Nikon D2HNikon introduces an 8 frame/second speed demon, with WiFi connectivity and an amazing new flash system to boot!<<Intro and Highlights :(Previous) | (Next): Design>> Page 2:Executive OverviewReview First Posted: 12/18/2003 |
Executive Overview
The Nikon D2H is the next generation in the line of digital SLR
bodies that have proven so popular among pros and advanced amateurs alike.
The D2H offers a 4.1-megapixel CCD, interchangeable lens system, and a handful
of updated features, in addition to the excellent exposure features enjoyed
on previous models like the D1x and D1h. With the same familiar, F5-inspired
body design, the D2H offers the look and feel that film-based pros are accustomed
to, and is quick to get to know, with an improved user interface as well.
One of the most interesting features on the D2H is its wireless capability.
With the optional wireless transmitter accessory attached, you can send images
directly from the camera to a computer without messing around with cabling
or card readers.
The D2H continues with the standard Nikon F lens mount, which means that you can attach most of Nikon's 35mm lenses with no problem (great for current Nikon 35mm shooters who already have a full kit of lenses). With a weight of 2.5 pounds (1070 grams), the D2H has the heft I've come to associate with professional SLRs, but somehow manages to not feel bulky or awkward in the hand. A pro accustomed to shooting with Nikon's F5 bodies will find the D2H very comfortable and familiar. In exchange for the substantial heft though, the D2H's magnesium-alloy body provides an exceptionally rugged and rigid optical platform capable of absorbing unreasonable abuse without complaint. With both hot shoe and PC-style flash sync connections, the D2H will interface with most any flash equipment, whether in the field or studio.
The D2H's accurate TTL (through the lens) optical viewfinder means that you
have no need for the LCD panel as a viewfinder, a good thing, since the SLR
optics mean that the LCD can't be used as a "live" viewfinder anyway.
(By its nature, barring a "pellicle" mirror or beam splitter optics,
the very design of an SLR precludes a "live" LCD viewfinder.) In
addition to a dioptric adjustment dial and an internal shutter to prevent
stray light from affecting exposures when the camera is used on a tripod,
the viewfinder features a very detailed information display that reports
most of the camera's exposure settings and also shows a set of 11 autofocus
targets. A flexible autofocus system means that you can determine the type
of autofocus (single, continuous, or manual), designate how it's used (single
area, dynamic area, etc.) and even designate the location of the autofocus
target within the frame. A new autofocus mode, Group Dynamic Area, lets you
select a grouping of five AF points for the camera to base the exposure on,
providing slightly more flexibility that a standard spot AF point. Exposure-wise,
there are so many features on this camera that you'll have to read the entire
review to get them all. I'll just mention a few of the primary options here.
To begin, you have the option of working in Program AE, Aperture Priority,
Shutter Priority, or Manual exposure modes. Exposure settings are easily
changed by using a combination of control buttons and command dials, or through
the LCD menu system. The extensive Custom Settings menu provides access to
a huge range of camera settings, including how various elements of the user
interface itself work. For example, you can decide which command dial controls
the shutter speed or aperture, determine the EV step-size of exposure adjustments,
or set the range of ISO options available, among many others. With the D2H,
you have a broad exposure compensation range, with a variable adjustment
from -5 to +5 exposure equivalents (EV) in one-third step increments. (A
custom settings menu option also lets you set the EV compensation step size
to one-half or one EV unit.) The camera's improved white balance system also
has a lot of flexibility, with options for Auto, Incandescent, Fluorescent,
Direct Sunlight, Flash, Overcast, Shade, and Color Temperature (with a full
range of Kelvin temperature settings), all of which are adjustable from -3
to +3 (arbitrary units) in their intensity. A Preset white balance setting
serves as the manual adjustment, and the D2H can store up to five presets.
Three metering modes are available: Spot, Center-Weighted, and a very accurate
Color 3D Matrix metering option. ISO can be set anywhere from 200 to 1,600,
giving you excellent exposure flexibility. (Special "HI" modes
are available that extend the effective ISO to 3,200 or 6,400, albeit at
the cost of significantly increased image noise.) The auto bracketing feature
takes a series of exposures of the same subject at different exposure settings,
with the exposure step between shots being configurable via the settings
menu. (You can also bracket flash exposures and white balance settings.)
The camera's Continuous Shooting mode lets you capture up to 40 consecutive
images as quickly as eight frames per second, and here again, you can select
both the maximum number of shots as well as the frame rate. The camera's
flash sync mode menu lets you select when and how the external flash fires.
Choices include Front-Curtain Sync, Slow-Sync, Rear-Curtain Sync, Red-Eye
Reduction, and Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync. Because the D2H accommodates
a variety of Nikon's Speedlights, specific flash power and operation will
vary depending on the particular model you're using. Note that some options
such as red eye reduction are only available with Nikon flash units or others
conforming closely to the flash-interface protocols used by the D2H.
The 4.1-megapixel CCD delivers an image resolution of 2,464 x 1,632 pixels.
Image quality options include the usual Basic, Normal, and Fine but also
TIFF, and both compressed and uncompressed RAW formats. Image storage is
on CompactFlash Type I or II, and the D2H supports Microdrives for huge on-the-go
storage capacity. (Although semiconductor memory cards have now caught up
to the Microdrives in the capacity race.) The D2H utilizes a custom EN-EL4
lithium-ion battery pack for power and a charger is included in the box.
(While I generally strongly recommend purchasing a spare battery pack, the
D2H's battery life is pretty phenomenal: Unless you're a pro who's going
to shoot more than 1500-2000 images at a time, the single battery pack included
with the D2H should provide plenty of power.) A design plus I really appreciate
in a pro camera is that the battery pack and card slot are both accessible
from the sides of the camera, meaning that you don't have to dismount the
camera from the tripod to access either compartment.
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