Dec 2023, I recently upgraded from APSC to my first full frame and bought a D3s. From the first photo i took with this camera, i knew it had features which i didnt know about. I am still struggling with the functions and features of this camera, but your video is helping me a lot. I will need to watch it over and over again, because it is a info overload for 1 sitting. Thank you very much.
Good purchase I see more and more D3S on second hand market here in France D4S are below 1000€ and D5 around 1500€… I’m thinking about selling my D6 before its price drops too much !
Thank you very much for this video! At first I was a bit disappointed in the D3s and thought it's just old and outdated. But to be honest, it's actually a perfectly fine camera and I just didn't know how to use it right! This video helped me a lot, to understand and use the D3s correctly. And I think I need to watch it a few more times, to get all the information. Nikon D3s rocks!
What a wonderfully well thought out presentation followed it to the letter. I am currently mainly taking landscapes so I may change one of one of your suggested settings to match my commonly used ISO & exposures. Thanks for taking the time to make this video it is very much appreciated.
Hi Christopher. Thanks a lot for your message and your interest in this video. I’m happy that it is useful to some. Have a great day and pleasing moments with your camera
Thanks Didier. This is a very helpful video. I like my D3s a lot too, paired it with Sigma prime lenses and the results are such that I don’t feel the need to get a high megapixel, latest model camera. Colours and quality of the D3s with good glass are impressive even in 2020. Regards, Ric.
Bookmarks to help others @6:33 - ***Shooting Banks intro*** @6:57 - Shooting Menu and Custom settings @7:22 - Shooting Menu explained (Shooting Banks) @11:50 - Custom Menu Explained (Function button assignments) @12:25 - Menu navigation with dials (front and back dial assignments) @12:59 - Multi-Selector Center Button Custom assignment @13:53 - Release button ISO (one touch) adjustment @15:00 - ***Auto Focus*** @15:01 - AF Activation (turn off AF on shutter button and use AF-ON back button) @16:52 - AE-AF lock custom assignment @18:02 - Spot Metering (on demand) Custom assignment @19:30 - Matrix metering and spot metering demo @21:05 - Aperture "Preview" (default setting) @21:51 - ***FN buttons custom assignments (with multiple shooting banks)*** @21:56 - AF-3D FN custom Settings (switching AF area modes with back dial) @23:56 - *** Camera Behavior *** @25:28 - Focus Tracking lock (Important) @27:06 - AF Point selection (11 point or 51 point) @29:35 - ISO sensitivity step value Great video, thank you so much Didier.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Absolutely paste it in. I apricate the time and effort you took to explain some menu locations of function buttons that are super helpful. Really simplified where to go and get things setup on the D3s. Thank you!!!
ziggyjinx thank you for your comment and glad that you appreciate my channel. Super cool !!! The D3S would be a huge step forward compared to the APSC you have. Keep in mind that you will need FX lenses...
Thanks Didier. I changed today from a older D3s to a brand new D3s from a dealer stock for only SFr 1000.-!! Forget all the new stuff, we are more then happy with our "old" machines. I need no other modern camera any more and be happy to see your videos in the future.
Thanks a lot for your message. I appreciate a lot my new gear L Mount and the quality behind any Leica lense that I use now but as soon as I grab my old D3S I can still feel the thrill and pleasure to use it and the quality is absolutely still relevant today. I’m glad you appreciate my video and found a brand new D3S...
One has just taken delivery of my first pro camera, namely a D3, primarly for speed. I thank you Sir for a most impressive and informative class. I hope to return to la belle France, namely Brantome. Once again many thanks
That very kind to leave this message two years later coming back to my video ! Thanks a lot Enjoy your D3 until it dies 😄and you will buy a D6 at a low price at this moment 😁
Great combo !! D3S and D850 are two legends. Had a D850 few years ago. amazing image quality. Once I tested a Lumix S1R (same sensor resolution) I switched to the L mount system. And now I play with the 2 univers. DSLR's from Nikon and Mirroless from L Mount.
I updated from d610 to d3s I shoot sports photography and so happy got it yesterday after many years. Just update please on monopod and the head will be great thanks
I've got two D3s', they are amazing! They both have severe battle scars, but they keep going, they won't lay down! I see no reason to upgrade to the D5 or 6. I do have a D4, and enjoy that one a lot as well, but still not fallen in love with it the same way as with the D3s. But, the night is young. GREAT info in this class. Thank you! Arrive en Paris, Juillet 19 :)
@@silentsupreme4874 the second one was too cheap to not buy(with the 4 and 5 on the market), and almost mint condition, and to have an extra D3s is always good, in my opinion.
@@lemat8558 Hello Mat. Since last year I completed my D3S with some amazing other D’s Nikon powerful cameras!!! Starting with a D3X … and the last D6 at à so competitive price from my local store with less than 200 actuations… that I couldn’t refuse. And side by side, the D3S still gives me superb results and I don’t hesitate to have both with me in certain shooting conditions where I need reactivity with two cameras and lenses …
Thanks for providing this video. I followed along with my D700 and had some very useful tips. It's a shame the D700 doesn't show the min shutter/ISO settings when you view the SHOOT menu like on the D3s !
Many nice tips but if you are shooting fast action or street photography you need to set AF-C priority selection to Release so the shutter releases immediately. You are already focused on subject. You’ll miss critical shots with the other choices.
Subscribed 2023. Just bought a second hand nikon D3 and found your channel. Very helpful and hope to see more D3 tutorials soon. Still trying to get live view on but dosen't seem to be working 👍📷
Hi John. This is one of the best Lens you could have though of investing in. I'm sure you will not be disappointed and this Lens is ready for high définition sensor if one day you rent a D850 for high definition photo session ! Enjoy !
Congratulations Didier for this interesting video. I have a D3s that I had partially set up to my needs but I completed the setup with some things you showed. A D3x will also arrive shortly, alongside the D3s machines that I consider extraordinary and that will accompany me for several years to come. A greeting and the next useful information.
Thank you so much for your kind words. The D3X is even better when comes the light! You will enjoy it for sure. I made some updates to my settings since… I should check the differences and point them out in a video maybe. And yeah I own a D3X too! 😊
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Sorry Didier if I write to you here but I have no other addresses .... I finally received the legendary D3x and now I'm working on the settings of the customization desks. Do you know the way to recall these settings without going through the menu etc .... in the D3s I can select which bank to use using the multiselector but on the D3x I could not see anything. Thanks in advance
@@piermariourbani8937 Hi Great to read that you got your D3X Isn’t it the f4 and f5 function ? You can assign FUNC button + dials to the shooting menu bank selection. Maybe I didn’t understand correctly the question… Don’t hesitate to tell me.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography You're right Didier my English is terrible. i'm checking f4 and f5 and it seems to do just what i was looking for. Now I try to see ... the night is still long eheheh. Thank you very much for your availability.
Thank you for the informative video, I have mine set mostly as yours, but there were a couple of things to further speed up operations that I didn't think myself :) I am one of ones that really want to trust that those camera are "built like a tank", bought mine with 228k clicks to save quite a bunch of money, so far so good, let's see in a year or so.. (But the overall impression is really of a sturdy well made pro body, as expected).
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Oh, I'm just a passionate amateur with a soft spot for oldish but still capable gear. I do almost everything, depending on the moment: landscape, travel, street and thanks to the quarantine I've begun to exercise myself with wildlife photography in Central Park :)
Ty for making this video. I purchased a new to me D3s and it arrived today. I set it up just like how yours is in the video. Your video saved me a lot of time. The only thing I didn't realize is how heavy it would be with my nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR1 (the one with the gold plaque 😉) like you could legit hurt someone if you hit them! I love the camera already! Coming from a D600, it's fabulous 👌 I edit on a LG 4K 55" OLED TV, I can't really tell its 12mp honestly, theres that little difference but It doesn't even matter. All the shots are going to instagram anyways. I'm very pleased. 166k shutter count. $530, and not beat to crap. I don't think o could have don't better in 2022. I give it a solid 10/10 👊 both camera and video!
Thank you so much for this comment Nik. The 70-200 2.8 VR1 is working well with the D3S. I had one with the D700 in this period when I dreamed about a D3S … now I have both D3 S and X… my custom settings have evolved a little since this video but anyhow I’m pleased you appreciated it and it saved you a lot of time. The 80-200 2.8 AFS (NON VR) is even heavier than the 70-200… Also you can consider the 70-200 F/4 VR… excellent light lens
@@DidierMOULINPhotography hey just curious. Is there any benefit or reason to use the low iso modes? The .3, .7 or 1.0? I haven't had time to experiment. I know the native iso is 200. Have you played around with that by any chance?
Wonderful video - refreshed my mind on many things, and showed me things I was not aware of. I bought my D3 from B&H Photo, from the first shipment to them, and I've owned it ever since. I started using newer Nikons (D750, D780) but I still had my D3 (along with my earlier D2x). Are you still using your D3s ? I see you have an INFO button, that my D3 lacs. Anyway, thank you for making this video. VERY useful!!!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. Happy to read you still have pleasure with your D3. I sold my D3S because I have a D6 but guess what?? I purchased another D3S few weeks ago. In the Nikon lineup it’s really a must have ! Have a great day
6:16 ….if I don’t consider the technical details, my D3 is one of my favorite cameras, all the controls are quickly available, and everything I might want, only the INFO button is missing. I wish it had 24 megapixels but as long as I fill the screen, it has more than enough. My D780 is “better” in many ways, but the D3 becomes part of me, maybe from so much use/experience. Why would you want a D3 again if you own a D6 ? I would like to buy a D5 or D6, but other than more megapixels, I’m not sure why I need one. I bounce one of the first 10 D3 cameras sent to B&H when the D3 was released. So by now it is a part of me. I guess I should check what firmware updates may have been released?
@@MikeMyers00 the D3S is more back home as a collector 😉 And in case I need to bring cash back I will sell the D6 if I no longer need that fast and accurate AF
Thanks 😁 oh chunky is known, my 810 have a grip. The d3s is more a emotional pick, like my many vintage manual lenses. Love the 810 too, but dont need that pixel everytime. The Z6 is my most emotionless body, feels like a computer.
@@jaceksnaturblicke5278 it’s when the Z6 arrived that I left Nikon. Or at least I stopped buying them and started my journey with the L Mount alliance. But yeah! D3S is special
Thank you for these videos on the D3s. I’m struggling to learn how to shoot in manual mode and raw format. Can you make any recommendations for online training or books etc. I’d love to see you put on a video about shooting in manual mode & raw format. John
John McKenna I hope you have subscribed because the video on P A S M Modes is uploading right now!!! Cheers and thanks a lot for your idea. Best regards
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Yes ! I saw that video right away and it was very informative. Excellent work and thank you for the education! I'm really enjoying learning about Manual mode.
I have both a D3 and a D3X. (I also have a D4S and a D750!) I love the D3 and D3X. The D3 was a classic camera. Must I now add the D3S to my collection? :D Please, could you tell me what lens is on your camera in this video? Is it the 85mm f1.4 AF-S or the 105mm?
The D3S is a step over the D3 with better sensor in low light and few improvements. Sensor cleaning for instance... the D3X is a must have ... for portrait and landscape. Very bad at night and sport but so so so good as soon as you have light. The lens on the video is the 58mm 1.4...
Hello Antonio, thanks for your message. I have the intermediate one. I don't know exactly the name, but it's the one in the middle of the 3 references. Far enough
Super série de vidéos sur un super boitier ! ce n'est pas un reproche, parce que je comprends bien qu'il est difficile de le faire en Français, le public n'est pas énorme; mais c'est forcèment dommage de devoir le faire en Anglais. Merci en tout cas !!! super boulot !
Merci d’avoir laissé ce commentaire. En effet il y a deux raisons au fait de faire mes vidéos en anglais : Toucher un large public Me challenger en pratiquant l’anglais J’ai conscience que je me prive du public français qui culturellement parlant ne pratique pas la langue de Shakespear.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography En effet, on comprend rapidement que la langue des médias sociaux est l'anglais. Je suis un ancien Montréalais qui a émigré à Austin au Texas. Ça aide énormément quant à la pratique de l'anglais. :)
Question: what monopod and head you are using and explaining how to attach please and for lens. The BH Photo sold me Oben monopod yesterday but head no fit . I am so frustrated that they have no educated staff to guide you to buy properly equipment. Looking forward to your answer or video
Hi It’s a manfrotto tripod with a standard head. There is a little plate with an integrated screw which goes into the threads on the base of the camera. Once it’s screwed and well tighten, the plate goes on the tripod head.
Hello Didier, Since the last messages exchanged with you, I think I've improve my skills. Thank your for that. I have a question regarding memory, would you have a recommendation for CF card? I'd like to purchase a 32 Go but since there are so many different models and from brand, it's not easy. I don't want to purchase an over fast CF and expensive for nothing. But still I'd like to get a fast enough and reliable for the D3s usage. Thank you in advanced.
Super vidéo merci. Ça m'a évité la lecture complète du manuel sur le sujet ! Dommage que l'on ne puisse pas avoir 2 fonctions attachées à la touche FN (soit FN, soit FN+press). Je vais certainement me mélanger les pinceaux entre menu shooting bank & custom settings bank (vu que l'on peut mélanger A/A, A/B, A/C, A/D etc)
Je te remercie pour ce message d’encouragement JD. Il y a quelques fonctions attachées aux différentes touches FN+press qui autorisent aussi un nb limité de fonctions aux touches FN mais je n’ai jamais eu le courage d’essayer toutes les combinaisons possibles. Depuis cette vidéo j’ai un peu modifié mes settings mais c’est cool si déjà ils te sont utiles. La custom settings bank permet de sauvegarder plusieurs parametrages de réglages ISO car il n’est pas possible de régler la vitesse mini en ISO auto sans entrer dans les menus malheureusement. C’est de cette façon que j’y pallie. A personnalisé dans lequel la vitesse mini est réglée spécifiquement pour la séance B SS mon 1/125 C SS mini 1/500 D SS mini 1/1000 Prenez du bon temps avec ce super boîtier.
Bonjour JD, RUclips m’informe dans les notifications que vous m’avez posé une autre question mais je n’arrive pas à la visualiser. Est-ce que vous voulez bien recommencer ou m’adresser un mail. Merci
@@DidierMOULINPhotography bonjour, j'avais un soucis avec la fonction FN+ command wheel qui me me permettait pas de faire de rotation du mode AF mais j'ai trouvé la solution entre temps (la molette de sélection a droite de l'écran doit être sur la position du milieu). Du coups j'avais effacé le message 😉👍
Any suggestions for what CF cards to buy for my D3 ? What cards do you use? Not sure about buying from Amazon - there used to be a lot of fake cards on the market.
You can refer to the manual of you have it, by that time they used to write the list of certified cards. Mine are Sandisk extreme Pro or Lexar Professional and never encountered any problem
Bonjour Didier. Love your video and have subscribed. I always wanted a D3s but they were always too expensive. However, I finally bough a good one about 1 month ago as prices have fallen a lot recently (probably due to mirrorless mania). I love the look & colour of the D3s images, and it focuses screw-drive AF-D type lenses super fast and accurately. I bought a cheap D3x with 155k actuations in Feb 2019 and have been shooting Studio portraits with it since then. I really wanted to try the D3s too as I thought it would be perfect for natural light portraits. I was curious to compare the D3s and D3x using studio flash so I shot some portraits with the same setup and lenses. Looking at magnified irises on the computer, I find that there is not as much difference in detail from the two cameras as I was expecting. Votez D3s! Salutations, Timmee (on purpleport.com)
Hi. Thanks for you to subscribe and watch this video. You made it like I did. I Got twice a D3X, sold and purchased and sold ending with the D750 and then the D850... All sold and I only kept the D3S that I got cheap with only 15k actuations... Powerfull in any situation compared to its brorher the D3X. D3X allows some crop and I always loved the rendering of its sensor. I sold it because of its poor low Light capacity for a D750 but I regret it. Later I will grab another one to have both S and X... Enjoy your day and your experience with your D3S. Hope these tricks and tips on the customised menu settings Help you.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Your tips are great for me as I have always used just single servo shot and single point autofocus my portraits - so I am what Americans call a 'One-Trick Pony'. To get the best from the D3s outside of the studio, I will need to learn new tricks.
Cotictimmy great news!!! That’s exactly the purpose of my channel. To share some tips on photography and material... if one person a day founds something interesting in my videos I would be pleased.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography My brother Chris has a question. If we understood correctly, you sold your D750 & D850 and kept only the D3s. Chris wants to know why you were dissatisfied with the D850?
@@Cotictimmy for the D850 it's a long story ... I started by setting foot at Leica with a TL2 then M optics with an L-mount ring then little by little I came to S1R which is also in L-mount and which creates a coherent ecosystem ... I sold the D850 for the benefit of the S1R because the latter benefited from a crazy promo with the 50mm f / 1.4 S-Pro at 1 € (2500 € normally ...) ... I also sold some Nikon optics (70-200 f4VR which is superb) / tamron (24-70 G2 which is incredible) / sigma (50 Art marvelous) ... I kept the best for my D3S. The D850 didn't give me any joy in using it compared to the D3S or even my former D3X which I regret so much.
I got my D3s a few months ago in mint condition with just 23k clicks! I'm having trouble not getting the same vivid colors out of this camera like I get with my D700 and D850. I have the best lenses, so that's not it. Shooting at iso 400 on all three. Also, I'm not able to zoom in while previewing my shots. And how on earth did you get your LCD in blue! That looks awesome!
secarr09 hi and thanks a lot for your interest. Good opportunity with so few clicks. Mine had 15k. Awesome!! Do you shoot in RAW 14bits? Check the WB Compared to D850 I would say it’s normal as this latter has a wider dynamic in low ISO. TO ZOOM IN into a picture you have taken You can activate this function for the center button of the multi selector or you have to maintain one of the button on the left side of the screen (the one with a loop) and rotate the back dial. Foe the LCD I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know there was another color. Hope this helps. Cheers
After I set the mode setting dial to "LV", and then press shutter release button all the way down, the Live View is on, but I can not press the camera button to photography. Please advise what I did wrong. Thank you.
Well, first, Hello ! thanks for your question. I don't understand what you have done wrong. honestly. Press LV button switches to Live View. You ear the sound of the mirror that goes up. If you are in Hand Held mode, pressing the AF-ON button leaves the Live View to focus using the AF sensor. Pressing half way the shutter release button does the same first it makes focus and full press to take the picture If you are in tripod Mode press AF-ON to make focus. It's a pixel based focus, not using the AF Sensor (No phase detection). You can even ZOOM in pressing the magnifying button + turning the back dial. And then, press the shutter release button to take the picture.
Hi I don’t know Canon but between the two Nikon the choice is hard One has 24Mpx and tilt screen and is light and the viewfinder is smaller as far as I remember One is 12Mpx built like a tank and will never brake and has an excellent viewfinder
Hello Didier . Bonjour d'un collègue Français ;) Je suis photographe de portraits, mariages et également spécialisé dans l'aérien ( que ce soit au sol ou en vol, étant également pilote pro ). Je possède un D4 ( qui a bien vécu ) ainsi qu'un D700, un D810 et un Fuji X-H1 pour être plus " léger" ( quoi que, le système Fuji n'est pas si léger que cela, au final ). Mon D4 accuse 250 000 clicks et je suis certain qu'il tiendra encore longtemps, mais pour une raison sans doute perso, je préfère les images de mon D700 avec ses encore plus "gros" photosites. Mais ma question est : vais je perdre en qualité en hauts iso par rapport au D4 ? Car j'envisage sérieusement de me procurer un D3s ( d'autant que je le trouve beau, ce qui incite franchement à utiliser son matos ). Qu'en pensez vous ? Est ce une bonne solution ou bien devrais je me diriger vers plus récent ( D4 ou D4s, mais le prix n'est absolument pas le même et passe du simple au double ) Merci de vos conseils et du temps consacré à vos vidéos :)
Bravo Bravo bonjour cher collègue !!! Merci beaucoup pour votre intérêt. N’ayant jamais eu de D4 je ne saurais pas vraiment vous dire objectivement. Après, tout dépend de quelle plage ISO vous parlez. Comparativement au D700 que j’ai eu, le D3S est nettement au dessus en ISO. Je ne suis pas sûr que depuis le D3S nous sachions faire tellement mieux qui justifierait de dépenser pus. Voyez, j’ai un Lumix S1 et c’est vrai que c’est encore pus fort en gestion de l’ISO à 12800 par rapport au D3S qui excelle à 6400 sans aucun souci. Donc on parle de 10 années d’écart et finalement un seul stop de gagné... donc pour le D4 je ne le choisirais pas face au D3S. Je ne sais pas si vous avez bien suivi mon raisonnement ;)
@@DidierMOULINPhotography J'ai bien suivi votre raisonnement et je suis d'accord avec vous sur tous les points évoqués :) J'ai le D810 et je lui préfère le D700 ( pour la qualité de ses raw et un certain je ne sais quoi, ainsi que le D4 pour les mêmes raisons, mais aussi pour le fait que ce soit un monobloc. J'ai pu lire ça et là que le D3s était même meilleur que le D4 en gestion des ISO, mais cela est sujet à controverses, semble t il. Quoi qu'il en soit, mon D700 me satisfait jusqu'à 5000 iso, au delà, il est vrai que la qualité de la lumière joue énormément. Le D4 va bien jusqu'à 12800. Si le D3s est parfaitement utilisable entre 6400 et 10000 iso, alors, c'est parfait. Le cahier des charges est le suivant. Robuste, double slot mémoire du même type, rafale satisfaisante et surtout buffer satisfaisant, qualité des images à la sortie sans avoir des fichiers " plats " comme c'est le cas, je trouve avec le D810 ( du moins sous Lightroom ), la résolution m'importe peu, j'imprime rarement au delà du mètre cinquante de diagonale et dans ce cas, 12 mPix sont largement suffisants et sont, d'ailleurs, un plus, je trouve.. Ergonomie au top. Vidéo : c'est accessoire, je n'en fais qu'occasionnellement et j'ai mon fuji pour ça. Je pense que je vais me laisser tenter. Il viendra me servir pour encore de longues années à me suivre dans mes périples divers :D
Bravo Bravo il répond pleinement au CDC en effet. Si les 12 Mpx ne sont pas une limite. Ce que j’aime c’est aussi son double slot CF alors que depuis leur histoire de XQD d’un côté et SD de l’autre je n’ai jamais bien compris l’intérêt. Il est aussi très bon en mise au point manuel avec son assistance dans le viseur qui fonctionne très bien. La personnalisation des menus comme vos pouvez le voir dans la vidéo dédiée à ce point est très puissante et vous permet d’avoir ce dont vous avez besoin sous chaque doigt. En noir et blanc direct sortis du boîtier il est aussi excellent. L’avantage des gros photosites c’est leur rendu hautement qualitatif et satisfaisant. Il y a quelque chose avec ce capteur et des belles optiques qui donne un vrai charme au résultat. Faites vous plaisir avec un modèle bien entretenu et avec peu de déclenchements si vous avez la chance d’en trouver un.
Bonjour Didier. Great video, very helpfull. I never took time to better understand how camera works, very clear explanation. Issue is that I'm not that good yet. I was confused with Shooting vs Custom banks. When pushing twice the info button, you can select either the Shooting (A,B,C,D), upper line, or Custom bansk (A,B,C,D), lower line. It seems to me that, what ever you select on the custom bank (lower line) the Camera is keeping parameter on the Shooting bank, so upper line. And also, can you share with me your custom setting? With your video it was clear, your 4 different shooting banks. As I said, it was not clear to me different between the 2 banks, and how it works, like separate, or together. Sorry for the stupid questions. Thank you.
Plainedesjarres hello hello. Thanks a lot for your message. Stupid question doesn’t exist. What is stupid is to stay uncertain without asking I think. So you’re right to ask. The 2 banks are dealing with different aspects of the settings. The shooting bank deals mainly with quality and ISO settings and I have 4 différents settings where the difference is only on the ISO parameter (ISO Auto yes or not and max ISO and min speed) The CUSTOM bank deals with much more complex settings including the way the AF reacts, the customisation of your buttons, the way the camera reacts globally on many parameters ... you can even apply a function to a button that when you click on the button it allows you to select your shooting bank A B C D... that can be powerful to switch to different ISO settings but I miss one button to do that in my case. Hope this helps
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Hello Didier, thank you for your time and answers. So does it mean the camera is taking a mix between shooting and custom bank? Meaning when you select Shooting A and Custom A or B etc. In other words it's a mix of the 2 banks? Thank you
Plainedesjarres you’re welcome. I don’t know if I would call it a mix. It’s 2 separate menus and for each you can have 4 saved settings. They work completely independently. And from the custom menu you can assign a function to shooting menu bank select : custom setting menu / f4 / fn button + command dials / shooting menu bank. Press the fun button and dial to browse your 4 preset shooting menu...
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Can you share with me your Custom setting, if possible? Your SHooting setting is quite clear, but I was not able to set Fn button and make it works as you did for Custom A and B. Thank you
Plainedesjarres Not sure how to share my menu settings. Let’s do so : f4 / Fn button press is set to Spot Metering f4 / Fn button + command dials is set to shooting menu bank I hope this will help you.
I took a few photos in my room with the D3s, the photo came out super dark! One of them was just black. I turned ISO up, the photo just became a little brighter. What do you think i should do?
Howieee what was the aperture and the speed ? Select A mode priority to aperture and set a decent one The speed should set automatically depending on your preference of min speed in Auto ISO settings...
Howieee it seems you are at a big inner level and the video is not at this point detailed. I’m sorry about this. Select mode A Select your min speed in auTo iSO settings and max ISO 12800. Check if it works. Otherwise I’m sorry I will not be able to teach you the D3S just with mails Hope you understand
John McKenna sorry I missed your answer the other day. I use a microfiber cloth in general, nothing specific. if it is really dirty, put it in the dishwasher !!! I'm kidding of course, even if I don't think it would be a problem. A sponge and water in the worst case would be ok
@@spongehodor Ha yes you didn't precise it. NO WAY, it's a too old camera, the option to hide interface in the HDMI output doesn't exist. You can only record on your card. The HDMI output is only useful to enlarge your screen and help you focus...
Hi. Well I don't have my D750 any more since few years. What I can do is sharing pictures of both cameras in similar situation if I find some. D750 is a very good camera working as the D3S in low light, with double the pixels and tilting screen... Snap bridge was never working, That's the main reason why I sold it. In terms of durability it has nothing to compare with the D3S. The shutter sound is plasticky and doesn't inspire me long last. It's à consumer good that you use and change where the D# series can last you decades.
Hello Check this album Most of the black & white pictures were taken with the D3S www.flickr.com/gp/didiermoulinphotography/11s5qT08eY How do you evaluate them in 2023?
@@DidierMOULINPhotography I just purchased one. Not sure how I feel about the graineyness of the photos. I know that's part of the character of the camera. Do you still use the camera for work?
@@chadsexinton for sure, most of the recent sensors deliver better images, but to my honest point of view, the D3S can still be a good photographic tool as soon as your customer doesn’t ask for a huge print! I took it with me with the D6 last year on a sport competition and my customer didn’t notice the difference Pair it with a good lens, this is what will make the difference
Hello Olivier. Well, for wedding you need to be fast and reactive. But depending on your preferences either you use a zoom or prime lenses... Zoom is reactive but with less caracter than some primes. I don't like the 24-70 in general. They have no caracter at all. I had a 70-200 VR first génération but the bokeh is too harsh. The VR2 is not a 200mm at close distance so I don't consider it and VR3 is too Expensive. The 80-200 2.8 AFS has a super softness in the background and perfect for wedding portrait. The 28 F1.4 AF E is maybe my favorite for group Photography in low Light and small space. The 58 1.4 G has it's unique carater but needs practice and understanding of its behaviour. 85 1.4 G is excellent for portraits. It's up to you Set ISO auto with max 6400 or 10.000 and minimum speed 250 or 500 and there you go !
Hi. Thanks for this interesting question which deserves a full video I think. 12Mp means that you don't need high resolving power lenses. I would stick to the Nikon 1.4 or 1.8 primes without looking at the sigma... The 28mm AF-S E is marvellous for Street. Very rare indeed. You can find 24 or 35mm 1.4 AF-S G if you don't like 28mm The 50 1.8 is cheap and fine but it can lacks of some caracter. The 58mm 1.4 has lots of caracter and is unique. The 85mm 1.4 AF-S-G is only good at portrait. It has poor AF for far subjects. Bad for landscape. The 105mm, the Last one they made is also marvellous as the 28 is and the 300mm f/4 VR. ZOOMS: The 14-24 2.8 is working very fine if you need wide angle. It's heavy but balances well on the heavy D3S. The 16-35 is maybe more versatile I never used it. 24-70 2.8 of course but I prefer primes in this focal range. The 80-200 MM AF-S is perfect for the D3S. Fast ans accurate.
Dan excellent Frenglish tuto bravo Didier , une idee pourquoi pas faire des video avec ton ami le D3S en voyage partout avec toi comme le petit nain d amelie poulain , avec des couleur de ton comme Amelie ? also how about a video series to teach people to take their first photos with that piece of ART , giving them to hands of Iphone and m43 users . challenge them to take picture to show them that this old georgeous 3 rd eye , connected directly to the biggest sensor ever : our HEART , is being able to SEE the world as close as our Eyes , Minds and heart CAN !
What a marvelous and pleasing comment that find direct way to my heart. What a good idea!!! My next video will be about shooting the D3X (which is the same…) with the 28mm 2.8 ais!!!! If I don’t change my mind until then!!! Thanks again Dzoan and hope to see you there again!
ALEXANDER GOMES Hello and thank you for your question. Yes the D3S was a real improvement after the D3 Sensor cleaning and Max ISO are better. But the D3 remains a good one but I wouldn’t buy one more an 350€ The D700 is a better choice if you can ‘t afford or don’t find aD3S
@@DidierMOULINPhotography thank you! I am finding this camera to be very confusing! Can you easily tell me how I can make the display stay lit up longer?
@@sarahlambert1656 well, I think you have a energy saving menu somewhere I don’t remember exactly You will get used to the camera and it will be fine I’m sure
Hello and sorry for my late answer. I discover your question only today. I read2 days ago a comment on another video of a guy having a 550k SC D3S... still working. I would'n go to buy such a used shutter or at a kind of 300€ maximum.
@@helthuismartin yes indeed! But be careful, this lens is the most difficult to use. It delivers lovely images but also ugly Chromatic aberrations and soft images
The Nikon D3 and D3s are great cameras with more buttons than needed...I own the former...it’s nice to customize but KISS....just sayin...find what you like...cherry pick customizations
![Megan Thee Stallion - Mamushi (feat. Yuki Chiba) [2024 London Performance]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/pxTCJUuorKc/mqdefault.jpg)
New D3 owner in 2024 and love the camera and your video. Thank you
Dec 2023, I recently upgraded from APSC to my first full frame and bought a D3s. From the first photo i took with this camera, i knew it had features which i didnt know about. I am still struggling with the functions and features of this camera, but your video is helping me a lot. I will need to watch it over and over again, because it is a info overload for 1 sitting. Thank you very much.
Good purchase
I see more and more D3S on second hand market here in France
D4S are below 1000€ and D5 around 1500€…
I’m thinking about selling my D6 before its price drops too much !
Thank you very much for this video! At first I was a bit disappointed in the D3s and thought it's just old and outdated. But to be honest, it's actually a perfectly fine camera and I just didn't know how to use it right! This video helped me a lot, to understand and use the D3s correctly. And I think I need to watch it a few more times, to get all the information. Nikon D3s rocks!
I’m so happy the this video helped you better understand the power of your D3S.
Enjoy it!
What a wonderfully well thought out presentation followed it to the letter. I am currently mainly taking landscapes so I may change one of one of your suggested settings to match my commonly used ISO & exposures.
Thanks for taking the time to make this video it is very much appreciated.
Hi Christopher. Thanks a lot for your message and your interest in this video. I’m happy that it is useful to some. Have a great day and pleasing moments with your camera
Thanks Didier. This is a very helpful video. I like my D3s a lot too, paired it with Sigma prime lenses and the results are such that I don’t feel the need to get a high megapixel, latest model camera. Colours and quality of the D3s with good glass are impressive even in 2020. Regards, Ric.
What an amazing class. I'm relearning how to use my Nikon D3. Thank you very much
Thanks a lot for your time watching this video. I’m glad to see it helps.
Bookmarks to help others
@6:33 - ***Shooting Banks intro***
@6:57 - Shooting Menu and Custom settings
@7:22 - Shooting Menu explained (Shooting Banks)
@11:50 - Custom Menu Explained (Function button assignments)
@12:25 - Menu navigation with dials (front and back dial assignments)
@12:59 - Multi-Selector Center Button Custom assignment
@13:53 - Release button ISO (one touch) adjustment
@15:00 - ***Auto Focus***
@15:01 - AF Activation (turn off AF on shutter button and use AF-ON back button)
@16:52 - AE-AF lock custom assignment
@18:02 - Spot Metering (on demand) Custom assignment
@19:30 - Matrix metering and spot metering demo
@21:05 - Aperture "Preview" (default setting)
@21:51 - ***FN buttons custom assignments (with multiple shooting banks)***
@21:56 - AF-3D FN custom Settings (switching AF area modes with back dial)
@23:56 - *** Camera Behavior ***
@25:28 - Focus Tracking lock (Important)
@27:06 - AF Point selection (11 point or 51 point)
@29:35 - ISO sensitivity step value
Great video, thank you so much Didier.
Wouaw what a great job you did to put this timeline on paper.
Do you allow me to copy and paste it in the description of the video ?
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Absolutely paste it in. I apricate the time and effort you took to explain some menu locations of function buttons that are super helpful. Really simplified where to go and get things setup on the D3s. Thank you!!!
Great Video, glad I found your channel, I own the D100 the P900 also the D5600 but I so want the D3S.. on my list, keep up the great media 👌
ziggyjinx thank you for your comment and glad that you appreciate my channel. Super cool !!!
The D3S would be a huge step forward compared to the APSC you have. Keep in mind that you will need FX lenses...
Many thanks for an extremely helpful video explaining all the options for this wonderful D3S camera
Thanks for your kind comment and happy that the video helped you for your journey with the D3S
Thank you for sharing! I have never used the Fn button before but I really like your choice of setting it to spot metering!
Yes me too since I discovered this possibility I find it very powerful. Thanks for watching.
just received my D3s today， SALUTE to your video，i am sure i will learn a lot from it ！
I ve got a D700 and thanks so much for this fantastic video.
Great! The menus are nearly the same! I got a D700 also years ago and I found one last year ! I didn’t resist 🤣
Thanks Didier. I changed today from a older D3s to a brand new D3s from a dealer stock for only SFr 1000.-!! Forget all the new stuff, we are more then happy with our "old" machines. I need no other modern camera any more and be happy to see your videos in the future.
Thanks a lot for your message. I appreciate a lot my new gear L Mount and the quality behind any Leica lense that I use now but as soon as I grab my old D3S I can still feel the thrill and pleasure to use it and the quality is absolutely still relevant today. I’m glad you appreciate my video and found a brand new D3S...
One has just taken delivery of my first pro camera, namely a D3, primarly for speed. I thank you Sir for a most impressive and informative class.
I hope to return to la belle France, namely Brantome.
Once again many thanks
You're welcome Mark, thanks a lot for your comment and enjoy your New Camera!
Fantastic!!
This Video made me buy a Nikon D3 about 2 years ago. Best Buy ever!! Thank you and merci, Didier
That very kind to leave this message two years later coming back to my video !
Thanks a lot
Enjoy your D3 until it dies 😄and you will buy a D6 at a low price at this moment 😁
Excellent video on the shooting and custom banks! Thank you.
I still love my D3s for general photography and use the D850 for fine art and landscape.
Great combo !! D3S and D850 are two legends. Had a D850 few years ago. amazing image quality. Once I tested a Lumix S1R (same sensor resolution) I switched to the L mount system. And now I play with the 2 univers. DSLR's from Nikon and Mirroless from L Mount.
I updated from d610 to d3s I shoot sports photography and so happy got it yesterday after many years. Just update please on monopod and the head will be great thanks
I've got two D3s', they are amazing! They both have severe battle scars, but they keep going, they won't lay down! I see no reason to upgrade to the D5 or 6. I do have a D4, and enjoy that one a lot as well, but still not fallen in love with it the same way as with the D3s. But, the night is young. GREAT info in this class. Thank you! Arrive en Paris, Juillet 19 :)
why two ?
@@silentsupreme4874 the second one was too cheap to not buy(with the 4 and 5 on the market), and almost mint condition, and to have an extra D3s is always good, in my opinion.
@@lemat8558 Hello Mat.
Since last year I completed my D3S with some amazing other D’s Nikon powerful cameras!!! Starting with a D3X … and the last D6 at à so competitive price from my local store with less than 200 actuations… that I couldn’t refuse. And side by side, the D3S still gives me superb results and I don’t hesitate to have both with me in certain shooting conditions where I need reactivity with two cameras and lenses …
I used your settings a couple years ago. I tend to setup my cameras similar to you.
Thanks for providing this video. I followed along with my D700 and had some very useful tips. It's a shame the D700 doesn't show the min shutter/ISO settings when you view the SHOOT menu like on the D3s !
Many nice tips but if you are shooting fast action or street photography you need to set AF-C priority selection to Release so the shutter releases immediately. You are already focused on subject. You’ll miss critical shots with the other choices.
Subscribed 2023. Just bought a second hand nikon D3 and found your channel. Very helpful and hope to see more D3 tutorials soon. Still trying to get live view on but dosen't seem to be working 👍📷
I took your advice from the video and purchased a Prime lens. Got the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED so much creativity to be enjoyed.
Hi John. This is one of the best Lens you could have though of investing in. I'm sure you will not be disappointed and this Lens is ready for high définition sensor if one day you rent a D850 for high definition photo session !
Enjoy !
Congratulations Didier for this interesting video. I have a D3s that I had partially set up to my needs but I completed the setup with some things you showed. A D3x will also arrive shortly, alongside the D3s machines that I consider extraordinary and that will accompany me for several years to come. A greeting and the next useful information.
Thank you so much for your kind words. The D3X is even better when comes the light! You will enjoy it for sure.
I made some updates to my settings since… I should check the differences and point them out in a video maybe.
And yeah I own a D3X too! 😊
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Perfect Didier waiting for your video......thank's😀
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Sorry Didier if I write to you here but I have no other addresses .... I finally received the legendary D3x and now I'm working on the settings of the customization desks. Do you know the way to recall these settings without going through the menu etc .... in the D3s I can select which bank to use using the multiselector but on the D3x I could not see anything. Thanks in advance
@@piermariourbani8937 Hi
Great to read that you got your D3X
Isn’t it the f4 and f5 function ?
You can assign FUNC button + dials to the shooting menu bank selection.
Maybe I didn’t understand correctly the question…
Don’t hesitate to tell me.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography You're right Didier my English is terrible. i'm checking f4 and f5 and it seems to do just what i was looking for. Now I try to see ... the night is still long eheheh. Thank you very much for your availability.
Thank you for the informative video, I have mine set mostly as yours, but there were a couple of things to further speed up operations that I didn't think myself :) I am one of ones that really want to trust that those camera are "built like a tank", bought mine with 228k clicks to save quite a bunch of money, so far so good, let's see in a year or so.. (But the overall impression is really of a sturdy well made pro body, as expected).
Great ! I Hope you will Enjoy your time with it for more than just one year.
What kind of Photography do you do ?
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Oh, I'm just a passionate amateur with a soft spot for oldish but still capable gear. I do almost everything, depending on the moment: landscape, travel, street and thanks to the quarantine I've begun to exercise myself with wildlife photography in Central Park :)
@@admiralvontirpitz7115 it's true that in the digital field, the D3S can be seen as old, but yep still capable 😉
Thanks. C'était génial.
I absolutely my D3! This video is great tutorial for the D3, D3s, D3x series of cameras.
Do you mean you love it ?
Ty for making this video. I purchased a new to me D3s and it arrived today. I set it up just like how yours is in the video. Your video saved me a lot of time. The only thing I didn't realize is how heavy it would be with my nikon 70-200mm f2.8 VR1 (the one with the gold plaque 😉) like you could legit hurt someone if you hit them!
I love the camera already! Coming from a D600, it's fabulous 👌 I edit on a LG 4K 55" OLED TV, I can't really tell its 12mp honestly, theres that little difference but It doesn't even matter. All the shots are going to instagram anyways. I'm very pleased. 166k shutter count. $530, and not beat to crap. I don't think o could have don't better in 2022. I give it a solid 10/10 👊 both camera and video!
Thank you so much for this comment Nik.
The 70-200 2.8 VR1 is working well with the D3S. I had one with the D700 in this period when I dreamed about a D3S … now I have both D3 S and X… my custom settings have evolved a little since this video but anyhow I’m pleased you appreciated it and it saved you a lot of time.
The 80-200 2.8 AFS (NON VR) is even heavier than the 70-200…
Also you can consider the 70-200 F/4 VR… excellent light lens
@@DidierMOULINPhotography hey just curious. Is there any benefit or reason to use the low iso modes? The .3, .7 or 1.0? I haven't had time to experiment. I know the native iso is 200. Have you played around with that by any chance?
@@bailey.nt86 Hi Nik. Unfortunately I didn’t. Don’t hesitate to test it and tell me about the result.
same story here bro. d3s and the VR 70-200 is like carrying a dumbbell around your neck!
Merci Didier !!
You’re welcome !!!
Wonderful video - refreshed my mind on many things, and showed me things I was not aware of. I bought my D3 from B&H Photo, from the first shipment to them, and I've owned it ever since. I started using newer Nikons (D750, D780) but I still had my D3 (along with my earlier D2x). Are you still using your D3s ? I see you have an INFO button, that my D3 lacs. Anyway, thank you for making this video. VERY useful!!!!
Thank you so much for your kind comment.
Happy to read you still have pleasure with your D3.
I sold my D3S because I have a D6 but guess what?? I purchased another D3S few weeks ago. In the Nikon lineup it’s really a must have !
Have a great day
6:16 ….if I don’t consider the technical details, my D3 is one of my favorite cameras, all the controls are quickly available, and everything I might want, only the INFO button is missing. I wish it had 24 megapixels but as long as I fill the screen, it has more than enough. My D780 is “better” in many ways, but the D3 becomes part of me, maybe from so much use/experience.
Why would you want a D3 again if you own a D6 ? I would like to buy a D5 or D6, but other than more megapixels, I’m not sure why I need one.
I bounce one of the first 10 D3 cameras sent to B&H when the D3 was released. So by now it is a part of me. I guess I should check what firmware updates may have been released?
Oops, “bought“, not “bounce”.
@@MikeMyers00 the D3S is more back home as a collector 😉
And in case I need to bring cash back I will sell the D6 if I no longer need that fast and accurate AF
I order yesterday a D3s with 22k Shuttercount..its my first pro body..i have the d810 and a z6 too. Cant wait for that baby.
Welcome into this world of Big and chunky cameras !
Thanks 😁 oh chunky is known, my 810 have a grip. The d3s is more a emotional pick, like my many vintage manual lenses. Love the 810 too, but dont need that pixel everytime. The Z6 is my most emotionless body, feels like a computer.
@@jaceksnaturblicke5278 it’s when the Z6 arrived that I left Nikon. Or at least I stopped buying them and started my journey with the L Mount alliance.
But yeah! D3S is special
just got my D3s yesterday, been hunting for few weeks to find a good deal after watching this vid.
I really Hope you will not be disappointed ! 😄
Tell me what you think of your first photos...
@@DidierMOULINPhotography it's heavy, solid and a beast. Although I have a D800E but the D3s is a monster. Its good for wildlife, and sport.
@@reworks2347 Your going to fall in love with the D3s, its one of Nikon's legendary camera's.
Thank you for these videos on the D3s. I’m struggling to learn how to shoot in manual mode and raw format. Can you make any recommendations for online training or books etc. I’d love to see you put on a video about shooting in manual mode & raw format.
John
John McKenna thanks for your input. Do you mean manual focus or M mode?
Didier MOULIN Photography
Manual mode 😁
John McKenna I hope you have subscribed because the video on P A S M Modes is uploading right now!!! Cheers and thanks a lot for your idea.
Best regards
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Yes ! I saw that video right away and it was very informative. Excellent work and thank you for the education! I'm really enjoying learning about Manual mode.
I have both a D3 and a D3X. (I also have a D4S and a D750!) I love the D3 and D3X. The D3 was a classic camera. Must I now add the D3S to my collection? :D Please, could you tell me what lens is on your camera in this video? Is it the 85mm f1.4 AF-S or the 105mm?
The D3S is a step over the D3 with better sensor in low light and few improvements. Sensor cleaning for instance...
the D3X is a must have ... for portrait and landscape. Very bad at night and sport but so so so good as soon as you have light.
The lens on the video is the 58mm 1.4...
Great work. I noticed you got Peak Design anchor links on your D3S. Do you use the Slide or Slide Lite Strap?
Hello Antonio, thanks for your message. I have the intermediate one. I don't know exactly the name, but it's the one in the middle of the 3 references. Far enough
Super série de vidéos sur un super boitier ! ce n'est pas un reproche, parce que je comprends bien qu'il est difficile de le faire en Français, le public n'est pas énorme; mais c'est forcèment dommage de devoir le faire en Anglais. Merci en tout cas !!! super boulot !
Merci d’avoir laissé ce commentaire. En effet il y a deux raisons au fait de faire mes vidéos en anglais :
Toucher un large public
Me challenger en pratiquant l’anglais
J’ai conscience que je me prive du public français qui culturellement parlant ne pratique pas la langue de Shakespear.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography En effet, on comprend rapidement que la langue des médias sociaux est l'anglais. Je suis un ancien Montréalais qui a émigré à Austin au Texas. Ça aide énormément quant à la pratique de l'anglais. :)
Question: what monopod and head you are using and explaining how to attach please and for lens. The BH Photo sold me Oben monopod yesterday but head no fit . I am so frustrated that they have no educated staff to guide you to buy properly equipment. Looking forward to your answer or video
Hi
It’s a manfrotto tripod with a standard head. There is a little plate with an integrated screw which goes into the threads on the base of the camera. Once it’s screwed and well tighten, the plate goes on the tripod head.
Im hoping to own one by next week (17k Clicks!) I've been waiting a long time to find the correct one. Magnificent sensor
The best things need patience... I Hope you find your happiness
Hello Didier, Since the last messages exchanged with you, I think I've improve my skills. Thank your for that. I have a question regarding memory, would you have a recommendation for CF card? I'd like to purchase a 32 Go but since there are so many different models and from brand, it's not easy. I don't want to purchase an over fast CF and expensive for nothing. But still I'd like to get a fast enough and reliable for the D3s usage. Thank you in advanced.
Hello
Good to know you have improved your skills. Thanks for your message.
Regarding the CF I would stick to SanDisk PRO to avoid any issues.
Super vidéo merci. Ça m'a évité la lecture complète du manuel sur le sujet ! Dommage que l'on ne puisse pas avoir 2 fonctions attachées à la touche FN (soit FN, soit FN+press). Je vais certainement me mélanger les pinceaux entre menu shooting bank & custom settings bank (vu que l'on peut mélanger A/A, A/B, A/C, A/D etc)
Je te remercie pour ce message d’encouragement JD.
Il y a quelques fonctions attachées aux différentes touches FN+press qui autorisent aussi un nb limité de fonctions aux touches FN mais je n’ai jamais eu le courage d’essayer toutes les combinaisons possibles.
Depuis cette vidéo j’ai un peu modifié mes settings mais c’est cool si déjà ils te sont utiles. La custom settings bank permet de sauvegarder plusieurs parametrages de réglages ISO car il n’est pas possible de régler la vitesse mini en ISO auto sans entrer dans les menus malheureusement. C’est de cette façon que j’y pallie.
A personnalisé dans lequel la vitesse mini est réglée spécifiquement pour la séance
B SS mon 1/125
C SS mini 1/500
D SS mini 1/1000
Prenez du bon temps avec ce super boîtier.
Bonjour JD, RUclips m’informe dans les notifications que vous m’avez posé une autre question mais je n’arrive pas à la visualiser. Est-ce que vous voulez bien recommencer ou m’adresser un mail.
Merci
@@DidierMOULINPhotography bonjour, j'avais un soucis avec la fonction FN+ command wheel qui me me permettait pas de faire de rotation du mode AF mais j'ai trouvé la solution entre temps (la molette de sélection a droite de l'écran doit être sur la position du milieu). Du coups j'avais effacé le message 😉👍
Any suggestions for what CF cards to buy for my D3 ? What cards do you use? Not sure about buying from Amazon - there used to be a lot of fake cards on the market.
You can refer to the manual of you have it, by that time they used to write the list of certified cards.
Mine are Sandisk extreme Pro or Lexar Professional and never encountered any problem
hi, can You upload somwhere Your D3s settings so anyone will be able to download them and activate on ours cameras?
Bonjour Didier. Love your video and have subscribed. I always wanted a D3s but they were always too expensive. However, I finally bough a good one about 1 month ago as prices have fallen a lot recently (probably due to mirrorless mania). I love the look & colour of the D3s images, and it focuses screw-drive AF-D type lenses super fast and accurately. I bought a cheap D3x with 155k actuations in Feb 2019 and have been shooting Studio portraits with it since then. I really wanted to try the D3s too as I thought it would be perfect for natural light portraits. I was curious to compare the D3s and D3x using studio flash so I shot some portraits with the same setup and lenses. Looking at magnified irises on the computer, I find that there is not as much difference in detail from the two cameras as I was expecting. Votez D3s! Salutations, Timmee (on purpleport.com)
Hi. Thanks for you to subscribe and watch this video. You made it like I did. I Got twice a D3X, sold and purchased and sold ending with the D750 and then the D850... All sold and I only kept the D3S that I got cheap with only 15k actuations... Powerfull in any situation compared to its brorher the D3X. D3X allows some crop and I always loved the rendering of its sensor. I sold it because of its poor low Light capacity for a D750 but I regret it.
Later I will grab another one to have both S and X...
Enjoy your day and your experience with your D3S. Hope these tricks and tips on the customised menu settings Help you.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Your tips are great for me as I have always used just single servo shot and single point autofocus my portraits - so I am what Americans call a 'One-Trick Pony'. To get the best from the D3s outside of the studio, I will need to learn new tricks.
Cotictimmy great news!!! That’s exactly the purpose of my channel. To share some tips on photography and material... if one person a day founds something interesting in my videos I would be pleased.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography My brother Chris has a question. If we understood correctly, you sold your D750 & D850 and kept only the D3s. Chris wants to know why you were dissatisfied with the D850?
@@Cotictimmy
for the D850 it's a long story ... I started by setting foot at Leica with a TL2 then M optics with an L-mount ring then little by little I came to S1R which is also in L-mount and which creates a coherent ecosystem ... I sold the D850 for the benefit of the S1R because the latter benefited from a crazy promo with the 50mm f / 1.4 S-Pro at 1 € (2500 € normally ...) ... I also sold some Nikon optics (70-200 f4VR which is superb) / tamron (24-70 G2 which is incredible) / sigma (50 Art marvelous) ... I kept the best for my D3S.
The D850 didn't give me any joy in using it compared to the D3S or even my former D3X which I regret so much.
Picking up a D3s in 2 weeks …can’t wait. First dslr a bought was a d90 and last I used was a d700. Don’t care much for the new gens
After these two years trying out L mount gear, I chooses to come back to guess what !!!? A D3S and a D3X !!!
I got my D3s a few months ago in mint condition with just 23k clicks! I'm having trouble not getting the same vivid colors out of this camera like I get with my D700 and D850. I have the best lenses, so that's not it. Shooting at iso 400 on all three. Also, I'm not able to zoom in while previewing my shots. And how on earth did you get your LCD in blue! That looks awesome!
secarr09 hi and thanks a lot for your interest. Good opportunity with so few clicks. Mine had 15k. Awesome!!
Do you shoot in RAW 14bits?
Check the WB
Compared to D850 I would say it’s normal as this latter has a wider dynamic in low ISO.
TO ZOOM IN into a picture you have taken You can activate this function for the center button of the multi selector or you have to maintain one of the button on the left side of the screen (the one with a loop) and rotate the back dial.
Foe the LCD I don’t have a clue. I didn’t know there was another color.
Hope this helps.
Cheers
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Thanks Didier! Yes, I shoot raw. I have the wb on auto, I'll check it. Thanks again!
secarr09
compressed or not?
With or without loss?
14 bits?
After I set the mode setting dial to "LV", and then press shutter release button all the way down, the Live View is on, but I can not press the camera button to photography. Please advise what I did wrong. Thank you.
Well, first, Hello !
thanks for your question. I don't understand what you have done wrong. honestly. Press LV button switches to Live View. You ear the sound of the mirror that goes up.
If you are in Hand Held mode, pressing the AF-ON button leaves the Live View to focus using the AF sensor. Pressing half way the shutter release button does the same first it makes focus and full press to take the picture
If you are in tripod Mode press AF-ON to make focus. It's a pixel based focus, not using the AF Sensor (No phase detection). You can even ZOOM in pressing the magnifying button + turning the back dial. And then, press the shutter release button to take the picture.
Hello! Can you please help me with a problem? I own a Nikon D3s S and I can't set Flash Sync D3s over 250 with trigars on it. Thanks!
Hello. Is your flash able to be synchronized at a higher speed? Maybe there is a setting to apply first on the flash or trigger, usually named HSS
Hi. Worth buy d3s as a first camera for low light photo ? Choose between canon 6d mark1 , Nikon d750 and d3s
Hi I don’t know Canon but between the two Nikon the choice is hard
One has 24Mpx and tilt screen and is light and the viewfinder is smaller as far as I remember
One is 12Mpx built like a tank and will never brake and has an excellent viewfinder
@@DidierMOULINPhotography thank
@@user-xq9zs7hb8t my choice would be the D3S
5:4 aspect ratio is the best thing + high iso @ 12000
Hello Didier . Bonjour d'un collègue Français ;)
Je suis photographe de portraits, mariages et également spécialisé dans l'aérien ( que ce soit au sol ou en vol, étant également pilote pro ). Je possède un D4 ( qui a bien vécu ) ainsi qu'un D700, un D810 et un Fuji X-H1 pour être plus " léger" ( quoi que, le système Fuji n'est pas si léger que cela, au final ).
Mon D4 accuse 250 000 clicks et je suis certain qu'il tiendra encore longtemps, mais pour une raison sans doute perso, je préfère les images de mon D700 avec ses encore plus "gros" photosites. Mais ma question est : vais je perdre en qualité en hauts iso par rapport au D4 ? Car j'envisage sérieusement de me procurer un D3s ( d'autant que je le trouve beau, ce qui incite franchement à utiliser son matos ). Qu'en pensez vous ? Est ce une bonne solution ou bien devrais je me diriger vers plus récent ( D4 ou D4s, mais le prix n'est absolument pas le même et passe du simple au double )
Merci de vos conseils et du temps consacré à vos vidéos :)
Bravo Bravo bonjour cher collègue !!!
Merci beaucoup pour votre intérêt.
N’ayant jamais eu de D4 je ne saurais pas vraiment vous dire objectivement.
Après, tout dépend de quelle plage ISO vous parlez.
Comparativement au D700 que j’ai eu, le D3S est nettement au dessus en ISO.
Je ne suis pas sûr que depuis le D3S nous sachions faire tellement mieux qui justifierait de dépenser pus.
Voyez, j’ai un Lumix S1 et c’est vrai que c’est encore pus fort en gestion de l’ISO à 12800 par rapport au D3S qui excelle à 6400 sans aucun souci.
Donc on parle de 10 années d’écart et finalement un seul stop de gagné... donc pour le D4 je ne le choisirais pas face au D3S.
Je ne sais pas si vous avez bien suivi mon raisonnement ;)
@@DidierMOULINPhotography J'ai bien suivi votre raisonnement et je suis d'accord avec vous sur tous les points évoqués :)
J'ai le D810 et je lui préfère le D700 ( pour la qualité de ses raw et un certain je ne sais quoi, ainsi que le D4 pour les mêmes raisons, mais aussi pour le fait que ce soit un monobloc. J'ai pu lire ça et là que le D3s était même meilleur que le D4 en gestion des ISO, mais cela est sujet à controverses, semble t il. Quoi qu'il en soit, mon D700 me satisfait jusqu'à 5000 iso, au delà, il est vrai que la qualité de la lumière joue énormément. Le D4 va bien jusqu'à 12800. Si le D3s est parfaitement utilisable entre 6400 et 10000 iso, alors, c'est parfait.
Le cahier des charges est le suivant.
Robuste, double slot mémoire du même type, rafale satisfaisante et surtout buffer satisfaisant, qualité des images à la sortie sans avoir des fichiers " plats " comme c'est le cas, je trouve avec le D810 ( du moins sous Lightroom ), la résolution m'importe peu, j'imprime rarement au delà du mètre cinquante de diagonale et dans ce cas, 12 mPix sont largement suffisants et sont, d'ailleurs, un plus, je trouve.. Ergonomie au top. Vidéo : c'est accessoire, je n'en fais qu'occasionnellement et j'ai mon fuji pour ça.
Je pense que je vais me laisser tenter. Il viendra me servir pour encore de longues années à me suivre dans mes périples divers :D
Bravo Bravo il répond pleinement au CDC en effet. Si les 12 Mpx ne sont pas une limite. Ce que j’aime c’est aussi son double slot CF alors que depuis leur histoire de XQD d’un côté et SD de l’autre je n’ai jamais bien compris l’intérêt.
Il est aussi très bon en mise au point manuel avec son assistance dans le viseur qui fonctionne très bien.
La personnalisation des menus comme vos pouvez le voir dans la vidéo dédiée à ce point est très puissante et vous permet d’avoir ce dont vous avez besoin sous chaque doigt.
En noir et blanc direct sortis du boîtier il est aussi excellent.
L’avantage des gros photosites c’est leur rendu hautement qualitatif et satisfaisant. Il y a quelque chose avec ce capteur et des belles optiques qui donne un vrai charme au résultat.
Faites vous plaisir avec un modèle bien entretenu et avec peu de déclenchements si vous avez la chance d’en trouver un.
I found one with 5396 clicks But one of the card reader dosent work, but the other one works fine.
Personally I would skip it and find another one
Aaron mine was exactly the same so it's gone in for a repair, fingers crossed they can fix it 🤞
Bonjour Didier. Great video, very helpfull. I never took time to better understand how camera works, very clear explanation. Issue is that I'm not that good yet. I was confused with Shooting vs Custom banks. When pushing twice the info button, you can select either the Shooting (A,B,C,D), upper line, or Custom bansk (A,B,C,D), lower line. It seems to me that, what ever you select on the custom bank (lower line) the Camera is keeping parameter on the Shooting bank, so upper line. And also, can you share with me your custom setting? With your video it was clear, your 4 different shooting banks. As I said, it was not clear to me different between the 2 banks, and how it works, like separate, or together. Sorry for the stupid questions. Thank you.
Plainedesjarres hello hello. Thanks a lot for your message. Stupid question doesn’t exist. What is stupid is to stay uncertain without asking I think. So you’re right to ask.
The 2 banks are dealing with different aspects of the settings.
The shooting bank deals mainly with quality and ISO settings and I have 4 différents settings where the difference is only on the ISO parameter (ISO Auto yes or not and max ISO and min speed)
The CUSTOM bank deals with much more complex settings including the way the AF reacts, the customisation of your buttons, the way the camera reacts globally on many parameters ... you can even apply a function to a button that when you click on the button it allows you to select your shooting bank A B C D... that can be powerful to switch to different ISO settings but I miss one button to do that in my case.
Hope this helps
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Hello Didier, thank you for your time and answers. So does it mean the camera is taking a mix between shooting and custom bank? Meaning when you select Shooting A and Custom A or B etc. In other words it's a mix of the 2 banks? Thank you
Plainedesjarres you’re welcome.
I don’t know if I would call it a mix. It’s 2 separate menus and for each you can have 4 saved settings. They work completely independently.
And from the custom menu you can assign a function to shooting menu bank select : custom setting menu / f4 / fn button + command dials / shooting menu bank.
Press the fun button and dial to browse your 4 preset shooting menu...
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Can you share with me your Custom setting, if possible? Your SHooting setting is quite clear, but I was not able to set Fn button and make it works as you did for Custom A and B. Thank you
Plainedesjarres
Not sure how to share my menu settings.
Let’s do so :
f4 / Fn button press is set to Spot Metering
f4 / Fn button + command dials is set to shooting menu bank
I hope this will help you.
I took a few photos in my room with the D3s, the photo came out super dark! One of them was just black. I turned ISO up, the photo just became a little brighter. What do you think i should do?
Howieee what was the aperture and the speed ?
Select A mode priority to aperture and set a decent one
The speed should set automatically depending on your preference of min speed in Auto ISO settings...
Didier MOULIN Photography the aperture is 2.8 and I have no idea what my shutter speed is.
Didier MOULIN Photography how do I change my shutter speed? I couldn’t find it in the video.
Howieee it seems you are at a big inner level and the video is not at this point detailed. I’m sorry about this.
Select mode A
Select your min speed in auTo iSO settings and max ISO 12800. Check if it works.
Otherwise I’m sorry I will not be able to teach you the D3S just with mails
Hope you understand
What do you use to clean the exterior of your camera? It looks impeccably clean !
John McKenna sorry I missed your answer the other day.
I use a microfiber cloth in general, nothing specific.
if it is really dirty, put it in the dishwasher !!!
I'm kidding of course, even if I don't think it would be a problem. A sponge and water in the worst case would be ok
I got Issues with D3s and live view, how I can disable interface on screen when Live view is ON? I want to see only clear video without interface.
Simply click the info button on the left of the screen...
@@DidierMOULINPhotographyI tried - nothing happens, heh...
I forgot to say, camera connected to HDMI
@@spongehodor Ha yes you didn't precise it. NO WAY, it's a too old camera, the option to hide interface in the HDMI output doesn't exist. You can only record on your card. The HDMI output is only useful to enlarge your screen and help you focus...
can u make a d750 d3s comparaison video?
Hi. Well I don't have my D750 any more since few years. What I can do is sharing pictures of both cameras in similar situation if I find some.
D750 is a very good camera working as the D3S in low light, with double the pixels and tilting screen... Snap bridge was never working, That's the main reason why I sold it.
In terms of durability it has nothing to compare with the D3S. The shutter sound is plasticky and doesn't inspire me long last. It's à consumer good that you use and change where the D# series can last you decades.
Do you have any sample images from this camerA? Is it good for portrait in 2023?
Hello
Check this album
Most of the black & white pictures were taken with the D3S
www.flickr.com/gp/didiermoulinphotography/11s5qT08eY
How do you evaluate them in 2023?
@@DidierMOULINPhotography I just purchased one. Not sure how I feel about the graineyness of the photos. I know that's part of the character of the camera. Do you still use the camera for work?
@@chadsexinton for sure, most of the recent sensors deliver better images, but to my honest point of view, the D3S can still be a good photographic tool as soon as your customer doesn’t ask for a huge print!
I took it with me with the D6 last year on a sport competition and my customer didn’t notice the difference
Pair it with a good lens, this is what will make the difference
Hello, thanks for this video. what do you suggest for wedding photograpy like preset and lences thanks in advance ( Je suis de Belgique )
Hello Olivier.
Well, for wedding you need to be fast and reactive. But depending on your preferences either you use a zoom or prime lenses... Zoom is reactive but with less caracter than some primes.
I don't like the 24-70 in general. They have no caracter at all.
I had a 70-200 VR first génération but the bokeh is too harsh. The VR2 is not a 200mm at close distance so I don't consider it and VR3 is too Expensive. The 80-200 2.8 AFS has a super softness in the background and perfect for wedding portrait.
The 28 F1.4 AF E is maybe my favorite for group Photography in low Light and small space.
The 58 1.4 G has it's unique carater but needs practice and understanding of its behaviour.
85 1.4 G is excellent for portraits.
It's up to you
Set ISO auto with max 6400 or 10.000 and minimum speed 250 or 500 and there you go !
What is the best lens for the d3s in your opinion?
Hi. Thanks for this interesting question which deserves a full video I think.
12Mp means that you don't need high resolving power lenses. I would stick to the Nikon 1.4 or 1.8 primes without looking at the sigma... The 28mm AF-S E is marvellous for Street. Very rare indeed.
You can find 24 or 35mm 1.4 AF-S G if you don't like 28mm
The 50 1.8 is cheap and fine but it can lacks of some caracter.
The 58mm 1.4 has lots of caracter and is unique.
The 85mm 1.4 AF-S-G is only good at portrait. It has poor AF for far subjects. Bad for landscape.
The 105mm, the Last one they made is also marvellous as the 28 is and the 300mm f/4 VR.
ZOOMS:
The 14-24 2.8 is working very fine if you need wide angle. It's heavy but balances well on the heavy D3S.
The 16-35 is maybe more versatile I never used it.
24-70 2.8 of course but I prefer primes in this focal range.
The 80-200 MM AF-S is perfect for the D3S. Fast ans accurate.
@@DidierMOULINPhotography can u please make a video on 58mm i had that and i regret to sell probably the best lens i have used in Nikon lineup.
@@PunjabiGymBeats Hi! Yes very good idea. I sold mine few months ago but I have few shots taken with it. Thanks for giving me this idea.
Batteries for this model...are easy to find?
Yes of course. Plenty
Dan excellent Frenglish tuto bravo Didier , une idee pourquoi pas faire des video avec ton ami le D3S en voyage partout avec toi comme le petit nain d amelie poulain , avec des couleur de ton comme Amelie ? also how about a video series to teach people to take their first photos with that piece of ART , giving them to hands of Iphone and m43 users . challenge them to take picture to show them that this old georgeous 3 rd eye , connected directly to the biggest sensor ever : our HEART , is being able to SEE the world as close as our Eyes , Minds and heart CAN !
What a marvelous and pleasing comment that find direct way to my heart. What a good idea!!!
My next video will be about shooting the D3X (which is the same…) with the 28mm 2.8 ais!!!!
If I don’t change my mind until then!!!
Thanks again Dzoan and hope to see you there again!
Hello....is the D3s better than the D3 sir
ALEXANDER GOMES
Hello and thank you for your question.
Yes the D3S was a real improvement after the D3
Sensor cleaning and Max ISO are better.
But the D3 remains a good one but I wouldn’t buy one more an 350€
The D700 is a better choice if you can ‘t afford or don’t find aD3S
How do I store the settings for "A" in the shooting menu?
Hi
Once you select the A setting, whatever change you do are automatically saved
@@DidierMOULINPhotography thank you! I am finding this camera to be very confusing! Can you easily tell me how I can make the display stay lit up longer?
@@sarahlambert1656 well, I think you have a energy saving menu somewhere I don’t remember exactly
You will get used to the camera and it will be fine I’m sure
How is software issue?
Hi
What kind of software issue ?
Does this onr got touch screen
Of course not but there are so many buttons that you don’t need the screen!
@@DidierMOULINPhotography i'm curious about the clock and date Coz Mine When i switchec off it goes back to old date 2009 not 2021 June 23 23:01
How about 400k SC? Still relevant?
Hello and sorry for my late answer. I discover your question only today. I read2 days ago a comment on another video of a guy having a 550k SC D3S... still working. I would'n go to buy such a used shutter or at a kind of 300€ maximum.
Wich lens is that on your D3s?????
The marvelous Nikkor 58mm f/1.4
@@DidierMOULINPhotography Ohh my god...I have to buy that one too...Its beautiful on a D3 or D4..
@@helthuismartin yes indeed! But be careful, this lens is the most difficult to use. It delivers lovely images but also ugly Chromatic aberrations and soft images
Why use 12,000 ISO for sports..lol:)
If you have a f/5,6 lens and you need to freeze a fast action you need a high shutter speed and ISOs will go up very quickly for instance
The Nikon D3 and D3s are great cameras with more buttons than needed...I own the former...it’s nice to customize but KISS....just sayin...find what you like...cherry pick customizations