36.3-Megapixel Nikon D800

[Potemkin]

Only US$3,000 with the D800E about US$3,300.
http://press.nikonusa.com/post/2012/...imum-fidelity/


http://gadgetbox.msnbc.msn.com/_news...oming-in-march

36.3-megapixel Nikon D800 coming in March

Nikon has made its latest high-end camera official. The full-frame DSLR is — predictably — called the D800 and its specs should be appealing to photographers and videographers alike.

The D800 offers a 36.3-megapixel FX-format CMOS censor, a 91,000 pixel 3D Matrix Metering system with Advanced Scene Recognition System, and an enhanced 51 pt AF system. The camera's ISO range goes up to 6400 (though it's expandable in Hi-2 mode, of course). The D800 has support for speedy USB 3.0, dual CF and SD card slots, and uncompressed HDMI out (which should make videographers pretty darn happy).

You can check out the D800's full spec sheet on Nikon's site for all the nitty-gritty details.

It's worth noting that the camera maker intends to offer an alternative model, the D800E, "for those professionals who demand even higher resolution." Nikon explains that this model will "effectively enhance the resolution characteristics of the 36.3-megapixel CMOS sensor by cancelling the anti-aliasing properties of the OLPF inside the camera."

[Arianwen]

Better to invest in quality glass IMO. I roll with a cheap Nikon D40 and usually my 50mm $$$ lens that I bought when I was working FT. This set up (with the inexpensive flash I also got for my D40) has served me very, very well.

[Malcolm]

36 MEGAPIXAL I would like to be walking along some "bush-walking" track with that "baby" in my bag. ......I wonder how much in Australia

[pave_spectre]

Originally Posted by Malcolm

36 MEGAPIXAL I would like to be walking along some "bush-walking" track with that "baby" in my bag. ......I wonder how much in Australia

Probably at least 4-5000.

[leistb]

I did a ton of research on this camera and compared it to the D600, which came out just after the D800. A fellow photographer with whom I exchange information and pictures ended up getting the D800. I chose the D600, which has a full frame sensor as well but only 24MP resolution. The D600 was about a grand cheaper so I chose to invest those savings into glass. I replaced my 50mm, 18-200mm and 12-24mm DX lenses with 16-35mm, 50mm and 70-200mm FX lens. The 70-200mm finally came today.

The other lenses are awesome and the camera, so far, is fantastic. I haven't had time to hammer it very hard yet but I intend to in the coming weeks.

Here's a couple of shots of the Stone Arch Bridge in Minneapolis, MN I took over Thanksgiving on a visit back to see family.

[gsgs]

do we have a Moore-law for megapixels

[D. Gale]

Those are really stunning!

[leistb]

Originally Posted by D. Gale

Those are really stunning!

Thank you very much!

[flourbug]

Really. I second that opinion. BEAUTIFUL pics, leistb.

[leistb]

Originally Posted by gsgs

do we have a Moore-law for megapixels

That's a good question and the answer is no. The reason being is that the pixels -the three color channels that capture light (RGB or Red, Green and Blue) can only hold a finite amount of information from a practical standpoint before they become saturated. Once they become saturated the clarity range becomes mushy. The effect on the viewer's eye is a reduction in clarity, which is antithetical to the purpose of increasing the pixel count in the first place.

If you look at test images of the D800 the clarity is absolutely breathtakingly clear. The range of tones its able to capture is equally impressive. However, and this is completely subjective, there comes a point where what is captured is so clear that for things like landscape, street or human portrait photography, which is primarily what I shoot, the image doesn't necessarily mimic what the human eye sees and it takes on an unnatural sharpness.

The D800, D600 and a small army of other cameras have what is called a full frame sensor. This sensor is roughly the same size as 35mm film. So when you start talking about Moore's law relative to pixels, the limiting factor on being able to double the pixel count is constrained by the size of the image sensor, which is what holds the pixels that capture the light.

As you increase the image sensor size your pixel count can increase. When you see high resolution pictures in the 40-50 MP range or up to the Gigapixel range, what you're seeing is an increase in the sensor size, which can accommodate a large grouping of pixels without mashing them so tightly together that you end up with a mushy image.

As an interesting aside, there are two D800 models; one retails for around $2900 and the other for about $3200 (USD) and both have the 36 MP sensor. There are other professional model full frame cameras that have less pixel capacity but other features that push their price tag to $5000 - $8000 depending on the setup. When you jump up to the next level of cameras that support a medium format sensor, the price easily hits the $40000 range.

---------- Post added at 09:29 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:28 AM ----------

Originally Posted by flourbug

Really. I second that opinion. BEAUTIFUL pics, leistb.

Thank you, fb. I appreciate it.

[Potemkin]

I really want something higher end than my Nikon D6000 but I really resent having that large LCD on the back but it is only for review of photographs.

I like to compose and shoot using that large screen but the last time I checked that was only on the lower end non-Pro versions.

I am past squinting through a view finder with glasses, getting greasy nose on the camera and all of that.

I find it really hard to use the viewfinder when I do macro photographs.

(Yes, I did start in the film days, Yashica D as a matter of fact, processed my own film, printed in the darkroom, etc.)

[Auburn Boy]

Originally Posted by Potemkin

I really want something higher end than my Nikon D6000 but I really resent having that large LCD on the back but it is only for review of photographs.

I like to compose and shoot using that large screen but the last time I checked that was only on the lower end non-Pro versions.

I am past squinting through a view finder with glasses, getting greasy nose on the camera and all of that.

I find it really hard to use the viewfinder when I do macro photographs.

(Yes, I did start in the film days, Yashica D as a matter of fact, processed my own film, printed in the darkroom, etc.)

My very favorite format camera. I had one for Photography as Art class at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie New York in 1975.

I still have it..,

(Cheap on eBay..,)

[Potemkin]

Originally Posted by Auburn Boy

My very favorite format camera. I had one for Photography as Art class at Dutchess Community College in Poughkeepsie New York in 1975.

I still have it..,

(Cheap on eBay..,)

How about a Voiglander Bessamatic I inherited from my father in law.

Just like this one.

Sweetest camera of the time. Very precise, like a watch.

Fire the shutter and all you here is a "snick".

All the lenses came with it. Standard, telephoto, and a fisheye.

http://tonylockerbie.id.au/classic-c...2006/june.html



Oh, yea, forgot about the built in selenuim light sensor.
http://www.photoethnography.com/Clas...html~mainFrame

[Malcolm]

It has appeared on shelves in Australia........... $3.200 and they will give $200 trade in on any old camera.