Nikon D3

Manufacturer: Nikon
Type: Digital SLR camera
Year introduced: 2007 (announced August 2007)
Sensor: 12.1 megapixel FX (full-frame) CMOS
ISO range: 200-6400 (expandable to 25,600)
Continuous shooting: 9 fps (FX), 11 fps (DX crop)
AF system: Multi-CAM 3500FX, 51-point
Cards: Dual CompactFlash (Type I, UDMA compliant)
Body: Integrated vertical grip, magnesium alloy, weather sealed
Battery: EN-EL4a
Variants: D3x (24.5 MP, December 2008), D3s (12.1 MP + HD video, 2009)

Overview

The Nikon D3 was Nikon’s first full-frame (FX format) digital SLR, announced in August 2007 and representing a watershed moment for both Nikon’s product line and underwater photography. Its combination of a 12.1-megapixel full-frame sensor with groundbreaking high-ISO performance made it the first DSLR to make high-ISO underwater shooting practical, opening new creative possibilities in low-light environments such as temperate waters and deep dives (^[1]).

The D3 arrived at a time when underwater photographers were deeply engaged in the “DX vs FX” debate. Many had optimized their systems around Nikon’s DX-format cameras (D2X, D200, later D300), and the full-frame sensor introduced both advantages and trade-offs for underwater use. The debate was sufficiently important that Borut Furlan published a systematic comparative test on Wetpixel in March 2011, using the D3 and D2X — both 12-megapixel cameras chosen to isolate the effect of sensor size from resolution differences — with identical dome ports to prove scientifically whether DX or FX produced better image quality behind underwater optics (^[2]).

Alex Mustard’s Field Review

Alex Mustard published an extensive three-part underwater field review of the Nikon D3 on Wetpixel in September 2008, based on over 35 hours of underwater shooting in British Columbia (Port Hardy), California (San Diego), and Mexico (Guadalupe Island). He used a Subal ND3 housing loaned by Ryan Canon of Reef Photo Video and a D3 body borrowed from fellow Wetpixel moderator Craig Jones (^[3]).

Mustard was notable for his objectivity — he emphasized that he neither owned nor sold any of the tested equipment, making the review independent of commercial interests (^[4]).

Macro Findings

Mustard tested three macro lenses on FX: the Nikon 60mm AF-D, 105mm AFS VR, and Sigma 150mm F2.8 macro. Key findings:

• The 60mm returned to its original full-frame field of view, but was less versatile on FX than on DX — nudibranch-sized subjects fell on the wrong side of useful magnification (^[5])
• The 105mm VR became the all-rounder on FX, particularly when paired with a 5T diopter to shorten minimum focus distance (^[6])
• The Sigma 150mm with Canon 500D diopter, championed by James Wiseman, became a mainstream lens on FX rather than a niche tool, giving equivalent field of view to a 105mm on DX (^[7])
• All three lenses were “highly useful” on FX, unlike on DX where the 150mm could be left at home (^[8])

Wide-Angle Findings

• The Sigma 15mm fisheye performed well on FX, preferred over the aging Nikon 16mm for its closer focus and sharper results (^[9])
• The Nikon 17-35mm with diopter was tested behind a dome port, but FX exacerbated corner sharpness challenges with rectilinear lenses due to narrower depth of field and more acute light angles on the larger sensor (^[10])
• Mustard noted that DX shooters with the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye zoom had significant advantages in wide-angle versatility, a key argument for some photographers to remain on DX (^[11])

High-ISO Performance

The D3’s high-ISO capability was its most transformative feature for underwater photography. Mustard specifically planned to test it in the “dark temperate waters of British Columbia” and found the ability to shoot at ISO 800 and above opened creative possibilities previously impossible with strobe-lit underwater photography (^[12]).

Conclusions

Mustard described the D3 as “hard to resist once you try it” but noted that objectively, DX cameras like the D2X still held advantages in some underwater scenarios, particularly wide angle with the Tokina fisheye zoom. His balanced assessment became one of the definitive resources for the FX vs DX debate in the underwater photography community (^[13], ^[14]).

The DX vs FX Debate

The D3 sparked one of the most significant debates in underwater photography gear history. Borut Furlan’s 2011 Wetpixel article “DX or FX?” provided the most rigorous experimental comparison, using the D3 and D2X — both 12-megapixel cameras — to isolate sensor size effects. He conducted tests with:

• Macro: AF-S Nikkor 105mm f/2.8 VR behind flat ports, comparing depth of field and diffraction effects at identical reproduction ratios
• Wide-angle fisheye: Nikon 16mm f/2.8 (FX) vs AF Nikkor 10.5mm f/2.8DX behind identical Seacam dome ports
• Wide-angle zoom: Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR (FX) vs AF-S Nikkor 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5DX behind the same modified Seacam “Superdome”

Furlan used identical dome ports (same curvature radius) for both cameras to ensure valid comparisons — the dome port radius being the critical factor in underwater wide-angle optical quality. He tested in both swimming pools and open sea, with Seacam housings and Seacam strobes (^[15]).

Housing Availability

Housing manufacturers raced to support the D3 after its announcement. Berkley White of Backscatter obtained a pre-production D3 and tested it in existing D2X housings, finding that the D3’s larger body would require newly designed housings from all manufacturers (^[16]). Wetpixel member Liz Hanks compiled a comprehensive housing compatibility list detailing features, prices, and availability across manufacturers (^[17]).

Aquatica

Aquatica released the AD3 housing with built-in Live View access, built-in remote control capability, port locking mechanism, and compatibility with their existing bayonet port system (including the new Nikkor 14-24mm lens). Machined from a single aluminum block, depth rated to 300 feet / 90 meters (^[18]). Aquatica later redesigned the housing in October 2010 with 20% weight reduction and relocated video controls to support the D3s and D3x — the new back plate was retrofittable to existing D3 housings, and the redesigned housing could accept all three D3-series cameras (^[19]).

Subal

Subal produced the ND3 housing, used by Alex Mustard for his field review. Announced at DEMA 2007, it became one of the most widely used high-end D3 housings (^[20], ^[21]). Subal also showed their D3 housing at DEMA 2008 alongside other product lines (^[22]).

Sea & Sea

Sea & Sea announced the MDX-D3 housing in August 2007, scheduled for Spring 2008 delivery alongside Canon 40D and Nikon D300 housings. Sea & Sea planned to debut the housing at DEMA 2007 (^[23], ^[24]).

Seacam

Seacam showed their D3 housing at DEMA 2008. Seacam housings were used by Borut Furlan for his DX vs FX comparative testing (^[25], ^[26]).

Nexus

Some users successfully modified existing Nexus D2X housings to accept the D3, though this was not officially supported (^[27]).

D3x Compatibility

When the Nikon D3x (24.5 MP, December 2008) was released, Berkley White tested fit in existing D3 housings at Backscatter and confirmed that the D3x fit in Subal and Sea & Sea housings, with Aquatica expected to be compatible as well — the body mold line remained the same. This was a relief for D3 housing owners considering the resolution upgrade (^[28]).

D3s Complications

The D3s (2009) added HD video capability and even more impressive high-ISO performance than the original D3, but its slightly different body layout caused compatibility problems with existing D3/D3x housings. DivePhotoGuide published an article documenting the frustrations of upgrading (^[29]).

Aquatica responded by designing an entirely new housing that could accept all three D3-series cameras (D3, D3x, D3s), with the new back plate retrofittable to existing D3 housings. The redesigned housing achieved a 20% weight reduction and relocated video controls for the D3s’s HD video capability (^[30]).

Notable Underwater Use

The D3 was used by some of the most prominent underwater photographers of the era. David Doubilet and Hal Silverman used a Nikon D3 to complete a composite image of U-352, a German submarine wreck, demonstrating the camera’s capability for technical underwater projects (^[31]).

The D3 also appeared at Photokina 2008, where it was shown alongside the wider range of Nikon professional equipment in the context of the growing digital SLR market (^[32]).

Legacy

The Nikon D3 established full-frame as a viable and desirable format for professional underwater photography. Its high-ISO capabilities demonstrated that clean images at ISO 800-1600 could enable new types of ambient-light underwater shooting that were previously impossible. The camera fundamentally changed the calculus of the DX vs FX debate, and while DX retained advantages in specific underwater scenarios (particularly wide-angle versatility with the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye zoom), full-frame gradually became the dominant format for professional underwater work.

The D3 was eventually succeeded by the Nikon D4 (announced January 2012), which continued the professional flagship line (^[33]). The D3 line is also significant as a reference point for the later Nikon D700, which brought full-frame to a smaller, more affordable body later in 2008, and the Nikon D3200 which brought high resolution to the consumer market.

Timeline

• 2007-08: Nikon announces the D3, its first full-frame DSLR; Sea & Sea announces MDX-D3 housing for Spring 2008 delivery (^[34])
• 2007-09: Berkley White tests pre-production D3 in existing D2X housings at Backscatter, confirming new housings would be needed (^[35])
• 2007-10: Sea & Sea shows MDX-D3 housing prototype at DEMA; Subal announces ND3 housing plans (^[36], ^[37])
• 2008-02: Aquatica releases details and photos of AD3 housing, machined from single aluminum block, depth rated to 300 feet (^[38])
• 2008-03: Liz Hanks compiles comprehensive Nikon D3 underwater housing compatibility list (^[39])
• 2008-09: Alex Mustard publishes three-part field review on Wetpixel after 35+ hours underwater with the D3 in British Columbia, California, and Mexico (^[40])
• 2008-10: Seacam shows D3 housing at DEMA 2008; Subal shows ND3 at same event (^[41], ^[42])
• 2008-12: Berkley White confirms D3x (24.5 MP) fits in existing Subal and Sea & Sea D3 housings (^[43])
• 2010-01: D3s housing compatibility issues documented; DivePhotoGuide covers upgrader frustrations (^[44])
• 2010-10: Aquatica releases redesigned D3-series housing with 20% weight reduction, supporting D3/D3x/D3s; new back plate retrofittable to existing housings (^[45])
• 2011-03: Borut Furlan publishes “DX or FX?” on Wetpixel, using D3 and D2X for systematic comparative testing (^[46])
• 2011-06: David Doubilet and Hal Silverman use Nikon D3 for composite image of U-352 wreck (^[47])
• 2012-01: Nikon announces D4 successor (^[48])