D3 Poor Low Light Autofocus

[Brucie]

I've been checking google and I've found page upon page upon page of people having problems in low light with the D3 when it comes to AF.... probably more problems than I've seen with the old pre-blue dot Canon Mk3's. While Canon has fixed their issues (as shown here with prophoto's tests where it spanks the D3 in daylight), will Nikon fix the D3? It doesn't seem like it.


The D3 by design clusters it's cross type sensors in the center 25% of the viewfinder's horizontal axis in landscape mode (camera held for horizontal image). The D2x has cross type sensors spaced much further apart and they cover about 70% of the horizontal axis. With AF area set to anything other than 51 point, you are left with a single cross type sensor just like with the D200.

I did a simple test trying to focus on the vertical edge of a beige (skin)colored frame at the point where it is contrasted by a standard white mat. In landscape orientation the outer sensors (non of which are cross-type on the D3) were unable to focus on this edge at all. They could focus on the edge when the camera was in a vertical or portrait mode and the edge then became a "horizontal" edge for the AF sensor. The D2x's outer sensors had no problem with this edge in either orientation as they are cross type. My Canon Mark III also had no problems as the 5 AF sensors going across the horizontal axis at the center of the camera are ALL cross type sensors.

The Mark III is twice as fast to AF as the D2x and the D2x will focus in low light situation where the D3/D300 fail completely. The AF with the D3 is slightly faster to lock on to subjects than the D300 in the tests I have done with people as my subjects for focus.

This is not something that can be addressed with firmware as the cross type sensor layout was designed to provide fast acquisition of moving subjects with normal contrast and in normal light situations (i.e. sports photography). In doing so the Nikon engineers significantly reduced the low light AF capabilities of the D3 and D300 cameras but clearly they believed this trade-off was worthwhile for their targeted markets (which evidently do not include wedding photographers).

If fast consistent low light AF is really critical, your best bet is to get a Canon Mark III. The Mark III also does a much better job of accurately exposing back lit subjects with the ability to use the selected focus sensor point for spot metering. This is a great feature that is sadly missing from the D3 and D300 cameras but hopefully will be addressed along with the cross type sensor problem with the D4.

[Ilkka]

I dont have any kind of these problems you are adressing to whit my D3. I worked whit my camera in wery poor light conditions during the last 3 weeks and nothing so ever has happened. So, maybe this is a Canon V/S Nikon story?
Ilkka

[EricC]

First of all Google will also turn up 100's of pages that will teach you how to convert your Ford Pinto to run on water.

I have been shooting the D3 for several months now and have ZERO issues with the focus in 'dim' lighting.

The best examples that I have of this LACK of a flaw are photos taken of audience members at a theater performance. These people were illuminated ONLY but the reflected lighting from the stage. A D3 mounted to a 300 2.8 AF-S II and a 70-200 VR both turned out images that were printable and publishable.

I have shot dozens and dozens of night games without once wishing for anything to be faster or different.

If fast consistent low light AF is really critical, your best bet is to get a Canon Mark III.

Completely false.

[Tony_Whaling]

Not sure where the OP is coming from. I just googled 'nikon D3 low light focus problem' and got 28,100 results. Googled 'canon mkIII low light focus problem' and got 74,200 results. Not something I would use to make a descision about a camera.
I have worked with and have people work for me using both and they are both fantastic at focusing in low light. There was no previous comparison because we had stopped shooting when the light got that bad.
To be quite honest I see far more differance in the quality of photographers than I see differance in the quality of cameras. Also there knack of getting the focus using the equipment they are comfortable with is often the key.
What is noticable is how many sports photographers have moved from canon to the d3 at major sporting events.

tony

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