D7100 versus D800 for macro shooting: Both are good cameras and used properly should give similar results. I shoot using a Cognisys rail on a desk rig, take notes on every shot...

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Both are good cameras and used properly should give similar results.
I shoot using a Cognisys rail on a desk rig, take notes on every shot, pictures of lighting setups and can replicate sets of frames beginning and ending on specific hairs of a subject with no more effort than pushing a button.

Comparing camera bodies should be cut and dried.
I did and don't like the results.
The 800 is adequate and the 7100 stinks.

I do not think i should have seen any real difference.
Does anyone have any thoughts to share on this?

mechengvic Loc: SoCalo

Like they used to say about muscle cars, nothing beats cubic inches, I guess nothing beats megapixels...

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

I just switched to the D600 from the D7000 for macro. I believe it's the larger pixel size in the full frame that makes a difference. I can see more detail/sharper edges/hairs for my macro. Lesser noise per ISO. ISO being on of the major contributors to loss of detail in macro. My girl friend just recently got an 24 megapixel cropped sensor camera. Her macro is wonderful, but don't look to close/400% crop. My 16 mega pixel has cleaner resolution in my opinion. I think 24MP is just to much for the smaller sensors.

mechengvic wrote:

Like they used to say about muscle cars, nothing beats cubic inches, I guess nothing beats megapixels...

Rongnongno Loc: FL

I have a D800e and posted some samples of macro, using the 105 macro lens... 1:1 printscreen.
http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2014/2/11/1392165321786-clip_3.jpg

Same flower, same day, different capture and found this while pixel peeping...

http://static.uglyhedgehog.com/upload/2014/2/18/1392758134759-clip.png

So, yeah, more pixels is WAY better.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

oldtigger wrote:

......Comparing camera bodies should be cut and dried. I did and don't like the results.
The 800 is adequate and the 7100 stinks.....I

(Download)

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

fstop22 wrote:

I just switched to the D600 from the D7000 for mac... (show quote)

Then you think there actually is a difference not just on paper but in actual shooting?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Be careful as there may be other variables in play that you might not be taking into account. Couldn't help but notice subject illumination difference in your sample & possible movement...That said, the larger pixels will win out, but for most people's type of shooting, it's irrelavent

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Screamin Scott wrote:

Be careful as there may be other variables in play that you might not be taking into account. Couldn't help but notice subject illumination difference in your sample & possible movement...That said, the larger pixels will win out, but for most people's type of shooting, it's irrelavent

note taken, i'm not trying to bad mouth the 7100, just questioning whether one is better suited to this specific type of shooting and why.
There seems to be more inherent noise in the 7100 shots.

I would like to extend an invitation to comment to any any canon users who have experience/opinions on the issue of large/small sensors in macro work.

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Remember that the D800 is 36mp & the D7100 is 24mp... With the difference in sensor size, it's likely that the pixel size & density is the same on both cameras... You might get better results with a D610 or D710 as they are full frame but have fewer MP & thus the larger pixels would better capture the scene with less noise & higher IQ...

moonhawk Loc: Land of Enchantment

The one that's in focus....

That said, I like using the 7100, because I can use the little wireless remote thingy, whereas on an 800 series you have to use that clunky cable, or even clunkier wireless .

UtahBob Loc: Southern NJ

Screamin Scott wrote:

Remember that the D800 is 36mp & the D7100 is 24mp... With the difference in sensor size, it's likely that the pixel size & density is the same on both cameras... You might get better results with a D610 or D710 as they are full frame but have fewer MP & thus the larger pixels would better capture the scene with less noise & higher IQ...

The D7000 has a slightly higher sensor density than the D800 so the D7100 at 24mp would equate to a D800 having a density approaching 54mp (16mp in the D7000 verses 24mp in the D7100). In those terms you can really see how dense that D7100 sensor is.

Personally, I'd use the body that provided better images all around. I can see the issue. If I use the same lens, then the crop camera might force me to use a higher iso to gain a faster shutter speed to counteract movement with the higher iso creating more noise?

The D7100 photo does look like it has some type of movement. I can't see that you'd have that much discrepancy between the bodies if the technique was pretty much spot on for both? I don't recall seeing whether the OP was focus stacking.

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

Screamin Scott wrote:

Remember that the D800 is 36mp & the D7100 is 24mp... With the difference in sensor size, it's likely that the pixel size & density is the same on both cameras... You might get better results with a D610 or D710 as they are full frame but have fewer MP & thus the larger pixels would better capture the scene with less noise & higher IQ...

Aren't you normally a D7100 105mm user?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I don't fiddle with upping the ISO. I just use additional lighting...

UtahBob wrote:

The D7000 has a slightly higher sensor density tha... (show quote)

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

I tend to switch back & forth between my D7100 & my D300 but use a 105mm macro on them both....The D300 gives me really nice images, even cropped, but I can't crop as severely with it as I can with the D7100. Thus the smaller the subject, the more likely I am to use the D7100...

oldtigger wrote:

Aren't you normally a D7100 105mm user?

oldtigger Loc: Roanoke Virginia-USA

UtahBob wrote:

....The D7100 photo does look like it has some type of movement. I can't see that you'd have that much discrepancy between the bodies if the technique was pretty much spot on for both? I don't recall seeing whether the OP was focus stacking.

Stacking on a desktop cognisys automated rail, fixed lighting. Same step size f number etc... Same lens, different body. Did have to change subjects cause possum ate the first one.