Taking & sharing test shots comparing several Nikon bodies...suggestions or comments?

[Nobie]

I have a D70, D200, D700, and may get a D300 in a couple of weeks. I wanted to do some comparison test shots to show the differences in each body for everybody's sake. Without getting too complicated and making it a chore rather than fun, I want to keep it simple...but still include important factors. I have some theories myself and want to see the results come out fair so I am trying to be very careful in my set-up.


The lens:
I will be using a 50mm f/1.4 D from Nikon, a common lens that will work fairly across all the bodies and allow a constant focal length. And since I am not testing the lens per se, I was just going to use it at f/5.6 — a sharp aperture for said lens.

The cameras:
Nikon D70 - ready to go
Nikon D200 - won't be back in my hands until the 21st.
Nikon D300 - possible purchase before end of month.
Nikon D700 - ready to go

The set-up:
In order to be able to repeat the exposure exactly the same on a different day, for use with the D200 and/or D300, I am positioning the cameras flush with one end of the dining table and my "skid" of random objects flush at the opposite end. Shots will be at night, dinning room lights on, all variables controlled so that I can repeat everything on any given night. Set-up will be photographed and detailed records kept.

The items:
Random knick-knacks showing reflections, gradients, transparencies, angles, color, and even flame/light (candle).

The D700:
Given that the D700 is a full sensor, some extra tests will be required to be fair. I will set it to DX settings for one round, then set it back to FX for an additional round to show the differences that way, then again at FX but moving the camera back until it equals the cropped focal lengths of the DX cameras.

The Results:
I will show various ISO settings, not too many just big steps. I will show full image as well as 100% crops. All images will be free from any post-processing. Careful preparations will be made and custom settings will be checked, i.e; WB, Vivid, VR, D-lighting, etc.


So, any oversights? suggestions? comments? recommendations? complaints?

[OsmosisStudios]

Shoothing JPG or RAW?

Looks good thus far: it'd be interesting to see what the results look like.

[candleman]

manual WB .. i'd set it in degrees Kelvin as its a constant and less likley to vary across bodies and firmware updates.

other than that.. manual setting for exposure across all bodies, to same shutterspeed and ISO across given (tested) ISO range.

make sure there is reasonable shadows and dark areas with detail.. thats where the noise will start to show, and how the noise effects the details in said shadows. thats where i'd want to see the 100% crop.

i'd suggest turning High ISO Noise reduction off too.


sounds interesting.. i'm keen to see how it all goes

[Nobie]

I'll be shooting RAW, I never shoot anything else. The D700 is actually my dad's, he is picking it up when he comes through town for Thanksgiving. He's trusted me to play with his new toy before he even gets to. So, I am trying to utilize my opportunity with it. The D70 & D200 are mine, but after playing with this D700 I am thinking of ditching the D200 and going up to the D300. I love the old D70, it's that trusty old tool that never lets me down. I am curious in it's comparisons because it has the largest pixel size of all the DX bodies, not sure of the FX. When I say pixel size, I mean pixel size...not number of pixels.

If none of you have seen first-hand the ISO ability/quality of the D700, you're in for a treat. It's mind boggling to say the least.

[Nobie]

Looks like I may finally be getting around to this tonight, my schedule has been insane and has prevented me from even touching a camera for awhile now.

[sarahgirl777]

Sounds like a good test, I'll be watching for your results. I have a D200 and am planning on buying a D700 in the next few months. Oh there is a website that does this if you're interested, it's Imaging Resource "Comparometer" ™ Digital Camera Image Comparison Page Pretty interesting to play around on there and compair.