DISCOVER NEW TERRITORY D3
Nikon's newly developed shutter mechanism achieves unprecedented durability. For the reliability professionals demand, the D3's shutter has been tested for 300,000 cycles.
And to ensure rigorous real-world conditions, this type of testing is always performed on fully assembled cameras.
Self-diagnostic shutter monitor
Shutter speeds range from 1/8000 sec. to 30 sec., with an internal mechanism that automatically monitors and corrects possible variances between the designated shutter speed and the actual shutter timing over the shutter mechanism's life span.
Mirror balancer
A sophisticated mirror balance mechanism reduces the time required to lower the mirror. In addition to minimizing mirror bounce, the mirror balancer extends viewing time, allowing more time for AF operation - this is one reason the D3 can offer autofocus and Focus Tracking even at high-speed continuous shooting.
Magnesium alloy body
Rugged, durable and precise magnesium alloy construction protects the D3's incomparable technologies and its ability to perform in demanding real-world conditions. An amazingly strong-yet-lightweight magnesium alloy is used for the D3's body, exterior cover, chassis, and mirror box, to assure superb, reliable performance and longer life.
Countermeasures against dust, moisture and electromagnetic interference
The D3 goes the extra mile to protect against invasive moisture, dust and even electromagnetic interference. A comprehensive series of O-rings and other specialized seals, combined with additional Nikon engineering, keeps you shooting when lesser cameras would fail.
Improved ergonomics
Features mean nothing if they're difficult to access. That's why all D3 buttons and dials have ideal sizes and clear functions. The layout shares the same logical consistency as Nikon's previous professional D-SLRs, along with further improvements, such as Command Dials with a 5-degree inclination for natural rotation using your index finger.
100% frame coverage
The D3's large prism mirror gives you the FX-format visual advantage when you shoot. Not only is the viewfinder image brighter, but the finder screen is also carefully designed for you to sense focus more intuitively, be it manual or autofocus.
3-inch, 920,000-dot super-density, 170-degree color LCD monitor
The D3's large, super-density color LCD monitor delivers bright, crisp image playback, with enlargement up to 27x (Large-size images in FX format), making on-the-spot image confirmation easier and more precise.
And the 170-degree wide-angle viewing makes image review and Live View modes even more useful in challenging conditions.
Live View
The D3's fast image-processing capacity and large, high-definition, wide viewing angle LCD add up to an entirely new level of potential for professionals. Introducing the new Live View function. Using the LCD as your viewfinder, Live View is extremely useful for still life photography in a studio, where exact focus is crucial. Live View is also useful for outdoor and other difficult shooting situations when you cannot physically see your subject through the viewfinder.
The D3 offers two modes: Tripod Mode and Handheld Mode.
• Tripod Mode with precision Contrast-detect AF
* The above is a simulated image for demonstration purposes.
Tripod Mode is ideal for still life photography in a studio environment. The D3's high-precision, Contrast-detect AF gives you faster and more accurate focusing than manual focus, with the actual image being captured on the imaging sensor simultaneously confirmed on a large, high-definition LCD for newfound certainty.
And because the imaging sensor itself works for AF detection, you can use a much wider area than the 51-point autofocus areas, for exceptionally sharp results. You can also control focus and shutter release from a personal computer via Camera Control Pro 2.
• Handheld Mode
In situations where you are unable to look through the viewfinder, Handheld Mode can be a great help. First, select your focus point from the 51 points available, then use the wide, 170-degree viewing angle to compose easily, even if you're holding your D3 over the heads in a crowd.
Electronic Virtual Horizon
The D3's super-density color LCD monitor, teamed with Nikon's innovative Electronic Virtual Horizon delivers instant and accurate confirmation of the D3's position relative to “horizontal level.” You can also level the D3 while looking through the viewfinder using the handy analog scale.
Two types of information display
Choose from black letters or white letters, according to lighting conditions, to ensure your information display is legible. The menu is formatted large and clear for easy recognition. You can also set the camera so the color of letters switches automatically, depending on the brightness of the large, 3.0-inch LCD monitor.
Twin CF card slots
Now you can use two CF cards simultaneously for a number of functions: recording two full CF cards of data; recording the same data simultaneously onto two cards for backup protection; recording RAW and JPEG simultaneously to separate cards; transferring data from one card to another.
Function button
Designate frequently used features to the Function Button. Up to 13 functions are available. You can also do the same with the Preview Button and the AF/AE Lock Button.
Long-life battery
The D3 uses the same EN-EL4 or EN-EL4a rechargeable batteries that have been field-proven over many years with the D2 series D-SLRs. What's more, because the D3's power consumption and power management systems have been engineered for greater operating efficiency, you can expect even longer battery life — a welcome bonus for professionals.
Image area options
The D3 offers three image areas to choose from: FX format (36.0 x 23.9 mm), DX format (23.5 x 15.6 mm), and 5:4 (30.0 x 23.9 mm). DX format uses the center of the viewfinder and allows up to 11-frames-per-second shooting speed. When a DX NIKKOR lens is used, DX mode is automatically selected or can be manually selected through Custom Settings with any AF NIKKOR lens.
FX format
DX format
5:4
