Comments on: Why the Nikon D3 Sucks (and What the D4 Oughta Be)

By: Ata

Ata — Thu, 26 May 2011 07:41:00 +0000

Hi there. I’ve had the same issue with that AE-L button. I was out shooting wildlife in Namibia in harsh-ish sunlight recently (where I felt almost obliged to use spot and AE-L) and pure desperation got me to thinking – AF-on only focus coupled with AE-L lock on the shutter release is really all you need for such situations. Perhaps you could use the same settings? You’re stuck with “focus-recompose” of course, unless you’re up for the 3D-tracking…

By: Tank

Tank — Mon, 23 May 2011 17:08:00 +0000

Maybe you should buy a Canon.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 12:34:00 +0000

I haven’t seen it posted in the comments, but as a D3 owner who’s used the D3s for film and stills, I’m hoping bigtime for 1080/60p and 720/120p (considering Canon already does 720/60p. I’ve been considering Red’s EPIC which does 5k 120p RAW stream, WAY WAY beyond what I’m asking for. However, when you have the correct shutter angle at 24p, you’re using 1/50 which isn’t really ideal at grabbing images out of the film that are tack sharp given any sort of movement.

I want an AF illuminator similar to what you see on the SB900…. a pattern projected onto my subjects. I do weddings where the light is so low the D3 has trouble finding focus… Yeah, that’s really low light.

I want an internal wireless transmitter that will trigger pocketwizards and flashpoppers. The latter can actually send TTL to the flash wirelessly.

Somehow, they have to figure out how to get phase detection focus to work with the mirror up so you can track subjects in film mode…. or use some sort of stereo setup for realtime 3D focus tracking.

Mirror up switch so you aren’t eating the battery holding the mirror up for filming.

Yes yes yes on 12MP if it means they can increase ISO performance. Then again, check out the Red Epic.

Again with the Red Epic, they’re showing 18 stops of dynamic range. That blows away the range of the D3 by a HUGE margin. Last I remember, the D3 is around 11-12? More dynamic range, Nikon…. or, maybe just buy Red’s Mysterium-X system and toss it in your body. I don’t care if the D4 with these features costs $10-$20k. I’m that serious about technology!

By: Joey Baker

Joey Baker — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:01:00 +0000

Please try to keep things civil.

Moaning has nothing to do with it. I posted this nearly two years ago as my wishlist of any feature I’d like to see in the D4. Among the things I think Nikon could do is add a bigger ISO button – since I use that button all the time.

Facial recognition would also be fantastic – as an option. Your D3 has the option to do time-lapse, and bulb mode. No one forces you to use it, but it is nice to have.

In the same vein, I think that the vertical grip could be improved. It works right now but it’s not as comfortable as it could be.

Thanks for the comment!

By: Daveteauk

Daveteauk — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:16:00 +0000

OPEN THE BACK??? You don’t even know where the sensor is.

By: Daveteauk

Daveteauk — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 00:12:00 +0000

Makesense is mostly right. Small ISO button? Stop moaning. Face recognition – I can recognise the face ‘I’ want myself thank you. Vertical grip is fine. 15MP should be perfect with a clean ISO image at 12500. In camera VR is a DUMB idea – just more moaning for moanings sake. DEFINITELY in built i-TTL transmitter. One more of my own – more robust paint: mine’s worn through on the left side by having it on my shoulder, and it’s only got c10k images on it! Can’t wait for it (the D4) though – wanna buy a low mileage D3?

By: Makesense

Makesense — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:32:20 +0000

Some interesting points in your post.
Re: OK button, the centre button on my D3 operates exactly as the OK button, it just doesn't have OK written in the middle.
Re: Small ISO button. I completely disagree with your view. Did you actually check whether the top LCD and viewfinder displayed the ISO setting? I have RRS L-Bracket fitted to my D3 and have no problem locating the ISO button.
Re: i-TTL. I half agree with your point here. Certainly NO to pop-up flash, but Nikon should be improving i-TTL towards RF and increase the range from camera to speedlight.
Re: GPS. YES, Yes & yes!
Re: Face recognition. If included 99.99% of real pro photographers would turn it OFF! Can you imagine journalists with 100's of people in front of them and the camera is going to decide which person gets focussed. Just think this through!
Re: Verticle grip. The multi-selector could be a little closer for moving the focus point, otherwise the grip is fine. What about a control to switch between L&P format and include 16:9 format similar to Leica.
Re: Previews. Why did you think you were looking at anything other than a jpg. This is a very well documented fact.
Re: Megapixels. Upto 15 max. Leave the point&shoot brigade (canon) to play with themselves on this. The higher the MP the higher lens quality required. Our team have achieved this, while the P&S brigade in principle have, but can't get their cameras to focus to prove it!
Re: ISO. Continued refinement required. The numbers represent the 'in-spec' range of the camera, low and high boost settings are clearly delimited and the maths is dead easy!
Re: Menu system. If you try the canon menu system, you'll never have a problem with Nikon menu system again.
Re: In camera VR. Clearly you've yet to master the physics of optical design. When you do, you'll understand why you wouldn't put VR in the body. C&N have this right.

By: Rogerooo

Rogerooo — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 11:44:19 +0000

show us how good a photographer u re before we listen

By: Antonio VI

Antonio VI — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 05:47:39 +0000

nice review…. never thought seen this side of the d3x… well im saving my money then for something that would be worht buying with the things that should be well considered… hey what do you think about the d300/s???

By: PhotoExtremist

PhotoExtremist — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 12:49:23 +0000

Very well written post you have here. I agree with you on most things except the megapixel part and excluding the pop-up flash. And the movie mode has lots of room for improvement before it should legitimately be added to the D4.

Camera companies and consumers seem to be more interested in the physical design of the camera rather than what functionality it has to offer. I wrote a post on why I am disappointed with the D300s/D3 as well, you may want to give it a read and tell me what you think:

http://photoextremist.com/2009/11/4-reasons-why...

I am going to rewrite it again, but only in a shorter list but with more detailed descriptions, just like you did with your article here.

Thanks, CYA!
Evan