Moving up from DX photographing cats: Hi, Can I ask for opinions ? Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g.

siamesecatmanuk Loc: Leicestershire UK

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

cthahn

You do not say what you are using now.

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

What do you expect to gain? This sample photo looks pretty good to me. Why fix it if it ain't broke? 😁

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

It looks like what you currently have is servicing you well. Going to FF from DX doesn't necessarily mean improvements as it depends on what you intend to do with the FF camera (If ISO is a concern perhaps going to FF is the answer), but it all depends on what you intend to use FF for. Of course going FF will also involve the cost of new lenses if all you have are DX lenses. I have both DX and FF camera bodies and all FF lenses, I use the DX bodies for photographing wildlife and macro and use the FF bodies for landscape and portrait photography.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

The D600 is not a good choice. It has a problem with the shutter spraying the sensor with oil. Nikon discontinued the D600 and replaced it with the D610.

Spider223

Gitchigumi wrote:

What do you expect to gain? This sample photo looks pretty good to me. Why fix it if it ain't broke? 😁

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

If you can afford a full frame get the D750 or D810. Personally I see no reason to go FF when your subjects are small like cats. You didn't mention what you currently have but the 24 megapixel image sensor on cameras like the D7200 or D5300, 5500 or even the D3300, 3400 are more than capable of producing excellent quality images of just about any small subject, including or little feline friends.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

As you already know, cats can be very active little buggers. Having a nice large 36mp image space can save your butt when the cat goes off center and you have to crop. I use a D800 to shoot cats, and I have tried using a D500 and felt "claustraphobic" by the lost of image quality as I cropped. I am sure that a nice clean used D800 will set you back around $1200 or less, and will give you oustanding results, better than a D750 or anything Nikon has to offer short of a D800E or a D810.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Gene51 wrote:

As you already know, cats can be very active little buggers. Having a nice large 36mp image space can save your butt when the cat goes off center and you have to crop. I use a D800 to shoot cats, and I have tried using a D500 and felt "claustraphobic" by the lost of image quality as I cropped. I am sure that a nice clean used D800 will set you back around $1200 or less, and will give you oustanding results, better than a D750 or anything Nikon has to offer short of a D800E or a D810.

I am sure you know if you increase the resolution in CC from say 300 to 1000 and then crop it will not look as bad.

CO

It seems to me that DSLR cameras that don't have an anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor give a slight increase in sharpness. I've owned many DSLR cameras that have an AA filter but now shoot mostly with a D500 (no AA filter). There really is a difference.

I would go with a camera such as the D7200, D500, or D810. All of these cameras don't have an anti-aliasing filter in front of the sensor.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

You photo is exposed correctly. But you focused on the foreground and the eyes are out of focus. Your aperture needs to be smaller and you need to lock focus on the eyes. A better camera will not make you a better photographer, only if your technique improves will you become a better photographer.

par4fore Loc: Bay Shore N.Y.

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

What lens?? DX or FX, might not mater if you are not using a good lens. I would address that 1st with an upgrade to a FX lens on the DX body and then move forward. To me all this talk about camera bodies means nothing without that right lens.

Example: The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G Lens from Nikon is short telephoto prime lens designed for FX-format DSLR cameras, but when used with cameras with a DX-format sensor it has a 127.5mm equivalent focal length. It provides an effective focal length for distortion free portraiture as well as other telephoto applications. Its ultra fast f/1.4 maximum aperture is very effective in low light and along with the rounded 9-blade diaphragm will create natural out-of-focus backgrounds that will isolate your main subject for an impressive professional look.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Great picture. If you want FX, get it. If you don't, it will keep eating away at you. Do a search and see if you can find posts from members who are giving up their FX bodies and switching to DX. I would get a D750 - fantastic camera.

http://www.diyphotography.net/crop-vs-full-frame-sensor-different-cameras-perform-lens/
http://www.nikonusa.com/en/learn-and-explore/article/g588ouey/the-dx-and-fx-formats.html
https://www.borrowlenses.com/blog/new-dslr-owners-what-you-must-know-about-full-frame-vs-crop-frame-sensors-before-choosing-a-lens/
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/explora/photography/features/dx-vs-fx-its-not-debate-its-choice
http://www.lightstalking.com/cameras-sensor-size/
http://neilvn.com/tangents/full-frame-vs-crop-sensor-cameras-comparison-depth-of-field/

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

If you are going to go FX, per your comment here, go 800e. A refurb can be a great financial deal and you'll love the camera. You'll also need to purchase lenses for that FX camera, as well. That goes for any FX model you decide to purchase.
--Bob

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

SusanFromVermont Loc: Southwest corner of Vermont

siamesecatmanuk wrote:

Hi,
Can I ask for opinions ?
Been photographing cats at shows with DX and having now feel I have gone as far as I can quality wise e.g. Raw,editing,I,m tempted to go FX
Question is Nikon D600 good enough for improvement ? Or would it take a big jump I.E. Nikon D800 to show improvement ?
Here's a sample of where I,m at with DX
Graham

A DX camera is quite good, especially the newer ones. But if you are looking for greater resolution, an FX camera such as the D810 would be the way to go. That said, I also agree with the OP who pointed out that the lenses you use are just as important [perhaps even more important].

In photography, there are a lot of variables to consider when on a photo shoot. But in the end it comes down to having the tools to fit the situation, having the eye to see the best composition, and the skill to bring it all together.

If you see room for improvement with your photography that the DX camera will not provide, the FX camera may very well be a good solution. In my opinion, such a realization is the only reason to buy new gear - needing the right tool to get the job done at a high level of quality.

Cats are wonderful creatures, especially when they get to know you!