Hands on with the Nikon D2X

Well, along with several other shooters I've been using a late pre production D2x at London fashion week.  I've posted a small gallery of low res images here.  As a long term Canon user I can say I'm quite impressed with the D2x image quality especially at low ISO.  The overall handling of the camera is the same as the D2h except that the screen is better and the menus are even more complex.  The camera is fast in operation and the AF seemed no worse on the walking runway models than my Canon 1DmkII.  I got the best results with Nikon's marvellous 200mm f2 AF lens which I love.

Ok, the bad news, with the pre-production sample I was using, in Jpeg fine at 800 asa with noise reduction off there seemed to be faint but visable diagonal stripe noise across the whole image.  With noise reduction on there was some bad detail loss and what I can only descirbe as a pastel like effect.  I'm not sure how much of this can be avoided by shooting NEF as Nikon did not have the latest Nikon capture software at the event.  I'm also not sure whether the noise would actually be apparent in newsprint as it is only obviously visable at 100% magnification, so for majority of news photographers it is unlikely to be a big issue.  I did not get a chance to try over 800 asa though.

Would I change from my trusty 1Ds and 1DmkII cameras back to Nikon, I don't think so as I've got used to the full frame and faster shooting rates that those cameras offer.  If you are on the Nikon system there is real food for thought now, if you don't need corrected ultrawides and seldom go over 800 asa then you now have a real choice.

800 asa crop of image centre at 100%, D2x, 28-70 f2.8 (Click to enlarge)

The same image full frame downsized to fit on screen

800 asa crop of image centre with Noise reduction on, 17-55 f2.8

Comments

[Edmond Terakopian]

I'm in agreement with Dan about the camera. I also had a chance to shoot a show at 800ASA, using the lovely new 300mm f2.8 VR. I've uploaded a full size image straight from the camera at: http://www.pix.org.uk/nina_donis-terakopian.jpg
It was shot on jpeg fine, tungsten wb and manual exposure. I was a bit stunned at the amount of noise at 800asa, as I was hoping they would've sorted out the noise issue. Having said that, it is better than the D2H noise wise. Unfortunatley I can't remember if I had the noise reduction on or off.

[Frank Cooper]

I just got my D2X having previously used a D1X for 3 years. This camera's color rendition is excellent, lots of resolution, and battery life that the D1X never had. Seems autofocus is improved as well, and the speed of operation is amazing. On the down side, ISO 3200 is in my opinion not useable, while ISO 1600 in a pinch could play. The D1X was quieter, but if you stay ISO 400 or lower (virtually no difference between 100 to 200) it can't be beat. 800 starts showing noise, but not enough to trouble you. I was entertaining Canon but waited to see just how good or bad this D2X was up close. I had the chance to return it if I didn't like what I saw, but it will become my mainstay! nothings perfect, but where it counts, this camera sets a new bar.