rf nikon d3s review

8/9/2019 RF Nikon D3S Review

1/7

Its truethe Nikon D3S can see in the dark. I was testing it onenight with the ISO set at H3, which is ISO 102,400. A helicopter

happened to fly overhead and all I could see were its runninglights. I grabbed a shot and when I chimped the picture, I wasable to make out the outline of the chopper and even see theoutline of the rotating blades. Okay, there was a lot of noise in thepicture, but if it were needed for surveillance purposes it wouldbe useable.

Nikon amazed everyone three years ago when it first introducedthe D3, which delivered noise-free images up to ISO 6400. Itcertainly raised the bar for clean, high ISO images shot in low-light conditions. Last fall Nikon upped the ante a few more rungswith the D3S, which promised clean images up to ISO 12,800 andan extended range all the way up to ISO 102,400.

I tend to shoot a lot of auto shows in my job, and it is certainly a

joy to be able to get good quality photographs without having touse a tripod or flash. For example, I photographed the 2010 NorthAmerican International Auto Show in Detroit with the D3S set atISO 6400 most of the time and even ISO 10,000 for a few shotsthat were really dark. It was most convenient to use the P or Tvmode, as the lighting varied enormously and setting exposuresmanually was too much of a hassle. I supplied my photos toautotrader.com in the United States andAuto Express magazinein the United Kingdom, and both art directors were happy withthe images. Im pretty sure neither realized the images were shotat such high ISO settings.

The irony inherent in the camera is that although it hasincredible ISO capabilities, it lacks a built-in flash. Occasionally,I have a need for some fill flashperhaps to light the eyes of ashow model. I shot the Los Angeles auto show without carryinga Speedlight, and some of my photos suffered without fill flash.In Detroit I attached my Speedlight SB-800 and used it about10 times in over 700 shots. In my opinion, a small pop-up flashwould be useful on a camera with high ISO for those occasionalshots where its needed.

Im sorry, but the age-old excuse that pros dont want a pop-up flash and that it compromises the integrity of a pro camerabody doesnt wash any more. Additionally, a pop-up flash can be

By John Rettie

PHOTOCOURTESYNIKON

USA

Top: From the front the new Nikon D3S looks no different from the D3. Middle:Subtle changes to the rear of the camera include a dedicated live view buttonand repositioning of other buttons. Bottom: The latest version of the venerableNikkor 70200 f/2.8 lens is well balanced to the size and weight of the D3Sbody.

PHOTOSCOPYRIGHTJOHNRETTIEEXCEPTWHERENOTED

[]

By John Rettie


2/7

used as the master controller for several external flashes without

needing an external flash or controller on the camera. I bet bothCanon and Nikon will add this feature to their top line cameras inthe future; after all, they are included on virtually all other DSLRcameras. Maybe they will develop an LED lighting system, whichwould be even better.

Aside from shooting a couple of auto shows, I was also able touse the D3S to shoot the Baja 1000 off-road race last November.Once again the high ISO capabilities provedusefulespecially in the late afternoon whenthe sun was setting. While I had the latest70200mm lens with me, I did not get to useit as much as I would have liked because I wasshooting so close to the track that I needed

a 24mm lens in order to get the whole car inthe frame. Instead I had to make do with myold 28105mm zoom. Despite its ancient, in-body screw-focusing system, it did deliver goodshots. I set the Active D-Lighting to high, whichincreased dynamic range and helped whenshooting backlit or with shadows of cactustrees falling on the cars, improving overall endresults. One of these shots is due to make thecover ofSubaru Drive Performance magazine.

Incidentally, battery life was not an issuefor the D3S. After shooting 1039 images, thebattery gauge in the menu indicated that 34%of its charge remained. It seems modern DSLRshave made battery life no longer a seriousissue.

I did not really try the video features of thecameras as much as I would have liked. Shooting video on the D3Sis pretty straightforward: You turn on live view using a new buttondedicated to it, and the SET button in the middle of the multi-function dial or the depth of field preview button starts and stopsthe video. As with other Nikons, when you press the regular shutterbutton, you get a still image and the video stops recording.

The D3S captures video in the AVI (MotionJPEG) format, which is not as efficient a codecas MPEG-4. On the other hand, it does allowone to grab JPEG still frames from video easily,and although they are only 1280 x 720 in size,the quality is acceptable for small images. Its notpossible to do this in-camera when capturingvideo on a Canon DSLR.

Still, the layout of a DSLR does not lend itself to

video shooting, as its all but impossible to hold thecamera steady without a tripod. Unlike the D300SI reviewed a few months back, I did not havethe availability of a device, such as Bruce DornsIDC Run & Gun kit, to hold the camera and viewthrough an eyepiece.

So how does the D3S compare to the D3? Ex-ternally the two cameras are all but identical. Theonly difference is the quiet shooting mode andthe addition of a dedicated Live View and Infobutton. Internally, of course, is where the changeshave been made: a new sensor that still has the

same number of pixels12.1 millionbut has the ability to

capture 720p HD video and higher ISO ratings. It still shoots at9 fps or 11 fps in crop mode. Speaking of crop mode, Nikon hasadded an additional featurea 1.2X crop format to supplementthe 5:4 and DX formats.

One other important new feature is the inclusion of an ActiveDust Removal System. When the D3 was introduced, Nikonwas criticized for the lack of this feature, which has become a

necessity. The Nikon engineers originally said it was not possibleto integrate one into a full-size (35mm) sensor. Of course it was,and theyve managed it on the D700 and now the D3S. But forsome strange reason it is turned off by default. I have not beenbothered with dust on a sensor for the past couple of years. I wassurprised when I saw what looked like a bug on images from the

Noise is almost nonexistent in this night shot captured at ISO 12800.

Even at ISO 102400, the image captured by the D3S is usable (right), while the image captured by theCanon EOS-1D Mark IV (left) exhibits a far higher level of noise.


3/7

D3S after using it for two months. It was only then, when going

through the menu, that I discovered it needed to be turned on.Why Nikon has it deactivated by default is beyond me. Also, manyother cameras notify the user when the sensor isbeing cleaned. Even when I turned on the DustRemoval function, the D3S still did not indicatewhen the sensor was being cleaned, but it didremove the dust.

The D3S has two storage slots for CF cards,which can be set to duplicate copies, save RAWon one and JPEG on the other or stills on oneand video on the other. In some ways I wish thesecond slot were designated for SD cards, asthey are becoming the new standard and manynewer laptops have SD card readers built-in,which eliminates the need for external cardreaders. (Seeing as how the D300S is set up thisway, Nikon obviously agrees.) A few months ago,I commented in my column that it would benice to be able to save smaller size JPEGs on thesecond CF card to avoid having to resize themlater in postproduction. You still cannot do thison a Nikon, but you can do it on several Canonmodels. Nonetheless, it is a feature Id like to seeincluded on future Nikons.

On the other hand, Nikon camerasincluding the D3Shave

a built in intervalometer, which I have used on several occasions.It is a feature missing on Canon cameras. (Wouldnt it be nice if

This Kia Forte Koup, shot at Homestead, was captured by Greg Jarem, a longtime Canon shooter, who recently purchased a D3S for its higher ISO capabilities andsuperb focusing. Jarem used the 300mm f/2.8 lens with the TC2 III tele-converter to get an equivalent focal length of 600mm. The image was made at 1/2500 of asecond at f/13 at ISO 2000.

All that could be seen of this helicopter as it flew overhead were the running lights. The D3Smanaged to reveal more detail than visible to the naked eye.


4/7

The high dynamic range setting on the D3S helps make a useable backlit picture of Darren Skilton racing the ATK Engines-sponsored Jeep in the 2009Baja 1000 off-road race. Photo (copyright Trackside Photo/John Rettie) captured on D3S with 28105mm lens set at 28mm, 1/640 second at f/13,ISO 1250.

ISO 1000 was the lowest ISO setting I used on the D3S, as there was plenty of light as we sailed down a canal in Miami Beach. Photo captured on D3S with28105mm lens set at 98mm, 1/1000 second at f/16, ISO 1000.


5/7

An amazing LED light display preceded the international launch of the new Audi A8 sedan in conjunction with the Ar t Miami exhibition last December.Photo captured on D3S with 28105mm lens set at 85mm, 1/320 second at f/9, ISO 12800.

Fireworks engulf the Treasure Island hotel in Las Vegas several times each night. Photo captured on D3S with 28105mm lens set at 28mm, 1/320 secondat f/9, ISO 6400.


6/7

Once the crowds have dispersed, its easy to catch a glimpse of the next Jetta in the crisp lines of a VW concept car displayed at the 2010 North AmericanInternational Auto Show in Detroit. Photo captured on D3S with 28105mm lens set at 62mm, 1/800 second at f/14, ISO 6400.

A stormy seascape at the Goleta pier, near Santa Barbara, is not the normal scene one expects in this generally colorful area of California. Photo capturedon D3S with 70200mm lens set at 102mm, 1/1999 second at f/22, ISO 1600.


7/7

we could one day get all the features we want on all cameras?!)People joked about a future camera with an ISO of 102,400 a

few years ago, but obviously Nikon engineers were hard at workon a sensor with just this sort of capability. I guess this meanswell see a camera with ISO 819,200 in a few years time! In themeantime, anyone who enjoys or needs to shoot in low-lightconditions with a handheld camera will find the D3S deliversexcellent quality images. With careful RAW processing, noise isalmost nonexistent up to ISO 25,600. Beyond that, noise doesstart creeping in, but if youve got an otherwise impossible-to-getimage, its acceptable up to ISO 51,200.

I was able to do a quick comparison with the newer CanonEOS-1D Mark IV a couple of days before I had to return theD3S. The unscientific results showed that there is little differencebetween the two cameras up to ISO 3200, but beyond that theD3S is clearly better than the Mark IV. I imagine there is at leasta one-, if not two-, stop difference, which means the noise levelon the D3S at ISO 12,800 is about the same as youll find on theMark IV at ISO 5000. Nikon clearly wins this one, which is reallyno surprise, as the Canon has a smaller sensor with more (18 vs.12) megapixels.

For many people, the lower pixel count might be considered adetriment to the D3S, but in all honesty, for most photographers

12 megapixels is enough. That can also be said for the video side ofthe equation, where the Nikon only manages to shoot HD video at720p compared to 1080p for the Mark IV.

However, from a marketing point of view these lower numbersare considered a negative, which I discovered in conversationwith potential buyers of DSLRs. I bet that Nikon will introducecameras in the future with higher resolution and capability toshoot video at 1080p.

In the meantime, if high-speed action in poor light is yourbailiwick, the D3S cannot be beat. But as I seem to end up sayingin many of my reviews, the majority of wedding and portraitphotographers will find that the D300S produces images just aswell as the D3S at normal ISO levelsand in a far better pricerange. If only the $5200 D3S were closer in price to the $1700D300S, my recommendation could be swayed in the otherdirection.

John Rettie is a photojournalist who resides in Santa Barbara, CA. Readerscan contact him by email at [email protected].

Further Information

The high ISO capabilities of the Nikon D3S make it ideal for shooting horses at a dress rehearsal for the Big Apple Circus in New York. This almost noiseless photowas captured on the D3S with 2470mm f/2.8 lens set at 48mm, 1/200 second at f/7.1, ISO 25600.

rf nikon d3s review

Documents