D700 firmware update 1.01>1.02 test sample images

[StanyB]

Nikon released some firmware updates for D700, D3, D3X and D300s. I was curious about the results in practical use compared to what Nikon published about this firmware update.
I made some sample shots before and after the update.
D700 on tripod, delayed shutter release, 50mm F1.8 lens @ F22 and AWB. Testhots done under artificial(Incandescent) light for updated white balance check
Sample pictures taken @ iso 400; 800; 1600; 3200; 6400; 12800 and 25600.

During the test, ADL (Active D-Lighting) was switched "off".

Important notice: I choose to do this test in Aperture mode in order also to check eventual differences in metering while the lightning was absolutely constant.
After having done the test I regret not having done a second series in manual mode, to make it more complete, but I cannot undo the firmware upgrade to start again.
There is a difference is shutter speed in the iso 400(1.3<> 2sec) and the iso 12800(1/20<>1/15sec) picture, but the pitcures @ iso 800(1 sec), iso 1600(1/2 sec), iso 3200(1/4 sec), iso 6400 (1/8 sec) and iso 25600(1/50 sec) are the same and the differences related to those samples maintain different, and -TMHO- significantly improved.

the scene:


The sample shots, cropped from unprocessed NEF files @ 66,7% in Capture NX2 to jpeg 100%.

@ iso 400
Picture taken with firmware 1.01 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1.3 sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 2 sec)


@ iso 800
Picture taken with firmware 1.01(Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1sec)


@ iso 1600
Picture taken with firmware 1.01 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/2sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/2sec)


@ iso 3200
Picture taken with firmware 1.01(Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/4sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/4sec)


@iso 6400
Picture taken with firmware 1.01(Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/8sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/8sec°


@iso 12800
Picture taken with firmware 1.01 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/20sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/15sec)


@ iso 25600
Picture taken with firmware 1.01 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/50sec)

Picture taken with firmware 1.02 (Aperture mode, AWB, 50mm F1.8 @ F22, shutter speed 1/50sec)


Conclusion: I notice a very significant improvement in both AWB as in noise control. Images @ all look crispier and "clearer" like an +1/3 EV correction or exposure boost, in relation to this not taking the iso 400 and iso 12800 into account because they have a diff in shutter speed.
I was testing extensively a D3s from my friend Rudy Dusslier and when I compared the images with what I get out of my D700 the difference in exposure and crispness was the same as what I see between the images taken in this test between the old and new D700 firmware.
Noise levels and overall IQ, -even though already class leading @ the moment of the D700 release-, have again improved and are in relation to noise @ high iso very significant from iso 6400 upwards.
Simply great. Thanks Nikon.

[James]

Thanks Stany,

your results at 6400 look absolutely stunning to me - this seems to be leading me to sell the S5 and my DP1 as soon as possible and get a used D700 when the new Nikon comes out. I think it runs full frame rate when you shoot 14 bit raw too doesn't it? Those 2 parts are the 2 improvements I am looking for over my D300

Thanks again for taking the time to do the test and share the results with us!

James

[aclphoto]

Thanks for posting this... amazing results, I'll be upgrading my D3 tonight.

[StanyB]

Two things that might be important to know about the way this test was done:
1. During the test, ADL (Active D-Lighting) was switched "off".
While ADL affects exposure, it has an irreversable effect on a RAW file as well.
ADL might be great for jpeg shooters, but TMHO and confirmed to me by severals experts, while ADL affects exposure, it affects irreversable the NEF file as well.
The ability to switch off ADL in Capture NX2 raw processing cannot fully undo the influence ADL has on exposure.

2. Further more the NEFS during this test were captured 14bit.

[StanyB]

Underneath some additional crops I made from the test shots. The left is V1.01, the right ones are V1.02.

New crops from the iso 800 pictures


New crops from the iso 3200 pictures


New crops from the iso 6400 pictures


And new crops from the iso 25600 pictures

[James]

I prefer the old one at 800, although it looks like it's exposed slightly differently...

From then on the new firmware wins

[Geoff_Roughton]

Stany thanks for your continued efforts in keeping us all up todate For what its worth I upgraded the firmware and also dialed in my favourite jpeg settings which are....Picture Control Standard, sharpness, contrast and saturation "auto" with Active-D lighting "off" and I am very pleased with the results.

We used them in anger on Saturday when I did a shoot for "The Ring" magazine providing the shots for a profile of promoter Frank Maloney. I shot it both in Raw + Fine jpeg and the jpegs were very, very good.....iso1600 and 3200 were super.

Its almost like getting a new camera....the jpegs are now that good, and although the D3/D700 still lags behind the D3s I dont see it as a huge difference now and I no longer feel like I "need" to upgrade to the D3s.