On 23 August, Nikon shooters got what they wanted. Nikon introduced two new cameras, the D3 and the D300, which were, according to the press release, at least, the Holy Grail, achieving if not surpassing everything the competition had to offer. (Our first impressions from Tokyo).

Robert Cristina, product manager of the Nikon Professional Products division claimed that the D3 set a new standard in pro cameras. “The speed, the resolution and the versatility of the new D3 will enable professional photographers to work in conditions that were considered impossible before.”

More than a month has passed since then, but no real relevant information is available as to the two cameras' practical capabilities. When it comes to body construction, AF, metering, shutters etc, Nikon was always the leader. When it comes to the electronic components, however, up to now, they were very much the second fiddle to Canon. Unfortunately, even though I've had the cameras for almost two weeks now, I cannot give you any information regarding image quality of Nikon D3 and Nikon D300. Nikon are very reluctant to show results from preproduction cameras – and they're perfectly right to do so. Pre-production image samples are the best way to get armchair pros started - and when they get started, shutting them up is impossible. And since it's impossible to make them happy, this is quite simply bad press for products that aren't even available yet.

The cameras were introduced by NPS manager, Yasuo Baba.

In September, there was a NPS (Nikon Professional Services) event in Slovenia, combined with presentations intended for the press and for Nikon distributors. This event was a great chance for everyone involved to get their hands on the new DSLR cameras. Naturally, the Nikon D3 was the belle de jour, with its brand spanking new full-frame (or as Nikon like to call it, FX) sensor, making it possible for Nikon to outdo the competition in a big way. Those photographers who started on film know fully well that the 36x24 mm ratio, focal lengths and depth of field are anything but arbitrary. And it's all this that made the Nikon D3 an instant success. There are waiting lists to get the new camera, which is set to be released in November, and in a saturated market, this is no small feat. The new Nikon D300 got far less attention, despite Nikon's best efforts. Nevertheless, the D300 should prove to be a very interesting camera on its own.

• Canon EOS 1D MkIII - First impressions
  The camera performed well for real photojournalistic work. Even without being completely familiar with the new features of the Mk III, the settings are easy to use if you know the previous 1D series cameras. But it takes real work to know whether the camera is trustworthy or not. In my opinion, it'll take at least half a year to discover all possible shortcomings. This is why I don't want to give a final opinion for this camera at the start of its career.
  
• Nikon D300 and Nikon D3 Hands-on Preview
  My impressions for today? Nikon is back in the saddle, and the saddle is on a very good horse. But they haven't won the race yet.
  
• Olympus Evolt E-510 Review / DIWA Awards
  A review of the Olympus E-510, with comparison shots of Nikon D40x, Canon 400D and Canon 1D Mk III.
  
• Sony Alpha 700 first impressions
  The Sony Alpha 700 will certainly get a warm reception from the existing Sony and Konica Minolta users, but as to those who have yet to get into the wonderfully expensive world of DSLRs, well, that remains to be seen. Let's wait till the cameras hit the shelves – with the final firmware.
  
• Nikon Sendai plant visit
  A tour of the Nikon Sendai plant. The birth of a Nikon D3, in other words.
  
• Canon 40D Review
  A quick review of the Canon 40D.
  
• Nikon D3 and memory card speeds
  Ever wondered how fast a card has to be to keep up with the Nikon D3? Read on and find out.
  
• Olympus E-3 - first impressions
  Matjaž gets soaking wet in rainy Istanbul. He risked life, limb and a very angry missus just to see if the Olympus E-3 could take it. It could.
  
• A few shots with a production Nikon D300
  Want to see how a production Nikon D300 works on models? Well, only one way to find out. (I don't really have to tell you to click the link, do I?)
  
• Nikon Solutions Expo / London - Cologne - Vienna
  Wanna see what Nikon Solutions Expo in London, Germany, Vienna looked like? Have a peek.
  
• Shutter time accuracy - Nikon D300
  Following our visit to the Nikon plant in Sendai, we were curious about how good exactly were those Nikon shutters. After all, Nikon claim to employ the strictest quality control measures seen since the Inquisition, and we wanted to make sure they were telling the truth.
  
• Nikon D300 - mnenje uporabnika
  Vsak, ki se ukvarja s fotografiranjem profesionalno ali amatersko, pride v situacijo, ko si želi zabeležiti vse svoje spomine, pomembne, zanimive ali nenavadne dogodke, tako družinske kot turistične. Tistemu, ki ljubi fotografiranje in želi doseči višji nivo na tem področju, finančne zmožnosti pa mu to dopuščajo, bo Nikon D300 zagotovo eden izmed tistih, ki bo v največji meri zadovoljil njegova pričakovanja.
  
• The last Canon EOS
  In 2004, Mr. Iwasaki Takaya told me to expect an EOS 3D. This would mean a new, high quality body, with 1Ds Mk II sensor, a high resolution screen and perhaps even video recording. Oh yes, it’s completely unthinkable, video in a still camera.