be talking about the 90 day warranty, which is different than the 30 day Adorama satisfaction guarantee. If I were going to buy one of these units, I would make sure exactly what my rights were, before I finalized any purchase. It should be simple enough to ask them via email and then have their response email saved as additional security.
p.1 #15 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
I shoot with a 5D2, 5D3 & D800e. Here's a post from another site I submitted which may be helpful.
"I currently shoot with a 5D2, 5D3 & D800E.
First & foremost, at ISO 100 & 200 the image quality of the D800E blows the Canons out of the water - plain & simple. DR and detail are stunning. If you shoot a lot at these low ISOs you can't get better than the D800E's sensor. At those low ISOs, in a high DR scene, a shot that only needs one exposure with the D800 might very well need 2 with the Canon to capture clean shadows. At ISOs 400-800 the DR and IQ are generally about equal with the exception of more details for the D800E. At above ISO 800 the 5D3 starts to pull ahead in DR and maybe noise but I find the noise of the D800E files easier to deal with.
As for AF, I agree with others that the 5D3 has an edge.
As for ergonomics/shooting comfort overall I prefer Canon but not by much. The one design feature the D800E has that's inexplicably missing in the 5D series is a built-in viewfinder curtain. What is Canon thinking? And why neither cam has a flip out, tilting LCD screen is a real mystery.
Oh, and Canons liveview is way, way better than Nikon's.
As for build quality, the 5d3 is better. Same too for shutter noise/feel.
As for frame rate, I kinda like the D800 option of using a 1.2 crop to get 5-6 fps (resulting in a 24MP file) but it takes practice to mentally switch from a full frame POV to a smaller crop.
As for lenses, I've seen a lot of 24-105 vs 24-120 talk in the thread with folks saying the 24-105 is a lot better. I don't agree. I have & love them both for their usability and IQ and find them comparable. As for overall lens line-up, I prefer Canon for its amazing TSE lenses and L quality mid zooms like the 70-300 and 100-400 and 70-200 f/4 IS (but it looks like Nikon is about to announce its own 70-200 f/4 VR). On the wide end, Nikon has the wildly good 14-24 and useful 16-35 f/4 VR. I've rented a 14-24 to use on my 5D2 and wow, it's nice. I opted for a Zeiss 21 f/2.8 for the D800E but am still considering the 14-24 or 16-35 VR since I really like AF and handheld stuff.
As others have pointed out, your choice of body has everything to do with how you shoot and what you enjoy shooting. For ISO 100-200 use, the D800 smokes Canon for image quality and it's about equal up to ISO 800. The 5D3 might be a slightly better general use DSLR but not by much and only if you use higher ISOs and need a little better fullframe frame rate or slightly better low light AF.
If you can, rent one and find out for yourself how it'll work for your needs.
Good luck!
Oh, and BTW, my D800E does unfortunately have the left side AF problem (still need to send it in for repair). But on the other hand, my 5D3 exhibits wild light leak thru the viewfinder when I'm using liveview (really bad - not using the annoying/stupid external curtain isn't an option). Sigh, nothing's perfect."
p.1 #16 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
molson wrote:
Questions like this are posted daily on this forum. You might want to read over some of the dozens (if not hundreds) of other virtually identical threads before starting another one...
Even though I'm nearly sixty I'm still amazed at how rude some people can be.
p.1 #18 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
Hi Ron
This is early days for me but I have a 1DSiii (not for a lot longer) and have recently bought a D800E. I was going to wait a while longer to see what Canon came up with next year but, for various reasons, really felt I needed to move onto a lighter body soon. I have handled a 5Diii and know it is a superb camera but I felt it didn't give me anything I would really value over my 1DSiii other than a smaller/lighter size. Most of my work is landscape and low ISO. Some say the 5Diii picture quality at low ISO is not quite as good as the 1DSiii - no idea if that's true but I'd guess there's not a lot in it in any case.
I can't speak about relative AF performance but can say that shadow recovery and noise on the D800/E is massively improved over the 1DSiii, as you'd expect. I can also say that, if you pair this camera with one of the best lenses, the IQ is astounding. Zeiss 35/2 and Nikon 14-24 are the two I've tried to date. With lesser lenses, the quality is still super of course but you are not making the most of what the camera can do.
I was sitting on the fence until I tried the 14-24 - fearing I'd miss my 17TSE too much - but I have to say it is the most unbelievable lens, particularly given my experience of Canon's UWA zooms was disappointing.
The other thing I like about the D800/E is that it allows quite a lot of direct access to functions through buttons - plenty in the menu too - but it is more like a 1 series Canon in that respect than the 'lower' Canon models.
Live view is not great but in most situations still much better than the 1DSiii imo.
I don't think you can go wrong whatever you decide - but you'll know already that both will give you great results and it's a question of what will help you get the most out of your gear.
Lizzie
p.1 #19 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
More great info, thanks Lizzie. (I loved my 1Ds3, but it was too big and heavy for me too...)
Now, I am wondering if some kind soul might "loan" me a few good D800 RAW files - I need to see what I am missing!
The RAW files I have found on the web are junk.
p.1 #20 · Questions for those moved from Canon to D800
ronno wrote:
More great info, thanks Lizzie. (I loved my 1Ds3, but it was too big and heavy for me too...)
Now, I am wondering if some kind soul might "loan" me a few good D800 RAW files - I need to see what I am missing!
The RAW files I have found on the web are junk.
Thanks.
1Ds3 is a superb camera and served me very well for over 4 yrs now and I'm sure will keep going many more...
Re RAW files - happy to send you a couple if you PM me - I guess one of those freebies like Yousendit or similar should cope with the files?
