Previous article
Next article

Sony 10.2MP Waterproof Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 Review by PR With Rating 8.3/10


Pentax 12.1 Megapixels Optio I-10 Review by CNET With Rating 6.4/10


Nikon D3X DSLR Camera Lens Gears Use In Space At International Space Station

2010-06-15 02:38
Average Camera Review Rating [5 reviews]

Back in 2007, NASA/JSC ( NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston Teax) purchased a big lot of DSLR digital cameras and camera peripherals from Nikon, including 48 Nikon D2XS DSLR Cameras. 

Today, Nikon announces that its latest DSLR cameras, the Nikon 12.1 Megapixels D3S and 24.5 Megapixels D3X together with some telephoto lenses (AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR and AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR) will be used in the Russian segment of the International Space Station. The company says that no modifications will be made to any of the products and they will join the existing Nikon film and digital cameras/lenses used by the astronauts working in the segment. Nikon also mentions the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) had ordered 11 D3S bodies and 7 AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses for use in the Space Shuttle and ISS in 2009. 

Primary Nikon products in the current order
  • D3X
  • D3S
  • AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
  • AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR
  • SB-900
  • AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
  • AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II
  • AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
  • Capture NX2
  • Camera Control Pro 2



Show full Press Release

The latest Nikon equipment to be used in the Russian segment of the International Space Station
New orders received for Nikon D3S and D3X digital-SLR cameras as well as NIKKOR interchangeable lenses

June 14, 2010: Nikon Corporation (Michio Kariya, President) is pleased to announce that orders for one Nikon D3S and two Nikon D3X digital-SLR cameras, four interchangeable lenses including AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, software and various accessories have been received from S.P. Korolev Rocket and Space Corporation Energia, the general contractor of the Russian Federal Space Agency on the program operating the International Space Station(ISS). This equipment will be transported to the ISS via the Soyuz TMA-19 spacecraft, to be launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome on June 16, 2010.

No special improvements or modifications will be made to these products. They will be the same products available to consumers, confirming the incredible reliability of the D3S, D3X and NIKKOR lenses. The new equipment will be used along with Nikon SLR cameras, such as the Nikon F5 film-SLR camera and D2X digital-SLR camera and a variety of NIKKOR lenses already used with on-board activities of Russian cosmonauts working in the Russian segment of ISS.

Nikolay Cherlenyak, director of operations for Energia's ISS program, has commented as follows regarding this order.
"The integration of Nikon photographic equipment in space exploration has a long history and goes back to the moment when there first arose the question of photographing research conducted in orbit. It was then when the first Nikon film cameras and NIKKOR lenses, notable for precision and reliability, were sent into space. They had been used even on the station "Mir". Since then, the range of photographic equipment has been frequently supplemented by new products and advanced developments of the Nikon Company. Now with the latest models of Nikon D3S and D3X digital cameras, photography in space will reach a new, previously unattainable level "

Nikon has spent many years contributing to the study of space through the development and manufacture of advanced and extremely durable cameras and interchangeable lenses. With total production exceeding 50 million, NIKKOR lenses make the most of Nikon's optical technologies. In 2009, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) ordered eleven D3S cameras and seven AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses for use in recording activities aboard the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.

In addition to the extreme environment of space, Nikon also provides official observation equipment used in exploring the Antarctic. Nikon equipment contributes to observation and research of these little explored regions with durability, reliability and technical capabilities that stand up to even the most severe environments.

Primary Nikon products in the current order
  • D3X
  • D3S
  • AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
  • AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR
  • SB-900
  • AF-S Teleconverter TC-20E III
  • AF-S Teleconverter TC-17E II
  • AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E II
  • Capture NX2
  • Camera Control Pro 2

Nikon products already used in the ISS's Russian Segment
  • D2X
  • D200
  • D3X
  • Various NIKKOR lenses

Nikon D3x Sample Photos on Flickr



Nikon D3x Camera Reviews Roundup


Camera Labs: "I had a lot of fun being the owner of a Nikon D3x for 10 days and it was a great learning experience too. As much as I enjoyed shooting with the D3x, this adventure helped me realise the D3x really isn't the right camera choice for me and I'm glad Gordon persuaded me to rent it as a trial first. The difference in price between my 7D and the D3x was $6500. Even though I thought the D3x was a great camera, I didn't fe..." - Nov 06 2011 More »
N/A
NeoCamera: "The Nikon D3X maintains its position among top quality DSLR even 3 years after its introduction. It delivers the highest resolution images among DSLRs while performing very throughout its ISO sensitivity range. Color with tweaking, metering, dynamic range and sharpness with a good lens are all exceptional. White-balance is good but not perfect but easily fixed using custom white-balance or presets.The value of the D..." - Oct 02 2011 More »
ePhotoZine: "We all know that the key to low noise at high ISOs is not squeezing too many pixels onto the biggest sensor possible - this is why the 12.1 Mp Nikon D3s and D700 have such an enviable low noise reputation - but could Nikon achieve a similar performance with twice the number of pixels. The answer is no, but that's simply not the point of the D3x. Granted, its noise is fine up to ISO800, and even at ISO1600 it's prett..." - Apr 30 2010 More »
N/A
DigitalCameraReview: "In a word, the D3x's image quality is stunning. Images are sharp and detail capture, as one would hope (and expect) is amazing. Zoom into a tree trunk and you can almost see the layers of wood exposed where people carved their initials. Colors are accurate and natural looking on default settings but there are so many parameter adjustments that it's easy to compensate for any color shift. As always, Nikon's matr..." - Jan 03 2010 More »
N/A

Nikon D3x Reviews Roundup [Total 11 Reviews] »



Nikon D3x Camera Recent User Reviews

Great camera for the right application, Bruce Glass - Jan 28 2013
I long waited for Nikon to develop a full-frame camera with high enough resolution to do landscapes and architectural interiors. The D3x filled that need pretty well. Like almost all Nikon professional products, it is built for durability and reliability. The images produced are sharp and rich in color (even when set to the "neutral" mode). The camera features a wide variety...


Great camera for the right application, Bruce Glass "Author of Exploring Faith and Re... - Jan 28 2013
I long waited for Nikon to develop a full-frame camera with high enough resolution to do landscapes and architectural interiors. The D3x filled that need pretty well. Like almost all Nikon professional products, it is built for durability and reliability. The images produced are sharp and rich in color (even when set to the "neutral" mode). The camera features a wide variety...


magnificent, J. COLLETTE "flyguy" - May 18 2012
a world class professional camera.amazing image quality continues from the d3 to this 24.5 mp technological wonder.i bought used,at half of its original costs,and couldnt be happier....


Amazing beyond my expectations!, Texfiddler "Tex" - Mar 21 2012
I have to say that I was slow to reach for the wallet on this one and delayed my purchase way too long. I should have gotten the day it came out, I would have been so much futher along. But now that I have it...I am shocked by just how good it really is. The photos are out of this world. I am also a Canon CPS shooter and I can say they dont have anything that comes close to this... No...


More Nikon D3x User Reviews »


DSLR Photography Latest Posts





Cameras In The Article