For starters, I'm not looking for an us versus them discussion, I would post to a different forum if I was.
First some background, I am primarily an 8x10 landscape film photographer. I am a detail freak and print and sell pieces up to 4x6 ft. I had been bringing a 5d2 along with me and incorporate it into my shoots.
With the Canon I use the 17 and 24 tse, for a final horizontal image I set my camera up vertical and shoot three bracketed images, left, center and right for a total of nine images. I blend the exposures and then stitch the images back together in PS. I have been able to print 30x50 with very good results.
I find there are situations when only digital will get the shot and vice a versa.
So when I heard Canon was coming out with a new camera I was ready to pounce, that was until I saw the specs. It was a major disappointment for me that they didn't increase the mega pixel count.
So then the Nikon specs get announced and I reluctantly place an order for the d800e. While waiting for the e I found the regular d800 at best buy which is what I am reviewing my experience of here. I bought the 14-24 and the 24pc-e. my plan was to continue to use multiple exposures and stitch as I had done with the Canon.
For starters, I was very happy with the build quality of the Nikon. For me being a long time Canon shooter it took a while to get accustomed to the functions and their location but no bi deal. My last Nikon was a d100.
My first very big complaint and probably a deal breaker is Live View. The 5d had excellent live view and I was able to use it just like my view camera and loop. Everything I shoot is on a tripod and manual focus. With the Canon I zoom in, focus, zoom out and shoot. Now with the Nikon, the live view looks dim and dull right off the bat. Now when you zoom in to focus, forget it, everything looks squiggly and electronic. Sorry, not sure how to describe it better. I am able to focus but it always feels like a best guess instead of precision.
Next the lack of a 17 tilt shift lens is a disappointment. I know Nikon has a patent to buil one but that could be a while. Now with that said, I have been unable to use the 24pc as I had used the Canon tit shift. When trying to stitch the images back together, there is a difference in the exposure from left to right. I check the exif data, and the exposures are all the same but for some reason there is an extreme did fence which the software is unable to blend. It looks like one to two stops. Also the quality of the Nikon 24pc lens is inferior to the canon ts lenses. The lack of counter rotation and edge to edge sharpness of the Nikon are disappointing.
I have been using the 14-24 and just shooting three bracketed exposures. The result is far superior to doing the same with my old 5d2. The extra mp's are great and the dynamic range is unbelievable. But when I stitch tree images with my canon I am able to get a larger file.
I kept all of my Canon glass but sold my 5d2 to a friend. I have been out in the field with a friend who has the 5d3, and the live view was even better than my old 5d2.
I am seriously considering selling the d800 and going back to canon. I will be sorry to give up the higher mp but these other issues are very frustrating. I just canceled my d800e order that I have been waiting almost four months for.
So am I missing something? Are any of you using the d800 happy with the live view? I am open to suggestions and advice.
It is my hope that this post is informative about my experience and it may help others and lead to a civil discussion. Thanks for listening.
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