Hands-on with Nikon's D3 DSLR for the pros

Would we ever in a million years know what to do with this much photo-power at our finger tips? Not a chance, but it's nice to dream, and the D3 is going to make the dreams of very many photo nerds come true this year. Nikon fanboy or Canon faithful, either way this is a beautiful piece of kit.

Gallery: Hands-on with Nikon's D3 DSLR for the pros

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[Josh @ Aug 31st 2007 10:35AM]

Crap! I just bought a D200 a little over two months ago and now this comes out. It actaully dosen't look any different, aside from the added mega pixels (which you honestly don't need) is there anything else different about the D300?

[Josh @ Aug 31st 2007 10:39AM]

Sorry, wrong thread. The D3 and D300 looked the same at a glance.

[Darnell @ Aug 31st 2007 10:41AM]

You're talking about 2 different cameras here. This is the flagship camera w/ full frame sensor..

If you want more information on all the features go here:
http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond300/

[Matt B @ Aug 31st 2007 10:46AM]

Gotta love the full frame goodness. Even being a Canon shooter (5D owner) I am very happy Nikon has taken the important step of a full frame sensor.

[balls @ Aug 31st 2007 11:07AM]

No doubt. I'm a die-hard canon guy, but I'm glad Nikon is pushing the envelope.

D3 looks like its going to kick some hardcore ass.

More competition can only be good.

[Once Optical @ Aug 31st 2007 10:52AM]

I bet engadget could get some in-focus product shots with one of these!

[Kevo @ Aug 31st 2007 10:55AM]

^^^^ Highest ranked right there.

[Eric @ Aug 31st 2007 11:35AM]

I'm gonna buy one. I keep telling myself my D200 is just fine, and my D2H still has some legs. But heck, I want ISO 25,600!!!!! Next time I'm underground in an emerald mine and I slip and fall and grab the power line and all the lights in the mine go out (true story, happened to me in Brazil when I fell down a 12 foot mine shaft) I want to document it! :-P

[Ryan @ Aug 31st 2007 12:22PM]

Nice! I am a Canon shooter (5D), but this is awesome..cant wait to see Canon's response. Gotta love head to head competition to push the product and price.

[almostinfamous @ Aug 31st 2007 12:41PM]

canon and nikon don't really do head to head, with the d3 now being the only exception. they nicely fit around each other.

d40/x

[almostinfamous @ Aug 31st 2007 12:44PM]

damn that didnt turn out right..

400D(rebel) beats D40/x
d80 beats rebel
30/40D beats d80
D200/300 beats 30D/40D*
5D beats D200/D300
D3 beats 5D
1DMk3 and D3 go head to head
1DsMk3 is sailing into new territory altogether.

[purezerg @ Sep 1st 2007 5:08AM]

actually it's

D40x beats 400D
d80 beats rebel
D200 beats 30D
D300 beats 40D
5D no competition
D3 beats 1Dmk3
1DsMk3 no competition

[Eagle @ Aug 31st 2007 1:38PM]

I'm looking into buying a Nikon D40x. I already know the good stuff about the camera but I was wondering if anyone knows what sucks about the camera. Any help would be appreciated.

[Ladderless @ Aug 31st 2007 3:19PM]

I've been using the D40 for a few months. Great camera. Unless you're going to crop the heck out of your photos, you're better off with a D40 and a 55-200 VR (Which limits the amount of cropping you need to do, anyway). The VR is worth the extra $50 over the non-VR lens.

Oh... Unless you really aren't bothered by the extra $200, then get the D40X AND the 55-200 VR.

So far, I haven't found anything I don't like about the camera.

[billy bob thorton @ Aug 31st 2007 11:49PM]

the d40 is a crippled camera. unless you just shoot vacation pictures with it save your money. It will drive you nuts believe me. There is no top LCD. That is a major draw back and is intentional. The D40 also only works with newer lenses (check the compatibility list). Nikon's intention is to make you want a bigger better camera after using this for a while. If you look hard enough you can buy a d200 for under $1200 but a d80 would probably suit your needs. I shoot professionally with a d200 and a d50 as a backup and love them both.

don't buy those "kit" lenses. They suck. Good rule of thumb is anything 2.8 or better.

[shmoober @ Sep 1st 2007 12:59PM]

the D40 is not crippled, it is for people who do not want or need the features of the higher end cameras. The D40 is aimed at people who want the quality a DSLR offers over a point and shoot without the dizzying complexity or price of the more robust models. You can shoot a D40 in full manual mode and use Nikon glass and real strobes, so you have all the capability you need to take great photos.
BTW, I managed to take several thousand decent pictures without an lcd of any sort on my Nikon FM2. Just buy a camera and go shoot. You will know if you need a more sophisticated camera, but keep in mind that, in most circumstances, the camera body is the least important factor in getting decent pictures.

[pentumforever @ Sep 2nd 2007 5:05PM]

And who's gonna pay for tohse f2.8 zooms for students like me? Not everybody intrested in photography has a big budget.

[coolant8 @ Aug 31st 2007 2:39PM]

Can't decide if to wait for a discreet looking 5D MK2 or just hop onto amazon foe a 1DS MK3 now...

[Josh @ Aug 31st 2007 8:12PM]

Was just talking to some other photographers at a football game about this camera. It was humorous to hear the guy with a mkII n and a 200mm f/1.8 talk about switching over. Don't really blame him but still - one of the rarest canon lenses ever and he is talking about switching?

[endless @ Sep 5th 2007 2:03PM]

@Billybob, disagree.

I also own a d200 and several pieces of F2.8 or brighter glass and LOVE them. They are REALLY not for the basic user. They weigh WAY too much. They don't know what the numbers on the LCD screen mean anyway, so that doesn't do them much good. and most of them don't care about buying fast prime lenses (which will HOPEFULLY be updated with in a year or two)

while i don't think i would own one, the d40 is a killer little camera.