Nikon D3 SLR 12 Megapixel Digital Camera Body
Nikon
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Reviews
(22)
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We (my wife and I) have been using Nikon cameras and glass since the early '70s. Over the years we have accumulated a good collection of glass and while we recognized we would have to migrate from film eventually, we hesitated (actually resisted) because of the value of our glass. You who understand such things can emphathize.
When the FX D3 was announced we rented one for a week and shot about 1800 shots using our legacy AI and AI-S lenses (16mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, 180mm, 200mm and 300mm, and 80-200 Zoom, all with f1.2 to f2.8 maximum openings) to verify the compatibility.
Using Aperture metering for most of our shots as we have done with our FE, FA, F4, and F5, manual metering as we did with our F, FM, and F3 to really test the camera's ability to give us what we are used to seeing with Kodachrome film (asa 25, 64, 100, 200) we came away from the week completely satisfied. We shot in low light, night light, bright light, into the sun, into the moon, in fog, in rain,
When the FX D3 was announced we rented one for a week and shot about 1800 shots using our legacy AI and AI-S lenses (16mm, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, 85mm, 105mm, 135mm, 180mm, 200mm and 300mm, and 80-200 Zoom, all with f1.2 to f2.8 maximum openings) to verify the compatibility.
Using Aperture metering for most of our shots as we have done with our FE, FA, F4, and F5, manual metering as we did with our F, FM, and F3 to really test the camera's ability to give us what we are used to seeing with Kodachrome film (asa 25, 64, 100, 200) we came away from the week completely satisfied. We shot in low light, night light, bright light, into the sun, into the moon, in fog, in rain,
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I won't post any techincal details on this camera, since others have done so. I purchased my D3 along with a D700. So far both performs exceptionally well and one compliments each other as a perfect pair. I had a Mark III and 5D as a pair before and decided to make the jump to Nikon after testing a D3 earlier this year. Don't get me wrong 5D is still one of my favorite cameras. But its long overdue for some updates.
Only suggestion to Nikon is to have a self cleaning sensor to the camera. D700 is a newer camers so it comes with it. I am sure the next generation D3's will address this issue. But the camera is weather sealed from elements and is durable. If you change lens more often outdoors, you may see some dust formation.
But all in all I am in agreement with other reviewers here.
Only suggestion to Nikon is to have a self cleaning sensor to the camera. D700 is a newer camers so it comes with it. I am sure the next generation D3's will address this issue. But the camera is weather sealed from elements and is durable. If you change lens more often outdoors, you may see some dust formation.
But all in all I am in agreement with other reviewers here.
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Nikon D3 FX 12.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) - includes Mack 3-Year Diamond Warranty The D3 is a solid built, on the heavy side, intuitive camera. I prefer the heavy feel, I disliked the light plastic, cheap feel of so many of the cheaper SLR's. I owned the Minolta 7D before which is a very good camera, but can't compare to the D3. I was told the D3 was such a complex camera from a friend that read a review, that you couldn't just take it out of the box and take pictures. I disagree. If you can charge a battery, and read the quick start section, this camera can take good pictures almost by itself. Your only task is to read the quick start, which makes sure some of the buttons, default, have not been moved. You point and push a button, if all the buttons, and little switches have not been moved you take a good shot. I know my experience with the Minolta helped but I was taking pictures within 10 to 15 minutes. A complete novice would have to take more time. I understood many of the
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The ability to take pictures in extreme conditions that actually look good. I tried to hold on with the D70s for the longest time, just investing in lenses until my album company just said I needed something more. So the other day during dusk I took the 70s and the D3 (I know, absurd comparison) to take some pictures with a 1.4 lens. The D3 basically allowed me to take pictures without flash for an extra 20 minutes. So it can literally take pictures that your old camera could not. Other than that, the construction and speed is robust and Nikon shooters already know about the excellent ergonomics and button layout.
One note though: There are a few dead pixels in live view mode. I exchanged it for another brand new one which ALSO had dead pixels (although fewer). Since I never use live view, I let it go but just a warning. It doesn't affect the actual picture output though. I wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars because of this. Other than that, you get what you pay for.
One note though: There are a few dead pixels in live view mode. I exchanged it for another brand new one which ALSO had dead pixels (although fewer). Since I never use live view, I let it go but just a warning. It doesn't affect the actual picture output though. I wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars because of this. Other than that, you get what you pay for.
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What can one say about this great camera that hasn't already been said?
Well I think it's the sexiest thing that Nikon has done since the F2 (with of course photomic head :-) ), and I had one of those back in the day. Indeed as an experiment I put an old f1.8 50 mm lens from around 1972 that used to be on that F2 from time to time onto the D3, told the D3 its focal length and max aperture, and it worked perfectly! Focusing it was even easier! Finally I can use all my old 35mm Nikkors and DX lenses as well as new ones (eat your heart out Canon :-) ).
A great camera.
Well I think it's the sexiest thing that Nikon has done since the F2 (with of course photomic head :-) ), and I had one of those back in the day. Indeed as an experiment I put an old f1.8 50 mm lens from around 1972 that used to be on that F2 from time to time onto the D3, told the D3 its focal length and max aperture, and it worked perfectly! Focusing it was even easier! Finally I can use all my old 35mm Nikkors and DX lenses as well as new ones (eat your heart out Canon :-) ).
A great camera.
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This camera is simply the best Full Frame DSLR in the market........... Unprecedented speed, flexibility and low noise level are just one of the features no other DSLR could beat!!! This camera is ready for whatever shooting condition there is......It's simply the best! Enough said!
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Yes, it's expensive. Yes it's heavy. Yes, it's unbelievable! If you make your living as a photographer this is the camera for you. You can get a very good image in almost total darkness! The images that you get with this camera are fantastic. If you can't afford the five grand, get the D300, it's almost the same camera at less then half the price. I know I own both, and use both. As great as the D300 is, the D3 is even more so. It's like driving a Mercedes Benz as opposed to a Bentley! If you want all the technical reviews and specs go to the Nikon web site. I am a professional photographer and make my living with a camera. I have it pressed to my face all day long. The D3 makes my day easier. I use the D300 as my back up camera. Cannon has finally been out classed by Nikon. What took Nikon so long?
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If you are a professional photographer, you will find many things to love about this camera. Audio annotation. Multiple card slots. Easy bracketing control and continuous shutter (great for on the fly HDR). Great image quality. Best ever ISO sensitivity.
I work in conditions that are often low-light and this camera is great at providing low-noise images at extremely sensitive settings. So much to love, but the price!
I work in conditions that are often low-light and this camera is great at providing low-noise images at extremely sensitive settings. So much to love, but the price!
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I rarely see anyone mention one important benefit of the D3 as compared to the D300: the ability to easily record audio .wav file memos at the push of a button. For anyone who would like a quick and easy way to include a note to go along with a photo that's just been shot (for example, the name and title of the person being photographed), or perhaps record some audio to go along with the subject of the photos (like the music from a carousel being shot), this neat feature can't be beat. I first had it on my D100, thanks to the optional base that also doubles the battery capacity. The optional base for the D200 and D300 do not have that audio recording capability, so that omission was a significant factor in my decision to buy a D2X instead when I was ready for a better camera than my D100. As they say, "try it, you'll like it." I still use my D100 and D2X when I don't want to change lenses in the field, but the D3 is way better. The low light capability is incredible and the "Live View"
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I've been a "serious enthusiast" of photography for many years as well as a graduate of the NYU film school. I made the transition from 35mm (Canon FT and Nikon N90S) to digital very gradually..A Canon Elf to the G7 and now the D3. The quality of its construction, feel, and the great full frame format using all my old Nikon lenses made me rediscover what I love about still photography. (yeah, I know I could have gone cheaper, but I'm not sorry I spent the money). The low light capability and amazing FPS rate more than live up to their reputation.
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Own a D200, just got my D3. Can't help but wonder why it took Nikon so long. Well, maybe not, Nikon did this one right. This camera [...]. It has all the goodies and delivers on que exactly what you see. Great investment; it will use my FX lenses along with my DX lenses. So I didn't waste my money on the DX camera and lenses. GO NIKON !!!!!
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Had it a week, the ability to shoot at ISO 6400 without noise means goodbye to flash. All my old manual Nikon
lenses work better on this camera than they ever did before on ones which shot film. Probably because the camera corrects the mistakes I make.
The colors are also wonderful. I like them vivid, and the D3 delivers. The dynamic lighting which tones down the
highlights and brings out the shadows without messing up to colors is also great.
I would recommend this camera to anyone who has the bucks, otherwise the D300 is nearly as good for less
than half, if you don't mind DX format.
lenses work better on this camera than they ever did before on ones which shot film. Probably because the camera corrects the mistakes I make.
The colors are also wonderful. I like them vivid, and the D3 delivers. The dynamic lighting which tones down the
highlights and brings out the shadows without messing up to colors is also great.
I would recommend this camera to anyone who has the bucks, otherwise the D300 is nearly as good for less
than half, if you don't mind DX format.
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It's about time Nikon got its act together to deliver a high speed, high ISO, full-frame camera. I had semi-switched to Canon with the purchase of the EOS 1D Mark III. Despite reports over focusing issues, I haven't had any real problems with it. The frame rate and high ISO on it is phenomenal. Anyhow, the D3's 9-fps at full frame, impressive high ISO, and a wealth of other features on it were enough to lure me and my wallet back to the Nikon camp. After some comparison test shots at different high ISO settings on the D3, D2Xs, and Mark III, I have to say that the D3's noise level is as good, maybe even a tad bit better than the Mark III. The D2Xs was a very distant third, clearly unacceptable at ISO 1600. Also, the D3's auto white balance appears to be more accurate than the Mark III. I haven't had extensive use of the D3 yet, but so far, it performs as good as Canon's best offering in terms of speed and noise level. Shooting with both Canon & Nikon is like dating a blonde & brunette at
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After having used Canon for years (from film based EOS -1 to IDMKII, a 5D, and even a 1D MK III), there is just no comparison! This camera handles like it was designed by a photographer, not a tech. It's easy to do everything you want, and the quality is simply outstanding. If you're debating it - don't. Just get one and you'll understand!
It has a TON of incredible features, but here are some of my favs:
I know everyone praises the low light abilities and they are outstanding. I am able to get landscapes that would have been impossible before. I normally had to shoot ISO 100, so a tripod was mandatory. Now I routinely use 400 and even 800! I can get into tight spots and hand-hold now! This feature alone has completely changed the way I do photography!
Another feature that I really like was the smaller AF areas. If you're doing wildlife, it makes it much easier to lock on to your subject when the animal is in heavy brush (you know, like all the time). The Canons would always have a
It has a TON of incredible features, but here are some of my favs:
I know everyone praises the low light abilities and they are outstanding. I am able to get landscapes that would have been impossible before. I normally had to shoot ISO 100, so a tripod was mandatory. Now I routinely use 400 and even 800! I can get into tight spots and hand-hold now! This feature alone has completely changed the way I do photography!
Another feature that I really like was the smaller AF areas. If you're doing wildlife, it makes it much easier to lock on to your subject when the animal is in heavy brush (you know, like all the time). The Canons would always have a
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I was one of the lucky few who managed to get a D3 in thebeginning of december. I shoot in low light about 75% of thetime, in dark clubs with terrible lighting. The D3 allows meto get shots that I never would have been able to capturewith my D2X or D200, even with the fast 1.4 glass I usuallyuse. I recently shot some musicians in a dark club atISO3200 and there was no detectable noise in the images. TheD3 allowed me to shoot at f6.3 and 1/125 to 1/160! The only thing I am not happy about is that now I have a D2xand D200 taking up room in my kit that need to be sold andanother D3 purchased. It could be worse.
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I don't like give products perfect scores, but the camera begs the exception. I am most impressed by the high ISO quality. Reading all the reviews and being a skeptic I was blown away by the reality of very usable images even at 6400 ISO. Incredible!!!!! For all my competitors in the Central Florida area... This camera isn't for you. Every other professional in the world... Spend the money and get this camera.
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After reading all the good reviews from many different articles, I thought the actual D3 will be not as impressive as my high expectation. But, the hands on experience impresses me more. I will skip what was mentioned on the reviews below. The noise reduction on high ISO number shots are amazing. I used to own Contax N Digital and sold it to get this body. This is smaller and lighter than expected - at least compare to Contax. The lenses are also smaller and lighter than the Zeiss N Lenses. Currently testing Nikon's 85.4, 50.2, and N70-200. I can't wait until I get the N14-24 that is arriving soon. I think I am going to sell all my Canon equipments.
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What else can I say! Got the BEST of the BEST...Still in back-order and very eager to receive it.Reading the reviews below, nothing else to add.Anything more than the D3 is over-kill and will no longer be challenging.Go for it guys! Luv this BABY!
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I was a Nikon pro in the 70s and 80s where Canon was second fiddle for so many years until CANON LEAPED FORWARD WITH THERE major advances over Nikon esp. in the digital arena. I became a strict Canon user because I felt as so many other pros that Nikon let us down. I have spent a week in the Middleast , India and Pakistan covering major stories there with a D3 loaned to me with 14-24, and 70-200 Nikon lenses. I have taken about 4 thousand pics there.These are my impressions: GOODBYE CANON WELCOME BACK NIKON. I will be selling all my CANON gear( with 4 L LENSES) after i purchase the D3. There is no need to say more, I can talk about pixel density ISO etc. the bottom line is Canon now is far behind period.....
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Seriously - If you're looking at this camera then you probably ought to order one. The D3 isn't for everyone. It is big, heavy, expensive..... But.. It is Nikon's entry to the world of full-frame digital and they've done so with a very impressive product. This is not a - I'll wait until they work out the bugs and ship the next version - product, Period. I have little to add that other professionals have already pointed out in their reviews. It is amazingly clean at High-ISOs - Very different than prior Nikon DSLR's in the D2n line-up. The flexibility of the in-camera software for different shooting modes combined with the blazing AF make this THE shooter's camera. So let's get to the 2 things that people probably want to know - Why spend $5K when the D300 is so capable? Why is it only 12MP??? First off - Anyone that's looking at this camera as their next purchase probably has invested in some excellent glass over the years, much of which is at the wider end - the D300 is still
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I've been a Nikon shooter for the last 20+ years - Nikon has never built a better camera! - is it perfect, no - is it amazing, incredible, unbelievable, yes - it's easy to use if you've used any Nikon DSLR - it is expensive but you absolutely get what you pay for - low noise, high speed, shooting options galore - this camera fits any area of photographic interest perfectly - pictures right out of the camera on the P mode look like they've been edited/corrected in Photoshop - everyone who has seen this camera and held it wants it - including long-time Canon users - while there is always room for improvement, Nikon has developed a winner in every way with the D3 - just wish more people could get their hands on it - I tell people the D200 is a Honda Accord V6, the D2xs is a Mercedes, and the D3 is a Formula 1 Ferrari - case closed!
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I was working with a D200 for the past year and was veryhappy with it. Of course I had issues in low light, eventhough I had very fast lenses. After upgrading to the D3 Iam simply in awe. I order almost all of my equipmentthrough B&H, and they never cease to amaze me. Theirservice is perfect, and I feel very comfortable orderinganything from them.Since I purchased this camera, I have had 2 opportunities toshoot in low light situations that I simply would not havetried with the D200. I am constantly shaking my head. Lastnight I shot with *no* light at 6400 ISO and had a wonderfulimage as a result. Although I am not a professional, theability of this camera to shoot in low light is simplyastonishing.
