I have both on order and I keep changing my mind daily, I'm leaning towards the D800 based on the results of my previously owned D3/D3s/D700 which the end results were more than excellent, and very usable.
I'm not sure now that I want to spend more to end up doing extra when processing, the results from it's predecessors were nothing other than superb.
Hard call.
I too have both on order - and may end up keeping them both. The truth is, until I can really use them side by side and see the differences / downsides I can't really make a good decision.
However, my first thought is that once the images are printed it would be all but impossible to tell them apart. After all, it *basically* using an upscaled D7000 sensor and I've been pretty impressed with the AA filtered sharpness from that. I'm probably just going to use the "E" as my normal camera and the standard 800 as my backup / "There might be moire" cam. (Worried a little about bird feathers and sand - have seen moire in both in the past)
I cancelled my pre-order this morning after realizing the camera wouldn't arrive before my trip to Turkey. I leave on April 1 and from all reports, the camera won't be ready for shipping until the end of March... if all goes well. So I'll take my D700 and after three weeks traveling will spend the following month processing images. Perhaps by this summer it will be clearer how well both of these cameras will perform and i can make a bit more informed choice. Even if the cameras are in short supply for an extended period of time, I'll eventually be able to buy one, whether new or used. In the meantime I'll enjoy what is a truly great camera, the D700. There is nothing wrong with stepping out of the feeding frenzy...
I pre-ordered the D800. I checked the sample images made by both cameras on the Nikon site (full size image downloads) and was amazed by the D800 quality. The web site is http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/dslr/d800/sample01.htm
BUT you must download them, open them in software and view them at 100% magnfication to really see the quality.
Steve Perry wrote:
However, my first thought is that once the images are printed it would be all but impossible to tell them apart.
I think so, too. Even when looking at the files on your computer, I doubt you will ever be able to tell, unless you look at the EXIF, or you own both cameras and shoot them side by side for the same scene (who would do that).
pgphoto.ca wrote:
Are you sure the tool will work correctly? Not me.....what is missing....is missing!
It's like noise reduction tool.....you lose detail.
I thought the removal of the AA filter is supposed to increase IQ. Isn't that what Nikon stated with the D800E?
CGrindahl wrote:
I cancelled my pre-order this morning after realizing the camera wouldn't arrive before my trip to Turkey. I leave on April 1 and from all reports, the camera won't be ready for shipping until the end of March... if all goes well. So I'll take my D700 and after three weeks traveling will spend the following month processing images.
There is nothing wrong with stepping out of the feeding frenzy...
Unless you short in $$ why don't you wait until Mar 31st and if it not arrives then cancel it..D700 still fine camera. Don't know where are you going to but no video on D700 you will wast 50% of fun on your vacation trip.
Oh BTW I pre-ordered D800 but voted for D800E so hope will be less competitor for a first batch of shipment
I've been scanning through the M9 forums and haven't found many complaints about the moire effect from them, I also found John Wrights work to be the best of the early examples and he stated this on this blog when asked about his moire concerns.
"A: Personally I’ll be buying the D800E. Moire has been a fact of life using medium format for years. It’s something you deal with IF it appears. I’d prefer to have the extra res."
Im mainly doing travel and street photography and if the M9 crowd who do plenty of street work along with a best of the bunch fashion photog is okay with no AA filter I'd say that's a reasonable argument to take that route. All that plus it's supposed to be a landscapers dream I dont too bad about preordering the 800E . Let's just hope amazons estimated date of jan 2013 is an error
I preordered E version, and I have found I can reasonably get rid of most ill effects in Photoshop in some quick fashion thru automation, ie actions. I tend to agree with Thom Hogan's prediction that E will be a constant sold-out.