Poll: D800 vs. 5D2. Where did your money go?

[9VIII]

It seems that the 5D2 and D800 are in relatively similar positions in their own respective times. The current advantages of the D800 seem to bring the forums alight with nearly semantic arguments about what is inferior or superior and the actual value of those differences.

As the saying goes "put your money where your mouth is", it would be very interesting to see how many people on this forum actually bought a D800, and conversely, how many people made the same choice when the 5D2 was the best camera in its class.

Note, there's no option for Canon users who bought a 5D2 and Nikon users who bought a D800, I guess those are kind of a given.
There is also a protest vote for those that prefer not to worry about the technical details of their camera.

[Mt Spokane Photography]

I fell for the misleading hype and bought one.  I sold it shortly after and bought a 5D MK III.  I know at least two other local photographers that were unhappy with theirs as well.

[abcde12345]

I'm pretty new to photography around here, but I've always thought that D800 is a rival to 5D Mk III, not Mk II? While D700 is the rival of 5D Mk II? Someone to enlighten me?

[tron]

I am sorry but I consider this poll silly!

D800 is to be compared to 5D3 not 5D2. You compare a current camera with an obsolete one!

[Click]

D800 is to be compared to 5D3 not 5D2. You compare a current camera with an obsolete one!

+1

[neuroanatomist]

I am sorry but I consider this poll silly!

D800 is to be compared to 5D3 not 5D2. You compare a current camera with an obsolete one!

I think his point is that he's comparing the 5DII as a 'game-changing sensor' because of the much higher MP than any FF south of $7K to the D800 with more FF MP than anything else out there at the time (or still, the a7R isn't a dSLR).   He's asking 'what did you do in 2008-9 about the 5DII' vs. what did you do lately about the D800.

I still don't really get the point, though...

[sanj]

I think 5d2/3 and Nikon D800 are very different cameras for very different style of shooting and should NOT be compared.

[9VIII]

I am sorry but I consider this poll silly!

D800 is to be compared to 5D3 not 5D2. You compare a current camera with an obsolete one!

I think his point is that he's comparing the 5DII as a 'game-changing sensor' because of the much higher MP than any FF south of $7K to the D800 with more FF MP than anything else out there at the time (or still, the a7R isn't a dSLR).   He's asking 'what did you do in 2008-9 about the 5DII' vs. what did you do lately about the D800.

I still don't really get the point, though...

That's right, the reason it's the 5D2 and not 5D3 is I'm wondering how many people are on this board right now because of the 5D2 five or six years ago (when it was new and the best camera you could get).
Also I've unlocked the poll so you don't have to vote to see the results.

[Sporgon]

I changed from Nikon to the Canon 5D in 2005. Does that count ? The game changer there was 'affordable' FF - although it was £2500 in 2005 whilst the Nikon D200 was £1300.

I don't think the Nikon D800 has even scratched the surface of the 5DII success.

Also I'm still dumbfounded that Nikon didn't offer an 's' raw option on a 36mp camera, especially considering that at it's introduction may people wouldn't have the computing power in place. Can you imagine coming away from a event such as a wedding with 1000 36mp raw images ?

[eml58]

I fell for the misleading hype and bought one.  I sold it shortly after and bought a 5D MK III.  I know at least two other local photographers that were unhappy with theirs as well.

Well I'm in the Mt Spokane Camp, bought the D800 as my first off Canon excursion in a while (since my brief affair with Leica M9) as I thought it would work better in my Underwater Shooting after having been immensely happy with the 5DMK II, with the exception of the AF, that single centre is great, the rest a waste of space.

So, my first issue with D800 was personal, I just downright disliked the Menu set up, I worked on it as I understood after Canon Menu systems for years it would take some time to adapt, then the Camera wouldn't focus quite right, after 2 returns to Nikon Singapore and "There's nothing wrong with the Camera, it's just your technique that's at issue", we all found out about the Left/Right Nikon D800 Brain issue, returned the Camera again, returned with the same issue, eventually they replaced with a new unit, I sold it un opened.

The 5DMK III is now the replacement for the 5DMK II, which in this situation would be a fairer comparison, but only just. 36MP of the D800/800E would be more fairly compared to say the Sony a7r I would think, at least until Canon reciprocate with a medium format style body, soon I hope.

And after writing all this I agree with others, not too sure what the point is, other than I wasted 5 minutes typing this response, nothing better to do at this precise moment on a Sunday I guess.

[Orangutan]

I fell for the misleading hype and bought one.  I sold it shortly after and bought a 5D MK III.  I know at least two other local photographers that were unhappy with theirs as well.

Could you remind us what problems you had with it?

[Aglet]

Had an early 5D2, got some good shots with it but its low ISO files had pattern noise in midtones and shadows were even worse if pushed.

My first Nikon was a D5100 and the low ISO raw files from it were vastly cleaner.
D800 came out and I was on the order list for it and the e model after I tested some raw files from it.
Both of those cameras thoroughly blow away any Canon for clean low ISO work.
The 5d2 was promptly trash-binned along with most L lenses I had for it.
7D & a 60D went next for the same reason.

Canon hasn't had a penny from me in years, Nikon, then Pentax and now Fuji (and maybe even Olympus) get all my $ now.
They're more satisfying tools for when I want that kind of image quality.

I haven't experienced any lack of adequate glass to put on them either.

[BL]

77% have voted "Take great pictures without obsessing over specs."

+100

[Aglet]

77% have voted "Take great pictures without obsessing over specs."

+100

true
but technique cannot always adequately compensate for flawed hardware when details matter.

[privatebydesign]

77% have voted "Take great pictures without obsessing over specs."

+100

true
but technique cannot always adequately compensate for flawed hardware when details matter.

Technique can go a huge way towards compensating for different manufacturers specs, what too many people do is rely on the specs to cover up their bad technique. If you blow exposure by two stops a different manufacturer might save your butt, I have no time for people who wax lyrical about various brand advantages when they can't even control basic exposure, or when they are foolish enough to over complicate their exposure and over ride perfectly capable auto modes. Just sayin'..........