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In the field
The mayor question of this review: How does the D3X work in the field?
The D3X will be great on low iso values, but how does it completes the job on high iso values, was my major question.
The D3X is tested with these lenses:
- Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8: a Standard zoom lens with high quality for portraits
- Nikkor AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8: a Standard telezoom lens
Arsenal @ Pukemarock 2009:
Nikon D3X + Nikon AF-S 24-70 F/2,8
(@24mm – iso 800 – 1/160se – F/4)
Triggerginger @ Pukemarock 2009:
Nikon D3X + Nikon AF-S VR 70-200 F/2,8
(@116mm – iso 1250 – 1/100se – F/4)
I was really curious to see how the D3X would do the job on a concert. I took it with me to a local festival called “Pukemarock (Puurs)”. The lights are sometime far from ideal, from very weak to very bright. I shot every shot at an iso range from 800 up to 1600.
The D3X doesn’t do the job like a D3, but I was really pleased with the results. The quality of the images is very high and the grain at iso 1600 is acceptable. If I had more time, I would be pleased to test also the low lights in a studio with models.
Lenses
The D3X is a very sensitive camera that shows every fault. Faults from the photographer, but also the fault on some lenses. So if you want to buy this camera, invest in high quality glass!
Price
The introduction price is 7999 euro which could be a difficult step for many photographers these days. But many might have forgotten the introduction price of the Canon 1Ds MK III, which was exactly the same.
In the meantime, you can buy the D3X for about 6000 euro (10000 US$) – September 2009.
The D3X will be delivered in the golden box with:
- Nikon D3X body
- BS-2 shoe cover
- En-EL4a Lithium Ion battery
- MH-22 battery charger + cable
- UC-E4 USB cable
- AN-D3X strap
- Software, manual, …
Conclusion
The market price of the D3X is dropped to about 6000 euro which is still a huge amount of money but it makes it a lot more attractive. The camera is absolutely awesome; many photographers will fall in love with it. But to say that Canon 1Ds MK II & III users will change brand, isn’t clear at this moment.
I want to thank Nikon Belgium for giving me the possibility to test this camera.
Best regards,
Sven Michiels