Along the front of the camera are the I/O ports for the AC power adapter and the Video Out. Near the top of the camera is the PC flash sync connector and below that is a 10-pin connector for the remote shutter release (see next frame) and other camera-control functions. The small LED is for selftimer indication.

The switch next to the I/O ports is the focus selector; Manual, Continuous autofocus or Single autofocus modes are available.

For photographers who wish to release the shutter of the D-1 by remote control, the Nikon accessory Infrared Remote Control ML-3 will allow remote shutter release over a maximum distance of ~8 meters.

The ML-2T radio transmitter (shown inset) allows control of the ML-3 receiver from a range of ~100 meters.

On the side of the pentaprism you'll find the diopter adjustment for the eyelevel finder and the metering control switch. Exclusive Nikon 3D Color Matrix Meter, TTL white balance and Tone Compensation -- Control range from fully automatic to fully manual; also includes Variable Center-Weighted meter and five Spot meters.

This is a picture of the Nikon F5's viewfinder display and is very close to what you see inside of the D1's viewfinder. In the center you see the 5 different focus zones as well as the center-weighted metering circle. Across the bottom is the digital readout that shows the autofocus status, metering mode, shutter speed, aperture setting, exposure mode (P, A, S, M), flash status, EV comp, # of pictures taken and a digital representation of an analog exposure scale when in Manual mode.

Like its film counterpart, the D1 is equipped with a vertical grip and a vertical shutter release to make shooting portrait mode shots a snap.

Unlike other pro cameras the D1 does not use full size PC cards, it is equipped with a CompactFlash Type II slot. The storage media of choice is Lexar Media's Pro Series 8x and 10x solid state CF cards. For a comprehensive look at available storage options see Rob Galbraith's "Selecting a CompactFlash card for a professional camera" review.

Nikon D1 RGB Tiff Write Speed File Size 7.6 MB Lexar 10x Pro CF Type I, 160 MB - 10 seconds Delkin CF Type II, 224 MB - 11 seconds Simple Technologies CF Type I, 128 MB - 12 seconds Lexar 8x, CF Type I, 80 MB - 17 seconds IBM CF Type II, 170 MB Microdrive - 20 seconds IBM CF Type II, 340 MB Microdrive - 24 seconds SanDisk CF Type I, 40 MB - 24 seconds

At left are some personally clocked write speeds on my own Nikon D1. I used the RGB Tiff format for the testing because it is the largest (therefore slowest writing) file, and gave the most graphic comparison speeds on my watch. Card speeds listed in ascending order, fastest first. All tests were done on freshly formatted, empty cards. Thanks to John Cowley for this info taken from his Nikon D1 review

Even though its use is not approved by Nikon, many use the IBM Microdrive in the D1.   Originally it offered 170MB or 340MB of capacity but IBM has just released the new 512MB and 1GB capacity Microdrives. Now you have lots of memory to shoot all NEFs or TIFFs if desired.

Pictures remaining in JPEG Fine and raw NEF modes with 1GB Microdrive

The D1 is compatible with virtually every F mount Nikkor lens made. You need to use a factor of 1.5x to determine proper focal length coverage compared to the 35mm format.

The best results will be obtained with the latest Nikkor AF-D optics with the builtin CPU. One of my favorites is the Nikkor 24-120mm F3.5, it covers most of the common focal lengths from wideangle to telephoto and is equivalent to a 36-180mm on the D1.

Shown above is Nikon's new AF 28-70 IF-ED F2.8 lens with the "silent wave" focusing motor. This is an awesome lens with an equally awesome price! See the links below for a complete review of this and other new Nikon lenses.

Nikon recently released the new AF Nikkor 14mm f/2.8D ED lens. Particularly suited for the demands of photojournalism, this high-performance, ultra-wideangle lens is the perfect complement to the Nikon D1. The lens’ effective coverage is equivalent to 21mm on the D1. Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass and aspherical lens elements deliver superior optical performance.

Nikon’s new AF VR Zoom-Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED boasts an innovative Vibration Reduction (VR) system that offers performance superior to that of any other system. It allows handheld supertelephoto zoom shooting at dusk, at night, and even in poorly lit interiors. Nikon’s new VR system minimizes image blur caused by camera shake, and offers the equivalent of shooting at a shutter speed three stops (eight times) faster. This exciting new Nikkor lens is ideal for photographers who shoot candid, portrait, sports photography and many other types of images.

The D1 uses the EN-4 NiMH rechargeable battery pack and comes with the MH-16 Quick Charger. I have yet to wait longer than 60 minutes to charge up a battery pack. The MH-15 and EH-3 chargers supplied with F-100 and E-3 camera systems can be used to charge the D-1's EN-4 battery.

The D-1 was designed to operate in the wide range of environments where professional photographers make their living. This includes low temperatures such as those found at altitude or polar regions. The EH-4 will keep 90% of its charge for 2 or 3 weeks in cold weather conditions. Therefore, for the storage of EN-4, low temperature is better.

Nikon D1 Custom Settings cheat sheet

Hoodman "Hoodcap" for the D1

You won't own or use a Nikon D1 for long before that opaque LCD cover becomes more than a minor annoyance. It can often get snapped to the point that you swear you are going to break it in two trying to get it off. Our friends at Hoodman USA have come up with an inexpensive alternative called the Hoodcap for the Nikon D1.

As you can "see" it is transparent and does not have to be removed. It gives your LCD the same protection as the opaque cap so no worries about knicks or scratches or expensive repairs. This is the best $20 accessory you'll ever buy for your D1 !

This from Mike Chaney (author of Qimage Pro)

"I found that the Hoodman does a good job in protecting the LCD. I noted that the LCD was just as sharp and detailed with the Hoodman on as it was with it off. It definitely doesn't get in the way or deter from the image on the LCD in any way. I think it's easily worth $20. It's nicely made and fastens easily and tightly to the D1. I suspect that anyone who uses the preview function frequently will really appreciate it."

New Hoodman D1 Hoodcap Hood

With your Hoodcap in place over your Nikon D1's LCD screen, the new D1 Hood slips over the ears of your Hoodcap and snugly stays in place. D1 hood is a soft rubber hood with bellows which collapse onto themselves when you need to look through your viewfinder. D1-hood springs back into place providing glare free LCD screen viewing when you move your eye away from your viewfinder.