Wanted to update this thread for posterity. Today my friend Steve stopped by with his D800E. We went out and shot locally with both cameras. We just finished reviewing the files. Obviously we shot an identical set of images with each camera using the exact same lenses and the same tripod for positional equality.
For a summary of my findings, the bottom line result was exactly what I concluded at the start of this thread using Rob's images -- the difference is incredibly minor when both files are processed optimally.
To add more meat to that if you're still reading, I will share Steve's comments as we processed identical images from both cameras side-by-side in C1 on my big monitor:
1) After initial import with all files at the same exact settings: Steve says, "You can clearly see the D800E is sharper." I reply, "Yes you can, but watch."
2) I then dial up sharpening on the D800 to ideal. Steve comments, "Okay, but the D800E still looks a little sharper." I reply, "Yes it does, but it's contrast and micro-contrast. Look at these shadow areas in both images and you can see that the D800 regular is more open and the D800E is more blocked." Steve, "Oh... Yes, I see that now. The shadows are more open and the DR is better on the D800."
3) Then I dial clarity up 20 points for the D800. I don't say anything, I just look at Steve which prompts him to stuff his face in the monitor with his reading cheaters on. After 10 seconds of study he says, "That's remarkable. You've just shown there was no reason for me to spend the extra money on the D800E." Then he adds, "It isn't going to be worth the extra hassle for me to deal with the moire!"
4) I say hold on and scroll to a diagonal wire in the upper part of the frame and zoom in. Again I just look at him. He replies," What?" I say, "Look closely and you can make out the twisted strands of the wire a little better in the D800E file." Steve, "What effective size print would this be?" Me, "Probably about 7 feet wide." Steve simply laughs.
5) He then says, "There's really no reason for this camera." I say, "I disagree and look at it a little differently. Most of us are going to own two of these bodies anyway, so there's no reason one shouldn't be an E." He replies, "What will you use it for that you wouldn't be comfortable using the D800 for?" I start to answer and pause... "Excellent question, I really don't know." Steve says, "I shoot mostly models, and the lack of moire on fabric is enough reason for me to prefer the regular D800." I have no argument to give him...
Cheers,
For a summary of my findings, the bottom line result was exactly what I concluded at the start of this thread using Rob's images -- the difference is incredibly minor when both files are processed optimally.
To add more meat to that if you're still reading, I will share Steve's comments as we processed identical images from both cameras side-by-side in C1 on my big monitor:
1) After initial import with all files at the same exact settings: Steve says, "You can clearly see the D800E is sharper." I reply, "Yes you can, but watch."
2) I then dial up sharpening on the D800 to ideal. Steve comments, "Okay, but the D800E still looks a little sharper." I reply, "Yes it does, but it's contrast and micro-contrast. Look at these shadow areas in both images and you can see that the D800 regular is more open and the D800E is more blocked." Steve, "Oh... Yes, I see that now. The shadows are more open and the DR is better on the D800."
3) Then I dial clarity up 20 points for the D800. I don't say anything, I just look at Steve which prompts him to stuff his face in the monitor with his reading cheaters on. After 10 seconds of study he says, "That's remarkable. You've just shown there was no reason for me to spend the extra money on the D800E." Then he adds, "It isn't going to be worth the extra hassle for me to deal with the moire!"
4) I say hold on and scroll to a diagonal wire in the upper part of the frame and zoom in. Again I just look at him. He replies," What?" I say, "Look closely and you can make out the twisted strands of the wire a little better in the D800E file." Steve, "What effective size print would this be?" Me, "Probably about 7 feet wide." Steve simply laughs.
5) He then says, "There's really no reason for this camera." I say, "I disagree and look at it a little differently. Most of us are going to own two of these bodies anyway, so there's no reason one shouldn't be an E." He replies, "What will you use it for that you wouldn't be comfortable using the D800 for?" I start to answer and pause... "Excellent question, I really don't know." Steve says, "I shoot mostly models, and the lack of moire on fabric is enough reason for me to prefer the regular D800." I have no argument to give him...
Cheers,