D800 vs 5D Mk3 lab test

[gregbradley]

[QUOTE=Peter Ward;844601]Sort of. A relative QE curve usually has the same shape at the absolute curve, except the manufacturer drops the Y-axis peak QE down to 1.0

The problem being they don't state what the peak value is.


Yes that is good. Thanks for posting that.

Greg.

[Shiraz (Ray)]

Originally Posted by Peter Ward

I often ask myself of anything I read on the net "Does that seem reasonable", with a touch of Cal Sagan's "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence"

Point Grey's "measured" QE for the Sony IX674 is 70% at 385nm....amazing !!! since that beats the very best (and very expensive...they fly similar sensors on Hubble) E2V back illuminated CCD's currently available. I'd suggest Point grey got absolute vs relative QE's confused....

One wonders if they used a rain gauge

Peter, its not just Point Grey who have measured Sony CCD performance.
Did a quick search and found that Apogee, Carl Zeiss, FLI and Photometrics have also published absolute QE curves for the ICX285 that are similar to the Point Grey data (not identical though, so not copies). The (previous generation) ICX285 has an absolute QE of at least 60% over much of the visible band according to all sources - it should not be surprising that the newer Sony chips are even better - they have been in this game for a fair while.
http://www.ccd.com/ascent_disc_qecurves.html
http://www.zeiss.de/C1256D18002CC306/0/4E9EF8C9122BBA9CC1257149005146D1/$file/48-0065_e.pdf
http://www.flicamera.com/spec_sheets/MLx285.pdf
http://www.photometrics.com/products/datasheets/HQ2.pdf


However, this discussion on Sony chips really misses the point of David's thread - the new cameras that are appearing are exceptional. Back illuminated 20mp+ chips promise higher QE than affordable existing chips and they will have enough small pixels that they can be adapted to any chosen scope and seeing conditions by way of binning. Provided the manufacturers make them in mono form, there could be some very interesting astro cameras available in the near future. Regards ray

[gregbradley]

It seems like Sony will take the mantle over from Kodak.

57% QE in a CMOS 36mm 4.88micron pixel DSLR full frame chip is a sensational achievement.

I agree, I think once they come out with some larger chips they will be unstoppable.

Greg.

[2stroke (Jay)]

Nikon just need to fix up there entry level gear now, they need something to go against the 1100D and ill be happy. Lol not all of us have the coin

[DavidTrap (David)]

D3200 just released.

DT

[gregbradley]

Yes Nikon D3200 24.2 mp and HD video with wifi adapter available for about $50, plus larger LCD screen. Sample images are amazing.

Canon 1100D 12.2mp, smaller screen. Not sure about video.

Greg.

[2stroke (Jay)]

The d3200 is a $900 body lol would put that at the 60D not entry level. The d3000 is the same as the 1100d price wise but its to old and the 1100d runs rings around it. Next is the D3100 but priced at 600D level and is near equal to the 1100D, nikon need to get something to compete in this segment of market.

[RickS (Rick)]

Here's an article on DxO Labs with a little info on how they do their testing. It's a bit light-weight, but I thought it was interesting...

http://news.cnet.com/8301-11386_3-57...ns-latest-slr/

Cheers,
Rick.

[gb_astro]

Real world comparison:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/5DIII-D800/

Page 2 shows shadow detail comparison at 100 ISO.
The Nikon seems miles ahead in this area.

gb.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Originally Posted by gb_astro

Real world comparison:

http://www.fredmiranda.com/5DIII-D800/

Page 2 shows shadow detail comparison at 100 ISO.
The Nikon seems miles ahead.

gb.

I've read that review GB, and I'm not really sure what to take away from it. He certainly demonstrated the dynamic range of the D800, but expressed concern about focusing through LV which is his preferred technique. He's using some fairly exotic glass (tilt-shift lenses) and it sounds like he's been around long enough to have used a 5:4 view camera where such a technique is the norm. Call me biased, but I just got the impression that he didn't really give the Nikon a go.

Ultimately, there are few people who will have the chance to really compare these cameras side-by-side. I've got far too much invested in Nikon lenses to change camps to Canon, and the closest I'll get to a Canon 5D MkIII will be using a friend's camera.

DT

[gb_astro]

Yes David, I thought he could have been a bit more excited about the D800 especially for a landscape photographer where dynamic range and sharpness at low ISOs is critical.

gb.

[DavidTrap (David)]

Had the chance to try out my D800 today in difficult lighting conditions - poorly lit concert hall.

I was shooting at ISO4000, taking photos of my kids singing and dancing. Very impressed with the quality and low noise. Regardless of how it compares to the 5DMkIII, I'm stoked with the new generation of sensors!

DT