Nikon D3 User manual

W TERRITORY
How do you define professional photography? What epitomizes true performance? Find out with the industry-
changing Nikon D3. More than just another new camera, it's an innovative way of approaching photography,
with new systems, processes and rule-breaking features that shatter old limitations and give you the
freedom to redefine what is possible. Imagine taking images at ISO 6400 that are as clean and noise-free as
those taken by lesser cameras at ISO 800. Imagine being able to work at ISO 25600, yet keep all the natural
tonal gradation you need in the low-sensitivity range, as well. The D3 tackles real-world shooting scenarios
like nothing that’s come before – choose from a selection of capture formats, such as the new FX format
for shooting at 9 fps, or the ultra-versatile DX format at up to 11 fps (5.1 megapixels), with consistent frame-advance
speed at every aperture setting. The new 51-point AF system incorporates 15 cross-type sensors that work with
every AF NIKKOR lens of f/5.6 and faster. And both the AF system and imaging engine recognize your subject
even before you fire. All of this, plus a new high-definition LCD monitor, brighter viewfinder and the world’s most
intuitive digital SLR platform. Nikon’s new 12.1-megapixel flagship FX-format D-SLR is designed for versatility
and smooth, natural high-speed operation. Imagine a single camera that gives you all these capabilities and
more. Imagine capturing what was once considered impossible. It’s time to discover the new D3.
DISCOVER NE

Studio work, street photography at night ,
theater, track and field athletics, lo cation
shooting in both a field of sunflowers and the
desert under glaring sunlight.
I think o ne of the h eadli nes in this
brochure defines my experience with the
Nikon D3. It represents new territory. As
a shooter, I am always looking for ways
to expand and express my imagination.
This ca mera opens doors and pushes
limits I could not have even guessed at
when I started shooting digital a few
short years ago. While the camera looks
and feels like past Nikon models, there is
definitely a new engine under the hood.
This technology accelerates and enlarges
digital picture making. One of the photo
maxims I have always heard is "If I can
see it I can shoot it." That has not always
necessarily been true. Now, finally, it is.
Clients inc lude: Time Magazine, Nati onal
Geographic, Newsweek, ESPN Magazine and
The New York Times Magazine.
1110
Dave Black –
Sports Photographer (USA)
Used the D3 to shoot ice hockey, figure skating,
wakeboarding, basketball, gymnastics, and a
nighttime car race.
I believe the Nikon D3 Digital SLR Camera
will encourage photographers to think in
new and creative ways. There are many
new advances in this camera that will
help me produce better sports pictures,
including the shooting rate of nine frames
per second, increased dynamic range
and the FX sensor. But it is the extremely
clean high sensitivity level of ISO 6400
that is, in my o pini on, an in dustr y-
changing development. I will now be able
to capture fast action sports images in
low-light conditions and poorly lit indoor
venues with wonderful clarity and detail
suitable for the cover of any magazine.
Nikon’s D3 makes a seemingly impossible
situation achievable.
Clients in clude: Sports Il lustrate d, Ti me
Magazine, Newsweek, ESPN, The Wall Street
Journal, Reebok, Coca Cola and Visa.
Joe McNally –
Photojournalist (USA)
Captured Iceland's natural beauty while testing
the camera's durability and picture quality under
extreme conditions.
Wor k i n g for Nationa l Geogra phic i s
insp i ring, but v ery deman d ing. The
technical demands are always high, but
I believe that camera technology should
never stand in the way of my creative
process. That’s why my trial run with the
D3 was such a great experience. From
small ergonomic details to revolutionary
changes in speed, dynamics and handling,
the D3 performed incredibly. Features
like its larg e , h i g h - r e s o lution LCD
monitor, its greater dynamic range and
color r eproduction and its low-nois e
images at high ISOs are real strengths.
Furthermore, as I am frequently in far-
flung locations, repair shops are rarely
close at hand. I need my gear to work, and
the D3 was a real workhorse.
Clients include: National Geographic Magazine,
Audubon Magazine and Geo Magazine.
Mattias Klum –
Culture and Nature Photographer (Sweden)
The pursuit of new technology
Since the introduction of the first F-series cameras, Nikon
has helped refine the art of photography while pursuing
new and powerful forms of photographic expression. The
D3 fulfils both of these missions. Nikon's newest flagship
symbolizes the evolution of photographic technology,
defying preconceived limitations while responding to the
ever-changing demands of professional photographers.
In short, the D3 represents new territory – explore it for
yourself.
The pursuit of ideal picture quality
High resolution is only one aspect of superior pictures.
The image quality that passionate photographers deserve
should also include a wide sensitivity range, faithful color
reproduction, and fast, secure data processing. Nikon offers
all this and more with the D3, giving images more depth,
detail and atmosphere than ever before. Images of this
quality were once rare, but the Nikon D3 makes them all
part of a day's work.
The pursuit of superior operability
Professional photographers frequently have cameras
in their hands for hours – or even days – at a time. In
many ways the camera becomes an extension of the
photographer's body, and should therefore act that way.
That's why Nikon has always considered comfortable
and ergonomically-sound operation to be crucial to its
camera design. It is a multi-sensory experience – a bright
view finder for the eyes, the shape and texture of the
camera's exterior for the hands, even the right shutter
sound for the ear – with each aspect of the camera's design
crafted to eliminate distractions and help the photographer
to reach new creative heights. From a short shutter-release
time-lag to controls large enough to manipulate with gloves
on, Nikon has redefined operability. Again.
The pursuit of uncompromised quality
Nikon's philosophy is simple: no shortcuts. From design
through assembly to the showroom floor, uncompromising
standards me a n t hat ev ery camera produ ced is of
exceptional quality. Nikon cameras like the D3 are tested
relentlessly to ensure that they perform in any situation.
Nikon engineers punish new equipment mercilessly. They
expose cameras to extremes of cold, heat, moisture,
vibration and any other condition that may be encountered
on (and even above) the Earth. Standards like these are
rare, but for Nikon, they are essential.
The D3 is dedicated to photographers who defy limitations
and always seek to push photography forward.
• Lens: AF Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D IF • Image quality: 14-bit
RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/250 second, f/10
• White balance: Flash • Sensitivity: ISO 200 • Picture
Control: Standard
• Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED • Image quality:
14-bit RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/1,000 second, f/4
• White balance: Direct sunlight • Sensitivity: ISO 6400
• Picture Control: Standard
• Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED • Image quality:
14-bit RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/3,200 second,
f/4.5 • White balance: Auto •Sensitivity: ISO 320 • Picture
Control: Standard
D3: On Assignment
To prove the D3's uncompromising versatility, three of the world's top professionals
test shot with early models of the D3 on a wide array of assignments.
©Joe McNally
©Dave Black ©Mattias Klum
D3:
The Development
Concept

Discerning photographers always test the
boundaries of their equipment, pushing it as
far as they can to capture the most powerful
images possible. For over 75 years since the
introduction of NIKKOR lenses, Nikon has
dedicated itself to helping photographers
go the extra mile. Now, with the D3, Nikon
combines its new proprietary FX-format sensor
with 12.1 effective megapixels for striking
tonal gradation and detail. But we didn't stop
there. By enlarging the size of each pixel,
Nikon's new FX format captures light with
unrivaled accuracy, which in turn contributes
to a significantly higher signal-to-noise ratio
and wider dynamic range. The rich initial data
of each image is then swiftly and carefully
routed through a 12-channel parallel readout
for 14-bit A/D conversion that serves two
professional demands – speed and precision.
Adding to its versatility, the D3 also offers
you three different formats – FX format, DX
format and 5:4 – delivering all the options
to respond to a vast range of shooting
situations.
Color and detail only begin
to explain the extraordinary
potential of Nikon's powerful
FX-format sensor. Now
photographers have an
extremely wide sensitivity
range to choose from. It's now
possible to expect exceptionally
natural tonal gradation in the
low-sensitivity range, yet shoot
with confidence in conditions
that demand high ISO settings.
From now on, capturing bold
and remarkably noise-free images from ISO
200 to 6400 will be the standard, and not
an exception to the rule. For professionals,
this dramatically changes how you shoot
indoor sports, night games at stadiums,
theaters, weddings, wildlife at dusk and
any other situation where light is limited
and Speedlights are not an option. This
new dimension of ISO sensitivity not only
delivers more winning shots, it also changes
how you take them. Imagine shooting sports
and action images at faster shutter speeds
without worrying about excessive image-
degrading noise. Simply put, the D3 redefines
how good high ISO digital images can look.
And to further expand your potential, the D3
can be extended on demand, from ISO 100 to
ISO 25600. Consider the new possibilities.
Unlike other image processing systems, the
D3's doesn't sacrifice spectacular saturation
for advanced noise reduction. Low-noise
performance is an integral part of the D3's
core engineering, meaning that your D3 has
been strategically designed to minimize
image noise, long before you've selected the
noise reduction function. And at ISO settings
of 2000 and above, when High ISO NR is
set to on, the noise reduction function is
automatically activated to carefully minimize
mottling, color bleeding and shadow noise.
The result is rich images with natural tones
and without the plastic, artificial look so
typical of conventional noise reduction
images.
High image quality at high ISO
13
FX-format CMOS imaging sensor
12-channel parallel readout
ISO 200 ISO 6400
ISO 400 ISO 800 ISO 1600 ISO 3200
Natural-looking images with an amazingly low degree of noise
even with high ISO.
Nikon's proprietary FX-format (36.0 x
23.9 mm) CMOS imaging sensor with
12.1 effective megapixels
Strikingly high image
quality at up to ISO 6400
Advanced noise reduction at high ISO
for natural-looking results
12-channel parallel data readout contributes to
the incredible speed seen in features like 9 fps
and Live View function.
• Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED • Image quality: JPEG Fine • Exposure:
[A] mode, 1/30 second, f/2.8 • White balance: Auto • Sensitivity: ISO 6400
• Picture Control: Standard
©Joe McNally
©Joe McNally
• Lens: AF-S VR Nikkor 200mm f/2G IF-ED • Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [A] mode, 1/2,000 second, f/2.8 • White balance: Auto • Sensitivity: ISO 6400 • Picture Control: Standard ©Joe McNally
6400
ISO
l Proprietary FX-format (36.0 x 23.9 mm) CMOS sensor
with 12.1 effective megapixels
l Incredibly high signal-to-noise ratio, for wide dynamic
range
l Remarkably noise-free images from ISO 200-6400,
with ISO 100-25600 on demand
l A dramatically expanded range of shutter speed and
aperture options
l Freedom to shoot in almost any lighting situation
Expand your
vision with the
FX-format sensor

EXPEED image-pocessing system
Superior image processing relies on one
simple truth: no shortcuts. Nikon knows that
in order to deliver the
most practical and
versatile performance
possible, image
quality, accuracy and
speed must be treated as equal partners of
equal importance. Nikon has a name for this
uniquely comprehensive approach: EXPEED.
What started at the birth of the film camera
Nikon Iand progressed with the digital SLR
D1 has now evolved into an elite imaging
system that is far more powerful than the
present standards of any other camera maker.
This unrivaled process is extremely fast and
comprehensive, yet is extremely energy
efficient giving longer battery life.
Nikon's FX-format sensor produces an
incredibly wide dynamic range, with rich
initial data that maintains its integrity through
14-bit A/D conversion. As professional
photographers demand the smoothest tonal
gradation and faithful color reproduction, no
shortcut will do. So, to maintain impeccable
accuracy, the D3 uses 16-bit data transmission
throughout the image-processing pipeline. The
resulting output reveals breathtaking details
and subtleties, putting D3 images in a class of
their own.
The D3 controls color hue with unmatched
accuracy, so specific colors that were
previously impossible to achieve together in
a particular image can now coexist in nearly
any situation. Colors are faithful throughout
the palette – skin tones are pleasingly
saturated without blowing out the reds, while
blues that were once difficult to reproduce
can now be considered standard. Expect this
throughout the spectrum, with less tone jump
than ever before.
High-megapixel sensors tend to produce
chromatic aberration in the peripheral areas.
To achieve the sharpest images throughout
the frame, the D3 uses an automatic lateral
chromatic aberration reduction function.
This means new benchmarks in minimized
aberration and maximized accuracy seen in the
images below. It's an advantage you'll gain no
matter what NIKKOR lenses you use.
The D3's dynamic range has broadened to
such an extent that you can expect finer
tonal gradation in highlight areas – even
with extremely bright subject matter, such as
skies, snowfall or white clothing shot under
harsh sunlight. And thanks to more accurate
treatment of data, tone jump that was once
likely to occur with a broadened dynamic
range is now negligible.
15
14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image-processing pipeline
-bit image processing – a new way to get the right look
-bitA/D conversion,
1416lNikon's new EXPEED image-processing system, utilizing a supremely powerful
CPU with 14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit image-processing pipeline
lFaithful colors, pleasingly saturated throughout the palette, with smooth tonal
gradations, even in highlights
lUnprecedented final image quality that needs little or no post-production
enhancement
14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit data transmission throughout the process offer an incredibly high signal-to-noise ratio.
Even with a scene containing a large difference in brightness,
smooth tonal gradation is reproduced.
EXPEED: Nikon's comprehensive
approach to quality digital images
14-bit A/D conversion and 16-bit
image-processing pipeline
Lateral chromatic aberration
reduction
Pleasingly saturated, faithful colors
12-channel parallel readout 14-bit A/D conversion 16-bit image processing
• Lens: AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED • Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/250 second, f/16 • White balance: Cloudy • Sensitivity: ISO 200 • Picture Control: Standard ©Joe McNally
Improved tonal gradation
Chromatic aberration reduction (peripheral area enlarged)
Without
Final
processing
With

Quick response
17
In many fields of photography, reflexes and
timing can make or break a career. That's
why Nikon's engineers set out to radically
improve speed, response time and recording
time for the D3. Indeed, this camera marks an
incredible breakthrough, with many features
that double or even quadruple the speed
and response of today's market leaders.
With a 9-frame-per-second shooting speed
in FX format (12.1 megapixels) and up to
11 fps in DX crop mode (5.1 megapixels),
the D3 gives you options to master any
shooting situation. In DX crop mode,
shooting rates of up to 11 fps increase
your opportunities of nailing the precise
moment you need. Or shoot 12.1-megapixel
FX-format, full-resolution images at up to
9 fps, giving you and your editor plenty of
room to crop winning shots that can still be
enlarged into commercial-quality prints.
And because the D3 supports high-speed
UDMA mode, recording speed gets an
extra boost, enabling you to shoot more
consecutive shots – pivotal to many
professional assignments.
Whether professionals succeed or fail
depends on their readiness and ability to
capture the perfect moment. That's why
Nikon has minimized the D3's response
times to nearly unnoticeable levels. The D3
starts up in approximately 0.12 seconds,
and shutter-release time lag is an industry-
leading 37 milliseconds.
Nikon understands that for professional
digital photography, exceptional speed means
little unless it is supported throughout the
entire process. That is why Nikon has taken
the comprehensive approach of optimizing
the speed of processing, buffer memory,
memory access, memory card recording and
Hi-Speed USB interface. With these working
together harmoniously, you can forget about
the weight of the data and concentrate on
capturing the moment.
9 fps in FX format and 11 fps in DX
format
The reflexes professionals demand
Lens: AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED • Image quality:
JPEG Fine • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/25 second, f/4 • White
balance: Color Temp • Sensitivity: ISO 640 • Picture Control:
Standard
©Dave Black
In continuous shooting at 11 fps, focus is locked
on the position detected in the first frame.
• Lens: AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED • Image quality: 14-bit RAW (NEF) • Exposure: [M] mode, 1/1,250 second, f/4.5 • White balance: Color Temp • Sensitivity: ISO 1250 • Picture Control: Standard
©Dave Black
Speed that frees you to act on impulse
9fps
More winning
shots per second
11fps
l9-frames-per-second
continuous shooting in FX
format; up to 11 fps in DX-crop
mode
lUDMA support for more
consecutive shots
lHigher speeds for data
processing, recording and
image transfer
lNewfound certainty that you'll
get the shot, however brief
the moment
Full AF/AE performance is available at 9 fps.

Autofocus system
The D3 covers the frame like never before
with the world's largest number*1of AF
detection areas. These 51 points create a
dense net of focusing strength. This means
faster focus acquisition, even with quick
and/or erratic subject movement. The 15
points that occupy the all-important center of
the frame utilize cross-type sensors, for even
more powerful detection. Most important,
all 15 cross-type sensors retain the same
outstanding level of performance with any
AF NIKKOR lens f/5.6 or faster*2– in other
words, all of your AF NIKKOR lenses can take
full advantage of cross-type accuracy.
In order to make the most of all 51 AF points,
the D3 offers three AF area modes: Single-
point AF, Dynamic-area AF, and Auto-area AF.
All three options are available using either
51 AF points or the classic 11. Single-point
AF ensures that an important element in the
composition will be sharply focused,
such as the eyes in a character portrait.
Simply select a single AF point out of the 51
available and the D3 will concentrate all its
focusing power on that spot. With Dynamic-
area AF, you can select from several focusing
options, utilizing 9, 21 or all 51 points. Just
select a single AF point as priority, and the
areas surrounding your selected point serve
as backup – a real advantage when shooting
moving subjects. For more compositional
shooting, try either the 9- or 21-point options.
For subjects with extremely fast or erratic
movement, the 51-point option will be your
choice. Plus there is 3D-Tracking mode, which
also uses 51 points. 3D-Tracking makes the
most of the Scene Recognition System's
subject-tracking information, accurately
tracking the subject by selecting a new focus
point to significantly improve your fix on
moving subjects. The Auto-area AF specializes
in focusing on people, automatically detecting
and prioritizing skin tones with all 51 points.
Professional photographers have demanded
more-refined AF accuracy. Therefore, the
D3 lets you apply the same amount of AF
compensation regardless of which AF points
or lenses you use. You can also make lens-
specific individual adjustments for up to 20
registered lens models.
19
51-pointAF performance – consistently sharp
15 cross-type sensors perform
with any AF NIKKOR f/5.6 or
faster lens
Nikon's classic 11 AF points
are still readily available.
Single-point AF mode
Dynamic-area AF mode using 9 points
Dynamic-area AF mode using 21 points
Dynamic-area AF mode using 51 points
Dynamic-area AF mode using
3D-Tracking
Wide area coverage with 51 AF points
Autofocus Fine Tune
is easily accessible
through the D3's menus
51 AF points – a world-first
Versatile AF area modes
Autofocus Fine Tune
©Joe McNally
lNew Multi-CAM 3500FX AF module offers a network of 51 strategically placed AF points,
for outstanding coverage
lSelected areas work together to capture a variety of moving subjects with incredible
speed and precision
lRazor-sharp images for fast-moving subjects that were previously difficult to focus
©Joe McNally
©Joe McNally
©Mattias Klum
©Dave Black
Note: In Dynamic-area AF mode, only the active focus point is displayed
in the viewfinder.
*1 Among digital SLRs, as of August 23, 2007.
*2 With some lenses used in combination with Nikon Teleconverters,
three points on the top and three on the bottom may function as
line sensors under certain conditions, even if maximum effective
aperture is f/5.6. For details, see Function Compatibility Chart on
page 37 (note 8).