Edmund's Nikon D4

Black and white with my repaired D4

2012-07-16T09:24:00.002-07:00

My Nikon D4 has come back from repair, it was not sharp in strong sunlight (as if flaring) and showed banding at extreme high ISO. The flaring is now fixed, I'm not sure about the Hi-ISO; originally some tests with a friend's D3s indicated his sample of the old camera was better than my sample of the new one.

The sunlight issue is fixed, the camera is now *very* sharp and clear, you can see on every outdoors shot that it really does have 16MP, and all the clarity that distinguishes a full-frame SLR from a crop-frame or compact. Loss from the anti-alias filter is minimal. I'm not so sure about the Hi-ISO banding though, which seems to be improved but still present on occasion. However the D4 is now definitely usable enough to be my main camera.

As of now, the fixed D4 is not quite the Hi-ISO wizard I had hoped for, but it is really very good. I'd say the D4 will do 6400 very decently where the D3x tops out at 1600. You can see how useful 6400 ISO is in the image below. In this indoors natural light portrait, face shadows have been pushed in CS6, and some noise added. Thanks to the huge DR of the D4, highlight skin texture is preserved; the skin texture and color remind me a bit of the original Canon 5D.

Like many older photographers, I cling to the nostalgia of black and white headshots. So I made some ICC profiles to assist me in conversion. This one is called WhiteBoxDelta100YellowFilter, I think you can guess why. The yellow filter effect brings out blue eyes very nicely, don't you agree? The effect is enhanced here with the addition of simulated grain. If you want the profile, email me, edmundronald at gmail dot com.

D4 Firmware update: 1.02

2012-07-04T18:55:00.003-07:00

The firmware 1.02 can be found here.

D4 lockup firmware fix available (1.01). Disable Networking to install.

2012-05-29T04:26:00.001-07:00

This firmware apparently addresses the sporadic lockup issue of the Nikon D4.

The download and instructions are here.

Thanks, Nikon, that was fast!

Update: Make sure Networking is turned off before installing.

Edmund

D4 lockup fix: Disable Highlights & RGB Histogram display

2012-05-03T23:57:00.001-07:00

Hi, folks, if you have a D4 which is occasionally locking up, disabling the RGB histogram and the highlight display may fix things. This info was given as a reply by Nikon cited in a PDN article, I've posted it on my D4 Resources page.

Edmund

WT-5 review update: Networking

2012-04-30T03:15:00.002-07:00

Status report on my D4/WT-5 networking test: Use an iPad!

Of the various devices I tested with the D4 for networked use in the field, Apple's iPad plays best with the Nikon D4 and WT-5 combo. The iPad offers the right blend of effective connectivity, good screen, and fat battery. Also, I guess if you have an iPad 3G, you can spool in images from the camera, and email them out.

Networking is always hell. It took me a couple of afternoons to get the WT5 to do stuff for me, and the test is still in progress. It turns out that the issues I had when I got the unit were more hardware (radio) than software. I made the mistake of starting with my Mac, and that just didn't work. In an effort to troubleshoot, I resorted to manual configuration rather than use Nikon's wizard. Probably this wasn't really necessary. But now I have it, I like my manual configuration, I think I know what it does.

The WT-5 has two networking modes, adhoc networking, and infrastructure mode. In infrastructure mode it will hook up to an existing net - this is typically what you'd do in the studio. Adhoc mode is for field use, when you cannot assume there will be a network sitting there waiting to accept you; as far as I see, the camera cannot on its own create an infrastructure net.

As the WT-5 and the D4 are designed for field use, I started out by testing adhoc mode. I learnt that not all networking devices are equal, and also speed is an issue, most devices introduce an appreciable shutter delay.

At this point I've got the WT-5 to work very reliably in adhoc mode with my iPad, and in fact, I've created a WT-5 adhoc manual configuration page that documents both camera and iPad side, and might help people to do the same quickly. I'll add some screenshots when I have time. The iPad and D4 networking combo is bulletproof.

So far, I've tried the following devices in a net with the D4:

Nikon D4 and iPad1 in adhoc mode. Some shutter delay. Works reliably with fluid liveview. Bulletproof.
Nikon D4 and iPhone 3Gs. Works, 1/2 second shutter delay.
Nikon D4 and MacBook Pro. Unusable. MBP has a lot trouble seeing WT-5 signal and drops the connection frequently.
Nikon D4 and Samsung Galaxy Note. Networking disconnects occasionally, mostly works, using FoxFi Android app, but really slow.

My Macbook pro is very unhappy with the WT-5; there are clearly radio signal issues, and it keeps losing the connection. I don't know how to fix this at the moment.

My Samsung Galaxy Note phone has a huge screen and a fast processor. Unfortunately, stock Android Gingerbread systems cannot do adhoc connections. I finessed this by installing the free FoxFi app. Networking between phone and camera now works, but the result is pretty slow, in particular camera trigger has a 1 second delay. Also, I found no way to use the full extent of my screen. A bit of a disappointment.

At this point, the test is ongoing. However action and fashion shooters should realize that fast remote shutter is not going to be fast when using a browser app, so it might be useful to trigger a burst ahead of time. Viewing images on the card, changing camera settings and remote viewfinder is what the integrated web server in the D4 does best.

Edmund

Nikon WT5 Wifi: Part1 - Hardware Review.

2012-04-28T08:21:00.001-07:00

WT-5: The Nikon Wifi bolt-on.

Bolt-on is not the same as built-in. Many of us would now expect wifi as a standard feature of a flagship camera, but Nikon are supplying wifi functionality for the D4 in the form of an external bolt-on module, the tiny but quite pricey ($800) WT-5. For this price one gets full remote browser control of the camera, including camera settings, remote liveview, remote shutter trigger, file uploads and even synchronized camera triggering.

In use, the WT5 extrusion is a pain to attach to the camera body but solid when locked into place. The WT5 radio plays well with existing wifi networks, but those photographers who wish to use it in the field should make sure to prepare and test a compatible computer setup in advance. As the iPad and its cousins take over the world, I expect a fully integrated equivalent of the WT5 will make Nikon's next generation of consumer dSLRs more user friendly than today's professional flagship model.

Of course we may wonder why Nikon chose to sell an add on module, as achieving wifi functionality just requires adding a radio chip to the ethernet base which is already present in the camera? And the obvious answer is that they wanted to monetize what is now an essential feature, allowing dealers to sell hardware -which they like to sell- instead of special camera control software.

Unfortunately, the WT-5 external pod design is a bad match for a robust flagship SLR. If you leave the WT5 on the camera by mistake when it goes in the bag, your camera can be damaged by any lateral shearing force on the WT5 case, as such a force will impact the module mount point. While some users employ wifi tethering is to escape the vulnerabilities created by cables, and to site cameras in exposed positions, it seems counterproductive that the wifi transceiver should adduce new albeit reduced vulnerability issues.

Detailed Review. Part 1: The hardware.

A new standard feature of the D4 is full tethering via the built-in ethernet port. This integrated tethered functionality is amazingly user friendly, as one can employ just about any standard browser to hook up to the camera, rather than having to install special software. But moving one step further to Wifi wireless networking requires the WT5 add-on wireless transmitter module. I bought one; the pipsqueak device came in an oversized golden Nikon box, shelf display packaging that does not quite make up for the absent carry case or connector protector.

Nikon WT-5, peripheral connector plug side

To connect the WT5 to the D4 camera you lift off the circular port cover on the D4, and rotate it 180 degrees. The cover's neck then fits between two bumps on the body and keeps the rubber cover in a vertical position. You now hold the camera in one hand, the module in your other hand, and probe around with the delicate little extension connector until you locate its socket and manage full insertion. At this point you push the module in place firmly and with your third hand engage and tighten the one-sided thumbwheel that rigidly locks the WT5 to the side of camera, on the operator's left.

An optimistic illustration of the process, handless and magical, is given on page 4 of the WT5 manual.

Although I am sure trained Nikon engineers can hook up a WT-5 while wearing ski gloves and blindfolded, I do think field shooters may find this process overly complex, especially since a slip might damage the delicate exposed connector. In the real world, see photograph, the port cover peeks out further than in the diagram and is left flapping around under the strap mounting lug. And of course there too lives the strap which has been left out in the optimistic diagram. As a result, the port cover sits where it may be ripped to shreds by the nasty attached strap and the even nastier uncaring user.

WT-5 housing, port cover, strap fixation.

Once hooked up, the WT5 module is solidly locked to the camera's body. A barnacle on the flagship if I may make a joke. The WT5's shell looks tough, and I don't think it will trouble me in practice, but I don't think I would like to leave it attached when transporting the camera. If you leave it mounted while traveling, shear forces can damage the module mount. Also, I wouldn't use it in exposed conditions or dust. Lastly, if you unmount it there is a problem of how to protect the contacts while you carry it around. Nikon, this is not your best design effort for your most robust go-anywhere camera.

Once you have the WT5 firmly coupled to the camera body, you enable it via the D4's Networking menu and it then starts sipping power from your camera's battery and looks for a network. The WT5 can connect to existing networks, which supply it with an IP address. This use is what Nikon call Infrastructure Mode. There is also adhoc networking mode, which is what you need on the go with an iPad when you have no access point or computer supplying the IP addresses. I will discuss the actual usage of the device in another post that may also help other users in establishing working configurations.

I really think that this external module's hardware design come across as too much of an afterthought. This functionality should have been built in as a standard camera feature, or at least the module itself should snuggle out of harm's way in a recess inside the camera body. As an example, the composite battery compartment door would have been a good place for the electronics and even an integrated antenna.

Edmund.

My photographs in this review were made handheld with a Nikon D3x, and Nikon 50mm F1.8D lens using Jpeg small basic quality, and converted and cropped in Adobe Lightroom 4.

Nikon D4 6400 ISO -not a cat-

2012-03-27T17:30:00.000-07:00

After purchasing a dSLR, every techie goes out and takes night shots. I dunno why. Anyway, here are mine. Exposure details: Nikon D4, 85mm F1.4G lens, ISO 6400, 1/60s handheld, F2.2, NR and sharpening in LR4 because this is not a test, it is an image. Overview, then 100% crop below.

IMHO 6400 ISO is the last "fine art" production ISO on the D4. Above that you're in photojournalism territory.

Real Life D4: Skateboarder in bad light

2012-03-20T03:09:00.002-07:00

On the riverbanks, at the end of the day.

These are from a magazine shoot/demo I happened across on the Seine embankment. There were a bunch of skate amateurs with cameras hanging out and I joined them.

These images and show that real life "pro" photo conditions push even a D4 to its limits, and over.

Take after take, this guy couldn't make his stunt work, the light died, photography and video continued in the twilight with zilch contrast. The D4 tracked as well as it could, but the motion was completely unpredictable.

1/640s.F8, ISO 6400

1/1600s, F6.3, ISO 6400. Click to enlarge ...

In the real word, there is no perfect, just good enough.

Nikon D4: The only thing to know for a browser connection

2012-03-19T06:49:00.003-07:00

You can quickly make a direct wired connection from your computer to your Nikon D4 by means of a cable plugged into the Ethernet port. There is only one thing you really, really, need to know:

The default user name is "nikon"
No password.

WARNING: Misused XQD Cards can harm your D4

2012-03-18T10:48:00.003-07:00

WARNING: By pushing an XQD card into the D4's neighbouring CF slot, you may damage the CF pins and seriously damage the camera to the point where it needs an expensive visit to the repair shop.

Don't laugh, pushing an XQD card into the wrong slot can and will happen in practice, often pro photographers work in semi darkness when shooting shows or sports.

In the image below you can see the XQD card is as long as the CF card, which is why the damage can occur.

This is seriously bad design on the part of Sony and the XQD consortium if there is such a consortium. Come on guys, the unwritten law when designing a new connector for general use is to add safety features such that misuse should not damage existing interfaces. You know that because of muscle memory users invariably attempt to shove the new unfamiliar parts into the old connector slots.

Of course, a user mistake will in all likelihood not be tragic, but just put the CF slot out of commission, and thus accelerate the adoption of XQD. I'm sure someone at Sony is very proud of this part. As for Nikon, do they really care? User mistakes means the user pays for repair.

Loading copyright and other IPTC metadata into the D4

2012-03-17T22:05:00.001-07:00

©©©

Loading Copyright and other IPTC metadata into the Nikon D4

By loading metadata into the camera you ensure that copyright, your contact info etc gets written into every file. Nikon have a piece of software, the IPTC Preset Manager which allows you to program the data into the camera easily:

What is the IPTC Preset Manager and how do I get it?

The IPTC Preset Manager (for D4) allows you to create preset IPTC information which can be auto embedded to multiple images during shooting. This is useful when there is a requirement to save many files with similar or the same IPTC information or when the information can be reused at different times.

This application allows you to add IPTC information easily by typing into fields within the software. You can save the text as a preset file to your computer, up to 99 presets can be saved. Preset files can then be copied to the camera memory card for auto embedding during shooting.

Check your camera user manual "IPTC" section for more information regarding the maximum length of text that can be added and the limitations of the types of characters that can be used.

IPTC is a metadata standard developed by the International Press Telecommunications Council.
There's a bunch of information about metadata in images and software to read and write it at this link.

SLR Mount Parallelism check and Focus Adjustment

2012-03-17T21:25:00.004-07:00

To check focusability of your SLR, there are two different actions you may need to take:

First, to get the focus right in the middle of the frame, you can repeatedly photograph a ruler, or a piece of newspaper, at an angle of roughly 45 degrees, and adjust the fine focus by means of the corresponding item on the "Spanner" menu of the camera.

I have a metal ruler with a cross marked on it which I use for this purpose.

Second, check that the lens mount and sensor plane are parallel. A good way to do this is by displaying Northlight's Moiré test pattern, and verifying that the interference pattern is symmetrical across the camera's review screen.

This parallelism test can only be performed when the camera and lens are already in tune enough to create interference patterns when lensing the pattern image. See above to get that far. If your camera/lens doesn't pass the parallelism test then you may have a skewed lens or lens mount, and may need repairs.

If you can see it, you can shoot it!

2012-03-17T19:15:00.002-07:00

The D4 is the Available Light King, at least as far as shipping cameras go. It makes wonderful pictures without flash in normal indoors evening lighting. Here is a tungsten-lit crop of about 1900x1200 pixels. The D4's exceptional sensitivity allowed me to get a speed of 1/250. Click on image to see fullsize.

What is exceptional about the D4 is the skin tone, texture, and the color quality, even in low light. Somehow this makes me think of Titian.

Useful Links for the D4 aficionado.

2012-03-17T16:03:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: THE UPDATED LINKS ARE NOW ON THE DOWNLOADS PAGE.
Leave a comment here if you know of some useful site.

Nikon D4 first impression: Beast by day, Beauty by night.

2012-03-17T11:11:00.003-07:00

Photo MacMahon in Paris phoned me 48 hours ago, telling me to come get The Beast. I took a cab, and was there 15 minutes later.

I've spent 48 hours testing the camera. I find it to be completely incredible indoors. It shoots indoors when you can hardly see. One can use an opening in a window mesh curtain as the equivalent of studio flash, shooting at 6400 ISO. It is also completely at home in the dark or the night.

Outdoors, in direct sunlight, the D4 works well, but appears considerably less sharp than my D3x.

Below, the very nice Mr. Laverny who put the straps on the camera and charged the battery for me, and wrote out a gift extended warranty. This was taken at 6400 ISO, F7, with the somewhat harsh and well aged Nikon 50.18 Nikon AFD.

You can click on the 100% crop below, you will spot the slight backfocus, and admire the beautiful skin tone, and the soft noise.