The D3 stories will filter through and everyone will say the same thing. Sophisticated and technical words like... "WOW". "I'm gobsmacked" , "Frickn awasome", "Yeehah". It is true, the D3 is all those words and more.
I'm a bit of a fan of how the Canon 1D MK IIn sits in the hand, as long as you don't have to change settings. The grip is just slightly improved and refined. You find that the buttons are positioned around the thumb for an 'arc' like motion. It was easy to compare because the D2xs was sitting right beside it too.
We were shooting the Sydney Harbour Bridge we estimated was about 800 metres away, ISO 6400, with that massive 600mm lens. The menu and screens have improved and very easy to see. Don't let anyone tell you the screen resolution doesn't make a difference. Nikon and Sony are on a winner here.
The workflow was actually quicker because it was easy to see very quicly if you had acheived focus (Especially since the D2x was sitting beside it). There is function to that form! Live view was fantastic. The 10x zoom in function is very handy, and the actual reason I've used the Olympus E-330. Macro photography is very simply. Apparently it has 15 fps video refresh rate. It was not a problem at all.
Cam2000 was never broken, but this new AF, in near darkness, was amazing. Fastest thing I've used. (You'll hear plenty about that one too). I was tracking ferries in front of us, and it just locked and fired as quick as you liked. There's been some conjecture about where the AF points are located... on paper. Thing is, in real life usage like tonight, it just wasn't a problem (ha, real life he says... like I'll ever own a D3 with a 600mm lens.... and a AU$1400 tripod to boot!)
But everyone wanted to shoot ISO 6400 at 9 frames per second. Sheesh, you'd think we were at a Canon convention. Sure, I did for a few seconds to get it out of my system. OK, so those shots lose some saturation, but nothing you couldn't fix in post. Fact was... thats were all the awwing and ahhhing came from. You just couldn't get the grin off the Nikon reps. There were some imposters there too (Canon shooters) who were also mightly impressed.
This camera was incredible to use. There were no 14-24 or 24-70 lenses there unfortunately. But I think we had enough toys to keep me happy tonight. Sorry no photos.
WARNING: DO NOT PICK UP A D3 UNLESS YOU WISH TO PURCHASE IT!
I have no idea why I wrote all this, except out of pure boyish techno gearhead excitment.
Thanks for posting the D3 comments, but for me (if not most of us here) it's a little pricey. What about the D300? I think even without a trusted hands on review those of us considering a D300 don't have too many doubts about the focusing system. I know my single most important question about the D300 is: "How is the performance at higher ISO settings?". Can you comment on that - thanks!
It actually feels more intergrated than the D200 and grip I was using. I never had a problem with it, even though some others complained, BUT... it did feel nicer.
The images from the D300 were excellent. No, they were not the same at ISO 6400 as the D3. But shots taken at ISO 800 appeared the same as the D3 (no we didn't print them, but I know what I'm looking at). Everything I liked on the D200 was there on the D300. Switching between the two was very easy, it really was a D3 mini me!
In fact, one lucky mongrel won the lucky door prize... the first D300 to be delivered in Australia, whenever that is. I joked that was good for him, since he'd probably be on the second batch in March before he got it!
I know. But I gave up a date ... that I'd been chasing for 2 weeks....to go to this thing!
I had a chance to hold a full frame 36 x 24.... or a full frame 36 x 24 x 32! Damn it, what was I thinking. Well , at least I know one works prefectly in the dark.
Bill, I have no images to show, except to say that (from my experience and memory) it was about a stop and a half better than the D200 at ISO1600. How that relates to printed images we will see, but to say I was impressed is an understatment. I think this camera, as you rightly pointed out, is the camera the majority of people will get.
When dpreview and the others start posting ISO images, people will inevitably compare it to the Canon 40D with its 10MP chip. However, from what I've seen tonight, and my use of the Canon 40D (which I do have photos from), this ISO thing is just a non issue.
I had a chance to play with a D3 a few days ago too and I agree with NIKT - Do NOT look at a D3, TOUCH one or even worse, TRY one out unless you have the cash to spend on it because I guarantee that you will want one - this camera has a serious WOW factor.
To put it into perspective I convinced myself that I would get a D300 and wait until Nikon bring out an x version of the D3 (more pixels is what I am really after) I then had the chance to play with and try out the D3 and I was INSTANTLY converted. Literally, after a few shots there is just no getting away from wanting one. This camera exposes a NEED which up and till now we hadnt thought of as we didnt think it possible.
with the high ISO capabilities of this camera you could 'accidentally' forget to reduce the ISO back down from 6400 and deliver 'noise free' photos to your client without them being any the wiser.
The D300 had the 500mm lens on it. It just seemed the same as the D3. Absolutely no different. Fast, accurate. Of course, these were the exotics that we were using. But this was somewhat negated by the fact we were shooting in the dark. Fast AND accurate. The D300 to me is a real winner (if I hadn't mentioned that before).
As nice as the D3 was, and it was nice, the D300 is the one that is going to really do the pleasing. Simply because its like having an affordable D3.
Something everyone wish the D200 had was cam2000 like the D2x. Well, here it is.
To tell you the truth, I never ventured into 3200 on the D300. I did take one or two at 1600. Looked fine to me, but it wasn't something I really paid much attention too. I knew it would get asked, but I was trying to spend a bit more time with the D3, because we had so little time.
The D300 to me felt very familiar, like a refined version of the D200, the focus points/AF speed were the things that stood out the most. It just locked and fired. If I could have snuck a Compact Flash card into the cameras I would have.
OK, so those shots lose some saturation, but nothing you couldn't fix in post. Fact was... thats were all the awwing and ahhhing came from. You just couldn't get the grin off the Nikon reps. There were some imposters there too (Canon shooters) who were also mightly impressed.
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