To smash a D3X

So, how much does it take? The Nikon D3x is a quit costly piece of equipment so you would expect it to take a punch - and it did...


According to my field test it takes just about a double, backwards summersault of a cliff, tripod attached!!, bouncing twice in the rocks before landing elegantly on the 24-70mm lenshood.

The result was a busted house with cracks several places along the top display as well as a couple of minor (compared to the first mentioned) cracks around the tool.

The big question is; how does it perform? Well, the picture below was taken from about the same place as the D3x took the plunge just a few minutes earlier. It works fine! There is of course some difficulty operating the on/off button and the top display is misplaced and showing some hieroglyph like signs, but the output is still outstanding. Since the electronics now seem to be exposed to moisture I decided to put the camera to rest in the car for the remaining of the trip.


OK, now to the really BIG question; how much does it cost to fix? If possible...

TC-20 III and the 70-200mm f/2,8 VRII

Arctic Tern, Norway
D3s, 70-200mm f/2,8 + TC-20III (focal 400mm), 1/4000sek @ f/5,6, ISO800, handheld

After my post yesterday on my experience on the TC-20 III, I was asked how it performed with the new 70-200mm f/2,8 VRII. Well, it sure was a legitimate question since this is one of the lenses that the TC-20 III was intended for - whilst the 500mm f/4 in my previous post was not. As usual I like to experience how the gear works in the field and not in some clinical lab test, after all that is what matters in the end for most of us... One of the more challenging species to work with is the Terns. I set out to photograph some at my local colony of Common and Arctic Terns, armed with the D3s, 70-200mm f/2,8 VRIII and the TC-20 III. In addition I brought a test specimen of the brand new 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II. This lens will be out in stores on the 28th of May, and I have got the opportunity to try one out for a week. I will post my review later on this week. As a teaser I would like to mention it works well with the TC-20 III.

Now, back to the 70-200mm x TC-20 III combo. I spent approximately one hour with the birds, and shooting about 250 frames under very shifting light conditions. All images were shot handheld, and the VR was on at all time, set to Active mode. I was working with fast flying subjects, which is a challenge even with fast lenses like the 300mm f/2,8 and the 70-200mm f/2,8 straight. That is why I was rather surprised how well the autofocus performed with the TC-20 III attached, both with centre point and other focus points chosen. Sharpness was also good. Of course, compared with the 70-200mm straight it is not as crisp, but is works very well, and would not hesitate to put it on whenever needed. I will let the images below speak for themselves.

I did not try it with the 300mm f/2,8, but I expect it to perform just as well. I can only imagine how it will work with the 400mm f/2,8 - that should be a killer combination!

Arctic Tern, Norway
D3s, 70-200mm f/2,8 + TC-20III (focal 380mm), 1/2500sek @ f/8, ISO800, handheld

Arctic Tern, Norway
D3s, 70-200mm f/2,8 + TC-20III (focal 360mm), 1/8000sek @ f/5,6, ISO800, handheld

100 % crop of the file above - no work has been done to this file

Teleconverter TC-20 III in the field

Pheasant, Norway
D3s, 1000mm, 1/200sek @ f/8, ISO250, beanbag

I used to own a Canon 2x teleconverter, but it was never used. When switching to Nikon I turned the TC-20 II down, and settled with the TC-14. This winter I was introduced to the new TC-20 III. Still I am quit comfortable with my focal lengths as they come, but lately I have started shooting with the new converter. Yes I know Nikon doesn't recommend the TC-20 for the 500mm f/4, but this is when I need it. If my 70-200mm come out short, I get the 200-400mm, and if the 300mm doesn't do the job I get the 500mm (and perhaps the TC-14). When the longest lens is not enough, is when I really need the extra magnification.

I experienced some difficulty focusing with the D3s, as expected, but the resulting files where very promising. Of course it can not be compared to the clean crisp images I get from shooting directly though the 500mm, but it is good enough. When it comes to a 2x teleconverter, I can settle with good enough. The TC-20 III will definitely be coming out more often in the future.

Tree Sparrow, Norway
D3s, 1000mm, 1/640sek @ f/8, ISO1600, Redged swinghead

Tawny Owl, Norway
D3s, 1000mm, 1/100sek @ f/9, ISO1000, Redged swinghead

100 % crop of the above file

Come to Africa

From 30th of September till 11th of October I will be guiding a safari to Botswana and Zambia, on assignement for the Safari Opplevelsesreiser in Norway.

Do want to come with me on this adventure to Okavango, Chobe, Victoria Falls and much more? Please visit the link below. I hope to see you in Africa :-)

http://www.safari.as/MigrationRoutes/MigrationRoutes2010.html