wghall29

Here is a link!

(Download)

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

It is included in their dynamic range charts. You can learn what you want to know from there.

ELNikkor

If you don't hold out until you can get the D850, you will wish you had...

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I had the opportunity to try a D3 which was surplus to requirements by a pro; it was his backup camera;
in actual fact it had less than 20,000 shots on it; I bought it, and have been amazed at the quality of work it produces- it might be only 12 mp, but it was /is the best machine I ever bought !

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

DrBob...I don't know what other cameras you are shooting, but I will acknowledge that any Nikon with the "professional" user interface (DX, DXXX) is going to be more pleasurable to shoot than their consumer cameras. Everything about their design and execution is better.

I also believe that there is a lot more to camera "goodness" than pixel count of the sensor, and I have learned by experience that there us usually no important difference in the output of cameras with even moderate differences in pixel count, like, for instance, the D810 (36mp) and the D850 (46mp).

Having said all that, I have kept both a D300 and a D300s as I've been able to update my equipment. The D300 is a 12mp camera that is sometimes still just right for some applications. Its JPEGs are readily emailable, and the small images are sometimes perfect for other reasons. There are times that the huge images from either a D810 or D850 are just complete overkill. (And no, the D300 is not great in low light, although it is quite a bit better than the D200 I started out with. That's why I have a D500.) But the difference between 12mp and 36 or 46mp is huge. As an example, 12mp does not provide enough resolution to produce a reasonable night sky image...it simply cannot resolve the stars sufficiently. The higher resolution is also tremendously important when using an extreme wide angle lens.

So...in today's world if I can have a camera with higher resolution and pretty similar low light performance, I'll choose the high resolution camera every time. I fully realize that there are others who do different photographic activities and for whom the D3 might suffice. There are things that I do for which it would likely do a great job, but not anything that would justify (for me) the prevailing $2000-$2500 price.

I do not have a bias against older equipment. As a ham radio operator, I love restoring and using older equipment. And my first D300 was one that had been damaged by an uninformed user trying to install an incompatible lens. The restoration cost more than the camera was worth, and that was after I had traded for it. But it wasn't about the money...it was a fun project.

So if you want to get a D3, I think that would be great. But right now you can get a new, in-the-box D850 for just a little bit more. It will do almost the same with low light and give you a lot more flexibility to do things that the D3 cannot. Just be sure of your choice.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

I shoot a D5oo and am looking for a budget low light camera. I found a d3s in excellent condition for 915 to my door with a 6 month warranty. I figure I can play cheap and keep saving for the next 2 years to get a 600f4. That's my story stickin to it. Lol lol. Thanks for the information

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I will be listing my Nikon 600mm f4 VRII later today. It it absolutely mint condition. Will include a Wimberley quick release foot, original foot, Nikon slip in Circular Polarizing filter and Realtree Max5 neoprene lens covers.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Unfortunately it's to soon. I only have a couple grand saved. Lol but I will be watching. Maybe it will be such a good deal I'll borrow money. Lol

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Congratulations. I agree that it would be foolish to pass up a deal like that. I will be interested to learn how you find that the results compare to your D500. I've found it to be better than its reputation here would seem to indicate. Sounds like you have a really good opportunity to have fun and learn a lot.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Just listed it. Take a look.
Nikon 600mm f4 G SWM VR ED IF USA Model

kymarto Loc: Portland OR and Milan Italy

I'm sure it will look great as long as you don't try to raise shadow values too much or make very large prints. I did a number of exhibitions with large (2x3 feet) prints, some taken with a 12mp camera of similar dynamic range as the D3s and the others with a Nikon D800. Both looked fine from a viewing distance of a couple of feet, but up close the difference in resolution was obvious. Also the 12mp files were much less amenable to post processing to recover shadow detail.

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Nice package at a good price. I only need an other 3300.00 and I'm there. If no one buys it here there are a couple people looking for one on Fred Miranda

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Many thanks. Bill

yssirk123 Loc: New Jersey

Dr. Bob - I've had no problems with enlarging D3S files. The attached image was increased from 5x7 to 16x24 using Topaz Gigapixel. Image files from this sensor are a pleasure to work with.

(Download)

Drbobcameraguy Loc: Eaton Ohio

Amazing photo. My d3s arrives Sunday so far via FedEx. I'm chomping at the bit. Thanks for an excellent example of a beautiful photo.