The exceptional Nikon D3s

The exceptional Nikon D3s, the camera that opened the doors of the night to us.

For those who might be interested, a short summary of 2023 with comparisons of the magnificent Nikon D3S

Nikon D3S (2009) by Marc Aubry, sur Flickr

The Nikon D3S (2009)
With a 12.1 MP sensor (4256 x 2832)
Price: $5,200 USD
200-12800 (100-102400) H3 ISO

Nikon D1 (1999-2000) / Nikon D3s (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157715888832236

Nikon D1X (2001) / Nikon D3s (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157714969916861

Nikon D2X (2005) / Nikon D3S (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157714611698907

Canon EOS-1Ds (2002) / Nikon D3s (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157715068395981

Canon EOS-5D (2005) / Nikon D3s (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157716545654927

FinePix S3 Pro (2004) / Nikon D3S (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157714751913268

Nikon D3s (2009) / Pentax 645D (2010)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157716852325631

Nikon D3s (2009) / Nikon D600 (2012)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157714879884327

Nikon D3s (2009) / Nikon 1 J5 (2015)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157715537346216

Nikon D3s (2009) ISO / Nikon D500 (2016) ISO
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157714674997917

Nikon D3s (2009) / Sigma Quattro H (2016-17)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157716593624193

Nikon D3s (2009) / Pentax K-5 (2010)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157718951692776

Nikon D3s (2009) / Nikon D500 (2016)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157719208295623

Kodak DCS Pro 14n (2003) / Nikon D3S (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157719633865833

Nikon D3S (2009) / Fujifilm X-Pro1 (2012)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157719878921526

Nikon D3S (2009) / Canon EOS-1D Mark IV (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157720291435605

Sony Alpha 700 (2007) / Nikon D3s (2009)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72177720298989591

I was doing loads of wedding and event work at the time using Nikon DX { D2X } often in poorly lit venues. The D3s was by far the single biggest jump in low light high ISO image quality before or since for my use case amazing camera.

I wish I'd had a Nikon D3s in my hands in 2009. 😁

Marc, I am amazed at your patience in producing comparisons from your huge collection (how many?).

If you had 50 for example, comparing any 2 at a time is 1,225 combinations ... enough to keep you busy for a day or two. 😉

Thanks for the comparison with sd Quattro H.

Ted

It all started with my frustration in 1996 at not being able to find images taken with the first digital cameras on the Internet.
As with the Kodak DCS 200 or Fuji DS-515 etc...

As I've already mentioned, I've decided to remedy the problem "at least in part". By making my own comparisons.
And it also becomes a good excuse to go out with the cameras in my collection, instead of letting them sleep on my shelves.
And from one comparison to the next, I'm currently doing my 301st.

Thank you for your feedback. 👍🏻

Self DSLR & ML (Total 78) Cameras 2022 by Marc Aubry, sur Flickr

The D3s was a fabulous camera. Still is if you have one! I sold mine to get a D5, which outperforms it considerably, but I still really enjoyed the D3s

I don't have the Nikon D5 but its little brother, the D500, and I've got two comparisons here between the two.

Nikon D3s (2009) / Nikon D500 (2016)
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157719208295623

Nikon D3s (2009) / Nikon D500 (2016) ISO
www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157714674997917

Nikon D1 (1999-2000) / Nikon D3s (2009) by Marc Aubry, sur Flickr

Nikon D1 (1999/2000)
2.74 MP sensor (2012x1324 )
Nikon's first digital SLR!
Price: $5,600 USD
Photos taken with the nikkor AF 50mm f/1.8 D and the nikkor AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8 G IF-ED
(with a multiplication factor of 1.5) DX
ISO 200-1600

      __________________________

The Nikon D3S (2009)
12.1 MP sensor ( 4256 x 2832 )
Price: $5,200 USD
Photos taken with the nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G and the nikkor AF-S VR 105mm f/2.8 G IF-ED
(with a multiplication factor of 1.0) FF
200-12800 (100-102400) H3 ISO

It's going to be hot

www.flickr.com/photos/maoby/albums/72157715888832236/

Nikon D1 (1999-2000) 50% / Nikon D3s (2009) 50% by Marc Aubry, sur Flickr

I still miss my D3s. I sold it and bought a D5. The D5 is better in so many ways, but the D3s really got me into wildlife action.