Which D3 is Right For YOU?

This is a really, really, really common question coming my way, and to be really honest with you, it’s a great question! All three D3 bodies have something special to offer you but it’s up to you to way the advantages and disadvantages of each for YOUR photography. Using the Search feature on the site, you can find tons of info and videos I’ve done on all three bodies, but here’s a quick summation for you to consider.

D3 – this is the one, the body that set the mark and which all other bodies have been compared to ever since. The image quality, 9fps, large Monitor and other “first” features make this one helluva great camera! You could not go wrong by adding this to your camera bag. With the introduction of the D3s, folks are trading in their “old” D3 so this might  be the time for you to step up to this amazing quality. For those who’s budget could not afford the D3 new can now move up to the quality of this incredible camera at half the price. That’s pretty darn cool! I highly recommend this option for a lot of shooters right now. My original D3 is now in retirement and spare bodies have been sold off. There are deals to be had and quality upgrades to be made!

D3x – I thought I’d seen it all when I saw the D3 file, that’s until I shot with the D3x. The image quality that comes from this camera still takes by breath away when a 24×30 print rolls out of the Epson 7900. Surprisingly though, this is a camera I do not recommend to 98% of the folks who ask me if they should buy it. Why? Lots of reasons but the main one is the quality it produces just can’t be shown off in a 8×10 or 11×14 print or the printed page. It’s a slow (1.8fps), expensive camera that has a very specialized purpose and one of those is not being a mass market body. This is still my primary camera body, the one I turn to first 99% of the time.

D3s – carries on the D3 legacy with a couple of unique twists. The addition of video and better high ISO performance than the other two D3 bodies in the family make it the front runner for general photography. The image quality is just as outstanding at ISO 200 as the D3 and like I’ve written, the ISO 6400 is just mind boggling! If you have the capitol and you’re just venturing into FX, this would be the way to go. And if you’re a “pro” and don’t know anything about video, now is the time to start and this is a great body to start with.

So, which is the right D3 for you? If you’re on a budget, you can pick up a killer body for a great price in a used D3. I wouldn’t hesitate for a second doing that myself. The D3x, if you need that giant file, rent the body for the day. You can afford it and moving up to FX, the D3s is the way to go. Right now each body has something unique to offer your photography: The D3 is affordably used, the D3x has the highest quality available, and the D3s has video & high ISO performance. I can’t think of a previous time in photography when you had such amazing options with such amazing image quality at such a amazing price spread. If you need more help in deciding what’s best for you, contact my bud Jeff (at Adorama) who can assist you in answers and if it all works out, into the right body for you!