Nikon D3 - memory upgrade

RoryW · 31-07-2008 4:54pm #1

Nikon has announced a memory upgrade for its flagship D3 DSLR.

The service, which is already available, will increase the continuous shooting buffer from 16 to 36 shots for those people shooting 14-bit lossless NEF raw files.

In most filetype/compression permutations, users can expect to see around a doubling of shooting buffer.

Owners wishing to upgrade are advised to contact their local service center.

The price will be £300+VAT in the UK, and $500+tax in the USA.

More details can be found by following this link.

Shiny · 31-07-2008 4:55pm

Is this actually worth it for anyone other than sports/wildlife photographers?

Borderfox · 31-07-2008 5:35pm

A good option if you are a Wedding photog too.

Roen · 31-07-2008 5:37pm

That's the kind of modularity that all manufacturers should offer their customers.

Paulw · 31-07-2008 5:58pm

It just increases the buffer.

It now means that Nikon users can shoot 36 raw 14 bit nef files in a burst, rather than the 16 previously.

Mind you, Canon already had the 1D MkIII shooting 30 raw files from the start.

Can't say I've ever shot a single burst of 30 images. Normally I'd shoot in bursts of 2-4 images. I did try a burst of 15 once, just as a test.

Not sure I'd be one to jump at the upgrade, if I had a D3.

melekalikimaka · 31-07-2008 6:15pm

does it write to card during buffering... in that case its 36 minimum surely

Paulw · 31-07-2008 7:49pm

Same as any camera, AFAIK, it will write as it can. So, 36 is the max buffer of frames in a single burst.

DotOrg · 31-07-2008 8:01pm

Borderfox wrote: »

A good option if you are a Wedding photog too.

i've never needed to shoot that big of a burst of raw files at a wedding

Borderfox · 31-07-2008 9:06pm

But you might shoot a couple coming down the aisle and then some outside right after while its still dumping to card?

Paulw · 31-07-2008 9:23pm

I think slow burst (low, rather than high speed burst) will not fill the buffer nearly as quickly.

eas · 31-07-2008 10:44pm

Borderfox wrote: »

But you might shoot a couple coming down the aisle and then some outside right after while its still dumping to card?

For what it's worth it takes around 9 seconds for a d3 to write 16 raw files to a sandisk extreme III. Would be twice as fast if you used an extreme IV

16 raw files takes less than 2 seconds to shoot. bride and grooms don't really get up to much in less than 2 seconds.

Borderfox · 31-07-2008 11:30pm

eas wrote: »

For what it's worth it takes around 9 seconds for a d3 to write 16 raw files to a sandisk extreme III. Would be twice as fast if you used an extreme IV

16 raw files takes less than 2 seconds to shoot. bride and grooms don't really get up to much in less than 2 seconds.

You wouldnt know

CabanSail · 31-07-2008 11:59pm

Well this reminded me to do the upgrade to the D300. Thanks

I now have Firmware 1.03

eas · 01-08-2008 8:21am

Borderfox wrote: »

You wouldnt know

I know a guy who shot a wedding where a trained owl was let go at the back of the church, it then flew down the isle to another trainer at the front of the church.

I guess it would be better to have it and not need it then need it and not have it.

In any case, I won't be doing the upgrade. :rolleyes:

Nikon D3 - memory upgrade

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