Nikon D1

D1 image by Capa_r2 (Image rights)

The Nikon D1 is a pro-level digital SLR camera announced by Nikon in 1999. The D1 series was replace by the D2 series in 2002. The body is designed similar to the Nikon F5 film camera. This was Nikon's first in house designed Digital SLR camera. Previous efforts were collaborations with Fuji and Kodak.

It has a 15.6mm x 23.7mm (essentially APS-C, with a format-factor of 1.5), 2.7 mega pixel CCD sensor. This produces images of 2,000 x 1,312 resolution. They are captured in the NTSC colourspace in Raw, TIFF or JPEG file formats. The AF uses TTL five focus point sensor based on the Multi-CAM1300 with a range of -1 to 19 EV (ISO 100). The focusing system can be set at single, continuous or manual servo modes. AF mode include single, dynamic with tracking the closest subject. There is also a AF lock mode. Exposure modes are the typical PASM. Metering modes include, matrix, center-weighted and spot.

It has a shutter of 30s to 1/16000 of a sec. plus a bulb mode. The back features a 2" 120,000 TFT based colour LCD screen. Photos are stored on CompactFlash cards and can be accessed via 1394 / i.link / FireWire 400 interface. Power is from a rechargeable NiMh based EN-4 battery.

The Nikon D1H released a couple years later is a refined version. Changes include switching from the NTSC colour space to a choice of sRGB or Adobe RGB. This made colour management much easier for most workflows. Other than that it has an improved frame buffer and slightly higher resolution LCD screen.

The Nikon D1X is based on the D1H but changes the sensor to a higher resolution 5.4 megapixel version. This sensor captures rectangular pixels in 4028 x 1324 with a approx 6:2 ratio instead of the more common square: higher horizontal resolution than the previous cameras bt the same in the vertical. It produces final images of 3,008 x 1,960 in the 3:2 ratio. The format factor of the camera is unchanged at 1.5.

D1 back view image by Vagn Sloth-Madsen (Image rights)

Models

D1x image by maoby (Image rights)

	D1	D1H	D1X
Year	1999	2001
Megapixel	2.7		5.4
Resolution	2,000 x 1,312		3008 x 1,960
ISO	200-1600		125-800
Colour space	NTSC	sRGB or Adobe RGB
Frame	4.5 fps / 22 shots	5 fps / 40 shots	3 fps / 4-9 shots
LCD	2" 114,000 pixels	2" 130,000 pixels
Storage	CompactFlash I/II	CompactFlash I/II, Microdrive
Interface	1394 / i.link / FireWire 400

Links

• Nikon D1 user manual at Manualslib
• Nikon D1H user manual at Manualslib
• Nikon D1X user manual at Manualslib
• Nikon D1 review By Phil Askey at Digital Photography Review
• Nikon D1, D1H/D1X and technical specs at Photography in Malaysia
• Nikon D1, D1H and D1X at Lonestardigital