Can't comment yet but will be happy to in due time.
I have a D800E on pre-order (for printing 24"x36" and larger) and use a 5DII as my current landscape camera.
Background: Old film shooter Nikon F and 4x5. Added 5DII after the D3X came out at $8Grand with no video. Had a 'Commercial Cameraman' card from I.A.T.S.E. long ago and want still AND video now.
Am expecting the D800E (moire and all) to be my new primary body for all occasions.
If satisfied, I may then choose to sell off some of the older goods.
At this point in today's technology, it doesn't really matter. I had a T3i, and down/upgraded to a 5D Classic. I have noticed with that, that the amount of megapixels really doesn't matter, because I rarely print photos big enough to notice. Quite frankly, you could get away with using a 1ds Classic, and without notice to the MP difference, you couldn't tell the difference between that and a 5D II. It doesn't really matter. If you have Canon, stick with Canon, if you have Nikon, go with Nikon.
For normal presentation sizes, the biggest difference will be in the presentations of skies. You can underexpose by two full stops in the D800, and still be just as clean in the darker areas in the photo as the 5D2 would be if exposed two stops higher (and with blown clouds).
theSuede wrote:
For normal presentation sizes, the biggest difference will be in the presentations of skies. You can underexpose by two full stops in the D800, and still be just as clean in the darker areas in the photo as the 5D2 would be if exposed two stops higher (and with blown clouds).
I've also found this with the D700. Recovery of highlights and shadows from 14 bit raw files is way better than with my 5D2.
My D800 now has a tracking number so should be here next week. You can bet I'll be doing some comparisons !
Mar 31, 2012 at 07:03 AM
Andre Labonte Offline • • • • • • Upload & Sell: Off
brockwhittaker wrote:
At this point in today's technology, it doesn't really matter. I had a T3i, and down/upgraded to a 5D Classic. I have noticed with that, that the amount of megapixels really doesn't matter, because I rarely print photos big enough to notice. Quite frankly, you could get away with using a 1ds Classic, and without notice to the MP difference, you couldn't tell the difference between that and a 5D II. It doesn't really matter. If you have Canon, stick with Canon, if you have Nikon, go with Nikon.
You prefaced your conclusion that it does not matter for you because you don't print large. But a lot of landscapes get printed large and extra good pixels when printing large do make a difference.
I have both. Although what I shoot is not landscapes in a formal sense, it is reasonably close (outdoor, sunlit, etc.) The 5D2 was (and still is) a remarkable image making machine, but the D800 is even more so. The extra detail that is captured by 36MP vs. 21MP is quite stunning. Does it matter? That depends on what you want to do with it. For my purposes, 21MP was entirely adequate. Still, it's nice to know that I have the extra detail should I ever need it.
I also have heard that the D800 has nearly 2 stops more dynamic range than the 5D2. I have yet to fully appreciate this, but I do not doubt it. From the limited shooting I've done with the D800, it does seem to handle highlights and shadows noticeably better than the 5D2.
But in the end, is it worth the switch? I can't say. Both are excellent, and both are great values for what you get (sadly, I cannot say that about the 5D3, which I skipped).
So that's what I know, which isn't much, but at least I'm not quoting someone else.
Read about a guy in another forum who printed a landscape vertical image 30 x 50 inches from standard D800, not the D800E and he was thrilled, the smallest details not showing any pixelation he said. (smallest details were the lines from a boat to the sail) Linked from DPR I think. I'd link you but I forget which thread, you'll find it if you look, no more than two days ago if not still active.
I'll be testing landscapes (God Willing) in the next two weeks if all goes to plan, and will certainly print samples from images scaled this big as well. I'll share results. Lenses are the biggest factor though I think, not the sensor.
See if everything I need arrives soon, will post results when possible.
AFC168 wrote:
Has anyone who now has a D800 who had a 5D II care to comment on how much better the D800 is versus the 5D II? Thanks for any info.
If you plan to print very large, as many landscape shooters (myself included) do, there will be a difference. The D800 will allow you to print larger while retaining more detail. Still waiting to take my D800 on a full-blown landscape trip, but my initial images with the camera indicate a significant advantage in the ability to make huge prints over my D700 (12MP).
