articles/Cameras/nikond2x-page2
by Mike McNamee Published 01/04/2005
A 50mm standard lens at full aperture of f2.0 to throw the groom out of focus. This was shot for real at the second wedding.
JPG, TIF & RAW file formats are available and the option of three JPG sizes recorded along with RAW. There is also an option for fixed file size JPGs. On this assignment, both RAW and JPG were used, both giving acceptable results. The RAW files were clean and nice to work with in Nikon Capture 4, however the images did take slightly too long to open, perhaps a more modern and powerful computer is required to speed up the job.
Not only has Nikon been busy beavering away on the D2x's high-resolution core, it has also added on a handful of other features. GPS is incorporated, for the recording of location information with shooting data (not for weddings but location photographers may find this a boon!). The D2x is also the company's first digital SLR to include in-camera multiple exposures, plus an innovative Image Overlay function that allows two NEF, RAW files to be blended together to create a third photo, right in the camera.
Nikon batteries have acquired a reputation for long legs; the D2x battery works like a charm; Nikon uses Lithium-ion technology instead of the Ni-MH of the D1/X/H, therefore gliding through a complete wedding on one charge, though it is always advisable to carry a spare, just in case. With 2,600 shots claimed on one battery charge, most photographersshould be able to get by!
The high speed flash synchronisation impressed Aled greatly. This shot, under very tricky conditions, was exposed at 1/2000th second, using fill-in flash.
On this piece of equipment everything happens immediately, and there isn't anything that you need to do that you can't. Yes it does have 12 mega pixels, but for real photographers what is important are the ergonomics and the fine operational points you can't see on a test chart.
Aled also used the D2x for a portrait shoot and found that the performance was equally as good. Photographing children was made particularly easy with its fast response, the auto white balance also performed well above expectations in mixed light conditions. Skin tone rendition was excellent with natural tones, unlike certain previous digital cameras, which tend to be on the warm side.
We printed some images straight to 30x 20 on the EPSON 7600 without any hassle or lengthy manipulation in Photoshop and felt that Nikon's new gem could really do the business. No additional sharpening or tweaking was required making workflow from camera to print a dream - a real plus point for the wedding photographer who is processing hundreds of images.
If you earn your living with your camera you will definitely want one of these. You will certainly stand out everywhere you go, and you'll always know you have this "beast" around your neck.
Would Aled buy one? Well, he gave the D2x the ultimate reviewer's accolade - he has!
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