Goodbye D3 - Hello - Lord of Darkness!!

[Lance Peters]

Well traded my trusty D3 in today - No I didn't switch camps.
Went for the D3S - WHY??
Because I got a excellent trade price - more than twice what most places are offering - couldn't justify keeping the D3 as a backup body - have a D7OO (Wifes) and NPS membership.

Have to say I can see why NASA are taking them into space - only had a quick play around and no birds just random test shots in the city at night - gotta say 10,000 ISO is looking pretty sweet.

Now I can play in the DSLR Video forum - Yay :)

Main differences....
Quiet shutter mode - well quieter - not silent by a long shot.
Sensor clean - thank god
ISO improvements - **** yeah
Movie mode - hmmm Interesting.

:)

[john j. henderson]

Lance;

I would like to hear more; but I will never be working at those ISO's. I am more interested in how it preforms at ISO's 100-1600. I am also concerned that the D3X has approx 25 megapix sensor and the D3S has only approx 12.

I have a couple D300S bodies, a D2X body; have no interest in video.

How does the D3S compare with the D300S image quality and ISO preformance at ISO 400-1600? No need to compare to the D2X body, I know it is a giant leap frog from the D2X to D300S or D3 series.

I do not really need a full-frame sensor.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I guess it pays to be a camera dealer. :) Enjoy your new toy!

[david cramer]

A good friend I shoot with has a new D3s, and the dang thing will autofocus with accuracy in almost complet darkness!

John - I can't answer your question about the "s" models, as I have shot extensively with a D3 and D300. I can easily state the IQ of the files is better on the full framed camera, but not by a large margin.

[john j. henderson]

Thanks David; I am hoping to get some more feedback concerning the D3S to D300S comparison. I have no problem spending the extra money for the D3S. I wish it was 25 mpix; then it would be a no brainer. I also know it is a more sturdy body with more durable shutter but I can buy three D300S for the cost of one D3S; so I need more than just a more sturdy body.

[Rene de Heer]

Although i might be tempted to get a D3S, for the moment i will stay put. I don't think the D3S has that many new REAL enhancements over the D3 that make me think that i need to get one!. I still think the D3S is an in between model, and that a D4 might be coming by the end of the year....of course i might be wrong and rethink!
Rene de heer

[david cramer]

Rumors are also flying around about a replacement for the D700, possibly a D800 or D900. Whatever occurs, both Canon and Nikon are actively upgrading the top of the line models this year.

[Desmond Chan]

Lance;

I would like to hear more; but I will never be working at those ISO's. I am more interested in how it preforms at ISO's 100-1600. I am also concerned that the D3X has approx 25 megapix sensor and the D3S has only approx 12.

I have a couple D300S bodies, a D2X body; have no interest in video.

How does the D3S compare with the D300S image quality and ISO preformance at ISO 400-1600? No need to compare to the D2X body, I know it is a giant leap frog from the D2X to D300S or D3 series.

Yup. It's time somebody should do some very detailed testings and analyses on a Nikon body, like all those folks here done to the 7D and the Mark IV. Don't leave your fellow Nikon users shooting in the dark, ok? ;)

[Lance Peters]

Hi - I dont have a d300s to do any testing with.

I think the D3S looks to be at least 1 stop better in relation to noise - ISO 16OO is noiseless to my eyes.
Dont quite know how to test it scientifically - just basing my comments on looks at present.

There will be new models and there always will - current technology --- you wont see a 24mp camera with high iso low noise capabilities -this is why the D3/D3S has been so successful, those big photosites on the sensor suck light in like a black hole - cant double the number of them and keep them the same size.- Not yet anyway!!

Rumours have the D4 being field tested - IMHO - OCT/NOV announcement for christmas delivery.

Discussion has brought up a intresting question - might start a poll.