Digital SLR Blog

The latest news, info and tips for Digital SLRs, for consumers and pros.

Buffer Memory Expansion for Nikon D3

added on 2008-08-04 05:16:00
by Tanya Palta

Nikon is offering their customers a memory expansion buffer for the Nikon D3 DSLR. The buffer memory expansion increases the number of shots in a single burst of continuous shooting. Requests for Buffer Memory Expansion service will be accepted beginning July 30, 2008 and the service costs around $500.00. To submit your D3 for this enhancement, please view this link http://form.nikonimagesvcapprove.com and fill in the attached service document and for more info head over here.

Tags: Nikon, DSLR, D3, Nikon D3, updates

Firmware Update for Nikon D3

added on 2008-07-03 03:03:00
by Tanya Palta

Firmware version 2.00 for the Nikon D3 DSLR is now available for download. The update fixes a number of bugs and enhances overall improvements.

Windows users can download from here:
Mac users can download it from here:

Corrections:
# Images captured with "Rotate tall", in the playback menu, set to "On", are not automatically rotated for display immediately after capture (image review).
# The following changes and additions have been made to "f4: Assign FUNC.Button > FUNC. Button + dials" ; "f5: Assign preview button > Preview + command dials", and "f6: Assign AE-L / AF-L button > AE-L / AF-L + command dials" menus in Custom Settings:

* The "Choose image area" option has been separated into two options, "Choose image area (FX / DX / 5:4)" and "Choose image area (FX / DX)"
* A new "Shooting menu bank" option has been added.

# When "Choose image area (FX / DX / 5:4)" or "Choose image area (FX/DX)" is selected and the function button (Fn) is pressed, the image area setting is displayed in the top control panel, in the shooting information display, and at the bottom of the viewfinder.
# A "Copyright information" item has been added to the setup menu. When "Copyright information" is enabled, the copyright symbol ( © ) is shown in the shooting info display.
# "Recent settings" can now be displayed in place of "My Menu".
# The virtual horizon can now be displayed with shooting in LiveView mode.
# The "Vignette control" setting can now be confirmed in shooting information.
# The "Vignette control" item in the shooting menu now supports all types of G- and D-type lenses, except DX and PC lenses.
# The "Vignette control" compensation value has been optimized for shooting with "Active D-Lighting" the shooting menu.

Tags: Nikon, DSLR, D3, Nikon D3, updates, firmware

Nikon D3 Firmware Update

added on 2008-04-28 06:57:00
by Tanya Palta

After the last Nikon D3 firmware fiasco, Nikon is not taking any chances and has finally released a new firmware update for the D3. As expected the new update fixes the photo corruption problem, which was experienced by a number of Nikon users.

The following improvements have been made in version 1.10.
- A Vignette control item has been added to the shooting menu. For information regarding supported lenses, see the supplemental manual.
- A Focus point brightness item has been added to the a6: Focus point illumination setting in the Autofocus category of Custom Settings.
- The Highlights playback display option has been moved from Display mode>Basic photo info>Highlights in the playback menu to Display mode>Detailed photo info>Highlights.
- When shutter speed and/or aperture are locked with shooting in live view mode, using the “L” (command lock) button, an “L” icon is now displayed in the camera monitor.
- The size and color of “Demo” displayed in the monitor with playback, when No memory card? in the Custom Settings is set to Enable release, have been modified.
- The range of settings available for ISO sensitivity settings>ISO sensitivity auto control>Minimum shutter speed in the shooting menu has been increased from 1/250–1 s to 1/4000–1 s.
- When a compatible Speedlight or Wireless Speedlight Commander is used, the AF assist illuminator now lights regardless of the focal length.
- When shooting in hand-held live view mode and the frame is magnified prior to autofocusing, operation has been modified so that display returns to the magnified display rather than full-frame display.
- In some rare cases, the image area visible through the viewfinder and the image area actually recorded differed when Image area>Choose image area in the shooting menu was set to DX format (24x16). This issue has been resolved.

To download D3 Firmware:
D3 Firmware A ver 1.10 ; B ver 1.11 - Windows

D3 Firmware A ver 1.10 ; B ver 1.11 - Macintosh

Tags: Nikon, DSLR, D3, Nikon D3, updates, firmware

Firmware Update for Nikon D3 DSLR

added on 2008-04-16 05:45:00
by Tanya Palta

Nikon D3 users be prepared to hit the download button as Nikon has released a new firmware update for its flagship dSLR. The release updates both the A and B firmware with two binary files.

Features, Fixes

Modifications Enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware from ver. 1.00 to ver.1.10:

• A Vignette Control item has been added to the Shooting Menu. For information regarding supported lenses, see the supplemental manual.

• A Focus Point Brightness item has been added to the a6: Focus point illumination setting in the Autofocus category of Custom Settings.

• The Highlights playback display option has been moved from Display mode > Basic photo info > Highlights in the playback menu to Display mode > Detailed photo info > Highlights.

• When shutter speed and/or aperture are locked with shooting in live view mode, using the "L" (command lock) button, an "L" icon is now displayed in the camera monitor.

• The size and color of Demo displayed in the monitor with playback, when No memory card? in the Custom Settings is set to Enable release, have been modified.

• The range of settings available for ISO sensitivity settings > ISO sensitivity auto control > Minimum shutter speed in the shooting menu has been increased from 1/250 to one second to 1/4000 to one second.

• When a compatible Speedlight or Wireless Speedlight Commander is used, the AF assist illuminator now lights regardless of the focal length.

• When shooting in hand-held live view mode and the frame is magnified prior to autofocusing, operation has been modified so that display returns to the magnified display rather than full-frame display.

• In some rare cases, the image area visible through the viewfinder and the image area actually recorded differed when Image area > Choose image area in the shooting menu was set to DX format (24x16). This issue has been resolved.

• In some rare cases, white balance was not accurately calculated for images captured at a shutter speed of around 1/4 s in P and A exposure modes. This issue has been resolved.

• When attempting to crop images at an aspect ratio of 4:3 using the Trim option in the retouch menu, the cropped image did not have an accurate 4:3 aspect ratio. This issue has been resolved.

Downloads

• D3 v1.1.0 firmware for Mac

• D3 v1.1.0 firmware for Windows

Tags: Nikon D3, Nikon, DSLR, Updates, Firmware

Photo Net Reviews Nikon D3

added on 2008-03-19 04:08:00
by Tanya Palta

A new review of the Nikon D3 had been put up on the website Photo.net which makes an interesting read. Reviewer Shun Cheung compares the DSLR with rivals like Canon EOS 5D, 1D Mark III and 1Ds Mark III and feels that the D3 can hold on its own.

The Nikon D3 is the first Nikon DSLR to have the full-35mm-frame FX-sensor and hence is optimized for sports, news, and wedding photography. The results at ISO6400 were quite acceptable and the camera is fully compatible with almost all F mount lenses, both manual focus and auto focus.

Cheung in the end concludes:

“At the same time Nikon introduced the D3, they also announced the Nikon D300, $1700 (review), which is a DX-sensor DSLR to demonstrate that Nikon will continue to support both formats. The D300 shares the same AF module as the D3 but is a step behind as far as ruggedness and high-ISO performance. However, at about one-third of the cost of a D3, the D300 is very much a viable alternative and provides better value for the money. In particular, for those long-lens users who prefer more reach, the D300's DX format is a plus.”

Tags: Nikon D3, Nikon, DSLR, Reviews

Digital Camera Review on Nikon D3

added on 2008-02-28 11:14:00
by Tanya Palta

Digital Camera Review has done an in-depth analysis of the Nikon D3 and highly recommends this pro-dSLR. The Nikon D3 has a "full frame" 12.1 megapixel sensor which means its almost identical to a 35mm film.

The D3 makes a perfect companion to sports photographers and photojournalists thanks to its ultra high-speed shooting capabilities. Another advantage of the D3 is that it handles higher ISOs brilliantly and there is hardly any image noise in high ISO modes.

The reviewer concluded by saying:
“Designed for sports and photojournalism, I'd suspect the D3 might find an additional following among wedding photographers who prefer to shoot in natural light. The camera's big sensor results in the lack of a crop factor for lenses, so users who can't get close to their subjects may well do better with a DX Nikon that maximizes lens length. Otherwise, the D3 is simply a state of the art, high-performance pro camera, and few of us who've been fortunate enough to get our hands on one would argue that it isn't worth every penny of that lofty price tag.”

Tags: Nikon D3, Nikon, DSLR, Reviews

Sigma Offers Free Upgrade to Nikon D3 Users

added on 2008-01-23 05:52:00
by Tanya Palta

Sigma is now offering a free upgrade to Nikon D3 owners using Sigma’s Nikon fitting lenses that don’t support the Auto DX crop” function.

Upgrade will be required for the following problems:
1. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM or 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens is attached, the image area format will not change to DX format automatically.
2. When the Nikon D3 is in Auto DX crop function and the APO 300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM or APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM lens is attached, the image area format will be changed to DX format, even if the image area format is set to FX format or 5:4.

For further information, please contact you’re nearest authorized Sigma Service Station.
http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/english/network/index.htm

Tags: Sigma Lenses, Lens, Nikon, Nikon D3

Digital Outback Photo Reviews Nikon D3

added on 2008-01-14 18:47:00
by Tanya Palta

Digital Outback Photo took the Nikon D3 for a test drive and calls the camera “solid” and “extremely responsive”. Image quality was excellent and the camera doesn’t disappoint event at higher ISOs. DOP did have some minor gripes, which included the inability to activate a grid in the viewfinder like with the D300.

Tags: Nikon D3, Nikon, DSLR, Reviews

D3 and D300 Firmware Released by Nikon

added on 2007-12-02 04:00:00
by Tanya Palta

Nikon has released new firmware updates for its D3 and D300 digital SLR cameras. The latest updates now include three optional Picture Controls, one for each of the three D2X/D2XS Color mode settings. Via the Picture Control option, color reproduction of images captured with the D2X and D2XS is possible.

D300 Update

D2X Update

Tags: Nikon, D3, D300, Nikon D3, Nikon D300, firmware, update

Nikon D3 DSLR Unleashed

added on 2007-11-27 12:00:00
by Tanya Palta

Nikon’s flagship DSLR is an object of desire for hard-core photography nuts (present company included). Nikon believes that the D3 bridges the gap between the prosumer and the consumer unfortunately not all of us can afford a $5,000 camera.

So what has Nikon included on the D3 to justify its rather exorbitant price? Well there is a 12.1 megapixel sensor that measures a sizeable 36 by 23.9 mm, a scene recognition system and a fully manual mode. For more details head over to the D3 product page

Tags: Nikon, D3, Nikon D3

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