D800 - AA filter or no AA Filter for Bird Photography

[Randy Stephens]

I have been looking forward to the Nikon D800 announcement but if the current rumors are true I will have to make a decision as to which configuration to purchase - With an AA filter or without. Like most photographers I want as much detail and sharpness as possible so would like the D800 without the AA filter but without any real knowledge as to the potential problems I may encounter photographing birds without an AA filter I need any advice I can get. So, if given the choice which configuration would you purchase if the main use would be for bird photography? Thanks for any information you can provide me.

Randy

[Randy Stout]

Randy:

I started a thread a few weeks ago about the effect of removing the AA filter and its impact on moire. My concern is that the fine parallel lines we often see in birds feathers will be prone to moire. The high level of resolution with the 36MP sensor may increase that risk. I am afraid the definitive answer isn't out yet. I have also heard that the version without the filter will be significantly MORE expensive than the one with! Rumored to be because of the extra processing required in camera to reduce the anticipated moire problems.

http://www.birdphotographers.net/for...ur-bird-photos!


Although I am intrigued by the resolution of the likely sensor in the D800, it is very likely to be accompanied by significantly lower frame rate (4-5 fps) and worse high ISO performance, than the D3s or D4. Perhaps not a good compromise for BIF.

Time will tell!

Cheers

Randy

[Michael Gerald-Yamasaki]

Randy & Randy,

Greetings. You have to ask yourself why is the AA filter removed from most very high resolution sensors (or in the D800 case as an option) but not from lower resolution sensors (D4 released at the same time but at 16mp it's not an option)? Answer: the higher the resolution the lesser the impact of anti-aliasing. Moire is likely to be some bit of problem even with the AA filter for 36mp on ff sensor. Getting one sans AA filter, I'm guessing would yield little improvement in sharpness for a small increase in moire (for a higher price).

I'm guessing the likely reason for increased price for AA removed option is smaller market hence relatively higher channel costs rather than any technical costs.

With my computer graphics background where aliasing is universally a bad thing (for jaggies let alone moire), I've never understood the attraction of going without the AA filter.

The higher cost trumps impact, IMO.

Cheers,

-Michael-