Nikon's First "PRO" Digital SLR Camera the Nikon D1
Written: Jan 05 '00 (Updated Nov 14 '00)
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Pros: The jewel of Nikon's famed interchangeability
Cons: none noted
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| Howard_Creech's Full Review: Nikon D1X SET Digital Camera |
Nikon has never been an innovator; preferring to build their corporate reputation on quality products, durability, continuity, ergonomics, and customer loyalty, however that is changing. The new Nikon D1 professional digital camera is a perfect example of this changing philosophy. For the past decade Nikon has been adapting their top of the line 35mm cameras to do digital duty. After more than ten years experience in R&D in adapting traditional 35mm cameras, to function as digital cameras, Nikon has introduced the brand new, purpose built D1 digital camera.
The D1 combines Nikon's world famous quality construction, ergonomics, camera/optic engineering expertise, and durability with state of the art digital components and functions to create a new cutting edge digital imaging tool that is designed to complement, rather than replace Nikon's traditional cameras. Less than two years ago, when Nikon announced that they planned to produce and market a "pro" digital SLR camera, typical "pro" level SLR digital cameras cost around 20,000 dollars. Well beyond the means of almost everyone except major news organizations, magazine/publishing concerns, and Universities. The new D1 puts a fantastic digital imaging tool in the hands of photographers, at one fourth the going rate of just two years ago.
The new Nikon D1 bears a striking family resemblance to the F5 and F100 cameras, not only in design, but in operation and capabilities as well. The D1 has three separate light meters (like the F5) 3D color matrix, user chosen variable center weighted, and spot metering with five spot options. The D1 accepts all "D" series, AI-P, and non CPU Nikkors...which provides the most comprehensive selection of lenses available for any digital camera. The camera provides dynamic auto focus with focus tracking and focus "lock-on" and manual focusing is always available. A 4.5 FPS film advance allows up to 21 consecutive frames. TTL white balance and tone compensation offer the digital photographer "on board" options that were available only with post exposure programs or in the darkroom (digital or traditional) until now. TTL flash exposure options provide automatic balanced fill flash, and manual exposure control for higher shutter speeds. When the new SB28DX digital flash is mounted, flash synch is an amazing 1/500 of a second in real time...due to an 18 per cent gray reflectance surface on the flash sensor.
Shutter speed range for the D1 is from 30 seconds to a blazing 1/16,000th of a second. Exposure control is managed by what Nikon calls "3D digital matrix image control" which offers true automatic white balance (even under flourescent lighting) when this is coupled with the tone compensation feature...it allows the photographer with a D1 to customize and adjust the tonal range of their images "in camera" rather than post exposure. Storage problems are easily handled by Nikons 64mb compact flash card, which allows up to 195 images to be stored in camera. Images can be reviewed on the D1's 2 inch TFT LCD screen immediately after exposure.
Technical Specifications
2.66 Megapixel CCD (2012x1312 pixel)
4.5 FPS (up to 21 images in continuous shooting mode)
Nikon "Total Imaging System" compatibility with almost 90 per cent of Nikon "F" mount lenses ever produced.
ISO 200, 400, 800, 1600, 3200, and 6400 (35mm equivalent)
TTL Optical Viewfinder
2 " TFT LCD
Shutter Speed: from 30 to 1/16,000th of a second
Modes: Program, Shutter/Aperture Priority, and Metered Manual
3D Color Matrix Metering (with centerweighted and spot options)
Image Storage: Compact Flash type I or type II
JPEG, TIFF (uncompressed),and "raw" formats
Professional photographers will love this camera, since it will complement the F5 and/or F100 already in their camera bags, and provide the ability to switch lenses back and forth between their their digital and traditional bodies. Overall the new Nikon D1 is the core of a remarkably versatile digital imaging system that was designed from the outset to be integrated with Nikon's traditional film cameras. The end result of all this capability will benefit photographers, who can now switch to a digital SLR that will mimic the appearance and operation of their current film cameras, and be able to use the same lenses and accesories. Look for the D1 to put Nikon back in the drivers seat with pros. If you'd like to take one home with you, expect to drop about five grand.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 5000.00
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Howard_Creech
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Member: Howard Creech
Location: Louisville, KY
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Photographer/Writer fascinated by Movies, Music, Books, American Diner Food, History, "Popular Culture", and Travel.
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