With a long history of collaboration that began with the design of the F3 in 1980, Nikon entrusted the design and basic modeling of the D3 to legendary Italian industrial designer Giorgetto Giugiaro.
Nikon's principal requirement was that the design be suitable for the first flagship of its new FX-format series, a new form that works as a basic platform for the new Nikon digital SLR cameras family starting with the D3. The design was to combine the basic operability inherited from the D2 series with substantial improvements in operation. With a sculptural theme in mind, Giugiaro created a D3 exterior model feeling that “it should have the kind of form and value that anyone would recognize and appreciate instantly”. The Nikon design team took Mr. Giugiaro’s design and, after thorough study, succeeded in developing ergonomic refinements.
At the same time, the D300 brings together a collection of accomplishments that go back to the D1 in 1999, embodying a sensual design that befits Nikon’s DX-format flagship model. In particular, working from the superior layout package of the D200, by refining the baseline with a curve, we managed to improve the camera’s overall feel. The Multi-Power Battery Pack is also designed to be much more than just an attachment, providing seamless integration with the D300 and offering a superior grip for vertical compositions.
The D3 is designed to enhance the photographer’s concentration, delivering the perfect combination of tension and exhilaration. Equally important, it boasts a level of rugged strength that will endure the most demanding challenges, vibrations and impact. A broad but carefully chosen selection of functions has been concentrated into this small package. None was easy to achieve, but eventually all targets were attained without contradiction. The D3 has many space-consuming functions — such as the Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor, mirror and double slots for memory cards — which required that we formulate a construction with many openings. To realize these goals while maintaining the strength required for professional use, we selected a tough, lightweight magnesium alloy for the chassis (rear body), mirror box (front body) and external cover. Extensive simulations were performed, employing Nikon’s vast knowhow, and instead of making the body unduly thick, the mass was kept under control while meeting Nikon's rigorous strength tests and achieving an outstanding overall design. With the exception of the chassis, the D300 also employs magnesium alloy for superior durability, in both the camera body and the MB-D10 (sold separately). Magnesium alloy also boasts vital heat dissipation properties, and provides superior electromagnetic-wave-shielding characteristics.
The D3 features a rich leather-tone coating. At the parts stage, before assembly, an elaborate coating is applied, consisting of a glossy even coat with a tactile texture on top of a matte base coat. Not only does it feel good in your hands, it resists wear, and with its uneven surface, the matte base coat will remain after many years of use, while the exterior will maintain its solid feel indefinitely.
To create a professional model with robust dust- and moisture-proof effectiveness, Nikon sealed the seams where body parts join. Wherever possible, to prevent dust and moisture from entering, sections are locked in a “C” shape construction and filled with a special sealant. The camera was required to exceed Nikon’s strictest performance evaluation standards, based on rigorous testing in an actual professional environment.
[ Superior controls for intuitive camera operation ]
To ensure that you’ll be able to familiarize yourself as quickly as possible with the camera controls, the D3 and D300 operation systems follow the basic layout of the D2 and later cameras. Care was taken to ensure that even where models differ, you’ll be able to carry out operations easily. It’s a simple, efficient layout with buttons positioned according to which functions are most likely to be accessed while shooting, ensuring the smoothest possible flow of operations.
While maintaining an easy-to-use basic layout, both the D3 and D300 incorporate several useful new functions. The command dials, for example, have been positioned at the optimum angle for easy finger access while grasping the grip — approximately five degrees on the D3, and approximately two degrees on the D300. Using fonts that take advantage of the monitor's resolution, the display is sharp, clear and easy to read. And although the LCD monitor has been enlarged to a 3-inch size, there’s no change to the number and basic layout of the buttons. Furthermore, even though the D3 offers double slots for memory cards, the control layout was not altered because of this.
Careful consideration was given to the size and spacing of adjoining buttons. And buttons give way gently when pushed. Design factors such as these, which impact the senses, cannot be expressed with specifications, but maintain a vital place on our list of uncompromising refinements. The comfortably shaped grip fits your hand as though it belongs there, and the material, finish and softness of the rubber surface skin lend a gentle, natural touch.
Improved operability is the result of in-depth discussions based on careful attention to users’ opinions. This research led to the creation and evaluation of an extensive series of prototypes, enabling us to formulate the best proposal for a new product. This is our long-established way of working at Nikon.
Suppressing the vibrations that result from repetitive high-speed internal camera operations is essential to producing sharp images. Vibration-suppression also plays an important role in achieving a level of quietness that helps the photographer concentrate. A mirror balancer is used to quickly suppress and stop vibrations of the mirror that moves at a maximum of 11 fps (approx.) with the D3, and 8 fps (approx.) with the D300. The motor and gearbox unit feature a floating mechanism with rubber placed between the gearbox unit and the body, so that vibrations transmitted to the body are effectively suppressed. What’s more, helical gears are used as high-speed gears to counter the occurrence of vibrations, while the airtight construction of the gearbox reduces the level of noise. This floating mechanism is also utilized in the coupling motor that drives autofocus lenses other than AF-S type, and the motors are driven by soft gears to further improve the level of noise suppression.
EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) countermeasures have been adopted, too. A gasket shield is used to protect against electromagnetic waves while minimizing bulky internal construction, and in the event that electromagnetic waves are received, the camera will not malfunction. The D3 has obtained UL (Underwriters Laboratories) certification for complying with safety regulations and maintains the highest level of camera safety.
