First Nikon D7000 Sample Photos

[Photo-John]

I finally had a chance to work my way through some of my first Nikon D7000 images. I shot RAW from the get-go and was all set to start processing with the included Nikon ViewNX 2 software when, thankfully, Adobe came through with a Lightroom update that supports the D7000. I'm sure I would have done just fine with the Nikon software but the Lightroom workflow is soooo much better than any manufacturer software I've used.

So all of these images were shot RAW and processed with Lightroom 3.3 and Photoshop CS3. I didn't do any selective adjustment with masks but I didn't hold back in Lightroom and I think all but one of these have at least one Photoshop levels or curves adjustment layer. The adjustments don't mean that the originals were bad. But the original is just raw material for me and post-processing adjustments are a standard part of my workflow.

For more on the Nikon D7000, check out my Nikon D7000 Hands-On Preview Video >>

And if anyone reading this has a D7000, please visit our user review page and write a review!

[Photo-John]

Here are a few low light samples. The first was shot handheld at 1/15th second at ISO 800 with the 18-105mm VR kit lens. I hit this one really hard in port-processing, lightening it up close to a whole stop.

The second is the Utah state capitol building in Salt Lake City. It was shot at ISO 800 on a tripod. It's been adjusted a lot too, although not as much as the first image.

The third image was shot at ISO 1600 and it's been pushed about a stop in post. This one is the most impressive to me, although noise is usually hardest to spot in brighter, detailed subjects.

[Photo-John]

I just finished uploading larger versions of all these images to my Photo-John gallery. So if you want to do some pixel peeping, be my guest. While I was uploading them I also discovered that the portrait of Jenni with the mug of tea is also an ISO 800 image. I was using auto ISO at that point so I didn't realize I was shooting at such a high sensitivity setting. Looks pretty damn good if you ask me!

Any photo sample requests? Let me know and I'll do my best to collect whatever you guys want to see

[zerodog]

ISO 1600 is nothing on the Nikon. Lets see some real low light stuff. I want some 6400 unprocessed images to see what the noise looks like at 1:1. Then some 8000. And even higher if you dare

[Photo-John]

ISO 1600 is nothing on the Nikon. Lets see some real low light stuff. I want some 6400 unprocessed images to see what the noise looks like at 1:1. Then some 8000. And even higher if you dare

Ok, by habit I try not to go over ISO 800. I know I need to push it with this camera so we can see what its capable of. And I will do a full set of studio samples at all ISOs, too.

[zerodog]

Can't wait to see them.

[pweb]

Very very nice, Photo-John...
My D7000 was ordered a couple of weeks ago (Adorama) -- is Nikon having production problems or just can't keep up with demand or ... ??

[n8]

I'm waiting for my tax return and praying my local shop has them in stock. They did at release, so that's a good sign.

[HelenOster]

Very very nice, Photo-John...
My D7000 was ordered a couple of weeks ago (Adorama) -- is Nikon having production problems or just can't keep up with demand or ... ??

Due to the extremely high volume of pre-orders, Nikon has been slower than expected fulfilling all orders. Most retailers are, in turn, extremely back-ordered.
At Adorama, orders are taking at least 2 months from the purchase date to be fulfilled. However, no shipping time can be guaranteed at this time.

[pweb]

Thank you for the update, Helen -- I'll try to be patient...:thumbsup:

[Photo-John]

You knew they were coming - the Nikon D7000 ski photos...

I took these both at ISO 1600, way higher than I would normally go. As a result they both have a ridiculously high 1/4000th second shutter speed and they're stopped down to f/7.1. Normally I try to keep my ISO at 400 but for testing purposes I pushed it with these photos. It was definitely more than necessary and I was worried I might have blown it with noise but they are actually very useable. At 100% you can definitely see a fair amount of noise but I don't think it actually hurts these images. Nicely done, Nikon!

For what it's worth, I shot these with the new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM OS zoom lens. So far, so good with this lens. I haven't found anything to complain about.

In the interest of full disclosure you should also know that these images didn't come out of the camera looking like this. It's almost impossible to get good contrast and tones in snow and your subject in this kind of photo so I've done lots of post processing, including some selective adjustments with Photoshop masked adjustment layers. The original RAW files I got from the camera made these possible, though and they represent the potential of the D7000 files well.

More low light sample photos to follow...

[Photo-John]

Ok, here's a batch of Nikon D7000 photos taken at ISO 6400. These ones really surprised me. Yes, there is noise. But it's not unpleasant and when the images are resized or viewed at standard print sizes I don't think it's at all distracting. I don't know if I would go so far as considering ISO 6400 a *recommended* sensitivity setting. But I wouldn't be afraid of it like I have been in the past. In particular, the CD and money images look just fine. The caramels, which don't have a lot of details, show the nnoise a lot more.

A note on the caramels - they are special. They're made with lard instead of butter and they are magical. I bought 4 for $5 from Boccalone in San Francisco. I highly recommend the caramels and Boccalone's "Tasty Salted Pig Parts." The last two years my Mom got a gift box from Boccalone for Christmas

[Photo-John]

This one I think is especially nice. The combination of ISO 3200 plus the new Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM OS image-stabilized lens made this handheld pre-sunrise shot of Salt Lake City possible. Grain is visible. But considering the circumstances - pre-sunrise, handheld - I have no complaints. In fact, I am really psyched about this photo - especially the fact that I was able to take it at 1/200th of a second!

I'm going to upload larger versions of all these low light images to my gallery for those of you who want to take a closer look.

[zerodog]

Looking good man. Can't wait for the 300s replacement now. The ski shots are killer. Nice PP on them too. 6400 is looking totally usable. I am guessing these are SOC? Or did you do a little NR on them?

My Nikon 80-200AFS is in for service at Forsters. I might be in the market for a new 70/80-200. You think the Sigma stacks up to the new Nikon 70-200?

[Photo-John]

Looking good man. Can't wait for the 300s replacement now. The ski shots are killer. Nice PP on them too. 6400 is looking totally usable. I am guessing these are SOC? Or did you do a little NR on them?

My Nikon 80-200AFS is in for service at Forsters. I might be in the market for a new 70/80-200. You think the Sigma stacks up to the new Nikon 70-200?

You'll almost never see a straight of of the camera photo from me. If you do, I'll note it. IN this case there wasn't much processing but I did a bit. So if anything, there's more noise in these images than there would have been right out of the camera. All pp was for color and contrast, though - no noise reduction.

I don't think I'm going to go out on a limb and compare the Sigma to the new Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8. The new Nikkor is about as good as a zoom lens can get. I know there were vignetting issues with the old Nikkor. The new one has no vignetting and the auto focus was perfect. That lens on the D3s is awesome!

I haven't used the Sigma enough yet to have a really good feel for it. My experience so far is totally positive, though. Optics seem great and so far the auto focus hasn't let me down. I haven't done any really serious continuous auto focus shooting, though. I'll probably do that later this week. Thursday is looking like it could be a great powder - errr - camera testing day

[zerodog]

Very good news on the noise. This new sensor just sounds better and better. D400 where are you!!!

I am renting a new nikon 70-200 from today to friday. So, I will see how good it is. I have some dance stuff to shoot and my lens isn't ready yet.

Tomorrow is looking very tempting for a quick before work tour. The storm for the weekend is forcasted to be a wet one. So elevating our low Avalanche danger. Might have to take advantage of the good/ safe conditions while they last.

[Photo-John]

Tomorrow is looking very tempting for a quick before work tour. The storm for the weekend is forcasted to be a wet one. So elevating our low Avalanche danger. Might have to take advantage of the good/ safe conditions while they last.

I think I'm gonna go ski Deer Valley tomorrow with a friend who works there. That way we can work all the secret pow stashes and I can find out if what they say about DV is true - the tourists don't ski powder