nikon d3x

Nikon D3X
Nikon D3X
Nikon D3X setup instructions for stop motion animation or time-lapse photography with Dragonframe

Supported Versions

Requires Dragonframe 2.3.8 or newer. (3.x, 4.x, 5.x, 2024.x are newer).

Live View

The Nikon D3X provides a live view via its USB connection. The live view size is 640 x 426.
The Nikon live view does not have live view exposure simulation.

Camera Settings

Dragonframe controls the Nikon D3X ISO, shutter speed, aperture (with digital lens), image quality, and size.

Product Info

You can find the Nikon D3X manual and specifications at the Nikon website.

Manual Lens to Avoid Flicker

To avoid any potential flicker that can be caused by electronically controlled aperture lenses, please consider using a fully manual aperture lens.
Learn More about Aperture Flicker

Setup Instructions

  1. Create a new scene or open an existing scene. (Dragonframe will not connect to your camera unless you have a scene open.)
  2. Power your camera by AC power if possible, or use a fully charged battery.
  3. Close any other applications that might connect to your camera.
    • - For macOS, Open Image Capture, select your camera, then in pop up area in lower-left select Connection camera opens: No application. (See Picture)
  4. Make sure Dropbox is not a client of the camera.
  5. You may need to quit Google Backup and Sync, since it can interfere with the camera even if you turn off syncing.
  6. If you have anti-virus software, white-list Dragonframe so that it may access your camera.
  7. Set the Mode Dial to Manual (M).
  8. Put the camera into live view mode and set Focus Mode to AF-S. (Then take camera out of live view mode.)
  9. Set the lens' Focus Mode to AF if you want to control focus from Dragonframe.
  10. Set Auto Image Rotation to OFF.
  11. If you use a Nikon digital lens, set Lens to Auto Focus and disable Vibration Reduction.
  12. You may need to remove the camera's memory card.
  13. Set USB Mode to MTP/PTP (not Mass Storage).
    The camera will not connect unless you do this.
  14. Set Active D-Lighting to OFF.
  15. If you need to use a flash/strobe, you must set Silent Live View Photography to OFF.
  16. Connect your camera to the computer with an appropriate USB cable.
  17. Proceed to the Cinematography workspace to adjust the camera exposure settings, check focus, and take test shots.