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Nikon's D40 digital SLR was a consistently good performer for the company since its launch in November 2006, frequently found at or near the top of monthly sales charts, according to the company. It was also one of our favorites, with a simple interface and excellent low-light performance. Now two and a half years old, the D40 is the second oldest model in the lineup, so it isn't surprising to see Nikon announce its replacement. The Nikon D3000 refreshes the D40 design with a new body and a combination of features previously seen in the D40x, D60, and D5000 models, plus a few that are entirely new.
Look and feel. The Nikon D3000's body has been redesigned, but its dimensions and weight are nearly identical. The width and depth are unchanged at 5.0 and 2.5 inches respectively, while the height has increased by just a tenth of an inch to 3.8 inches. The new body will be immediately familiar to D40 owners, as the D3000 keeps all of the controls in the same locations, although the exact shape of a few buttons has changed somewhat. The mode dial also has a new diamond-patterned knurling on its outer edges that should be easier to grip.
The rise on the grip side of the Nikon D3000 has been relaxed a bit, making a slightly shorter grip. Note also that the D3000 is now shipping with the 18-55mm VR lens, an upgrade from the D40's non-image-stabilized lens. Like most recent Nikon digital SLRs, the D3000's cut is considerate of the left hand, with a slight rounding of the edge, seen in the lower right of the picture above. This makes it just a little more comfortable to rest the D3000 in your left palm as your fingers reach out to adjust the zoom and focus rings.
Now with 13 modes on the Mode dial thanks to the addition of the GUIDE setting, the Nikon D3000's controls are otherwise unchanged from the D40. Though positions have changed a bit, the controls of the Nikon D3000 are identical to the D40. Given the recent reshuffling of controls on most of the higher-end digital SLR lineup, it's good to see Nikon stick with a winning design. Most competing SLRs at this size, namely the Rebel XS and XSi, have quite a few icons and buttons back here, which probably serve to confuse more novice photographers than they help. The new Guide mode mentioned above also gets a nod here, with the screenshot of the new Guide Menu, which is designed to simplify basic camera functions for the beginner.
The Nikon D3000 boasts a new 3.0-inch diagonal TFT LCD display which is significantly larger than the 2.5-inch displays of the D40, D40x, and D60. In fact, it's even a little larger than the 2.7-inch display of the Nikon D5000, although the D3000's LCD is fixed in place and so not quite as versatile as the D5000's tilt/swivel vari-angle display. All five cameras feature an identical display resolution of 230,000 dots. Nikon is noting that the D3000's on-screen interface offers a 20% increase in font size as compared to previous cameras.
Sensor and processor. On the inside, the most significant change since the D40 is that the Nikon D3000 now sports an EXPEED image processor that works in concert with a higher-resolution DX-format image sensor. The sensor size -- roughly equivalent to that of a frame of APS-C film -- is unchanged, but where the D40 had an effective sensor resolution of 6.1 megapixels, the D3000 now offers 10.2 megapixels. That's the same resolution as offered by the more expensive D60 and its now-retired sibling the D40x. As with both of those cameras, the total sensor resolution is 10.75 megapixels, and the maximum image dimensions possible from the Nikon D3000 are 3,872 x 2,592 pixels. Two lower-resolution modes of 2,896 x 1,944 and 1,936 x 1,296 pixels are also available.
The combination of a new image sensor and image processor has also brought an increase in both speed and sensitivity for the D3000. Nikon's entry-level DSLR is now able to shoot images at three frames per second, and offers ISO sensitivities from 100 to 1,600 equivalents in 1 EV steps, with the ability to increase this to ISO 3,200 equivalent using the Hi-1 setting. In both areas, this again matches the D40x and D60, although we should note that we don't currently have information on the number of frames which can be captured in a burst. Also new to the D3000 is the ability to shoot not only as JPEG or .NEF Raw image files, but also to simultaneously record each image in both formats. The Nikon D3000 records images on SD/SDHC cards.
Autofocusing is also significantly improved since the D40, with the Nikon D3000 sharing the same Multi-CAM 1000 phase-detection autofocus sensor module that is also used in the D5000 and D90. The Multi-CAM 1000 module offers 11 focusing points, of which the center point is a cross-type sensor. By way of comparison, the Nikon D40's Multi-CAM 530 module offered only three points, with a cross-type center point. The Nikon D5000 also adds Nikon's Scene Recognition System, 3D Tracking capability, and an auto-area AF mode while retaining the D40's single-point and dynamic area AF modes. The Multi-CAM 1000 system integrates the AF sensor data with information from the 420-pixel RGB metering sensor (shown at right), allowing the system to better track objects moving through the scene. The Multi-CAM 1000 sensor's detection range of -1 to +19 EV at ISO 100 / 68°F is unchanged from that of the Multi-CAM 530 module.
Dust control. Another important change in the Nikon D3000 as compared to the D40 is that it includes the company's three-pronged strategy for controlling dust on the image sensor. Nikon's Dust Reduction System uses vibration to shake dust off the low-pass filter, whereupon the mirror chamber design causes an air flow with each shutter release that carries dust to a capture receptacle. The final part of the approach requires the optional Nikon Capture NX 2 software, and involves creation of a reference photo that is used to identify the location of stubborn dust specks. These can then be replaced by automatically interpolating data from areas of the image adjacent to the dust.
Shutter. Yet another change carried over from the D40x design relates to the D3000's x-sync speed of 1/200 second, down from the D40's 1/500 flash sync speed. The reason for this difference is that the D40 had a relatively slow mechanical shutter, but "gated" the CCD for its shortest shutter speeds. This meant that the CCD itself was actually exposed to incoming light for a longer period of time (perhaps 1/100 - 1/200 second), but the camera manipulated the chip's control voltages to only allow light collection for a much shorter period of time. This made it easy to produce very brief exposures without the expense of a really high-speed mechanical shutter, and as a consequence also permitted very high x-sync speeds. There's no such thing as a free lunch though, and the downside was that large light overloads could cause streaking or smearing in the D40's images. The good news is that the D3000 won't suffer from these problems, unlike the D40 -- but the x-sync speed is slower as a result. See our discussion of "Shutter Control vs CCD Gating" in our D80 review for more detail on this topic.
The new shutter mechanism included in the Nikon D3000 is rated at 100,000 cycles, just like the D5000 and D90, a first for a camera at this price range
Guide mode. The original D40 was one of the earliest cameras to address the needs of consumers stepping up to an SLR for the first time, by offering a robust help system that functioned as a portable user guide of sorts, always available to refer to as needed. While many more experienced photographers likely never touch them, features like these can prove invaluable to the newcomers. The Nikon D3000 takes the concept from the D40, and really builds on it by presenting a new Guide Mode position on the Mode dial. When placed in this mode, the Nikon D3000 will greet users with a friendly graphical interpretation of the menu system, with icons labeled Shoot, View/Delete, and Set up. When in the Shoot menu, the photographer is asked a number of questions, and the Nikon D3000 then offers guidance on what to set -- and importantly, why each suggestion is being made.As with the D40, the Nikon D3000 offers a Retouch menu that let users tweak images to their tastes after capture. The Nikon D3000's Retouch menu offers several new functions, including some inherited from the D60, D90, and D5000. The Soft-filter effect smooths faces and other details in an image, while Color outline creates a monochrome image, eliminating all color and converting transition areas into a kind of pencil sketch appearance. The Miniature effect simulates an exaggeratedly narrow depth of field, allowing the user to select a horizontal position in the image which should look sharp, and then progressively increasing image blurring above and below this position. The Nikon D3000 also includes the ability to process Raw files in-camera, and retains Retouch functions such as trimming and color balance that were found in the D40.
One function from the D40 has evolved rather a long way in the last couple of years. Where the D40 offers a D-Lighting function which can act provide a fill flash-like effect after image capture through the Retouch menu, the Nikon D3000 supplements this with the company's Active D-Lighting function. Active D-Lighting debuted on the D3 and D300, and is applied to images at the time of capture. The Nikon D3000 allows Active D-Lighting to be enabled or disabled, but offers no manual control over the strength of the effect.
The Nikon D3000 also includes the Picture Control System previously seen in the D300, which allows control of sharpening, contrast, brightness, saturation and hue. Picture Control presets include Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome, Portrait, and Landscape, and each can be fine-tuned to the user's preferences. The Nikon D3000 has also inherited Nikon's Scene Recognition System, which improves upon the company's Matrix metering system. Also new since the D40 are a date imprint function that can overlay the current date and time on images, and the 72-thumbnail playback mode first seen in the Nikon D5000.
Analysis. Though we're sad to see the excellent Nikon D40 fade into history, Nikon has introduced what appears to be a good quality successor with the D3000. Indeed, the D3000 seems to be an amalgam of most of what was great about the D40 and D60 sprinkled with most of what's useful for consumers from the Nikon D5000 and D90. All four are easily described as excellent digital SLRs, so we expect to be able to say the same about the Nikon D3000. Watch for sample images and a user report to go up soon.
Nikon updates one of the most well-received digital SLRs on the market with the Nikon D300s, a digital SLR with the same 12.3-megapixel sensor, a slightly faster frame rate, and HD Video capture capability, among other improvements
In August 2007, Nikon launched its D300, which offered 12.3-megapixel resolution from a DX format image sensor roughly equal in size to a frame of APS-C film. Sensitivity could be extended as high as ISO 6,400 equivalent, and the Nikon D300 featured a weather-sealed body, 100% viewfinder coverage, a sizeable high-res LCD display with live-view capability, plus six frames-per-second burst shooting. The D300's feature set was robust enough not only to cater for the enthusiastic amateur photographer, but also to prove attractive to pros looking for an extra camera body without breaking the bank.
Two years down the road, Nikon refreshes the D300 design to create the Nikon D300s, incorporating almost the entire feature set of the previous camera plus several must-have features for 2009.
Design. Weighing about 1.85 pounds (840g), the Nikon D300s is only a half an ounce (15g) heavier than the D300. Dimensions and overall appearance are essentially the same, with only a few differences, noted below.
A familiar face, save for the smaller D300s logo in the upper right corner of this shot. The major addition is the monaural microphone right below the logo, marked by three holes.There are no noticeable differences on the top deck of the Nikon D300s. The only noticeable change isn't visible in this shot, and that's the lack of a Live view (Lv) setting on the Drive mode dial.
Most of the changes are visible here, though not overly obvious. First is the Live view (Lv) button that has appeared just right of the LCD and upper left of the AF point selector switch. An Info button has also been added, just below that. The clumsy Rear multi-controller disk has been graced with a center button, first seen on the Nikon D3. Finally, the card door has been simplified, omitting the cumbersome switch in favor of a sliding design. Those who use both Canon and Nikon cameras on a daily basis will be pleased with this change. And finally, the nine-holes for the speaker peek out from the lower right corner, a good location that still allows you to hear while holding the camera.
The thumbgrip pad is a little smaller, and there are other minor tweaks here and there to angles and surfaces, but those are the major changes, just enough to get the job done for the real changes in the Nikon D300s.
Movie mode. It seems like camera manufacturers are grafting HD movie mode into all but the most basic digital SLRs. Indeed, the Nikon D300s seems to have been created for this very feature, given the D300's continued relevance.
Operation is similar to that of the Nikon D90, but with a couple of key differences. Movies are captured as Motion JPEG compressed AVI files, with a frame rate of 24 frames per second. At the full movie-mode resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels, the Nikon D300s can capture clips as long as five minutes. At a reduced resolution of either 640 x 424 or 320 x 216 pixels, the clip length is limited to a maximum of twenty minutes.
Unlike the Nikon D90 which was restricted solely to an internal monaural microphone, the D300s offers the ability to connect an external microphone, courtesy of a 3.5mm stereo input jack located under the rubber flap on the camera's left side (as seen from the rear). Contrast-detect autofocusing is also now possible during movie recording, although it should be noted that this will probably require the use of an external microphone, since lens motor noise during focusing is likely to be picked up by the camera's internal microphone.
Another difference from the D90 is that the Nikon D300s offers limited in-camera movie editing capabilities. It is possible to set both start and end points on an existing movie clip, and then discard everything beyond these points. The result can be saved as a separate video file to either the CF or SD card as desired, while the full-length original video is left unchanged. It is even possible to apply Nikon's Picture Controls to videos recorded with the Nikon D300s, allowing for the tone and color to be modified, for example.
Dual card capability. Another bit of big news is the Nikon D300s' dual memory card slots, with one slot accepting Type-I CompactFlash cards, and the other compatible with Secure Digital media, including the higher-capacity SDHC cards. Interestingly, the latter slot is compatible with Eye-Fi's WiFi capable SD cards, giving the D300s the ability to transfer images across 802.11b/g networks. To offer dual card slots without increasing the size of the camera, the Nikon D300s has dropped support for Type-II CompactFlash cards and Microdrives. With Type-I CF cards offering huge capacities at very affordable prices nowadays, this slight compromise is unquestionably a sensible one.
Either card slot in the Nikon D300s can be set as the primary at the user's option, and data can be copied between cards in-camera. Once configured, the secondary card slot can serve as an overflow when the primary card's capacity is reached, or images can be simultaneously recorded to both cards to provide an immediate backup. Alternatively, the Nikon D300s can be set to record NEF Raw image files to one card, and JPEG compressed images to the other. It is also possible to configure the Nikon D300s to record still images to one card, and movie clips to the other. Finally, movie clips can be set to automatically record to whichever card has the most remaining space, helping ensure you don't run out of room at a crucial moment.
Frame rate. When shooting with the Nikon D300s' internal EN-EL3e battery, the still image burst-mode shooting rate has increased slightly to seven frames per second, up from six frames-per-second in the D300. If Nikon's MB-D10 multi power battery grip is fitted with an EN-EL4a battery and attached to the D300s, the burst mode rate improves further to eight frames-per-second -- a top speed that is unchanged from that of the D300. When shooting in 14-bit RAW mode, the top capture speed is 2.5 frames per second.
Several other hardware changes have been made to the Nikon D300s, although the bulk of the interface will be immediately familiar to those who've used the previous D300 model.
New HDMI port. The high definition HDMI video output connector has been changed from the larger Type-A jack to a smaller Type-C jack.
Flash. The wide-angle coverage of the built-in popup flash strobe has improved to 16mm, although the guide number of the flash is unchanged.
Autofocus. The Nikon D300s retains the same 51-point Multi-CAM 3500DX phase detection autofocus sensor module found in the original D300, but Nikon is describing both autofocus speed and accuracy as having been improved in the D300s. The D300s also gains a new Quiet Shutter release mode, which separates firing of the shutter from advance of the shutter mechanism to reduce the noise level generated during shutter release.
Active D-Lighting. Nikon's Active D-Lighting technology has also been updated for the D300s, with two new settings available on top of the previous Off, Low, Normal and High positions. Active D-Lighting can now be set to Extra High, or to Auto which will allow the camera to choose which level it feels is appropriate to the scene being photographed. Active D-Lighting can now also be bracketed with anywhere from two to five frames.
Processing and playback. It is now possible to process .NEF Raw image files in-camera. The rear-panel LCD's function menu has also been improved, and the Nikon D300s now offers the 72-image thumbnail display option in Playback mode, which was previously seen in the Nikon D90. The Nikon D300s' Playback mode also offers the ability to automatically zoom in on human faces in playback mode, allowing subjects to be quickly checked for accurate focus and exposure. IPTC info can now be recorded in EXIF metadata, and the Nikon D300s offers a virtual horizon indicator function as well.
One final change relates to the product bundle and addition of a video mode -- the Nikon D300s now comes with an EG-D2 audio/video cable, rather than EG-D100 video cable that was included with the D300.
Analysis. Perhaps the most interesting omission from the Nikon D300s is any increase in resolution. With the incredible high ISO performance of the D300 still unchallenged, it's obvious why Nikon decided to stay out of the megapixel race for now. Save for the Nikon D300s' HD movie mode, there are few compelling reasons to upgrade, at least from the D300. The Nikon D300s seems to be more of an update that brings the enthusiast flagship up to the standards of more recent Nikon models, including the D90 and D5000, as well as taking on the Canon 50D and Pentax K7 with their HD movie modes. Much has changed in the two years since the D300's launch, and though the its lustre had hardly faded, Nikon has successfully fended off any lingering doubts among those looking at a very capable field of HD-capable digital SLR cameras with the Nikon D300s. Watch for more on the Nikon D300s when we get a shootable sample.
SPECIFICATIONS : |
Size 22cm (8.65in) x 17,5cm (7in) x 9,5cm (3.75in) Weight 730g (1.6lb) [Contents] >1 Multi-Color Holga 120CFN Cameras The famous Medium-format dynamo - now with a built in flash! Prepare to employ your trusty Holga day or night as the flash opens up new worlds of low-light images with the beloved Holga effects - soft focus, double-exposures, streaming colors, intense vignetting, and unpredictable light leaks. >1 “The World through a Plastic Lens” softcover Photo Book >1 Full Color Editorial Poster The History and profile of Holga on one side, a breathtaking graphic on the other. >1 Multi-lingual Instruction Book English - German - Italian - French - Spanish - Japanese - Korean - Chinese >6x6 Interior Mask >Accessory Pack x1 Roll of Black Opaque Tape The perfect solution for light-leaking seams that you want to cover. This special variant of electrical tape will not leave a nasty glue residue after it's used. How nice! Horizon Kompakt SPECIFICATIONS : Camera Type: Panoramic camera using standard 35mm film Effective field angle: 120° horizontal and 45° vertical. Lens: Rotating MC f/8 28mm Aperture: f/8 Shutter speed: 1/60, 1/2 sec (obtain by 2 panning speeds) Size: H117mm x W146mm x D75mm Weight: 650g Horizon Perfekt SPECIFICATIONS : Camera Type: Panoramic camera using standard 35mm film Effective field angle: 120° horizontal and 45° vertical. Lens: Rotating MC f/2.8 28mm Aperture: f/2.8, f/4, f/5, f/6, f/8, f/11, f/16 Shutter speed: 1/500, 1/250, 1/125, 1/60, 1/8, 1/4, 1/2 sec (obtain by 2 panning speeds) Size: H117mm x W146mm x D75mm Weight: 650g Lomo LC-A+ Russian Lens SPECIFICATIONS : Frame size: 36 x 24 mm. Film: Standard 35mm cartridge Lens focal length : 32mm Maximum aperture: 1:2.8 Field of view angle : 63 degrees Focusing range: 0.8m (2.5’) to infinity Exposure: Program automatic Max shutter speed: 1/500 Min shutter speed: unlimited, shutter will remain open until image is properly exposed Multiple exposure: Manual shutter cock with multiple exposure switch Film sensitivity range (ASA/ISO): 100, 200, 400, 800, 1600 Flash: X-type synchronization hot shoe Shutter release: Soft release, automatic lockout if lens cover not fully open Tripod socket thread: standard ¼” Cable release: standard screw thread Overall dimensions: 107 x 68 x 43.5 mm (4.2” x 2.7” x 1.7”) Weight: 250g (9oz) [Accessory] - Handstrap - Cable Release - Operation manual - Three 1.5V batteries - "Lomographiere" hardcover book - 2 Rolls of film, 36 exposures >Camera body made in China >Lens made in Russia Lomo Lubitel 166+ Camera Standard Package SPECIFICATIONS : Specifications of Lubitel 166+ Camera: - Lens: 75mm f/4.5 coated glass, focuses from 0.8m to infinity - Aperture: f/4.5, 5.6, 8, 11, 16, 22 - Shutter Speed: "B", 1/15, 1/30, 1/60, 1/125, 1/250 Formats: - 6 X 6 (12 square images on a medium format roll) - 6 X 4.5 (16 rectangular images on a medium format roll) - Endless Panorama (16 square images on a 120 roll with almost no distance between frames) - 35mm Panoramic (vertical protrait images with exposed sprocket holes) Lubitel 166+ Camera Standard Package includes: - Lubitel 166+ Camera - Lubikin 35mm conversion kit - Camera Straps - 6 x 4.5 and Endless Panorama Mask - Instructions - 6 rolls of Lomography B&W 100 - 6 rolls of Lomography Redscale Lubitel 166+ Deluxe Package includes: - Lubitel 166+ Camera - Lubikin 35mm conversion kit - Camera Straps - 6 x 4.5 and Endless Panorama Mask - Instructions - 9 rolls of Lomography B&W 100 Negative - 9 rolls of Lomography Redscale Negative - Cable Release - Colorsplash Flash Lubitel 166+ Supreme Package includes: - Lubitel 166+ Camera - Lubikin 35mm conversion kit - Camera Straps - 6 x 4.5 and Endless Panorama Mask - Instructions - 9 rolls of Lomography B&W 100 Negative - 9 rolls of Lomography Redscale Negative - Cable Release - Colorsplash Flash - Sidekick Bag Leather Small (black) - Tripod Large Flex - Tripod Clamp Oktomat SPECIFICATIONS : Size: 4.25" x 3" x 1.25" (11cm x 7.5cm x 3.2cm) Weight: 0.4lb (0.2kg) Film Type: 35mm (Negative, Slide, and B&W) Lenses: 8 individual units Serial Exposure time: Approx. total 2.5 seconds for all lenses to fire Approx. Lens Aperture: f/8 Approx. Shutter Speed: 1/100 sec Processing: Standard 35mm processing at any lab, supermarket, bullfight, etc Pop 9 Black Edition SPECIFICATIONS : Lens : 9 individual lenses. F=24mm, F/11 Format : All 35mm Film Range : 0.8m (2.5') - infinity Shutter : Mechanical, speed 1/100 second Viewfinder Type : Direct Vision Film Transport : Manual Flash : Built-in electronic Power : "AA" battery (alkaline recommended) Dimensions : 30mm (1.15") x 62mm (2.5") x 115.5mm (4.5") Processing : Developing is possible anywhere Super Sampler - Wonder Girls Sun Ye SPECIFICATIONS : >Camera Type Miniature 35mm camera with four built-in lenses that capture four sequential photos within each frame of the film. >Lens Four sets of razor-sharp, single element sequentially operated lenses >Shutter Two different shutter speeds to be selected with the Speed Button: Standard takes 4 pictures in 2 seconds - the standard procedure High Speed takes 4 photos in 0.2 seconds - for high-speed analysis >Film to be used standard 35mm film either 12, 24 or 36 exposures 100 ASA for bright sunlight without shade (e.g. on the beach and in snow) 200 ASA for bright sunlight 400 ASA for bright daylight 800 ASA for cloudy days >Dimensions 64mm x 32mm x 102mm >Weight 93 grams |