I just received my camera a few days ago after repair work. I spent a few days with it and just imported images into Lightroom a few minutes ago. I am sorry to report that while the original problem seems fixed there is now a DIFFERENT artifact appearing. In a vertical image there is a dramatic pale shape about midway on the right side in a photograph where the sun is behind a building to the left but the sky is nearly washed out. When I lower the Highlights value significantly I can see this shape.

Moreover, a related problem was detected with the original one, namely that autofocus needed significant adjustment on my two lenses (both Nikon lenses, btw). After the repair I have to set the autofocus fine tune to +18, which is nearly at the camera limit of 20. Prior to repair it was about +15, so either this got worse or I hadn't found the optimum setting beforehand.

AA filters cause problems with DSLR lenses, especially wide-angle zooms. The High ISO performance of a D3 is no better than that of a D800 (see DXOmark) incredible though that is.

The other beef is ageing. If people restrain themselves from buying D3 and 5D etc machines now, it is due to the fact that programmed obsolescence includes accelerated ageing, brought about by brittle tin soldered circuits that are devoid of lead content. Ordained by the EU RoHS legislation introduced in 2002 means a life of around 10 years for everything made since mid 2002, lenses, DSLRs, TVs Hi-Fi included.

It would not matter if Nikon et al didn't "upgrade" sensor size etc: you would still have to replace your equipment anyway.It just dies on you and you have to buy a replacement. Oh, and buy 2, to have a back-up- you NEVER used to have to do that!!

D750 twist and flip screen, no AA filter, 4K video could be the D750 you all moan about now

munro harrap:

The fact remains that the high ISO performance of the D3 is much better than the 5D.

Now about DXO sensor scores, they're next to useless.

But in this case, right the D800 sort of equals the D3 for higher ISO work, except the D800 colour above base ISO is really washed out. So it's not at all a serious high ISO camera.

And the D800 has an AA filter.

Plenty of D3 bodies are still working just fine, and that body released in what 2007?

RS:

Nope, my point is well substantiated, we've gone over this before.

DXO uses software models to derive many of its "results". So not hardware testing.

You can look at the DXO website and dig around for that kind of thing, it's reasonably easy to find.

Then the "score" doesn't account for the lens used, and it's not always clear if the image processor is taken into account.

Those facts are massive substantiation.

Example, and this is a well known failure of DXO: If anyone paid attention to DXO sensors scores as serious, one would think the Leica M9 has low image quality, whereas it has amazing image quality, including sensor performance, through ISO 1000. And it's a CCD.

DXO is posting underdeveloped models and treating them a strong conclusions --this is why the scores are next to useless.

In the past you specifically have hinted at having access to more information from DXO, well that isn't the same as the DXO score and you've never shared that better information.

I don't think it's too far fetched to say D800 has better ISO than D3. Heck, check this one http://puu.sh/fgEql/f5ca735f5f.jpg

Not bad from a camera that has "too many" megapixels according to some..

Vivid1:

Clearly you read neither the DPR nor IR article on the subject.

It's a minor issue, because of infrequency, for many Canikon FF DSLRs.

Keith Reeder:

"Right place" means?

That it looks good to you from the outside?

Does the fact of "right place" make the Canon harder to fix?

Still a minor issue for all cameras tested by IR (and not an issue for the camera tested by DPR and not IR).

I wonder about the Pentax 645D/Z? And other medium format digital SLRs?

Yes you CAN adjust, but the one with the flare problem needs MORE adjustment so its AF is more inaccurate. The flare itself can be avoided and very few will ever need to shoot into the light. In contrast, AF impacts every picture and everybody. I for one would rather not bother with AF fine adjustment — why should I, they should make the AF accurate in the first place. The AF adjustment process is laborious and very difficult to do if you have a zoom lens. To expect every customer to routinely adjust their AF is to make an excuse for not making a good camera in the first place.

So by that logic the 5D MarkIII, D810, 1Dx are all not good cameras because they require the same or more adjustment? I'm sure there are plenty of people that don't bother to calibrate each of their lenses to each of their bodies and get perfectly acceptable results. The fine tune is just that...a fine tuning adjustment. No two lenses are exactly the same just as no two bodies are exactly the same...hence the ability to adjust. If you don't feel like going the extra mile to use this feature, you may or may not be getting the most out of your cameras AF...but, there's a reason it exists in all good DSLRs.

Rishyi,

People like conspiracy. In a few months or years or whatever. Canon is going to have overall better performing cameras than Nikon. Currently Nikons cameras are outperforming Canon. And those Canon loyalist are questioning every resource that comes out against Canon.

Frankly im not sure Canon or Nikon is going to come out on top. It seems Sony is really pushing for its market share. Dammit! DPReview why do you favor Sony! I'm leaving!

Just kidding. I wrote the above under extreme stress and delusion; The mere idea that anyone can believe the lies of Nikon fanboys is quite disorienting. Canon is king. All Review websites are wrong. Especially DPReview and DXo.

You're one funny guy :)

I wish coffee made me that funny. Maybe it's because I'm drinking out of a Nikon lens mug...

"Why are so many people complaining? Nikon is going to fix the problem."

By asking that you demonstrate how little you understand of what a momumental screw-up this is: THE AF MODULE IS IN THE WRONG POSITION, FFS.

That's literally as bad as it gets. And consider this: if this "wrong place" is actually the RIGHT place for maximised AF performance - and that's likely - then moving it to fix this problem is going to break the AF..!

"Currently Nikons cameras are outperforming Canon"

No, they're not - not at any level.

D4S "outperforming" the 1D-x? Nope.

D7100 outperforming the 7D Mk II? GOD, no.

And so on...

@Keith: oh dear oh dear - D7100 = DPR Gold Award; 7D II = DPR Silver Award. DPR logical conclusion "sold" to the masses: D7100 = outperformed the 7D II. Masses are in agreement with DPR logical conclusion... But, like the French used to say: "le peuple, mais pas la foule..."

Keith Reader,

Ohmmmmm.

Ohmmmmm.

Perhaps we can channel benevolent and understanding God Guanyin? If all Canonites unite it can happen. Perhaps she extends her hand of mercy to the blind that exist among us. Be careful not to utter the word Nikon. As it could cause her to go in a fit of rage. Destroying life as we know it.

Canonites Unite in Prayer to Guanyin!

Ohmmmmmm.

Ohmmmmmm.

Make something that can score gold at DPR..... Make something that can score a gold at DPR

Ohmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Keith Reeder:

Define "wrong place" for the AF unit?

Does the D750 not focus correctly?

Does the AF sensor in the D750 cast a direct shadow on the sensor?

Is the AF sensor loose?

Can't speak to the other features, but the Nikon D4S is most certainly a significantly better high ISO body than the 1DX.

The D750 competes with the 1DX for high ISO work.

so zerg2905, if DPR says Gold means it's a good reliable camera... what happen to D600 gold? reliability is also associated with performance. e.g. no point having a super fast car if you can't finish the race...

V:

You don't seem to know much about the history of high performance cars for use by the public.

As for race cars, upon which say an F40 is based, well those fail during races, and in advance of races are picked over by teams of hundreds of people. (And the F40 is still considered one of the greatest Ferraris ever made, so platinum.)

And though recent super cars, say the Enzo or Veyron, are more reliable than the 25 year old variety, these modern cars still take specialized maintenance to keep running.

What you're seeing here is a bit of oil leaking in a nice Surbaru, and the D600, even with oil on the sensor, continues to function as a camera.

Was Nikon's dismissal of the D600 oil on sensor problem wrong? Absolutely.

Is this Canikon stepped flare anything like the oil on sensor problem? No.

@Vignes: read the other way around, please. I think that giving the 7D II a Silver was a serious mistake, there are cameras not even close that got Gold. So, what to say... It doesn't matter now, however. Trust is long gone. This does not mean that there are no poor Canon cameras out there (because there are), or very good Nikon cameras.

Oh my word.

Did this conversation just take an unexpected turn.....

Car comparisons.

Canon cannot be compared to Auto manufacturers. All auto manufacturers have, through the course of history, had lemons.

Canon has never failed. Cars and Canon. No comparison can be made. Unless of course the car was flawless in every aspect.

Canon. The Non-car comparison in forums camera camera of choice.

Zergneg2905 your clear fanboy fanatacism is unwarranted. Canon has released cameras that people have used improperly. But never released a poor camera. Even the 7Dii is a great camera. Canon took the popular 7D added features. Tweaked the sensor. And it blows everything Nikon has out of the water! All with what amounts to a repackaged 5 year old sensor.

Canon. The camera warship analogies fit perfect with.

Dear...Simple man: it is great for you, it seems, to learn new words, like fanboy, troll, etc. It is not that great to be impolite, or, bluntly said, just rude, and to make statements that are against someone. Using various epithets, you know... And to play a "zero sum game", in writing, you being the wise, knows everything guy. Unfortunately, you are not alone. Be sure, introspection might help you, maybe not today, but somewhere in the mid to long term future. It might even drive you to maturity. P. S.: when dealing with people, just remember this: "Quod licet Iovi, non licet bovi".

I think that you don`t really understand my point. Nikon is Nikon and I don`t really care about their marketing bulsh.t, but until now I trusted DPreview with the reviews that they wrote. How can you have two faulty cameras tested and still saying that is a gold award camera? And instead of changing the award, you look for excuses... Probably Nikon will want the money back ...

Robert M:

Because the stepped flare is a really minor fault, that many other full framed DSLRs have. (Did you not read the point DPR made about the 1DX?)

You've made an equation of a real flaw, one that affects every file shot with a flawed camera, and a flaw that only shows up real infrequently even with affected cameras.

Many other websites and print magazines gave best of 2014 to the D750, and it very well deserves that award--even with this minor issue.

@Marooni:
I don't care your bulsh@t you wrote. Senseless and d@mb.

Nikon may increase the whole sale price for new delivery to compensating the repair cost.

P.S.

"Compensating the repair cost" may be the reason why we see D610's price is noticeably higher than current batch of D750 in the USA gray market.

Yes in deed. A body cap could do so. I wonder if the distance would yield a usable image?

I may experiment with that :-)

If most manufacturers are like Sony, they test with a 50mm...not sure if different lenses make a difference with focus accuracy but all my lenses use different calibration.

I agree with howabout raw. That lower price reflects non-usa models, without complete dependable warranty. I would go by main usa retailers...of course, IF you live here. Outside of Usa, no clue of pricing/warranty/dependability.

@Mike - Thanks, I am 72. I am aware that your comment is directed at Galbertson. Right you are about some "main USA retailers". I have purchased lenses from major dealer in NY city and always asked for warranty in North America (Canada & USA). In November 2011, one "main USA dealer" in NY City tried to talk me in buying a grey market D7000 which I rejected.

You guys missed my words...of course camera stores in United States sell both "USA" models as well as grey market models. I often do not understand this practice, because grey market cameras do no come with same lengthy warranty as USA models. Yes, grey market much cheaper, but believe far too much a bad risk if it was a good risk, don't you think everyone would be purchasing grey market?

By the way, when i state USA model, i obviously do not mean made in USA,

Would anyone in his right mind go out and buy a new car on sale that did not have full warranty?

Ask the 7D Mk II. Naaah, that's not a pro camera. Not even close.

Z:

True, I should have been more complete: "full framed $5000+ pro bodies". The 1DX has been out for years, and I'd not expect a review at DPR of the more recent Nikon D4S.

So far no one has reported extensive stepped flare with APSC SLRs.

Are you going to do the testing?

A:

But what if that same product had been judged to be the absolute best, most exiting, of the year by many websites and print magazines devoted to that line of gear?

Would you still leave a screw loose, and why would the primary competition leave the same screw loose?

Also when screws come loose inside complex machines further damage can then follow.

It depends.

The small company doesn't make that publicity. You (we) do.

Yes. This is why for 2015 I plan to reduce posts with 60%, minimum. :-)