Another non-nature specific posting I know but we also use equipment so I hope it's acceptable.
The D3 has been with us for a while now and whilst I have always been very happy with the Canon kit I use I, like most pros, am not 'brand loyal' to the point of bloody mindedness but stick with what works for me and for the job I do.
I was going to post the full story but it goes on for too long but basically I had been given the use of this camera with 1 (short zoom) lens for a week. On one particular job with a well known 'poliical' figure and a religious leader, I had to shoot at 1600asa at f/2.8 to get a useable shot and whilst on the 1D III, the images are more than acceptable (with some post processing), I took the opportunity to use Auto ISO on the D3 and produced some shots at over 2000 asa that are mind blowingly (word?) grain free.
I am convinced the AF is not as fast as that of the Canon but the high res noise (lack of) and punchy images are really impressive.
However, (there has to be a however somewhere), I am concerned at what I consider would be a backward step and that is the lack of a sensor cleaning system.
This might seem trivial to some people and generally I don't make a fuss about dust on sensors however, I have read lots (and I mean lots) of reports that the D3 attracts dust like premier league footballers attract chavs.
Now (at long last you say) - I get to my point. Is this a real problem? I read one pro sports snapper saying he was HAVING to clean after every shoot - sometimes twice a day 'cos dust was so intrusive. Frankly, I don't usually worry 'cos most dust isn't apparent until you get to f/11+ (or should that be f/11-) but every day at the sort of apertures these guys use must indicate something more than we are used to.
Any experiences guys? I have a very good opportunity to jump to Nikon (almost an offer I can't refuse) but this one thing is really bugging me (irrational I know)
I've had mine since Feb and it is used on a daily basis,all of my digital slr's get the sensors cleaned using just a hurricane blower once a week and touch wood I've not had any problems at all.
All of the images taken are viewed at 100% and I can honestly say I've not had a problem.
The recent sequence on NPN of the fox cubs were all taken in very dry dusty conditions and the camera and lens would often arrive home covered in very fine orange dust but it never found its way onto the sensor.
I think providing the usual procautions that you would take with any digital slr are taken ie keep it dust free you won't have a problem!(sounds obvious but you know what I mean!)
Barrie mine had debris on the sensor fom the word go. I put it down to just one of those things.
The only comment on this subject is that during the short time I have had mine I don think I have changed lens body combo quite so many times and as such it doesnt appear to have attracted anymore than before. However I have not examined this in fine detail.
The dust thing is of course a fact of digital life as we all know but having used the 1D III since it was launched, I have never (and this is quite genuine) cleaned the "sensors" once which is pretty amazing.
I rarely shoot less than f/8 so this probably accounts for why I don;'t see anything much but it works for me!
So much of my work is low light non-flash' these days and this was a major reason why I went to the 1D III in the first place. The results I am seeing from my own (very limited) experience and from other snappers makes this camera very tempting. As I say, this coupled with an offer I have been made to 'jump ship' as it were means I am in a dilemma I never expected to be in
I'm using the D3 now, and share our opinion on the quality and versatility of the camera. For the first time ever, I can honestly say it has changed the way I shoot. That level of ISO flexibility with negligible quality impact gives exceptional freedom.
Regarding dust, I have found it to be worse than my D200. It's not bad, and barely noticeable when shooting open, but I ave occasionally been caught out with a sudden landscape shot at small aperture, and found "what's that?!", as an unexpected boulder needs cleaned out of the scene. A weekly blast from a rocket blower keeps things in order. IMO it's an oversight by Nikon, but a small price to pay to use such a wonderful camera.
The self cleaning 1D II has softened me up I suppose although it's probably just that I can't see it (I've always wondered what those numbers f/11,16 and 22 meant ).
All I need to find out now is what are the 'good' Nikon lenses (i.e. those that equate to the Canon ones I use.
The 300 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 are pretty obvious but what about substitutions for the 16-35, 24-105 etc - any suggestions anybody?
Well the direct options would be the 17-35 or 14-24 the 24-105 has no direct replacement, though the 28-105 is a good lens with macro ability too but no IS. DO NOT go for the 24-120 VR its rubbish.
Discussion
6 repliesThe D3 has been with us for a while now and whilst I have always been very happy with the Canon kit I use I, like most pros, am not 'brand loyal' to the point of bloody mindedness but stick with what works for me and for the job I do.
I was going to post the full story but it goes on for too long but basically I had been given the use of this camera with 1 (short zoom) lens for a week. On one particular job with a well known 'poliical' figure and a religious leader, I had to shoot at 1600asa at f/2.8 to get a useable shot and whilst on the 1D III, the images are more than acceptable (with some post processing), I took the opportunity to use Auto ISO on the D3 and produced some shots at over 2000 asa that are mind blowingly (word?) grain free.
I am convinced the AF is not as fast as that of the Canon but the high res noise (lack of) and punchy images are really impressive.
However, (there has to be a however somewhere), I am concerned at what I consider would be a backward step and that is the lack of a sensor cleaning system.
This might seem trivial to some people and generally I don't make a fuss about dust on sensors however, I have read lots (and I mean lots) of reports that the D3 attracts dust like premier league footballers attract chavs.
Now (at long last you say) - I get to my point. Is this a real problem? I read one pro sports snapper saying he was HAVING to clean after every shoot - sometimes twice a day 'cos dust was so intrusive. Frankly, I don't usually worry 'cos most dust isn't apparent until you get to f/11+ (or should that be f/11-) but every day at the sort of apertures these guys use must indicate something more than we are used to.
Any experiences guys? I have a very good opportunity to jump to Nikon (almost an offer I can't refuse) but this one thing is really bugging me (irrational I know)
Thanks guys
Barrie
I've had mine since Feb and it is used on a daily basis,all of my digital slr's get the sensors cleaned using just a hurricane blower once a week and touch wood I've not had any problems at all.
All of the images taken are viewed at 100% and I can honestly say I've not had a problem.
The recent sequence on NPN of the fox cubs were all taken in very dry dusty conditions and the camera and lens would often arrive home covered in very fine orange dust but it never found its way onto the sensor.
I think providing the usual procautions that you would take with any digital slr are taken ie keep it dust free you won't have a problem!(sounds obvious but you know what I mean!)
Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk
The only comment on this subject is that during the short time I have had mine I don think I have changed lens body combo quite so many times and as such it doesnt appear to have attracted anymore than before. However I have not examined this in fine detail.
Major.
The dust thing is of course a fact of digital life as we all know but having used the 1D III since it was launched, I have never (and this is quite genuine) cleaned the "sensors" once which is pretty amazing.
I rarely shoot less than f/8 so this probably accounts for why I don;'t see anything much but it works for me!
So much of my work is low light non-flash' these days and this was a major reason why I went to the 1D III in the first place. The results I am seeing from my own (very limited) experience and from other snappers makes this camera very tempting. As I say, this coupled with an offer I have been made to 'jump ship' as it were means I am in a dilemma I never expected to be in
Thanks again
Barrie
Regarding dust, I have found it to be worse than my D200. It's not bad, and barely noticeable when shooting open, but I ave occasionally been caught out with a sudden landscape shot at small aperture, and found "what's that?!", as an unexpected boulder needs cleaned out of the scene. A weekly blast from a rocket blower keeps things in order. IMO it's an oversight by Nikon, but a small price to pay to use such a wonderful camera.
The self cleaning 1D II has softened me up I suppose although it's probably just that I can't see it (I've always wondered what those numbers f/11,16 and 22 meant
All I need to find out now is what are the 'good' Nikon lenses (i.e. those that equate to the Canon ones I use.
The 300 f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8 are pretty obvious but what about substitutions for the 16-35, 24-105 etc - any suggestions anybody?
Barrie