D800E in "crop mode" vs. D7100 ???

[bbbinohio]

While I shoot all types of photography, I'm primarily sort of a "Superzoom" guy, and with the release of the new 80-400mm, I am really excited about making a Superzoom out of either a D7100 or a D800E (shooting in crop mode).

And I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which combo you would chose to produce the best combination of performance, low noise, sharpness, overall superior images and of course weight.

With all things considered, what combo would you choose???

(price is really not a gigantic concern.)

Thanks in Advance,

Bob, from Ohio

 

[rgolub]

bbbinohio wrote:

While I shoot all types of photography, I'm primarily sort of a "Superzoom" guy, and with the release of the new 80-400mm, I am really excited about making a Superzoom out of either a D7100 or a D800E (shooting in crop mode).

And I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which combo you would chose to produce the best combination of performance, low noise, sharpness, overall superior images and of course weight.

With all things considered, what combo would you choose???

(price is really not a gigantic concern.)

Thanks in Advance,

Bob, from Ohio

Using a 'superzoom' with a D800 and especially the E version is a rather silly concept. The 800E requires excellent technique and excellent optics to get the most out of the camera. Even then, the differences between the 800 and the 800E are fairly subtle and would be buried in the imperfections of the lens. And to go to crop mode with a D800 as the default setup indicates that you are not working with the camera's strong points. Why bother?

The D7100 is much better matched to your choice of lens.

 

[bbbinohio]

rgolub wrote:

The 800E requires excellent technique and excellent optics to get the most out of the camera.

--
RG

I have both excellent technique and excellent optics. So those two issues need not be considered.

But thanks for responding!

Bob, from Ohio.

 

[j_photo]

bbbinohio wrote:

While I shoot all types of photography, I'm primarily sort of a "Superzoom" guy, and with the release of the new 80-400mm, I am really excited about making a Superzoom out of either a D7100 or a D800E (shooting in crop mode).

And I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which combo you would chose to produce the best combination of performance, low noise, sharpness, overall superior images and of course weight.

With all things considered, what combo would you choose???

(price is really not a gigantic concern.)

Thanks in Advance,

Bob, from Ohio

It makes no sense to me to purchase a D800E based on its performance shooting in crop mode. I have on occasion shot in DX mode (D800, not E). But I wouldn't purchase one primarily for DX shooting.

 

[Sunnyjim]

I have the D300, D300s and the D800. I use the D800 mostly in the DX mode for shooting sports and I totally love the camera except the low FPS. I think the D800 would beat the D7100 in AF and high ISO performance.

The D800 has a tight quality that I really enjoy. Seems to me the D7100 would be a step down.

Bob

 

[reginalddwight]

Welcome back to the forum, Bob.

If you want that extra "reach", the D7100 with its DX sensor has a 1.3x crop mode that offers 15 MP images at an effective focal length of 2x. Works great for sports and BIF. The other advantages of the 1.3x crop mode are the 7 fps maximum burst rate and the wide coverage area of the 51 AF points.

As much as I like the D800, for your needs the D7100 may be the way to go.

 

[PatrickP]

The D800E in 1.2x crop mode, rated at 5fps, is decent enough for many. It provides 25mp worth of resolution but doesn't lose as much light gathering capability as the 1.5x DX crop mode does. You can also add the grip and get 6fps in 1.5x mode.

If you are using the 80-400mm you would want a bigger and heavier body to balance it, not one that's lighter or smaller.

Also The D800E AF should out perform the D7100 AF as well.

bbbinohio wrote:

While I shoot all types of photography, I'm primarily sort of a "Superzoom" guy, and with the release of the new 80-400mm, I am really excited about making a Superzoom out of either a D7100 or a D800E (shooting in crop mode).

And I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which combo you would chose to produce the best combination of performance, low noise, sharpness, overall superior images and of course weight.

With all things considered, what combo would you choose???

(price is really not a gigantic concern.)

Thanks in Advance,

Bob, from Ohio

---
D800E, 16-35/4, 24-70/2.8, 70-200 VR2, TC-20E3, 50/1.8G, 85/1.8G.

 

[wasserball]

My opinion the only reason why you want to shoot in the D800 cropped mode is that you are using a DX lens, but then, you really should be using a DX camera anyway.

 

[bbbinohio]

That was a wonderful answer.

Thanks for responding!

Bob, from Ohio

 

[bbbinohio]

Another great and well thought out response!

Thanks!

Bob, from Ohio

 

[bbbinohio]

Hmm... the balancing of the heavier body is not something that I had considered at all. All this time I have only been thinking "the lighter the better".

Thanks for posting!

Bob, from Ohio

 

[bbbinohio]

Forgive me, but I'm a little confused.

Why exactly is it that I... " should be using a DX camera anyway " ????

Bob, from Ohio

 

[bbbinohio]

It was kind of you to say.

Bob, from Ohio

 

[bbbinohio]

Thank you for your comments.

Bob, from Ohio

 

[boxerfan88]

I use my D800 in crop mode for Bird photography because 100% of the time the area of interest lies within the DX area, and the extra reach of DX mode is helpful.

When I am shooting landscape or portrait, I get the glorious 36MP of FX. To me, this functionality of D800 is of huge value.

Hope this sharing helps...

 

[JacquesC]

For what you want to do you should perhaps consider the Nikon V1 or V2 with FT-1 adapter.

With it's 2.7x crop factor, and coupled to the 80-400mm lens you suggest, you will have a SUPERzoom !

Go check what this guy did :

http://www.dpreview.com/forums/post/51760939

 

[InTheMist]

Other than the light-gathering ability, sharpness and the subject isolation of the D800 in FX mode, I often use my D800 in crop mode.

Why:

• Absolutely modern pro focusing and features
• Huge buffer in DX mode
• The focusing area covers almost the whole frame
• 6FPS with grip loaded with AA batteries.

Some examples in DX mode:

Swiss Chamois (Gämse) DX Mode

Blackbird (European Amsel) / DX Mode



This one was actually taken in FX and given an extreme crop - much smaller than MFT crop. I was ill-prepared or I would have had the camera in DX:

While Lion / Massive Crop



--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[bbbinohio]

May I ask what lens you used to shoot those shots?

Thanks!

Bob, from Ohio

 

[InTheMist]

bbbinohio wrote:

May I ask what lens you used to shoot those shots?

Hi Bob.

All are 300/f2.8 VRII

I was impatient. I bought it just before the 80-400 update was announced, or I would have gotten that instead.

Full EXIF in my Flickr gallery if you want To know more.

--
Ridicule is not C&C nor is it being helpful nor "stating your opinion"
www.flickr.com/InTheMist

 

[RicAllan]

rgolub wrote:

bbbinohio wrote:

While I shoot all types of photography, I'm primarily sort of a "Superzoom" guy, and with the release of the new 80-400mm, I am really excited about making a Superzoom out of either a D7100 or a D800E (shooting in crop mode).

And I was wondering if anyone had any opinions on which combo you would chose to produce the best combination of performance, low noise, sharpness, overall superior images and of course weight.

With all things considered, what combo would you choose???

(price is really not a gigantic concern.)

Thanks in Advance,

Bob, from Ohio

Using a 'superzoom' with a D800 and especially the E version is a rather silly concept. The 800E requires excellent technique and excellent optics to get the most out of the camera. Even then, the differences between the 800 and the 800E are fairly subtle and would be buried in the imperfections of the lens. And to go to crop mode with a D800 as the default setup indicates that you are not working with the camera's strong points. Why bother?

The D7100 is much better matched to your choice of lens.

--
RG
www.lostrange.com

The idea that the D800 would require any different technique is ludicrous. The pixel density on both is nearly the same (actually the D7100 has a slightly greater pixel density and if the concept purported were valid would be more sensitive..). The so-called and erroneous attribute is due to the fact that the image can be enlarged further than others magnifying camera movement revealing things that would be hidden by the earlier onset of pixelation of images with lesser pixel density.

And crop mode would make no difference, it is a CROP of the full sensor image, not an enlargement in any way.

On balance, the remaining features would favor the D800 (and D800E)...

--
Ric