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| Nikon D100 Digital Camera [6.1MP] - Body Only |
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18 months on - one of the soundest purchases I ever made
[This review updates my earlier comments in the light of the fact that 1)this body is now substantially cheaper than when I originally reviewed it,2) there is now a D70 available at a lower price point and 3) theavailability of Nikon Capture 4 has substantially increased the productsversatility and 4)18 months of use has given a broader perspective]
We have been using a pair of D100s now for about 18 months. Our pictureshave appeared in newspapers and magazines, on billboards, bus and trainadverts, as well as brochures, modelling portfolios, flyers and otherpromotional material.
Weve also used them alongside press photographers working with the D1 andthe D2, which has given us a lot of opportunities for discussion andcomparison.
We stand by all of the comments we originally made on this camera - at itsprice point the overall quality and range of features are extraordinary.Nikon currently classify the D100, the D1 and the D2 as professionalequipment, whereas the just released D70 is classified as high-endamateur.
Comparison to the D1 and D2 series cameras
The D100 scores over the higher priced D1 and D2 in that its resolution is50% larger, which makes it suitable for a wide variety of local andregional advertising such as bus campaigns. Without enhancement, the D100resolution is just big enough when used portrait to cover the height of astandard billboard without further enhancement.
The D100 is plastic framed, whereas the D1 and D2 have metal frames. Aspress workhorses, this makes them far more robust, but photographers haveoften commented that they would rather have the D100.
However, the real advantage of the pricier cameras is in their sustainedframe rate. The D1 will spit out 10 shots a second, whereas the D100 ismuch more leisurely at 3 frames a second. There is also a lag betweenpressing and the shutter releasing which is annoying when shooting a fastmoving subject. The D1 and D2 are firewire equipped, whereas the the D100uses USB, which slows transfer of large numbers of images, although thedifference is merely inconvenient in most situations.
On the professional series, therefore, our conclusion is that if yourequire speed and robustness, the D1 or D2 is the appropriate choice. Onthe other hand, if you are relatively careful with your equipment but needthe maximum in image quality, the D100 is a better (and far cheaper)choice.
Maximising image quality on the D100
In terms of image quality, we have discovered that the ultimate accessoryto the D100 is Nikon Capture 4.1. This software is provided as a thirtyday trial with the camera, and retails for around GBP 100. Its advantageis that it opens up the full world of Nikon raw pictures, the NEF format.A free Photoshop plugin for NEF is included with the camera, but this isstrictly limited in its functions. Using Nikon Capture, it is possible toadjust all the non-mechanical parameters in the camera after the event. Inother words, instead of being stuck with the original choices of whitebalance, sharpening, noise filter and colour mode, you can edit themdirectly without degrading the image. Capture also offers you up to 2stops of exposure compensation in either direction, and a full suite ofdetail enhancement and colour balancing tools. Even after you have madethese adjustments and saved them, you can go back to the original becausethe raw file itself is not altered, only the processing instructions.
Essentially, NEF is the equivalent of negatives whereas TIFF or JPEG arethe equivalent of prints. The downside is that the D100 will only shoot 3NEFs before its memory buffer is full, and it will then spend some timetransferring to its memory card. Nonetheless, where quality is an issue,NEF takes us several stages beyond anything which can be achieved bypost-processing TIFFs or JPEGs in Photoshop.
It is still important to understand that the D100 does not reach thequality of film. For ultimate quality, shoot on a film based SLR or,better, medium-format.
Lenses
Because the CCD on Nikons digital range of SLRs is smaller than 135 film,lenses behave as if they were comparatively longer. Thus, a 35mm lens forthe D100 is the equivalent of the normal 50mm lens for film.Unfortunately, Nikon have been slow to release prime lenses for theirdigital range, and the fastest available Nikkor 35mm is only f2. However,the D100s built in shake compensation option substantially improvesperformance at lower speeds.
All your old Nikon lenses will work with the D100, even the manual ones.However, there are now Nikkor DX lenses which are specifically targettedat the digital range. At the time of writing, (aside from the fish-eyelens) these are all zoom lenses, which inevitably introduce a measure ofoptical compromise.
Comparison to the D70
The D70 is Nikons newcomer, and is around GBP 300 cheaper than the D100.It is lighter (which in the Nikon world usually means less robust) and istargetted at the enthusiast, with more hand holding including specialpicture modes. In terms of specification, the D70 is as good as or betterthan the D100 in its electronics. However, it is less expandable and willnot, for example, accommodate a separate power grip with voice recordingand additional batteries. With a recent Nikkor lens, battery life on bothcameras is extremely good. However, with some of the early autofocuslenses, such as the highly rated Micro-Nikkor 55, the power drain is muchgreater.
On comparison, my buying advice would be to go with the D100 if you intendto use the camera in any professional capacity, and to go with the D1 orD2 if you are regularly shooting for newspapers, especially if you coversports events. By professional I mean using the camera as part of yourlivelihood. On the other hand, if you are a serious amateur, the D70 willproduce pictures which are as good as any the D100 can manage, and 1.5x aslarge as D1 or D2 pictures.
If you are comparing the D100 with non-Nikon digital equipment, then yourmain points of comparison should be 1) optics and 2) brand reputation. Interms of optics, Nikkor lenses maintain their reputation as the ultimatein the 35mm and digital world. More to the point, there is now a verybroad pool of second hand lenses available, many at silly prices. You_can_ access Nikkor optics through the Fuji range, but there is anintrinsic risk: Nikon are committed to supporting their own products,there is no guarantee that their future lenses will be Fuji compatible.
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Buy it!
I have had the Nikon D100 for a month now and to say I am happy with it is an understatement. I have used a 35mm SLR for around 10 years and was reluctant to move over to digital. As a stepping stone a brought a Kodak 2mb digital camera to see if I like the idea, and I did. So taking the step towards a digital SLR was easier. The quality of the images from the Nikon is very high. Tips I would recommend using the Fine setting as whats the point of a 6mb camera if you dont use it to its spec. Get a 1GB microdrive (or two) as these images take up a lot of space. At the Fine Jpeg setting you can fit just over 300 images on a 1GB card, or at tiff setting around 50, or if you use the basic setting around about 3700! Get a spare battery. Although the one included can last as long as 300 pics, its always worth being on the safe side. Do not be put off by reports that the Nikon D100 under exposes images. Its true it does but there is a reason for this, In order to capture more detail. To resolve this you can download solutions to install into your camera via Nikon Capture 3 (free trial included with camera). But by far the easiest way is to adjust them in Photoshop. After all these images are made to manipulate, its half the fun! My only problem would be the door to where you insert the microdrive. It feels cheap, which is a real shame, as the rest of the camera feels very sturdy. Apart from that a very nice camera, very much doubt if I will ever go back to using 35mm.
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Nikon D100 - Its a beauty, mate!!
I use the D100 for taking photos of my young child and it is superb for this use. The digital camera allows me to view the photos and delete the ones where shes blinking or moving or got her finger up her nose, whilst the resolution of the image taken is great for blow-ups upto A3 size at least. Its easy to use, takes my existing NIKKOR lenses and is in the price range for amateurs like me. I find that I need to re-process each image using Photoshop to increase the image saturation, and change the contrast, but I believe that this is necessary for most digital cameras and I actually enjoy doing it so its not a negative point for me. On the plus side:
- You can be as pro or amateur as you like with the various controls
- The photo quality is great and at 6 MegaPixels the image that results is more than satisfactory
- Its a great digital SLR at a price that positions it in the amateur market On the negative side:
- I find the controls all over the place, in comparison to the F80 that I also own. The AE-Lock is one button, the focus location is another, the Aperture or Shutter speed is another button. I prefer the two-wheel and LCD control approach implemented on the F80.
- The automated depth of field is not as well done as the F80 and needs more manual supervision to ensure that all objects that should be sharp actually are
- Battery life, whilst good, is still a drawback and I recommend purchase of a spare battery that can be charging whilst youre using the first. Overall, I rate this product highly and would recommend anyone with NIKKOR lenses and an interest in digital cameras to buy this product
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Nikon En-El3 Rechargeable Batterie For D100
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If you rely on a D100 for your paid job, then a second battery should be at the top of your purchase list. Theres not a lot more you can really say. The D100 will take upwards of 600 shots on a single battery, but if you need to download a lot of images onto your laptop while on a job (for exampl..
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Nikon COOLPIX 2000 Digital Camera with Free Batteries and Charger [2MP 3xOptical]
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The Nikon CoolPix 2000 Is a must buy for any person who would like a good digital camera. This Camera is sleek, pretty and of course the quality of the pictures is incredible, (and I only have it on normal quality, It can go from basic to Excellent). This Camera has a great zoom function which keeps..
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Nikon Mb-D100 Battery Pack For D100
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The MB-D100 is a beautifully designed adjunct to the Nikon D100 professional digital camera. But at more than £200, its not an impulse buy.What the MB-D100 offers is four features which will appeal to professionals and to the very, very serious amateur. First off, the hand grip adds a duplica..
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Nikon COOLPIX 4300 Digital Camera [4MP 3xOptical]
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I recently took the plunge to digital mainly because I was getting sick of carrying round a big (but very good) SLR plus lenses, plus remembering to buy film, plus remembering to keep my processing slips, plus having to wait for a week after holidays to see the results.
I checked out a variety of..
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Nikon Wc-E80 Wide Converter 5400/5700
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The Coolpix 5400 will not produce satisfactory photographs in flash mode with the Wide Angle Converter lens fitted because the lens blocks the cameras photocell sensor.
The lens also blocks the cameras inbuilt flash giving a shadow.
There is no obvious indication of this problem in the sales l..
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