Pointless vanity project of the former Tabascokid

When I was handed my mail in the office today, I was surprised to see that the quarterly Nikon magazine featured their brand new D3X.  I have a geekish habit of keeping my eye on the forums and blogs relating to new gear so was really surprised by their casual launch.

It’s only now that I hear a rumour that this was all apparently a bit of a cock-up as the European version of their pro-camera magazine was sent out in the mail too early, pre-empting their official “bells and whistles” launch.  Oops.

For those wanting the specs, knock yourself out on this heap of numbers from the magazine..

The X factor

Ultra-high definition 24.5-megapixel flagship takes DSLR into medium-format terrain

The professional SLR world has been transformed in just 12 months by the introduction of no less than four new Nikon pro SLR bodies. First we saw the D3 and D300. Then there was the D700. Now, with the launch of the D3x, Nikon offers more FX format pro cameras than any other manufacturer. At 24.5MP, the D3x has the highest resolution seen in a Nikon SLR to date.

The new camera shares all of the D3’s features, including Live View (making it the world’s highest resolution SLR with viewscreen shooting); the 51-point MultiCAM3500FX autofocus system; Scene Recognition System; Expeed 16-bit processing; 3-inch high-resolution 922.000-dot viewing screen; and the tough, weather-resistant magnesium body.

The D3x was designed with medium format photographic applications in mind. The ISO range covers 100-1600 with a Lo1 (equivalent to ISO 50) as well as boost settings up to the equivalent of ISO 6400.

But it’s also fast. The D3x can record its high-resolution 24.5MP files at up to 5fps. As with the D3, it has two alternative crop modes: 5:4 and DX In DX crop mode the camera captures 10MP files at up to 7fps.

The MultiCAM3500FX AF system is the same as the D3, and has the largest number of individually selectable focus points available, making this a very effective system for isolating fine details in the scene. The widely acclaimed Autofocus Tracking capabilities are, as you would expect, the same as the D3.

Pixel numbers alone do not guarantee good quality pictures. The D3x Expeed image-processing system is custom-designed to render this detail with levels of tonal gradation never before seen in a DSLR. Its 75MB files are ideally suited for stock photography and extremely high levels of enlargement.

And being a Nikon SLR, its body is much faster, intuitive to handle and ergonomically advanced than heavy and complex medium-format systems.

You’ll have guessed by now that the D3x is armed at photographers whose work requires the ultimate in detail and output quality Where skin tones, fabric textures, crisp edges, and foliage are paramount – in the fashion, commercial and landscape area – the D3x excels.

Beyond the confines of the studio lighting environment, the onboard exposure metenng and AWB systems make the D3x equally at home in less controlled lighting situations where the aim is to capture the atmosphere of ambient lighting.

FEATURES

THE SENSOR
The D3x has an exclusive 35.9 x 24mm (FX format) 24.5MP image sensor with unique OLPF (optical low pas filter) and high-speed channel readout. ISO range covers the equivalent of 50-6400.

IN FOCUS
The widely acclaimed speed and accuracy of the MultiCAM3500 AF system with 51-AF points. Individual selection assumes a new importance in combination with the high resolution: it’s easy to isolate and focus on small details in the scene.

SPEED AND RESPONSE
At full 24.5MP resolution, the D3x shoots at 5fps, 7fps is possible in DX Crop mode. The camera is as responsive as the superfast D3. 12ms start up with a shutter release lag time of just 41 ms (CIPA standard). It writes files to the dual CF slots at about 35MB per second.

IMAGE PROCESSING
The D3x’s 16-bit EXPEED engine is specially tuned to deliver detail-rich, colourful files with low levels of noise and high detail. It is also tuned to minimise the effects of colour fringing with older F-mount Nikkor lenses, and to minimise the effect of unnatural-looking (digital) noise patterns. Vignette (peripheral fall-off) can also be controlled for creative effect.

ACTIVE D-LIGHTING
The D3x features a new Extra High Active D-Lighting setting, designed to better manage extremely high-contrast scenes, especially tonal gradation in highlights.

SCENE RECOGNITION SYSTEM
Information from the 1005-pixel RGB sensor with diffraction grating is used to recognise the subject position and colour prior to capture. The results are then used by autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance.

LIVE VIEW
The D3x is the highest resolution digital SLR yet to offer Live View. Allowing photographers to compose and shoot via the 3in monitor instead of the viewfinder brings a variety of practical advantages both in the studio and on location. Two modes are offered: Handheld and Tripod. Contrast-detect autofocus is available in Tripod mode.

MONITOR
3-inch wide-angle (170deg) rear viewing screen, with 922,000 dots, is ultra-high definition, and proven to exhibit extraordinary levels of damage resistance.

THE INTERFACES
USB 2.0 downloads images off the camera fast when tethered, and flexibly when connected with the WT-4 wireless transmitter. With both HDMI and AV/Out ports GPS data can be captured into the EXIF as before. The new, compact Nikon GP-1 GPS unit can also be attached via the 10-pin terminal and mounted in the hotshoe, or clip on the camera strap.

POWER MANAGEMENT
The D3x uses the same high performance lithium-ion battery (EN-EL4a) as the D3. Thanks to efficiencies in the camera’s onboard EXPEED image-processing system, battery performance is comparable with the D3.

THE BODY
Extremely durable magnesium construction with economically optimised and weather-sealed buttons, dials and LCD displays. Extensive use of high-grade rubber grips means the body is comfortable to handle for long periods of time, and in a wide range of temperatures.

Being the selfless martyr that I am, I know that the best birthday present to give anyone is the one that results in you also getting to enjoy it.  As I was pretty sure that Kirsten wouldn’t be too impressed with a Nintendo Wii, I opted to book a weekend in Prague.

Thanks to the wonderful mrandmrssmith we managed to get the Yasmin Suite at the fantastic Hotel Yasmin near Wenceslas Square.  Never having used the company before, it was a rare pleasure to arrive at a hotel and be automatically upgraded to the largest suite and given a complimentary bottle of champagne to wash away any travel stress.  Before you fire off a mail branding me a snob, I have to point out that not only do I still say “bath” rather than “barth”, but thanks to the twin-edged sword that is the credit crunch, there are real bargains to be found out there.  With the balance of power now tipped in the favour of those willing to spend, it’s amazing how far companies are prepared to discount now for a chance to get at your closely-guarded savings.

One of the reasons why Prague was so appealing was to try and get into the festive Winter spirit rather than London’s traditional drizzle spirit that lasts for most of the year and thankfully, on arrival, we were greeted with a blizzard that forced us into a restaurant for our first Czech meal.  Having been warned in guide books that the local cuisine is essentially sausage and potatoes, it’s a relief to find that while this may be true at the street vendors, there are plenty of places that can offer something a little more exciting.  Celnice and Cafe Louvre both provided great food and drink with the latter also having the added benefit of a traditional billiards hall.

Prague seems to be settling down into it’s own place in the world now after a turbulent last two decades.  Having ditched Communism in 1989, the 1990’s saw the country swinging to the opposite extreme by becoming a stag party destination of choice for many.

Thankfully for residents and visitors, the city looks like it’s finding the comfortable middle ground now with galleries and museums living comfortably with the bars and clubs.  It is inspiring to see that the population doesn’t attempt to forget the past and is proud of it’s achievements as a country with statues and plaques for the victims of Communism along with somewhat less official reminders of their recent fight for improved standards of living.

Even though we were only in town for two nights, it’s easy to get to see a good percentage of the sights on public transport and by foot.  The underground system in Prague has just three lines; A, B and C with 24 hour passes allowing travellers unlimited use of the underground and bus systems plus the more memorable tram system.  Despite buying tickets, we could never work out what we should do with them so travelled everywhere without showing them to anyone.  Trusting bunch, those Czechs..  On the subject of transport, we did find that while a cab firm at the airport offered a rate of about £20 to make the 30 minute journey into Prague, the hotel could only offer “special deals” that worked out to be much higher so it’s worth finding a company when you arrive and taking their number.  We used AAA who were fast and efficient but I’m sure there are many others.

Another plus point was that despite wearing a flashing “TOURIST” light on my head as I scratched my head on street corners while browsing my map, we were never hassled or bothered by anyone.  Coming after Cuba, it’s quite a relief to be able to ask someone directions without feeling the need to just hand over money for no real reason.

In one of my very occasional forays into the specifics of the job, I thought I should mention the new technology that will help working photographers everywhere; USB 3.0.

One of the biggest bottlenecks in speed when working to a deadline for me is the downloading of images from the card to the pc/mac.  When I used to use my macbook pro for work, firewire 800 made things easier thanks to it’s near-800Mbit transfer rates but PC users out there had to put up with the relatively snail’s-pace speed of USB 2.0.  Aside from shooting tethered to the laptop, the minutes of delay as you watch the files slowly transfer can produce some of the finest lists of expletives known to mankind,

Thankfully, this is to be addressed with the release of “Superspeed USB” as it’s set to be known.  Backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 and providing transfer rates up to ten times faster than it’s predecessor’s 480Mbps limit, 4.8Gbps should make ripping your hair out in frustration as you rip your cards a thing of the past.  To put this into perspective, WinHEC 2008 provided a benchmark simulation for transfering a 25GB file:

Apologies for those readers who couldn’t give a flying one about this kind of thing.  Normal service of blather, drivel and gubbins will return as normal next time..

So after two years of build-up, the moment of truth arrived as America went to the polling stations.  Here in England, I headed down to Yates’ bar in Leicester Square, London to watch US ex-pats and politically-aware revellers get down to some serious Wolf-Blitzing..

Despite everyone knowing in their hearts how it was going to end, no-one wanted to jinx the result so despite the crowds being massively biased towards Obama, there were no signs of celebration at the start of the evening.

While CNN managed to overcomplicate matters in a way only the US networks can by introducing complex predictions and general waffle, the introduction of the worlds first holographic link certainly caused a massive cheer through the venue.  Having watched CNN for hours, it was such a pleasure to go to the BBC website and just see the facts minus predictions, theories and saturated graphics.  It must be said however that everything does feel a little hollow without a holographic Huw Edwards now..

Eventually though, even Fox News (which was booed when it was announced that it would be broadcast in the smaller room) couldn’t escape the facts that McCain was in real trouble as more states fell to Obama.  By now it was 3am in the UK and chairs had become the most valuable commodity known to man in the bar.

Finally at 4:01am, the result that nearly everyone had been waiting for was announced and the die-hard revellers could leave the bar knowing that whatever their political leanings, they’d just watched history being made.

For some though, like the Isle of Wight festival in 1970, if you can remember it, you weren’t really there.  One night is a long time in politics..

I KNEW there was something I was going to write about but with such a complete lack of coverage on the news, it consistently slips my mind.  Anyway, before I forget again, I thought I’d let any Americans reading this that apparently there’s an election coming up soon in your country.  It’s slipped under the radar of most networks I gather and hardly anyone’s been paying attention to it but it’s now past the primary stages and I think the voting part could even be next week.  Anyway, now it’s down to two, it should be quite easy to decide either way so get to it, American cousins!

I have very strong feelings on voting and can’t stand it when people say that they don’t vote as it doesn’t make a difference.  Aside from the obvious thought for all the people that died to protect the public’s right to freedom and political choice, it’s such a hollow excuse.  The usual argument in the UK is that as the parties are so similar, a vote makes no difference so there’s no need to even go to the polling station.  Do these people think that by not voting, that’s going to change the system?  Is there any possibility that a political party will consider changing their policies and decisions based on the opinion of someone who couldn’t be bothered to leave the house?

If you truly don’t believe in either party, never forget that there’s always another option that actually sends a message to the parties; spoiling your card.  Every card that gets defaced is marked down as a spoiled vote and the more of these that stack up, the more the parties in power will realise that the public is crying out for something that no-one is currently offering.

In the case of America, I can’t see this being much of an issue this time round as the differences are so pronounced.  It must be a joy to be a part of a political system where so many issues are divided clearly between the parties.  So, American reader, please make sure you vote on Tuesday.  I have my personal preference but as that means less than zip to the outcome, I’ll shut up and just say good luck!