[amorphia]

This isn't official but I'm pretty certain there's a fair bit of truth in this: Today my husband spoke to his relative who works for Nikon and they've apparently been sent information regarding a new camera (Nikon D3 - somewhere in the range of 18-22 mega-pixels) & new lenses all of which will be announced on 25th August. I'm not certain if he mentioned a full-frame sensor or if it's going to be a 1.1 crop (my attention span on the phone is pretty bad!) Whatever the case, I hope they stick to this date for the announcement & don't put it off for too much longer...

[andreanna]

I hope it's true, how exciting!!! I decided not to buy a D2X hoping that they would come out with something else soon!

[amorphia]

Considering how happy we were/are with our D2X bodies I can only imagine how awesome the D3 will be!

I remember reading in your past posts that you're a Nikon shooter. Are you as excited about this as I am?

To be honest with you, I wasn't happy with my D2X at all. I had major focusing issues with it - I was ending up with wierd diagonal plane focusing which was intermitent so I wasn't sure if it was me screwing up or the camera. I had to go back & forth to Nikon House about 6 - 8 times before a well-known UK photographer said I could drop his name into the equation & someone actually took me seriously. Our sensor was misaligned. I guess it's ok now but certain quality issues still sometimes frustrate me.

I think you're more excited than I am Damon Maybe I'm thinking about the fact that if there is a new sensor most of my lenses are going to be useless plus the fact that the cost of a D3 is probably going to be in the $8000 range. Above all, I'd love to know if they've resolved the noise issues that everyone constantly moans about (with good reason) and then I'll be super-excited!!!

[Shane Snider]

I've been hearing this rumor too. Here's a little more fuel for the fire:

Full-frame sensor
automatically crops with DX lenses
built-in image stabilization

But these are all just rumors until someone announces something. I remember the wild speculation before they released D200. So, we'll wait and see.

[JeffersonTodd]

There's really no way Nikon can release a camera that doesn't at least tie the 1DMK3 or 5D in noise levels. If it doesn't then you can count on a mass exodus that may or may not include us.

Honestly I'm not too sure about that. This D3 sounds like it will be focused on commercial photography and in that case it will not need to worry about low light situations. An 18-22mp camera is definitely WAY overkill for an event photographer.
I'm looking for a 10-12mp camera that has better low-light noise levels like the MK3. Otherwise I'll be switching sometime in the fall.

[RyanEstes]

Honestly I'm not too sure about that. This D3 sounds like it will be focused on commercial photography and in that case it will not need to worry about low light situations. An 18-22mp camera is definitely WAY overkill for an event photographer.
I'm looking for a 10-12mp camera that has better low-light noise levels like the MK3. Otherwise I'll be switching sometime in the fall.

+1

Looking to replace my D200's before too long. Have been considering the F5 but want something faster, preferably with a built-in vertical grip, and sticking with the 1.5x crop.

[ramjpc]

I'm looking for a 10-12mp camera that has better low-light noise levels like the MK3. Otherwise I'll be switching sometime in the fall.

I the above is about as much as we need for events. Personally I would prefer an update to the D200 in terms of better low light focusing, noise free (or more free) images up to ISO 1600 a-la 5D or new Canon MK3. The one thing I really miss is the 1/500 flash sync from my D70s, I would really like to have this in the D200 or the successor to it. I would also like to see Vibration Reduction in camera, that way eliminating the requirement of VR lenses. Just those few things will make me happy, but if they can throw in some Live View LCD and increase the size to 3" I'll be really happy.

[colinmichael]

I've been hearing this rumor too. Here's a little more fuel for the fire:

Full-frame sensor
automatically crops with DX lenses
built-in image stabilization

But these are all just rumors until someone announces something. I remember the wild speculation before they released D200. So, we'll wait and see.

I thought that because Nikon's mount diameter is so small that a full frame sensor wouldn't work well? I always was a bit confused as 35mm film fits fine but remember reading how the sensor is placed differently so it wouldn't fit. Isn't that a big part of why they tried to convince us all crop sensors are better?

[BillCawley]

Geez and I just finished selling my Nikon crap equipment.

[*B*r*y*c*e* L*e*o]

Just another two things to toss in. (Speculation of course)

The censor will be CMOS.
There will be a Sony Cam using the same sensor with less MP somewhere between 10-14.

Good luck and keep your fingers crossed.

And Damon, if you decide to sell any of your D2X's what would you be thinking of for them?

[RBothwell]

Most of those rumors are pretty close. Nikon is not a dumb company, they might have a new set of lenses for it, but Nikon shooters are not going to be left out. They are not going to make a camera for people who have already invested in their glass. That would cause an uproar. The street price is suppose to be in the 8K range though(rumor). I have a love/hate relationship with my D2X, I don't know if I want to spend that kind of money on it. It better be able to do alot for that price point. Otherwise i am switching to Canon.,

[turtle nate]

Hmmmmmm.....

Replace two D200's with two D3?'s =$16k

Switch to two 5d's with all new glass = less than 16k

What would you do?

[T-bone]

I got tired of waiting, and also got tired of dealing with high ISO noise with Nikon.

I just bought a 5D and a 30D, and sold most of my Nikon gear. Shot 4 weddings with the Canon stuff so far, and am sorry i didn't switch sooner. I'm so amped that i can shoot 1600 iso anytime i want and get killer images. 3200 iso also looks great! Plus, the colors kick a$$.

My next camera will be a MK III. just coulnd't do that at the same time that I was buying Canon lenses and flashes.

for anyone who is gonna stick with Nikon, I still have a 70-200 2.8 VR that I'm wanting to sell. If you're looking for one, drop me a note.

T

[Jasont]

8k! Holy moly! Yea, I don't think I'm spending 8k on a camera unless it's gonna make me 9k more money that what I have now.

[colinmichael]

To your point Colin, what about the Kodak SLR/n? It was a Full Frame chip that used the F-mount. I'm guessing a slight body redesign will allow the chip to sit properly for the F-mount lenses to operate without issue.

Good point.

If it is 18MP but when you put on a DX lens it becomes 10mp and is faster...and they figured out how to reduce noise through effective hardware (rather than software) manner then Nikon shooters might finally have something to be happy about. Only a year or so late but better late than never!
But if they didn't address the noise issue then I really worry about the fate of Nikon. If Nikon fails it would really be a great opportunity for someone like Sony to jump into the pro market if they were to release a good product.

[*B*r*y*c*e* L*e*o]

If Nikon fails it would really be a great opportunity for someone like Sony to jump into the pro market if they were to release a good product.

Sony makes Nikon's CCD's, and Sony also as a big CMOS plant which is where the rumors say the D3 and next Sony SLR will be running sensors from.

My best for the next company to break into the pro range is Olympus with the P1. That camera should turn out quite well with noise levels about that of the rebel xti and 30d while having the price of a d200. The Oly glass is great and with the 2x crop factor you can get some immensely flexible lenses. They're my current one to watch.

[I'm Bruce]

I thought that because Nikon's mount diameter is so small that a full frame sensor wouldn't work well? I always was a bit confused as 35mm film fits fine but remember reading how the sensor is placed differently so it wouldn't fit. Isn't that a big part of why they tried to convince us all crop sensors are better?

I find that hard to accept as my mentor has a Kodak DCS 14n which uses a full frame chip and the Nikon F-mount and it takes beautiful images. I even looked at that system myself before I bought my D2x. He basically shelved the system when he got his Phase One P25 digital back for his Contax 645.

[colinmichael]

I find that hard to accept as my mentor has a Kodak DCS 14n which uses a full frame chip and the Nikon F-mount and it takes beautiful images. I even looked at that system myself before I bought my D2x. He basically shelved the system when he got his Phase One P25 digital back for his Contax 645.

Damon brought up the Kodak already.
I am no camera techie but I do remember 5 or so years ago hearing about how the F mount is an issue with FF so I decided to do some research and found this:
http://www.luminous-...rspective.shtml
It was an issue a few years ago because of flange distances with the smaller mount but that problem has been overcome. The Kodak was always considered very soft so many thought the problem of the mount couldn't be overcome and that is why Nikon didn't do their own FF sensor. See http://www.luminous-...n-initial.shtml for examples of the softness compared to the Canon FF. But technology for sensors has gotten to the point where it looks like it is no longer an issue (something about micro lenses on the sensor re-focusing light rays, again, I'm no techie). Awesome, I hope the D3 is a great camera which will keep the competition alive!

The other issue with the small F mount is that they can't make very fast lenses like the 50 1.2, 85 1.2 or 35 1.4 because there isn't enough room for the electrical contacts. Canon really took a lot of flak when they changed their lens mounts to the larger EF mount back in the day; sales were down for a long time as people were afraid to buy a system where the mount would change and make their lenses obsolete but it turned out to be a completely forward thinking and strategic decision that has allowed Canon much more freedom in their designs.