Nikon has integrated the best of its world-leading camera expertise with stunning advances in digital technologies to realize the only digital SLR camera truly equipped to meet the changing landscape of professional photography. The Nikon D2X blends for the first time the high levels of resolution commercial clients demand with class-leading levels of speed, handling and consistent color. Workflow remains efficient and consistent, even under difficult conditions, yielding output of the finest quality with the detail to allow editing as the assignment demands. The Nikon D2X, ready to expand the realm of digital photography.
Reviews :
Evaluation:
Conclusion: One of the two best digital SLRs on the market
Review: I got the D2X last August, knowing full well that a replacement for the D100 (which turned out to be the Nikon D200) was eminent. I had a job to do in October that paid for the cost of the D2X twice over, and I'm still glad I got this camera when I did. I now have a D200 as a backup, and am surprised at how many ways it equals the D2X, but if you want one of the two absolute best digital cameras on the market, this is one of them. (The Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II is the other.)
The D2X and 1DS-II have virtually the same image quality (although Canon gets the edge in terms of high-ISO noise), but the D2X is the only choice for those who have a large investment in excellent Nikon lenses. I personally have no need for a full frame camera, so Nikon's 1.5X sensor crop factor doesn't bother me.
The D2X is rugged, versatile, and amazingly fast in operation. I've used it to shoot football games in light drizzles, lugged it through Europe, and worked with it for critical macro photography.
Now that the price of the original D2X has been reduced significantly, and the new D2Xs is more affordable, too, this camera is even more of a bargain compared to its chief rival. Nikon is providing many of the enhancements of the new model as a BIOS download, so I expect my D2X will remain my favorite camera for at least several more years. About the only thing it doesn't do well is infrared. Evaluation:
Conclusion: A very fine tool
Review: After seeing some examples of photos from this gem of camera paired with a substantial [...] and getting a good price on selling my D100, did I finally make the plunge to a professional level digital camera. I am a serious amateur and I have owned this camera for about three months and shot off nearly 2000 photos under a variety of conditions. The camera is used with an ED glass zoom Nikkor lens G 28-200 mm and a Nikon SB600 flash. And I could not be happier with my new toy, um . . . tool. The image quality is superb with its 12 MP CMOS sensor. The build of the camera is a very durable magnesium body with well placed and well made controls. You can change ISO, image size, autofocus settings, shift from autofocus to manual and a number of other setting right from the camera body. Potentially if I became familiar enough with these controls I could make the changes without ever taking my eye from the camera. Furthermore, the camera is environmentally sealed and meant to be used under a variety of demanding conditions though I do not recommend taking it or any other electronic device into the rain without adequate protection. The grip both horizontal and vertical felt secure in my hands. There is a vertical shutter button with dials on the body to alter shutter and aperture settings. There are locks to prevent inadvertant firing of the vertical shutter button and shifting of the auto sensor for focus and metering. Below the depth of field preview button there is an additional button to which you can aside a variety of functions. I have it set to spot metering. The camera body unlike other Nikons does not come with a pop up flash though it does have a hotshoe. There is an additional sensor for white balance over the pentaprism. For those taking sports the camera has a high speed crop mode which shoots off much faster pictures but at a reduced resolution of 8 MP. There are three selections of metering: spot, center and the new 3D Color Matrix Metering II all of which may be changed from the right side of the pentaprism. I've found the Matrix Metering to be strikingly accurate with just a few times where the metering is fooled but this has been primarily where there have been extremes in lighting such as a night scene with a bright street light in the view. The auto white balance though not perfect has certainly been an improvement over that of the D100. You can also select your own white balance either from a grey card, a white card or even from ambient light. I have primarily use the autowhite balance. When I've had to use autofocus mainly for my cute rocket powered niece, it has been quite fast and accurate. The camera uses an electric cable release. You need to remove a small screw top from the front portion of the camera on side opposite of the shutter. At the time of this review the Nikon brand release MC-30 are not in stock anywhere though I've seen the fancier MC-36 available several places. A third party release such as one from Adorama is less expensive and seems to do the job. The camera performs very well at most of its ISO settings. The lowest is 100 and the highest which is the equivalent of 3200 called "HI-2." The noise up to HI-1 (1600) is actually not bad since it is more like film grain than true digital noise which is neither entirely random nor nearly as pleasing. For those adverse to noise, the camera has an excellent noise reduction system which eliminates nearly all noise up to about 400 to 800 ISO. I have not noted any banding my JPEG images. There are actually a ton of other features which I am not going to detail here. There are a few downsides to this camera. It is quite heavy and large. I'd recommend that you go to your local camera store and hold the camera. Those with neck and back problems may find it too heavy and those with small to medium small sized hands may find it difficult to operate. Also due to its size you are going to attract attention so you'll need to be more vigilent. Because of the high resolution of the camera you need to have excellent technique mainly in holding the camera. The Matrix Metering is so usually right on that you will notice more of your photos will be far better exposed. Though "correct" exposure is a matter of artistic intent. You also need excellent glass on the camera. If know you will be using the cable release I would remove the small screw top from the camera body and leave it at home. It is screaming to get lost. Lastly, this camera is expensive and is not for the casual photographer as you will be paying for many features which you will never use. For a comprehensive listing for features I refer you to Thom Hogan, dpreview or Nikonians. For those ready to step up to a pro level camera then the versatile D2X will make be an excellent fit for all many types of photography. Evaluation:
Conclusion: Nikon D2X
Review: I've owned 35mm film Nikons (F2, F3HP) since the mid 1970s, and have added D70, D200 and D2X digitals to the fleet. With the D2X, it's doubtful the film cameras are in for much work.
There is nothing I don't like about the D2X!
Battery life is phenomenal! I've shot over 10Gb and chimped most of them, and the battery level doesn't drop on the indicator. The camera has a high speed crop feature that allows me to shoot 8 frames per second if necessary, and which imparts an additional magnification effect to any lens being used.
In addition to the full range of modern Nikon lenses the D2X accepts and meters with all my old AI manual Nikkor lenses as well. Autofocus with it and various Nikon AF lenses has always been quick and sure - I've never missed a shot I wanted due to autofocus lag.
Others have spoken of the quality of the images, and I can only say that I can't tell a properly printed 8.5 x 11 D2X image from a film print.
The D2X is large - you won't drop it in a fanny pack for a walk around the zoo - but I like the feel and balance. The camera is well-built and sturdy. It's an expensive piece of equipment, and worth every penny............. Evaluation:
Conclusion: Great camera, but I will stick with film
Review: I have been using manual film cameras for years. I wanted to get something a bit smaller, faster, more convenient. For someone used to the electronic 35mm cameras this would be the way to go. Photo quality and convenience is excellent.
The problem I found with it is that in the controlled environment of the studio I would always have it on full manual controls. I was using it the same way that I would use the old fashoined film camera with no batteries. While the Nikon takes excellent quality photos, my banged up old RB67 with a set of KL lenses just blows it away. It cannot even come close to the photo quality of the 4x5 camera. Add in the amazing capabilites of the 4x5 view camera and that is still the studio workhorse.
Of course when it comes to working with models, a view camera is not the ideal choice. I was hoping for a replacement for the 6x7 for working with models. The sets almost always tricked the exposure meter and I was back to using the light meter with the camera on manual settings. No advantage to using a computer camera there. You are still working at manual speed. While the photo quality of the Nikon is excellent, it still does not compare to 6x7 with good lenses for enlargements.
For location shoots with models the computerized automatic everything Nikon comes into its own. It is definitely an improvement over the RB67 in speed and ease of use. But the photo quality cannot match the RB67. The auto exposure and focus is definitely much easier on the models. Is it worth the sacrifice on photo quality? I am still undecided about that.
When it comes to landscape photography the Nikon stayed at home. The 4x5 view camera is the only choice for that.
The Nikon D2X is an excelent camera. But I think that it is not for me. I primarily use medium and large format equipment. Medium format is slow. Large format is very, very slow! And expensive. $2 to $3 per exposure for large format film plus processing. Digital is fast and cheap. For landscape and studio work I will stay with film. Medium and large format film is the way to go there. That is most of my work. For on location work with models, the Nikon gives medium format some competition.
The Nikon D2X is an excellent camera. My problem is mostly with the format and no tthe quality of the camera. If you are doing product photography for a big catalog, the Nikon is the way to go. If you are photographing wedding the Nikon is the camera for you. If you are doing portraits for clients the instant gratification for the client is quite useful. I think that the Nikon D2X would be the ideal choice for sports and wildlife photography where long fast lenses come into play. For the artsy stuff, big formats and film are still the way to go.
I have sold the camera and replaced it with one of those tiny $500 point and shoot cameras. The cheap camera fits in my pocket and does a suitable job for the family photos and such. The cheap camera works great for vacations. I will stay with the film for the professional work.
The Nikon D2X cannot beat a larger format film camera when it comes to studio or landscape work. It may be the choice for working with models on location. Economics makes it the choice for product, wedding photography. Coupled with the big fast lenses it is definity the camera of choice for sports and wildlife photography. The Nikon D2X is an excellent camera. But it is not the camera of choice for the work that I do. Evaluation:
Conclusion: This is THE camera
Review: I swore I would never leave film.I was willing to absorb the film costs to keep myself involved in serious image making.I owned classic Nikons from the past,Hasselblads,Linhofs......I was unimpressed with all the digital "toy"cameras that were rolling out.And was unimpressed with collegues gushing about their new DSLRs,especially when I saw their prints(kinda sorta like film?No!).......
Then I started reading reviews of this camera...and went to a local dealer and got my hands on one.BEST made Nikon I ever saw!The images are superb!
Sold all my film equipment.Gone.Not missed.Happy and shooting far more images(and keeping more)than I ever have in my 30 year career!
