Nikon D3X Quick start guide

Technical Guide

Digital SLR camera

Portrait — photo expression supported by high picture quality ......................................................... 2/3

Product shooting — effective use of a PC-E NIKKOR lens ................................................................ 4/5

Food shooting — supported by Capture NX 2 software .................................................................... 6/7

Utilizing Picture Controls ................................................................................................................... 8/9

Studio shooting workﬂow............................................................................................................... 10/11

Image expression comparison [D3X vs 30-megapixel model] —

superiority of D3X + Capture NX 2 ........................................ 12/13

Actual lens comparison — advantage of Nano Crystal Coat ....................................................... 14/15

Optimal white balance setting........................................................................................................ 16/17

Live View (Tripod mode) shooting ....................................................................................................... 18

RAW mode selection .......................................................................................................................... 19

Recommended camera settings.................................................................................................... 20/21

Lens selection in portrait shooting ................................................................................................. 22/23

PC-E lens selection........................................................................................................................ 24/25

Effective use of Capture NX 2

Apply “Unsharp Mask” only to eyes ....................................................................................... 26

“Noise Reduction” makes skin smoother ................................................................................ 27

Reﬂector effect after shot -1-: reducing shadows on the face ................................................. 28

Reﬂector effect after shot -2-: brighten only a speciﬁc area .................................................... 29

“Auto Retouch Brush” removes unwanted details .............................................................. 30/31

Version 1.0 English edition

Contents

2 3

D3X + AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED

Manual exposure, 1/250 s, f/8

The image on the left page was taken with the AF-S Micro NIKKOR 60mm f/2.8G ED lens,

utilizing the large image sensor of the Nikon FX format. Beautiful image blur effectively

emphasizes the subject. Clean pupils, smooth skin texture, and even eyebrows and eyelashes

can be naturally reproduced with superior resolution.

Shown below is a part of the image enlarged up to A2-equivalent size (420 x 594 mm). The

image captured with 24.5 effective megapixels provides high resolution even when enlarged

this much.

D3X Technical Guide

Portrait — photo expression supported by high picture quality

4 5

Product shooting — effective use of a PC-E NIKKOR lens

D3X + PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D using the tilt function

Manual exposure, 1/100 s, f/4.2

D3X + PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D without the tilt function

The image on the left was taken by tilting the lens using the tilt mechanism so that the entire

subject is in focus, although the subject plane is not parallel to the camera’s image plane (f/4.2).

With the minimum focus distance of 0.39 m (1.3 ft.), the PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D

Perspective Control lens achieves close-up shooting like this.

This picture was taken without

using the tilt fun ction. Only a

specific part of the subject on

the image plane is in focus with a

shallow depth of field produced

by f/4.2 aperture.

Image plane

Subject

Plane of focus

■ Normal shooting

■ Tilt shooting

Image plane

Subject

Plane of focus

■ Normal shooting

■ Tilt shooting

D3X Technical Guide

6 7

Food shooting — supported by Capture NX 2 software

D3X + PC-E Micro NIKKOR

85mm f/2.8D

Manual exposure, 1/160 s, f/16

D3X + PC-E Micro NIKKOR

85mm f/2.8D

Manual exposure, 1/160 s, f/11

In food shooting, it is extremely difﬁcult to reproduce desired color and brightness because

of lighting factors, and it also takes time. Capture NX 2 post-processing software enables

adjustment of an image taken with roughly set illumination, remarkably improving shooting

efﬁciency. Because operation is not complicated and the ﬁnished image can be accurately

presented at the shooting site, it is easy to get the approval of the client or art director.

The above image was processed using Color Control Points to produce the intended color

and brightness in a short time.

Capture NX 2 realizes illumination impossible with actual settings simply and quickly on a

processed image.

Using Color Control Points, the above image achieves a fantastic ﬁnish as if illumination was

incorporated inside an apple, which would be almost impossible in reality.

D3X Technical Guide

8 9

Utilizing Picture Controls

Standard

Portrait

Standard

Landscape

Neutral NeutralVivid Vivid

W i t h t h e D 3 X , f o u r P i c t u r e

Controls — “Standard”, “Neutral”,

“ V i v i d ” a n d “ M o n o c h r o m e ”

— are preinstalled. You'll also

have access to Optional Picture

C o n t r o l s s u c h a s “ P o r t r a i t ”

and “Landscape” that ca n be

dow n loa d ed fro m the N i ko n

website and stored in the camera.

T h i s r e a l i z e s s i m p l e i m a g e

adjustment for efﬁcient workﬂow.

Portrait: Using “Neutral” as its

base, “Portrait” imparts m ore

natur al- app ear ing sk i n. Ski n

tones are more lifelike, projecting

a real sense of depth — as if shot

with professional-quality film —

for a clear, authentic ﬁnish.

Landscape: P r o d u c e s a

mo re profo und intens it y than

“ S t a n d a r d ”. C o m p a r e d w i t h

“Vivid”, “Landscape” creates more

soothing, relaxed colors, effective

f o r a n y n a t u r e s c e n e . R i c h

gradations with an eye-catching

appeal enhance the vibrancy and

liveliness of landscapes, nature

and even city street scenes.

“Neutral”, that reproduces the

sub j ect ’s uni q ue co l or s a nd

g r a d a t i o n s w i t h m a x i m u m

authenticity, is ideal for materials

that you plan to ad ju st usin g

Capture NX 2 after shooting to

express a speciﬁc idea.

O p t i o n a l P i c t u r e C o n t r o l s

“Portrait” and “Landscape” can

be d ow nl oa de d fr om N iko n’s

website (free) and installed in the

camera.

http://nikonimglib.com/opc/

D3X Technical Guide

10 11

Prepare equipment that ensures identical color reproduction

on the monitor and secure data storage

From shooting to delivery

Home/office/in-company studio

• Strictlycalibrated24-in.monitor

• Desktopcomputer

• Externalharddiskx2

Mirroring to computer’s HD and external HD with

Nikon Transfer: via e-SATA or CF card

• WirelessTransmitterWT-4(wireless)

• CFcardreader[Firewire800](wired)

On an assignment

Reproduce the same environment as home/office/in-company studio

• Bring20-in.monitorofthesamemaker,panelandsettings

• Laptopnotebookcomputer

• Externalharddiskx2:mirroringtocomputer’sHDandexternalHDwithNikonTransfer:via

e-SATA or CF card

• WirelessTransmitterWT-4(wireless)

• CFcardreader[Firewire800](wired)

Simulated procedure

• Settingsofcameraandlightingonthe

premise of using Capture NX 2 after the shot

• Simulatededitingoftestshotsusing

Capture NX 2

• Expectedfinalimageconfirmedonthe

monitor (by client/art director)

• Settingsadjustedonrequest

Shooting

•Imagequality

NEF (RAW) + JPEG

◆ ◆ Stored in in-camera CF card

  •RAWandJPEGfiles

◆ ◆ Transmitted to PC

  •JPEG:Size(speed)priority 

 •NEF:TobeeditedwithCaptureNX2

•WT-4(wireless):Ad-hocmode

=> For secure image transmission

Editing

•Onlyselectedimagesedited

•Basedonthesimulatedprocedure

•Fileconversion(onrequestofclientorart

director)

NFF => TIFF, NEF => JPEG

Selection (at the site)

•UtilizingratingfunctionofCaptureNX2

Delivery

Studio shooting workﬂow

D3X Technical Guide

12 13

Image expression comparison [D3X vs 30-megapixel model] — superiority of D3X + Capture NX 2

D3X + AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED

Enlarged by 200% Enlarged by 200%

30-megapixel model + 120mm micro lens

24.5 effective megapixels deliver substantial

resolution even compared to a 30-megapixel

model. Extremely faithful color reproduction

does not require minute post processing.

High resolution expected from 30 effective

megapixels is achieved, however, significant

superiority over the D3X’s images cannot be

found that justiﬁes the price difference. Because

color reproduction is not necessarily precise,

satisfactory results cannot be obtained even

using g enuine sof tware supp lie d with the

30-megapixel model.

Capture NX2

Software supplied

with a 30-megapixel

model

D3X Technical Guide

14 15

Actual lens comparison — advantage of Nano Crystal Coat

Taken with a Nano Crystal Coat-applied lens

Taken with an ordinary lens

Nano Crystal Coat, employing multiple layers of extra-low refractive index coating that

features ultra-ﬁne crystallized particles of nano size (one nanometer equals one millionth

of a millimeter), eliminates internal lens element reﬂections across the entire spectrum of

visible light (380 – 780 nm) far more effectively than conventional anti-reﬂection coatings.

Ghost caused by red light that has been thought difﬁcult to reduce conventionally has been

remarkably reduced. Outstanding results are also found in reducing ghost and ﬂare caused

by light entering the lens diagonally.

To investigate the effect, two lenses of

the same type — with /without Nano

Crystal Coat were used.

Notice the dramatically reduced flare

within the area.

Images were not taken with the D3X.

D3X Technical Guide

16 17

Using a cubic gray chart in measuring white balance Selecting a white balance preset menu by locating

a ﬂat gray chart near the subject

Situations in which a cubic gray chart (white balance target)

is used

➀When measuring white balance under incandescent light

➁Under the mixed lighting of flash and incandescent light

➂When flash light is a priority

Lighting settings: A large

flash on the right as a main

illumination; an incandescent

light above the subject’s head;

external light from windows

Situation ➀Situation ➁Situation ➂

Measured around the subject’s face

(strongly affected by incandescent light)

Measured with front objects (near the

large main ﬂash)

Color temperature setting is effective when images are taken in JPEG format

When used with White Balance Fine Tuning, a finer setting with increments of 5 mired

is made possible.

: Available in Color Temperature setting (Kelvin)

: Available in White Balance Fine Tuning (Kelvin)

Color temperature is not necessarily

uniform at a shooting site. Locate

a flat gray chart near the subject

to be expressed with faithful color

re productio n. The chart s ho ul d

be set so that it has an inclination

identical to that of the subject’s light-

receiving angle.

2500 3030 3850 5260 8330

2530 3080 3920 5410 8700

2560 3130 4000 5560 9090

2600 3170 4080 5710 9520

2630 3230 4170 5880 10000

2670 3280 4260 6060

2700 3330 4350 6250

2740 3390 4440 6450

2780 3450 4550 6670

2820 3510 4650 6900

2860 3570 4760 7140

2900 3640 4880 7410

2940 3700 5000 7690

2990 3770 5130 8000

Optimal white balance setting

➀

➁

➂

How to make a white balance target

1) Make two loops of about 10cm diameter with A4-size hard paper on which

gray pigment with 18% reflectivity is printed (e.g. Silver/silk gray card)

* Use of approximate colors or conventional 18% reflector is not recommended.

2) Set loops as shown and locate them at the point where color should

be appropriately reproduced.

18 19

Live View (Tripod mode) shooting RAW mode selection

Lossless compressed file format is recommended for RAW recording

• Withlosslesscompressedformat,RAWfilesizecanbereducedwithoutdegradingthe

maximum image quality. In normal shooting, this mode is recommended.

Utilizing Contrast-

detect AF

Contrast-detect AF allows focusing

on anywhere in the frame, regardless

of the 51 AF points, enabling a

greater variety of composition in

tripod shooting.

Precise manual focusing is also easy

by magnifying the desired portion in

the monitor.

D3X+AF-SVRMicro-Nikkor105mm

f/2.8G IF-ED

Manual exposure, 1/160 s, f/13

Select NEF (RAW) bit depth according to your needs

• 12-bitoptionisrecommendedwhenhigher-speedrecordingisrequiredincontinuous

shooting, while 14-bit option is recommended when picture quality is a priority.

Exposure preview

• Currentexposuresettingscanbeconfirmedinthemonitor.

• SetActiveD-Lightingto“off”,asexposurecannotbe

previewed while it is activated.

12-bit 14-bit

Phase-detection AFContrast-detect AF

1x Approx. 13x

It is possible to magnify the view in the

monitor during Live View up to approx.

13x for accurate focus check.

(See p. 95 of D3X User’s Manual)

Compressed

RAW

Lossless

compressed

RAW

Uncompressed

RAW

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