I set up a dark scene with dark gradients throughout. I decided to shoot at three
different ISO settings to see if the D-Lighting added noise. I used ISO 200, 1000, and 2000 at all four
camera D-Lighting settings - Off, Low, Normal, and High. The D-Lighting effect is noticeable. Not only
does it improve shadow detail, but it recovers highlight detail. They say a picture is worth a thousand words.
In this case it isn't, you have to pixel peep to see some of the differences, but they are there.
D-Lighting Off - ISO 200
D-Lighting Low - ISO 200
D-Lighting Normal - ISO 200
D-Lighting High - ISO 200
D-Lighting Off - ISO 1000
D-Lighting Low - ISO 1000
D-Lighting Normal - ISO 1000
D-Lighting High - ISO 1000
D-Lighting Off - ISO 2000
D-Lighting Low - ISO 2000
D-Lighting Normal - ISO 2000
D-Lighting High - ISO 2000
Here are all of them side by side
In conclusion, I must admit I came at this with an assumption, that the
D-Lighting would add noise. I must now admit that it doesn't seem to have much of a negative effect on
quality at all. It just works! It adds dynamic range in both the shadows, and the highlights. I'm a bit torn on
which setting has the best Image quality. It is between the ISO 200 with low D-Lighting, or having the lighting
feature turned off. But, I am leaning towards the low D-Lighting setting.
The MB-D10 Vertical Grip I picked up the vertical grip a couple days ago. It is very well made, and has lots of features. Not
only do you get the vertical shutter release, but you also get the another sub-command wheel that
is correctly placed to use while in the vertical position, an AF on/off switch, and AF focus point
selector. Perhaps the best thing is the feel it gives the camera body. It just feels better in my hand now.
Another really big plus is if you are shooting 12bit color nefs...then 6 fps is the max with the included EN-EL3e.
At 14bit color this falls to 2.5 fps. With the MB-D10 loaded with an additional EN-EL3e it returns to 6fps, and
with AA or the optional EN-EL4 battery it goes to a maximum of 7fps in CL mode, and 8fps in CH mode.
***EDIT***
I just tested this again, and it appears that 2.5 fps is the max with the AA batteries in 14 bit color mode.
However, the 12 bit color nefs now do shoot at 7fps in CL mode, and 8 fps in CH mode. I will revisit this
When I get the EN-EL4 battery cover (BL-3). I suspect that 2.5 fps in 14 bit color is the max...and 8fps is the
max in 12 bit color.
The MBD-10 vertical grip comes with the grip, and two battery cradles. One for 8-AA batteries, and
one for another EN-EL3 battery. If you would like even greater capacity - then you can order the
optional BL-3 battery cover to use EN-EL4 batteries from the D2 series of cameras. I have one
of these on order already. Lastly, it also includes a nice case for one of the battery cradles.
