Nikon D3s 12.1 MP Digital SLR Camera - Black (Body only)

This is the fourth Nikon D3 I have owned or used and follows-on from my earlier Nikon DSLR and film SLR bodies, such as the D2x, D1x and F5.
I was looking to purchase a D3s body for personal use but when the waiting list for those became too long, I decided to buy two second-hand D3 bodies instead.
I originally upgraded from the D2x to D3 early last year and used D3 bodies in Iraq and Afghanistan on a series of deployments, putting them through more abuse than most cameras have to endure in a lifetime.
I currently run two D3 bodies as well as a D3x and to be honest, this camera is more useful in 'real-world' press or editorial shooting situations than the more expensive and higher IQ camera, which is better-suited to static studio or PR/advertising use.
The majority of imagery I (and most people) produce is either viewed on a computer monitor or printed smaller than A3, making the 24Mpi D3x relatively over-the-top, especially bearing in mind its £5.5k price tag.
D3 bodies are routinely changing hands for sub-£2000 now and that makes them an absolute bargain, all the more so if you don't need the video capability or stupidly-high ISO sensitivity of it's successor, the D3s, which is still very hard to come by in Europe...at the time of writing, D3s has been unavailable in the UK since mid-March - four months now.

This camera is robust, well sealed against dust and moisture (tropical monsoons and desert heat and dust-storms) and takes a hammering (two combat tours of Afghanistan), during which the only faults were the rubber underneath one camera coming unglued on one corner (easily glued back with 'shoe-goo') and a single body-screw falling out due to the constant vibration encountered in countless helicopter and armoured vehicle trips. Nikon sent me a free spare within 5 working days.
Image quality is superb when coupled with Nikkor Professional lenses and high-quality prints can be made to larger than A0 with ease.
Handling is equally superb, with several small improvements being made over earlier models, making this easily Nikon's most ergonomically comfortable camera yet. All controls fall easily to hand making this a very intuitive camera to use.

I would recommend this camera to any press or PR photographer or to anyone who demands and expects the best from their equipment and isn't prepared to compromise.

Having previously reviewed D700, I guess there isn't much room to rave about D3, since they are practically beat the same heartbeat just live in different houses.

What prompted me to go from D700 to D3?

* Price. With amateurs jumping on the D3S wagon, you can pick up a D3 on the cheap, but you gotta do it quick before they realise they never actually use high ISO nor video!
* Reliability. Almost twice the life cycle on the shutter, it is here to stay!
* Future proof accessory compatibility. D3S, D3X are practically the same body, hence you can share accessories such as L-bracket, battery, body armor etc. The D3 body design is almost perfect, I doubt there will be drastic changes to its domestic appearance in the future.
* Weight & height. It actually weighs less than D700 with grip, also shorter!
* Shutter sound. This might be a strange one but to me, the sound of D3 makes you want to take more photos, it's ... it's just ... that ... it sounds soooo gooooood!
* better fit. To my hand that is, the best grip ever ... bar none!

For those of you who are addicted with higher mega pixels, do you ever make any prints??? If you don't make A3+ prints, what difference would a D3X make compared with D90? On your monitor, none; on your 4x6's, none. Unless you are a fine art photography who only makes A0 prints, then in that case you are much better off with medium or large format cameras, if you can afford it.

So, grab yourself a D3 on the cheap, invest money on only the best glasses, and focus on better photography rather than fancy equipment (better isn't the correct term here).

All my work were shot with D700 before 05/2010, you can see them here: http://guphotography.com

Best of luck!

I own a D700 and had the chance to get a D3 as well so I now run both side by side. With an MB-D10 the D700 is the better camera. The only real advantage the D3 has over the D700 is the additional card slot in my opinion.
THe D3 doesn't have sensor cleaning, doesn't have built in flash, you cant make it smaller by removing a grip and it costs £500+ more second hand.
Trust me buy the D700 and dont look back - autofocus, sensor, handling, ISO performance and speed (near as damn it!) identical...

Great camera. Very little noise at high iso's . Brilliant capabilities. Quite heavy especially with long lens.
Great that you have 2 memory slots and can decide on their usage.
Shame no video capabilities.
Also battery seems to be good. Often used for 6 hours during a wedding, although battery loses life quickly with use of external flash.

It is simply the best camera in the world and allows compatibility across the board. Most people would probably spend the money on a car but its fantastic and Ido not expect to be upgrading cameras for another 10 years