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06-12-2013, 11:18 AM   #1
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Nikon D800...wow!

I have a K-x and a K-5 mk1 which IMO are both great cameras respectively. Our lab recently upgraded our photography equipment from a Canon G10 P&S to a Nikon D800 with Nikkor 18-300 VR lens and SB-910 Flash. A Nikkor 60mm f2.8 Macro and a Sigma EM140 ring-flash are also on the way. I've never owned a Nikon dSLR but my boss knows I am an “enthusiast” and somewhat knowledgeable with photography equipment. I even showed him my K5 which he was impressed with so I was tasked to learn the D800 as much as I can…(are you kidding me?) I’m aware that as good of a camera the mk1 K5 is, its Achilles Heel is AF. I Can’t speak for the II or IIs and I don’t think I’ll be jumping ship from Pentax either however; I have to admit, when I briefly test drove the D800 AF speed and accuracy (indoor lighting), that thing will eat my mk1 K5 for breakfast!

06-12-2013, 11:26 AM   #2
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It's nice to have a lab that can buy nice toys
06-12-2013, 11:49 AM   #3
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QuoteOriginally posted by JinDesu Quote
It's nice to have a lab that can buy nice toys
It sure is. Although the catch is I can only use it for work related projects. Now if I can only get a field assignment..
06-12-2013, 12:03 PM   #4
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The price though is considerably more, isn't it?

06-12-2013, 12:14 PM   #5
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AF speed

QuoteOriginally posted by K57XR Quote
that thing will eat my mk1 K5 for breakfast!
and for lunch and for dinner and for midnight snack . . .
06-12-2013, 12:18 PM   #6
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QuoteOriginally posted by Kenntak Quote
The price though is considerably more, isn't it?
Can you say $2800? I'd call that considerably more. For that extra money it ought to be somewhat better than the K 5.
06-12-2013, 01:11 PM   #7
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That is quite an upgrade from a point and shoot. What will you guys use it for that you needed such an upgrade?

06-12-2013, 03:28 PM   #8
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QuoteOriginally posted by kenafein Quote
That is quite an upgrade from a point and shoot. What will you guys use it for that you needed such an upgrade?
I’m not at the liberty to comment on specifics but we mainly use camera to preserve evidence on subjects we are assigned to examine in the lab, as well as for field investigations. For the most part the G10 was actually sufficient enough for stills until video and macro requirements suggested we needed better equipment. Another lab using the same D800 setup suggested the system which, to my surprise was “easily” approved.
06-12-2013, 03:58 PM   #9
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Isn't that 18-300mm a DX lens? If it's the one I'm thinking of, its a poor match for a D800.
06-12-2013, 04:07 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by K57XR Quote
I’m not at the liberty to comment on specifics but we mainly use camera to preserve evidence on subjects we are assigned to examine in the lab, as well as for field investigations. For the most part the G10 was actually sufficient enough for stills until video and macro requirements suggested we needed better equipment. Another lab using the same D800 setup suggested the system which, to my surprise was “easily” approved.
For $2800, it better be $1800 better than K5.
06-12-2013, 04:07 PM   #11
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QuoteOriginally posted by grhazelton Quote
Can you say $2800? I'd call that considerably more. For that extra money it ought to be somewhat better than the K 5.
The D800E beats the 645D.
Nikon D800E vs. Pentax 645D - Conclusion - PentaxForums.com
06-12-2013, 04:29 PM   #12
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QuoteQuote:
At low ISOs, the 645D does have a slight advantage over the D800E in terms of resolution, though once we tried scaling the photos from both cameras down to about 20 megapixels, the difference in resolution was hardly discernible. At high ISOs, the Nikon has a clear advantage, and it also seems to have a much wider dynamic range at all ISOs. This is surprising, considering the fact that the Pentax medium format sensor is almost twice as big physically as the Nikon full-frame sensor (age might be a major factor here).

More Pentax news at: Nikon D800E vs. Pentax 645D - Introduction - PentaxForums.com
QuoteQuote:
At low ISOs, the 645D does have a slight advantage over the D800E in terms of resolution, though once we tried scaling the photos from both cameras down to about 20 megapixels, the difference in resolution was hardly discernible.
Two points, at high ISO the 645 has a slight advantage.... usually your best images are at lower ISO's so unless I'm missing something the 645 beats the D800e, if only slightly, in the competition for the best overall image...

Second point if you reduce a D800e image to 3000 pixels across, you can't tell the difference between a D800e and a K-5, so that's 6 MP I'm guessing... Reducing resolution reduces lw/ph, nothing surprising about that.


To me, I'm tempted by cameras like the Merril DP2 etc, that may not have good performance at high ISO but give you the best possible image overall, not in a specific category like high ISO or low light, but being the absolute best has to count for something. The D800 may beat the 645D in your opinion, but, other opinions may differ and are just as valid given the facts presented. In some circumstances the 645 beats the D800 as in absolute image it's capable for producing. Not that it's an issue I think is worth mentioning either way, except when someone else presents a narrow interpretation of the facts as gospel. Some people just want that medium format look, the way some people just want that FF look. Who beats who... you must have worked as a publicist for the WWF in a previous existence. That's sensational. I feel like I'm reading the national enquirer.
06-12-2013, 05:06 PM   #13
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QuoteQuote:
Who beats who... you must have worked as a publicist for the WWF in a previous existence. That's sensational. I feel like I'm reading the national enquirer.
Who is "you" ? All I did was post a link to Pentax Forums review of the Nikon D800E vs. Pentax 645D that gave the D800E ($3,299.95) an overall rating of 8.7 (very good) to the 645D ($8,799.95) 7.6 (good).
06-12-2013, 08:43 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by tuco Quote
Isn't that 18-300mm a DX lens? If it's the one I'm thinking of, its a poor match for a D800.
Yes, it is a DX lens.
06-12-2013, 08:50 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by K57XR Quote
Yes, it is a DX lens.
Why would you buy a DX lens for it, though? You get only 16MP in DX mode, or major vignetting if you shoot in FX mode...
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