Rated 
Master of the NIGHT!! A paradigm shift in photography!!
Incredible high ISO image capability. Full frame! VERY high res. Great DR.
HUGE...no popup flash. DX mode is less than desirable. AF grid of FX mode does not extend out far enough.
Posted Mar 6, 2008 - In 20+ years of shooting SLRs...and owning well over a dozen film and digital bodes...this is the most incredible camera upgrade ever. I upgraded and currently own a Nikon D2h, D200 and D40. I was very hesitatant in spending the money for such an expensive camera when cameras are being replaced so quickly with new models. But I have ZERO buyers remorse with this camera because of such a significant improvement in other models. Nikon will come out with some thing better. And there are problems with this camera. Such as the DX mode is less than desirable. It is common knowledge about the drop in resoution to shoot in DX mode...but it is also frustrating because you can still see the surrounding area. So, even if I wanted to shoot at HALF resolution with a DX lens, I don't like the framing. If you are upgrading from a DX body...you can pretty much count on your lenses needing to be replaced. Even if you had FX lenses (a new term for older lenses that were for film), they may need replacing. The venerable 28-70 was a perfect portrait and wedding lens on a DX DLSR...is too short on this camera. The battery last for ever. The form factor is very well thought out...except for the metering mode switch. For the life of me...can't figure out why they changed that little item. Despite the great design...it is too large...larger than even the D2h (which is a LARGE camera). But it is smooth. The two extra cards slots is REALLY nice...nicer than I thought. I use two cards all the time. When shooting REALLY important stuff...the camera writes to both cards at the same time. In super important shoots, when I am done, I take one card and put it in my pocket...JUST in case something happens to the camera before I can get home, etc. Even for casual shooting, I keep two cards in...that way, when I am done shooting for the day, I will remove one card...and the other card is ready to roll. I know the lack of a popup flash should be listed as a weakness...but despite being a professional level camera...it would still be nice. It can't hurt to ask, can it? Really though, the high iso ability of this camera is simly remarkable. A TRUE shift in photography rules. I teach HS photography...and I am speechless when it comes to preparing the students for what they are going to be able to do with cameras one day (at consumer cameras). If Nikon can accomplish this today...what will they all be able to do in another 2 years??? If you are new to photography...you won't quite get what I am talking about. But if you have been around for any length of time...you KNOW that 100 is better than 400. And you don't shoot 400 unless you just had to. Recent camera models have seen improvements...allowing you to shoot pictures at 800 with pretty good quality. But this camera shoots 800 like the D200 shoots 100! It shoots 3200 like the D200 shot 800. 4000 ISO is completely useful. And I have NO problem shooting stuff at 6400 when noise is understandable, like sports. Bottom line...if you CAN get this camera...get it...the next two years of your photography will be the most rewarding ever. I have never been a big fan of the comment that a camera doesn't make the photo. I can get good image from a P&S Canon A85...but this camera makes it so much easier. And, this camera literally makes possible shots otherwise impossible.
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