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 p.5 #13 · First impressions with the D600 | |
AndreasE wrote:
Quite a few questions uwtb.
Let my try to answer some:
Q1: Wireless
I haven't looked into wireless at all. The only thing I sometimes use is the WiFi option on the D4, where you can trigger the camera via phone/PC. Beyond that, I let others jump on this questions with more experience.
Q2: D600 vs. D800 overall
From an IQ perspective, both cameras are very close. I've written it somewhere else, that I use the high resolution of a D600 or D800 as a kind of RAW file component. To me, resolution has become an intermediary technical capability which can be used in multiple ways. All 4 new FX sensors Nikon introduced this year share from my perspective 3 attributes: Sufficient resolution, significant improved light gathering capability, a "no-brainer" usage range of ISO 100-3200 for "normal photo taking and a much improved dynamic range (as shown a few times in this thread and in my D800 posts).
Having said that, the D600 is in my view much closer to the D800 than any other Nikon DSLR (on image quality), much more than the resolution predecessor D3X ever was. I am surprised how emotional often disucssions go in fora about a single aspect of a particular camera. To me, a camera is a flexible tool, which can - given enough flexibility - cover a very broad range of shooting conditions. I attempted to describe the difference between a D4 and a D800 in spring with a radar chart. Not based on scientific evidence, but on my impressions, measurements and feelings. You might apply this methodology for your own assessment. I've commented on this chart in a post in a german speaking forum. You might use translation software if interested in my comments there.
The post: http://www.nikon-fotografie.de/vbulletin/nikon-d800/191025-die-koexistenz-von-der-d4-und-der-d800.html
The chart:
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/142420602/original.jpg
Translation of the different dimensions (they were originally in german, from the top, clockwise):
Gewicht = weight
Bildqualität = image quality
CPU Geschwindigkeit = CPU speed (in camera)
Benutzerfreundlichkeit Menuü = Usability of menue
Benutzerfreundlichkeit Elemente = Usability dials and controls
ISO Leistung = ISO performance
Auflösung = resolution
Dynamikumfang = dynamic range
Farbwiedergabe = color reproduction
JPEG Engine = JPEG engine
Weißabgleich = whitebalance
Belichtungsautomatik = Exposure meter
Batterielebensdauer = battery life
AF Geschwindigkeit = AF focus speed
AF Treffsicherheit = AF focus precision and predictability
Bildrate = fps
Simple speaking. Unless you are using your camera at the "edge", you won't see much difference between a D800 and a D600 image (@ identical output size). The difference is more in operation, handling and AF.
Q3: Landscape and portrait
The D800 is a great landscape camera - no doubt about this. But just a year ago the D3X, a 8000$ camera, was termed the best landscape camera. How time has changed. I can't see any area, where the D3X sensor is better than the sensor of the D600. Even at base ISO, which used to be THE strength of the D3x.
In landscape situations, I've found the D800 simultaneously demanding and not demanding. Demanding on lense quality and a suprisingly low demand on shooting technique. Simply speaking, I didn't have to change my shooting style or prepapration with the D800. It is as simple or complex as it was before. On lenses, the D800 puts much more pressure on lens quality, esp. in landscape. My beloved AFS 14-24mm/2.8, a stellar lens on all my existing cameras (inlc. D3X and D4), shows signs of resolution limitations on the D800E. For 24mm my current favorite is the AFS 24mm/1.4G (after one lens swap. The first copy was subpar)
Here is a landscape image of the D800E with the AFS 24mm/1.4G. Taken on vacation with a 2 pound travel tripod (Gitzo Traveller QR5).
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/143582612/original.jpg
100% crop
http://www.pbase.com/andrease/image/143582613/original.jpg
I haven't done serious landscape photography with the D600 yet, but all the experiences until now indicate that it will be a great camera. For 3 reasons: a) a weak AA filter, b) sufficient resolution, c) dynamic range
Check your lenses if your collection will unleash the performance of the D800 sensor.
Attention !!!, this is complaining at a very high level: I don't use the AFS 70-200mm/2.8 VR I on the D800, because the VR II is a steller performer. The AFS 300mm/2.8 VR II dwarfs all the former 300mm/2.8 types (I have all different 300mm optical designs). Of course they would work very well, but the better is the enemy of the good. My AFS 14-24 is of course very usable, but as written above the AFS 24mm/1.4 provides better resolution at 24mm. The AFS 35mm/1.4G is my "default" lens on the D800. Due in part of the fact that there is no similar performing 50mm lens available. My AFS 600/4 VR is just wow (even wide open), the AFS 500mm/4 VR is "just" very good. An so on.
To avoid any "conclusion" by you and others, that all the other lenses are unsuitable or "bad" on the D800. Nothing could be further from the truth. Each lens, good or bad will be at least as good on the D800 as on the body you previously had (considering same output size). It is just a matter of how much additional capabilities of the D800 are unleashed.
Q4: ISO performance
Another area of evidence, where this year's FX sensors simplify the life of a photographer. I don't really care about measurements in itself, but if the level of noise is lower, the type of noise (higher frequency) improves, the software algorithms improve (in CNX2 the new High Quality2012 mode), the need and effort of postprocessing goes down significantly for me.
The D600 sensor and image pipeline seem to share the same attributes like the D4 and D800. Given it is positioned as the new FX entry level camera, imho, the D600 offers the best bang for the buck. Sure is the D4 in measurements at individual pixel level better than the D600. But people tend to forget, that the price difference between the 2 cams easily allow 2 fantastic lenses to get. For instance any 2 of the 3 most recent 1.4G lenses (24mm, 35mm, 85mm). If someone uses the D4 with f2.8 lenses, the D600 will beat that combo with the 1.4G lenses easily from an IQ and noise perspective. So, it depends, what lenses someone already has, or intend to get.
To your question on print size: Based on my experience, you would be challenged to blind test the D600 and D800 at ISO 6400 at prints of 60x40cm (24x16 inch). I am referring to close examination. At normal viewing distance it doesn't matter at any print size. Based on close examination the D800 is a tad better.
In my view the big thing this year is the noise type. Enable by the faster in camera CPU, Nikon was able to increase the noise frequency (noise granularity) vs. the D3 generation, which makes post processing simpler for me.
Q5: focusing and metering.
Metering in the D600 has all the same strength and weaknesses as all previous Nikon DLSRs. I'd love to get the metering precision of the V1 into the DSLR space, but I think I have to wait for that time, where the full sensor is used for metering calculation. Nothing special to report on the D600 here. Good thing is, that the camera has the same "algorithms" so my old habits and experiences can be applied without change.
On focusing, the D7000 AF module is probable the "weakest" component, seen as differentiationg to the D800. Don't get me wrong on this one. It works as expected, but it is one of the components where the difference between D800 and D600 is bigger than in any other sensor related point. First, the AF coverage is smaller than any other semipro, enthusiast, pro camera Niukon recently introduced. Most of the time I use the single center field without any issues, but there are 2 situations, where I need (or at least I want) to have good coverage and good sensitivity at the edges (Portrait with an aperture of f1.4 and night shooting with f1.4). Here the D800 is much more predictable and in my view, better.
On technique:
So much is dependent on each one's style, history, "reserves", demands and aspirations, that it is hard to generalize this point. For me, the D800 didn't require a new approach, I did not have the completely offload my past approach, etc.. Same is of course true for the D600.
I still make the same mistakes with the D800, which caused me to ruin a pic with the D3 or similar camera a while ago. I carefully put things together when I aspire to capture a nice scene, I still do my 30year style of working in the field, and my hand holding technique hasn't changed. In this way, my photography life hasn't changed that much. Boring. Isn't it? :-)
All in all, Nikon's 2012 setup seems to be a good team and neither model will be a wrong choice.May be not optimal, but for sure not wrong.
Cheers,
Andy
PS: Some links:
D800 images
D800E images
D4 images
D600
D4 and D800 compared at night
D800 tests
All Exif included, "-900", "-1920" and "-2560" in the filenames represent respective sizes, "pure" filenames are full resolution
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"The D600 sensor and image pipeline seem to share the same attributes like the D4 and D800"
What do you mean?
Mikael
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