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D-SLR Systems

Get a grip on the complete offerings from the major camera makers when selecting your new D-SLR

Flash. Nikon has long been admired for its excellent flash system, and today's i-TTL version is the best yet. The system uses pre-flashes from the flash unit (built-in or external) and distance data from the lens along with ambient light readings to perfectly balance flash-lit subjects with ambient light. You can also use flash and ambient exposure compensation to vary the flash-to-ambient ratio as desired. Color data from the flash unit is used to compensate for the effects of voltage and flash duration.

All current Nikon D-SLRs except the D3 and D2XS pro models have built-in Speedlights, and all Nikon D-SLRs have hot-shoes for dedicated Speedlight flash units. All can perform wireless i-TTL flash with up to three flash groups triggered by the optional SU-4 Wireless Remote TTL Flash Controller and SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander or even the built-in flash.

Current Speedlights include the new SB-400, SB-600, SB-800 and SB-R200 Wireless Speedlight. There's also a pair of wireless close-up Speedlight systems, the R1 (uses the camera's built-in flash unit or a shoe-mounted unit as "commander") and R1C1 (same, but with the SU-800 Wireless Speedlight Commander).

Software. Nikon offers some excellent software, but much of it's optional, including the versatile Capture NX (excellent editing tools for NEF, JPEG and TIFF images-all serious Nikon D-SLR users should have this software); Camera Control Pro 2.0, which lets you operate the camera remotely, including LiveView support with the new D3 and D300 cameras; Image Authentication that enables verification of JPEG, TIFF and NEF data taken with compatible Nikon D-SLRs; and Nikon ViewNX, a powerful browser/NEF converter.

Accessories. The pro models accept interchangeable focusing screens and right-angle finder attachments, and all models from the D200 up can be operated remotely via wireless WiFi (via optional wireless transmitter and Camera Control 2 software). Conventional remote controls and AC adapters are available for all models. Models from the D80 up will accept optional Multi-Power Packs, which hold two of the camera's standard rechargeable lithium-ion batteries or six AA batteries for added shooting capacity.

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