Comments on: [Opinion] The Future of Nikon’s Pro DSLR Line-Up

By: Matt Fitzgerald

Matt Fitzgerald — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 05:02:00 +0000

The way I see it, both Canon & Nikon seem to be slimming down their lines of cameras. 2 pro bodies with different feature sets. 1 semi pro body, and an array of amateur cameras… for revenue purposes of course. Although I’m not too savvy on the specs of the 800, I haven’t given up on Nikon and know that in another year there will be a camera that I just “have to have”.

By: wannabe_likemike

wannabe_likemike — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 10:01:00 +0000

Nikon always goes small and moves up.

It hasn’t killed the D4x.

The D7000 Killed D300s? lol…

Did the D70 kill the D2h?

Resolution isn’t everything, and sooner than we know it, Nikon will be blowing away their D800 with the D4x sometime next year.

(Once they’re done selling enough D800s, that is).

By: Leo Hoang

Leo Hoang — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 08:56:00 +0000

Personally, I think this D800 was created and was supposed to be put into production last year, but then with the natural disasters that occured, it slowed them down from actually putting it out there, and in effect, it would’ve given Canon a bench mark to just beat. Then Canon would have had a whole year to see what Nikon have done, and just try improve on it. Now with the 5DMK3 and D800 being released within the same year, they’ve made it more difficult for Canon.

Reasons why I feel the D800 was developed last year is because the lack of XQD Cards. Personally I don’t trust the XQD Card, as these cards are expensive and will be dead technology soon. Sony have a bad reputation with releasing Storage Media which do not last (MiniDisc, MemoryStickPro).

But point being is that they developed the camera, spec’d it up in such a way where it would be released without that card type, and then the had to delay it’s announcement/release, then the card type came out, and D4 was being developed and then incorporated it into that model instead, and not updated their design for the D800.

In addition, the lack of compatibility with the WT-5… Again, it seems to me they developed the D800, and then closed the books on that design and left the announcement waiting. Then they designed the D4, and WT-5, didn’t make the WT-5 Backwards compatible, but with the design for D800 already completed and closed, they just didn’t bother with updating it’s compatibility with WT-5.

That’s my opinion… so I think this camera would be revolutionary and big essential purchase if it was released last year. But this year with it being released against other tech, it looks less attractive.

I personall will still buy it as I cannot afford the D4, and D3s is still out of my reach, and D700 I don’t feel is worth stepping up from a D7000.

D800 hopefully will be worth it’s AutoFocus System alone… as the D7000 AF is a bit unreliable at times.

I am new to Photography, and I don’t claim to be the most informed person, but from what I’m reading, this is what I understand. But from what I’m reading, this is how I understand the situation. What’s your thoughts?

By: Adam Ottke

Adam Ottke — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 05:11:00 +0000

Yeah… Well, depending on pricing, then Nikon wouldn’t be selling as many D4s or D800s. And that’s a problem for stockholders….

By: J TM

J TM — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 22:37:00 +0000

Which makes sense.

HOWEVER, it seems crazy that Nikon hasn’t released an adapter that allows for radio based CLS/AWL.

It would be much easier than releasing region-specific bodies, and they would no doubt sell like hotcakes.

I know the PocketWizard flex system allows for this already, but it is still not as straightforward as the RF CLS/AWL system. I would buy the Nikon system in a flash (pun intended).

By: Jason Marck

Jason Marck — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:57:00 +0000

totally and completely agree. and so do thousands of other pros and enthusiasts who have either owned the fantastic D700 or who have been waiting to make the jump up to such a camera. We shoot in clubs, in wedding halls, our kids basketball games…you name it-give us a full frame sensor with a few more megapixels than 12, and a some slight ISO improvements on the high end (a stop or two would be fine), and I’m laying down my cash today. I afford or lug around the D4, and I’m not shooting the landscapes or the fashion runways that would justify gigantic files.

By: perceptionalreality

perceptionalreality — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 21:33:00 +0000

That may have been what you meant, but that’s not what you said. The way you worded it made it seem like it was the first time Nikon has ever done this. :)

By: Michael L

Michael L — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 19:30:00 +0000

Although a 36 Mpx sensor is impressive and very nice for fashion work and similar I still think that a lot(most?) would have preferred a compromise between speed and resolution.
A resolution of 24-28 Mpx with 8-9 fps would have been able to satisfy most people in both camps.
Having a camera that can shoot 14 fps is getting ridiculous – It’s just “spray and pray” shooting.

Getting a good compromise would instead allow us to shoot fashion and similar while also being able to shoot action pictures(Snowboarding etc.) without having to compromise or buy several cameras.
And it doesn’t make sense to be able to buy a $3000 for studio/fashion shooting and then having to pay double that to get a second body that can shoot at high fps instead. It’s a weird combo that makes no sense.

Give me a fullframe 24 Mpx, 8 fps camera with the video functions and weather-sealing like the D800 and then you will have a hit that even trumps the 5D Mark II.

Your remark about the Nikon being behind in video is misplaced – It’s true that Canon was first with the 5D Mark II, but the options given by the D4/D800 is clearly better than the 5D – So Nikon has the lead.

By: Corey Melton

Corey Melton — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:23:00 +0000

not for the next few months at least

By: Corey Melton

Corey Melton — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 18:20:00 +0000

also, the d300s