New D3s Owner

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Well, it didn't take that long. I wasn't able to keep it a secret that long but it is here. This camera was probably meant for me. I dropped by to one of our local stores here in Japan. I've asked the sales person to take it out of their glass cabinet so that I could inspect it. The camera was "used" or pre-owned. Cosmetically, it appeared brand new to me including the rubber grip, LCD, no scratches or nicks. It came with two fully charged batteries.

However, my dillema was that I didn't know the total number of shutter actuations. So I had to go back home and brought my own CF card. Fast forward after going back to the store and testing the camera and one of their 105mm f2.8 VR macro lens, the AF response appeared significantly faster when mounted on the D3s. High fps, simply amazing! Durability: Check! Aside from it being an older technology, the D3s could be my next potential camera.

After transferring the files from the store, I quickly used Adobe CS5 to check the total number of shutter actuations on my computer. When I saw the numbers, it made me think that it can't be right. So, I uploaded a jpg picture online and it gave me the same number of actuations. At that point, I knew I had to get that camera so I went back to the store, brought some cash with me and paid it. Another good thing is that the exchange rate for the USD to Japanese Yen is much better now, so I considered that as another discount.

Please meet my new Camera, Nikon D3s purchased at $2,915.00 USD with 270 shutter actuations and it came with dual battery charger and two batteries, plus the other accessories and strap. :congratulatory:


D3s 036 by gqtuazon, on Flickr

Learning how to use the control features didn't take that long since I was familiar with the menu and the controls coming from the D800 and D700.

Still trying to learn some of its features and controls since the manual was useless for me. It was in Japanese language only. :mad:

And so my passion with photography continues. The feeling was even better compared to when I first had my D700. Life is good! :eek:
 

Marcel

Happily retired
Staff member
Super Mod
Well Merry Christmas Glenn, I'm glad you came to this decision. If your D800E comes back cured you'll have it all. :)

One for low light, one for high def... But I'd be surprised if the D3S wouldn't be enough for your needs.
 

Whiskeyman

Senior Member
270 clicks? I bet that some Demo models have been purchased with more actuations than that!!

I'm still hoping to hear good news about your D800, as well!

WM
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Wow! 270 actuations! That's amazing! Enjoy Glenn, I think you hit the jackpot with that deal!

Thanks Rick. Which is why I did not hesitate to buy it. It was a steal! :D

Well Merry Christmas Glenn, I'm glad you came to this decision. If your D800E comes back cured you'll have it all. :)

One for low light, one for high def... But I'd be surprised if the D3S wouldn't be enough for your needs.

Thanks Marcel. I think you are right. Still hoping that my D800E will get fixed. This will indeed complement each other. This is the first time that I'll own a sports/pro-camera. The feeling is just simply amazing for a photography enthusiast. I just couldn't go by without a FX. The feeling is just not the same trying to go by with just DX once you get used to a FX FOV.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Glenn, Merry Christmas... 270 clicks, barely broke in!! Great catch that I am sure you will enjoy...

Pat in NH

Thanks Pat. I could probably generate that many actuations in two days for my general walk-around. Still plenty of life/actuations to go before I could reach 300,000. The most that I've used with my D700 was less than 20k in four years.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
270 clicks? I bet that some Demo models have been purchased with more actuations than that!!

I'm still hoping to hear good news about your D800, as well!

WM

Thanks WM. Same here. It would be twice the fun to have two FX cameras. I would be diffucult to decide on which one would become my favorite. :D



Congrats, that's awesome Glen.

Thanks Kevin. It's been a long wait for me since the D3s, since its released, was already on my dream list but never pushed for it since the price was just too expensive for me. The price of this D3s is comparable to a D800 but its not always about the resolution that I am after.
 

Scott Murray

Senior Member
What an amazing deal, no wonder you snapped it up I would have done the same ;-). Looking forward to seeing more of what you can do with it :)
 

Sambr

Senior Member
Congrats Glenn. You scored yourself an awesome deal. And man what a camera - guaranteed you wouldn't put it down, once you use a "pro body" there is no going back.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
What an amazing deal, no wonder you snapped it up I would have done the same ;-). Looking forward to seeing more of what you can do with it :)


Thanks Scott and for the electronic manual. I'll be reading some sections everynow and then. There are some features that I am not familiar with. I was surprised that the Image area from the D800 originated from the D3s which has the FX, 1.2X and DX crop mode. I use that feature very often on my D800E.
 

gqtuazon

Gear Head
Congrats Glenn. You scored yourself an awesome deal. And man what a camera - guaranteed you wouldn't put it down, once you use a "pro body" there is no going back.

Thanks Sam. Indeed a great camera. I am still in awe.

First order of business, I just ordered a Kirk L bracket.

2. D3s apparently does not come with a screen protector. Did you use a Giottos or GGS? Are they worth the trouble?

3. Might have to look into getting higher capacity and faster CF cards. I have a 64gb 300x Lexar and two 8gb Sandisk extreme that I used before with my D700. They still work though.

4. Need to check and update the firmware. It might be the original firmware.

5. This set-up is definitely much heavier than my D800E but it balances well with my 24-70mm f2.8 lens. I've been using my 85mm f1.4 as my walk-around lens and I love that combo.
 
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