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Nikon D3X PDF User Manual

Did you lose or misplace the instruction manual that came with your Nikon D3X? It happens all too easily, but fortunately Nikon makes a soft copy available that you can browse through online, print out, or download (see the pdf file below). It is certainly good practice to carefully familiarize oneself with the many different functionalities and options that the D3X offers, and the official user manual is without doubt an authoritative and comprehensive source of respective information.

That said, the instruction booklet can be a dry read, so that a dedicated camera guide book from a professional photographer that illustrates the camera's core functions in a real life photography context can be a very helpful complement. Yes, getting one of these camera guides (see here at amazon) would involve an additional expense, but if that book helps to exploit the camera's potential to the full, the (small) additional investment may well be worth it.

Also, you might want to check out the video tutorial on the Nikon D3X below.

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In any case, the D3X is an advanced imaging tool, whose many features merit serious attention. This DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex) camera was announced on December 1st, 2008, which means that, as of today, the camera is 5776 days old (young?). The camera has meanwhile been discontinued, but there has not been a direct replacement model for the D3X from Nikon.

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Nikon's user manual for the D3X

The camera's user manual is 476 pages long. The pdf version is embedded below. As you browse through, you will hopefully find the information you are looking for. You can also print out a hard copy by right clicking on the manual and then choosing the respective menu option. For convenience, a summary of the key specs of the D3X is included towards the bottom of this webpage.

Don't forget to bookmark this page for future reference (Ctrl-Shift-D on a Windows PC; Cmd-Shift-D on a Mac). Happy browsing!

Click on the button below to download the pdf version of the Nikon D3X manual to your computer. The file will open in a new browser window.

Download the Manual

If you prefer to read the user guide in another language, please check the respective availability on Nikon's support site. That site also provides complementary online resources, such as information on the compatibility of various camera accessories or the availability of firmware updates that are not necessarily comprehensively covered in the instruction manual.

Printed, hardcopy versions of the Nikon D3X manual can sometimes be found online. You can check the availability on amazon and ebay via the buttons below.

amazon.com ebay.com

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Video tutorial for the Nikon D3X

Perhaps instead of reading through a manual or operations guide, you might prefer to better familiarize yourself with your D3X by watching a video tutorial. It can notably help to quickly get to know the key functions and to set up your camera according to your particular preferences and needs.

Once again, the Nikon D3X is a sophisticated imaging tool and not exploiting its capabilities to the full would be a pity. Hence, taking the time to study online information material or to read through a well-written camera guide book is highly recommended to make the most of your purchase.

Find D3X guide book at
amazon.com

Nikon D3X FAQ

Below are some additional questions and answers concerning some particular features of the D3X.

What type of imaging sensor is used in the Nikon D3X?

The camera has a CMOS (Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor) sensor at its core.

Which image processing chip is used in the Nikon D3X to convert the raw signal into an image file and perform noise reduction and image sharpening?

Nikon equipped the D3X with the EXPEED image processor.

What is the ISO sensitivity range of the Nikon D3X?

The camera has a native sensitivity range from ISO 100 to ISO 1600, which can be extended to ISO 50-6400.

What is the life expectancy of the shutter in the Nikon D3X?

Nikon mentions a shutter rating of 300 000 actuations for the D3X. This number represents a Mean Time before Failure, that is an average value. The shutter might fail earlier, or it might last longer. Anyway, in order to exhaust the expected shutter life of the D3X over, say, three years, one would have to take about 300 pictures each and every day.

How do I find the shutter count on my Nikon D3X?

Nikon embeds the number of shutter actuations in image metadata. You can check the number of shots that your D3X has taken up to now by uploading a recent image to the free online shutter count finder app.

Do I need to purchase an external camera trigger to shoot time-lapse sequences with the Nikon D3X?

No, the Nikon D3X has an intervalometer built-in, so that low frequency shooting (for example, flower blooming, sunset, moon rise) can be undertaken without the need to purchase a separate external intervalometer and related software.

What is the fastest shutter speed that can be used with the Nikon D3X for flash photography?

The D3X's flash sync speed is 1/250 sec.

Which battery does the Nikon D3X use?

The camera gets its power from the Nikon EN-EL4a (here at amazon), which is a rechargeable Lithium-Ion power pack.

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Further reading

How does the D3X stack up against available alternatives? If you would like to see a side-by-side review with another camera, just make your choice using the following search menu. There is also a set of direct links to comparison reviews that other users of the CAM-parator app explored.

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    Core camera specifications

    Here is a list of the main features and technical characteristics of the Nikon D3X.

    Specifications Summary
    Camera Model Nikon D3X
    Camera Type Digital single lens reflex
    Camera Lens Nikon F mount lenses
    Launch Date December 2008
    Launch Price USD 7 999
    Sensor Specs
    Sensor Technology CMOS
    Sensor Format Full Frame Sensor
    Sensor Size 35.9 x 24.0 mm
    Sensor Area 862 mm2
    Sensor Diagonal 43.2 mm
    Crop Factor 1.0x
    Sensor Resolution 24.4 Megapixels
    Image Resolution 6 048 x 4 032 pixels
    Pixel Pitch 5.94 μm
    Pixel Density 2.83 MP/cm2
    Moiré control Anti-Alias filter
    Movie Capability no Video
    ISO Setting 100 - 1 600 ISO
    ISO Boost 50 - 6 400 ISO
    Image Processor EXPEED
    DXO Sensor Quality (score) 88
    DXO Color Depth (bits) 24.7
    DXO Dynamic Range (EV) 13.7
    DXO Low Light (ISO) 1992
    Screen Specs
    Viewfinder Type Optical viewfinder
    Viewfinder Field of View 100%
    Viewfinder Magnification 0.70x
    Top-Level Screen Control Panel
    LCD Framing Live View
    LCD Size 3.0 inch
    LCD Resolution 922k dots
    LCD Attachment Fixed screen
    Touch Input No touchscreen
    Shooting Specs
    Focus System Phase-detect AF
    Manual Focusing Aidno Peaking Feature
    Maximum Shutter Speed 1/8000s
    Continuous Shooting 5 shutter flaps/s
    Shutter Life Expectancy300 000 actuations
    Silent Shootingno E-Shutter
    Time Lapse PhotographyIntervalometer Built-in
    Fill Flash no On-Board Flash
    Storage Medium CF cards
    Single or Dual Card Slots Dual card slots
    Connectivity Specs
    External Flash Hotshoe
    Studio Flash PC Sync socket
    USB Connector USB 2.0
    HDMI Port mini HDMI
    Wifi Support no Wifi
    Body Specs
    Environmental SealingWeathersealed body
    Battery Type Nikon EN-EL4a power pack
    Battery Life (CIPA)4400 shots per charge
    Body Dimensions 160 x 157 x 88 mm
    (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.5 in)
    Camera Weight 1 260 g (44.4 oz)

    Did you notice an error on this page? If so, please get in touch, so that we can correct the information.

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