Black Pearl

This is a useful resource if you want to directly compare sensor output - note the D610 doesn't really pull ahead even at 6400iso and if you compare it to other brands (I included a Fujifilm 26mp APSC body) it is well and truly beaten even though it's sensor is larger

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/image-comparison?attr18=daylight&attr13_0=nikon_d610&attr13_1=fujifilm_xt3&attr13_2=nikon_d7200&attr13_3=nikon_d5300&attr15_0=jpeg&attr15_1=jpeg&attr15_2=jpeg&attr15_3=jpeg&attr16_0=6400&attr16_1=6400&attr16_2=6400&attr16_3=6400&normalization=full&widget=1&x=0.5763247189672414&y=-0.18858878066013512

3 minutes ago, Fogey said:

I'm currently using a Nikon D5300, which has the same pixel count as the D610.  I've looked long and hard at the relative performance issues and the crop factor sensors all fall off in performance in low light.

All the budget cameras, as I understand it, use the Cmos (Complementary Metal oxide Semiconductor), processor which has a limit with turning the photons of light into electrons on a smaller sensor area - hence the noise, than it does on a larger sensor area.  This is common with all crop sensor cameras.

The I-phones use an upgraded cmos sensor, I believe, giving an outstanding performance, as do the Nikon and Canon top of the range DSLRs - but as I don't have thousands of £££'s to throw away, I guess I'll stick with my lowly choice.

Look at the Lecia site on the matter - it makes very interesting reading.

You will get a tiny, and it is a tiny gain in noise levels at very high ISO's switching from a D5300 to a D610 - BUT - you will loose your 1.5x crop factor so your 600mm lens stops acting like a 900mm which mean you are going to have to get closer (we all know this isn't usually possible) or crop during post production which will lead to a net loss in image quality. I appreciate you have already made a purchase but if you can out it on hold it might be worth doing so. The AF points on your D5300 cover a larger are of the screen which can give a significant boost to your keeper rate - your current camera has a larger, higher quality and fully articulated screen which the D610 lacks, might not seem like a major thing but trust me, once you are used to one, they're hard to live without. I don't know your exact overall budget but a D7500 or better still D500 would give you a far great gain in overall performance. They are faster, have better AF systems, more modern processors, articulated screens etc. The D500 if its within budget is basically a baby D5 and is frankly astonishing for the money.  

All current mainstream camera use CMOS sensors, they have done for donkeys years. Processors are a separate thing altogether and they gain significantly in performance with each generation. 

8 minutes ago, Fogey said:

Much, much less noise at high ISO.  Also with a full frame it's possible to keep the camera in aperture priority and increase the shutter speed by raising the ISO to the point where 1/4000th sec can be achieved with hardly any noise at all.

I got that little gem from a professional wildlife photographer.

Which camera are you using now - because the D610 sensor has a poorer performance than many current APSC sensors?

Out of curiosity what are you hoping to achieve by changing the size of your sensor?

Oooo....just spotted this. Thanks flower, it was a spectacular morning to be out on the coast

Thanks very much - I'm very lucky to live where I do and have a fantastic coastline to photograph

Thanks very much - I've told Thomas he has won and he wanted to know what his prize was 

Kids man 

One of the Best camera ever made - enjoy

This is one to watch as well as listen to - absolutely mesmerising

I somehow seemed to have been hoodwinked into being a judge so I guess I had better pick this months 3 winnings shots.

In their original chronological order:

#1 - a long lens and a teleconverter made for this excellent 'macro' shot by Clicker

#2 - There are meant to be these critters near us but I have never managed to spot one, very impressive Ryewolf

#3 - Look at that colour, gorgeous that JohnP

Been baking again- had some left over chilli con carne so knocked up some pastry, made mash with caramelised red onions and cheese mixed in then made a tray full of pies  

That’s typical for many cameras, has been for a while, as it’s a very unusual way to access data. 

One of the best DSLR's on the market that...probably one of the last too.

Nice performance boost from your 80, you'll love it.

Thomas joined me today making cheese scones for lunch

Still got the Roo you gave us @Kobione

Well that was yesterdays first attempt - I've had another go this morning and it turned out even better

I have switched from 'normal' bread to cultivating a sourdough starter and having a go with a more complicated baking process - first attempt

He seems to be enjoying the windy conditions

Loads of Longhorn Moths about today - only had my 35/1.4 with me so couldn't get really close

Both now in the house. First one is benign enough but the second is a Woodlouse Spider and has a properly nasty bite...he's being careful with that one 

Decided to while away an hour or two yesterday shooting a bit of time lapse and video with the X-T3. I combined the stills into a video and re-timed it with FCPx then added the video clips and played about with their timing too. Added some colour grading, a sound track and a title.

Nowt fancy as I'm just experimenting but I kinda like the feel

48 minutes ago, Clicker said:

They can live for up to 6 months apparently ...Did he breed them Beepy ? 

He got a dozen adults and about the same in grubs (you don't want to see those) from college and is trying to get them to breed. Some of the grubs have pupated so we're waiting to see if they hatch successfully. No sign yet of baby stick insects from the dozen or so of those he also has. 

His frog spawn was far more successful. They hatched, the tadpoles grew, went through their morphs and he released a handful of froglets at the weekend. Absolutely amazing to watch them progress. He has triops on the go at the minute and the tiny jumping spider is still doing well.

Sun Beetle - one of Dylans that has died so couldn't run away

Spent the week baking

Soligor 400mm f6.3 + Praktica 2x Converter

Decided to push things a little further - thats a Soligor 400mm f6.3 with a Praktica 2x converter on the T3

Grim results but I did get something. Shot the camera with my favourite vintage lens, a Canon nFD 50mm f1.4 which gives absolutely beautiful results