*** SOLD ***
Nikon E3s body s/n 8300060
Nikon announced the Nikon E3 in 1998 but officially, it was available in December, 1999 - just a few months after the Company announced the long awaited Nikon D-1 Digital Still SLR camera. As most observers in the market made general assumption that the birth of the E3 may also signified the end of the E-Series Digital bodies - this was hardly surprising as basically the E-series has a few handicaps in its basic design and the call for a conventional SLR-type design was more desirable than the bulky dimension of the series.
The E3 series - comprised of Nikon E3 and E3s - was the 3rd model from the co-development effort between Fuji Film (sold as "Fujix" Or "Fuji DS- Series) by latter). It uses the Reduction Optical System "ROS" which enables Nikkor lenses to capture "virtually" identical "full frame" picture angles and aspect ratios as they do when mounted on conventional film cameras, even with wideangles and fisheye lenses. Although from the basic configuration, this camera was quite similar with the earlier E2/E2s and E2N/E2Ns models except of cause the E3 series models can deliver a higher resolution at 1.4 million (1,364 x 1,032) total pixels as compared to E2N's 1.3 million pixels (1,280 x 1,000 array) BUT actually within the body, there are MANY MORE enhancement - both from the design features as well as the software. But most of all, the Nikon's E3 series were also compatible with most Nikkor lenses (older lenses may have limitations) and many other Nikon system accessories including speedlights and remote triggers while allowing photographers to download images directly to a PC, or operate remotely from a PC. The E3 has a few enhancement made, it comes with an additional SCSI high-speed interface; it now can shoot up to 3 fps for 12 consecutive photos with its larger buffer (standard version E3 shoots at one frame per second).
Note: The Nikon E3/E3s was also sold as Fujix DS-560(A). Both have almost virtually similar basic configuration The Fujix model has its own specific model designation imprinted at the side where the Nikon simply labeled as E3 or E3 s.
The sensitivity section of the E3 series models now added with an intermediate setting (MID) which permits STD (Equivalent to ISO 880 film); MID equivalent to ISO 1600 film and HI (equivalent to ISO 3200 film); Other areas of improvement includes: Metering Range (with f/1.4 lens in STD mode): EV 1 to 16-1/3 for Matrix Metering, EV 15 to 20 for Centre-Weighted and EV 2 to 20 for Spot metering; the built-in aperture diaphragm inside Reduction Optics; controlled aperture started from f/4.8 (to f/38) instead of the previous f/6.7; the Auto Bracketing (AEB) allows user to shoot 2 to 3 frames, each with different exposures. Compensated value range from ± 1/4 to ±-3/4; 9 combinations are available. The storage mode has also been improved, where operates at C (continuous shooting) mode, the E3s now enables up to 12 consecutive shots; an independent PV (Preview) mode; PC mode was also added; another great improvement is at White Balance when operating in MANUAL, now it has 6 settings/selection 1) Incandescent light (3,000k), 2) Fluorescent light (6,700/5,000/4,200K), 3) Fine weather (5,300K), 4) Cloudy weather (6,500K), 5) Shade (8,000K), and 6) F[ash mode (5,700K)]. Further fine-tuning can be performed. The flash section of the camera has a wider applications, a X-sync terminal was added, top sync speed of 1/250 sec.; in M or S mode, shutter fires at user speed set (1/350 to 1/2000 sec. cannot be chosen); Matrix Balanced Fill Flash possible with Nikon TTL Speedlights including SB-28, 27, 26 and 25; Standard TTL Flash is also possible; External sync (PC) terminal also provided. Lastly, a few additional new options were also added in the power-charge accessories.
Overall, although all the E-series models may sound inferior in the Pixel-war among the many new entries, but the camera have a few areas which make them as a very attractive alternative to the current line up of Nikon Digital bodies. Firstly (and most important factor): ALL these E-bodies has lens inter changeability where they provide a level of flexibility and optical quality that is hard to match by consumer's level digital models. Technically, the 2/3" CCD should also outperformed 1/2" sensor despite their weak figures in delivering high pixels fugues and the camera is packed with most of the technologies you can find in any top notch film-based SLRs, regardless from flash, exposure control to metering options... so, they become a very logical to relate any of them as alternative to conventional thinking rush to buy a latest new entries of portable digital models. Well, all the E-series models also have their shortfalls. For example, you can only view the images via the eyepiece (but they are far far superior to EVF system employs in many portables; the whole camera size and weight like a dinosaur and most of all, the storage options are quite limited etc. But the good thing is, these cameras are considered obsolete and they should be VERY CHEAP now, they may not be the ultimate choice for your only Digital SLR but again it depends on your business/personal objective, for an example, the web designer may find them extremely useful as they don't require high-res images but they can mount any of their Nikkor to try out to achieve some desired angle or perspectives. A commercial studio owner may also find them handy for quick passport output (warning no USB, the E3(s) is the only model that has SCSI interface or you can get a multi-card reader or using Nikon's own PC-card Reader); or a loving father that wants to keep track of his family electronic album etc. - BUT all these possibilities may also boil down to a hard fact - where I have to assume you are a seasoned photographer who knows how to manipulate confusing buttons and levels in a typical modern SLR PLUS already has a good collection of Nikkor lenses in your possession to call for a justification even if they come cheap as an used unit. Perhaps these are te few facts that I think you should seriously consider before comiiting any investment.
