diglloyd.com blog

Reader Comments: Why Both a D800 and D800E?

2012-02-10T00:00:00-08:00

Tom S writes:

I have pre-ordered D800 and D800E and will likely cancel one or the other. I have read many articles and observations.

I cannot figure out why Nikon would produce these two offerings. Is it simply a way to increase the multiple and sell more units? Do they know that the D800 will produce softer images. Why offer the D800E if ,as they explain moire and color issues may be present. I just do not understand the balancing act. I use D3s and D3 and Lumix GH2.

Reader Comments: “how a lens draws” — Leica vs Zeiss/Nikon/Canon/Pentax

2012-02-09T00:00:00-08:00

Tom S writes:

I didn't want to say quality, as that diverts everybody to talking about resolution and sharpness.

You keep mentioning the importance of how a lens draws, but I was slow to understand what that means until I was struck by how powerful, colorful and contrasty my Leica images are. I have been using Velvia 100 taken with my M6 using the 50mm Summicron-M, 35 ASPH Summicron-M and 90 Elmarit-M and then getting inexpensive lab scans.

I sometimes call this quality "molten light", which I chalked up to the Velvia (velveeta!) effect, until I scored a deep-discount Leica M9 and noticed that I still see the great contrast and energy. Wow! There is just no comparison to my other images on Nikon D90 and Pentax K5 (All Velvia on M6; probably 90mm Elmarit-M):

...

(1) You can pixel-peep, show MTF charts and talk about resolution and sharpness all day (and many do). But, Lens Drawing and Image Energy seem subjective and maybe content-dependent. Is it possible to objectively describe or categorize these other qualities? Or are do we have to rely on fuzzy descriptions and "I know it when I see it".

(2) Nikon and Pentax and others have a long reputation of lens-making. Are they really unable to match this "molten" quality and energy, or am I lacking in technique and post-processing?

(3) Do you retain the same lens drawing qualities when you put a Leica lens on the NEX 7 or and m4/3 camera?

(4) What about medium format? Does Leica glass and an S2 really blow the Pentax 645D out of the water?

Downsampling and Binning

2012-02-09T00:00:00-08:00

Kim P writes:

When speaking about the D800, the possibility of downsampling from 36MP is often mentioned to improve quality. I wonder whether there is any special way of downsampling or if the “resize” in e.g. Capture NX2 or Photoshop is doing a proper job.

Also the possibility of binning has been mentioned in relation to the D800, e.g. combining 4 pixels to one. Could binning just be made in postprocessing and is it different from “downsampling”. So in short my question is:

Is “binning” = “downsampling” = “resizing”?

Thanks for your good work on all the details. I have been a long time subscriber of DAP, Making Sharp Images and Zeiss Guide.

By the way, I have the ZF’s 25/2.8, 50/2, and 100/2, so I image to be well equipped for the D800, which I already pre-ordered.

My Reference Lenses For Testing Sharpness

2012-02-09T00:00:00-08:00

To cross test for maximum camera/sensor potential, the lens must be the very best.

What Does Depth of Field Mean on a 36 Megapixel Camera?

2012-02-09T00:00:00-08:00

B&H Photo has the Nikon D4, Nikon D800 and D800E and Canon 1DX available for pre-order. See the gear pages for Nikon and gear pages for Canon.

Canon 1D X vs Nikon D4 vs Nikon D800

2012-02-08T00:00:00-08:00

B&H Photo has the Nikon D4, Nikon D800 and D800E and Canon 1DX available for pre-order. See the gear pages for Nikon and gear pages for Canon.

Reader Comments on Plethora of New and Exciting Gear

2012-02-08T00:00:00-08:00

Reader Richard dG writes to say:

Is is me, or is 2012 shaping up to be one of the more exciting (and perhaps agonizing) years of digital photography? The dynamic range of the Nikon D4, the resolution of the Nikon D800, the removal of anit-aliasing of the Nikon D800E, the ALLVIEW form-factor (and resolution) of the Sony NEX-7, the novel sensor (and ALLVIEW form factor) of the Fuji X-Pro1; my goodness! As usual, I am having great difficulty deciding which way to go - although the D4 is almost certainly out. But as usual, I want aspects from each of these cameras.

As a casual photographer, I sold my D700, because I wasn't using it much - I moved to Miami in 2006 and for most of the year it's just too darn hot and humid to enjoy being outside. But I've recently experienced a resurgence of interest in photography through use of my little 10MP Olympus compact (with f/1.8 lens) - and I got some great shots of Big Sur over Christmas. But 10MP, a tiny sensor, a compact zoom lens and weak fill-flash... well... let's just say I get hyper critical and dissapointed very easily when I look at my stuff in Lightroom. The Olympus just isn't enough. So what to do? Read diglloyd of course!

I can't express strongly enough how informative and helpful your writings are. Your thorough review of the Sony NEX-7 made for compelling reading, and led me to subscribe to your 'Guide to Leica'... and of course I now want a bevy of Leica M lenses - thank you very much, Mr Chambers!

But I am eagerly looking forward to reading your thoughts, findings and comparisons on the Fuji X-Pro1 and Nikon D800E. I shall likely keep my Olympus for social occasions, where anything bigger and/or manual focus will just get in the way; but I do want something special for landscapes and situations where the time for more careful compositions can be afforded.

Nikon D800E — Nikon’s Sample Photos

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

B&H Photo has the Nikon D800 and D800E AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. Thank you for ordering through this site’s links.

Canon’s new 24-70mm ƒ/2.8L II

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

Canon 24-70mm ƒ/2.8L II

B&H Photo has the Canon 24-70mm ƒ/2.8L II AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. Thank you for ordering through this site’s links.

Pre-Order the Nikon D800 / D800E, Get FREE DAP Subscription Extension

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

SPECIAL OFFER —

Nikon D800E: Moiré

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

As shown in Making Sharp Images, certain types of digital artifacts can be reduced or eliminated by stopping down.

Nikon D800 / D800E — Which Nikon Lenses?

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

DAP — D800 to be reviewed

B&H Photo has the Nikon D800 and D800E AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. Thank you for ordering through this site’s links.

Nikon D800 / D800E — Lens Requirements for 36 Megapixels

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

Zeiss Lens Guide

B&H Photo has the Nikon D800 and D800E AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. Thank you for ordering through this site’s links.

36MP Nikon D800 / D800E — Technique and Tolerances

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

Upgrade your technique!

B&H Photo has the Nikon D800 and D800E AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. Thank you for ordering through this site’s links.

36-Megapixel Nikon D800 and D800E

2012-02-07T00:00:00-08:00

Nikon D800E

B&H Photo has the Nikon D800 and D800E AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER. Thank you for ordering through this site’s links.

Reader Comments on Lens Reviews

2012-02-06T00:00:00-08:00

Reader Simon M writes to say:

Having subscribed to your site for a while now, and assembled a three lens kit for my Canon 5D2, I wanted so say how much I appreciate your lens reviews.

What I find so gratifying is that all of my new lenses (Zeiss 21mm and 35mm Distagons and Canon 90mm TS-E) behave exactly as you describe them. This is about so much more than sharpness, which so many reviewers focus on to the exclusion of everything else. It's about the way a lens draws, its character, the way it responds in different situations and depending on the subject matter, the quality of the light, etc, etc.

This is what makes buying lenses so difficult. First impressions aren't enough. It takes time to get to know a lens. By then, of course, it's too late to send it back. You are committed and, if things don't work out, the only way out is a loss-making part exchange or EBay fire-sale. I know, I've been there, more times than I care to admit.

But every lens I have bought on the strength of your detailed reviews has been a keeper. Of course, none of them is perfect. But this only adds to the difficulty, because every lens purchase is a compromise between a dozen or more different and sometimes conflicting criteria. Just as important are the lenses I decided not to buy, for various reasons, because I realized they were not for me.

The crucial point here is that these were good lenses, just not the right lenses for me. Obviously, you couldn't have known that. But you gave me the information I needed to make up my own mind. You might think that all reviews should do that. But, trust me, they don't. So thank you, and keep up the good work.

Reader Comments — Acratech Ballheads

2012-02-06T00:00:00-08:00

B&H Photo carries Acratech GP ballhead.

Craig B writes regarding my review of the Acratech GP ballheads:

I've been following your blog and subscribing to Making Sharp Images and DAP for a few years now. I got into photography after buying a Canon Digital Rebel in 2005 so consider myself a relative newcomer. Despite not having the time I'd like to invest in improving my craft, I really enjoy your articles. I learn something new every time I read them. I appreciate the attention to detail. I especially appreciate the MSI articles about avoiding blur. They are worth repeated study.

I am glad to see you review the Acratech ballheads. I think that they don't get the attention they deserve. Maybe people are freaked out by their very unconventional design.

I have used the Acratech GP ballhead with my Canon 40d and 7d and a variety of smaller lenses and also with a Wimberley Sidekick for my Canon 500 and 100-400 for about 18 months now. It's lightweight, well built, and gets the job done. I have used it everywhere from my own backyard to the Serengeti and it has never let me down. Acratech doesn't quote inflated weight limits - they say that they can handle 25 pounds at any angle and that's what they do with little fuss or hassle. Their design makes cleaning a non-issue. They don't need lubrication or much maintenance at all to keep working.

I also use their separate leveling base which works great as well. Note that the ballhead can be flipped over and used like it has a leveling base for quick panoramas in a pinch but it's a bit awkward so I recommend a dedicated leveling base. I agree with another comment that notes the limitations of the gimbal mode - I would only use it in a pinch if I forgot my Sidekick. With a replacement lens foot for my 500/4 the weight is well centered over my tripod and I have lost little if any functionality over a full Wimberley. When you are limited to 15 kg of luggage on an African Safari and wish to actually have a few changes of clothes as well you will really appreciate the Acratech GP ballhead.

There are many quality options out there from manufacturers like RRS and Arca-Swiss but I recommend everybody at least take a hard look at the Acratech options.

Nikon D4 — the Ultimate Low-Light camera?

2012-02-05T00:00:00-08:00

B&H Photo has the Nikon D4 available for pre-order.