Suggestions for a new landscape/nighttime camera.

Gaz J

Gaz J

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Gary
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I have, up until now, always used my 1DX for the bit of landscape and night photography that I do. I now want to do more of it and have decided that I will buy a dedicated body and lens for that purpose.

I've had a 5D3 and buying another would seem to be sensible or a 5DS/R. However I know that there are better cameras for the purpose out there.

I don't have a heavy investment in wide angle lenses so changing brands is not an issue.

So my initial thoughts are either

Nikon D750/810 and 14-24

or

Sony. Not really sure what model I should be looking at here or what lens.

So any advice appreciated.

Cheers

Gaz
 
How about a Nikon D810a - the first DSLR geared towards astro?

http://www.nikonusa.com/en/Nikon-Products/Product/dslr-cameras/D810A.html

Seems the natural choice, though it is nealry £500 more than a standard d810 on average.

Or if you want to stay with Canon, go for a 6d, not a 5ds / dsr. The 6d will offer the lowest noise and cleanest long exposures by far.

That said, you should be able to get stunning landscapes and astro with your 1DX? What is it body wise you think it needs?
 
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It's not that the 1DX cannot do landscapes. I never bought it for that purpose as I had a 5D3 that I used. I sold the 5D3 for a 7DMkII which I don't particulary like and have decided to get rid of. I know that having another canon body would be the sensible option but the 1DX has the same issue of all Canon sensors, less DR than the best Sony/Nikon bodies. It's this dynamic range that I'm looking for to shoot the Milky Way for example. The Canon sensors don't take kindly to having the exposure pushed to far before banding etc start to be an issue.
 
Why do you need to push your long exposures though? I shoot some (albeit, I'm not massively experienced in astro) with the 6d and dont need to push it per se? Usually iso 640 and a 20 second exposure on an f/2.8 uwa brings in the goods when shooting, for example, the Milky Way :)

Then the only PP needed is a clarity boost and sharpen in LR.
 
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Again, I have never tried to do any astrophotography so there may be problems there, I just don't know.

As far as landscapes are concerned, would you honestly know that Canon sensors had less DR than Nikons/Sonys if you hadn't read the reviews? The reviews might be correct but if Canon's most expensive camera body won't do the job, I'd be surprised. Digital files are very amenable to opening up shadow areas these days.

That is definitely my last word on the subject! I can foresee a can of worms being opened up.;)
 
jerry12953 said:
Again, I have never tried to do any astrophotography so there may be problems there, I just don't know.

As far as landscapes are concerned, would you honestly know that Canon sensors had less DR than Nikons/Sonys if you hadn't read the reviews? The reviews might be correct but if Canon's most expensive camera body won't do the job, I'd be surprised. Digital files are very amenable to opening up shadow areas these days.

That is definitely my last word on the subject! I can foresee a can of worms being opened up.;)
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Indeed :) The best DR Canon wise is the 6d, with the best Nikon being about +2 ev (apparently) better. Would you notice this over an already great DR from the 6d? Shooting raw. I doubt it! The 6d can pull amazing shadow detail as I'm sure the 1dx can, and I'd be surprised the d810 would look significantly different.

But yes, lets close that can before the worms escape :nailbiting:
 
That little extra is what I'm looking for. To try and get a better image than I can do already. I'm speaking about milky way/star trail photography here when blending of images isn't always successful. If it was just landscape I would buy another 5D3, but whilst I prefer canon to other brands, in this instance if there is something better out there then I would like to consider it.

As for whether I would know, isn't that what reviews are all about. Otherwise how would anyone form an opinion of any camera of any make.

The 6D was my first thought actually but having already jumped into buying a 7DMkII that was a mistake for me I don't want to make another one.
 
Gaz J said:
That little extra is what I'm looking for. To try and get a better image than I can do already. I'm speaking about milky way/star trail photography here when blending of images isn't always successful. If it was just landscape I would buy another 5D3, but whilst I prefer canon to other brands, in this instance if there is something better out there then I would like to consider it.

As for whether I would know, isn't that what reviews are all about. Otherwise how would anyone form an opinion of any camera of any make.

The 6D was my first thought actually but having already jumped into buying a 7DMkII that was a mistake for me I don't want to make another one.
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Well, if you want to stick with Canon, with a body primarily used for landscapes and astro, you'll certainly be looking at the 6d.

Out of interesdt, what did you buy the 7d2 for, as you already had the best body for speed / sports etc?
 
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I thought it would be a good walk about camera with a 100-400 MkII on it but it doesn't live up to my expectations. I find it difficult not to compare it with my 1DX and whilst it does the job it's really a good light camera and that's not what I wanted from it. So it's up for sale and I will get something else, hence the idea of a Sony or Nikon for the bit more DR. I admit if I go for a non Canon then I lose my back up body so needs careful consideration. Will try and have a go with my mates D800 tonight and have a look at the image from that.
 
I would be looking at the D810a + 16-35/4...
The modified IR filter makes it more suitable for astro, and the 16-35 can easily accept filters *if* you were to find you needed to add an IR/CPL/ND for daytime landscapes (I think IR would be about 90% unnecessary from what I've seen).
The increased IR light *could* make the camera more light sensitive in general. I.e. a green photosite is not *only* sensitive to green (but I would have to see a sensitivity chart to say, and I haven't). But this same characteristic could make any IR "color cast" hard to remove in post.

See this review: http://blogg.astrofotografen.se/2015/05/nikon-d810a-review.html
 
Get a d750 or the 810 if you're computer is fast enough for 36 mp file sizes .....hhhuuugggeee
 
Mark twiglet said:
Get a d750 or the 810 if you're computer is fast enough for 36 mp file sizes .....hhhuuugggeee
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Why the d810 and not the d810a? I know it's cheaper but you may as well pay the extra few hundred if astro is what you want it for?
 
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