In a recent studio shoot my D700 had problems with noise and banding against a low key background at base ISO, I can't see a 36MP FF sensor being any better in this respect - it isn't all about pixel count. There is plenty of life left in medium format yet - bigger area is better when it comes to image quality because any tech that can make a smaller sensor better can do the same to a bigger one.
I have had both the D700 and the D7000 (and have the D3x), and have had a quick go with a D800 (getting the first production non-beta review sample this monday I hope, the Stockholm reviewers already have their test samples), and you can't compare the D700 to the D800. The D800 seems to be a few tenths of an Ev better than the D7000, and the D7000 is about two full stops better than the D700 for DR and usable latitude at base ISO. They're not even comparable.
And even the "lowly" D5100 has better shadow detail retention than the best MF back I've ever shot (which isn't really that hot, a P45+).
The D3 (including the -s) and the D700 have quite terrible shadow detail retention at base ISO. Where they shine is at ISO640 and up, where they can work in their linear region.
Mikael did some reality based situation tests when trying out the Canon 7D against his 5D2's. The D7000 sweeps the floor with all the other cameras included. Note that all cameras were very accurately exposed to give the exact same highlight clipping point (sunlit left part of the shed). The images show the available in-camera latitude quite well. D7000 vs 5Dmk2 shadow detail retention comparison
Given the choice I'd rather use the D7000 (even though it's APS, and more lens-sharpness-sensitive) than the D700 in the studio. It actually outperforms the bigger sibling quite firmly at base ISO.
I wouldn't say medium format is dead at all.... especially not for those who love shooting film. It does well by digital however ... bigger pixels are better generally speaking!
The D800/D800E is a vast improvement however for the digital photography field... and gives the digital crowd some very good options!
At this point we might as well throw in a Nokia phone in the mix.
I mean, have you actually seen the dynamic range on Pentax 645D?
alundeb wrote:
I guess we need to be more specific, as MF is many formats and technologies.
The Pentax 645D will be in trouble. Despite having slightly larger photosites, they are both less efficient and have less Full Well Capacity than this Sony sensor tech. In theory, the D800 can give a higher maximum signal to noise ratio image than the 645D.
Since the crop factor from 36x24 mm to 44x36 mm is small, you will also not se a huge effect of the different lens design for MF on that camera.
genesm wrote:
I mean, have you actually seen the dynamic range on Pentax 645D?
Yes.
And that of the D800. The dynamic range of the D800 is one of the really strong points. It will beat the Pentax 645D with about 2 stops for engineering DR (SNR = 0dB). Sorry.
