High Resolution Cameras

So after spending several months working with the 36 megapixel Nikon D800, I figured it was time I weighed in on all the hype over the new crop of high megapixel cameras and the "problems" they create. Just like every other photographer, I am a bit of a gearhead, so when I heard "36 megapixels" my mind started racing with massive prints, major crops, shorter lenses, and greater sales.  Before ordering my D800 through Nikon Professional Services, I tried hard to weigh my decision based the question "would the D800 improve my photography?"  Being that I have already been happy with 20x30 prints from my D3s, and that the majority of my photo sales are for publication, not prints, how could I justify spending the money for a fancy new camera?  Also, would my 5 year old computer handle the enormous files, or was I also looking at investing in a new computer system?

Being that I was happy with my D700 for my light-weight body, how did I convince myself?  It was the ability make major crops that sold me.  With a 36 megapixel file, my editors have the ability to crop a vertical cover image from a small portion of a horizontal image.  Also, the higher video quality was a deciding factor, because more of my clients are looking for someone who can do video and stills for their projects.

Problems, you say? Well along with the massive file size and amazing resolution, come a new set of issues.  First, getting sharp images is a lot harder than it was with a 12 megapixel camera, because even the slightest lapse in technique shows as a glaring mistake.  With every camera I have owned in the past, I could shoot at shutter speeds equal to or greater than my lens lengths, I now have to double that number in order to be absolutely sure I am eliminating any camera shake.  (Mirror lockup is now even more important as well).   It is sort of like using a magnifying glass to look at a scene rather than just using your naked eye.  Small things that look fine to the eye now stand out at higher magnification.  Also, as I feared, I found that the new files were so large that my high powered photo-editing desktop was so slow I wanted to shoot myself.  In the end, tripling my resolution also required investing in an entirely new computer system, including replacing my new Drobo hard drive because it was just too slow and didn't support Thunderbolt.

So is this camera for you?  We all want the newest and the greatest inventions, but I would argue that even though this camera is flying off the shelves, most people are getting in over their heads.  How often do you actually print 20x30 or larger?  How often do you crop more than 40-50%?  Could you just get a little closer to your subject?  If you mainly post photos online, make 16x20 or smaller prints, or give slide shows, you are not gaining anything over the 12 or 16 megapixel camera you already have.  I would say that for  90% of people, saving the money spent on a new computer and camera for a cool new lens, trip of a lifetime, or photo instruction, is a better choice.  As the saying goes, "the best camera is the one you have with you".