Camera Labs

[Bob Andersson]

Hi folks,

The British Journal of Photography has confirmed (here) the release of the new D3s.

• ISO 200 to 12,800, plus three further boost settings up to an unprecedented ISO equivalent of 102,400
  
• Motion-JPEG video in HD quality 1280x720 pixel resolution at 24fps
  
• Most of the camera's still shooting functions - including ultra-high ISO settings - are available in the video mode
  
• Single frames from videos can be saved on the fly as JPEGs
  
• Full frame 12 million pixel resolution and large pixel pitch with a 'completely modified inner structure'
  
• 14-bit A/D conversion and then a 16-bit image-processing pipeline to handle difficult tonal gradations
  
• 9fps continuous shooting (or 11fps in cropped DX format)
  
• 51-point autofocus, 3D II colour matrix metering
  
• £4200 for the body only

Still no update on the Nikon UK web site but keep checking.....

Bob.

EDIT: Changed image to link direct to Nikon USA
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Canon EOS 5D Mk II, EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM, EF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM, EF 70-200mm f/4L IS USM, EF 85mm f/1.2L II USM
Gitzo GT1541T, Arca-Swiss Z1 DP ball-head, PowerShot G10 and some other stuff.

[grahamnp]

Thanks for sharing Bob!

It seems that Nikon has further improved the noise performance of the D3 but the only major new features are the 16 bit pipeline and video. I was hoping this would be the first Nikon to have 1080p as that would give the 5dMKII some real competition but I guess it was not to be.
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Graham
Nikon D80 | 10-20 | 18-135 | 50 f/1.8 | AF-S 60 Macro | SB-600
Flickr

[toothpaste]

Could have at least they pumped the resolution a bit.
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Don't have job, I finding one now for living >.<

My Flickr --> www.flickr.com/photos/chipmunk888 (i dont use much flickr though due to its storage limitation per month)

[LahLahSr]

Interesting for sure..but one word echoes in my mind "WHYYYY??!!" lol

D3, D3X and D3s..come on..lol.
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Nikon D300 + Nikon D40
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X
Nikon AF 50mm f/1.8 D
Nikon 55-200mm VR AF-S f/4-5.6G ED
Nikon 18-55mm AF-S II
Nikon SB-400 Speedlight Flash

[Dojobear]

Nikon USA Press Release:
http://press.nikonusa.com/2009/10/the_imaging_evolution_continue.php

Interested in seeing how they resolved the 'rolling shutter' issue.
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Nikon D60
Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm f/3.5 - 5.6G VR | Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 HSM II | Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8G | Nikon SB-900

[Gordon Laing]

Thanks Bob, you beat me to it!

Here's the UK press release:

NIKON LAUNCHES D3S, THE ULTIMATE CAMERA FOR PROFESSIONAL NEWS, SPORTS, AND WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHERS

D3S redraws the boundaries for fast paced extreme photography

RRP: £4199.99

Sales start date: December 2009

Nikon today announces the introduction of the D3S, the camera that enables professionals to take control of the unpredictable and extends the possibilities for action photographers everywhere. Built upon the widely acclaimed Nikon D3, the D3S advances low light photography to another level and sets in motion new creative options for multi-media movie shooting.

Robert Cristina, Manager, Professional Products for Nikon Europe, comments: “The D3S rewrites the rules for extreme low light photography, enabling photographers to take control of ambient light. Professionals from all over the world have contributed to making the best even better.”

It’s what we need, now
Francois Marit, Photo Technical Manager at global news provider, Agence France Presse, said: “Since we started using the Nikon D3, we have also been exploring movie capture to see exactly how it can help us. Now the D3S gives us exactly what we need, the ability to shoot pictures and movies with one piece of professional equipment. This enables us to transmit complete packages of still images and movie clips from the thousands of news and sports events we cover every week, and will really give us the edge in both online and print formats”

Bill Frakes, one of the first professional photographers to trial the D3S, said: “I make career decisions in milliseconds and I want the best possible image quality every time I push the button. I need a camera that responds precisely, quickly and consistently. The D3S does that and more and this gives me enormous freedom.”

When flash is not an option
The D3S features a completely re-designed 12.1 effective megapixel image sensor. The large pixel pitch, with a completely modified inner structure, means that the D3S can capture images under light conditions which were previously believed to be impossible. The seven stop ISO range of 200 – 12,800 enables image and movie capture in extremely low ambient light conditions which is essential for today’s news and sports photographers.

Further proof of the D3S’s incredible capacity for low light photography is the fact that it is the first camera to offer no less than three additional ISO boost levels, up to Hi-3, (ISO equivalent of an astounding 102,400).

FX format HD movies
The D3S delivers a new look and feel to the emerging trend of DSLR movie capture and exploits the creative depth-of-field effects offered by the large FX-format sensor and the benefits of wide aperture NIKKOR lenses, the lens of choice for the world’s leading photographers. Instant and intuitive in use, the D3S’s D-movie function is prioritised for high productivity.

Movies are captured at 720p/ 24fps in motion JPEG with stereo sound using the input jack. The file format enables a unique ‘Save Selected’ frame option that enables the user to shoot video freely, secure in the knowledge that a still image of a key moment can be transmitted as well.

Acclaimed autofocus tuned for movie capture
Completely configurable to set up, but extremely simple to use, Nikon’s acclaimed high-density 51-point Multi-CAM3500 AF system, with 15- highly sensitive cross points, provides users with an industry leading system for tracking fast moving subjects. The D3S contrast detection AF system has also been tuned to provide autofocus support during movie capture and Live View.

Image sensor cleaning
Following extensive feedback from professional photographers, the D3S implements a new image sensor cleaning function that generates vibrations at four different frequencies to reduce the impact of static dust collection on the optical low pass filter of the image sensor. This has been implemented without impacting on the 100% viewfinder coverage expected from a flagship, professional D series camera.

Total flexibility
The D3S now offers no less than three alternative crop modes, all masked automatically in the viewfinder. The photographer can now choose from 5:4 (30x24); 1.2x (30x20); and DX (24x16). The new crop mode is designed to offer a practical combination of lens magnification and slightly reduced file size.

When discretion is required
The D3S features a new Quiet shutter release mode that enables the photographer to mitigate the sound caused by the mirror return. Suitable for wildlife photography and other situations where shutter noise might distract the subject, this innovation again reflects and responds to practical feedback from photographers using Nikon’s D3 series cameras.

Improved Active D-Lighting options
The D3S now offers no fewer than five options for Active D-Lighting when shooting high contrast or high key subject matter. Alongside a new Auto setting, users now have four manual control levels; Extra High ; High, Normal and Low.

In camera post processing
Another aid for increasing productivity in the D3S is the new RAW processing options in the Retouch menu. The following image settings can be applied to RAW (NEF) files in the camera on-the-fly: JPEG compression, Size, White Balance, Exposure Compensation, Picture Control, Noise Reduction, Colour space and Vignette Control settings. These options accelerate post production workflow for the busy photographer on the road, by reducing the need to use a PC and Capture NX2 software.

Ready for anything
The D3S redraws the boundaries for photographers allowing them even more control over unpredictable subjects in testing lighting conditions. The camera sensor is so sensitive that it can capture subjects that are practically invisible to the naked eye and render results that are remarkably clear of noise and ready for print. The weather-sealed durable magnesium construction is built to withstand extreme temperatures and humidity to enable users to complete assignments faster and more efficiently.

[dubaiphil]

OMG!

You've got to check out the high ISO examples in the gallery at www.nikonusa.com!

Shooting at 12,800 ISO at 3a.m. in ambient light, with a shutter speed of 1/500th second

The 6th shot of the bear at night is particularly impressive!

Please please please lets hope this shuts up the "I've got more megapixels" brigade once and for all!!!!
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Nikon D90 with 18-105mm kit lens, 35mm f1.8, 70-300mm VR, SB-600, MBD-80 and lovely new Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 - mmmm!

[dubaiphil]

that's at 1/500th, ISO 12800 at 3am, through a 400mm lens I think....
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Nikon D90 with 18-105mm kit lens, 35mm f1.8, 70-300mm VR, SB-600, MBD-80 and lovely new Nikkor 24-70mm f2.8 - mmmm!

[capital]

[Ernie]

Here are the two promo videos on YouTube:

Bill Frakes - All over Down Under


Vincent Munier - Summer Variations


If you want to watch them in even greater quality simply add &fmt=22 to the URL like this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R46ca9zBP4A&fmt=22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_JGQHWGpe5s&fmt=22

The response especially to the bear video was quite amazing. After the first day it already had about 80,000 views.

Views after 3 days
I think this tells pretty much where most of the Nikon shooters are.


US: 30k, Canada: 7k, Australia: 1.7k, New Zealand: 700, Philippines: 600, Indonesia: 360, Papua New Guinea: 0


Japan: 1.6k, South Korea: 5k, Vietnam: 3k, India: 0.8k, China: 6


California: 6k, Washington: 1k, Texas: 1.8k, Illinois: 1.4k, Florida: 1.3k, New York: 3k


Morocco: 700, Algeria: 200, Egypt: 300, South Africa: 80


Spain: 3.3k, France: 7.5k, UK: 4.6k, Germany: 6.5k, Italy: 3.2k, Poland: 4.5k, Russia: 1.2k, Sweden: 1.7k


Turkey: 550, Israel: 650, Saudi Arabia: 500, Oman: 300


Chile: 850, Argentina: 600, Brazil: 450, Peru/Colombia: 200 each, Venezuela: 180
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I like to shoot things. (With my D3)

[DD_nVidia]

Dissapointed. 14FPS in crop mode, still no change from 9 in FF.

Really like to see an example of ISO 102,400.

I like that all ISO modes are avaliable in Video mode, High2 isnt on the 5DMKII

I don't like the only 720p fixed frame rate video. Fair enough on my 5DMkII but the D3(x) series is a notch above that. Nikon doesn't even make Video Cameras so they wouldn't even have an excuse for cannibalizing sales.

Seems like an ok improvement. If it filters to the same price as the D3 is atm, great.

I do wonder though, if Nikon are spending all this time making revisions of the D3 design, sensor and processors... does this mean they arnt working full steam on the D4?
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Canon EOS 5DmkII + BG-E6 + Canon EOS 40D + BG-E2N + Canon EOS 33
Canon 17-40 F/4L USM + Canon 24-70 F/2.8L USM + Canon 28mm F/1.8 USM + Canon 70-200 F/2.8L USM IS + Canon 85mm F/1.8 USM
Canon Speedlite 580EX II + Canon Speedlite 540EZ + 2 x Nikon SB-80DX
Cactus V2s Wireless Trigger - 5 x Cactus V2s Wireless Reciever

MY FLICKR!

[WoutK89]

[Enche Zein]

's' means improved / more up to date to current technology.

This year is kinda intermediary year for Nikon. Next year, they might have something more interesting.
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RadiantLite - Cameras and Lenses Comparison Reviews, buying guide, photo taking techniques and other tips
My Portfolio - Some photos from my work

[Citruspers]

Am I the only one thinking this is mostly a firmware update with some small hardware tweaks?
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Check out my Deviantart!
Cameras: Nikon D90, Medion 5MP compact (2003), Nokia 6110 Navigator 2 MP (2007)
Lenses: Nikkor 18-105 F/3.5-5.6 VR ED, Sigma 70-200 F/2.8 APO EX
Accessories: SB-600 Speedlite, Velbon Sherpa Pro 7 Monopod, BG-D90 Battery Grip, Extra battery, Velbon D500 Tripod
Workstation: Q6600@3GHZ, 9800GT@700MHZ, 4GB
Software: Lightroom, Capture NX, Photoshop

[popo]

Nikon's web site sucks. To be fair, all camera company web sites suck so they're not alone there. Are there any full size high ISO samples?
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Sony ~ Canon ~ Olympus ~ Panasonic
Buying radar activated. Targets detected:
Medium Range - Canon 7D
Long Range - Sony A550