In the Field: Nikon D4 for Motorsport Photography

In this review, motorsport photographer Jamie Bufton tests out the Nikon D4 to see if the 2012 full-frame DSLR can keep up with cars and drivers on the racetrack.

How does the Nikon D4 compare with APS-C models like the Fujifilm X-T2 mirrorless and Canon EOS 60D DSLR? Let's hear from Jamie.

Specs

I loved the Nikon D4 so much that I bought my own. The colours coming out of the camera were so nice compared to my Nikon D300. The quality of the camera was so good I couldn’t go back to using a D300 with lesser quality and a much worse feel.

I love the size of the body, it worked really nice in the hand but it was also very heavy, making my wrist sore sometimes. Especially adding the 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM to the camera made it weigh a ton. However, if I add a strap it’s really not that bad and is useable. People always complain about the size and weight but you need it to get small and sharp glass, it just doesn’t work. 

Build quality

The Nikon’s build quality is second to none. I believe that Nikon pro cameras are some of the best ever. They feel great in the hand. They’re weighty, which fills me with confidence. The buttons themselves also felt good, had a nice press and clicked nicely in the hand. They were placed almost perfectly for me, as I have larger hands.

Ergonomics

The size and weight of the Nikon D4 are the only downsides. I feel like it's too big for street photography, so I’m less likely to take it with me to places—unlike the Fujifilm X-T2, which was great for taking on walks and more everyday use. The Nikon D4 was just too bulky for that. However, in terms of motorsport photography, the Nikon D4 is almost perfect. It's really comfortable to hold for long periods of time, and has an ergonomic grip and eyepiece, which I really like.

Balance

The balance of this camera is brilliant with a larger and heavier lens attached. It felt best with the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II. Almost like they were made for each other. It balanced well on the tripod plate and felt good. But, with the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM mounted, it was very front-heavy. With a small lens, like my old Nikon 50mm f/1.8, it felt a bit odd.

Sensor

I loved the full-frame sensor. It really makes everything much more detailed. My 50mm lens looks amazing on the camera. 

Battery life

The Nikon D4 holds its battery for ages. For my personal Nikon D4, I’ve recently bought a secondary battery so that I’m less stressed about it dying. But I’ll rarely need it. The battery life will usually hold for more than a day for shooting for me. 

Image quality

I have a couple of my best photos I’ve taken with the camera. It’s hard to pick a single one, so I’ve narrowed it down to four. The first photo is one I shot recently at the Festival of Speed, working for McMurtry Automotive, who ended up winning the event and getting the new fastest run up the Hill Climb. The photo is a picture of Derek Bell, a former professional British racing car driver, who won Le Mans many times. The picture is of him looking away into the paddock just before he shuts his door and heads off into the starting area.

This photo was immediately one of my best, I had framed the subject using the open door and the inside of the windscreen. Taking this photo helped lighten my mood, especially after already having three days of continuous shooting. 

Low-light performance

This shot was composed at about 22:00, with the only light coming from a garage in the pit lane. The garage has five people standing in it, creating a secondary subject. This photo demonstrates the low-light capabilities of the Nikon D4, and how well the camera handles high ISO. This shot was taken at ISO 3,200 with next-to-no grain or noise. This is exceptional for a DSLR, especially of its age. This photo was shot with the 70-200mm f/2.8, at f/2.8, to get as much light into the camera as possible.  

Another favourite is the shot of a BMW 2002 I took for BMW Magazine. The image was taken from the back of another car. Being my first-time doing rolling shots, I was really happy with the photos. 

This shot of the McMurtry Spéirling was taken at Goodwood Festival of Speed at about 01:00. The shot is a composite of three images, one of the stars, one of the cars and one of the exposed floors. The shot was taken on my Nikon D4 with a Tokina 28-80mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro Nikon lens, at 28mm.

My advice to beginners is to go to a local racetrack. If it’s a smaller community, you can get to know the drivers and management team, and start to get noticed. 

Don’t compare yourself to others—it just brings down your mood. There will always be someone better than you, and there will always be people you look up to.

Read Jamie’s Fujifilm X-T2 review and Canon EOS 60D review. Or check out our sports photography guide or camera gear guides on the MPB Content Hub.