Hard to admit when you’re wrong!!!
It’s tough to admit when you’re wrong! The announcement of the new Nikon D7100 has caused a focus shift in my thinking about sensors. Let’s start a year ago when the D800/800e was introduced. The e version was first met with some skepticism. I think a lot of us feared that moire patterns would be a real issue. For that reason I had little interest in the “e” version. Now I find my attitude kind of strange, since for me, image quality is paramount. I will put up with almost any quirks to get the ultimate in image quality. It was not until the 800e had been out for several months that I started hearing about how much sharper the images were coming out of that camera, and very few , if any, moire issues!!! I was till suspicious, but the reports kept pouring in. I decided to investigate the whole issue. I got a D800e and did some shooting and was shocked at the difference. I borrowed a friends Fuji X-Pro1 and was amazed at the clarity of that sensor. I looked at some work from the Leica M9, same thing, very crisp!! Now Nikon is introducing another camera with a sensor free of the optical low pass filter.
For some time the big medium format cameras like the Phase One and Hasselblads have bee free of these filters. Something is up here!!! So I went on a research effort, shooting various cameras, and comparing them to conventional sensor technology. I’ve drawn a few conclusons;
1. All things being equal, sensors that have eliminated the Optical Low Pass Filter, are indeed capable of producing higher resolution and apparent sharper results.
2. I’ve shot the Nikon D800e and the D800 and when I retire I think I will opt for the 800e if I decide to get that particular model. Is the 800e much higher resolving than a D600 which I particularly like? Yes, but the D600 is already a very crisp image producer…. It is a personal choice and not an easy one. In keeping with my quest for the ultimate image quality, it is going to be hard not to own and use a D800e!!
3. While I have not yet seen or shot a D7100, I have no doubt that it will be “the” DX body of choice for me. I would expect it to be a super camera in the DX range with 24 mega pixels and the new unique sensor arrangement. I certainly will let you know when I get one to try, test, and shoot.
4. I hope a future version of the Nikon 1 & 2 Series to employ this sensor arrangement, though I know nothing to indicate that this is planned. I have shot both the Fuji X-Pro 1 and the X-E1 cameras and the X-Trans sensor in them, without Optical Low Pass Filter, performs spectacularly.
5. I do not access to the medium format cameras, but I will accept the word of others that they perform at a high level as well!
6, The images I’ve seen from the very, very expensive Leica M9 confirms my finding so far.
Conclusion: If you are buying a new camera and want the absolute latest technology and highest possible image quality, I would say, if you are a Nikon shooter, the D800e and new D7100 should be at the top of your list. If you shoot other brands, then the Fuji’s and Leica should be considered. One thing for sure if you go with the M9, get ready to shell out $20,000. for a body and three lenses!!!! A little steep for me!
The Big Question: Can you get extraordinary quality without going that route? Sure, but it’s like football, it’s a game of inches!!!
Blessings,
the pilgrim
This entry was posted on Saturday, February 23rd, 2013 at 1:20 pm
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I’m so glad you have talked about this – I, of course, wanted to know immediately what the difference was between the 7100 and the 7000. I read about the removal of a filter from the sensor. I’m thinking, hmmmm, that sounds like it would definitely impact the clarity of my photos, and for the better. So I am looking forward to hearing more about the d7100 when it comes out. And I can’t wait to hear how it goes for you when you test it.
I will share soon!
Hi there! I’m not sure if you remember me, but you did send me a ctdisneraoe e-mail once wondering if everything was alright (which I really appreciated, and I apologize for not replying if I don’t reply to an e-mail right away and let some time go by I have a bad tendency of just not replying at all). Things just got a little busy/strange and I took a long hiatus, but everything is fine.Anyway, I checked in on your blog every once in a while during that time, but now I’m back and hopefully will be regularly checking in and commenting again love seeing how your work has progressed in this time!
Thanks for the early insight on the D7100. Like Catherine Martin, I was immediately curious about the pros and cons of removing the low-pass filter. Looking forward to D7000/D7100 test results!
You and me both!
So glad I just sold my D7000 before used prices dropped even more with the D5200 on the market now. I have had a D800 for a while now and have to wonder if I should have opted for the D800e? Maybe Nikon has figured out the software to deal with the moiré issue!
So far, there simply hasn’t been very much!
I was excited to hear about the D7100 and I want a DX body for sports and wild life but I want to wait and see what is going to replace the D300s. Guess you couldn’t tell me even if you knew!
You’re right, but I really don’t know!
After reading and re-reading all the Nikon information on the D7100 I really have a feeling the D7100 is the new top of the DX line and there won’t be a D300s replacement. Just my humble opinion.
I think the D7100 is the replacement for the D300s as well as the D7000. I suppose I could be wrong but that is what it looks like right now anyway.
If you are talking specs, probably true the D7100 fills out the DX line. However, when I look
at the price difference between the D7100 and D600 there is a large price gap. Other
competitors have that price range covered. My take from this is Nikon will release another DX
camera. By the end of the year I would guess 4 DX camera’s and 4 FX camera’s will be in the
line up. Just my 2 cents.
Bill,
I have been shooting with the D800 for the past 10 months. I have had no moiré issues to speak of when shooting landscapes or architecture. Clothing, however, is another issue entirely. The problem is that it is very difficult to see on screen, and VERY easy to see in a print. You almost have to anticipate when it might show up and look closely in those areas. I have been using the Moiré slider in the Adjustment Brush in Lightroom to deal with it and that works quite well. I have found that I need to cover the entire piece of clothing that is being effected because there is sometimes a slight color shift. I would imagine that this same type of issue can occur with the D800e. With the D7100? — we’ll just have to wait — patiently…
Good information Tim, you’re right, we’ll have to wait!
Moose Peterson has some D7100 pics up on his website if anyone is interested in seeing them.
Thanks, I will go right there!
$20,000 for a camera ! Unbelievable even if it is a Leica. Not a camera for a humble person. Buy a good Nikon or Fuji and donate the difference to a food bank or homeless shelter.
Seems like the right decision to me!
I have been looking to update my old D80 for some time now, i have invested in good glass rather than the camera it self, though i think i have streched this camera’s IQ as far as it will go. I had my heart set on the D600 ( all my lenses are FX but one) but since the introduction of the D7100 and all the buzz regarding the oil and dirt spots…. i have to ask, is there that much of a diference between both cameras (IQ wise)?
From what i understand, the D7100 is more like a D800 in terms of build quality and functions but with a D5200 sensor without the low pass filter, where as the D600 is more like the D7000 with a D3x sensor.
I mostly shoot portraits in studio and plenty of lanscape and HDR photography. Like you said, IQ is paramount, but how big is the gap between both this cameras?
I’ve owned both the D800 & D7000. The D7000 was a workhorse of a camera, light, fast and with great low light performance. The D800 was represented by the other end of that horse, big, heavy and expensive. I finally changed direction altogether and opted for a Fuji X-E1 with 5 lenses. I love everything about the X-E1 and their lenses. 1/3 the cost and 1/3rd the weight. What’s not to love! Thanks for a great blog.
Thanks for cobtninutirg. It’s helped me understand the issues.