Name: Used Nikon D3 12.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body undefined
Brand: Nikon
SKU: US1753828
Price: 409.00 USD
Availability: Discontinued
Rating: 4.85 (47 reviews)

Nikon D3 12.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body

Nikon

Adorama

Used

Photography

Cameras

Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon D3 12.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Came...

Buy: Used Nikon D3 12.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body undefined

Nikon D3 Professional digital imaging without compromise. A Nikon-original 12.1- megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor, teamed with exclusive Nikon EXPEED digital image processing technology, faithfully captures incredible edge-to-edge sharpness, rich color depth and broad tonal range for astounding image superiority.  Extraordinary image quality, combined with continuous shooting at up to 9 frames-per- second and low-noise performance at up to ISO 6400, results in unparalleled pro D-SLR versatility. A fast and accurate 51-area AF system becomes even more intelligent with Nikon's exclusive Scene Recognition System. The SRS now obtains additional data from Nikon's famous 1,005-pixel RGB 3D Color Matrix Metering II, assuring even more accurate exposures and white balance detection.  Precise image review and menu access comes to life with the D3's bright, tempered glass-protected, wideangle, 3-inch, 920,000-dot VGA TFT LCD monitor.  Add a rugged self-diagnostic shutter, tested to a market-leading 300,000 cycles, housed in a magnesium alloy chassis that is comprehensively sealed against dust and moisture, and the D3 becomes yet another example of legendary Nikon durability, all adding up to uncompromised professional digital imaging.

Used Nikon D3 12.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body undefined

First things first. I've been an avid Nikon user since 1978. My first don't laugh was a brand new EM with a 50 1.8 Series E . Had to put on layaway at local camera store and pay while I worked at Kmart across the street. Than moved on to FE,F2,F3 while buying up 50 1.4. ,20 1.4,105 1.8,180 2.8, 300 2.8 BY MID 80'S. Yeah I wasn't at Kmart anymore. Then had kids and lost time and drive. Never was a snapshot kinda shooter. Live music, landscape, nature , sporting events are my love. Have never done this for living but did do about a dozen weddings for friends who couldn't afford pro's and all loved the fact a friend who really knew them would do all this for the cost of film and paper. After a house fire in 09 burned all my pictures and negatives ie never digitized what a waste . I got a D50 then 70,90,200,300,300s,3100,7000 in dx. Then got a D700,then 600 which My son now has with less than 18,000snaps. It is nice with grip but just didn't feel right in my hands. Now this is the camera I deserve. I love this this camera bought from pro so its worn and a lil rough but has new shutter and is perfect. Best thing is I still have all my Ai and Ai-s lenses and they work great on here . I hope to pick up a DF someday just cause I love the way they look and are laid out, but until then no more changes!!!!!

Great Pro body

The Nikon D3 camera body is as well constructed and reliable as any Nikon DSLR to date. With a full frame sensor of 12 megapixels, I have enlarged images to 24" x 36" with virtually no loss in resolution, as is the case of the photo below of an African Lion.

Excellent Professional Camera Still Relevant Today

I've owned, used and abused a Nikon D50, D5000, D90, and rented several FX bodies for events I have covered. I have loved them all. I am a loyal Nikon customer. Each step in my progression has been great. I've been wanting an FX, and have read so many reviews...it would make your head spin. Reason I went with the D3: It fits what I need to shoot. I photograph events including fast moving education and sporting events. The focal points in the focus system just works. The 9fps (more if in smaller jpg mode) is simply amazing allowing me to capture the action with no problems. It feels great in my man-hands. Some of my former crop bodies (D50 and D5000) felt too small and I could feel that in my fingers after a long day of shooting. The D3 is producing professional results my clients have come to expect...as Charlton said, "from my cold, dead hands" will you ever get this D3...ok, maybe if you wanted to trade for a D4...

The climax of my photography experience

Love this camera

I bought the D3 as an upgrade from the D700. I use it to take pictures of my kids playing high school-level sports indoors. What a difference from the D700! Pictures are sharper, and even in low light the action is frozen perfectly.  Effordless multiple shooting (takes a while to get used to, the trigger is very sensitive). Just make sure you have a decent lens (like Nikon 80-200 2.8). The same camera and lens used by the local newspaper guy!

Great camera, worth the price

I could not have asked for a better exerience.  Customer service is tops at Adorama!  I can buy used and know that what I am getting is quality equipment.  I have wanted this Nikon for a long time, and it was at a price I couldn't pass up.  I will have this camera for a long,long time!  Thanks Adorama for making dreams come true!

GReat camera! Great service!

I've owned the D3 (seems like forever?). Love springs eternally. Noise upon shutter release has not affected my results. I'm far away with the appropriate lens. I shoot fast action sports and environmental portraits. Feels as though the camera were made for my hands. We make a great team. Has a fantastically solid feel. The camera is the star of shooters at my sporting events. Have used in all sorts of non-perfect weather with outstanding results. I utilize many Nikon interchangeable lenses, very smoothly performed. If you know where the peak action spot is, and you focus there, you'll never miss it with this baby. The system also tracks action very well for me. Richard.

I've got the Reining champion of 35 mm cameras; the D3!

I use this camera in my sports work and found it to be in above average condition for a used D3.

Used Nikon D3

I have owned several Nikon cameras and recently upgraded to the D3.  This camera is amazingly fast and the image quality is excellent.

Awesome camera

I have had my D3 now for a little more than a month and it has exceeded every expectation I ever had. My primary reason for adding this camera was to experience the FX format. The sharpness of the pictures, the high ISO range that is available, and the high frames per second make this an excellent camera for shooting fast action sporting events and young children. My D3 and D300 make an excellent team with a wide range of capabilities.

Sharpness Redefined

This is my all-round camera. I love the night photography results! My best camera yet :-)

Great camera. Love it.

- This DSLR is superb. I got mine in South Korea, though it was only 1422 times shutter counted. Still it is amazing. No scratch at all. - My 'gunners' friends were trembling staring at my 'godzilla' D3. Hahaha. - Simply matched with brand new AF-S 24-70 Nano tech. - Thanks Nikon.

Got a full speed ahead flank

Having been a Nikon shooter for decades now I have to admit that EVERY camera Nikon comes out with is to me the "best". I never thought anything could touch the D2X, I feel that way about the D3....but now realize that when the D4 is announced it will surpass all others. Great company...the BEST cameras!

This camera is flawless !

I'm a pro, here's my list of pros/cons

Pros: Best low light performance, but in terms of image quality and focus speed. I shoot 3200 frequently and am never bothered by the results. This quality opens a whole new world. Build is solid and ergonomic. The menu system is excellent (I've used competitor's quite a bit). Battery is great.

Cons: What's the point of low light shooting if you don't have some form of AF assist to grab correct focus? (it's missing) I've had a few issues where a 1/2 depressed lens release button 'releases' the lens. I like the dual CF card slot and was excited to use the mirroring mode, but found that the 2nd card doesn't actually mirror. When you delete a file off the primary card, it is not deleted off the 2nd card.

Overall, I love this camera. The DNR is average to good. My wish for the newer flagship models to have better dynamic range through sensor design not just better ADC chips. I also hope that Nikon builds in wireless RADIO TTL for Speedlight control. I also wish they'd add crosshatch AF assist to the body for quick, low-light focusing without a Speedlight attached. I do like the video mode trend and am looking forward to 1080p60 or even 120. My dream is a 3/4/5k raw format video mode so I can pull stills from the video stream ready for high-res printing.

D3 is king

The best camera ever made, can't wait for Nikon to come out with something next

This Nikon body was the first entry into the FX sensor, and it was definitely worth the wait. Here is a snippet of an article I wrote on it:

What I like about the D3:

FX full frame sensor that equates with returning the original angle of view to my wide-angle lenses. Image quality. Oh, yeah. Nikon metering and autofocus is terrific. The D3 will mount almost any Nikon lens made in the last 25 years. Nikon flash technology is years ahead of Canon in my opinion. Excellent battery life, and the batteries from my D2X and D3X interchange. Comfortable ergonomics. Controls (mostly) positioned where I expect them to be. Most shoots I do don’t require me to delve into the menus.

Worth the wait

years ago, I used a 4 x 5 view, a Weston meter and a black cloth, not to mention loading and unloading film holders every night- but that was very long ago Now as a limited pro photog. I own this incredible D3, of one of the finest cameras ever made. Almost just frame, point and shoot - yes there are settings to be concerned with, however this marvelous piece of technology does so very much for the holder. NIKON D3-none finer!!

No more deep thought

I do a variety of work ranging from fast paced event/ working /sports subjects to landscapes and products. Shooting environments range from in a studio to out into remote areas in all sorts of weather including heavy snow and rain. Through all of this the D3 works marvelously.

Continuous shutter and AF speeds make it a perfect sports body.

Its FX sensor's high ISO performance make it perfect for shooting weddings or other low, available light only.

12 megapixels gives you enough resolution to shoot commercially with it as well.

Ergonomics are fantastic. Adjustments can be made without leaving the viewfinder and your hands won't hurt from holding it all day.

Because it uses the Nikon F-mount you have access to a vast amount of lenses to meet any of your needs.

All of these qualities make it, the updated D3s, and the D700 the most versatile camera bodies on the market.

Excellent, Versatile Camera Body

The D3 is superior in quality to many newer competitors models offering higher mega-pixel counts.

Works consistantly, very dependable, a real workhorse! Easy to navigate, accessories work reliably, As a professional it makes perfect economic sense to depend on the best.

A real workhorse

Great camera, BUT.....On my D3, the shutter is so loud and clunky that it cannot be used in many situations because it is too disruptive. My D300 is quieter, but both are much louder than comparable Canon DSLR's. PLEASE fix this! I cannot be the only one with this issue.

Shutter too loud!!

I had to buy another D3 just for the speed shutter. I did not need a video camera.This is a fantastic camera. I will do anything you set it to do.Great Great shooter....I now own 2 D3 cameras with a D700 and a D200. Also a Nikkor 800mm,24-70 nikkor-70-200 lense-300mm manual focus lense-Nikon 2x entender-14-24 lense all f2.8 and a Mb10 power pack for the D700. What a perfect set of cameeras to shoot anything i want...Happy Camper. Alaska is my June trip ths year....

Speed shooter

Got this camera as a x-mas gift. It is an awesome camera, easy to use, great built-in features & great for a first time user. I highly recommend this camera for a beginner or a pro.

For its quality of image, its high ISO capacity, its protection against dust (except sensor) and water, the possibility to use a micro-Nikkor I bought in 1973, the D3 is the best Nikon I have ever owned. I have had and used Nikons cameras since 1973 (including the whole Fn range except for the F6), this is the camera that feels and performs the best wherever I go, from tropical rainforest to extreme cold, sports or photojournalistic photography to landscape... Its huge versatility makes it a formidable asset for the dedicated photographer.

Hoping for the next model to include a slightly higher pixel count (without curtailing the ISO/lack of noise capacity of the D3) and a sensor-cleaning possibility that does not require having to send the camera back to Nikon (for safety).

Thank you again Nikon!

D3, the best Nikon I have ever owned

Full frame with huge pixels makes this camera the perfect companion to my F6. My digital assignments don't require huge files, this is why the D3 works great for those projects that need fast turnaround. The 8.4 pixel pitch means no diffraction and loss of image quality at f16.0. I make 24" x 36" prints with beautiful details and color. Will I upgrade to the D3x? At this time I don't need that much in a digital body, but I do know the pixel pitch is 5.9 and I would still be able to maximize depth of field if I wanted to step up to 24mp. This picture was taken with an old 1980's era Nikkor lens, the 28 f3.5 at f16.0 and is one of my biggest sellers.

The perfect digital solution

I am an international paparazzi and I use this camera as my backup in my bag along with using it in tight spaces such as clubs and other high security ares because bouncers do not like large equipment. The features that this camera allows to be added onto it is astounding that such a little camera can do such great things with lenses flashes and other add on technologies.

Great add ons

I was one of the first people to get my hands on this camera when it came out. Imagine my disappointment when the thing just wouldn't lock focus indoors. Very quickly, I found out that most of my colleagues who bought this camera have the same problem. I also discovered that both the D700 and the D300 have the same issues. Less then a year later, two shutter blades broke off with less then 25,000 actuations on the shutter and the rubber grip started pealing off. Nikon would not honor the warranty and charged me $375 to replace the shutter claiming that the famous 350,000 shatter actuations is only an estimate, but they corrected the focusing problem a bit. It is still not nearly as fast as my D2XS in focusing department, but the image, once you get it is superior to all other brands. Overall, I'm disappointed that a $5000+ camera has this many problems and that Nikon does not stand behind its product.

Has issues.

We own 4 of the Nikon D3! We use them day in and day out for our Wedding Photography and Portrait Business and they always perfom great! All of the important controls, (ISO, White Balance, Flash Controls, High Speed Mode, Custom Function) are all easily accessable and intuitive to find and use. The 3" Screen cannot be underestimated, I originally saw it as a somewhat silly upgrade, but it has made a huge difference in conveying to us what we are capturing while we are shooting! Once you use these LCD's you cannot go back to anything else! The color is vibrant, accurate and sharp. You can easily and accurately determine correct focus and depth of field due to the high level of detail that these exception LCD's offer. The images are clear and crisp beyond belief! And don't let the "mere" 12mp fool you! The high level of quality that comes from the sensor and processor makes this camera perform well above what you would expect from 12mp! We regularly print crystal clear, beautiful 20x30 inch metallic prints without ANY worry of resolution! Resolution is more than adequate. We regularly shoot at 3200 ISO and below and the images are very usable, even for our high end wedding clients. I use 1600 ISO without even thinking twice and get wonderful images where often the noise in the image cannot even be seen. I love the Vivid Mode on these Cameras and I often use Custom Sepia Tones and Black and White Mode and they work quite well. The autofocus is spot on, even when shooting very dimly lit wedding receptions! I love the second shutter button on these cameras too! I very frequently shoot using the vertical grip and find a huge advantage in comfort, (which makes a big difference shooting a 10 hour wedding day), stabililty and intuitive control of the camera. I could go on and on about this camera, it really is awesome!

Wow! Awesome Camera!

The D3 is never not hanging on my shoulder. I am street photographer and this baby performs! She has never let me down. My only complaint is some of the rubber padding is separating looks bad but she stills performs.

Work Horse

The D3 changed everything for me as a wedding and portrait photographer. Amazing speed and low light capabilities. The best investment I have ever made!

Changed the Photography World

I usually wait for a year before purchasing a new release, but when I read about this model I new it was going to be the one time I purchased right away. I received mine shortly after it was out and I have not been sorry. This camera has impressed me in every way possible, from its high frame rate, its incredible exposure and color accuracy, to its clean high ISO settings. I am fussy about my photographs, and this camera makes me look even better. The files print well, and enlargements are most impressive. The camera is shaped well, and very comfortable to hold and shoot. The controls are well placed. The user interface is quick and easy to move through and when I am working, I find myself mindlessly making changes to my camera, allowing me to concentrate on my subject.

I have had the D1 line, the D2 line, and this camera is light years beyond them.