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Nikon D3 Owners
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Bank Manager recently smiled on me (although my lips are a bit worn from puckering :oops: ) and am now expecting a shiny new D3 & 24-70 2.8 lens in about three weeks.
I have painfully picked through all the resources on the web over the last while, but would be interested to know how PI users are getting on with their new toys ?
Is it really as good as the reports suggest ? Has anyone experienced any problems ?
All web reviews etc. have to be taken with a pinch of salt, and some have degenerated into Nikon Vs Canon cat fights so I would be interested in some “real” feedback.
Thanks & regards
Kevin
Hi Kevin
there are very good reviews online that can be trusted. I’ve recently come across is this one :
http://www.richardcostin.com/articles/2008_02_d3/review_d3_rev1.pdf
honestly I’ve not read that whole review because I already have a D3 and reading reviews will only tell me what I already know, it’s a great camera.
If you’re going to the bank to finance a d3 I’d suggest you really think about if you’re going to benefit from what the d3 offers. To be more to the point – if you shoot landscapes/wildlife/macros using tripod most of the time you may find a d300 with a lens or two a better investment. I suspect you’ve already considered this.
I bought the d3 mainly for weddings, it’s marvellous performance wise in that area. All the good things people say are true, as well as some of the things to be mindful of :
I can say I do find the shutter slap quite loud – noticeably louder than the D2x and much louder than d200. You’ll only really notice this the 1st time you want to be discreet.
It does expose differently than my other Nikons. This is something you’ll need to adjust to/for. I suspect this to be true for the D300 too.
compared to a DX format camera, the focus sensors are clustered more centrally (do not cover as much of the frame)
no on-board flash (i’m sure you know that, but I’ve heard of some d3 buyers being disapointed that their new 5g camera didn’t come with a flash)I do have other small niggles with the design. Such as the Autofocus-on buttons not being tactile enough and why they’ve removed the focus point indicator from the top lcd is beyond me.
anyhow, if you have any specific questions on the camera Id be happy to answer if I can.
Thanks for that link,
will give it a good read later on tonight.
I am buying this primarily for weddings and the occasional sports event. Whereas I love the landscape side of things I just don’t have the time to take many these days, and when I do, I give the old bronica a run out.Its really the dynamic range as well as the noise (or lack of) performance that I’m looking forward to. I also have a few nice lenses (still use my F5 when I get the chance) I want to try out.
Anyway, thanks again – will let you know how I fare out.
Rgds
Kevin
hi Kevin
If I’d looked at your site I would have seen you’re into weddings, sorry about that.
If you’re used to an F5 then some of my points will not be any surprise (ie flash and focus sensor spread)
the “if I could change one thing” on the camera is the mirror slap. It’s a sweet sound, but I noticed the priest giving me the eye a couple of times at my last wedding.
I would also suggest getting used to how the sb800 and D3 act together. I’m not yet confident that things are kosher between the two in my set up.
Hey Kevin,
Congrats on the new purchase :D Just wondering what you’re shooting the weddings with these days?
Cheers
Robbie
8)Hi Robbie,
at present I’m using 2 D200s with the MD-D200 battery grip. It may seem a bit juvenille, but I found that with the grips attached people give me a bit more room. Its the old chestnut, he has a huge camera, he must be a great photographer !!
I use the 18-200 vr on one camera and an 85 1.8 on the other. In my bag, as well as the usual countless cf cards, I have the SB-800 and also an SB-600. For indoor shots, if time & space allows I use both flashes off camera (I always have a couple of stands in the boot). This is where th D200s pop up flash is great as it can be used as a commander, will have to buy a new Sb-800 or commander module when the dust settles. I also keep a couple of brollys stashed in there but usually, due to time etc. I pop on a couple of lightspheres. I also carry a nikon 50 1.4 and a sigma 12-24 in the bag, and just in case it all goes t!ts up I have my film cameras, a Nikon F5 with Tokina 28-70 2.8 ATX pro, and my contax G1 with carl zeiss 50m f2.
On the rare occasions (once last year) some couples ask for their photos to be taken on film cameras I dust off my Bronica GS1 6*7 MF camera – but I only use this for outside shots.
Now you know why I drive a Zafira !!!!
Thanks for the feedback, I’m like a kid waiting for Santy. The weddings kick off in earnest on Easter Monday so hopefully I will be fully up to speed with the D3 by then.
Regards
Kevin
ever feel as though your being ripped off the D3 sells for $5000 but is 4250 euro in ireland. But $5000 is about 3200 euro converted! :evil:
This thread slipped away from me after I posted originally Kevin…sorry about not replying sooner.
That’s a really nice insight into the type of gear you’d need at a wedding. Particularly interested in the twin flash approach as I saw a really interesting presentation last year in Croke Park given by Uzair Kharawala on Nikon Wireless Flash and he used 2 or max 3 Speedlights to really good effects at the weddings he photographed, with the minimum of set up fuss.
Need to get myself another Speedlight to go with the SB800 I already own..oh and a D300 as well…and….hehehe!!
Finally, despite a few hiccups on the way, My D3 & 24-70 lens have made their way to my door.
Will now cancel my gym membership as the weight of the two combined is something else :shock:
The only thing now is to get a spare week to go through the encyclopedia of a manual that comes in the box. Must the most un-user friendly manual I have seen. Will probably search online for some tutorials.
I’m going back to watching the gauge on the battery so I can run off a few shots this evening.
Thanks for the feedback provided earlier & will watch out for a few of the faces I know on Sunday.
Rgds
Kevin
Kevin once you have waded thro the manuals………..we will be looking forward to seeing the first shot!!!!!!!!!!
Enjoy Steve :wink:
I’ve been shooting with the D3 for a couple of months now and my conclusion is – believe the hype.
I kept my D2Xs as 2nd body (Sold the old backup D200) – but to be honest I’m finding myself changing lenses rather than use it.
I am so so so envious Kevin…
I believe apart from the fact that it is the pinnacle of Nikon Digital…the High ISO performance is outstanding.
You must be in Toggy heaven right now….
:wink:
The problem will be getting the time to test it out properly.
Have three weddings, two school photoshoots (confirmations & communions) and two communion commissions within the next 5 weeks. Then theres the boring stuff like accounts etc. and a couple of albums to prepare from recent weddings.
Will be giving it a good run out next week hopefully.
So far the ISO performance seems great. See attached from a shoot on Saturday which I shot using windowlight as ISO800. Could never have done that with the D200, max I was happy with was ISO400. As as they are looking for prints a minimum size of 12*10 I had to use the D3. Great thing about Nikon is the familiarity with most of the menus & commands. Not a huge learning curve in terms of the basics, its the more advanced features I need to get to grips with.
Not only does the ISO performance seem great, but I have heard great stories about the dynamic range which I plan to put to the test next week – this will be particularly handy for weddings.
If theres a PI outing soon and I have the time I will bring it along and you can have a gander.
Rgds
Kevin
Oh yes…that would be cool Kevin…even if it will make me want one even more ;-)
I agree about the ISO…not sure about the D200..but I know anything over ISO400 on the D80 I wouldn’t be happy with ..it doesn’t handle even medium ISO levels very well…so I try to keep it below iso 200 whenever I can.
I think this is pretty much the case with most other DSLR’s at that level. The D3 is meant to take it to a whole other level of quality.
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