A new Nikon FX-format digital SLR camera with the world's highest effective pixel count–36.3-million pixels–for noteworthy definition and image quality

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the Nikon D800 FX-format digital SLR camera. The D800 offers the world's highest* effective pixel count of 36.3-million pixels, and is equipped with the new EXPEED 3 image-processing engine and a 91K-pixel (approximately 91,000 pixels) RGB sensor for overwhelming definition and image quality. Nikon will be exhibiting the D800 at the CP+ CAMERA & PHOTO IMAGIING SHOW, to be held Thursday, February 9 through Sunday, February 12 in Yokohama, Japan. This exhibition is open to the public.

    *Among interchangeable lens digital SLR cameras equipped with image sensors conforming to the 35-mm film size as of February 7, 2012

The D800, a new FX-format model offers an noteworthy effective pixel count of 36.3-million pixels. At its core is superior image quality equal to that achieved with medium-format digital cameras. The D800 is also equipped with a number of new functions for a high level of added value, all in a compact and lightweight body.

In addition to a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor and the new EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, specifically optimized for Nikon digital SLR cameras, the D800 is equipped with a new 91K-pixel (approximately 91,000 pixels) RGB sensor that supports the Advanced Scene Recognition System with its noteworthy advances in scene recognition performance. The camera is also equipped with a number of new functions, including Multi-area mode Full HD D-Movie that enables movie recording using either the FX-based movie format or the DX-based movie format.

For users who demand an even greater sense of definition, Nikon also releases the D800E, a model that offers increased resolution for images with more dimension.
D800 Development Background

Reflecting Nikon's efforts to respond to a number of demands, including those for a higher pixel count, better image quality, and a smaller and lighter camera, the D800 is a digital SLR camera developed to capture still images with the superior resolution and record movies with the true high-definition picture quality demanded not only by advanced amateur photographers but also by professionals.

Nikon is responding to the needs of users who demand more from photographs and movies with the recently announced D4, a flagship model that combines excellent definition and image quality with superior high-speed performance, and the D800, a model that offers the ultimate in resolution demanded for nature and studio photography.
D800 Primary Features

    New Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor

    The D800 is equipped with a new Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor and the new EXPEED 3 image-processing engine for Nikon digital SLR cameras. This new image-processing engine is faster and offers greater performance. The camera also offers the world's highest* effective pixel count of 36.3-million pixels. When combined with the sharp rendering of NIKKOR lenses, images exhibiting resolution equal to that achieved with medium-format digital cameras are possible.

    The D800 also responds to the demands of professional photographers with a standard sensitivity range of ISO 100–6400, and additional support for equivalents of ISO 50 (Lo 1) and up to ISO 25600 (Hi 2), for superior image and picture quality in dimly lit situations, such as just before sunrise and just after sunset, with shooting of still images as well as movie recording.
        *Among interchangeable lens digital SLR cameras equipped with image sensors conforming to the 35-mm film size as of February 7, 2012
    New 91K-pixel RGB sensor for the more accurate Advanced Scene Recognition System

    The D800 is equipped with a new 91K-pixel (approximately 91,000 pixels) RGB sensor. When a human face is detected in the frame, 3D Color Matrix Metering III bases exposure control on the brightness of that face so that the face is optimally exposed even with backlighting. In addition, the superior resolution of the metering sensor, which makes full use of an incredible 91,000 pixels, enables extremely precise analysis of the scene for more accurate control over autofocusing, auto exposure, i-TTL flash control, and auto white balance.
        *There is no display in the viewfinder that shows when a face or faces have been recognized.
    Multi-area mode Full HD D-Movie for movie recording using one of two movie formats

    The D800 records movies exhibiting superior resolution with optimal processing of information acquired from the 36.3-million pixel image sensor. Recording of 1920 x 1080p/30-fps full-HD movies is supported, and users can choose to record using the FX-based movie format or the DX-based movie format according to recording conditions. The FX-based movie format offers a shallow depth-of-field with an emphasis on blur characteristics while the DX-based movie format enables recording of movies that bring subjects closer when lenses with short focal lengths are used. The D800 is also equipped with a headphone jack and supports precise adjustment of microphone sensitivity. In addition, it supports simultaneous display of movies or the movie live view display in the camera monitor and on an external monitor. Further, the D800 responds to the needs of professionals who require uncompressed movie files with the ability to record movies directly to an external HDMI recorder in movie live view mode. The D800 also offers a time-lapse photography function that captures images at a selected interval and then combines the images to create a time-lapse movie that shows the changes in a particular scene that occur over time.
    Viewfinder frame coverage of approximately 100%*1 and a lightweight and durable water- and dust-resistant body

    The viewfinder built into the D800 supports a frame coverage of approximately 100%*1 and magnification of approximately 0.7x*2. Adoption of a magnesium alloy for the body gives the camera the same level of durability as the D700 with a weight approximately 10% less.
        *1With FX-format image area
        *2With 50-mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0 m-1
    Support for high-speed continuous shooting and a variety of battery types with the Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D12 (optional)

    The MB-D12 supports the Rechargeable Li-ion Batteries EN-EL15 and EN-EL18, common AA batteries, and the AC Adapter EH-5a/b (with Power Connector EP-5B). When the MB-D12 is mounted on the D800, high-speed continuous shooting at approximately 6 fps* using the DX-format image area is possible. The MB-D12 also offers the added convenience of controls, including shutter-release button, AF-ON button and multi-selector, for vertical shooting. What's more, the same seals as those used for the D800 with its magnesium body offer superior resistance to dust and water.
        *When powered by the AC adapter, or AA batteries or Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL18 with the MB-D12. Measured according to CIPA guidelines.
    Other D800 Functions and Features
        A 51-point AF system for improved subject acquisition and focus performance under dim lighting. In addition, 11 focus points (five at center with an addition three to each side) are fully functional when lenses with a maximum aperture of f/8 are used.
        A 3.2-inch, approximately 921k-dot LCD monitor with reinforced glass, automatic monitor brightness control, and wide viewing angle
        A virtual horizon that shows the degree to which the camera is tilted sideways (roll), or forward or backward (pitch) with display in the monitor and viewfinder
        A new shutter unit that has passed testing for 200,000 cycles and supports a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 s and flash sync speed of 1/250 s
        Continuous shooting at 4 (FX-format/5 : 4 image area) or 5 (DX-format/1.2x image area) fps*
            *When powered by a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15
        CompactFlash and SD dual memory card slots
        Support for SuperSpeed USB (USB 3.0)

The D800E with specifications for even greater resolution with an effective pixel count of 36.3-million pixels

In-camera disabling of the aliasing and moiré pattern reduction operation performed by the optical low-pass filter built into the D800E allows light passing through a NIKKOR lens to strike photodiodes directly for even greater resolution. This makes this model optimal for landscape and artistic photography with which higher resolution and clear definition is demanded. With the exception of the modification indicated above, all other functions and characteristics are the same as with the D800.

    Aliasing and moiré patterns may be more noticeable in images captured with the D800E with some subjects, scenes or shooting conditions.
    Optical low-pass filter IR coating and anti-reflection coating performance is the same with both the D800 and the D800E.

xRez Studio to Shoot Record Setting Image of Yosemite Valley

High-Resolution Multi-Gigapixel Panoramic Photograph Will Be One of World’s Largest

Los Angeles— xRez Studio will soon capture the magnificence of Yosemite valley in unprecedented detail, orchestrating 20 photographic teams, each shooting over 10,000 images simultaneously throughout the park to assemble into one massive image.

The Yosemite Extreme Panoramic Imaging Project began in summer 2007 as a discussion between xRez Studio and Greg Stock, staff Geologist of Yosemite National Park, about constructing a comprehensive, large scale gigapixel image of the valley walls in high detail. The image would become a tool for Stock’s research of rockfall behavior in the park, an ongoing hazard with the large percentage of vertical faces present in the valley.

Example of past work:

By using gigapixel imagery as an aid in re-photography, the project hopes to create a extremely detailed snapshot in time of present-day geologic conditions, in order to assist future analysis of rockfall activity. Further, the image will create a valuable asset for the search and rescue operations within the park, allowing detailed inspection of a given area ahead of the rescue operation. Artistically, by capturing the full extent of the valley’s magnificent walls in unprecedented and extreme detail, a unique and historic image will be created that should stand for decades as an artifact of lasting cultural heritage for the both the park and it’s many visitors and enthusiasts.

Utilizing cutting-edge emerging technologies in high resolution photography and 3d rendering techniques appropriated from the visual effects field, the final image will be one continuous, unwrapped panorama of all valley wall faces, assembled from 20 separate photographers positioned throughout the valley rim, all exposing 500 overlapping images in unison in order to achieve a congruency of light. Later in post-production, the 20 image sets will be stitched and draped onto a 1M digital 3d terrain model, recreating all shooting positions in an extremely high resolution 3d database.

From this model a synthetic camera will create an image as if flying down the center of the valley, resolving all of the gigapixel images shot into one of the largest terrestrial-based images yet created. The final image will be a long, continuous strip of all of Yosemite’s walls, a single massive image made from the close to 10,000 individual frames shot. Interactive displays, online exploration, large exhibition prints, visitor center installations, and fine art posters will all be final tangible results of the historic project. A 150’ long continuous print will be displayed at this year’s Siggraph computer graphics conference in Los Angeles in August 2008.

The Yosemite Extreme Panoramic Imaging Project is dependent on gracious support from many sponsors, including primary sponsor Microsoft Live Labs and Microsoft Research, The Yosemite Fund, International VR Photography Association, Canon USA, Autodesk, Bogen Imaging, Lowepro, WavGen, Peace River Studios, and Gigapan equipment loaned from Carnegie-Mellon, NASA, and Google.

Shooting is planned for late May of 2008, with image completion by August 2008.

For more information: www.xrez.com/yose.html Contact: Lanny Sher, PRA, 323-653-0380; This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

High Dynamic Range (HDR) software

HDR software takes a number of different files of the same image (but with different exposure ranges) and combine them all into one amazing photo. It does this by using the best exposures for highlights and lowlights to ensure proper exposure across the entire image. It uses the best parts of the very divergent lighting to create a composite photo so that it accentuates exactly the colors and tones you desire.  It gives you the opportunity to put photos together that you would never be able to capture in just one shutter click.  This ability to merge photos is taking the photography world by storm and getting the right HDR software is imperative. 

Before you buy the software make sure you understand the concept.  To make HDR photos you have to, in essence, take the same picture multiple times in the exact same spot and angle (preferably with the same aperture).  You pretty much have to use a tripod so you are assured that the image does not move out at all between exposures.  You would then take the pictures at multiple shutter speeds - bracketing for multiple exposures at different ends of the lighting spectrum.  After you have taken these photos (an average of four to seven about 1-fstop (1 ev) apart) you then have to use the software to combine them into one image. Different software packages are made for different computers. So if you have a Windows operating system or a Mac operating system you might be looking at different software packages.

First let’s talk about those software packages that are free.  There are quite a few. You can get a relatively good HDR photo with these free software packages.   Let’s start with the free package for those that have a Windows operating system.

FDRTools Basic, HDR Shop, Picturenaut and Qtpfsgui are all free HDR software packages that are available.  For most that have used and compared these packages Qtpfsgui seems to come out on top.   It offers two ways of manually moving around the image, a guide that will both recommend what profile to use as well as the ability to not accept that recommendation and use your own as well as a plethora of tone mapping settings that you can then use to finish off your image. 

Picturenaut doesn’t support manual movement of images and it will do it for you automatically.  This sometimes can limit the ability to get the exact alignment you will finish with.  You can work with your light and dark pixels by assigning a weight to them instead of having to eliminate those that are the outliers.   IT is best for those who do not intend to do a lot of tone mapping.  If this sounds like you, you might consider this software.

Then there is FDRTools Basic where one of the top features that is well liked is being able to take the RAW image and manually move and change the image alignment.  Remember, not all of the software’s out there allow you to do this.  You can work with your image, the tone mapping functions and the many different RAW inputs that this software can accept so that you can develop the best HDR image possible. 

HDRshop is also free but do not offer the variety of choices that the others do so might be a bit limiting.  You can get a decent starter idea with them but you will quickly determine that you want more options once you get good and working the software.

For the Mac operating system there are a few that are also free for you to down load.  These include FDRTools Basic (which has all the same attributes as reviewed above except for the Mac system), pfstools and Qtpfsgui.  As you can see, a few of the programs we have already discussed are available in both operating systems.

There are, of course, many types of software for HDR that you can purchase.  One of these programs which has gotten positive results and reviews is Photomatix.  This software which is available in Mac and Win format has all the bells and whistles that you would want when searching for HDR software.   In addition they offer a free trial so you can see what the options are and how to use them prior to purchasing it.  Again, the software allows you take many images of the same thing and combine them as you blend the images together.   It has both automated and manual options so you can control and not control the combined image result. Photomatix Pro has more positive five start ratings than any other HDR software.

There are other software packages that you can purchase as well.  These include for Mac:  FDRTools Advanced (the next version of software from the Basic package with more options and choices), Photoshop and PTGui Pro.  Programs for Windows would include Artizen, Easy HDR,  FDRTools Advanced,  Unified Color HDR Photo Studio (considered an advanced program, works in 32 bit), Photogenics HDR (specializes in #D imagery) and  Photoshop.

These are the most widely used, purchased and reviewed software packages currently available for HDR.  If you are interested in any you can look up all their specs on line in greater detail to determine which one of all these options would be best for you and what you are attempting to do with your shots.  HDR imagery is still in its infancy -- so stay tuned.  The amount of changes to software even in the last year has been staggering. 

Most people are using Photomatix and Photoshop, from our experience.

Like anything new in the technology world there will be something new every time you look around.  The pricing for these will probably come down as the process becomes more and more every day.  When purchasing your software keep in mind that the advancements in this technology will probably be very rapid and what you get today might very well be obsolete in a year or so.  With this in mind you should opt for the High Dynamic Range software that suits you best.

Photo copyright Craig Meurer 2009.

Part 1: High Dynamic Range Photography (HDR).