dSLR Dad

Bjørn Rørslett,Professional Nature Photographer, PhD. Member of NN (Norwegian Nature Photographers) and BioFoto (Association of Nature Photographers in Norway) has just posted his review of the Nikon D3 (order one at Amazon and B&H Photo).

Every one waited for Nikon to move up to the next level of digital sensor size, the “full-sized” FX or 35mm-like solution. Years went by and seemingly nothing happened. We admired Nikon’s clever ergonomic solutions and at least some of us ogled the high-ISO performance of the competition with a little envy. Then, Nikon struck back with a camera advertised to “defy the limitations” no less.

The D3 is not only a 35mm-frame camera, it is so much more and with high-ISO performance unheard and undreamt of as well. With a blazing firing rate up to 9 fps(FX)/11 fps(DX), this is a sports and action shooter’s dream camera come true. But what can it achieve for other fields of photography? In this review, I shall try to elaborate these aspects of this new Nikon DSLR. Consider this more akind to a personal travelogue written as I made myself familar with the D3 rather than a compilation of features….. (more…)

Popularity: 17% [?]

Tags: APS-C, camera, camera body, comparison, D2X, D3, full frame, ISO, ISO1600, low noise, nikon, photo, photograph, review

Nikon has just posted the full color, 42 page brochure for the new D3 (order one at Amazon and B&H Photo).

You can download the full version here (pdf link).

Popularity: 14% [?]

I love this site. If you have never visited PhotoZone, head over there now. They have posted their review of the new Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Zoom Lens (available at Amazon and B&H Photo). Nikon announced this lens earlier this fall along with the D3 and D300.

The Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED exceeds the already very good performance of its predecessor. The center quality is nothing short of outstanding matching or beating the resolution of a 10mp APS-C sensor. (more…)

Popularity: 34% [?]

Apparently, the rumors about a shipment of D3’s hitting the US the end of this week were true. The Nikon D3 is now in stock and shipping at Amazon (or the dSLR Dad Amazon Storefront). As always, these links help to support this site. Many thanks to all of you dSLR Dads who have done so this Holiday (more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

John Harrington has posted an article in which he compares both of his new purchases: A Nikon D3 (Amazon, B&H Photo) vs. the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III (Amazon, B&H Photo).

What follows is a muti-part review of both cameras. Since I own both systems, and am not endorsed by either, and in fact, have been critical of both, I think I can take an unbiased look at each camera. My most critical concern was noise, and I don’t shoot sports, so, for example, fast focus-tracking is not a top priority for me. I’d dropped $20k on a Canon system, having been a die-hard Nikon photographer, having found the noise in my D2x files at iso640 and above offensive. Couple that with Nikon’s failure to address or even acknowledge that elephant in the room was just down-right inconsiderate. (more…)

Popularity: 16% [?]

Amazon has the Nikon D3 SLR 12 Megapixel Digital Camera Body in stock and ready to ship. You can check it out here.

11/30/2007 Update: Umm, yeah, I’m going to have to ask you to put that link back up. Yeah, that would be great….. Scratch that, stock is out.

12/5/2007 Update: Ok, clearly, the production volume is low at start up. However, a dSLR Dad was able to place his order at Amazon with this link.

12/14/2007 Update: Apparently, the rumors about a shipment of D3’s hitting the US the end of this week were true. The Nikon D3 is now available at Amazon (or the dSLR Dad Amazon Storefront). It is in stock and shipping. Many thanks to those of you who have clicked from my site to order. I greatly appreciate the support.

12/20/2007 Update: In stock and ready to go to a very happy home. B&H Photo is (more…)

Popularity: 5% [?]

Both Canon and Nikon have recently released updates to their RAW-format Codec plug-in’s for Windows Vista. This codec will allow you to view and work with RAW files just like JPEG files. The details from each manufacturer are listed below. (more…)

Popularity: 13% [?]

Looking at the stats, I know you dSLR Dad’s can’t get enough of the Nikon D3 and D300. So here you go:

Nikon has updated their Digitutor website with more information on the Nikon D3 and D300. Digitutor is a Nikon website with various information that includes basic knowledge, useful techniques, and tips on taking good photos with Nikon Digital Cameras (their words, not mine).

You can gorge yourself on D3 information here.
The D300 link is here.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Moose Peterson, wildlife and landscape photographer extraordinaire, has launched a new section of his site devoted to the Nikon D3. As a Nikon Legend Behind the Lens, he has had the opportunity to shoot extensively with the D3 over the last month.
I really enjoyed shooting with the Nikon D3, know you will as well! This is just a user report based on my first month of shooting with the D3. (more…)

Popularity: 8% [?]

For all of you dSLR Dads who can’t get enough information about Nikon’s upcoming D3 and D300 dSLRs (and you know who you are), Nikon USA has posted the manuals.

The D3 manual is available here (pdf link). You can find the D300 here (pdf link).

Update:  This does give weight to the rumors that the D300 will ship within the week.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Rob Galbraith has posted a collection of sample Nikon D3 photographs here:
Nikon has taken a grassroots approach to marketing their upcoming D3 digital SLR, putting it in the hands of professional photographers far and wide in the months leading up to its expected late-November release. And while this practice isn’t new, it is uncommon to allow those same photographers to use and distribute the files freely, especially from bodies running relatively early firmware. Such is Nikon’s confidence in their first full-frame offering.

We’ve gathered files from three such photographers - Tony Bock, Nick Didlick and David Einsel - as well as photographer/author Peter K. Burian. From ISO 200 to 25600, here are full-resolution examples of what Nikon’s new flagship is capable of.

Popularity: 3% [?]

You dSLR Dad’s have probably seen Dave Black’s work before in from the Olympics and in the sports page. An interesting twist from your typical Pre-release Nikon D3 first look, he has been hired by Nikon to produce the images for Nikon’s D3 brochure, catalog and public relations pieces.

This month’s Workshop at the Ranch article New Nikon D3, details his coverage of both Pro and College football games.

His On The Road series, Traveling with the New Nikon D3, concludes:
Any photographer regardless of their chosen field will find the D3 a quantum leap of technology and quality. The nature/landscape photographer will have greater dynamic range, the wildlife photographer will now have 9 frames/second of continuous shooting, the wedding photographer will now be able to capture moments during candle lit ceremonies, portrait photographers will be able to use soft available light more readily and sports photographers will freeze the action in even the poorest lit venues. And we will all have more clarity, more shadow detail and more quality in our pictures. I have full confidence in this piece of equipment as being one of the most significant breakthroughs in the industry.

Popularity: 4% [?]

For all of you crazy High-ISO pixel-peepers out there, Nikon has posted more photos of the yet to be produced Nikon D3 SLR (order one at Amazon and B&H Photo). You can download them and scan the shadows of ISO 6400 until your heart’s content.

Photos courtesy of Dave Black, via Nikon USA.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Scott Kelby of Photoshop User fame has posted an in depth Q&A session on his recent Nikon D3 Experience. You can read more here.

Conclusion, He was really impressed by the $5000 12 Megapixel SLR Full Frame Nikon Body……

Q. Have you already placed your order?
A. Are you kidding? I’m already on the waiting list for it to ship.

Popularity: 5% [?]

dPreview has posted it’s updated full preview of the Nikon D3. You can check it out here.

Popularity: 3% [?]