Are you wondering whether to go with FX or DX for wildlife ?

Reading the numbers doesn't do it for me, I need to "see" it.

Using the new Nikon 80-400mm @ 400mm, same branch, same distance, different day but same sh*tty back light

The D800 @ iso 2000, no noise reduction/removal, quick edit.

Full frame.



My "normal" crop.



100% crop, no resize.



Crop area.



D7100 @ iso 1250 full frame, no noise reduction/removal, quick edit.

My model showed up out of the blue and in my rush I didn't realize the iso was too low



My "normal" crop.



100% crop, no resize.



Crop area.



And finally side by each.



Cheers, Don

I am a bit loopy due to some pain meds but I like the D7100 image much better.

Due to the crop factor the D7100 is going to be closer. Also since this is a moving target the focus could be off on either one.
But the D7100 shot does look better. I would like to see the same shot done from tripod on a fixed detailed subject.

My bad...

Should have addd this is not an image quality comparison, it is simply showing the difference in reach using a FX lens on a DX body vs a FX body.

Cheers, Don

I like the comparison.

Good comparison. I don't do wildlife much, but that will help a lot of people I'm sure

Just remember, it's crop factor plus pixel density, not just crop factor. Geoff/Teerecks started what should have been a great discussion on this a while back but it turned into shouting about what resolution really means. What you're seeing here is the classic "Pixels per Bird" measurement and a 24MP DX sensor will beat the 36MP FX sensor in that measure every time. But a D7000, with its 16MP's, is going to be on equal footing with the D800, and that's where all the other factors of sensor quality come into play.

So while a picture speaks 1000 words, just realize that this title might need a few more of them.

Mansurov had some good thoughts on the subject of DX vs. FX for wild life in general : DX or FX for Sports and Wildlife Photography

I actually have thought of getting a D7100 just purely for wildlife. But have not bit the bullet yet as I think you can own too many cameras lol

Actually reading that article I have decided that my money would be better spent on longer lenses. Hmmmm lets see what I can manage to put away for a decent lens

Good comparison. Thanks for sharing how they perform when doing extreme cropping.

Scott Murray said:

I actually have thought of getting a D7100 just purely for wildlife. But have not bit the bullet yet as I think you can own too many cameras lol

Actually reading that article I have decided that my money would be better spent on longer lenses. Hmmmm lets see what I can manage to put away for a decent lens

Click to expand...

Scott

I've just managed to blag a 7100 for wildlife rather than use the 800.