Falling hard for the D3.

D3/24-70mm on my Giotto Rocket Blower

I want to start with some background of how I came about using this beast of a camera for about 2 days. I was going to shoot for my choir concert yet again, and decided to rent the D3 (a little overkill, but for a dark auditorium the D3 sounded like the best choice) and the new 24-70mm f2.8 for the occasion.

First off, I'll touch on the handling and aesthetics of the camera:

• It is intuitive - retains Nikon's typical layout and flavor, menus are similar to the D200, D2xs cameras that I've used before, I just needed about 15-20mins to adjust and customize my own settings and I was all ready to shoot
• The camera's well-built - for ~SGD$8,000 it'd better be, odd that Nikon didn't provide the design for a LCD protector similar to that on the older models, but sapphire crystal is bloody hard to crack, let alone scratch, just ask my Tissot.
• Feels lighter than the D2xs, (haven't bothered comparing the weight of the 2) maybe better design and weight distribution helped with the D3 feeling lighter.
• New batteries, lighter, larger capacities, new design = pay more $$$. Nikon includes a dual-battery charger stock with all D3 sets.

D3 and my dad's OM10

Design/Improvements over previous models:

• The D3's ability to utilize dual CF cards is a bloody brilliant idea to be honest, just pop 2x 16gb compact flash cards and even the most trigger happy of sports photographers will be finding it hard to fill the cards during a game of soccer or rugby.
• The dual CF cards are able to save crucial settings made to the D3 for varied situations and places to shoot, good stuff indeed. (I think the D2x(s) had the same feature though)
• Finally, Nikon has 10fps (11fps for DX-mode if I'm not wrong) for more than 4.7mp (D2h(s)). Doubt I ever will realize the full potential of that, but I did do 5fps burst shots for some dance sequences at the concert and during my sister's wedding shoot.
• AF is stupenderefously blazing "holy-cow-I-never-knew-focusing-could-be-this-fast" FAST (tested with slow and unwieldy Nikon's 105mm micro lens (non-VR), my uncontrasty Tamron 17-35 f2.8-4, even an old manual 50mm (about 30yrs old)) the D3 practically made the screw-mounted lenses feel like AF-S lenses, and it was fun to have metering on an old manual AI-S lens. (rem: I'm using a D50)
• Canon was smart to do full frame all those years back (especially with the consumer-ranged 5D), showing the potential of full frame pixels compared to 1.5x or 1.6x cropped sensors. Nikon has re-written the records with their current sensor to say the least. Noise is a thing of the past to be frank.
• The sensor is a-bloody-mazing. the power of FX and 12mp, Nikon was smart to just stick with quality pixels for once and not immediately throw a 24mp monster to challenge Canon's 1Ds Mark III. Although the D3x (est. 20-24mp) is sure to be released by the end of the year.
• As mentioned by many review sites, the D3 corrects lens CA and fringing on any/most camera lenses.. my dad's 30-40 year old 50mm Nikkor looked quite fresh and CA/fringing-free.
• Live-view was all right I suppose, didn't really have a need for it, other than 1-2 macro shots I did of my mom's flowers.
• HUGE Latitude of exposure/color/light/shadow detail considering it is a digital camera.
• Film-like grain, color, look. Watch out Fuji.
  

This 'noise' you speak of, what be it?
(taken at ISO6400, click through to get to the unedited full-sized version)

Film-like color, shadow detail, practically noiseless (can see the detailing of the doors way back at the end), all this, at ISO3200.

24-70mm next to my beloved 70-300mm VR.

Talking about the lens:

• 24-70mm f2.8 lens is massive (now i kinda understand peoples' appreciation for RF). It's almost as big as my largest 70-300mm VR at it's shortest.
• the pro lens is heavier however, (you get what you pay for), nano-coated, and "bloody-hell-why-can't-my-tamron-be-this-sharp-at-f5.6" sharp at f2.8
  
• bokeh is bloody lovely, 'nuff said.
• AF-S is blazing needless to say, mated with the D3, you have one of the best combinations for short-ranged events' photography in the world.
  

It's not all roses though, some notable problems:

• The auto white balance was abit iffy for me, but thankfully since Adobe Photoshop CS3 reads the D3 NEF files perfectly, I shot with confidence knowing I can adjust the WB after the shoot and just concentrate on composing and lighting.
• I was kinda very disappointed with the small viewfinder, I thought the D3, with a full-frame sensor would have a viewfinder similar in size to the F100's viewfinder (for those who haven't peered through an F100's viewfinder, don't do it. It will just kill you to go back to our crappy viewfinders in DSLRs today)
• I didn't want to let it go once it got on my hands
• Still one heavy-ass camera, with the 24-70mm being the 'kit lens' for the D3.. but together these 2 gotta weigh like 3-4kg.. its bloody mad to carry this around to be honest. My right arm's veins were popping out like nobody's business at the end of the day.
• give me D3 sensor in a D300 body any day, and I'll take an updated 24-85 f4 AF-S or just my 30-40yr old 50mm (don't really need f2.8 aperture with ISO6400, unless for the cream-induction in pictures.)

Needless to say, however, I totally loved the time I had with it. I would kill to own one of these babies to be brutally honest, but I'll need the 24-70mm to pair with it for a killer combination. The size is just about right, but weight's still an issue, especially since the 24-70mm was quite a substantial load in it's own right. I have more samples uploaded to my flickr account (hint: search tags "D3" and "24-70mm") as always, for those who are interested. Thanks for reading!