Nikon D3 Active D Lighting test

[joedmiles]

I just took my new D3 out for a walk and tested it out in bright sunlight shooting swans. I've got to say I'm really excited about using this camera because every exposure was spot on even though I used it on shutter priority on 1000ISO ALL the images came out spot on with detail on the white of the swans neck etc. which I would never have been able to achieve with my old D2X. The colors came out spot on without having to do any adjustments also-can't believe how natural the colors look on the dafs etc. This camera is going to save me hours on the computer as I won't be needing to mess about with them in the same way. I used the Active D Lighting setting on low and it was excellent. Nikon has really got it right this time!

[Richard_Coyle]

Nice photos of Mute Swans. And I agree that Nikon seems to have it all together with the new D3/D300. Talked to a Nikon/Canon, etc. Dealer friend recently who is about to "kick ..s" with his Canon rep for the problems their new pro bodies are causing him. He's supposed to hear shortly about the AF fix for the 1D MKIII, et al, and hopes it's for real.

But back to the swans. Where were these located and how close were you to them? In our neck of the woods, we have a huge population of Canada Geese that are causing all kinds of havoc for not only home owners, but also municipalities and businesses. There is a thriving business model that provides Mute Swans for lease during the warm season, from their nesting until fall when the ponds freeze over. One pair is very territorial and will keep any Canada Geese from invading the pond, but will allow most other waterfowl. Then they provide "housing" for them over the winter, and it's back on the ponds again in the spring.

Makes for great photographic opportunities up close and personal if you're patient enough, as you obviously were. Thanks for posting!

[joedmiles]

Hi Richard-that sounds a very good idea and didn't know that was going on. I've heard about the problem though with Canada geese as they've taken over big time over here in the UK too.

I didn't need much patience for these guys though as they seemed to be really tame and not pay me any mind at all especially as I was really close to them on the river bank. They kept posing for me and making eye contact! I was only there for about 30 minutes. I live in a place called Enfield Lock and have the canal in the front of my house and the river in the back at the end of the garden so there's loads of bird life that keeps you awake all hours of the night! (Until moving in I thought that ducks etc. slept at night-I was VERY wrong!)

Hope they fix the focus problems soon for Canon and thanks for your post.

Joe

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