garyvot wrote:
The best thing about the D3 is FX.

The worst thing about the D3 is FX.

(He says, not entirely toung-in-cheek).

Amen brother.
Gav

Jammy Straub wrote:
gugs wrote:
I have no clue in the viewfinder about where the system is focusing.
Guy

That's not right, in 3D dynamic mode the system should show you what AF rectangle it's using at all times.

The only time the system does not show you what AF points it's using is in automatic AF point selection mode when using continuous servo. Are you using the top (automatic point selection) or the second (dynamic point selection) setting on the three way AF point switch?

I've got to admit I find automatic point selection next to useless for exactly the reason you state, it doesn't show you what points it's using.

Yes indeed, maybe I was not clear enough, I am talking about the full automatic point selection (again this works very well if you are shooting big enough subjects). Dynamic point selection and the other modes (single point) are fast and reliable.

and BTW don't misunderstand me, even if I mention a number of "cons", I still consider the D3 to be one of the best cameras ever, and it does the job for me. Don't forget that as with all other sophisticated tools, it has a serious learning curve to get the best out of it.

Guy

James R. I am of the same opinion as gugs with respect to the 51points 3d system for my use. When tracking a horse that is approaching a fence (usually i am at a 30 or 45 degree angle to the horse's direction of movement) the red indicator hops all over the viewfinder and the keeper rate is low. On the other hand using 9points with AF lock on set to medium my keeper rate is pretty much close to 100%, even when the horse is approaching head on. Typically I would be using a 70/200 usually around the 100-150 range and i tend to use a shallow DOF to reduce background clutter. This may be the reason that 51-3D does not work well for me as even a small movement in the lens by the AF system will render the subject oof or at least soft.

It may work well in other situations but an oof shot is lost money and so I have not bothered to try it out - even though I said i would in an early post on this subject.

OK, so I got the chance to play with one for about 30 minutes yesterday. However, I fogot to check...

When shooting normally (no DX lens) let's say a 70-200 f/2.8, is there a crop mode? Much like the high-speed crop on the D2Xs?

jordanwd wrote:
ummmm , maybe i didn't make myself clear...2 shots taken from the same field of view (ie ff sensor w/ 600f4 and 1.5 crop w/ a 400f2.8 (say at f4) from the same distance yields a similiar field of view.. when examining both files from its native 14x9.5 inch size (@300ppi) they may look very similiar...but when increasing the size to a 11x17 double page spread size there is a noticable difference especially in finer detailed areas...the denser pixel concentration of the 1.5 sensor yeilds more detail than the ff sensor (this is w/o up rezzing) ... now does that make alittle more sense?

If FOV has been compensated for with lens choice, the pixel density and resolution of a 12MP FX or 12MP DX image made at the same print size will be the same. The FX image will show less DOF unless aperture was used to compensate.

Now if you use the same lens and you have to crop the 12MP FX file, then I believe you. But you clearly state that FOV was adjusted for with lens choice. In this case, a 12MP file is a 12MP file and the pixel density of the sensor is NOT a factor as you already compensated for that. Something else in you optical system must be accounting for what you are seeing, but it is NOT pixel density in the scenario you describe.

yes, the 400/2.8 is a sharper lens. look at their MTFs.

Herb...

jordanwd wrote:
ummmm , maybe i didn't make myself clear...2 shots taken from the same field of view (ie ff sensor w/ 600f4 and 1.5 crop w/ a 400f2.8 (say at f4) from the same distance yields a similiar field of view.. when examining both files from its native 14x9.5 inch size (@300ppi) they may look very similiar...but when increasing the size to a 11x17 double page spread size there is a noticable difference especially in finer detailed areas...the denser pixel concentration of the 1.5 sensor yeilds more detail than the ff sensor (this is w/o up rezzing) ... now does that make alittle more sense?

patricksmith04 wrote:
OK, so I got the chance to play with one for about 30 minutes yesterday. However, I fogot to check...

When shooting normally (no DX lens) let's say a 70-200 f/2.8, is there a crop mode? Much like the high-speed crop on the D2Xs?

Anyone?

Read the D3 manual
Should be able to put that crop mode on a button somewhere (maybe the func button?)

^ I don't own the camera....yet...

I can read the manual online, and so can you Guess what my friend the google came up with this!

I assigned the image area to the function button + dial. See page 334.