Life is easier with a D3

[Gnome]

The D3 makes life so much easier, even if it stays in the bag.

I sometimes shoot as a second camera for a photographer/buddy who uses Canon gear. In the past he has complained about Nikon colors, IQ and a bunch of other stuff. Just pounding on me about why I still used Nikon gear.

But ever since he saw my D3 he admits to a major case of Nikon envy.

The other day he called to complement me on a job we shot together. Among the things he liked was the color and saturation of the images I turned in. He said it kicked the heck out of anything out of his 5D and MkII’s that day and the D3 was just incredible.

I thanked him, and then broke the news that the images he was raving about were shot with a D2x, and that my D3 never left the bag that day.

I guess the D3 makes all Nikon bodies better……

 

[Chris Schmauch]

I think this story reveals the significant psychological connection/association many of us make between "new gear" and "better photography." I can understand fooling oneself about how much better a new camera will make them in order to justify the expense undergone, but for someone else [with camera envy] to equate the quality of your images with your new equipment seems like a whole new level of self deception!

I wonder if, in a couple months, when those credit card statements start rolling in, if there will be a fallout of sorts with people that bought the d3 amidst the frenzy, the unavailability, the almost frantically exuberant bloggings of the few lucky professionals who first used the d3. I mean, there's way more people than I expected that jumped from $1,000 bodies to this new $5,000 body. I doubt it was an "easy" purchase financially for many. What do you guys think?

All that being said, I personally am way more excited than is justified about getting a D3. I don't expect it to make me a better photographer, but there is great joy to be had in using equipment that makes you the limiting common denominator as opposed to vice versa!

chris schmauch
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
art director ~ photographer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
http://www.goodeyephotography.com
http://goodeyephotography.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[hardware: d300, 3x sb-800s, 17-35/2.8, 28-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 60/2.8, 85/1.4]

 

[dweerden]

I don't expect it to make me a better
photographer, but there is great joy to be had in using equipment
that makes you the limiting common denominator as opposed to vice
versa!

With respect, I disagree about better equipment not making someone a better photographer. I think we've all heard about the pros who can make beautiful art shots with a Fisher Price camera but that's a limited milieu. I've gone from film to the KM7D to the D200 and now the D3. Part of the progression in my results has certainly been due to more experience and better technique. However, a great deal of the improvement is entirely due to the machine. I see some of the shots I've recently taken and there's no doubt that I could never, ever have gotten a large percentage of them with the KM.

I'm a renovator/woodworker and the same applies to my profession. Sure, I can make a dovetailed drawer with a saw and chisel. However, I can make a MUCH better one in a tiny fraction of the time with a router and dovetailing jig.
--
'The man who sticks to his plan will become what he used to want to be.'

 

[Chris Schmauch]

Sorry for the confusion - I'm simply stating that in many cases the limiting factor is the person - their creative ability, technical knowledge, timing, etc. Obviously technology can be the limiting factor, especially if you're looking at a particular element of photography - say, if you're really into low-light/no flash photography then technology has really been limiting until the last couple of years. I'm not passing judgment on you personally, just stating an observation

chris schmauch
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
art director ~ photographer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
http://www.goodeyephotography.com
http://goodeyephotography.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[hardware: d300, 3x sb-800s, 17-35/2.8, 28-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8, 60/2.8, 85/1.4]

 

[dweerden]

Now it's my turn to be sorry. In no way was I directing my comments toward you. I guess my reply was just a culmination of how I feel about so very many posts I read but just don't bother chiming in on. I think we both agree that good results are dependent on both human and technical factors. I just get frustrated when I come across statements where someone is insisting that a particular feature isn't needed. Two examples that affect me personally come to mind:

1.) In a very recent post on the Canon forum, someone was insisting that a high frame rate wasn't necessary and people were relying on a 'spray and pray' method of getting good shots. I read that and think "what about a synchronized swimming boost where the girl is airborne for just over 1 second"? There's just no comparison between 3FPS v. 9FPS for capturing the whole sequence.

2.) Farther back, I got peeved over a discussion about the utility of VR. The person in question insisted it was completely unnecessary and that a tripod is all you'd need. Now, I've been on a small, diesel-powered boat in the Mekong Delta and taking shots of fantastic sights along the shore and the VR on my 80-400 was an absolute blessing when it got cloudy and then later when dusk was approaching.

So, those are two examples of technology making things possible. As well, they're examples of how the best technique and the highest skill levels available still wouldn't suffice. I guess I'm just a bit fed up about the Luddites disguised as purists who belittle anything new that they don't see a need for.

And---don't get me started about the few remaining holdouts who insist that manual focus is the way to go in sport shooting ;-)
--
'The man who sticks to his plan will become what he used to want to be.'

 

[Grevture]

I am in no way disagreeing with either of you (in this issue at least

Of course photographic knowledge and skill is the most major factor when creating images. And of course good equipment is a huge help for someone who has the knowledge and skill. And, in some rare cases good equipment can even somewhat compensate for lack of skill ...

But, talking of the D3, after three months with it I am still amazed just how easy this camera has made my photographic life. I have never used another camera that makes photography so ... well, easy. So care free and simple.

We can discuss technical aspects of cameras in and out for years (which is good fun actually But what I really, really like so much about the D3 is just this: how easy it is to take the images I want with it.

Now it's my turn to be sorry. In no way was I directing my comments
toward you. I guess my reply was just a culmination of how I feel
about so very many posts I read but just don't bother chiming in on.
I think we both agree that good results are dependent on both human
and technical factors. I just get frustrated when I come across
statements where someone is insisting that a particular feature isn't
needed. Two examples that affect me personally come to mind:

1.) In a very recent post on the Canon forum, someone was insisting
that a high frame rate wasn't necessary and people were relying on a
'spray and pray' method of getting good shots. I read that and think
"what about a synchronized swimming boost where the girl is airborne
for just over 1 second"? There's just no comparison between 3FPS v.
9FPS for capturing the whole sequence.

2.) Farther back, I got peeved over a discussion about the utility
of VR. The person in question insisted it was completely unnecessary
and that a tripod is all you'd need. Now, I've been on a small,
diesel-powered boat in the Mekong Delta and taking shots of fantastic
sights along the shore and the VR on my 80-400 was an absolute
blessing when it got cloudy and then later when dusk was approaching.

So, those are two examples of technology making things possible. As
well, they're examples of how the best technique and the highest
skill levels available still wouldn't suffice. I guess I'm just a
bit fed up about the Luddites disguised as purists who belittle
anything new that they don't see a need for.

And---don't get me started about the few remaining holdouts who
insist that manual focus is the way to go in sport shooting ;-)
--
'The man who sticks to his plan will become what he used to want to be.'

--
-----------------------------------------------------------
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every moment of it!

 

[bikinchris]

No second guessing here.

I like the story though. Nikon has always made great cameras. I am glad that they may now get their desrved kudos. But you have to admit that the D3 is a great camera in every situation.

I think this story reveals the significant psychological
connection/association many of us make between "new gear" and "better
photography." I can understand fooling oneself about how much
better a new camera will make them in order to justify the expense
undergone, but for someone else [with camera envy] to equate the
quality of your images with your new equipment seems like a whole new
level of self deception!

I wonder if, in a couple months, when those credit card statements
start rolling in, if there will be a fallout of sorts with people
that bought the d3 amidst the frenzy, the unavailability, the almost
frantically exuberant bloggings of the few lucky professionals who
first used the d3. I mean, there's way more people than I expected
that jumped from $1,000 bodies to this new $5,000 body. I doubt it
was an "easy" purchase financially for many. What do you guys think?

All that being said, I personally am way more excited than is
justified about getting a D3. I don't expect it to make me a better
photographer, but there is great joy to be had in using equipment
that makes you the limiting common denominator as opposed to vice
versa!

chris schmauch
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
art director ~ photographer
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
http://www.goodeyephotography.com
http://goodeyephotography.blogspot.com
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
[hardware: d300, 3x sb-800s, 17-35/2.8, 28-70/2.8, 70-200/2.8,
60/2.8, 85/1.4]

--
Chris, Broussard, LA

 

[bikinchris]

Good analogy. The same goes for great camera equipment. The original D1 or the D70 will make fantastic images, but the D3 will blow them both away in image quality and handling.

I don't expect it to make me a better
photographer, but there is great joy to be had in using equipment
that makes you the limiting common denominator as opposed to vice
versa!

With respect, I disagree about better equipment not making someone a
better photographer. I think we've all heard about the pros who can
make beautiful art shots with a Fisher Price camera but that's a
limited milieu. I've gone from film to the KM7D to the D200 and now
the D3. Part of the progression in my results has certainly been due
to more experience and better technique. However, a great deal of
the improvement is entirely due to the machine. I see some of the
shots I've recently taken and there's no doubt that I could never,
ever have gotten a large percentage of them with the KM.

I'm a renovator/woodworker and the same applies to my profession.
Sure, I can make a dovetailed drawer with a saw and chisel. However,
I can make a MUCH better one in a tiny fraction of the time with a
router and dovetailing jig.
--
'The man who sticks to his plan will become what he used to want to be.'

--
Chris, Broussard, LA

 

[bikinchris]

YES, with the D3, if your mind can create the concept, the D3 can capture it.

Of course photographic knowledge and skill is the most major factor
when creating images. And of course good equipment is a huge help for
someone who has the knowledge and skill. And, in some rare cases good
equipment can even somewhat compensate for lack of skill ...

But, talking of the D3, after three months with it I am still amazed
just how easy this camera has made my photographic life. I have never
used another camera that makes photography so ... well, easy. So care
free and simple.

We can discuss technical aspects of cameras in and out for years
(which is good fun actually But what I really, really like so much
about the D3 is just this: how easy it is to take the images I want
with it.

Now it's my turn to be sorry. In no way was I directing my comments
toward you. I guess my reply was just a culmination of how I feel
about so very many posts I read but just don't bother chiming in on.
I think we both agree that good results are dependent on both human
and technical factors. I just get frustrated when I come across
statements where someone is insisting that a particular feature isn't
needed. Two examples that affect me personally come to mind:

1.) In a very recent post on the Canon forum, someone was insisting
that a high frame rate wasn't necessary and people were relying on a
'spray and pray' method of getting good shots. I read that and think
"what about a synchronized swimming boost where the girl is airborne
for just over 1 second"? There's just no comparison between 3FPS v.
9FPS for capturing the whole sequence.

2.) Farther back, I got peeved over a discussion about the utility
of VR. The person in question insisted it was completely unnecessary
and that a tripod is all you'd need. Now, I've been on a small,
diesel-powered boat in the Mekong Delta and taking shots of fantastic
sights along the shore and the VR on my 80-400 was an absolute
blessing when it got cloudy and then later when dusk was approaching.

So, those are two examples of technology making things possible. As
well, they're examples of how the best technique and the highest
skill levels available still wouldn't suffice. I guess I'm just a
bit fed up about the Luddites disguised as purists who belittle
anything new that they don't see a need for.

And---don't get me started about the few remaining holdouts who
insist that manual focus is the way to go in sport shooting ;-)
--
'The man who sticks to his plan will become what he used to want to be.'

--
-----------------------------------------------------------
I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy every moment of it!

--
Chris, Broussard, LA

 

[wupeide]

--
Currenlty shooting w/Nikon gear

 

[Georgi]

you have to leave it next to another camera for at least 48 hours without separating them and they must be left alone to do their thing so to speak (this is a family forum, right?).

It sorta rubs off on the others..

Funny as hell because when I went down to Spain many years ago with my motorcycle, it was the fastest and biggest bike in the area (bikes were extremely expensive over there and could cost one or two years salary) and I had plenty of people telling me to park my bike next to theirs to see if something would rub off, hehehe

 

[Georgi]

but whether they'll regret it or not or sell it is a different story.

I sold one to a lady up north that was an amateur and I didn't really get it but then, seeing how easy it is and the images that come out of it, it makes perfect sense.

I went to shoot some muddin' shots the other day and let a kid use it and he had no problems at all. It's super simple.

I had the 20D but sold it 'cause I NEVER liked the images that came out of it.

With the D3, they all look good and I need some levels adjustment and that's it.

 

[Georgi]

Better stuff definitely makes ME better because I get more inspired to shoot.

Always has. I remember when I got my F1-N's in the old days, I started churning out some great shots and lots of them too. Could have done the same thing with my AE-1 but there was something with that F1-N, the 85/1.2L and the 20/2.8

 

[jean bernier]

I don't know if I'm a better photographer with the D3, but my pictures look certainly better than the ones I was doing with the D2X. . The hi iso capability allows me to use a much faster shutter and still have a little DOF as well: this alone makes a tremendous difference on the quality of the stage images I'm producing day in day out. And it's a joy to use. Better tools in competent hands turn out better work. Period. It'll never make a lousy photographer a better one.
--
Jean Bernier

All photographs are only more or less credible illusions