If Nikon fails...

Yes, Nikon did start it. As a consumer feature. Expanding on the mini-movies point and shoot cameras already did. They were trying to lure consumers into the consumer DSLR market. And like I said, they should experiment, learn, and develop all they can. But my beef with this failure argument still stands. Nikon never expected customers to use this feature as a professional video camera.

Nikon had the insight to knowing what's down the road. And they knew they had to start learning the market. Canon already has this experience within the company. Nikon does not and has much ground to learn before you can fairly claim they are indeed failing with this market. They are ahead of the game realizing what they must accomplish and not ignoring it.

But I think you are wrong to expect them to be experts at their video camera designs the first time they jump into the pool. If anything, Canon should be miles ahead of Nikon in development. I think Nikon is doing just fine.
 
Last edited:
But you are wrong to expect them to be experts at their video camera designs the first time they jump into the pool. If anything, Canon should be miles ahead of Nikon in development. I think Nikon is doing just fine.

This thread is referring to the new camera (d300s) not their first jump into the pool. And this may not be fair but Canon is miles ahead of Nikon with respect to the video implementation. I would imagine a pro still photographer would think Nikon is doing better than just fine but from a video perspective (a perspective Nikon decided to woo), it is time for them to play a little leapfrog or at least catch up with manual controls (and I hope for longer record times). If they don't do that with the d300s, well...that's where that word you dislike so much comes into play...they "fail".
 
The D300s is still a "still camera". Not a pro video/ still camera hybrid.

I don't see any external mic ports on that spec sheet either. Why the hell would I use a still camera, no matter good the footage looks, for a pro video camera's job if the overall design isn't meant for pro video use? Where does Nikon specifically target the Pro Video market with this camera as you claim them to be doing? I've seen plenty of consumer video cameras that look pretty darn impressive for video quality. But I don't expect them to meet my video production challenges.

You're missing the mark on your expectations. The D300s isn't supposed to be a serious video cam contender; these not-yet-classified hybrids. Pro Still photography is still job 1 for the D300s. They added video on there, because oh why the hell not! Sometimes a few short behind the scenes vids might be cool. I edited my above post too late, So I'll repeat it again in here just to make the point : Shooting video with the current Nikon lineup is based on a consumer fun feature which expands on what point and shoots have already been able to do. Home Movie mode.

When Nikon comes out with a brand new model where they purposely target video pro's then you can justify such judgment. Most consumers who want to shoot video from their still camera don't care as deeply as you do about manual controls for video. It's not a deal breaker. Sure it's a bummer. But not even close to a failure.
 
The D300s is still a "still camera"
with a faster processor thus no need for an old codec, even point and shoots have h.264 these days, or super clumsy stairstep scaling, and manual control is still as much a no-brainer as it always was. it's a lot harder to implement auto exposure after all. the sensor is still a still camera one, so i'm sure we will still have jello and line skipping (still is my new favorite word it seems).
 
The D300s is still a "still camera". Not a pro video/ still camera hybrid.

We disagree there...I think the d90 was (to many of the people who bought it) a pro video/still camera hybrid. That's exactly what it was to me. Check out a few of the very professional productions that have been made with it. Actually, the d90 is an abysmal home video camera...I'll take the Flip every time.

Maybe Nikon didn't realize they were letting the genie out of the bottle, but that's what they did. Now it's up to them to be competitive and deal with it....or "fail".

As always, it is the Indian and not the arrow:

http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=178215
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=178547
http://www.dvxuser.com/V6/showthread.php?t=178646
 
Last edited:
fail who? you?

As much as I will be delighted if Nikon meets my wants with future video improvements, Ryan is right.

This idea that they would fail is totally over the top and lacks any context to what Nikon's goals are.

I am pretty confident that Nikon will continue to invest in improving video functions. People need to have patience though.

Everything has to be here and now, or it is the end of the world.

As far as dismissing the d90, that is absurd. I have been using it for nature cutaways on a documentary I have been D.P. for the last year and it is absolutely essential to giving me access in places I wouldn't be shooting without it. I has many limitations, but I have found a way to make it work for me, and it looks amazing.
 
with a faster processor thus no need for an old codec, even point and shoots have h.264 these days, or super clumsy stairstep scaling, and manual control is still as much a no-brainer as it always was. it's a lot harder to implement auto exposure after all. the sensor is still a still camera one, so i'm sure we will still have jello and line skipping (still is my new favorite word it seems).

Honestly I don't hate m-jpeg but just crank the bitrate up to the 30 - 40 range like Pentax did and I could live with it. It's less processor intensive than h.264 and that's fine by me.
 
fail who? you?

As far as dismissing the d90, that is absurd. I have been using it for nature cutaways on a documentary I have been D.P. for the last year and it is absolutely essential to giving me access in places I wouldn't be shooting without it.

Well, yea...me and the vidiots who are hanging with the d90. I did put quotes around the word "fail" with hopes that folks would understand that I don't for a second think Nikon is going away if they don't keep up with VDSLR progress. They will lose face in the arena however. But who knows, the d300s might blow us all away. I sure hope so.

Interesting that you are using the d90 as a professional video/ still camera hybrid. I was told not to expect that from Nikon's video implementation.
 
The 300s supposedly has autofocus, swivel screen, mic output, and CF card slot.

If that is correct, and Nikon is planning on releasing a d400 in the next 6 months, I am confused.

Why would they waste time with such a defanged release, if they will release it successor close after?

It is my opinion that either the D400 is either farther away than estimated or this d300s camera will have more than those specs. Otherwise, Nikon is expecting people to pay close to full price for a new D300s, then release a camera within 6 months that will heavily trump that camera for a similar price?

Am I missing something?
 
When is the announcement? I thought it was today....
...

If i remember right the press conference will be tomorrow around 3pm (cet) in london. That´s my usual lunchtime - i hope nikon doesn´t spoil my appetite.

It is my opinion that either the D400 is either farther away than estimated
According to the latest rumored roadmap the d400 will be announced in the second quarter of 2010: http://www.photographybay.com/2009/07/09/nikon-2009-2010-dslr-roadmap-leaked/
 
That leak has much different specs...

whatever. we'll know soon enough what a d300s does.

My appetite is already spoiled. It's was a 107 degrees yesterday and today it is supposed to be 108. Portland is
shattering heat records left and right.
 
What URL should we monitor for the latest announcement news now that it's 3PM on the 29th in London.
 
Last edited:
In my experience the news site of dpreview has always been the fastest:
http://www.dpreview.com/
And nr has written: "That means that all Nikon websites will be updated on July 29th around midnight (US Eastern time)."
 
Last edited:
LOL!!! Keep your money! I want instant gratification!

Nikon Rumors says: "I have a confirmation on the Nikon press conference in the UK: the magic will happen on Wednesday, July 29th 2009 at 2:30 pm in the Charlotte Street Hotel in London. This is one of those 100% sure rumors."

Google says it's Wednesday, July 29th, 2009, 8PM right now in London.

ARGH!!! LOL!
 
Back
Top