Nikon D3 . Not a review but a short experience.

[Hedrus]

This weekend I had a chance to play with a Nikon D3. (and using the 200-400 lens)
Thanks for Nikon SA who made this early model available. I do not know if it a pre-production model but I do suspect so since the new stock is not here yet and is only expected towards end November 07.

I have just returned from a quick 3 day trip to Sabi Sand. The weather was lousy and overcast, the sightings was not too spectacular and action was a bit low this weekend.
I did however thought I will make use of the opportunity to look at few things on the new Nikon D3 and ISO performance was one of them.
Here are a few shots.
Converted straight on demo version of the new Nikon View NX. No adjustments were made. Not exposure compensations, no noise removal, no saturation, nothing, straight conversions to JPG.

Well let me tell you something. It was the first time in my life that I shot a photo at ISO 25600. Yes you have seen it correctly. The shot with the lion stretching was done in near darkness. A photo I would never have taken. I do show some noise but, I think it’s a perfect shot to show what can be achieved. Journalist and sport shooters who have to get the shot will be over the moon.

This first one was ISO 25600 SS of 1/60 @F4. Do the maths yourself if you had to do it at ISO 100. UHm....

EDIT NOTE: Post is still in original form. I made mistake, the ISO was not 25600 as I thought but, in actual fact ISO 8000.

[Hedrus]

Here is one at ISO 1000 SS 1/80 @F4.
Once again total shade overcast, OK some DOF issues but it proofs again that the new D3 can handle very difficult nature conditions.

[Hedrus]

Another in sligtly better lighting condition but still cloudy and still in shade. ISO 1000 again to see how the noise will look on the background, It appears to be fine.
Remember no post processing was done.

While on this image I must say the Autofocus worked effortlessly between those grasses and twigs. It picked the leopard up with ease and kept the focus on it.

[Hedrus]

Last one maybe to show normal working conditions and shooting at ISO 400 which often becomes the norm in nature photography.
ISO 400
SS 1/640 @ f4

[Marcell van Aswegen]

H, i see the d3 have 4000+ actuations, so you more than played a little....

[Hedrus]

While on this image I must say the Autofocus worked effortlessly between those grasses and twigs. It picked the leopard up with ease and kept the focus on it.

I must add this too. I am a Canon shooter and has been for years and I am fairly familiar with Canon's AI-Servo. Well to do that between the grass with the so called ring of fire is almost impossible (OK I know I would not have used the RoF there, I am just illustrating a point).The D3 done it effortlessly and in was in its "servo" mode with all points selcted. Not saying anything towards Canon V Nikon debates but I must admit this was the first time I have seen a camera hold the focus like that on a subject. It was Crazy

[Hedrus]

Originally Posted by MARCELL

H, i see the d3 have 4000+ actuations, so you more than played a little....

It wasnt me, promise.
Its the roadshow camera, so its been around for a few weeks.

[Peter Betts]

Wow

[Peter Betts]

Wow Again

[Blue Shirt]

Hedrus, thanks for sharing your experience.

When can we see the D3 and D300 at ODP? Were you not planning a public launch?

[Peter Betts]

Originally Posted by Peter R Betts

Wow Again

Hedrus what is your price for the D3 and D300? I see some other dealers in RSA are already taking orders, have prices up and inviting people to launches. I will be coming on JDP's wedding course in early Nov...May I see a D300 then??

[klick]

Hedrus All I can sy is WOW and magnificent. Thanks for sharing. Ill be sobbing the rest of the day.

[Creeper]

Ag nee Hedrus.

This is just torture. The more I hear and sse of the D3, the more I want it.

[bubble_boy]

cool stuff, is it possible to get a 100% crop from that 25600 iso image?

[squiggles]

EISH....this is amazing Thanks for sharing all this, Big H.

P.S. No-one bother taking lotto tickets - I'm gonna win, so I can get me one of these

Either Hedrus just forgot to add a sentence like "I will give one free D3 to each Nikonean on ODP", or he is indeed a very very cruel person for posting this thread

[Jola]

I would love to have this camera but I would really miss the crop factor for wildlife and especially birds. Quite apart from the issue of the cost. I also don't really like the size, I prefer the D300 form.

Unfortunately the latest speculation is also that the D300 high iso performance is not great and the AF is much slower than that of the D3.

So the D3 is still very tempting !!

[Creeper]

Originally Posted by Jola

I would love to have this camera but I would really miss the crop factor for wildlife and especially birds. Quite apart from the issue of the cost. I also don't really like the size, I prefer the D300 form.

Unfortunately the latest speculation is also that the D300 high iso performance is not great and the AF is much slower than that of the D3.

So the D3 is still very tempting !!

Ditto. The D3 is basically perfect for my type of photography. And I'm also moving into stage photography (which I love to do) and low noise at high ISO is a necessity.

Hedrus: Wanneer kan ons ook met die D3 kom speel?

[papa-g]

I guess the D3 will take PJ to a different level - low light image captures with no flash to give the game away... wow the mind boggles.

This will open up a whole new genre of photography..

Geoff

[Pine]

WOW, 25600 ISO, who needs IR if you can do this