Nikon DSLR speculation - April 2008

As always internet forums are currently full of speculation on future Nikon DSLRs. Normally I wouldn't want to infect the wetpixel forums with the disease of wild speculation, but a particular piece of gossip caught my eye. But on to that in a minute.

Of specific interest are new Nikon FX (full frame) digital cameras. What adds weight to these rumours is that local Japanese newspapers have reported that Nikon's factory in Japan (where their Pro bodies D3 and F6 are made) has in the last few weeks increased production rates (staff numbers and shift hours) - which is curious considering that the D3 is now "in stock" most places - indicating the initial rabid demand has been satisfied and the F6 is hardly a massive seller.

So the question is: What are they making?

Most expect the D3X (or whatever it is named) to be announced by the summer. Possibly sooner after the info in the D3 firmware upgrade. It seems obvious that this will be a low ISO, high res, studio/landscape camera. It is very likely to be in exactly the same body as the D3 - thus fitting in existing housings. Almost everyone agrees it will have a Nikon version of the Sony 24MP sensor, and won't have the high frame rate or high ISO capability of the D3. Current production in Japan may be to build D3X or to stock pile D3 before a D3X run.

The other rumour that is gathering strength is of a smaller bodied FX camera (a Nikon rival to the Canon 5D) speculated to be 18MP and called the D10. This camera would be of particular interest to underwater photographers. It has recently occurred to me that this camera could have the same body as the D300 - and therefore fit in existing housings.

I'll explain my thoughts. Nikon have always named the accessory vertical grips for their DSLRs after their cameras. For the D100 it was MB-D100, for the D200 it was MB-D200 etc etc. Unusually for the D300 the grip is called MB-D10. This may mean that the D300 was going to be called D10 or possibly the D300 will share a body with the D10 camera rumoured above. Which would be rather good news for anyone with the D300 housing.

Anyway, all just gossip. But fun.

Alex

A full-frame d300 would be a pretty dreamy camera. Any guess on what the body on such a camera might list at? $3,500? More? Less?

oi, shut it you.. i am just in the process of actually thinking of going from my trusty d70 to the d300... stop it!

oi, shut it you.. i am just in the process of actually thinking of going from my trusty d70 to the d300... stop it!

And I just got the D300 ... la la la la, not listening, gonna close my ears now ....

I guess I better start adding to my 'upgrade' cash stash, it's probably going to happen sooner than planned. I can see Ryan rubbing his hands together.

Are the present D300 housings able to accommodate the wider bore lenses like the 14-24?

Thank goodness I'm a Canon shooter and immune from this upgrade speculation nonsense . Oh wait, when's that 5DMkII coming out again?

Mike

Its bound to happen sometime soon, a full-frame D300 class camera. I had always assumed that it would be the D400 and be at least a year away. I like your D10 theory though. Canon kept the 40D line in APS-C and added a new line of small bodied FF cameras in the 5D...so Nikon could do the same thing. I like the idea of getting one sooner rather than later.

Mike, for me FF is the swinger that would cause me to upgrade my D70. The D300 is nice, but its evolutionary rather than revolutionary. Its not light years away from the D70. In the meantime I'm enjoying using the D70 even more now that I know its not worth a fortune and is replacible. I just took it on a 4-day canoe trip in the desert and got fantastic shots. If I had treated it like I did when I first got it I never would have taken it into the wet, silty, sandy environment I did--and never would have gotten the memories. Its nice to have an old camera you can treat as a tool rather than a jewel....

What adds weight to these rumours is that local Japanese newspapers have reported that Nikon's factory in Japan (where their Pro bodies D3 and F6 are made) has in the last few weeks increased production rates (staff numbers and shift hours) - which is curious considering that the D3 is now "in stock" most places - indicating the initial rabid demand has been satisfied and the F6 is hardly a massive seller.

Since when do you read Japanese Alex?

Sorry Jeff. Here is the crappy google translation. Alex

Sorry Jeff. Here is the crappy google translation. Alex

I think the Japanese is easier to read.

And I just got the D300 ... la la la la, not listening, gonna close my ears now ....

I knew opening this post would upset me......must not listen, nice new D300 in my bag, must enjoy!

The 'D10' finder may have to be taller than the one on a D300. :glare: The eyepiece center may be a tad higher. :glare: The fit of a 'D10' in a D300 housing may thus not be 100%.

Good point, Tom.

One thing to consider is if we need that camera. The D300 is a 12mp great and smallish (compared do D3, canon 1D´s ...) camera and there are all kind of lenses for it. I also feel the urge to spend on new toys but, having never used a FF in my life, I don´t thing that 18mpFF is going to help me much (but, of course, I will buy it!! ).

Improvements could be a better viewfinder (I am fine with my D200 one) and sunbursts as far as I can imagine.

Of specific interest are new Nikon FX (full frame) digital cameras. ...

I thought you prefer 1.5x cameras. Why bother with this FF nonsense.

My D300 is "in process" for shipping. What is it about a "full frame" camera that makes it better for underwater photography? Is it better for all shots, or just the wide angle ones? I have until the end of July to return my D300 to Costco. Not that I have any intention of doing so. But its nice to have the option. Right now, I just want to hold it and shoot some pictures to see whether it is something I can grow to love and enjoy.

Still very much on the fence about lugging a housing around for this when it doesn't even shoot video. Personally, I think they ought to add in some point and shoot video circuitry. It can't be that expensive, though perhaps its not technologically feasible. And before you laugh, remember it was not long ago that live view was not considered a possibility.

Would also be great if the self-cleaning sensor actually worked as well as the Olympus version. And while they are at it, since it vibrates anyway, if it could be used as a PMD (personal massage device), a PDA and telephone. I can do without the mp3 player.

FF will be lower noise all around and much better for WA. The new 14-24mm is much wider, sharper in the corners and faster than anything rectalinear in DX. The viewfinder will be wider as well.

The D300 will be a great camera. If you have something to shoot and don't already own a DSLR get it. Remember, even IF Alex is right it won't be available until Christmas at the earliest and probably next April before there are housings. So thats a year of pictures that you'll be missing now. The D10 (or whatever its called) will certainly be more expensive than the D300 too.

I have the luxury that I'm pretty happy with my D70. It would have to be worlds away for me to want to spring for a new housing AND camera. IMHO FF is the only thing thats truly missing from DSLR photography to bring it back to the level of maturity that the F100/F5 had.

Of course, once I get FF I'll start wining about how I want a FF Foveon sensor, and THEN we'll finally be there.

Odds are that just like 4 years ago there will be some black camera bodies being used at the Beijing Olympics that are sans markings. Last time it was the D2 series which I believe was soon thereafter unveiled to the public. If I had to make a guess, it will be a full size sensor and somewhere between 16 and 24 megapixel. My plan will be to wait 4 years and then buy the newest creation for 1/5th what it will cost new. for now Im happy with my D2x which I just got for about 1/5th what it would have cost new a few years ago- My wish is that sooner or later Nikon and/or Canon come out with a body that can be upgraded vs having to get a completely new model (and new housing) every time you would like to upgrade.

My wish is that sooner or later Nikon and/or Canon come out with a body that can be upgraded vs having to get a completely new model (and new housing) every time you would like to upgrade.

Great idea - that will never happen - they want our money!

Paul C

FF will be... much better for WA. The new 14-24mm is much wider, sharper in the corners and faster than anything rectalinear in DX.

I disagree with this. I think that FF will not be better for WA. And in particular I think that the 14-24mm is going to cause a lot of headaches getting it to perform well behind a dome.

Alex