The Nikon D3S, boasting an extended ISO range up to 102,400, was announced on October 14 (see news story here) . We got our hands on a preproduction model of the camera and the opportunity to shoot in a dramatic setting: a dress rehearsal for New York's Big Apple Circus. Below are a dozen sample images, followed by three video clips. Clicking on each of the stills will bring up the original full-size JPEGs in a separate window.
Grandma
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/10
Shutter: 1/400
ISO: 3200
Shot with a 24-70mm lens, in program mode, with spot metering
Bello
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/6.3
Shutter: 1/160
ISO: 3200
Shot with a 24-70mm lens, in program mode, with spot metering
Horse
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/250
ISO: Hi 1 (25,600)
Shot with a 24-70mm lens, in program mode, with spot metering
Balance
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/10
Shutter: 1/40
ISO: Hi 1 (25,600)
Shot with a 24-70mm lens, in program mode, with spot metering and dynamic autofocus
Ping Pong
Focal length: 200mm
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter: 1/500
ISO: 6400
Shot with a 70-200mm VR lens, in program mode, with center-weighted metering and -2/3 stop exposure compensation
Dog
Focal length: 150mm
Aperture: f/5.6
Shutter: 1/800
ISO: 12800
Shot with a 70-200mm-70mm VR lens, in program mode, with matrix metering, dynamic autofocus and -2/3 stop exposure compensation
Stage
Focal length: 52mm
Aperture: f/8
Shutter: 1/250
ISO: Hi 3 (102,400)
Shot with a 24-70mm lens, in program mode, with matrix metering and auto area autofocus
Dial
Focal length: 62mm
Aperture: f/4
Shutter: 1/60
ISO: Hi 3 (102,400)
Shot with a 24-70mm lens, in program mode, with matrix metering and single-area autofocus
Horses
Focal length: 66mm
Aperture: f/7.1
Shutter: 1/200
ISO: Hi 1 (25,600)
Shot with a 24-70mm lens with spot metering and single-area autofocus
Ringmasters
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/10
Shutter: 1/40
ISO: Hi 1 (25,600)
Shot with a 70-200mm VR lens with center-weighted metering and dynamic autofocus
Wheel
Focal length: 70mm
Aperture: f/11
Shutter: 1/500
ISO: Hi 2 (51,200)
Shot with a 24-70mm lens with matrix metering and -2/3 stop exposure compensation
Balloon
Focal length: 200mm
Aperture: f/4.5
Shutter: 1/500
ISO: 6400
Shot with a 70-200mm-70mm lens with center-weighted metering, dynamic autofocus and -2/3 stop exposure compensation
Finally, here are three video clips taken during the performance, all shot at 720p, 24fps.