Photography (Nikon)

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Price: $5,999.00
- Exposure Control - Programmed Auto with Flexible Program [P], Shutter-Priority Auto [S], Aperture-Priority Auto [A], Manual [M]
- Supplied Accessories - Type-B Focusing Screen, Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, Quick Charger MH-21, Body Cap, Camera Strap AN-D2Xs, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, USB Cable UC-E4, LCD Monitor Cover BM-3, Battery Chamber Cover BL-1, PictureProject software CD-ROM
- 2.5 LCD Screen
- Image Size - Full Image - [L] 4,288 x 2,848-pixel / [M] 3,216 x 2,136-pixel / [S] 2,144 x 1,424-pixel, High Speed Cropped Image - [L] 3,216 x 2,136-pixel / [M] 2,400 x 1,600-pixel / [S] 1,600 x 1,064-pixel
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Nikon's Image authentication system cracked AkihabaraNews
It is hard to underestimate the importance of photographic evidence in today’s world. Political, legal and business users rely on images captured with modern digital cameras to base important decisions. The credibility of such evidence thus becomes vital.
The Impact of Fake Photographic Evidence
Some of that evidence has been proven to be a fake. Manipulated images have been used to make false political statements in more than once case. ElcomSoft has published a brief abstract on some of the world’s most famous fakes that made impact on public opinion, resulted in terminated careers and loss of reputation.
Digital Image Authentication
Major manufacturers of photographic equipment including Canon and Nikon introduced image authentication systems aimed to streamline the validation of image originality and guarantee that the image appears exactly as captured. A secure digital signature is calculated for each capture immediately after a shot.
The Flaw in Nikon’s Implementation
Nikon’s implementation of image authentication has a major design weakness. ElcomSoft researchers discovered a flaw in the way the secure image signing key is being handled in camera. The vulnerability allowed the researchers to actually extract the original signing key from a Nikon camera. This, in turn, made it possible to produce manipulated images with a fully valid authentication signature. By using the signing key, ElcomSoft has prepared a set of hoax images that successfully pass validation with Nikon Image Authentication Software.
ElcomSoft is providing more information on image authentication background and technical implementation in the «Nikon Image Authentication System: Compromised» blog entry
Nikon’s Response
ElcomSoft made the issue known to Nikon and CERT as a trusted third party. At the time of this writing, ElcomSoft received no response from Nikon.
Affected Cameras
All past and current digital SLR cameras manufactured by Nikon and supporting Image Authentication are affected, including Nikon D3X, D3, D700, D300S, D300, D2Xs, D2X, D2Hs, and D200 digital SLRs.
Photography (Sima)

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Price: $0.99
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- Elastic loop wraps around lens barrel
- For SLR cameras with interchangeable lenses and video cameras
Read more about Sima Capkeeper 2 for SLRs and Digital SLRs
Opteka GPN-1 Geotag GPS & Shutter Release Cord for Nikon D3X, D3S, D3, D700, D300s, D300, D2x, D2XS, D2HS, D200, D90, D7000, D5000, D5100, & D3100...
Photography (Opteka)

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Price: $49.95
You Save: $99.05 (66%)
- Works on the Nikon D3X, D3S, D3, D700, D300S, D300, D2x, D2XS, D2HS, D200, D90, D7000, D5000, D5100, & D3100
- Powered by your camera. No batteries required
- Bonus remote cord (included) plugs right into the GPN-1 and allows the shutter to be released from a distance.
- Geotags your images with valuable information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and time information
Read more about Opteka GPN-1 Geotag GPS & Shutter Release Cord for Nikon D3X, D3S, D3, D700, D300s, D300, D2x, D2XS, D2HS, D200, D90, D7000, D5000, D5100, & D3100...
Nikon D2X - D1 - D80 compared
Comparing Nikon D2X - D1 - D80 Mostly just testing the shutter speed (FPS) Nikon D80 = 3 FPS Nikon D1 = 5 FPS Nikon D2x = 8 FPS* * High speed crop

Should I get a new D300 or a used D2xs? Give up some pixels for more robust chassis quality?
I love the robust D2xs but like the extra-megapixels of the D300. The two mentioned nikons are currently about the same price.
I am hard on cameras. Sand and snow mostly. Any thought on these two choice specifically?
If you are taking happy snaps then the D300, if you need speed the D2x. Both are fine cameras.
EDIT: Though the frame rate is advertised higher, the D2Xs will deliver the 5 frames in any shooting mode, 17 RAW, 22 Best quality JPEG's or both. The D300 only advertising 8fps w/ batt pack, in P S or Metered manual, JPEG. Interesting that Nikon's official website doesn't specify the RAW burst capacity.
Not disagreeing, just looked it up out of curiosity.
Personally, I think there are WAY too many features in the D300 to overlook, even though the D2xs is probably still supposed to be "upline" from the D300. I am finding that they are both 12 MP, by the way.
I would not be a huge fan of the live view, but I think it would come in handy for macro or a high-mounted tripod shot.
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Why do people say that you have to give up speed with the D300? It shoots at 6 fps on battery or 8 fps on AC. The D2Sx "only" shoots at 5 fps. It will go to 8 fps if you use a cropped image (6.8 MP image). This is almost a wash as far as I can see. Besides, how much difference is this, really???
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That's 6 fps on the regular D300 battery - not the battery pack. 8 fps with the battery pack or AC power.
What is the ultimate D2Xs system if it is to be the last camera system purchased?
I'm not a pro but don't want to be held back by the camera system and technology creep as I expect to shoot better pictures over time. I plan to go with the D2Xs over a D80 because the D2Xs's current technology should be sufficient for a long time. Since the D2Xs is standard, my question is really about lenses and total cost of the system. I can spend $5,000 to $7,000 for camera and lenses.
I think I need about four lenses; a micro, wideangle, mid range (28-55-85MM) and telephoto (200 or 300MM). Most pictures will be taken while "putzing" around and will include walkaround, landscape, portrait, wildlife and closeups of flowers, etc. What are the best value lenses in the focal lengths I need? Long-focal-length lenses I want stablized.
Thanks!!
The D2Xs is Nikon's top of the line model. The body itself costs $4250. For the lenses you say you want, add another...
$400 or $740 for the 60mm or 105mm micro
$1200 for the Nikon 17-55 f/2.8
$1600 for the Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 (stabilized)
and maybe another $900 for the Nikon 12-24mm.
Do you want a flash and tripod with that? Add another $310 for an SB800 flash and perhaps $700 to $1500 for a quality tripod (I've been drooling over a Gitzo + Arca-Swiss combination myself.)
Add another $400 to $800 for some 2GB SanDisk Extreme lV memory cards, perhaps a protective B+W UV MRC filter for each lens, a circular polarizer (a 77mm thread will fit both the 17-55 and the 70-200 lens), a spare battery for the camera, spare batteries for the flash if you get one, and a nice carrying case.
Top that all off with Photoshop CS3. That's $650 for the program itself and a few hundred more if you buy some plug-ins. If you plan on bulk-processing, also consider Nikon Capture or Capture One.
That list adds up to about $8.000 without the extra options and software, to over $20.000 for the full package.
Between the D80 and the D2Xs, Nikon has the D200 for 'just' $1340. The D200 offers a metal body, 5 frames per second, 11 auto-focus points... it's a very nice camera. Then either add the lenses I mentioned above, or take your lens selection down a notch as well.
I use the D200 with the 17-55mm f/2.8. This is an awesome combination, but it's pretty heavy and conspicuous for 'putzing around'. The D200 is used by plenty of professionals, so I doubt it'll hold you back (unless you really need 8 frames per second). By the time you outgrow it, upgrade to whatever replaces the D2Xs.
I'd also skip the 12-24mm zoom to begin with (although it is a great lens for landscapes), the expensive tripod (there are plenty of options for under $200), and one or two other items. It's easy enough to assemble a professional setup for under $7000... but you can't get the top of the line versions of the entire Nikon catalog.
I also use the D200 and 17-55 combo and think it's great. I "go to" the 17-55 when I am "serious" or doing more critical work, but usually have the infamous 18-200 VR lens on my D200 so it's ready at all times. I use the 60 mm macro lens, but recommend the 105 mm VR macro. I have two "cheap" Nikon lenses on my wish list right now. fhotoace's favorite 24-85 and Nikon's new 70-300 VR lens. Both are very well reviewed and both cost about $1,000 less than Nikon's ultra-pro level lenses.
I defer to OMG's list for accessories and I'd take his advice on anything.
And I have some bad news for you. I'm 56 years old and I'm starting to look at major purchases as "the one that will last for the rest of my life." Haha - that's not YOUR bad news, though. The bad news is that I doubt ANY electronic device will be the "last one" you buy. Either it will ultimately fail or you will so fascinated by a newer and "better" version of what you already have that you will just need to buy a new one. At $4,500 it will be very painful to replace the D2Xs. You can have three D200's for that money. Get a D200 and then do not hold back on buying lenses.
What is Nikon Going to do with all the Old D2Xs Cameras?
The Nikon D2Xs is not that old, but as far as I know, it's $5,000. The Nikon D3 is $5,000 as well. Will the price drop on the D2Xs, maybe to $4,000 or even $3,000? Or will Nikon just get rid of it alltogether?
The D3 is $5,000 .. the D2x is now $4,300 and the price is falling. There are not very many D2x cameras left in their inventory, so they will be all gone before long.
I have never seen Nikon or any other camera company put old cameras in the dust bin, but they will clear them out at good prices. My guess is they will eventually price them at about the same price as the D300.
My next camera is going to be a D3, although the "Live View" isn't necessary for my style of photography
Not.
I'm looking between either the Nikon D200 or the Nikon D2Xs for a step up, any sugestions or comments?
I'm currently running on film, and am kinda sold on either Nikon or Cannon since Minolta bailed out of the photo business.
I would certainly defer to fhotoace's recommendation as he is a working professional. Please consider this just some "enhancement" to his answer.
The high end D2Xs sells for over $4,000 for the body alone. This is a 4-to-5 pound monster by the time you get a decent lens on it, but it is a real workhorse with features that a pro journalist would value. In the continuous shooting mode, it will take from 5-to-8 images per second, depending on image size. The shutter has been tested to "well over 150,000 cycles." The autofocus is extremely fast and works in extremely low light.
The Nikon D200 is an excellent camera that will probably stand up to the demands of professional journalism. It is somewhat lighter than the D2Xs and it is 10.2 MP instead of 12.1 MP, but its performance numbers are similar with 5 frames per second in continuous mode. The autofocus is not quite as quick as the D2Xs, but it blazes compared to most "mere mortal" DSLR's out there. The D200 has weather and dust seals which are lacking on most lesser cameras. While it is not an underwater camera, you can use it with less fear of damage to the camera in some "real world" situations.
I can't provide a direct link to B&H Photo on Yahoo! without getting into trouble, but if you go there and search for these cameras, you will find critical user reviews for each model. You probably know where they are, but you can locate that through the camera section of Yahoo! Shopping if you don't. There are 10 for the D2Xs and over 80 for the D200. I suggest you read these reviews (or many of them anyhow) and decide which of these two models would serve you the best.
I was going to purchase the D2x, but in a side by side comparison, it just wasn't worth the extra money for what I do. I used the money I would have spent on one D2x and got two D200's and had money left over.
Take a look at the link below and see what you think. After all it is your money and you know what your needs are as a photographer.
Whichever you choose, I doubt you'd be disappointed.
Good luck!
May I buy a Nikon D2Xs digital camera for just 400$ ?
I found an online store that sells Nikon D2Xs Digital still camera without lens for just 400$ ? is this normal? may I buy one?
And there is one Canon 1Ds Mark III for the same price.
That is definetly a scam. The D2 should be several thousand dollars and the Canon sells new for $8,000.00 body only. Don't do it. This is way to good to be true.
There's no way they go for that cheap.
how does the d200 stack up against the d2xs,,,in features/ price?
which one gives you more bang for the buck....
which one will be up-to-date longer?
D200 ~ $1500US
D2XS ~ $4100US
D200 about to be replaced by D300
D2 about to be replaced by D3
D300 is getting the sensor of the D2 (12.4MP CMOS) and upgraded electronics.
Bang for Buck = D200
Up to date longer = both the same
Review the two cameras side by side with teh link below. Hope this helps. teef_au
It's been almost three years. Are you experiencing any mechanical or shutter problems with your Nikon D2Xs?
I cannot speak to the D2x.
I did have a D100 that had over 200,000 shutter cycles on it when I sold it and last I heard, it was still performing well.
Now that my shooting is split between a D200, D300 and D3, neither have more than 20,000 shutter cycles on them at this time .. all are working just fine.
Is there any difference between a d40x and a d2xs in image quality alone (disregard the resolution)?
(using the same lens)
try compare at dpreview.com
If money is not a problem, which professional digital slr would you choose, Nikon d2xs or Hasselblad H3d?
The Hasselblad. For the same reason as for film. The larger the latent image you start with, the better the finished image will be because you don't have to enlarge it is much.
The Hasselblad takes an image the is approximately 4 time larger than the Nikon. In terms of quality in materials and craftsmanship in the cameras, they are comparable, but I would give the edge to Hasselblad. In terms of optics, again comperable, but again I would give a slight edge to Hasselbald.
Is Nikon coming out with a newer (and better) camera than the Nikon D2Xs soon?
sometime in the next 5 years yes...there are rumors all around but no one actually knows