Good afternoon! I have been away from FM for a while, but I trust the collective knowledge herein and wanted your advice. I appreciate all comments.
In brief: I am an accomplished amateur (probably not as good as many of you, but no slouch). Over the last few years I have alternated between Canon/Nikon and Leica. I loved my M9, loved my D700, and have loved my 5D2. Various photos from those cameras can be seen here, for any interested...
I am ready for a new camera. On my last trip I actually rented all my Canon L lenses as I am down to one lense at home (blasphemy) and my 5D2 is getting long in the tooth. I LOVED the build and the ergonomics of the D700. Loved the "rangefinder" dot to use manual focus lenses. Was a great camera. And the photos, looking back, were stellar. And the flash was better than Canons.
My question, for those who have done their research and may actually now have reviewed the D800: How is the IQ, color, and DR? Are you pleased? What you hoped for?
I came from a 5D2/1D4 to a D800, and yes I am very satisfied. Nikon's good lenses are as good as their Canon counterparts, and flash performance is better in terms of TTL consistency. The only sore spot for me is the lack of AF joystick on the D800. I didn't realize how useful this was until I've had to shoot without it the last few weeks. The D4 does have a new version of Canon's joystick, and this may be enough for me to make a move on the D4.
I've had an M8 (not an M9 I know!), Canon bodies including 1D2, 1Ds2 and 5D2 (I still have the 5D2) . However, I choose to shoot with the D700 and D800 and the Canon is used only for video.
Yes I'm happy (very happy) with the D800. It's producing detail I've only seen from MF backs before now.
The DR appears to be better than the D700 in the simple tests I've done. The files are huge though
The ISO button is in the most stupid place (I prefer the location on the 5D2) but other than that I don't have much to complain about!
Actually, it is quite troubling. After taking delivery of my D800, I am considering selling my Hasselblad 50mp system. The files are far better than what I was expecting. Really.
hi Rob, nice collection of images from the manual lens on your flickr.
I am also in the same position as you, after three years with the Nikon D3 and Canon 5D MkII , I am very satisfied with both, so in the last 3 years I do not keep up with new camera technology.
may now be time for me to buy a new camera, it is difficult to decide what I should sell my D3 for D800 or D3S, or sell my 5D MkII for 5D MkIII ..
The only problem you will have with D800 is you don't know when you are going to receive it. You will be at the end of a long waiting list like I'm now. I sold all my Canon gears to fund D800E and a couple of lenses and now I only have my cell phone camera!
I should have kept my 5D and at least one lens. The endless waiting is killing me.
Now I'm like a old man in his chair trying to recall his wonderful days with the old trusty Canon 5D:
www.scenicfoto.com
