These two images were taken with a Nikon D3 and a Nikon 24-70mm f2.8 lens. Russ Lowe held the camera, composed the shots and pushed the shutter release button. :)
The top image was taken with a Nikon SB-800 flash as well. The image was shot on manual mode at 1/30 second at f 4.0 with ISO 1600. Flash was set to TTL-BL. Focal length was 31mm.
The bottom image was taken with just the D3 and no flash. Settings were manual at 1/30 second at f2.8 at ISO 5000. Focal length was 24mm.
If not for the D3, these images would not exist. While some may say the bottom image looks dark, this is how it actually was at the reception hall. The only lights here were from the DJ lights, the videographer's light and the faint reception hall lights. Using a flash on a shot like this would wipe out all the colors of these lights! The high ISO ability of this camera is amazing. Be sure to click on each image to see a large version. Even though I have downsized the images to 4x6 size at 300 dpi and saved the image at a "3" quality in Photoshop, you'll agree, the images are clean. Granted there is motion blur from people moving on the dance floor in the bottom image, but look at how clean the other details are. There is very little digital noise in the full-resolution file and you can see that even in this downsized "web-sized" image.
It's only going to get better over time. Cameras today are getting SO GOOD! While the D3 is way out of the price class for the average person (and for some wedding photographers), I predict we will see similar results in less expensive cameras within a year or two at most. (Edit Note: The very next day after writing this post, Nikon has introduced the D700 camera which has most of the features of the D3 at $2000 less than a D3! While it is not built like a D3 nor does it have as fast of a continuous frame rate - only 5 FPS instead of 9 FPS, it's image quality should rival the D3 since it has the same sensor.)
Still, with good image quality becoming more readily available, that doesn't mean anyone can shoot a wedding. Knowing WHAT to shoot and HOW to get the desired image is still a professional attribute and for that, there is only experience to go on.
The top image was taken with a Nikon SB-800 flash as well. The image was shot on manual mode at 1/30 second at f 4.0 with ISO 1600. Flash was set to TTL-BL. Focal length was 31mm.
The bottom image was taken with just the D3 and no flash. Settings were manual at 1/30 second at f2.8 at ISO 5000. Focal length was 24mm.
If not for the D3, these images would not exist. While some may say the bottom image looks dark, this is how it actually was at the reception hall. The only lights here were from the DJ lights, the videographer's light and the faint reception hall lights. Using a flash on a shot like this would wipe out all the colors of these lights! The high ISO ability of this camera is amazing. Be sure to click on each image to see a large version. Even though I have downsized the images to 4x6 size at 300 dpi and saved the image at a "3" quality in Photoshop, you'll agree, the images are clean. Granted there is motion blur from people moving on the dance floor in the bottom image, but look at how clean the other details are. There is very little digital noise in the full-resolution file and you can see that even in this downsized "web-sized" image.
It's only going to get better over time. Cameras today are getting SO GOOD! While the D3 is way out of the price class for the average person (and for some wedding photographers), I predict we will see similar results in less expensive cameras within a year or two at most. (Edit Note: The very next day after writing this post, Nikon has introduced the D700 camera which has most of the features of the D3 at $2000 less than a D3! While it is not built like a D3 nor does it have as fast of a continuous frame rate - only 5 FPS instead of 9 FPS, it's image quality should rival the D3 since it has the same sensor.)
Still, with good image quality becoming more readily available, that doesn't mean anyone can shoot a wedding. Knowing WHAT to shoot and HOW to get the desired image is still a professional attribute and for that, there is only experience to go on.
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