Nikon D3: New Low-ISO Samples

***outuo*** · 08-03-20, 14:52

Again from Berlin’s IFA, Vedran (aka griverep19) has sent me a few more samples from a pre-production Nikon D3. Braving the wrath of Nikon reps at IFA, Vedran came away with a few dozen images on his own CF card and has supplied some of the first full-resolution high-ISO images from Nikon’s new flagship, as well some low ISO shots that have created some controversy.

Now coming to you from IFA are a pair of images at the D3’s lower sensitivities, base-sensitivity ISO 200 as well as ISO 400.

In addition, perhaps more interesting than the image quality – which, is from a pre-production camera anyway – is a real-world look at Nikon’s trio of new telephoto lenses. The newly announced lenses include:

400mm f/2.8 ED VR AF-S
500mm f/4 ED VR AF-S
600mm f/4 ED VR AF-S

In addition to the usual alphabet soup of the specifications, these lenses feature Nikon’s Nano Coating for enhanced anti-reflective performance. These three lenses answer many calls for Nikon to update their super-telephoto lenses to include Vibration Reduction (VR), though whether these lenses will Nikon attract sports and wildlife shooters an open question. You can read the press release on the new lenses here.

***outuo*** · 08-03-20, 14:53

Nikon D3: ISO 25600 Samples from IFA09.02.07 | 18 Comments

UPDATE: grizerep19 has uploaded the complete set of uploaded a few full-resolution images. All of the following crops are at 100%.
Here are some new samples from the Nikon D3, coming to you from the IFA electronics show in Berlin. The following images were shot and graciously provided by dpreview.com member grizerep19, who was able to attend the German expo and spend a little time with the D3.
ISO 1600 (resize)

ISO 1600: 100% crop

ISO 3200 (resize)

ISO 3200: 100% crop

ISO 6400 (resize)

ISO 6400: 100% crop

ISO 25600 (resize)

ISO 25600: 100% crop

The above images were shot with the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 at maximum aperture with the exception of the ISO 1600 shot, which was made at f/2.8.
Many thanks to grizerep19 for supplying these samples, which make a nice addition to the other high ISO 100% crops available, which together begin to describe the noise characteristics of the D3. Overall, the noise appears largely luminance-based, rather than of the chroma variety, which is generally typical of Nikon’s DSLRs. However, the D3 appears to produce files at high ISO with a level of quality never seen before in a Nikon.

***outuo*** · 08-03-20, 14:54

Nikon D3: New ISO 6400 Samples09.03.07 | 10 Comments

Coming to you from Berlin’s IFA electronics show, grizerep19 on dpreview.com has provided a few more images from a pre-production Nikon D3. With three more images at ISO 6400 and two images at ISO 200, these samples show samples from the extremes of the D3’s conventional range. If you haven’t already, check out the other samples from IFA.
Since this is a site focused on concert photography, let’s start with the high ISO shots, all made at ISO 6400. This maximum conventional sensitivity marks a full three stop increase over the max specified rating of the D2x (ISO 800), and two stops over the D2h (ISO 1600). The following shots have plenty of shadow areas and mixed lighting, neither of which is going to be a stranger for anyone working with stage lighting.
ISO 6400 (resized)

ISO 6400 (100% crop)

On the below shot of the prints, grizerep19 says:

I think I could go so far to tell you that the A3 size print of the athlete from Osaka, marked on the print as “1/500s, f4, ISO4000″ looks as good as ISO400 on my D80 (lens aside for the moment).

Of course, perceived image quality of an A3 print from an ISO 4000 file and the below image shot at ISO 6400 are two different things entirely, but the observation still bodes well. From other reports from IFA, the prints on display were from files without additional, out-of-camera manipulation.
ISO 6400 (resized)

ISO 6400 (100% crop)

ISO 6400 (resized)

ISO 6400 (100% crop)

Below are the two fresh ISO 200 images, both shot with the Nikon 50mm f/1.4 at f/2.8. The first image also shows the 5:4 aspect ratio, which deviates from the conventional 2:3 aspect ratio of most other DSLRs and 35mm film. It also shows Nikon’s trio of new super-telelphoto lenses at 400mm, 500mm, and 600mm.
ISO 200 (resized)

ISO 200 (resized)

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