What kind of camera do you usually use?
The latest cameras are compact and lightweight, yet equipped with excellent autofocus functions, high-sensitivity shooting, image quality correction, and video recording functions, making them very attractive products.
Mirrorless cameras have also become widely accepted.
I once owned the Canon EOS5D Mark II, which was a landmark camera of its time, and more recently the Sony α7 II.
↓You can see the article from that time here:
By the way, how many people are enjoying using a camera with manual focus? I think there are quite a few people who enjoy taking photos by attaching old lenses to full-size sensor cameras. I am one of them.
However,It is also true that many of today's digital single-lens cameras have unsatisfactory viewfinder performance.
I'm not denying the value of autofocus, but I think that viewfinder performance, in other words how easy it is to see the focus point, is important for people who care about that.
Therefore, this time I would like to review the appeal of the Nikon D3, an inexpensive digital SLR camera with sufficient performance that can still be used today.
- Camera Selection:Many users enjoy MF.
- Viewfinder performanceWhen shooting manual focus, it is important to have a viewfinder that makes it easy to see the focus peak.
- The appeal of flagship models: The flagship model has a high-quality viewfinder.
- Features of the Nikon D3: Since it's a flagship model from about 16 years ago, it's available at an affordable price.
- Viewfinder quality:The Nikon D3 makes the focus peak very easy to see.
- Autofocus performance: It has 51 AF points, making it suitable for shooting moving subjects.
- Shutter feeling: The shutter response is fast and there is little mirror shock.
- Continuous shooting performance: With a continuous shooting speed of approximately 9 frames per second, it is suitable for shooting moving subjects.
- Number of pixels: 1210 megapixels, can also accommodate A3 size prints.
- ISO sensitivityStandard sensitivity is up to ISO 6400, allowing high-sensitivity shooting.
- OwnershipThe magnesium alloy body is robust and dustproof/waterproof.
- battery life: The battery lasts a long time, allowing for long periods of shooting.
- Shutter speed: Supports shutter speeds up to 1/8000 seconds.
- Comparison with Nikon D700: The D700 is lighter and more compact, but there are differences in performance.
- Nikon D3s OptionsThe D3s is the successor to the D3 and is even more powerful, but the used price is higher.
- Example:The article includes examples of high-sensitivity photography.
- Reviews: User reviews of X from various perspectives
- General comment:The Nikon D3 is still a camera with sufficient performance as of 2023.
I want a camera that makes it easy to see the peaks in focus.
The original motivation was that I had a full-frame camera I previously owned, an EOS 5D Mark II, and I had a Carl Zeiss Planar 50mm f1.4 lens attached to it, and I was using manual focus.It all started with the viewfinder focus peak being extremely hard to see, making it hopelessly difficult to focus in areas with a shallow depth of field.
As someone who normally enjoys taking snapshots using manual focus, I was constantly wondering if there was anything I could do about this.
So I bought Sony's digital single-lens mirrorless camera, the α7 II, and when I tried it out at an electronics store I thought the viewfinder was pretty good and the focus peak was easy to see. However, after actually buying it and using it a lot, I found that it was still difficult to see the focus peak in the viewfinder.
I let it go, feeling bitter about what I had felt at the electronics store.
Easy to see the focal peak = Flagship camera
Without a digital SLR, I enjoyed taking photos for a while with Nikon's F3 film camera.
As expected from Nikon's flagship camera, the clarity of the focus peak in the viewfinder is exceptional.
I pressed the shutter, thinking that this is the fun of photography.
As I was thinking about this, I suddenly realized, "Even with a digital SLR, wouldn't it be easier to see the focus peak on a Nikon flagship camera?"
Whether it's a film camera or a digital SLR camera, any manufacturerI hear that flagship cameras generally have well-designed viewfinders that make it very easy to see the focus peak.
Until now, I had never even considered the idea of buying a flagship camera, so I immediately decided to look into Nikon's flagship digital SLR cameras.
My encounter with the Nikon D3, a camera I can still use
During my research, I came across a certain digital SLR camera.
That camera was the Nikon D3.
This was Nikon's flagship digital SLR camera when it was released about 16 to 17 years ago.
Now that I think about it, I remember actually handling the newly released Nikon D3 at a store in Ginza and falling in love with its viewfinder performance.
Its incredibly high sensitivity performance attracted a lot of attention even before its release, and I remember it being a very attractive camera.
As of 2023, the market price for a used one is around 2 to 4 yen.
I never thought I'd be able to buy a camera that was so out of my reach back then at such a low price...
The passage of time is a frightening thing.
In other words, the high-performance cameras currently on sale will eventually become obsolete, and the time will come when cameras that cost hundreds of thousands of yen will be traded second-hand for a few tens of thousands of yen.
(Lens prices aren't going down that quickly though...)
So, I came to the conclusion that even if I bought the latest camera, it wouldn't necessarily have a good resale value, so I'd change my angle and buy a high-performance camera from the past that was just sufficient and enjoy it.
So I took action right away and purchased a used Nikon D3 from Amazon. After using it, I realized that the camera's performance is still as good as ever.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: its high-quality viewfinder
The Nikon D3 I got was in very good condition with 2 shutter releases, so it was a great deal.
And the viewfinder performance is much more than we'd hoped for - it's extremely easy to see the focus peak!
Even in areas with a shallow depth of field, the subject is kept in focus.
It seems that the fact that the viewfinders of flagship cameras are well-made is also true for digital SLR cameras. All the worries I had with the EOS 5D Mark II and α7 II were blown away like a lie.
In addition, Because it is a full-size sensor, the viewfinder has a 100% field of view and is extremely wide.*Finder magnification is 0.7x.
This alone is a big attraction and I'm glad I bought it.
Of course, even with autofocus, you can see the mountain clearly when the focus is right, which gives you a sense of security.
What's even better about this viewfinder is thatThis means that even if you wear glasses there is not much vignetting in the viewfinder.I usually use both glasses and contact lenses, but this viewfinder has little vignetting even when wearing glasses, so I can take pictures more often, and this small feature is one of the great attractions of this camera.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: AF performance with sufficient coverage
The autofocus performance of the Nikon D3 isA 51-point focus area is covered, with the central 15 being highly accurate cross-type sensors.
I sometimes use Sigma's telephoto lens to photograph moving subjects, and unless I'm chasing small animals, this focus area is sufficient.
I feel that it boasts speed and accuracy that is comparable to modern machines.
The latest models have so many focus points packed in that they almost cover the viewfinder, but the more accurate parts are mostly in the center, so I don't think there is as much difference in quality as you would expect, even with focus points on the D3.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: Sharp shutter performance
When taking a photograph, the shutter feeling is surprisingly important.
I had the opportunity to compare the shutter feeling with the Nikon D3, which is essentially a sibling model of the D700.The D3 has a quick response from when you press the shutter to when it goes off, and there is almost no mirror shock.The shutter is so sharp it's like a razor, and pressing the release button is just a joy.
The shutter sound is truly Nikon-like, and has a charm that makes you want to take pictures over and over again.
This kind of attention to detail is something you'd only expect from a flagship product, and it's a special feeling that can only be experienced with the single-digit D series.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: Still one of the best continuous shooting performances today
Although I find the joy of photography in manual focus, I also use autofocus occasionally.
I mainly use it to photograph moving objects such as cars and motorcycles. To capture subjects that are constantly moving, the shutter's continuous shooting performance is also an important feature.
The Nikon D3's continuous shooting performance isContinuous shooting speed of approximately 9 frames per secondHowever, I have found that the continuous shooting performance is perfectly usable and problem-free. The Nikon F6 in the film era was capable of 8 frames per second, so I think this is more than enough.
By the way, although I said 9 frames per second, in reality there is also the issue of buffer capacity, and continuous shooting can only be sustained up to 14 consecutive frames in 16-bit RAW.
*When the product was first released, there was a lot of dissatisfaction with the number of discs, so the manufacturer went to work to increase the buffer.
In addition, switching to continuous shooting mode can be done quickly with just one dial on the left shoulder of the battleship section, which is very convenient.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: just the right number of pixels
The Nikon D3 has a pixel count of 1210 megapixels.
This is exactly the same number of pixels as the iPhone 14's camera.
Although it has fewer pixels compared to modern digital SLR cameras, the sensor has more room for pixel pitch, which contributes to high sensitivity characteristics and improved dynamic range.
In the first place, this number of pixels is just right for manipulating file data, and the data volume per photo is small, which also contributes to reducing the burden on storage.With 1210 million pixels, it can easily handle enlargement to about A3 size, so I think it will be perfectly usable even in active use.
For L-size prints, you'll need around 150 million pixels, and for viewing on a 4K monitor, you'll need around 830 million pixels, so it's best to choose the pixel count of your camera based on what your purpose in taking photos is.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: adequate ISO sensitivity
When it was first released, it had a truly shocking ISO sensitivity of 25600. The manufacturer also stated that it could be used normally up to a maximum sensitivity of 6400, which was an astounding performance.In actual everyday use, it's completely noiseless up to ISO 3200, at 6400 there's a little graininess in the dark areas but it's still usable without any issues, and at 10000 noise does appear but it's still tolerable in some cases.This tolerance is left to personal taste.
If you think back to the days of film cameras, the highest sensitivity performance of film was 6400, so you can see just how amazing the ISO sensitivity of the D3 is. It's a great evolution considering that up until recently, the usable ISO sensitivity of digital cameras from each company was around 800, or at best 1600.
By the way, I wrote about ISO sensitivity in the article about the α7 II, but it was not originally an area I placed much importance on.However, recently, my partner and I have become interested in "camping," a shared hobby. Night photography has become a necessity, and we have begun to place importance on ISO sensitivity performance.
Come to think of it, the EOS 5D Mark II and α6400 II also had normal sensitivity of XNUMX, so they should have the same specs. However, I got rid of them, so I have no way to compare which one is better...
However,The D3 has 1210 megapixels, the 5D Mark II has 2110 megapixels, and the α7 II has 2430 megapixels.Therefore, I think the D3, which has a larger pixel pitch on its sensor, has an advantage.
One thing I can say is that the D3's sensitivity tolerance feels extremely good in reality.
ISO sensitivity performance is no longer uncommon these days, but it is still attractive to be able to purchase a camera with this performance at an affordable price.
The appeal of the Nikon D3: an overwhelming presence that satisfies the desire to own it
I was looking for a product that would make it easier to grasp the focus peak on the camera viewfinder, and the answer I found was Nikon's flagship model, the D3.As an added value, you get the overwhelming sense of ownership that comes with owning a flagship model.
The body is made from a magnesium alloy, and the textured sheet gives it a slightly cool, iron-like feel, creating a pleasant sense of tension in the hand.
There is something about a highly-finished industrial product that sharpens the mind just by looking at it, and never allows you to get bored of it.
It doesn't feel old at all and is beautiful enough to still be in use today.
Nikon has long promoted its "simple and sturdy" reputation, and I feel that the single-digit D camera is the very embodiment of this.
Other attractive features of the Nikon D3
✔︎︎︎︎Uses a 35mm full-size sensor
✔︎︎︎︎︎The recording method is more comprehensive with two memory cards
Dust- and water-resistant magnesium body
✔️Battery life for a whole day
✔︎︎︎︎︎Convenient vertical grip
✔︎︎︎︎High-speed shutter of 1/8000 seconds
The appeal of the 35mm full-frame sensor, the same as that of a film camera, is that it has a high field of view in the viewfinder, and the image sensor size is large enough to capture more light.It is easy to make cameras that are resistant to high sensitivityIn terms of photography, it has the advantage of being able to produce photos with a wide dynamic range and rich tonal expression. It also has the advantage of being able to produce images with a shallow depth of field, which gives you more freedom in creating your work.
Next, the dual memory card slot is a must-have feature for professionals. By inserting two CF cards,You can save photos simultaneously or save them separately in RAW and JPEG.It's a very useful feature once you start using it.
The dust- and water-resistant magnesium body used to be the exclusive preserve of flagship models, but that's no longer the case.
However, the flagship model's dust and water resistance is at a higher standard than that of lower-end models, and it is designed to withstand the harsh environments used by professionals.
In addition, The magnesium body makes it lightweight and sturdy, and protects the body from impacts even if it is handled roughly.
In addition, the camera has passed tests for 30 shutter releases, which means it is extremely durable.
And the battery lasts a really long time. I didn't measure it, but even after shooting a lot of photos and saving them in RAW and JEPG format,Even after a full day of shooting, I still had two bars of battery left.I haven't tried it in winter when the battery drains quickly, but I was able to take more than enough photos, so I feel that the battery lasts a long time.
Regarding the vertical grip of the Nikon D3, the balance is a bit unstable when switching from horizontal to vertical.Once in the vertical position, it holds perfectly.
The shutter release is also in a natural position, allowing for comfortable vertical shooting.
Furthermore, this vertical grip is an iconic part of the Nikon D3's body design, creating a beautiful design that can only be achieved with an integrated unit.
Finally, the shutter spec of 1/8000 seconds is because the Nikon D3 has a focal plane shutter.Even with the aperture wide open, you can shoot at 1/8000 of a second without any problems.
Although this is not an unusual shutter speed these days, the Nikon flagship film cameras I own, the F2 and F3, have a shutter speed of 1/2000 of a second as their maximum, so in bright daytime scenes the shutter speed is often not suitable. I find it very reassuring to be able to shoot at 3/1 of a second on the Nikon D8000.
Incidentally, there used to be models that could take a shutter at 1/16000 of a second.
The line between the Nikon D700 and the DXNUMX is interesting
Some people who are wondering whether to buy the Nikon D3 may also be considering the Nikon D700, which has almost the same catalog specifications.
This one also has a used price of around 4 yen, making it a very affordable option.
The difference with the Nikon D3 is
- No vertical grip
- Continuous shooting performance is approximately 5 frames per second
- Single CF card slot
- Viewfinder performance is inferior to the D3
- Shutter feeling is inferior to the D3
That being said, it's about 3g lighter than the Nikon D300, and it's more compact because it doesn't have a vertical grip. If you find these advantages to be beneficial, I think it's not a bad choice.
The body is made of magnesium alloy and is dustproof and weatherproof, and the viewfinder eyepiece is round, showing Nikon's seriousness about this product.
The texture is also very nice, and it is well made to satisfy your desire to own it.
If you want performance on par with the D3, but are concerned about the weight and size, then I think the D700 is a good choice.
I chose the D3 because I couldn't compromise on viewfinder performance.
Nikon D3s is also an option
Currently, the used price of a Nikon D3 is 2 to 4 yen, making it very attractive as it is a very affordable price that allows you to purchase a flagship camera of that time.
However, the successor model, the Nikon D3s, which is one level higher, has also dropped in price considerably, so we recommend it to those who are looking for a bit more functionality.
This can be purchased second-hand for around 7 yen.
The evolution of the D3s is as follows:
✔ Equipped with video recording function "D Movie"
✔︎︎︎︎Adding a Live View button
✔︎︎︎︎Standard ISO sensitivity 12800, extended sensitivity 102400
✔ Equipped with image sensor cleaning function
This is a nice change, but it's a shame that D movies are only recorded at 1280x720, 24fps/AVI.
I wish they had made an effort to make this 1920x1080 30fps/H264.
This was a time when videography was in a transitional period and Canon had the advantage.
However, apart from its video recording function, the D3s's greatest selling point is its improved performance at high sensitivity.
Comparison of Nikon D3, D4s and D5
We compared the performance of the three models mentioned above, which are thought to be particularly popular among used models.
Please try comparing them and we hope they will help you choose the best camera for you.
| ニコンD3 | Nikon D4s | ニコンD5 | |
| Used price | 2-4 10,000 yen | Around 10 10,000 yen | Around 15 to 20 yen |
| Number of pixels | 1210 million pixels | 1623 million pixels | 2082 million pixels |
| ISO sensitivity | 200~6400 | 100~25600 | 100~102400 |
| Rapid fire performance | Approx. 9 frames per second | Approx. 11 frames per second | Approx. 12 frames per second |
| D-Movie | None | Full HD 1080p | ・Full HD 1080p ・4K UHD30p |
| AF performance | 51 measuring points Cross 15 points | 51 measuring points Cross 15 points | 153 measuring points Cross 99 points |
| Sensor | Nikon FX | Nikon FX | Nikon FX |
Nikon D3 sample images
Although it may be a little presumptuous, I would like to post some example photos taken with the D3.
The first three photos are taken at ISO 3, the fourth at ISO 10000, the fifth at ISO 4, and the sixth at ISO 8000. I hope this will give you some idea of the image quality.
Weather: Cloudy
Lens: SIGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG MACRO
Mode: Shutter speed priority (fixed at SS160)
ISO setting: Auto *Up to 10000
Reviews on X
Below is a compilation of X-rated reviews of the Nikon D3 from a variety of perspectives.
User A (professional photographer's perspective)
"Even after 3 years, the Nikon D16 remains a reliable tool in professional photography. Its high-speed continuous shooting function for shooting moving subjects and high sensitivity performance in particular provide consistent results in everyday photography. Although it does not have the same pixel count as modern cameras, the image quality is sufficient even for A3 prints."
User B (beginner camera enthusiast)
"I bought a second-hand Nikon D3 as my first SLR camera, and I really like its solid construction and simple operability. I was a little concerned about its weight, but it made up for that with its stability, the viewfinder was very easy to see, and focusing was a breeze."
User C (general user who likes traveling)
"I use this camera when I travel, and the battery life is very good, which is helpful. It's a little heavy, but the image quality is excellent and you can take clear photos even at night. However, if I have to carry a lot of luggage, I'm considering a lightweight mirrorless camera."
User D (Intermediate landscape photography hobbyist)
"I chose the D3 for landscape photography. The 100% field of view is a great feature, and it makes it easy to adjust the composition. Although the pixel count is inferior to that of modern cameras, I have not had any problems with editing after shooting, and I am also pleased with the color reproduction."
User E (a sports photographer who mainly shoots moving subjects)
"I use it for sports photography. The D3's 51-point AF system is highly capable of tracking fast subjects, and with a continuous shooting speed of 9 frames per second, it can capture fast-moving scenes with ease. It's a little old, but considering its cost performance, I think it's a great camera that can still be used today."
The Nikon D3 is popular with many users as a camera that can meet a variety of needs.
Summary
Even as of 3, I believe the Nikon D2023 is a digital SLR camera that boasts sufficient performance, with the exception of its video recording function.
However, in reality, the ISO sensitivity, autofocus function, and pixel count are all inferior to those of the latest entry-level models.
However, for those who really enjoy photography, this is the only model that offers the feeling of owning a single-digit D camera, and has all the necessary and sufficient functions and performance.
Moreover, the viewfinder performance is as you would expect from a flagship model. I wanted a camera that would make it easy to see the focus peak! This is an attractive camera that fits my desire.
If you're looking for full-size, comfortable manual focus photography, I recommend this camera as it is a rare one that can make that wish come true.
The camera I'm most interested in is the Nikon D5.
It's a monster with an ISO sensitivity of 100-102400 for regular use and 3280000 when extended.In this class, the only attractive selling point for me is the ISO sensitivity, and the price of the D5 has come down quite a bit, at around 20 yen for a used camera. It's a camera I'd like to get one day.
Nowadays, the performance of the Nikon D3 is sufficient for my needs. Taking photos is fun.
If you have a chance to go to a second-hand shop, please try picking one up, as it is still in good working order.
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