Up to mid 2001 I used to photograph using, Nikon N90 with Fujichrome Velvia or Fujichrome Provia film. In addition to the 35mm Cameras I also photographed using Medium format Haselblad 500C loaded with Fujichrome Provia.

The Reversal films were scanned on a Polaroid SprintScan 4000 film scanner.

The reasons for dissatisfaction with film cameras:

• Slow turn around
  • Process film
  • Scan film
• Not very high resolving power
• A lot of noise in the scans
• Very limited Dynamic Range
  • Reversal film has more contrast than Color Negative film
  • Coupled with a film scanner scan, one gets less latitude
• Film is not very archiva
  • Scratches
  • Stains
  • Color deterioration

For the last couple of years I started photographing with Digital Cameras as Olympus Camedia, Nikon CoolPix 900 and Nikon Coolpix 950. None of these gave me a real alternative to Film Cameras. The digital Experience although suitable for WEB purposes and some Multimedia content creation, was in no way a replacement to film cameras.

When I first read about the Nikon D1 announcement, it sounded very exciting. I thought a lot about doing the move and purchasing a D1 camera. I haven’t done that! I kept thinking it isn’t it! The D1 was not the camera to convince me to change my habits. It might have had to do with it's high introductory price or the relatively low CCD element count.

All change in 2001 with Nikon introduction of the D1X.
I was finally ready to take the final step. I ordered a D1X camera and a SB28DX dedicated flash.

And the rest is almost history :)

After testing the D1X and getting to use it, I decided it was time to raise the white flag and surrender my film cameras.

The D1X felt right in hand, it is a SLR and it is a Nikon. I can make use of any equipment as lenses and other accessories from the N90 camera.

The results from the D1X were just amazing, gone is the dreaded Noise I used to get from Digital Cameras.
Comparing A3 Epson Stylus 1290(1280 in the USA) prints from D1X files vs. Polaroid SprintScan 4000 scans quickly revealed the D1X advantages:

• Fast turn around of results
• Higher resolving power
• No or Low noise (depending on the ISO used)
• Higher Dynamic Range
• Archival quality
  • Digital Pictures can be stored for very long period on CD/DVD, without any Color deterioration.

Dany Roth