I am test driving a D3 for a couple of weeks and will post some reactions and images as they show up.  First reaction though was surprise at the size of the camera, particularly with the 24-70 lens on it.  Overall it was about 50% larger than my SWC.  The camera has a very high KPD factor (Knobs per Dollar) requiring 45 minutes to tweak the camera into submission before making the first exposure.  Why are there so many buttons?  I shot this past week with my SWC and with only one button still was able to make pictures.  Go figure.

After shooting for two weeks and before I worked with a file; some comments.  The D3 is still big.  And heavy.  I made it a bit smaller by using a Zeiss 25/2.8 Distagon.  I decided I do not need autofocus but aperture prioity is a good thing.  Te D3 is simply too much camera for the way I work.  Having said that and hearing that Nikon has announced a D700 which is a bit smaller, same sensor and having some fewer bells and whistles and  $2000 less this may be getting closer to the answer.

I shot 6GB with the D3 and found it to be reiable and easy to use once you were ready to use it.  There are still about 50 menues I haven’t touched and won’t.  Why don’t camera manufacturers get it?

I’ll add to this as things develop.  Pun intended.

One of the great places to take and give a workshop is Jackson, WY. The place is terrific, the people (Jon Stuart and Thomas Stimpson) are terrific, and the ghosts of William Henry Jackson and Ansel Adams are felt everywhere. Making new pictures is the hard part, but with excellent weather, great skies, it is worth the effort.

The workshop is “Photographiing the Contemporary Landscape” and runs July 21-25.

Jackson Hole is a place of immense photographic opportunity. From the Tetons to the county fair, from moose and bear to wildlife of another sort, we will investigate how the natural landscape and the social landscape collide to offer up grand photographic possibilities. Students will discover their vision of the American West. There will be daily lectures, critiques and shooting trips in the area and beyond in search of the photographic holy grail. Bring your cameras and plenty of enthusiasm for a week of looking, seeing and picture making. The emphasis is on having a great time in a great place.

Jackson Hole Art Association.