Nikon D3

[anglefire]

I went to a Studio shoot on Saturday in Manchester, where one of the guys had bought a D3 to go with his existing 1DsMkII.

Not only had he got the D3, he also had the 14-24 and 24-70 lenses.

Forgetting the ergonomics, some of which I loved, some I didn't (But only due to lack of knowledge rather than anything else) the image quality was stunning, at least on the back LCD, the noise (Or lack of it!) at ISO6400 was truely amazing.

Credit where credit is due its a stunning camera and with unlimited funds I would love to have one with the appropriate lenses. But unless I get a lottory win it ain't going to happen!

[Jonathan]

Yeah the LCD is pretty nice

I won't show anybody a snap on the back of the D2 (partly because I have the contrast ramped right up) but occasionally I'll let them peek at the D3.  They go wow every time.

Wouldn't surprise me if they stop making it very soon.

[picsfor]

yes - they certainly are a nice piece of kit.

The LCD on the Digic 4 Canon stuff is as nice but i've not seen real world noise comparisons between the 2 systems though i'm pretty happy with what i'm getting out of my 5D MkII.
That's saying something considering that at Xmas i was looking to migrate to Nikon D3 because of the low light and noise issue.
Tried one out in Park Cameras with the 2 lenses you mentioned and cut myself on the images they were so sharp.

It will be interesting to see how the 1D Mk IV compares (i know it's new technology over 'established' technology) but you have to  have a bench mark some where and doubtless the D4 is sitting just around the corner! 

[CML-1591]

It will be interesting to see how the 1D Mk IV compares (i know it's new technology over 'established' technology) but you have to  have a bench mark some where and doubtless the D4 is sitting just around the corner!  

I want to see the comparison between the D3s and the Mark IV, since they seem to be roughly the same amount...

[anglefire]

It will be interesting to see how the 1D Mk IV compares (i know it's new technology over 'established' technology) but you have to  have a bench mark some where and doubtless the D4 is sitting just around the corner!  

I want to see the comparison between the D3s and the Mark IV, since they seem to be roughly the same amount...

Interesting, but largely academic for most I suspect

[Oldboy]

Here's a shot from Saturday's Diwali celebrations in Birmingham of a singer shot at ISO 6400. 
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4048421206_6059fa27c1_b.jpg

[picsfor]

Nice picture - one simple question though.
Has the saturation been increased on the skin tones - or was that the natural colour? Reminds me of a certain Tango advert!

[Graham]

Nice picture - one simple question though.
Has the saturation been increased on the skin tones - or was that the natural colour? Reminds me of a certain Tango advert!

That's stage lighting for you!
               Nice pic Oldboy!
                            Graham.

[Jonathan]

Here's a shot from Saturday's Diwali celebrations in Birmingham of a singer shot at ISO 6400.  
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4048421206_6059fa27c1_b.jpg

Yeah but to be fair this is part of the problem.  It's very very easy to make stuff look great on the web.  Small size and any processing you want can make pics from a shoebox look fab (or arty if they are actually dodgy quality).  Also as you'd expect there's a fair amount of chroma noise in the light grey area.  Unless you clipped the blacks (and most default raw processing does this now since Adobe said it looked cool) there's going to be plenty of noise in the dark area on the blacks.  But none of that is noticeable at web size.

It's only when people see things big or straight from camera that they appreciate just how awesome this camera is.

I've probably shown this shot before...


and it looked pretty nice on the back of the camera.  John (a mate who commented on it) saw it the next week on my phone and loved it.  But it's only when you see this on a 40" LCD or in a big print that you start to realise how much the D3 changed the game for Nikon.

[Oldboy]

Nice picture - one simple question though.
Has the saturation been increased on the skin tones - or was that the natural colour? Reminds me of a certain Tango advert!

No it's stage lighting. It's the Jpeg straight from the camera, but I have saturation increased and sharpness set by the camera.  It was also shot at dusk.

[oRGie]

Here's a shot from Saturday's Diwali celebrations in Birmingham of a singer shot at ISO 6400. 
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/4048421206_6059fa27c1_b.jpg

Yeah but to be fair this is part of the problem.  It's very very easy to make stuff look great on the web.  Small size and any processing you want can make pics from a shoebox look fab (or arty if they are actually dodgy quality).  Also as you'd expect there's a fair amount of chroma noise in the light grey area.  Unless you clipped the blacks (and most default raw processing does this now since Adobe said it looked cool) there's going to be plenty of noise in the dark area on the blacks.  But none of that is noticeable at web size.

It's only when people see things big or straight from camera that they appreciate just how awesome this camera is.

I've probably shown this shot before...


and it looked pretty nice on the back of the camera.  John (a mate who commented on it) saw it the next week on my phone and loved it.  But it's only when you see this on a 40" LCD or in a big print that you start to realise how much the D3 changed the game for Nikon.

Would be grreat to see the exif on that shot, so D3, but what lens, shutter, ap, iso ?   Really is a fab shot

[Jonathan]

Would be grreat to see the exif on that shot, so D3, but what lens, shutter, ap, iso ?   Really is a fab shot

Cheers

Just click on it and rummage around on the Flickr page....

[oRGie]

Would be grreat to see the exif on that shot, so D3, but what lens, shutter, ap, iso ?   Really is a fab shot

Cheers

Just click on it and rummage around on the Flickr page....

tried that, its on a private gallery of yours

[anglefire]

Snip...  John (a mate who commented on it) saw it the next week on my phone and loved it.  But it's only when you see this on a 40" LCD or in a big print that you start to realise how much the D3 changed the game for Nikon.

I think that says it all - The D3 has been a massive boost for Nikon - and ultimately everyone else as they have been put on the back foot - particularly Canon, who have had good ISO performance for years and now play catch up. With any luck the 1DMkIV and subsequent 1DsMkIV will be somewhere close to the D3 / D3s to at least keep up the competition.

All good stuff in the end.

[Jonathan]

Would be grreat to see the exif on that shot, so D3, but what lens, shutter, ap, iso ?   Really is a fab shot

Cheers

Just click on it and rummage around on the Flickr page....

tried that, its on a private gallery of yours

How strange.  You left clicked not right, right?  Should take you right to Flickr - it's public + in Explore

Anyway....2,500 ISO, 1/100s f/2.8 200mm.  70 - 200 VR braced on the floor.