Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) by Nikon
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Digital camera reviews of Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
Digital camera Review: The Nikon D3 is a superb piece of equipment
Summary: 5 Stars
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.Digital camera Review: The camera we knew Nikon could build
Summary: 4 Stars
Nikon D3 12.1MP FX Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)
This is the Nikon I had been waiting (and waiting, and waiting) for -- a full-frame DSLR. Sure, Canon has had full-frame DSLRs for many years, but I have a significant investment in Nikon lenses for my Nikon bodies (including the F4s, F6, D100, and D200, among others).
Now, it is true that I began my SLR days in the Canon line; but when the 35mm SLR world began to go autofocus and Canon chose to create a platform that would not use the existing manual-focus Canon lenses, I realized that I was going to have to buy new lenses either way. As it turned out, I elected to move over to Nikon (keeping just one or two of my manual-focus Canons).
What took Nikon so long to come out with its "FX" (full-frame) cameras? I don't know, but from what I have read, there has been a shake-up at Nikon, reflecting a certain amount of angst at having waited so long and giving away sales to Canon. I recall reading one website in which the author suggested that Nikon was "doing the right thing" by not making full-frame cameras, since it isn't really possible to do so, anyway. Huh? No kidding -- the author worked very hard to create a case that the physics of light do not permit camera manufacturers to create a camera with a full-frame (24x36mm) sensor, and that Nikon had somehow taken the moral high ground by refusing to bow to full-frame hysteria......one of the (unintentionally) funniest things I've ever read. Since Canon already had been making full-frame cameras for some time -- and I guess we all just knew it was a matter of time before Nikon got its head on straight -- I couldn't help but think of the old quote that goes something like this: "Never tell the man who is busy doing something that it is impossible."
Now, I've never held the high-end Canon (the EOS 1Ds Mark III), which goes for over $7,000, but I HAVE held the 5D and I like it very much. Like many others, I might have retraced my steps back to Canonland if Nikon had tarried much longer. But as much as I liked the 5D (which I obviously could have purchased using the D3 funds -- with a lens or two or three -- and still had change left over), the D3 is a much better camera. Both the Product Details on this site and the reviews by the other D3 owners will provide you with many of the technical reasons for this.
I guess I don't want to repeat those technical reasons here. Most any decent DSLR can produce good and useable images. What it comes down to is how the camera FEELS in your hands as you use it....and the D3 just feels good. It doesn't look or feel like cheap extruded plastic (which, I am afraid, is a problem with the Canons). The D3 feels solid, substantial, and has clearly benefited from the attention of the folks in the ergonomics labs. It's anything but a lightweight, but I've been carrying large Nikons around for many years, so that is not a disincentive for me.
At this point I've only owned the camera for a short time and have only had the opportunity to take a relatively small number of exposures -- perhaps the equivalent of two or three rolls of film (sorry, old habits die hard). I still have many things to learn about it in order to more fully exploit its capabilities....but I am very impressed with what I've seen so far. I have one CF Card set to record NEF (raw), the other to record high-res JPG. One thing I miss is the built-in architectural viewfinder gridlines that were standard with several of my previous Nikons. Yes, I know that one can buy a "Type E" replacement focusing screen or set the "FUNC." button for a (funky) capability that Nikon refers to as the "Virtual Horizon," but why did Nikon choose not to include the gridlines as a standard feature/capability? Also, Nikon really should package the camera with a decent eyecup.
All-in-all, a wonderful camera. Thanks, Nikon.
Digital camera Review: You are a fool if you do not buy this, especially at this price! The Best!
Summary: 5 Stars
Had, have many cameras, Nikon, Canon, Hassleblad, Olympus...This is the best since my old F100. Forgiving, fast, accurate, versatile. If you only have one camera, this should be it...If you have more than one camera, this is the one you will use, and the others will gather dust.Digital camera Review: amazing DSLR
Summary: 5 Stars
Used my D3 for 8 months now and couldn't be happier. This camera is an amazing piece of technology.
Bought my first film camera, Canon F-1 in 1985, shot thousands of pics on film and slide. Four years ago I bought my first DSLR, Fuji S7000, shot thousands of pics with it. Then I made the giant leap to Nikon D3. WOW! This camera is in a league all its own.
Performs even better than expected. The array of custom settings boggles the mind. After shooting over a thousand images I'm still learning about its potential.
Perhaps the most useful function to me is the ability to shoot in low ambient light without flash by setting the ISO to 6400. Unbelievable images with little perceptable noise. Full-frame composition is also important to me. White balance control, especially the preset function, is a godsend.
All the controls are well placed and within easy reach, even for a person like me with medium-sized hands. The body with any fast f/2.8 lens attached has presence and heft. Ergonomics are very comfortable. I can shoot all day without stress or fatigue. A neoprene neck strap vs the supplied strap helps alot.
The software is useful, and mine came with Corel Paint Pro 9, a very good image editor.
I could go on and on about all the marvelous attributes this DSLR has to offer, but let me just say this... until Nikon produces another DSLR with any significant improvements over the D3 this is probably my last camera purchase. If you can afford the body, a couple fast prime lenses and a zoom, then you'll thank yourself over and over, well after the CC is paid off. Nuff said.
Digital camera Review: d-3 great-where it came from not so
Summary: 4 Stars
The D-3 Nikon has been great. The thing I'm concerned about was the box had been opened, the camera seemed to have been used and strap was missing. Although Amazon was able to correct the problem of the strap quite quickly and the camera seems to be fine, we are talking about a $5000.00 camera, somebody should have checked....Thanks....Rob Mueller.