Nikon D3s
Just recently Nikon announced the release of the new Nikon D3s, their new flagship model for professional photographers.
I am not sure when it will be released the the public yet, but I was fortunate enough to get a pre-production model from Nikon Australia for evaluation purposes.
This last weekend I put the camera through it's paces at 2 weddings and I want to share some of the High ISO images here.
This is not a scientific test, I just tested the camera in real situations and how I would shoot normally.
Typically wedding receptions and churches offer the most tricky lighting situations due to a mixture of low light levels and various light sources such as halogens, tungsten and fluros.
Ideally in such situations I like to shoot using the available light rather than the flash, however in many cases the available light is just not enough to produce a decent image without nasty grain and chroma noise.
So what I was looking for in the new Nikon D3s was
a) the ability to focus accurately and quickly in low light
b) produce a clean image with acceptable grain
c) minimum of chroma noise (chroma noise is like multicoloured pixels)
Sample images
I always shoot in RAW format, but in this case the RAW converter is not yet available. So I shot both RAW and JPEG using the D3s dual slots.
The images below are captured in JPEG and SOC (straight out of camera). In other words I haven't done any post processing, sharpening, colour balancing etc to make it look pretty.
All the images below are shot the way I normally shoot i.e. wide open, 1/60s, auto whitebalance, handheld, spot metered, in camera noise reduction was switched off.
Again, please keep in mind that this is a pre-production model. The guys in Japan are probably still busy with firmware updates and tweaks for the final release.
Image below at a reception shot at 12800 ISO f2.8, 1/60 with the 70-200 (not the new one!)
and here is a 100% crop of the same image
Below is a typical shot of the speeches. Shot at 10000ISO f2.8 1/60 with the 70-200
and again the mandatory 100% crop for the pixel peepers.
and same speaker at 12800 ISO.
and crop
Churches have all kinds of nasty light temperatures mixed together. Here is a typical processional shot.
Shot at 12800ISO, f2.8, 1/60 and 24-70
Amelia walking down the aisle at 11400ISO f2.8 1/60 and 24-70
D3 vs D3s
Last night I suddenly realized I hand't done any direct ISO comparisons between my D3 and the D3s.
My son had just gone to sleep and I wasn't too happy to pose for me :-)
D3 at 6400 ISO, f2.8 1/60 and 24-70
D3s at 6400 ISO
The D3s is definitely able to resolve more fine detail at 6400 ISO. You can see more detail in the eyebrows and eyelashes. (at least on my screen)
Some people say the D3s is 2 stops better than the D3. I don't know how to measure that, but I can tell that it is better.
my views ...
Well the good news is that the D3s has all the yummy goodness of the D3 plus a few cool new features and a better sensor.
I like the fact that it has a sensor cleaner. The current D3 is a dust magnet so that feature will come in handy.
The quiet mode is not bad either. It takes a bit to get used to it but it works ok.
The Movie function is a whole different story. I like it a lot but I am definitely not qualified to make any judgement other than that. Initially I found it tricky to switch between movie mode and then quickly back to still, but by the second day I worked it out and was able to switch quickly without thinking too much about it. Focusing during filming works using the AF-ON button, but again this takes quite a bit of practice and getting used to. What I figured out is that for movies you don't need the same level of sharpness as you would with a still.
When I heard that Nikon used a new sensor for the D3s I asked myself why, the current sensor is great. Fortunately Nikon didn't stuff it up and instead improved it. My AutoISO setting which I set to max out at 6400 ISO can now be set to 12800 ISO. (well when I get my own D3s)
I don't necessary advocate shooting at 12800 ISO just cause you can. When the light levels are that low the actual quality of the light needs to be considered too. I found in some situations the light was just too muddy to be flattering. So pop on the speedlight if necessary.
Overall a great camera, it's perfect for what I do.
BTW, I am not sponsored by Nikon, and the camera was lent to me just for the weekend.
on the job with the D3s and 24-70 attached
