My dad just gave me his Nikon D3s complete with 3 lenses and a tripod and I'm over the moon! Thank you for the video, I really love how you stressed its warm film vibe. Hopefully I'll be able to use it for my videos too.
To weigh in here: whenever a photographer is around an event I attend, I always do hear the shutter. But I am hesitant to say I am put off by it. In that regard, the flash is sometimes much more annoying, as is the guy or girl moving around the stage. Thing is, you know a photographer costs money. So he is only out on special occasions and in that case, adds a measure of glamour to the event. The shutter sound is of no importance and if anything, the louder the sound, the more it adds to the 'pro vibe' a paid photographer exudes.
Everything you say is 100% spot on. I have just won 'International News Agency Photo of the Year 2022' and guess what camera i used ? The D3s ! Love it.
I adore my D3s, had it years, I shoot corporate work, weddings, horses & dogs. I love the weight, shutter sound, small files, easy CF cards, & the lovely, almost filmic, files it gives me. I get it serviced by my local guys, what’s not to love. I will remain ‘old skool’ for as long as possible 💪
I still use the D3s in 2023. It's heavy but the image quality is wonderful. I use it with Voigtlander F mount lenses. I adore the shutter sound unlike the clack of the D700.
Totally agree. I have a d500 with battery grip, and it is just different to my d3s. I recently picked up a manual focus 135mm f2 and I think it will stay permanently attached to my d3s. Bulky, yes. Heavy, yes. Sublime user experience, you bet!
I had never heard of this camera. I am totally new to photography. I always use my phone. But I feel like that this trend of using your phonecamera is just redicilous. I used to have proper camera in 2010 and the quality and colour was so good. I won't be using those phone camera's anymore. My cat passed away and I am so gald I took proper pictures with a good camera of him. His memories feel more alive to me. Browsing online, I saw some pictures taken with this camera on the Nikon instagram page and was blown away by the quality. I had no clue it was an old camera. Although the new cameras look better. There is something very different about the pictures that make it look so painted/unique. I was shocked how cheap it is. Defintely will be purchasing it. I am not a professional photographer btw. Thanks for the review.
No need to switch, just buy one as a secondary/side shooter if necessary. I've been using both the Z's and D's side by side for a few years now and I come to appreciate the pro's and con's of both formats...Best of both worlds!
I’ve got D3X, D700, & D3S. The others are fab too, but the D3S is my favourite. Not quite sure why - but it’s just the one I’d keep if I could only have one camera.
2nd D3S video I have seen today (first was Three Blind Men comparing it to a Z8 but talking a lot about Jay Meisel who used a D3S to great effect). Is it a special birthday for the D3S (15th?). I don’t know the Nikon product line, so I try to place it into the context of the Canon product line. The 5D is obviously one point of comparison but how about the 1DX line? (Built in grip and premium professional features and controls). In those days there was a 1DS for studio work and another version called the 1D (mark 1.2 or 3) for everything else.
I just got a D3s, after having a D3 for over 10 years, but after I had to change the shutter, not touched it so much anymore and changed to Olympus MFT. However, the other day I wanted to maintain the last surviving battery of the D3 and fell in love again. I mean, I have still all those Nikkor lenses from all eras. But my D3 had some electric failures, shutting down in the middle of a shoot, and so I decided to get a "big brother" for it. Was very lucky to finde an excellent example for just 350 €, and never looked back. The high ISO performance gives total freedom. Feels like almost 2 stops.
Hi. You sold me on this camera. I especially liked that wedding photo! I just bought one online. Now I have to figure out a lens. This is my first pro camera😃
That paragliding shot is awesome! I just picked up an old D2x for very little $ and after a couple of weeks of frustration changing focus points in vertical mode I checked the manual and Nikon recommends changing them by pressing & holding the vertical grip’s AF-on button then rotating the vertical sub command front dial. It is a bit odd to use a different AF point selection method for portrait versus landscape shooting, but for me it ends up being much easier & faster than the thumb stretch. If I use my right middle finger to select the AF point I can still keep my index finger on the shutter. Cheers!
The thumb stretch is annoying for sure, i do wonder if you can do the same though on the D3s, i suspect you can, D2x should be great though, i know a couple of guys that have had them and loved them!
I think I have to get my hands on a D3s Never had anyone complain about shutter noise when taking pictures people aren't just standing around in silence at a wedding
D3s is a perfect wedding camera really, it is heavy but the ergonomics are fantastic and its the most completely in control and laid back feeling ive had from a camera at a wedding. it just breezes through it, any iso, any situation.
Absolutely bang on mate, well explained and superbly detailed review. Like I've said before, my D3 is still in use and likely to remain so until it finally gives out. Made me smile about the loud shutter and people at weddings comment. I never was bothered by it, nor bothered now, but it has been an issue with wildlife photography, as it sounds like a rifle being cocked, and I did experience birds and foxes dashing away after a couple of frames were fired 🤣Keep up the quality show mate 👍
When I made my oversized photo books, the effective file size was about 1.2 Megabytes per page. So roughly the equivalent of 1-2 Megapixels. Per Page. My old D90 has 12 Megapixels and I never ever came to a point that it was not enough. I later bought a D750 with 24 MPs but mainly because of low light capabilities. It is much better then with the old D90. The pixel count is plenty on both cameras.
I think during a ceremony and reception people will not hear the shutter. But people might hear it in a small when getting ready and sometimes that can work to your advantage if they turn their head and look into the camera you can take that photo also. I went to one church and preist said I don't want to hear any noise from your camera. I just put my camera in silent mode I have mirrorless. My Dad had a clock in the living room that would go ding ding. After a while you get so use to it we did not even hear it going off we just zoned it out.
I agree with all this although my preference is for my D3x as I don't shoot movies, the low light performance is OK as is the shooting speed in continuous. Gladly swap these for the extra resolution and would suggest that anyone wanting all the features of the D3s but with higher resolution go for a D4. The great news is that there are many good used D3 models on the market at great prices at present and anyone preferring the D3x will find that the huge premium needed when new has shrunk to a size that makes it a practical alternative.
Shutter on my D4S went out at 120k clicks. It took a while to find someone with the parts to fix it. Lack of factory support is a real concern. I still use it on occasion, but my Z9 is obviously my main camera.
Apparently, people weren't keen to tell you who manufactured the sensor. Sensor was designed by Nikon. They had no wafer production capability, and never divulged the manufacturer. Possibly manufactured by Renesas. Same for the processor.
oh you are welcome, im glad you like them Eugenia, its great to get feedback like this. But feel free to tell me when i get it wrong too, im still learning how to do a youtube video!
Hey Martin, Ray here. Just today, 20 Dec 2023, purchased one! Found one on eBay in immaculate condition for a fair price and it is on the post on its way to me as we speak. Can't wait! As this video was made closer to the beginning of 2023, I wonder if you ever got round getting another D3s body? In any case, thanks for your invaluable videos! Cheers, Ray.
oh i hope you like it, its soooo good, ive moved to the z9 now which will be like a mirrorless version but i was very close to getting another D3s, its still a fantastic camera one of the best ever made.
@MartinCastein I've been using the Z9 for the last year. It's Incredible! I still have my F5. I wanted to have something close to the F5 in digital. I'm hoping the D3s will do that for me. I just got it by the way. It is a flagship Nikon through and through. Amazing.
In the rapid digital age we find ourselves in, it's very unfortunate for the equipment to become obsolete at a very high pace. However, I can't help but drool over this marvel from Nikon, the legendary Nikon D3s. 14 years later and it's still a beast to be reckoned with.
I read about some D3/D3s reaching 800K to one million shutter actuations. Any personal experiences?? I got a D3 with 300K... Well, the seller lied about "the 45K shutter count". Maybe I will get at least 500K (if I'm lucky). Any thoughts about it??
Great video. Lovely parachute photo. Quiet / silent shutters do have uses though, for example when photographing theatre / performances / dance etc. Loud shutters are hugely distracting for the audience and performers in those situations - I know because I was sat near photographers photographing a dance (with quiet / no music) and their old Canon cameras were ruining it for me.
I realize that they say it takes around 80 megapixels or so to match 35mm film. However, as I review my 35mm prints and compare them to the Nikon 12.1 megapixel sensor they seem quite comparable. When I bought my 16.2 megapixel Nikon, that was the point where I felt it exceeded 35mm film in clarity.
I am looking to get into wedding photography. I own budget friendly mirorrless camera canon RP. But card failed on me once. likely it was just my personal shoot. I don’t have budget to go for pro level mirrorless but instead considering pro body dslr such as 1dx. But have some concerns regarding shutter sound. Martin broke this myth over again that you must have silent shutter. It was deal breaker to make final decision.
oh the 1dx would be superb. All the silent shutter stuff is mostly nonsense. Weddings are mostly noisy. Bridal prep there is music playing people laughing, its not a funeral. Most of the day people are talking and chatting, its pretty noisy as event. Only the ceremony is quiet and everyone is focussed on the bride and groom. I used to ask if people could hear my d3s and d700 and no one ever could. they are lost in the moment. Also no one has taken any photos that havent been taken on louder cameras. I get it though, i always felt self concious too but its really just in our heads.
This is hell of camera. I had a lot of Nikon's. I thought that is same sensor as D3/d700, but it is much different. The colors are much brighter and cleaner, more like Df, but sharper in jpeg. All in all, this camera is very very capable in all aspects, even today.
@@srr1887 They cannot be compared. If you want a real camera go for the D700. The D3 is even better but perhaps heavier for street. The color reproduction of both cameras is top notch and the Sony colors on the A6000 are a disaster especially on skins and skies.
thats a shame that it broke, you could look at an independent camera repair shop and get an estimate to repair it. The D3s will give a lot more low light performance not a little, its insanely good in low light, almost scary.
@@MartinCastein I bought a nice condition D3s today and I must say I'm very impressed by the low light performance. Very little noise at iso 12800, it cleans up nicely with denoising software (I use DxO PureRaw). Even the high iso jpegs look nice (nicer than the jpegs from my D750).
10:58 Hi Martin, I'm planning to buy a camera for my event photography and was considering the Nikon D3S or the Z5. I need a reliable fast main workhorse for events. Which one would you recommend?
Well personally i wouldnt want the z5 for events but what events do you mean?If its weddings for example thats different to concerts. You should look at the d3s but also the D750 and d810 even. I wouldnt bother with nikon mirrorless unless its z8 or z9 or z6iii because the dslr autofocus is much better. If its weddings you need 2 cameras well not just one, in which case you could mix a couple of cameras, youd probably be better off with 2x d810 or 2xd750.
@@MartinCastein I have been involved with a couple of events lately, and I have upcoming events for a birthday party, corporate events, and a fashion runway. Right now, I’m borrowing the Nikon Z7 as my first handheld mirrorless camera from Nikon, but I’m seriously considering the D750 and the D3S. Since you mentioned that autofocus is more reliable in DSLRs, I might stick with an SLR for now. Which one do you prefer for low-light performance, the D750 or the D3S? Thank you for your response, Martin; I really appreciate it.
@@WebsterAbe thats hard because the d750 has better focus in low light and more dynamic range but the d3s is better in low light image wise and better colour but is 12MP if you dont mind that id probably go with the d3s, I prefer it personally.
Just excellent as usual. I say just, because I just come to expect this level of quality from you and you did it again! I very much like Nikon's 85mm 1.8G and this sounds like a good combination of body and lens for what I do, street photography and I do not care about a larger camera. The two together are a good price point and doable for me also. Thank you for this review!
Hi Martin. Another great video. I've got the D3, D700 and 800. I shoot with the D800, which I love and I also love the D3, which is possibly the best workhorse ever. Is there much difference between the D3 and D3s?
@@dharmabob2 I got a D3 and D800 too, but added a D3s recently. It is a real difference to the D3 in ISO performance, almost 2 stops. Suddenly you can stop down your lens in the night, to get those sunstars, for example. Also the live view is more usable than with the D3. A big advantage. I got mine for 350 €, and it is in excellent condition, only used in studio. Now is the best time to get a D3s.
I know a pro in my town who has been shooting with D3s since it came out and he's not intended to switch. He's got his old 24-70 and 70-200 (both 2.8) all wraped in transparent box sealing tape because they are beaten so much, LOL, but he still successfully uses it all. He drives Mercedes, but shoots with this beat up stuff, because it just works.
i love that, i sometimes wish id just done that, the amount of money i have spent just trying different cameras where I would have just been happy sticking with the d3s.....i just love the simplicity of living like that.
Great review of a great camera. May I request you to say something about its counterpart Canon 1D Mark IV ? Being a hobbyist, I use it for wildlife photography frequently and couldn't be happier. Had I been a Nikon shooter; I would definitely get the D3s. There's nothing sweeter than the shutter sound of a pro DSLR, just love it.
Martin, what are your thoughts on the D4? I've had a D700 for ages and I love it, but I'm on the fence whether to get a D3S or the D4. My understanding is the D4 has better low light autofocus and a little lighter. The downside for me on the D4 is the expensive XQD card.
I am happy with my nikon z5 wish i could afford the lenses I want but they all cost more than my camera did and im just using the single kit lens cause im not paying that much for glass. 24mp is more than enough for any needs.
Thank you for your opinion, I was considering buying this camera in 2024 and your opinion helped me a lot. You left me a doubt about the colorimetry. Is the skin tone similar to reality or is it very different and also in the level of detail, perhaps the imperfections? of the skin is it noticeable?
I was thinking getting this for wildlife! But the noisy shutter now, idk. What cheap Fullframe can I use you think guys ? It need to be kind of silent. But really good in lowlight !!!!
Nice video! I’ve been eyeing the D3s for a couple of years, but they seem to be either quite scruffy or expensive. It seems to be a better camera than the contemporary Canon cameras, the 1Ds Mk III and the 1D Mark IV. And that said even when looking at those two in my cupboard. It’s a bit interesting that noise/grain are so much more pleasant in the older low resolution pro cameras. The picture you show here at 6400 looks great, and I would say it is a similar experience with many older pro cameras. Many new high resolution cameras have ISO through the roof, but the noise starts to look quite horrible even on settings like 6400, especially if noise reduction is turned down.
yeah i agree and the noise that it does have is actually nice, somehow the nikons seem to have hardly any colour noise which makes the noise much more acceptable
@@bngr_bngr The 1D Mark 4 is a APS-H, so yeah, a 1.3x crop. It’s in the middle between full frame and the typical APS-C (1.6x) crop sensor cameras. But it was still a pro camera, competing with the buyers of the Nikon D3s. I own it and the full frame 1Ds Mark III, and they are both very much pro cameras, but the 1Ds is more of a high resolution studio, portrait and landscape camera, while the 1D Mark 4 is a typical high speed sports camera, like the Nikon D3s.
What do you think the difference is between D3 and 5D classic ? i see its priced a bit higher , given the integrated grip that is actually not a grip just a place for huge battery .
The integrated grip on the d3 is a grip as when you turn the camera to portrait orientation it has a second shutter button and controls to allow you to use the camera in portrait orientation the same as you would in landscape. That’s also different from just putting a grip on a camera because the ergonomics and balance on cameras like the d3 is far superior. However the main question. The 5d is a slow and basic portrait camera. The d3 is a sports and journalism camera. I’d buy the 5d for portraits and probably the d3 for most other things. The 5d is very old and slow so you should consider that. Look at other cameras too. It’s an unusual comparison between those two.
@@MartinCastein Yes its a grip indeed , . But that aside , i have Canon 6D as well , and i prefer almost always 5D , even when it comes to manual third party lenses , 5D can give you focus confirmation via OVF , 6D can not nor can any other Canon only 5D ,but 6D has live view so you can zoom in and focus that way , but that way is a hell of a lot slower .Far as i know things are like that . And with 5D you get bigger pixels , and i like that , it makes objects on the image look 3D , they have a pop to them . Totally different then 6D looking more like picture taken with smartphone , kind of flat , and it has yellowish tint to it , cant really put my finger on it , but definitely different If i shoot same subject with 5D and 6D , put the pictures on my Phone or side by side on my professional 4K monitor Samsung UD970 , i like what i see more on 5D . But , Nikon D3 has live view , and it has even bigger pixels , 5D 8.2nm , D3 8,4nm . So i know i will get more 3D pop with it . Most viewers of my images , use smartphones , 99% of them . So i have no need for high pixel count , i would rather enjoy big pixels . 12Mpix is more then enough , if framed correctly , and if not , you can crop it about 40% and still be satisfied . It is for that reason that i am comparing 5D and D3 , large pixels , around 12mpix . And i would like to know from first hand experience from someone who had them both , what are they like , which one hart likes most . I am a Hobby Family Photographer , sometimes event photographer , but not payed . So i dont need latest and greatest , i just want nice pictures and 12mpix is enough , i cant complain on my 5D , it has everything i need , as i said most people view my photos on Smartphones . That is why i got 6D , ability to send via wifi to smartphone , but i did not use it once . So ... Maybe better get D3 , i have a professional photographer as a friend and he is on Nikon system , he has im sure some glass to lend me till i form my own Nikon collection .
Great perspective & helpfull but i have been trying to buy new nikon d3s or nikon d4... cant find any new ones ie.low shutter counts....Anyone have ANY Suggestions? One video on You tube suggested Japanese import, but doesntthat void USA warranty & repair options?
@@MartinCastein thank you. Just bought a d700 in perfect condition with 50.000 clicks, a battery pack, 3 Nikon batteries, L bracket for easy tripod attachment, remote control and he threw in a large camera bag because I gave him the price he asked for, which was €425. So I think that was a fair price for the whole package. Really happy 😍
My D3 can sit in the closet for months waiting for me - pick it up, the battery is still good to go and it's happy to back to work. The least fussy camera (I've shot Fuji, Nikon, Canon, Phase One) with the biggest payoff I own.
I'd say the same about Canon 1DX. It's the best comfort in hands I ever had, but the shutter is so loud it scared my at first 😀 I now own 5DIII with batterry grip which is similarly convenient in ergonomics, but has true silent mode for those bothred with it.
Had the D3 for a short time and was going to move to a D3s, but I didn't like the colors so much as I did the D3. I ended up trading up to a D4 and man what a huge difference the D4 is in low light over the D3. I agree the grip on the D3/D3s is on a different level of comfort. The D4 is also really nice, but the vertical grip is more shallow compared to the D3/D3s. The buttons on the D4 by far is better than the D3. But you can do a lot with Fn buttons and shooting modes to change things up with one hand on the D4 that it to me is better ergodically then the D3. CF card, I never remove them. I just jack in with the mini-USB connector and pull pictures over that way. I do not want to damage the CF contacts on my Pro bodies, it can be very costly to have them bent. By far the D4 colors are a tad better vs the D3. The D3 has some magic though, it handles the higher ISO noise decently, but shows its age when pushed. The D4 is a monster in low light. Some reviewers have said it's maybe a 1/3 stop better than the D3s. I will say the D3 and D4 both handle noise better than my newer DSLR's. Something about the grain pattern that allows the D3/D4 to be pushed past their ISO limits. The D3/D3s and D4 have very loud shutters, and I always worry about that as well. I do a lot of events photos and I always feel like I want to be stealthy to get the best Candid shots I can get. I will say I get more folks interested in the size of the camera and lenses then the actual shutter sounds during a quite time of an event. I think once they see you are taking photos of everyone, they mellow out and forget you or there. Same with when I use flash at an event, at first the folks notice it. But after a few dozen flash shots they forget about it and enjoy the event. I still remember back a few years watching press events and the barrage of shutter releases you hear in those situations. And those folks just go on and do their thing. Just shoot and let the folks settle into you being there and clicking away. Weight and size, I wouldn't trade it for a lighter/lesser camera. I do not plan to go mirrorless for many years. There are to many good DSLR's to own and enjoy at 1/3 of the cost of the newer Mirrorless bodies. Great review, and thank you.
I had heard that the D700 was the little brother to the D3s (as in it has the same sensor, but different size and ergos) can anyone confirm this? I enjoy the D700 but have never tried the D3s.
I think its technically the same sensor as a base but the performance is pretty different, the colour is a bit better on the d700 and iso performance is leaps ahead on the D3s.
Hi Martin. Wow and Wow again with regard to the paraglider picture. Simple as that. Hi again. I've just seen the other photo of the paraglider on your Instagram page. The client/s must of been very happy with the wonderful images you created.
It's an amazing camera of the height of DSLR . I got the use the '07 D3 and loved it so I got on for the D3S and never looked back. Coming from D2H I can't recall it being louder or even my F4E of which I was still using 20 yrs ago as a kid. I think when you take the moto drive noise out of it you notice it different. The D3s does have a sort of quiet mode. it's ideal in wildlife slow frame counts. But remember, the D3S is capable of 11 Fps so its mirror return is strong. The F4E was much quieter in its soft mode.
I shoot sports with D3s each week along with D700. I print qiute often and lately even 90x60 cm poster. Just my own two cents : D3s produces qiute different colours ( not as good as D700 ) also has improved lcd screen ( not as blueish as D700).
I feel the same about my D700, the D3's baby brother. 12mp is a sweet spot similar to film. There's a different feeling composing a shot when you know you don't have infinite crop. It gives the frame more meaning. Less pixel peeping. More emphasis on creating images instead of data. Nice work!
The world does not change where we NEED newer cameras the trees and grass and elephants stay the same, SURE products advance but not always is new technology NEEDED. Is it nice to get more MP and faster gear and faster autofocus sure!!! but it is not REQIRED i still shoot daily with my D3 my sony a600 and my canon r6 each give me good results but use them for different applications.. I am going to get more ball on bat shots with the r6 and its better tracking and more FPS then I would with the d3. but you slap on a 70-200 f 2.8 on the d3 and you have a walk around work horse camera with incredible images
Martin you would fit in with me and my photographer friends perfect. Out here the D3s is legendary. In my opinion might be Nikons best. One observation that I’ve had is whenever you have the S models they add a little bit of like dirt or something to the image so the d3 is more like the D800 but the S model of the D3 and the D4 have a punch to it. I still prefer the 5d markii and iii to this camera but it’s amazing. All the AF points are sharp but centered the lowlight is good considering it’s age but not on par with more modern Nikons. Nice video. This is another camera that shoots both natural and OCF equally amazing. The natural light is very filmic and the OCF very punchy. I always thought that low megapixel cameras look more like film and this guy prob the most. Also the grain at higher Iso is more like film grain than noise. I’ve used this body quite a lot with my work along with the D750 and D500 and it’s the best colors by far.
agree with all of that, it does have to be taken into account when it was made but shooting weddings with that camera was so straight forward and dependable. agree that it has much better colours than the d750 for sure too.
Thx for the Info Martin. That looks like one super tanker of a camera (in a good way) which will go on forever. Those raw images do look very nice. I do like the look, as in, the files of the "older gear" they have a certain character to them which adds to the story being told in the photo. Give me some of that 5,6D creamy love. That sounds quite bizarre but you know what I mean 😂😂 Great as always, you Nikon fanboy!! Hahaha. 😉😉
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My dad just gave me his Nikon D3s complete with 3 lenses and a tripod and I'm over the moon! Thank you for the video, I really love how you stressed its warm film vibe. Hopefully I'll be able to use it for my videos too.
Wow you are lucky! That’s an excellent camera I wish you all the best with it!
Very good analyse !
Ibstill use it in 2024 from 2010 and it is a real incredible experience everytime I use it.
D3s with 50 and 85mm : just amazing !
To weigh in here: whenever a photographer is around an event I attend, I always do hear the shutter. But I am hesitant to say I am put off by it. In that regard, the flash is sometimes much more annoying, as is the guy or girl moving around the stage. Thing is, you know a photographer costs money. So he is only out on special occasions and in that case, adds a measure of glamour to the event. The shutter sound is of no importance and if anything, the louder the sound, the more it adds to the 'pro vibe' a paid photographer exudes.
Well said
Everything you say is 100% spot on. I have just won 'International News Agency Photo of the Year 2022' and guess what camera i used ? The D3s ! Love it.
Thank you and congratulations on your win!!!!
I adore my D3s, had it years, I shoot corporate work, weddings, horses & dogs. I love the weight, shutter sound, small files, easy CF cards, & the lovely, almost filmic, files it gives me. I get it serviced by my local guys, what’s not to love. I will remain ‘old skool’ for as long as possible 💪
Good for you! Wonderful camera.
I still use the D3s in 2023. It's heavy but the image quality is wonderful. I use it with Voigtlander F mount lenses. I adore the shutter sound unlike the clack of the D700.
I totally agree, also the D4S, and last my D6 . Happy Shooting.
The D3/D3s feels so nice in hand! I recently got myself a low shutter count D3 and i'm loving it.
It really is!
I'm still killing it with that camera. It'll never be obsolete for my use case.
I have the D3s and D3X and they are both great just fabulous cameras
I have just gone back to my D3S for sports. I also regret getting rid of my Fuji X-Pro 2. Such fantastic cameras, with wonderful colours.
You are a First Class Teacher ! Highly Enjoyed the Video Explanation as well as the images !
Totally agree. I have a d500 with battery grip, and it is just different to my d3s. I recently picked up a manual focus 135mm f2 and I think it will stay permanently attached to my d3s. Bulky, yes. Heavy, yes. Sublime user experience, you bet!
I had never heard of this camera. I am totally new to photography. I always use my phone. But I feel like that this trend of using your phonecamera is just redicilous. I used to have proper camera in 2010 and the quality and colour was so good. I won't be using those phone camera's anymore. My cat passed away and I am so gald I took proper pictures with a good camera of him. His memories feel more alive to me.
Browsing online, I saw some pictures taken with this camera on the Nikon instagram page and was blown away by the quality. I had no clue it was an old camera. Although the new cameras look better. There is something very different about the pictures that make it look so painted/unique. I was shocked how cheap it is. Defintely will be purchasing it. I am not a professional photographer btw. Thanks for the review.
I'm looking into buying a D4, at the moment I'm shooting with a d810 and will never switch to mirrorless.
No need to switch, just buy one as a secondary/side shooter if necessary. I've been using both the Z's and D's side by side for a few years now and I come to appreciate the pro's and con's of both formats...Best of both worlds!
I’ve got D3X, D700, & D3S. The others are fab too, but the D3S is my favourite. Not quite sure why - but it’s just the one I’d keep if I could only have one camera.
yeah i get that, i think its just so competent.
I feel similarly about the D700, and I don't mind putting an aftermarket grip on there, it's just so much cheaper.
Get a D700 and you won't look back 🥳
Love my d700.
If your doing paid work you need 2 card slots.
2nd D3S video I have seen today (first was Three Blind Men comparing it to a Z8 but talking a lot about Jay Meisel who used a D3S to great effect). Is it a special birthday for the D3S (15th?). I don’t know the Nikon product line, so I try to place it into the context of the Canon product line. The 5D is obviously one point of comparison but how about the 1DX line? (Built in grip and premium professional features and controls). In those days there was a 1DS for studio work and another version called the 1D (mark 1.2 or 3) for everything else.
I shot weddings and sports with my D3. Although retired from it, I wouldn't hesitate to do it again today. Excellent cameras
I just got a D3s, after having a D3 for over 10 years, but after I had to change the shutter, not touched it so much anymore and changed to Olympus MFT. However, the other day I wanted to maintain the last surviving battery of the D3 and fell in love again. I mean, I have still all those Nikkor lenses from all eras. But my D3 had some electric failures, shutting down in the middle of a shoot, and so I decided to get a "big brother" for it. Was very lucky to finde an excellent example for just 350 €, and never looked back. The high ISO performance gives total freedom. Feels like almost 2 stops.
Hi. You sold me on this camera. I especially liked that wedding photo! I just bought one online. Now I have to figure out a lens. This is my first pro camera😃
That paragliding shot is awesome! I just picked up an old D2x for very little $ and after a couple of weeks of frustration changing focus points in vertical mode I checked the manual and Nikon recommends changing them by pressing & holding the vertical grip’s AF-on button then rotating the vertical sub command front dial. It is a bit odd to use a different AF point selection method for portrait versus landscape shooting, but for me it ends up being much easier & faster than the thumb stretch. If I use my right middle finger to select the AF point I can still keep my index finger on the shutter. Cheers!
The thumb stretch is annoying for sure, i do wonder if you can do the same though on the D3s, i suspect you can, D2x should be great though, i know a couple of guys that have had them and loved them!
I think I have to get my hands on a D3s
Never had anyone complain about shutter noise when taking pictures people aren't just standing around in silence at a wedding
D3s is a perfect wedding camera really, it is heavy but the ergonomics are fantastic and its the most completely in control and laid back feeling ive had from a camera at a wedding. it just breezes through it, any iso, any situation.
Love my D3s and my D3...I shoot youth sports and Portraits. No problem printing 20x30 inch prints on METAL.. The shutter is loud though😅
The shutter is not loud at all the D800/ D850 much louder.. these professional cameras have superb shutter mechanisms
Absolutely bang on mate, well explained and superbly detailed review. Like I've said before, my D3 is still in use and likely to remain so until it finally gives out. Made me smile about the loud shutter and people at weddings comment. I never was bothered by it, nor bothered now, but it has been an issue with wildlife photography, as it sounds like a rifle being cocked, and I did experience birds and foxes dashing away after a couple of frames were fired 🤣Keep up the quality show mate 👍
ahhh yes for wildlife thats a different thing hahaha i can imagine that being a problem.
Bought mine it used in 2012 and except for a dead battery it’s still an amazing pro camera!
When I made my oversized photo books, the effective file size was about 1.2 Megabytes per page. So roughly the equivalent of 1-2 Megapixels. Per Page. My old D90 has 12 Megapixels and I never ever came to a point that it was not enough. I later bought a D750 with 24 MPs but mainly because of low light capabilities. It is much better then with the old D90. The pixel count is plenty on both cameras.
Straight on video! I have this camera and won't ever get rid of it.
I think during a ceremony and reception people will not hear the shutter. But people might hear it in a small when getting ready and sometimes that can work to your advantage if they turn their head and look into the camera you can take that photo also.
I went to one church and preist said I don't want to hear any noise from your camera. I just put my camera in silent mode I have mirrorless.
My Dad had a clock in the living room that would go ding ding. After a while you get so use to it we did not even hear it going off we just zoned it out.
I agree with all this although my preference is for my D3x as I don't shoot movies, the low light performance is OK as is the shooting speed in continuous. Gladly swap these for the extra resolution and would suggest that anyone wanting all the features of the D3s but with higher resolution go for a D4. The great news is that there are many good used D3 models on the market at great prices at present and anyone preferring the D3x will find that the huge premium needed when new has shrunk to a size that makes it a practical alternative.
Love the video!! Found a D3 with 60k clicks for $350. It's been a BEAST with a 28mm for street/architecture photography
Thanks Marcel, you found an incredible deal wow!
Shutter on my D4S went out at 120k clicks. It took a while to find someone with the parts to fix it. Lack of factory support is a real concern. I still use it on occasion, but my Z9 is obviously my main camera.
Apparently, people weren't keen to tell you who manufactured the sensor.
Sensor was designed by Nikon. They had no wafer production capability, and never divulged the manufacturer. Possibly manufactured by Renesas.
Same for the processor.
I am so grateful for your no-bull videos, without stupid music etc
oh you are welcome, im glad you like them Eugenia, its great to get feedback like this. But feel free to tell me when i get it wrong too, im still learning how to do a youtube video!
Hey Martin, Ray here. Just today, 20 Dec 2023, purchased one! Found one on eBay in immaculate condition for a fair price and it is on the post on its way to me as we speak. Can't wait! As this video was made closer to the beginning of 2023, I wonder if you ever got round getting another D3s body? In any case, thanks for your invaluable videos! Cheers, Ray.
oh i hope you like it, its soooo good, ive moved to the z9 now which will be like a mirrorless version but i was very close to getting another D3s, its still a fantastic camera one of the best ever made.
@MartinCastein I've been using the Z9 for the last year. It's Incredible! I still have my F5. I wanted to have something close to the F5 in digital. I'm hoping the D3s will do that for me. I just got it by the way. It is a flagship Nikon through and through. Amazing.
yeah i can fully understand that, hopefully it does the trick for you
In the rapid digital age we find ourselves in, it's very unfortunate for the equipment to become obsolete at a very high pace. However, I can't help but drool over this marvel from Nikon, the legendary Nikon D3s. 14 years later and it's still a beast to be reckoned with.
I read about some D3/D3s reaching 800K to one million shutter actuations. Any personal experiences?? I got a D3 with 300K... Well, the seller lied about "the 45K shutter count". Maybe I will get at least 500K (if I'm lucky). Any thoughts about it??
It can often happen they go that high yes, I’m sure mine was at least 600k and hadn’t died yet before I sold it
@@MartinCastein That's good to hear! Thanks for sharing.
MC my opinion on comfortable cameras favours the Nikon D4/s. To me the 4 is more natural in the hand and less of a lump.
D3s is a low light beast. I use mine to take night time city scapes, all hand held with non vr lenses .
It’s superb in low light
Great video. Lovely parachute photo. Quiet / silent shutters do have uses though, for example when photographing theatre / performances / dance etc. Loud shutters are hugely distracting for the audience and performers in those situations - I know because I was sat near photographers photographing a dance (with quiet / no music) and their old Canon cameras were ruining it for me.
I realize that they say it takes around 80 megapixels or so to match 35mm film. However, as I review my 35mm prints and compare them to the Nikon 12.1 megapixel sensor they seem quite comparable. When I bought my 16.2 megapixel Nikon, that was the point where I felt it exceeded 35mm film in clarity.
I think Panasonic were making sensors for Nikon around the D3 models… but I may be wrong
The video is spot on. Awesome camera for sure. Get one and have fun!
I am looking to get into wedding photography. I own budget friendly mirorrless camera canon RP. But card failed on me once. likely it was just my personal shoot. I don’t have budget to go for pro level mirrorless but instead considering pro body dslr such as 1dx. But have some concerns regarding shutter sound. Martin broke this myth over again that you must have silent shutter. It was deal breaker to make final decision.
oh the 1dx would be superb. All the silent shutter stuff is mostly nonsense. Weddings are mostly noisy. Bridal prep there is music playing people laughing, its not a funeral. Most of the day people are talking and chatting, its pretty noisy as event. Only the ceremony is quiet and everyone is focussed on the bride and groom. I used to ask if people could hear my d3s and d700 and no one ever could. they are lost in the moment. Also no one has taken any photos that havent been taken on louder cameras. I get it though, i always felt self concious too but its really just in our heads.
This is hell of camera. I had a lot of Nikon's. I thought that is same sensor as D3/d700, but it is much different. The colors are much brighter and cleaner, more like Df, but sharper in jpeg. All in all, this camera is very very capable in all aspects, even today.
Im confused to take sony a6000 or this one. For a beginner street photo
@@srr1887 They cannot be compared. If you want a real camera go for the D700. The D3 is even better but perhaps heavier for street. The color reproduction of both cameras is top notch and the Sony colors on the A6000 are a disaster especially on skins and skies.
My D700 broke (aperture always is wide open). I guess the D3s is a great replacement as it will give a bit more low light performance.
thats a shame that it broke, you could look at an independent camera repair shop and get an estimate to repair it. The D3s will give a lot more low light performance not a little, its insanely good in low light, almost scary.
@@MartinCastein I bought a nice condition D3s today and I must say I'm very impressed by the low light performance. Very little noise at iso 12800, it cleans up nicely with denoising software (I use DxO PureRaw). Even the high iso jpegs look nice (nicer than the jpegs from my D750).
10:58 Hi Martin,
I'm planning to buy a camera for my event photography and was considering the Nikon D3S or the Z5. I need a reliable fast main workhorse for events. Which one would you recommend?
Well personally i wouldnt want the z5 for events but what events do you mean?If its weddings for example thats different to concerts. You should look at the d3s but also the D750 and d810 even. I wouldnt bother with nikon mirrorless unless its z8 or z9 or z6iii because the dslr autofocus is much better. If its weddings you need 2 cameras well not just one, in which case you could mix a couple of cameras, youd probably be better off with 2x d810 or 2xd750.
@@MartinCastein
I have been involved with a couple of events lately, and I have upcoming events for a birthday party, corporate events, and a fashion runway. Right now, I’m borrowing the Nikon Z7 as my first handheld mirrorless camera from Nikon, but I’m seriously considering the D750 and the D3S. Since you mentioned that autofocus is more reliable in DSLRs, I might stick with an SLR for now. Which one do you prefer for low-light performance, the D750 or the D3S? Thank you for your response, Martin; I really appreciate it.
@@WebsterAbe thats hard because the d750 has better focus in low light and more dynamic range but the d3s is better in low light image wise and better colour but is 12MP if you dont mind that id probably go with the d3s, I prefer it personally.
Thank you for this professional viewpoint and experience, Martin
Just excellent as usual. I say just, because I just come to expect this level of quality from you and you did it again! I very much like Nikon's 85mm 1.8G and this sounds like a good combination of body and lens for what I do, street photography and I do not care about a larger camera. The two together are a good price point and doable for me also. Thank you for this review!
Hi Martin,
I have a D3x, and I really love it. I use it primarily with a 90mm Tamron macro... 🙂
Great to hear!
6:04 sooc jpg sir?
You have made me want to pull out my D3S again.
I can’t believe you put it away in the first place 🤣 tut tut
Hi Martin. Another great video. I've got the D3, D700 and 800. I shoot with the D800, which I love and I also love the D3, which is possibly the best workhorse ever. Is there much difference between the D3 and D3s?
D3s is much better in low light and get it if you can
@@MartinCastein I won't be getting another camera for some time😏
@@dharmabob2 I got a D3 and D800 too, but added a D3s recently. It is a real difference to the D3 in ISO performance, almost 2 stops. Suddenly you can stop down your lens in the night, to get those sunstars, for example. Also the live view is more usable than with the D3. A big advantage. I got mine for 350 €, and it is in excellent condition, only used in studio. Now is the best time to get a D3s.
Nice video I still shoot with my ten years old D800 !
Muchas gracias.
The paragliding shot looked so good. Did you use HDR for it by combining shots in post? I can’t believe it’s got such good dynamic range.
Thanks, yes its 2 shots combined, often do this for any outdoor commercial work.
@@MartinCastein super awesome
watching this since i found it in my work’s storage.
I know a pro in my town who has been shooting with D3s since it came out and he's not intended to switch. He's got his old 24-70 and 70-200 (both 2.8) all wraped in transparent box sealing tape because they are beaten so much, LOL, but he still successfully uses it all. He drives Mercedes, but shoots with this beat up stuff, because it just works.
i love that, i sometimes wish id just done that, the amount of money i have spent just trying different cameras where I would have just been happy sticking with the d3s.....i just love the simplicity of living like that.
hello Martin, what lens did you use for the shot at 0:45? thanks for the video✌️
24-70 2.8
@@HikingWithMartin How the hell can that zoom be so damn good!!! Please excuse the expletives.
Great review of a great camera.
May I request you to say something about its counterpart Canon 1D Mark IV ? Being a hobbyist, I use it for wildlife photography frequently and couldn't be happier.
Had I been a Nikon shooter; I would definitely get the D3s.
There's nothing sweeter than the shutter sound of a pro DSLR, just love it.
I have both. The 1D MKIV is Canon's best and my favorite camera. The D3s is Nikon's best camera and my favorite Nikon. They will never make better.
@@carlgarrard9710, spot on buddy.
Martin, what are your thoughts on the D4? I've had a D700 for ages and I love it, but I'm on the fence whether to get a D3S or the D4. My understanding is the D4 has better low light autofocus and a little lighter. The downside for me on the D4 is the expensive XQD card.
Great review, I still use it in 2024 & love it ! And I don't think of it as "heavy"....I think of it as "SOLID" ! :-)
I am happy with my nikon z5 wish i could afford the lenses I want but they all cost more than my camera did and im just using the single kit lens cause im not paying that much for glass. 24mp is more than enough for any needs.
I love me my Olympus E-M1X. Feels so damn solid and feels great in the hand, especially with heavier lenses. Gripped bodies are great.
And a postage stamp sensor...
@@stevenbamford5245 ... Which is great if you want to shoot in low light with f1.2 lenses and still maintain a usable depth of field.
using dxo photo you can use 25600 ISO no problems...
Thank you for your opinion, I was considering buying this camera in 2024 and your opinion helped me a lot. You left me a doubt about the colorimetry. Is the skin tone similar to reality or is it very different and also in the level of detail, perhaps the imperfections? of the skin is it noticeable?
I was thinking getting this for wildlife! But the noisy shutter now, idk. What cheap Fullframe can I use you think guys ? It need to be kind of silent. But really good in lowlight !!!!
How did light your video?, what camera/lens? your video lighting is exceptionally great….!!
I think the lighting is a softbox front camera right and and a bare led bulb hair light from the back but not much power to it.camera i cant remember.
What about d3X sensor? Is that Sony sensor's?
Nice video! I’ve been eyeing the D3s for a couple of years, but they seem to be either quite scruffy or expensive. It seems to be a better camera than the contemporary Canon cameras, the 1Ds Mk III and the 1D Mark IV. And that said even when looking at those two in my cupboard.
It’s a bit interesting that noise/grain are so much more pleasant in the older low resolution pro cameras. The picture you show here at 6400 looks great, and I would say it is a similar experience with many older pro cameras. Many new high resolution cameras have ISO through the roof, but the noise starts to look quite horrible even on settings like 6400, especially if noise reduction is turned down.
yeah i agree and the noise that it does have is actually nice, somehow the nikons seem to have hardly any colour noise which makes the noise much more acceptable
Those Canon’s are different from each other. One is a full frame camera. The other a crop sensor camera.
@@bngr_bngr The 1D Mark 4 is a APS-H, so yeah, a 1.3x crop. It’s in the middle between full frame and the typical APS-C (1.6x) crop sensor cameras. But it was still a pro camera, competing with the buyers of the Nikon D3s. I own it and the full frame 1Ds Mark III, and they are both very much pro cameras, but the 1Ds is more of a high resolution studio, portrait and landscape camera, while the 1D Mark 4 is a typical high speed sports camera, like the Nikon D3s.
What do you think the difference is between D3 and 5D classic ? i see its priced a bit higher , given the integrated grip that is actually not a grip just a place for huge battery .
The integrated grip on the d3 is a grip as when you turn the camera to portrait orientation it has a second shutter button and controls to allow you to use the camera in portrait orientation the same as you would in landscape. That’s also different from just putting a grip on a camera because the ergonomics and balance on cameras like the d3 is far superior. However the main question. The 5d is a slow and basic portrait camera. The d3 is a sports and journalism camera. I’d buy the 5d for portraits and probably the d3 for most other things. The 5d is very old and slow so you should consider that. Look at other cameras too. It’s an unusual comparison between those two.
@@MartinCastein Yes its a grip indeed , . But that aside , i have Canon 6D as well , and i prefer almost always 5D , even when it comes to manual third party lenses , 5D can give you focus confirmation via OVF , 6D can not nor can any other Canon only 5D ,but 6D has live view so you can zoom in and focus that way , but that way is a hell of a lot slower .Far as i know things are like that .
And with 5D you get bigger pixels , and i like that , it makes objects on the image look 3D , they have a pop to them . Totally different then 6D looking more like picture taken with smartphone , kind of flat , and it has yellowish tint to it , cant really put my finger on it , but definitely different
If i shoot same subject with 5D and 6D , put the pictures on my Phone or side by side on my professional 4K monitor Samsung UD970 , i like what i see more on 5D .
But , Nikon D3 has live view , and it has even bigger pixels , 5D 8.2nm , D3 8,4nm .
So i know i will get more 3D pop with it .
Most viewers of my images , use smartphones , 99% of them .
So i have no need for high pixel count , i would rather enjoy big pixels . 12Mpix is more then enough , if framed correctly , and if not , you can crop it about 40% and still be satisfied .
It is for that reason that i am comparing 5D and D3 , large pixels , around 12mpix .
And i would like to know from first hand experience from someone who had them both , what are they like , which one hart likes most . I am a Hobby Family Photographer , sometimes event photographer , but not payed . So i dont need latest and greatest , i just want nice pictures and 12mpix is enough , i cant complain on my 5D , it has everything i need , as i said most people view my photos on Smartphones . That is why i got 6D , ability to send via wifi to smartphone , but i did not use it once . So ... Maybe better get D3 , i have a professional photographer as a friend and he is on Nikon system , he has im sure some glass to lend me till i form my own Nikon collection .
@@MartinCastein here are few of my images almost all are with 5D drive.google.com/drive/folders/1hEwyFuBaY62EEva-9b_6Ep-3aK3-Lpyd?usp=sharing
Great perspective & helpfull but i have been trying to buy new nikon d3s or nikon d4... cant find any new ones ie.low shutter counts....Anyone have ANY Suggestions? One video on You tube suggested Japanese import, but doesntthat void USA warranty & repair options?
If you would compare the d700 with the d3s, which one do you prefer and why?
D700 better colour for sure with nicer skin tones d3s better high iso and faster camera.
@@MartinCastein thanks for the fast reply…so, you’re telling me I need to buy both cameras 🤗😂😍
@@BSHokke hahahhaha, well if thats what you want then, yes, yes i am hahaha there you go thats the excuse you wanted
I've had both and both are great, but if I had to choose one it would be the d3s. It's just a class above the d700. Good luck!
@@MartinCastein thank you. Just bought a d700 in perfect condition with 50.000 clicks, a battery pack, 3 Nikon batteries, L bracket for easy tripod attachment, remote control and he threw in a large camera bag because I gave him the price he asked for, which was €425. So I think that was a fair price for the whole package. Really happy 😍
My D3 can sit in the closet for months waiting for me - pick it up, the battery is still good to go and it's happy to back to work. The least fussy camera (I've shot Fuji, Nikon, Canon, Phase One) with the biggest payoff I own.
I wanna ask, for sport photography + night better 6d ii or d3s?
I dont really know, im not a sports photographer at all really, if i had to pick though just to do it id go with the d3s
I'd say the same about Canon 1DX. It's the best comfort in hands I ever had, but the shutter is so loud it scared my at first 😀 I now own 5DIII with batterry grip which is similarly convenient in ergonomics, but has true silent mode for those bothred with it.
Great video👍
Thanks 👍
Sir, if you have choice which one you will go for Nikon d3s, Nikon d610 or Nikon d750 in 2023
What for?
@@MartinCastein photography people
D750
Fotos reales o editas? Lentes costosos o economicos
Yeah, the shutter can not be loud enough. If someone makes complaints I just don't care😆😆😆😆
Sou apaixonado pela D3s. As imagens são bastante agradáveis
Had the D3 for a short time and was going to move to a D3s, but I didn't like the colors so much as I did the D3. I ended up trading up to a D4 and man what a huge difference the D4 is in low light over the D3.
I agree the grip on the D3/D3s is on a different level of comfort. The D4 is also really nice, but the vertical grip is more shallow compared to the D3/D3s. The buttons on the D4 by far is better than the D3. But you can do a lot with Fn buttons and shooting modes to change things up with one hand on the D4 that it to me is better ergodically then the D3.
CF card, I never remove them. I just jack in with the mini-USB connector and pull pictures over that way. I do not want to damage the CF contacts on my Pro bodies, it can be very costly to have them bent.
By far the D4 colors are a tad better vs the D3. The D3 has some magic though, it handles the higher ISO noise decently, but shows its age when pushed. The D4 is a monster in low light. Some reviewers have said it's maybe a 1/3 stop better than the D3s. I will say the D3 and D4 both handle noise better than my newer DSLR's. Something about the grain pattern that allows the D3/D4 to be pushed past their ISO limits.
The D3/D3s and D4 have very loud shutters, and I always worry about that as well. I do a lot of events photos and I always feel like I want to be stealthy to get the best Candid shots I can get. I will say I get more folks interested in the size of the camera and lenses then the actual shutter sounds during a quite time of an event. I think once they see you are taking photos of everyone, they mellow out and forget you or there. Same with when I use flash at an event, at first the folks notice it. But after a few dozen flash shots they forget about it and enjoy the event.
I still remember back a few years watching press events and the barrage of shutter releases you hear in those situations. And those folks just go on and do their thing. Just shoot and let the folks settle into you being there and clicking away.
Weight and size, I wouldn't trade it for a lighter/lesser camera. I do not plan to go mirrorless for many years. There are to many good DSLR's to own and enjoy at 1/3 of the cost of the newer Mirrorless bodies.
Great review, and thank you.
I shoot M43 I have 12 megapixel cameras in I'm happy with 12. I have other cameras with 16 and 20 megapixels.
I had heard that the D700 was the little brother to the D3s (as in it has the same sensor, but different size and ergos) can anyone confirm this? I enjoy the D700 but have never tried the D3s.
I think its technically the same sensor as a base but the performance is pretty different, the colour is a bit better on the d700 and iso performance is leaps ahead on the D3s.
I think you are thinking more of the D3 rather than D3s
I think the Nikon D3S uses a Panasonic sensor?
Nope. Its a Nikon sensor. Older cameras might have used a Sony sensor but I dont think any have used a Panasonic one.
Hi Martin.
Wow and Wow again with regard to the paraglider picture. Simple as that.
Hi again.
I've just seen the other photo of the paraglider on your Instagram page. The client/s must of been very happy with the wonderful images you created.
Many thanks
It's an amazing camera of the height of DSLR . I got the use the '07 D3 and loved it so I got on for the D3S and never looked back. Coming from D2H I can't recall it being louder or even my F4E of which I was still using 20 yrs ago as a kid. I think when you take the moto drive noise out of it you notice it different.
The D3s does have a sort of quiet mode. it's ideal in wildlife slow frame counts. But remember, the D3S is capable of 11 Fps so its mirror return is strong. The F4E was much quieter in its soft mode.
Is there a difference in D3S and D3
Yes mostly low light on d3s is much much better
100% DSLR!!!!
I shoot sports with D3s each week along with D700. I print qiute often and lately even 90x60 cm poster. Just my own two cents : D3s produces qiute different colours ( not as good as D700 ) also has improved lcd screen ( not as blueish as D700).
youve literally covered everything I needed to know about this camera. what an amazing review. well done!
I have a D3s and love it. I will keep it until it dies 😂
I feel the same about my D700, the D3's baby brother. 12mp is a sweet spot similar to film. There's a different feeling composing a shot when you know you don't have infinite crop. It gives the frame more meaning. Less pixel peeping. More emphasis on creating images instead of data. Nice work!
The world does not change where we NEED newer cameras the trees and grass and elephants stay the same, SURE products advance but not always is new technology NEEDED.
Is it nice to get more MP and faster gear and faster autofocus sure!!! but it is not REQIRED i still shoot daily with my D3 my sony a600 and my canon r6 each give me good results but use them for different applications.. I am going to get more ball on bat shots with the r6 and its better tracking and more FPS then I would with the d3. but you slap on a 70-200 f 2.8 on the d3 and you have a walk around work horse camera with incredible images
Martin, PLZ, it's an easy 11
🤣 true true!
I love it m8
Yes 💯
Wait what so afternall that praise...you dont have it anymore....ok??
Z9 now
Martin you would fit in with me and my photographer friends perfect. Out here the D3s is legendary. In my opinion might be Nikons best. One observation that I’ve had is whenever you have the S models they add a little bit of like dirt or something to the image so the d3 is more like the D800 but the S model of the D3 and the D4 have a punch to it. I still prefer the 5d markii and iii to this camera but it’s amazing. All the AF points are sharp but centered the lowlight is good considering it’s age but not on par with more modern Nikons. Nice video. This is another camera that shoots both natural and OCF equally amazing. The natural light is very filmic and the OCF very punchy. I always thought that low megapixel cameras look more like film and this guy prob the most. Also the grain at higher Iso is more like film grain than noise. I’ve used this body quite a lot with my work along with the D750 and D500 and it’s the best colors by far.
agree with all of that, it does have to be taken into account when it was made but shooting weddings with that camera was so straight forward and dependable. agree that it has much better colours than the d750 for sure too.
Thx for the Info Martin.
That looks like one super tanker of a camera (in a good way) which will go on forever.
Those raw images do look very nice.
I do like the look, as in, the files of the "older gear" they have a certain character to them which adds to the story being told in the photo.
Give me some of that 5,6D creamy love. That sounds quite bizarre but you know what I mean 😂😂
Great as always, you Nikon fanboy!! Hahaha.
😉😉
HAHAHAHAAH thank you Chris hahaha🤣
@@MartinCastein welcome m8 👍😂😜
High mega-pixels are only half the story. To process 50mp you'll need a computer which is capable of it.