2 other key differences btw the D810 and D5 are the presence of ISO64 and the lack of AA filter on the D810.
Cheers,
Bernard
I need to reel myself in. Been saving for awhile and want to make some good long-term decisions that will last me for the next 5 years (at least).
Since pulling the trigger, and getting the D810, it was somewhat disappointing to actually use it ... hence the thread ... but it has grown on me.
As I hovered over the "Buy" button, the D5 is too expensive for what it offers IMO ($6500, low-budget 4K).
I think the Canon 1Dx II is the better buy ($5,900, FAR better 4K, probably comparable low-light performance).
Still, neither one has the absolute image quality of the D810, so you're right to point these things out.
Plus, the idea of sending the D810 back, and spending
another $3,200-$3,700 isn't all that appealing to me.
Keeping the D810 will allow me to use the extra $$$ and apply it to a 300mm Nikon lens, which has Otus-like specs.
I don't shoot birds, so I don't need a super-long telephotos lens; whereas many people have told me using a 300mm makes a better field lens than any macro.
In actually comparing the stats on LenScore, it is easy to see why, and for mere "close-ups," not needing 1:1, a 300mm is better in every way than any macro.
So I will stick with the D810 for now (B&H honored the new lower price, and credited me back another $200, so basically I have a D810 for $700 more than the APS-C D500.)
I am more of a "single-image" shooter anyway, than a rapid-fire shooter, so it makes more sense to wait for the
D900 (or D850, whatever they are going to call it) as my second camera.
In the meantime, I will just deal with the minor inconveniences of button placement, incorporating some of the tips mentioned here to bridge them.
I believe the ergonomic changes to the D5/D500 are going to be applied to the D900 as well (might have articulating screen also), so that will ultimately be my wildlife camera, while I will use the D810 with a wide lens for habitat shots.
Jack