Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects

Hacker · 10-04-2008, 18:05

I thought I'd give the D3 it's first proper test this afternoon with our Border Terriers. First impressions are that the colour rendition is excellent and the focusing is lightning fast - more of that later. I was using the 70-200mm VR lens and it is a completely different animal on the D3 as opposed to the D300 which I presume is because of the FF, the bokeh is really creamy and this is a stupendous combination - much better than I could have hoped for.

All shots taken at ISO 500 at either f/2.8 or f/4, I deliberately used these apertures to give a narrow DOF so I could see exactly what was in focus.

1. Enjoying a quiet moment of contemplation:

2. The peace is about to be shattered:

3. Target aquired- LOCK ON!

4. Fight!

5.

6. Buster got bored so Biggles decided to play wth his old football:

7. For this series of shots I got Jan to throw the football while I tried to track Biggles coming towards me. Believe me when I say this dog is uber-quick and I've never been able to capture him like this before, I was also impressed that I could keep focused on him and not the ball:

8.

9.

10. To the victor the spoils!

**stepheno** · 10-04-2008, 18:10

Excellent shots but seems a tad bright to me?

morlandroger · 10-04-2008, 20:04

Great shots Hacker. I am composing my 'Dear Santa' letter now and I have always been a Canon man.
Roger

lifethrualens · 10-04-2008, 20:09

i have been on the edge of buying a d3 for some weeks now, just turning pro, i think this has just pushed me, have you tried the high ISO yet, its pretty sharp, great pic and amazing camera

**Dabhand16** · 10-04-2008, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by lifethrualens

have you tried the high ISO yet, its pretty sharp, great pic and amazing camera

Yep

mr cat · 10-04-2008, 20:36

great bokeh - but they do seem a bit noisy..?

Charlotte · 10-04-2008, 21:13

Very very very very very impressive

b.van_der_dylan · 10-04-2008, 21:21

looks very good this side

nichpr · 10-04-2008, 22:19

That focusing exercise was really impressive.

JMitchell · 10-04-2008, 23:09

Very impressive. Might be worth remembering - although I'm sure you already know - that lots of people have mentioned always having a stop down of exp comp dialed in, which might correspond to Stepheno's comments about the brightness. I do this on the D300.

lifethrualens · 10-04-2008, 23:57

at 500 iso i think these are very sharp, not at all noisey

**stepheno** · 11-04-2008, 08:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMitchell

- that lots of people have mentioned always having a stop down of exp comp dialed in

This is not criticism of the camera but it intrigues me as to why you need to use exposure comp? Why can't they get it right in the first place?

JMitchell · 11-04-2008, 09:16

Yes I know Stepheno, it is a bit odd. I think Nikon were trying to amend the old criticism that their cameras underexposed a bit...perhaps they went a little too far

**Markulous** · 11-04-2008, 09:57

Strangely, was talking about exp comp, or lack of it on the 40D, last night. Pics like the above and the Nikon attention to all details (like exp comp) are making me seriously contemplate changing tack from Canon to Nikon. Was out yesterday for a sunrise and was struggling as exp comp only goes down to -2. With light changing so rapidly it's a right PIA to get manual exposure right - permanently fiddling with the camera, whereas I can accurately gauge the change in exp comp

BTW, I find the exposure correct on those pics - the out-of-camera auto settings on most dSLRs are (or were) tweaked downward (hence past criticisms of underexposure) - it's thought to prevent clipping

10-04-2008, 18:05	#1 (permalink)
Hacker Forum Regular Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 623	Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects I thought I'd give the D3 it's first proper test this afternoon with our Border Terriers. First impressions are that the colour rendition is excellent and the focusing is lightning fast - more of that later. I was using the 70-200mm VR lens and it is a completely different animal on the D3 as opposed to the D300 which I presume is because of the FF, the bokeh is really creamy and this is a stupendous combination - much better than I could have hoped for. All shots taken at ISO 500 at either f/2.8 or f/4, I deliberately used these apertures to give a narrow DOF so I could see exactly what was in focus. 1. Enjoying a quiet moment of contemplation: 2. The peace is about to be shattered: 3. Target aquired- LOCK ON! 4. Fight! 5. 6. Buster got bored so Biggles decided to play wth his old football: 7. For this series of shots I got Jan to throw the football while I tried to track Biggles coming towards me. Believe me when I say this dog is uber-quick and I've never been able to capture him like this before, I was also impressed that I could keep focused on him and not the ball: 8. 9. 10. To the victor the spoils! __________________ www.greenlees-photography.com - wedding & portrait photography www.greenlees-equine.com - sport horse photography

10-04-2008, 18:10	#2 (permalink)
stepheno Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 6,439	Re: D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects Excellent shots but seems a tad bright to me?

10-04-2008, 20:04	#3 (permalink)
morlandroger Been here a while Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Lake District, North West England Posts: 481	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects Great shots Hacker. I am composing my 'Dear Santa' letter now and I have always been a Canon man. Roger

10-04-2008, 20:09	#4 (permalink)
lifethrualens Been here a while Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 259	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects i have been on the edge of buying a d3 for some weeks now, just turning pro, i think this has just pushed me, have you tried the high ISO yet, its pretty sharp, great pic and amazing camera

10-04-2008, 20:36	#6 (permalink)
mr cat Getting Comfy Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: weardale Posts: 206	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects great bokeh - but they do seem a bit noisy..?

10-04-2008, 21:13	#7 (permalink)
Charlotte Loves the place Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Romsey, Hampshire Posts: 5,682	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects Very very very very very impressive

10-04-2008, 21:21	#8 (permalink)
b.van_der_dylan Forum Regular Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 693	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects looks very good this side

10-04-2008, 22:19	#9 (permalink)
nichpr Forum Regular Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Michigan, USA Posts: 828	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects That focusing exercise was really impressive.

10-04-2008, 23:09	#10 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects Very impressive. Might be worth remembering - although I'm sure you already know - that lots of people have mentioned always having a stop down of exp comp dialed in, which might correspond to Stepheno's comments about the brightness. I do this on the D300.

10-04-2008, 23:57	#11 (permalink)
lifethrualens Been here a while Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 259	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects at 500 iso i think these are very sharp, not at all noisey

11-04-2008, 09:16	#13 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects Yes I know Stepheno, it is a bit odd. I think Nikon were trying to amend the old criticism that their cameras underexposed a bit...perhaps they went a little too far

11-04-2008, 09:57	#14 (permalink)
Markulous Pixalo Crew Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Peak District Posts: 9,598	Re: Nikon D3 focus test with two of my favourite subjects Strangely, was talking about exp comp, or lack of it on the 40D, last night. Pics like the above and the Nikon attention to all details (like exp comp) are making me seriously contemplate changing tack from Canon to Nikon. Was out yesterday for a sunrise and was struggling as exp comp only goes down to -2. With light changing so rapidly it's a right PIA to get manual exposure right - permanently fiddling with the camera, whereas I can accurately gauge the change in exp comp BTW, I find the exposure correct on those pics - the out-of-camera auto settings on most dSLRs are (or were) tweaked downward (hence past criticisms of underexposure) - it's thought to prevent clipping __________________ ~CanonCreativity + SigmaSurReality~ by ΜΛЯΚ

11-04-2008, 10:03	#15 (permalink)
JMitchell Feet under the table Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: London, England Posts: 3,427