Look at these shot at ISO 3200 and 6400.

http://cmphotography.com/blog.cfm

No one is going to object to an image shot at 3200 when printed any reasonable size in my opinion.

At 6,400 ISO some people will see the noise but surely not at 8x10 or 11x14 or even 20x30.

What do you think?

donaldejose said:

So one can think of the D800 as three cameras in one:

it is Better than that, it is 4, as you also get high end Video
but if just want a quality Nikon FX camera stick with the D700

Everyone agrees a gently used D700 will be selling for $2,000 now and may well fall lower. Seems like a good deal, especially if it falls to the $1,500 range.

The D800 is going to cost you $1,000 more.

Which is the better deal? Which is the better value for the dollar spent?

Is it more than worth it to spend that extra thousand dollars to get the additional features of the D800? Even if you won't use the video?

This is a different way to look at it. Some people say a D700 is enough for their needs. Others say the D800 is going to be a really, really cheap entry into medium format resolution levels. A few years ago who would have thought you could get medium format digital resolution levels for just $3,000?

So one can think of the D800 as three cameras in one: a good usable DX sensor inside the FX sensor to give you more reach from any lens at the push of a button, the best FX sensor money can buy at this time and for years to come, and an entry into the medium format digital resolution levels. Where is it weak? Sports photography or other fields using very high FPS and ISO. Otherwise it seems the D800 is going to be more than worth its 3k price and may well be the best "bang for the buck" out there. Unless you need really high ISO and really fast FPS, cancel your D4 preorder and place a D800 preorder.

What do you think?