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Thank you all for your participation and assistance. This looks like it’s going to be our best show
ever!
NIKON INTRODUCES D2x DIGITAL CAMERA by Bob Harrington
On September 16, Nikon announced the 12.4-megapixel D2x digital SLR, the long-awaited follow-
on to the D1x.
One of the most significant characteristics of the D2x is the sensor size of 23.7 x 15.7 mm, which
means that the D2x will have the same crop factor (about 1.5) as the D1x and Nikon’s other
digital SLRs (D100, D2H, etc.). This places the D2x in a different class from the full frame (36 x
24 mm) Canon 1Ds (and it’s just-announced 16.6-megapixel 1Ds Mk II) and Kodak DCS SLR/c
digital SLRs.
Since the D2x has about twice the number pixels as its predecessors in the same size, the size of
individual pixels is reduced by about a factor of two and the light gathered by each is reduced by
the same factor. Since noise is more or less independent of pixel size, the signal-to-noise ratio
should be expected to be reduced by the same amount, all other factors being equal. Hence the
big question, that will be answered only when test results become available, is the noise
performance of the D2x.
The D2x will be capable of 5 fps for up to 21 JPEG and 15 NEF (raw) images. In addition, it will
have a Hi-Speed Crop mode, which produces 6.8-megapixel images with a crop factor of 2, at a
speed of 8 fps for 35 JPEG or 26 NEF images, placing it in close competition with the Canon 1D
Mk II, which has a speed of 8.5 fps.
New features in the D2x will be options for wireless downloads and a GPS interface. It will use
Nikon’s Multi-CAM2000 autofocus system and have many other advanced features in metering,
color balance, tonal adjustments and others.
A thorough preview of the D2x can be seen at http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/multi_page.asp?
cid=7-6459-7204
Nikon announced that the D2x will be available in January, 2005. The company did not announce
the price; speculation is that the street price will be around $5,000.
Comments welcome to Bob at <robthrr@cox.net>.
CHECK OUT OUR WEB SITE
Tom Scott has made even more improvements to our NCPS web site. Be sure to check out
<http//www.nc-photo.org>. The home page now includes an image from each participating
member’s gallery that changes every time one logs on - a refreshing new experience with each
visit! If you have not already done so, perhaps it’s time to submit images for your own personal
gallery on the club web site.
BATIGUITOS LAGOON by Sharon Anthony
I was given permission to photograph the birds of Batiquitos Lagoon from May through August of
this year. I focused mainly on the breeding cycle of the Least Tern, which is on the Endangered
Species List, and the Black Skimmer. They both migrate here from Mexico and South America to
breed.
My work included spending up to 3 hours a day, several days a week, photographing their eggs,
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