Carsten, a possible answer to your question is that Canon's implementation of JPEG on 5D III is a vast improvement over 5D II. That is visible right off the rear LCD. I have noticed that many reviewers actually test JPEGs with only partial use of RAW if at all. If Nikon haven't done as much homework on the D800 JPEG, which I don't know, that could be one explanation.
Another explanation could be that not all reviewers go far enough to get the maximum out of a Nikon D800. How many of them shoot with the best primes, etc...?
In a way, you could say that shooting "casually" in JPEG format is what most photographers will do anyhow, so reviewing cameras in just the way they will be used is what is relevant... and then the Canon could end up trumps over the Nikon.
This should not be construed as my fanboyingly defending Canon. If I weren't invested with them, the D800 would have gotten my money. But then, I shoot RAW, with Zeiss primes, and learn from Fred Miranda's best how to improve my photography...
It could be, I am not sure how good Nikon JPGs are... I think I have only used them once, for an eBay auction I was making shots for.
Anyway, I will get a D800 or D800E once the initial bugs have been ironed out, and I have seen enough comparison shots to judge whether or not to get the E.
Honestly I see these two cameras opposed to each other in the following terms.
Canon 5D3 has benefits in the field for a picture to be captured (nicer LV impln., AF assistance, robust build and ws, menu, C1-3 setting presets, 6fps at last). Yet IQ is so-so compared (!) to D800 but slightly better than previous generation - 5D2.
On the contrary D800 has a huge benefit in IQ that has to be revealed in the field with a photograper's talent because its operational implementation is so-so compared (!) to Canon.
And I thoroughly agree with Phillipe about 5D3/D800 IQ-marks wrongly based on jpegs comparison results.
Also I want to add the next thing in favour of Nikon - ZF(.2) lenses normally function on both systems and quite possibly will do so on future FF mirrorless cameras but with ZE u're stuck with Canon to death.
AlexDROP wrote:
Canon 5D3 has benefits in the field for a picture to be captured (nicer LV impln., AF assistance, robust build and ws, menu, C1-3 setting presets, 6fps at last).
Apart from LV and 6fps, the Nikon shares all the rest of that list.
I don't have a subscription anymore but what I can glean from Lloyd Chamber's blog is that there is little difference between D800 and D800E after sharpening the non-E more.
Now wondering is I should get non-E version.
wayne seltzer wrote:
I don't have a subscription anymore but what I can glean from Lloyd Chamber's blog is that there is little difference between D800 and D800E after sharpening the non-E more.
Now wondering is I should get non-E version.
Actually, I came to the opposite conclusion - and canceled my early D800 order in favor of a later D800E order- after first believing that proper sharpening on the D800 files would get them to D800E performance levels. The example which really convinced me was the first city scene in Rob Galbraith's review here:
I downloaded both raws and no sharpening technique I used resulted in the D800 file matching the D800E file IF the final use was for very large prints. My test involved interpolating both up to 40"x60" @ 240ppi print sizes and the D800E file looked noticeably better (almost like the difference between a smaller format sized up compared to a larger format sized up). Part of the difference I believe is attributable to the higher micro-contrast of the D800E. I'm not sure if Lloyd tested anything with fine detail at greater distances (which the above example contains in abundance), but that would definitely be a major factor in revealing the difference.
Tariq, do you need 36MP? I changed my D800E order to a D800 after realizing that I only really need 18-24MP. After downsizing, both will look great, and for the occasional shot where I would like more resolution, I prefer to have a bit less resolution and a bit more moire control.
I have to admit that there is a part of me which wants to switch back to the D800E though
carstenw wrote:
Tariq, do you need 36MP? I changed my D800E order to a D800 after realizing that I only really need 18-24MP. After downsizing, both will look great, and for the occasional shot where I would like more resolution, I prefer to have a bit less resolution and a bit more moire control.
I have to admit that there is a part of me which wants to switch back to the D800E though
Yes, the only reason I'm moving to the D800 from the 24MP a900 I had is specifically for the additional resolution and higher print quality at larger sizes. I go back and forth with the D800 vs D800E but I figure if I'm making the move for the above reason, I should get the one which can squeeze out that little extra tiny bit of performance (but the possibility of moire still concerns me a little, though I have not seen it from the D800E as much as I expected. I actually believe the way the AA filter has been negated/ canceled out in the D800E still results in a bit more softening than if there was no filter at all, which to me seems like a good thing).
I find it funny that people say the D800 has an inferior AF to the 5Dmk3 when it's (almost) the same AF system as the D4, which is a thoroughbred speed demon. I would say it's because they're not familiar with it (probably because they're not going to bother to RTFM). I see D3 shooters on the Nikon forums saying that the D800 AF is better than the D3. So that's saying something.
AlexDROP wrote:
Hi alt fellows,
Could you share your real life experience with Nikon D800 and Zeiss ZF lenses (or other manual lenses)? Zeiss Z* lenses is the most crucial factor (in the bunch) to be taken into consideration that's why it's posted here.
- overall impression
- manual focusing features and difficulties (if any) and help of camera AF system
- viewfinder brightness and distracting factor of AFsquares and AF zone borders for making a good composition
- LV focusing convinience
- grip and ergonomics
- other non-obvious features or striking experience
N.B. RAW-shooting is considered. And wide open aperture shooting draws my attention more.
And it would be totally awesome if a reviewer also has an experience with Canon 5DII/III to compare these two FF systems for alt users with manual focus lenses.
And please no holy war - just your real life experience and facts....Show more →
Tariq Gibran wrote:
Yes, the only reason I'm moving to the D800 from the 24MP a900 I had is specifically for the additional resolution and higher print quality at larger sizes. I go back and forth with the D800 vs D800E but I figure if I'm making the move for the above reason, I should get the one which can squeeze out that little extra tiny bit of performance (but the possibility of moire still concerns me a little, though I have not seen it from the D800E as much as I expected. I actually believe the way the AA filter has been negated/ canceled out in the D800E still results in a bit more softening than if there was no filter at all, which to me seems like a good thing)....Show more →
I am currently waiting for the D600, if the rumours are true. That would be more the camera for me.
The D600 and the supposed specs and price sounds like the FF body for me but the only niggling point is if the focus screen will be easily replaced with a precision one.
bluetsunami wrote:
The D600 and the supposed specs and price sounds like the FF body for me but the only niggling point is if the focus screen will be easily replaced with a precision one.
i'm pretty sure the answer will be no. no current nikons have such an option. you can do something with an aftermarket screen, not sure how easy or useful those tend to be.
and then the Canon could end up trumps over the Nikon.
