Sad Day!

[Antsl]

Hi all....
Well the sad news is that I gave back the D3 today.... sad for me but good Nikon Australia; they now have another camera that they pass onto another photographer to torture test.
After nearly three weeks of testing I can say I am totally impressed with the camera.... I shot tests with it against the Canon 5D and the 1DMkIII and it outshone both of them on noise (and AF performance for that matter). I also pushed the camera to the limits in low light shooting, often shooting in dark nightclubs or alleys late at night. My thoughts are that the D3 can produce very usable colour images at 12,800 ISO and very usable black and white images at 25,600 ISO. Some of the images that I have shot at these settings will be shown next week when the camera gets launched in Sydney... hopefully one or two of you will be there. Anyway, for now it is back to the D200 for me... it's going to be a bit of a comedown after the past three weeks but I will try and cope. When I am allowed I will try and post some work although it might be in a two or three weeks time.
On a positive note, I am getting married this weekend in South Australia... I'll be heading into next year with a wife and a mortgage to answer to!
Cheers for now,
Ants

[big pix]

congrats and best wishes for the upcoming wedding........ and sorry to hear that you had to give the camera back....... but looking forward to seeing the images........

[Matt. K]

Congratulations Ants! On having the integrity to give the camera back (I would have done a runner), and on your impending marriage. Er...who's doing the wedding photographs?

[Antsl]

Congratulations Ants! On having the integrity to give the camera back (I would have done a runner), and on your impending marriage. Er...who's doing the wedding photographs?

Yeah... I gave the rep the Nikon D3 box and told her to open it next week, after I have left the country.... (do you know how hard it was to scrap the 1 off and paint on a 3).
As for the wedding photography, I have a colleague who is one of Melbourne's better wedding photographers who will be doing a few photos.... just so long as I get on image that makes me look tall, dark and handsome I will be happy (first two are easy to achieve....stand me on a box and turn the lights out!).

[gstark]

Hi all....


... sad news ...

... I gave back the D3 today....

... I am getting married this weekend ...

... heading into next year with a mortgage...

It never rains, but it bloody well pours.

I'm confused, Ants. Which of those did you say was not bad news?


Seriously,. best of luck to the both of you for a wonderful future together.

And hopefully that D3 might make its way up to Sydney, and into Leigh's hands.

[Glen]

Good luck Ants on the marriage, SA is a beautiful state to get married in. Thanks for the reports on the D3, they have kept us all salivating.

[Alpha_7]

Good luck with the upcoming wedding Ants that's great news! Is your wife to be pre-conditioned to be the part owner of a D3 in the not to distant future??

[sirhc55]

Exciting times Ants - a D3 and a new wife - a loss and a gain - good luck for the future to you and the lucky lady

[Oz_Beachside]

best wishes for this weekend mate, have a wonderful time!

[pucara]

all the best on yours new life and welcome to the club of happy husbands

[Old Bob]

Congratulations Ants. Best wishes for your wedding day and your life together. Thanks for the information and impressions of the D3. Looking forward to seeing some of your images with said beast.

Bob

[Antsl]

Thanks for the wishes guys.... I'm hoping it will be a great day and a great future together.... Alex is a wonderful woman and I am lucky to have her in my life.

Yes... I have preconditioned Alex to the D3.... a few side by photos between the D3 and the D200 have been enough to convince her that this camera can make my life a lot easier. I am now hoping I can convince Nikon to do me a good price on a production camera!!

[rookie2]

I am now hoping I can convince Nikon to do me a good price on a production camera!!

Just a thought - why not invite a Nikon rep to the wedding??

Whitegoods, arty farty nick nacks and silverware - who needs that stuff??put a D3 on top of the 'suggested' wedding present list

Good luck with everything and thanks for the low down on the D3 - great stuff.

cheers
R2

[Yi-P]

Congratulations and all the best for your wedding!!

[radar]

Thanks for all the rundown on the D3. BTW, where is the Nikon event taking place?

Congrats to you and Alex on the upcoming wedding

Cheers,

André

[photograham]

Antsl, thanks for your great reviews on the D3, so now I really want one.

And, congratulations and best wishes for your wedding this week. Hope everything goes well and that your wedding photographer has a D3 for that shoot.