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Nikon D800E vs Leica S2


Eastgreenlander

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Dpreview writes about the D800E:

 

We haven't had the opportunity to examine any samples in detail, but the comparisons that we've been shown certainly suggest that the D800E will deliver a significant boost in pixel-level detail compared to the 'stock' D800.

 

I know the D800E need to be put thru it paces but any comments out there when putting these two cameras aganst each other on paper?

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Hi, There are some full-size images taken by an D800 availible on Nikon D800 Sample Photos Are Mind Blowing

Exactly how much these images were manipulated (removing noise e.g.) I don't know.

I have a S2 with apo-macro-summarit-s 120mm lens and tried to take some similar (same iso=320) images to compare. My comparisons showed quite a bit of exstra noise and some softness on the D800 images. I think the D800 has the same sensor as the D7000, just bigger with the proportionate larger number of pixels.

Maybe someone with more knowledge can compare as well and say what they think.

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I'd say a lot of big differences, for example:

- S lenses (not as many choices as Nikon but outstanding IQ)

- Sensor size (Nikon smaller and more modern)

- Price

 

Given the choice for IQ, the S2, always.

General purpose: D800.

 

Here's another similar thread:

 

it will be super interesting to see Nikon D800 VS Leica S2 - The GetDPI Photography Forums

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I have a Nikon D3x without AA-Filter and compared it about one year ago against the S2. To be honest, the differences where not visible until you print above A2. The comparison was made with the 60 macro AFS against the 70 Summarit.

 

But finally I gave up and bought the S2 and have used it mainly with the 120 mm for portraiture work. I had to adapt my lighting equipment (the S2 is extremely hungry for light) but I didn't touch my D3x anymore since then. Pixels are not the only criteria for choosing a camera. With the S2 I had not one single shot missed within several thousand frames. The files are clean and precise, the S2 handles very well.

 

Some points to consider:

 

The viewfinder. Just not to compare with anything else

The lenses. Almost free of CA

The AF. One point where to focus. Simple, nothing to go wrong about

The formfactor. The S2 is heavy and stable.

 

The S2 is not a sports camera, though. Its not a fast camera either, and not a camera for low-light situations. You cannot make videos. Long lenses are missing as well as shift/tilt. Its not that compact (as Leica suggest)

 

But all the rest it does very well.:D

 

My prediction for the D800 is, that this camera gives more pixel than most people can handle. There are only very few lenses in the Nikon and Zeiss line-up that can keep up with this resolution. Dont expect older lenses, even primes, to deliver decent quality. AF is critical at this resolution (unless you make photos at F8). Also, expect to do a lot of finetuning the AF for each lens :p

 

I have a D7000 (for video work). The quality of the files is far from impressive. Yes, you can make pictures at 3200 and in a small print they will look nice. But dont expect miracles

 

I dont blame Nikon for launching such a camera. Finally they have to make good busines in the upper amateur market and in the lower end of professionals as well. Pixels are still an argument, especially as smaller cameras as Sony start to deliver 24 mpix actually.

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Having sold off my MF equipment, I've been considering the S2. But the launch of the D800E has made me put off my buying, at least for a while. The S2 may have the better viewfinder, color range, and stability, but are those things worth $17K or more? Is it better to wait for an S3?

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Having sold off my MF equipment, I've been considering the S2. But the launch of the D800E has made me put off my buying, at least for a while. The S2 may have the better viewfinder, color range, and stability, but are those things worth $17K or more? Is it better to wait for an S3?

 

That is the question. The Photokina is so near and I read that LEICA will present a fire work of new products. I have my doubts that there will be a S3. I am also aim to buy a S2, but will be upset if they present a S3 on the Photokina.

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Having sold off my MF equipment, I've been considering the S2. But the launch of the D800E has made me put off my buying, at least for a while. The S2 may have the better viewfinder, color range, and stability, but are those things worth $17K or more? Is it better to wait for an S3?

 

what you can do is to buy a D800 with some nice primes (I suggest for example the 85 AFS, the 70-200 VRII, which are both superbe). If in autumn a new S3 will be announced, the D800 will still be fresh and you can resell your stuff without much losses and get a good used S2 and you will probably save some money. On the other hand, if you decide to buy a S2/S3 or what ever, you may keep you Nikon for longer focal reach (or wider angles, the 24/1.4 is a very decent lens as well). The best of two worlds :-)

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Is there any reason these lenses shouldn't be exceptional? What adapter would I need to adapt my135/4 to a Nikon?

 

No reason at all.

36 MP should make those lenses shine and I would like to take advantage of that.

 

I have the TE 135/4 version where one can unscrew the lens head.

Then use the lens head with a short focus mount on Visoflex III on M9,

or with a Fotodiox adapter on a Nikon F camera and focus to infinity.

I have several of those adapters.

They are relatively pretty inexpensive.

They also show some variation in their fit.

But, that has not gotten in the way so far.

 

I have preordered a D800E through Amazon.

Expected delivery is January 2013, according to an email from them.

Hopefully they can do better than that.

 

K-H.

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I have preordered a D800E through Amazon.

Expected delivery is January 2013, according to an email from them.

Hopefully they can do better than that.

 

K-H.

 

Latest message from Amazon, Quote:

 

 

"Hello,

 

We have received new release date information related to the order you placed on February 07, 2012.

The item(s) listed below will actually ship sooner than we originally expected based on the new release date:

 

"Nikon D800E 36.3 MP CMOS FX-Format Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)"

Previous estimated arrival date: January 03, 2013

New estimated arrival date: March 18, 2012

 

If you want to check on the progress of your order, take a look at this page in Your Account:

 

• • •

 

We hope to see you again soon!

 

Sincerely,

 

Customer Service Department"

 

 

Now, that's much better. Thank you Nikon and Amazon.

I hope Leica executes equally well with their M10.

Now, where can I put in my preorder?

 

Best, K-H.

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I have the TE 135/4 version where one can unscrew the lens head.

Then use the lens head with a short focus mount on Visoflex III on M9,

or with a Fotodiox adapter on a Nikon F camera and focus to infinity.

I have several of those adapters. K-H.

 

Thanks for the info, is there one Fotodiox that seems better?

The 135/4 image quality is spectacular, when testing the older and newer versions the images were so evenly matched in every way, a real testiment to Leica quality given 20+ years difference in manufacture. The 280/f4 is on my long list but may be more difficult to obtain if they are adapted as I suspect many will for the D800(E) as you mention.

 

 

I have preordered a D800E through Amazon.

Expected delivery is January 2013, according to an email from them.

Hopefully they can do better than that.

 

K-H.

 

Surprised that the wait list is that long. When I checked with my local Samy's in Santa Barbara, CA they said their list was short.

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Thanks for the info, is there one Fotodiox that seems better?

The 135/4 image quality is spectacular, when testing the older and newer versions the images were so evenly matched in every way, a real testiment to Leica quality given 20+ years difference in manufacture. The 280/f4 is on my long list but may be more difficult to obtain if they are adapted as I suspect many will for the D800(E) as you mention.

 

 

Surprised that the wait list is that long. When I checked with my local Samy's in Santa Barbara, CA they said their list was short.

 

 

Right, here is the latest from amazon: New estimated arrival date: March 18, 2012.

 

I agree the TE 135/4 is spectacular and fairly inexpensive as Leitz/Leica made almost 28,300 of them.

In contrast they only made slightly over 2,000 of the APO-Telyt-R 280/4 which already is optimally sharp wide open.

I got lucky and recently found a 280/4 that was just CLA'ed and came with a one year Leica warranty.

 

K-H.

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well then let us see the results please.

 

I have older Viso-flex lenses that I used for testing on my M9, but to be honest, they are far from beeing able to deliver for 18 mp. ;)

 

 

Well, you must not have then a TE 135/4 in your collection.

Here are some full size images with that lens that, I believe, speak for themselves.

 

2011.02.10 Bandelier from above - winklers' Photos

2011.03.29-30 Views from Hill - winklers' Photos

2010-01-26 Santa Fe, Ski Area - winklers' Photos

 

Best, K-H.

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i have no doubt nikon d800e will be a great camera. but you need to look @ systems and not just the mega pixels. the lenses that u can attach to an s2 are far superior to the nikon . this also does not mean that nikon can not make great lenses. their target audience dos not support 5~8k lens prices and at the end you get what u pay for. the price to go from 80% to 95% is a lot of money and that is what u get with lecia

 

 

 

 

PS

i do have a s2 with all the lenses and i have also ordered a d800e

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i have no doubt nikon d800e will be a great camera. but you need to look @ systems and not just the mega pixels. the lenses that u can attach to an s2 are far superior to the nikon . this also does not mean that nikon can not make great lenses. their target audience dos not support 5~8k lens prices and at the end you get what u pay for. the price to go from 80% to 95% is a lot of money and that is what u get with lecia

 

 

 

 

PS

i do have a s2 with all the lenses and i have also ordered a d800e

 

You are S2 user so the fact you are ordering D800E is terrific endorsement regardless of your specific motivation.

 

You may be aware that Nikon just issued D800/E user guide where they listed number of own AFS prime and zoom lenses recommended for the camera spanning 14 - 600 mm where S2 own lenses covers 24 - 150 mm 24x36 equivalent. Nikon was a little bit marketing sneaky by listing only recent lens while we can expect some older lenses to perform well on D800 sensor.

 

Add to the mix Nikon own flash system, ZF and converted R lenses and as a system D800/E is extremely desirable and affordable to boot.

 

I am amateur shooter and my D700 paired with nice collection of top Nikon, ZF & R glass is more than adequate for my needs but D800/E looks tempting at half the M9 price.

 

As this is S2 thread - yes very cool camera, I know one fellow amateur who could afford it and he is over the moon.

Edited by mmradman
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Nothing I have seen from these D800 images gives me cause for concern. There are a lot of pixels, sure, but the fine detail is simply not resolved to the levels that the S lenses are capable off. Those sample images lack accutance IMHO, the fine lines are just that bit smudged and I feel that the sensor is out-resolving the lenses. The opposite is true with the S2.

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Nothing I have seen from these D800 images gives me cause for concern. There are a lot of pixels, sure, but the fine detail is simply not resolved to the levels that the S lenses are capable off. Those sample images lack accutance IMHO, the fine lines are just that bit smudged and I feel that the sensor is out-resolving the lenses. The opposite is true with the S2.

 

I agree - I used the PC-E 24mm on a D3x - this was IMO the best full frame high-res Equipment and (only) this lens might be able to take advantage of the new sensor.

The value of the D800 is the incentive for Leica to release S3 with a resolution of 6000x9000 and ISO 3200 as soon as possible. In terms of Nikon D800 it's the end of resolution - in terms of Leica S-System the best is yet to come.

 

best regards

Lik

Edited by lik
Prthografie
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