Goodbye somber 2008PERMALINK

An appreciative thank-you to everyone who supported this site in 2008, and may 2009 bring brighter times and better bokeh to all.

Towards a new dawn
Nikon D3x + Zeiss ZF 35/2 Distagon

Nikon D3x in stock at AmazonPERMALINK

The D3x is in stock at Amazon.com, with B&H Photo never seeming to be able to keep it in stock.

The D3x is the world’s best DSLR, and worth the price. See my review in DAP.

Zeiss ZF Lenses and Nikon D3xPERMALINK

One reader emailed to ask about my plans for updating Zeiss ZF Lenses for the D3x.

I plan on adding examples from the D3x for all of the Zeiss ZF Lenses, as well as new material specifically for the D3x. This will be on ongoing project and will take some time, but since your purchase includes online access for a year, there is no reason to defer purchase.

diglloyd Zeiss ZF Lenses

Please note that DAP already includes examples from some ZF lenses in the ongoing Nikon D3x review. The D3x review focuses on the camera; Zeiss ZF Lenses is about scrutinizing the lenses themselves with a variey of cameras, both Nikon and Canon.

At the Zoo with the 200 f/2 (and Nikon D3x)PERMALINK

See also Dec 28 entry. I spent yesterday afternoon at the San Francisco zoo, putting the D3x through its paces with the Nikon 200mm f/2 VR. The D3x makes a wonderful camera for wildlife, and I’ve just added a whole batch of images to my DAP review of the Nikon D3x.

The Nikon 200mm f/2.0G AF-S E-IF VR (about $3999) is a stunning lens on the D3x. Shoot it wide open, and when you nail the focus, you are rewarded with heretofore unachievable results for wildlife.

It’s a big and heavy lens, but can be carried for an afternoon with reasonable comfort using an OpTech strap attached to the lugs on the lens itself (don’t bend the camera lens mount by trying to let the camera support the weight of the lens).

By the way, if you do buy a D3x or 200VR or anything else at B&H Photo or Amazon or Adorama, please use links at page bottom, which I would greatly appreciate—thank you.

Ostrich
Nikon D3x + Nikon 200mm f/2 VR @ f/2

More D3x examplesPERMALINK

See also Dec 27 entry. More examples, including 47MP stitched images in my DAP review of the Nikon D3x.

Forest Ferns
Nikon D3x + Nikon PC-E 45mm f/2.8D

Zeiss ZF 21mm f/2.8 Distagon delayedPERMALINK

The Zeiss ZF 21mm f/2.8 Distagon has officially been delayed by 3 months. Note that Nikon users will get first crack at it, Canon users will have to wait a bit longer.

This is one well-corrected lens judging by the complex optical design. Will it be the ultimate wide angel [sic] on full-frame? How will it compare to Nikon’s 14-24/2.8G zoom? Testing will tell and I certainly will be exploring that in detail in Zeiss ZF Lenses.

Zeiss ZF 21mm f/2.8 Distagon optical layout

My understanding from discussions with Zeiss USA is that the factory wants to ensure that the lens meets every expectation, and that they’re not going to hurry it out the door. The official published line is a little different:

Due to a capacity constraint volume production of the Distagon T* 2,8/21 could not start as scheduled. The estimated date of delivery for the ZF version will be the end of the first quarter 2009. The ZE as well as the ZK version will be available by the mid of 2009.

D3x diffraction studyPERMALINK

The D3x is subject to diffraction like every other camera. See the complete study in my review of the D3x in DAP. See also my articles on diffraction, as well as my article in the Jan/Feb 2009 Photo Techniques magazine.

 
The graying, resolution-blurring effects of diffraction
Nikon D3x + Zeiss ZF 100/2 Makro-Planar

Setting sunPERMALINK

See also Dec 25 entry. The sun doesn’t always cooperate, but did peek through at the end today. I did not see the “green flash” today, but I have once before.

Pancake Sunset
Nikon D3x + Voigtlander 180/4 APO macro @ f/8

Can you believe the image above has detail in those blacks, and at ISO 800? Noise there is, and quite a bit in the sky too, but the way the D3x handles noise deep into the blacks shows an exceptionally clean signal path, unrivaled in my DSLR experience. Noise is of course noticeably higher per pixel than the 12.1MP D3, but the integrity of the shadow areas is something new and unexpected. I’ll say it again: Nikon tooks its time, but did it right and this ain’t no repackaged Sony A900 (with all due respect to the A900, an excellent camera).

For those who complained in advance about the D3x pricing before ever having seen or used one: have another beer. (See my Dec 2 commentary). The “what if” I raised then (before ever having laid eyes on the D3x) is indeed the case. It is a stunningly capable camera, Nikon’s very best effort yet.

Choke it down and morePERMALINK

This poor guy spent quite a while choking down a starfish (sea star), a prize obtained during the exceptionally low tide. Now that’s satiety value—sandpapery surface, tentacles and all!

Larger versions of these images are included in the DAP review of the Nikon D3x. This image is about 2X actual pixels, well cropped down from the original, handfocused and handheld.

Choke it Down
Herring Gull, Larus argentatus?
Nikon D3x + Voigtlander 180/4 APO macro, 1/250 @ f/4, handheld, ISO 800

Harbor Seal, Phoca Vitulina
Nikon D3x + Voigtlander 180/4 APO macro, 1/125 @ f/4, handheld, ISO 800

D3x vs D3 resolution comparedPERMALINK

To DAP, I’ve added a comparison of the D3x vs D3 resolution on my favorite outdoor mosaic. The resolution gains of the D3x over the D3 are striking, as one might expect for a doubling of pixels. I’ve also added 3 more examples.

The worst Nikon feature — softwarePERMALINK

Nikon Capture NX2 has a great feature set and excellent image quality, but with the world’s least usable user interface yet seen in a RAW converter. See my Capture NX2 review; it only captures a portion of the user-interface headaches in NX2.

Nikon Capture NX 2 has always had a reputation for being ultra-slow, but version 2.1.1, which supports the D3x, now is far worse—

Slow Mode malfunction

NX2 v2.1.1 now incorporates a malfunction that I’ll call Slow Mode, which it enters frequently, at least with D3x files: it will literally take several minutes to draw a preview of the image, or even worse, never finish drawing it at all. Slow Mode is not related to complexity of processing; it happens with most adjustments disabled too.

When NX2 is operating in Slow Mode, it chews up barely more than a single CPU core (out of 8), with little or no forward progress on the screen preview. The problem is provoked especially frequently (nearly all the time) when keeping multiple files open at once. Memory is not the issue; its memory usage is about 1.1GB, so it should be able to allocate another 2GB for its own use. Working with a single open file does not avoid the issue.

Even when not malfunctioning in Slow Mode, NX2 use of CPU cores is at best 200% in interactive mode (800% is all cores of my 8-core Mac Pro, see my grading system for software). On its best behavior (rare) when outputting a TIF, it might use 300% - 400% eg less than half of the available processing power of my 8-core Mac Pro.

Irresponsible RAW-file modification

RAW files are your original work, your digital slide or negative. They should not be altered! Doing so is really not forgivable.

The engineers at Nikon/Nik are still writing into the original RAW file, violating a fundamental principle of data integrity: don’t risk damage to original RAW files (this is not theoretical, it happened when Apple released Mac OS X 10.5.5).

NX2 also bloats RAW files by 30% when saving, resulting in D3x files up to 50 (fifty) megabytes each! You have no choice or preference—NX2 just does it.

I raised this issue with Nikon last June when I attended the NX2 preview, but nothing has been done about either issue.

Nikon View NX “unsupported file format”

View NX 1.2.0 (latest version as of 12/28/2008 for Mac) reports that D3x files are an “unsupported file type”. The latest Windows version is 1.2.2.

Nikon View NX 1.2.0 and Nikon D3x RAW files

View NX 1.2.0 is the latest version for Mac OS X, but if you Check for Updates you get a nice crash of whatever (unnecessary) daemon process Nikon uses to open the web page.

Nikon View NX 1.2.0 and Nikon D3x RAW files

Nikon D3x examples, noisePERMALINK

See also Dec 24 entry. I’ve updated my review in DAP of the Nikon D3 with examples (not so easy in light of the huge storm we had), and also noise/ ISO series from ISO 50 to ISO 6400.

Winter Creek
Nikon D3x + Nikon 14-24/2.8G @ f/8, 30 seconds

Nikon 50mm f/1.4GPERMALINK

See yesterday’s entry on the Nikon 50mm f/1.4G and sagittal coma flare.

The 50/1.4G makes very nice sunstars. I am reviewing it, using one on loan courtesy of LensRentals.com.

Diffraction Stars
Nikon D3x + Nikon 50mm f/1.4G @ f/8

Gut feeling on D3xPERMALINK

See also Dec 23 entry. I’m going to go out on a limb here with a gut feeling based on very limited shooting, reserving the right to criticize later—I’ve just reviewed some D3x field images I shot today. It’s late (nearly midnight, Santa Dad needs to get moving), and my eyes are tired, but they’re seeing stuff that is extremely impressive, like 30 second exposures in shitty light at ISO 50 that look like...like medium format (I reviewed the 28MP Mamiya DL28 not long ago). No, not exactly the same thing, I’m talking a “feel” thing.

What I’m seeing is very impressive image quality, looking as unprocessed and natural as I’ve yet seen in a digital SLR. I think Nikon took its time with the D3x, and it shows. And no, I do not think that the Sony A900 is just as good based on what I’m seeing—there’s a lot more to an image than resolution, and the D3x seems to have some secret sauce mixed in.

Nikon D3x resolution vs Canon 1Ds Mark III and D3PERMALINK

DAP readers can now read about how the D3x resolution compares to the Canon 1Ds Mark III and Nikon D3 (updated just tonight, and see yesterday’s blog entry).

There’s no doubt that the D3 is the new king of the resolution hill, and truly it’s impressive. It took a lot of work to make the comparison on a resolution chart, what with all the focus bracketing to ensure a completely optimal result for each camera. Not my favorite kind of shooting, but very instructive.

Nikon 50mm f/1.4G — what avian species?PERMALINK

I have the new Sigma 50/1.4 and Nikon 50/1.4G in for testing, courtesy of LensRentals.com—give them a try, it’s a great way to try out equipment at reasonabl prices and great convenience.

I’m not a birder, but I’ve seen this bird before: sagittal coma flare, the infamous “bird’s wings”. This aberration is hard to correct optically, but what’s the use of an f/1.4 lens if you cannot shoot stuff at night without this sort of ridiculous rendition? Perhaps if software could fix it that would be an acceptable compromise. This effect occurs off-center, worsening as the edges and corners of the frame are approached.

Sagittal coma flare
Nikon D3x + Nikon 50mm f/1.4G @ f/1.4 (middle, right edge)

Especially wIth the 24.4MP Nikon D3x, such aberrations aren’t acceptable anymore; ignoring point light sources as shown here, that optical point spread function smears any and every subject—it’s for the birds, it’s bird poop! Earth to Nikon: some of us are shooting overpriced 24.4MP cameras now!

Well, maybe it’s not all that bad, but it does mean that we can’t expect too much of the new 50/1.4G at f/1.4 outside the DX sensor area. And certainly the 50/1.4G might be an outstanding performer in other ways and stopped down slightly, this was one of the very first shots with it.

Correcting sagittal coma flare generally requires aspheric elements (eg NOCT-Nikkor), but at about $439 for the new 50/1.4G, this sort of performance is disappointing. I’ll be covering the new Nikon 50/1.4G in more depth in DAP and investigating how the Nikon-mount Sigma 50/1.4 compares in this regard.

Nikon D3x and Zeiss ZF 100mm f/2 Makro PlanarPERMALINK

The UPS delivery guy showed up after dark with the D3x, and with cold rain to boot, I wasn’t too keen on shooting outdoors. So I hauled out my well-used resolution chart. Yuck, I hate shooting resolution charts, but it’s not a bad place to get a reality check.

Naturally I wanted to find out if the 24.4 megapixel Nikon D3x (6048 X 4032) was really up to its rated resolution. And for that task I chose a lens that has never let me down: the Zeiss ZF 100mm f/2 Makro-Planar, reviewed with all the other ZF lenses in Zeiss ZF Lenses.

This crop is from the extreme corner, processed in Capture NX2 at Standard, and was taken wide-open at f/2 with the ZF 100/2 Makro-Planar (vignetting was compensated for). If there was a lingering doubt about the world-class resolving power of the 100/2 Makro Planar, it just evaporated. Stopping down to f/5.6 pops contrast a bit, but there’s simply no more detail to be had from the D3x sensor than seen here. (The slightly off-color result is due to mixed lighting).

Actual pixels, extreme corner
Nikon D3x + Zeiss ZF 100/2 Makro-Planar @ f/2

It’s safe to say that the Zeiss ZF 100/2 Makro-Planar will perform quite nicely with future 40-megapixel cameras. It’s also safe to say that focus accuracy, diffraction and focus shift (none on the ZF 100/2) are issues of paramount importance with resolutions this high, at least if you have any expectation of realizing 24.4 megapixels of detail.

And what of the D3x? Without a doubt, it offers the highest resolving power I’ve yet seen in a DSLR. I’ll launch my coverage of the D3x using a resolution comparison with the D3, already imaged, perhaps written up tomorrow in DAP.

Nikon D3x on the wayPERMALINK

By a stroke of luck (good or bad?), the D3x was in stock at Amazon.com, and still was in stock as I write this.

I cannot forgo the D3x, because I must populate Zeiss ZF Lenses with examples for every one of the eight ZF lenses (plus the forthcoming 21/2.8 Distagon) and of course to distinguish the finer points of lenses, the D3x is absolutely required.

And now is the time to subscribe to DAP if you haven’t already, because there is going to be a lot of coverage of the D3x and how it stacks up against the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Nikon D3, and perhaps the "S" brand.

Intel X25-M Solid State Disk reviewedPERMALINK

Looking for the ultimate in speed in your MacBook Pro (or MacBook or iMac...).

Intel 80GB X25-M solid state drive (SSD)

Look no further than the 80GB Intel X25-M. My review, which includes four top-grade hard drives is now online at MacPerformanceGuide.com.

Zeiss cine lensesPERMALINK

Thanks for reader Don C for alerting me to an interesting discussion of how Zeiss builds its incredible cine (film-making) lenses. If only there were a way to produce such gems without the price tags in the $20 - $30K range.

BBC series on photographyPERMALINK

The BBC has produced a series on photography which looks very enjoyable. It’s available on YouTube.

Zeiss white paper on MTFPERMALINK

Zeiss has posted How to Read MTF Curves, Dr. H.H. Nasse (of Zeiss). It goes into the details of how to interpret MTF. It is well worth reading, keeping in mind that MTF is only one measure of lens design, with everything a tradeoff.

Read the very last page first, then read the last few pages, which sum up nicely how dubious MTF can be when comparing different brands, and why field shots with real images will always be a better way to assess lens performance as an integrated whole. That is why I spent so much time in Zeiss ZF Lenses making many examples that show how the lenses perform for making real images. After you’ve read the last several pages, then go to the beginning.

Zeiss ZE/ZF 21mm f/2.8 DistagonPERMALINK

I’ve been studying the technical data for the Zeiss ZF/ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon, which is not yet available, and will likely not appear for at least another 3 months. Still, it appears that it will be worth the wait.

My complete (but limited) insights into how the 21/2.8 might perform in terms of sharpness, distortion and vignetting are now online in Zeiss ZF Lenses. Until I have a actual 21/2.8 Distagon in hand, real pictures and comments based on experience are pending.

In summary, MTF is exceptionally high for a 21mm wide-angle lens, distortion is very similar to the 18/3.5 Distagon and relative illumination (vignetting) is quite strong wide open, improving rapidly by stopping down.

Zeiss ZF/ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon optical design

You won’t often see (well, maybe never see) MTF this high in a 21mm wide angle lens: this graph is wide-open at f/2.8, already a performance that cannot be much criticized were it at f/8. The 21/2.8 Distagon for Contax has been a legendary performer, reportedly this recent design is even better: save your pennies.

Zeiss ZF/ZE 21mm f/2.8 Distagon MTF @ f/2.8

For sale: My 3.0GHz Mac Pro is for salePERMALINK

SOLD!

New software I’m developing as well as the testing demands of my Mac Performance Guide now require an 8-core system (I’ll be getting a refurbished 2.8GHz model).

So I’m selling my quad-core 3.0GHz Mac Pro, ol’ reliable now for 18 months. See details at top of page. Per buyer request, I’ll configure system and RAID (or not) per the buyer’s specifications. The drives are server-grade Maxtor 7H500F0 and 7V300F0 drives. AppleCare has well over a year to go. Inquire.

Zeiss ZE 50mm f/1.4 Planar for Canon EOSPERMALINK

I’m using the new Zeiss ZE 50mm f/1.4 Planar on the Canon 1Ds Mark III. Like its big sister, the ZE 85mm f/1.4 Planar, it offers full electronic control with 1/3 stop apertures, just like a Canon EF lens, but it has silky smooth manual helicoid focusing, far better than any focusing mechanism on AF lenses. In fact, the focusing feel seems smoother on the ZE lenses than on the ZF ones—perhaps Zeiss made a change in lubrication. The same focus issues apply as with the 85/1.4 Planar—plan on focusing by eye, not by the “green dot”.

I really like the feel of the ZE 50/1.4 Planar on the Canon 1Ds Mark III; I enjoy the precise feel as I zero in on exactly what I want in focus, even way off-center.

While a bit larger than its ZF counterpart for Nikon, it’s the same optical design, but a lot more convenient to shoot on EOS than using a manual-everything Nikon-to-EOS adapter on its ZF cousin.

Poor Santa, he’s got to make the rounds even before the appointed day.

Reindeer love our winter-fresh grass
Canon 1DsM3 + Zeiss ZE 50/1.4 Planar @ f/5.6

Sometimes everyday things are just interesting when actually seen. Or maybe I was just bored. But I liked the lines here, and the yellow/red/green/gray combo.

Interjection
Canon 1DsM3 + Zeiss ZE 50/1.4 Planar @ f/16

This is winter in the San Francisco Bay Area. We had hail yesterday at 500' of elevation, something I really like. My daughter informs me that it tastes good with gum—I’ll have to try that sometime!

Anticipation
Canon 1DsM3 + Zeiss ZE 50/1.4 Planar @ f/8

Recycle, re-use, refuelPERMALINK

Pouring rain or shine I bicycle with my daughters to school every day, about 2 miles each way, and uphill. It builds character, I tell them. At our local schools (K-8), rain is a feared nemesis (wet pavement qualifies as rain), requiring indoor recess. Hey, our kids futures are stake! I kid you not—this is perhaps the most telling evidence yet found demonstrating the decline of western civilization. Such are the policies of the intelligentsia training our kids. No child left wet behind the ears! Uh huh.

Any day now I’ll have to suffer through another Green Day, meaning if you’ve got the green (money), you drive to school, collect a few cans and bottles, chant “recycle, reuse, refuel”, make posters of the same tripe (did I get it right?), and pat yourself on the back for saving the earth, then jump in the SUV for the 300 yard drive home. Note the lone pedestrian, an approximate 50% reduction in the usual count (hey, the sidewalk was wet, and everyone knows that wet sidewalks cause rain).

Anyway, don’t get me started on the crowd that spends $3M to build a 6000 square-foot “green” home—thus achieving sainthood on earth. Remember, the best way to reduce your carbon footprint is to...die!

Man, those are ugly wheels on the Range Rover!
Canon 1DsM3 + Zeiss ZE 50/1.4 Planar @ f/8

MacBook Pro 2.8GHz reviewedPERMALINK

Do not get a new “unibody” MacBook Pro (unless you know the issues and accept them).

I’ve added a lot of material to my Mac Performance Guide, including a review of the new unibody 2.8GHz MacBook Pro.

See also my notes on Adobe Photoshop CS3 vs CS4 performance, updated Photoshop test results using the Sonnet SATA Pro ExpressCard/34, my review of the Sonnet Tempo SATA ExpressCard/34 and updates to my Recommended Equipment page, and more.

Canon users might want to read Optimizing Canon’s Digital Photo Professional, and all photographers might be interested in Application support for multiple CPU cores.

Mamiya DL28 28 megapixel systemPERMALINK

Just added to DAP: my review of the 28 megapixel Mamiya DL28. Medium format is assuredly higher quality than today’s DSLRs, a premium some will find worth paying. I’ve included two RAW (mos) files for readers to play with on their own.

The Mamiya DL28 with its Leaf Aptus II-6 digital back offers outstanding image quality at a very reasonable retail price of US$14999 (for medium format standards). Anyone looking for the image quality of medium format should be looking hard at this camera. Unlike the proprietary Hasselblad offerings, the lens and camera body can also accept other medium format backs, so there is a clear and flexible upgrade path.

I liked the DL28 quite a bit for its image quality. Considering that a Nikon D3x is pruning US$8000, the DL28 at $14999 (retail) with the Mamiya 645 AF-D III and Sekor 80mm f/2.8D lens is not so much of a stretch for anyone looking for top image quality—and I’m certain the D3x won’t deliver what the DL28 can, at least at ISO 50/100.

Ghost of the past
Mamiya DL28 + Sekor 80mm f/2.8D AF

Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM reviewedPERMALINK

Just added to DAP: my review of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 EX DG HSM on the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. This is a pleasing lens that anyone considering the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L should consider, at about 1/3 the price.

Interested in trying the Sigma 50/1.4? Don’t buy one outright: rent one from LensRentals.com. They offer a wide variety of lenses for Canon, Nikon, Sony and more.

Western rattlesnake
Sigma 50mm f/1.4 on Canon 1Ds Mark III

Sony A900 vs Canon 1Ds Mark II resolutionPERMALINK

Update to my DAP review of the Sony A900, I’ve added an upscaling comparison of the Sony A900 to the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, accounting for magnification differences between lenses. Sony wins, but by how much?

Photoshop CS3 vs CS4 speedPERMALINK

I’ve added a short but important note for anyone who hasn’t yet upgraded from Photoshop CS3 to Photoshop CS4 to my Macintosh Performance Guide. See Photoshop CS4 vs CS3 Performance.

Sony A900 reviewedPERMALINK

Update 12/7/2008: RAW files are now available for download from the main page of the review.

I’ve just published my review of the full-frame 24.6-megapixel Sony A900 to DAP. It’s a wonderful camera, well worth considering as an alternative to the new Canon 5D Mark II. Black and white shooters might find it particularly interesting. I’ve included discussion of RAW conversion (very important), Anti Shake, examples, lenses and much more.

Appreciation goes to LensRentals.com for providing the A900 and lenses for testing. Renting a camera system is a great way to try it out before spending the big bucks.

Local transportation
Sony A900 + Zeiss ZA 135mm f/1.8 Sonnar @ f/1.8

First frost, 7 weeks latePERMALINK

So far, global warming is treating me well! This has been the warmest autumn on record at my home in 16 years—I watch for the first frost in my backyard every year, which usually occurs in mid October (I’m at 500' elevation in the San Francisco Bay Area). Last night we finally had a light frost. Wow, when I grew up in Wisconsin, I remember trudging through knee-deep snow on Thanksgiving, hoping for a shot at a nice 10-point buck, while thinking of turkey.

First Frost
Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III + Zeiss ZE 50mm f/1.4 Planar

Nikon D3x valuePERMALINK

Mass psychology has taken over to pronounce the $7999 24.5MP Nikon D3x HDOA (half-dead on arrival). Witness Thom Hogan’s commentary and the piling on by other sites. Guys shooting $40,000 digital backs are complaining that the D3x is $8000! What’s wrong with this picture? Isn’t a D3x 80% of a MF digital back? Food for thought.

Yes, the D3x is indeed priced to not sell, but remember that the year-old Canon 1Ds Mark III sits at about $6500 street price. Medium format (Mamiya 28MP DL28) sits at $15K. And we don’t know what the D3x street price will be in 2-3 months.

Why is it so in favor to bash Nikon’s pricing when the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III is not very far off? Because it’s new? What if the D3x turns out to have superior image quality? (ignoring the "noise" of the extra 3.4MP).

Comparing a D3x or D3 or Canon 1 series to a Sony A900 or EOS 5D Mark II makes perfect sense from an image quality standpoint. Heck, it makes perfect sense from a neck standpoint! But one doesn’t buy the 1 series or D3 series just for image quality; these cameras do tend to be more durable and responsive, and when shooting other than sporadically, I much prefer the mass of the larger cameras, especially for low light shooting.

Well, the D3x is too much money to spend for me, but I do hope to have one available through LensRentals.com. And I’m not going to gripe about the price until it’s clear how the camera performs. One thing is certain— high prices cure high prices! The D3x may yet prove itself, and anyone is free to buy a Canon 5D Mark II or Sony A900 if it meets their needs better. Nikon will be forced to respond accordingly.

Nikon’s only substantive mistake with the D3x is in not producing a $4000 D700x so as to make the lineup comparable to Canon.

Sites I likePERMALINK

Blake Shaw is a friend of mine, an opthalmologist by trade (check out eyedidntknow.com. He has a tightly-focused style and he puts the Nikon 200-400 VR I sold him to good use for wildlife and sports photography. His new book on Route 66 is not yet published, but check out his great images of that area of the southwest USA at blakeshawphotography.com.

Image by Blake Shaw

P.S. Blake reminds me that he’s never met a non-ophthalmologist who can spell it correctly!