13 replies to this topic

[TBonz]

Saw this - haven't even had a chance to watch the video yet...

 

Nikon Mirrorless Teaser

 

Just passing along...

[nbanjogal]

I watched the video--pretty but not a lot of information. I will be watching this development with great interest. I've been wanting to get into the mirrorless world for quite a while now, though I've had my eye on the Sony full-frame camera. I'll be interested in seeing how Nikon's version will stack up. I don't think their current mirrorless has been reviewed with the same enthusiasm as the Fujifilm or Sony mirrorless cameras. Tom, you've got a N1, don't you? How have you liked it?

[Ron]

From what little I've been able to discover... the new camera will sport a completely new lens mount. Whether there will be any backwards compatibility seems questionable. Nikon Rumors is giving August 23 as the release date. As Nicole said, Nikon's video teaser is long on tease and short on specifics. We wait. 

 

--Ron

[ScottinPollock]

From what little I've been able to discover... the new camera will sport a completely new lens mount. Whether there will be any backwards compatibility seems questionable.

Nikon has a patent application floating about for an adapter for F mount lenses. What is strange about it is that it seems not to use on sensor autofocus. Instead, the adapter design has a transparent mirror in it that reflects the image up to a conventional phase detect focus sensor located near the top of the device.

I would guesstimate that this was done due to a new autofocus protocol used in the mirrorless camera that the F mount lenses can't interpret... so they're recreating the existing phase detect protocol in the adaptor. Unfortunately, this means calibration issues with F mount lenses will remain. But this could be good news if they went all out with the new autofocus system (not hampering it with legacy compatibility).

But I bet that adapter be pricey! And I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks autofocus on a lot of third party F mount lenses. Whether they can and will recover from that with firmware upgrades is anyones guess.

Nevertheless I am excited to see what this will be.

[Ron]

Thanks Scott. That explains a lot. I'm also looking forward to seeing this camera (or camera(s)).

 

--Ron

[TBonz]

Nicole - Yes, I have a Nikon1 V3.  It isn't a DSLR, but I've been happy with it.  Unfortunately it got damaged a couple of months ago and I haven't sent it in for repair yet.  More specifically, I find a fair amount of grain at 800 ISO or higher.  Definitely not fast enough focusing or responsive enough to shoot sports, but it is a nice, small, easily carried camera.  The size is great for more frequent carrying and since it isn't one I use for paid jobs, I feel more comfortable carrying it in some situations where I might not want to carry my DSLR...note damaged now !

 

I would definitely consider changing to mirrorless if they have "pro" level capabilities but nothing there yet...I have some friends who tried sports with some of the Sony bodies (recently) and none felt the Sony's were up to the task yet though they continue to get closer...Hoping Nikon hits a home run here...

[iNYONi]

http://blog.graysofw...-nikkor-lenses/

Confirmation. NICOLE, you'll be pleased with this I think.

[nbanjogal]

Indeed!! Thanks, Rob! Glad to see they specifically mentioned the F-mount adapter, thought ScottinPollock has me worried about whether it would work with many of my lenses or whether I could even afford it.

 

So, anybody want to take a guess on price point? (for the camera, not the adapter, heh...)

[ScottinPollock]

[sunshine]

I will guess that the first release(s) will be moderately priced and have consumer or "prosumer" features - somewhere in the $1000 - $1999 range.  Nikon will sell more of those.  If that goes well, maybe we'll see a more pro-oriented body.  I doubt if the first versions will compete with the D850 or D5.  I would also guess that they are targeting Sony's lineup as the competition to beat.

 

Edit to add that I'd like to be wrong.  I would be interested in a pro version.

[ScottinPollock]

I have heard "3 to 4 grand"; "same sensor as D850" (which can't really be possible); "there will be two cameras"… although I think anything more than the patent applications is just a bunch of guessing from click-baiters.

[sunshine]

I have heard "3 to 4 grand"; "same sensor as D850" (which can't really be possible); "there will be two cameras"… although I think anything more than the patent applications is just a bunch of guessing from click-baiters.

 

Since I haven't really followed this development very much I had not heard any price predictions.  I would be encouraged by the 3-4 thousand rumor.  If they go the way I predicted above, Nikon will be doing what Canon did.  I briefly looked at the Canon mirrorless offerings back when I was looking to move from micro four thirds and did not see anything that I found compelling.  I would much rather see Nikon go all out.  A mirrorless version of the combination of all the best features of the D500, D850, and D5.  I would not be on the pre-order list, but I would definitely start figuring out how to budget for that.

[TBonz]

If any of them are at least equivalent to the D850 or even the D500 I will be very interested...I won't be pre-ordering by any means as I want to hear what some have to say, but will definitely be paying attention...

[Ron]

The price points I've seen listed, which of course are just rumors, are $4k for the "pro" model with high pixel count sensor and $2k+ for the "economy" model with a lower pixel count sensor. Also, the sensor pixel counts are usually listed as being similar to those of the D850 (pro) and D750 (economy).

 

I've seen no mention of a DX variant.

 

I don't think I would be willing to pre-order something like this, even if I had the disposable scratch to spend which I don't. There are just too many variables involved in any new camera to chance it. Add the fact that this is an entirely new system, and.... well, what on earth could go wrong? Especially considering Nikon's less that stellar performance with recent camera models.

 

Never pay to be a beta tester.

 

--Ron