Nikon D100 SLR Review

The D100 is compatible with about 90% of the F mount Nikkor lenses made. You need to use a focal length conversion factor of 1.5x to determine proper focal length coverage compared to the 35mm format.

On the left side of the lens mount is the Depth of Field (DOF) preview button, on the right side is the lens release lock button and the 3-way switch is used to select the desired focusing mode (Manual, Single AF or Continuous AF).

The D100 operates the best when using the latest Nikkor type D or G optics with the builtin CPU.   Here's the new AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm F3.5G, on the D100 it becomes a 36-128mm zoom.

Nikon Announces New Compact, Lightweight DX Series Lenses for Nikon Digital SLRs

Dec 12, 2002 --TOKYO--Nikon is pleased to announce the first of the new DX Nikkor lenses -- the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED. (18-36mm in (135) equivalent with Nikon D1-series and D100 digital SLRs).

This will be the first truly compact, lightweight AF-S ultra-wideangle zoom lens designed exclusively for use with Nikon digital SLR cameras, and is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2003.

Read the Nikon press release.

Read Bj�rn R�rslett's in-depth Nikkor 12-24DX review

The D100 has a built-in manual pop-up type flash with a GN: 11/36 (ISO 100, m/ft.). D-TTL (Automatic Balanced Fill-Flash controlled by five-segment TTL Multi Sensor) with built-in Speedlight and external Speedlights. The accessory shoe on top has dedicated flash contacts for Nikon SB-28DX, SB-50DX, SB-80DX, X-contact only; flash synchronization up to 1/180 sec.

Flash sync modes are: 1) Front-Curtain Sync (normal sync), 2) Red-Eye Reduction, 3) Red-Eye Reduction with Slow Sync, 4) Slow Sync or 5) Rear-Curtain Sync.

The Nikon SB-28DX, SB-50DX or the new SB-80DX (shown above) Speedlights feature 3D Multi-Sensor Balanced Fill-Flash (with D or G-type AF Nikkor lenses) and were designed specifically for the D1 series cameras.

You can easily connect the D100 to external studio flash units via the Nikon AS-15 Sync Terminal Adapter. It slides on the flash hot shoe and gives you a standard PC sync connector. (Of course Nikon should have put the PC sync connector on the camera in the first place.)

The eyelevel pentaprism finder shows approx. 95% of the captured frame. It has dioptric adjustment and a comfortable eye relief with a fairly wide viewing angle.

The D100's viewfinder display - in the center are the 5 focus zones and the center-weighted metering circle. The focus zone that is selected or active will turn red when the shutter is pressed. The horizontal and vertical grid lines can be enabled or disabled via the menu.

Across the bottom is the digital readout that shows the autofocus status, metering mode, shutter speed, aperture setting, exposure mode (P, A, S, M), analog exposure scale, flash compensation, exposure compensation, # of pictures remaining and the flash status.

On the back is a high quality 1.8-inch, color TFT LCD with 118,0000 pixel resolution. It allows for instant, in-field review of captured images with all the camera and exposure data plus optional histogram and/or highlighting. You can quickly go through stored images using the thumbnail option common to most digicams. All of the playback features are detailed on page 5

The D100 comes with a clear LCD cover but it has to be removed to really "see" your images. It's made of clear plastic so it can be used while it's in place to access the menus, it gives the LCD protection from scratches, nose oil, fingerprints and dirt.

Want to really be able to see your color screen, even when outdoors in the bright sunlight?  Here's the new Hoodman SLR Pro Shooter Kit (HSLR-3).

It's a combination LCD protector, LCD hood and magnifying insert. It works with 1.8 to 2-inch color LCD screens on the Canon D30, D60, Kodak 520, 620, 760 or DCS Pro Back, Fuji S1, S2 or the Nikon D100. The bellows is collapsable so it won't keep you from the eyelevel viewfinder and can be left on all the time. The 2X magnifying insert can be easily removed if all you want is the shaded hood.

The Hoodman HSLR-3 does not block any buttons or controls on the Nikon D100 or the other cameras listed above. Available immediately for just $49.95, it makes a great addition to your useful dSLR accessories.

The mode dial has positions for "P"rogram AE, "S"hutter speed priority, "A"perture priority and "M"anual exposure modes.   It also lets you change the focus mode "[+]", image QUALity, White Balance and the ISO speed.

The selector underneath of the Mode Dial is for changing the drive mode; Single, Continuous (5 frames @ 2.5fps) or Self-timer. The lock button prevents accidental changes of the drive mode selector.

Looking down on the grip side we see the large monochrome data LCD which lets you know all of the most important camera settings at a glance. The button to the right turns on the LCD's backlight when needed.

The monochrome data LCD displays the battery status, shutter speed, aperture, image size, icons for Program-Shift, exposure compensation, flash compensation AE Bracketing, clock battery, Custom function, image quality, flash mode, focus mode, number of shots remaining and frame number at playback, and white balance.