Nikon D3 on trial
Nikon have kindly loaned me a D3 kit to try.
Ever since the announcement of this camera I have been interested in trying it out. I have been a Canon user for nearly 15 years and so a change to Nikon is a big step.
The D3 is Nikon's first full frame digital SLR. It has a new 12 mega pixel sensor and its ability to shoot great quality files at high ISO settings is well documented.
So, here are my initial thoughts - I am not going to go into great depths, just real opinions from a real photographer living in the real world.
To begin with, the camera has a great quality feel, nice tough big buttons and switches offer a more workmanlike feel than my Canons. After a while the layout seems quite straightforward, there are many options to change the controls to suit, I would argue that most users would be able to set this camera up to fit their requirements. I would say however that the Canon 1D series cameras are very well evolved, specifically the marks III's and fit into the hand with sublime comfort that the Nikon D3 can only dream of.
Focus with the new 24-70 F2.8 lens is very, very positive and as fast as Canon. (this alone is a major step forward for Nikon) I am very impressed with the focusing of the D3, in trials more images were sharp than I would normally expect from my Canons.
The files from this camera are superb, straight from the camera the colour is good and the exposures are more accurate than Canon. This means post production is easier and quicker. The larger files from the Canon Ds cameras tend to require a small battle in Photoshop to get them to a presentable state. However, the larger Canon files do display better tonal range and seem to have more meat. If I needed to blow up to poster size, I would argue that the Canon files were superior. I’m disappointed to discover that the D3 suffers from plasticine skin tones. I could always spot D1 or D2 files because of this defect and although the D3 is miles better - its still there!
The D3's Dual CF card slots are a great move and actually useful in the real world. I know there are now 8 and 16 GB cards available but I prefer to shoot on smaller cards, maybe 1 or 2 GB. I like the idea of spreading a job over several cards, just in case of errors (and yes, CF cards do go wrong!!)
The D3's big party trick is its ability to shoot at high ISO settings 6400 or 12800 to be precise. 25600 if you really want to push it. In my tests 6400 was about as far as I would want to go. However the ability to shoot at these speeds should not be overlooked. It changes everything, as a professional I am often asked to shoot in far from perfect light and this camera helps get better pictures when the light is rubbish. At times it’s almost criminal what you can get away with. When I would normally be putting my Canons away, the D3 just keeps on turning in presentable images.
So, in summary, I am very impressed with the D3. To be honest though, I am also very impressed with my new Canon 1Ds mark III. Both are superb cameras and both have certain advantages over the other. The courier has just collected the D3 and I’m sad to see it go. I can feel another dose of creditcarditus coming on.
Roy Riley
Ever since the announcement of this camera I have been interested in trying it out. I have been a Canon user for nearly 15 years and so a change to Nikon is a big step.
The D3 is Nikon's first full frame digital SLR. It has a new 12 mega pixel sensor and its ability to shoot great quality files at high ISO settings is well documented.
So, here are my initial thoughts - I am not going to go into great depths, just real opinions from a real photographer living in the real world.
To begin with, the camera has a great quality feel, nice tough big buttons and switches offer a more workmanlike feel than my Canons. After a while the layout seems quite straightforward, there are many options to change the controls to suit, I would argue that most users would be able to set this camera up to fit their requirements. I would say however that the Canon 1D series cameras are very well evolved, specifically the marks III's and fit into the hand with sublime comfort that the Nikon D3 can only dream of.
Focus with the new 24-70 F2.8 lens is very, very positive and as fast as Canon. (this alone is a major step forward for Nikon) I am very impressed with the focusing of the D3, in trials more images were sharp than I would normally expect from my Canons.
The files from this camera are superb, straight from the camera the colour is good and the exposures are more accurate than Canon. This means post production is easier and quicker. The larger files from the Canon Ds cameras tend to require a small battle in Photoshop to get them to a presentable state. However, the larger Canon files do display better tonal range and seem to have more meat. If I needed to blow up to poster size, I would argue that the Canon files were superior. I’m disappointed to discover that the D3 suffers from plasticine skin tones. I could always spot D1 or D2 files because of this defect and although the D3 is miles better - its still there!
The D3's Dual CF card slots are a great move and actually useful in the real world. I know there are now 8 and 16 GB cards available but I prefer to shoot on smaller cards, maybe 1 or 2 GB. I like the idea of spreading a job over several cards, just in case of errors (and yes, CF cards do go wrong!!)
The D3's big party trick is its ability to shoot at high ISO settings 6400 or 12800 to be precise. 25600 if you really want to push it. In my tests 6400 was about as far as I would want to go. However the ability to shoot at these speeds should not be overlooked. It changes everything, as a professional I am often asked to shoot in far from perfect light and this camera helps get better pictures when the light is rubbish. At times it’s almost criminal what you can get away with. When I would normally be putting my Canons away, the D3 just keeps on turning in presentable images.
So, in summary, I am very impressed with the D3. To be honest though, I am also very impressed with my new Canon 1Ds mark III. Both are superb cameras and both have certain advantages over the other. The courier has just collected the D3 and I’m sad to see it go. I can feel another dose of creditcarditus coming on.
Roy Riley