Update: this survey is now sent to registered Nikon users worldwide (not only to NPS). I will publish my own D700 replacement survey later on today.
NPS members in Europe received an email survey from Nikon today. The first few questions were pretty standard (what camera you have, what features are important to you, any feedback to Nikon, etc). After going through the rest of the survey, it was clear that this whole campaign was created to gather information/data for the Nikon D700 replacement. Here are some of the questions (those are not direct quotations):
- What improvements you would like to see in the D700 or why did you not purchase one?
- How likely it is that you will purchase a Nikon D700?
- What would you photograph with a FX camera?
- What are the most important features of a FX camera?
- Are you interested in a FX camera (vs. DX camera)?
- What is the largest print size you use?
- Will you purchase a DSLR in the next 12 months?
- There were few questions about pixel count – how important it is, etc. One of the example question was about a 15 MP and 25MP resolutions – not sure if they picked those numbers randomly or there is a reason behind it.
Now, I am not sure if this is a good or bad news – is Nikon just starting now to think about the D700 replacement? Maybe they just want to be sure that what they have in their labs is what people would buy.
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153 Comments
D700 sucks
oh really, show me proof that it sucks as I use it every day and it seems to work fine for me.
canon user words
I am not a professional, but i would like to have FX nikon camera that allow me to use my DX lenses with decent resolution. Based on the technology of current nikon camera, this is posible with 24 Mega pixel camera with a crop mode resolution of 10 megapixel.
I have a poster on my wall which is 40-20inches, taken with a 6mp dslr, I am not printing out many that size. also if you are wanting a more pro camera why would you use the amature lenses? (if price is the issue then the difference between 6pm and 10mp is not something that should concern you.)
Bring on better iso but more importantly greater Dynamic range. If they could get Fuji s5 style dynamic range with D3s iso ability then…. camera perfection!
plus 60fps 1080p would rock the video world too
Sorry friend, probably you have a reason if we were talking about D3s or D3X, but we are talking about the cheapper fx camera from nikon, we are talking about the next step from dx camera user to fx format. This kind of person probably have two or three DX lenses and two or three FX lenses. That is the reason of my comment.
Not all users upgrading to D700+ have DX lenses,
I have 2 analogue Nikons and lots of nice lenses,
so I don’t want to switch to Canon 5DII, and I have
waited for soooo many years. So I can easily wait
for an improved D700 for a lower price (why is
the price rising all the time?)
My wife does also……
Nikon make it 25 mp please….
you
yeah it along with the D3 and D300 sucked out a big chunk of market share from your canon crapy cams
.and now you are the one who sucks
reply was to the sucker xxx at the top
I am looking at purchasing an FX camera, but with everything that has happened with Nikon updates I will wait for the D700 replacement. My D300 will suit me just fine until that day comes.
Ditto !
I’d love an FX camera. There are two things stopping me.
1) Weight. I can go places with a D40 that I can’t get to with a D700.
2) Doesn’t work with my $17 infrared remote. What the hell is up with that?
Sensors seem to be improving at somewhat under 2 years per stop (I calculate 1.75 years). Noise-reduction software also improves but I don’t know how fast. Theoretically I would expect FX to run about a stop better than DX, and that seems roughly borne out by the data. So if DX lags FX by under 2 years, what’s FX worth to you? If you’re a pro who never ventures far from a car, then probably quite a lot! For amateurs and pros who work in the field, not bloody much, I would think… although a D700 and a pile of FX f/4 lenses (if those existed) might be more portable than a D90 with FX f/2.8 lenses for similar performance. That would change quickly if there were more f/2.8 DX lenses out there!
huh? so you are saying DX is the way to go?
Depends on how far you carry your gear on your own back, and how much you want to shoot moving targets in low light. For studios with flash and whatnot, the only reason I can see to go FX is to use super-wide-angle lenses, but then, I don’t do that. For available-light photography, a D3 with the 50mm f/1.4 lens is comparable to a D90 with the rumoured 35mm f/1 lens
You could also compare, say, the D3 with an FX f/4 100-300mm lens (eg. 70-200 f/2.8 * 1.5x tele-extender) to D90 with f/2.8 70-200mm DX.
DX is lighter, FX is better in the dark. IF they made equivalent lenses. Which they don’t. So never mind.
…except that I can’t do math. DxOmark’s numbers confused me. Looks like over 4 years per stop, actually. Since we can anticipate mankind lasting maybe another 50 years, I would expect the last DX cameras to be about 11 stops better than FX is now
We will reach physical limits long before then.
But folk who go on about how wonderful the extra ISO stop is forget that in order to realize that stop you need to have a lens with a larger aperture.
f numbers are aperture divided by focal length. If instead of f-stop number you consider the aperture divided by 35mm equivalent focal length the so called ’speed advantage’ of FX format goes away.
huh? you don’t need to do (or have) anything to take advantage of that extra stop. i suggest you read up on the basics a bit more.
Nikon is listening now. It’s a good sign.
They try to look as if they are listening
Or, they try to make the NPS members feel they have a say.
Read below, it is apparently not NPS members only
Should have known, one of the questions is if you will buy a DSLR in 12 mos. But who knows, there had to be an NPS member that uses a P&S to make a living!?
I doubt that there is any real choice in the feature set of the D700s. It will simply be the D700 body with the D3s sensor plus video.
This would seem more likely to be a survey to see what the likely demand would be for possible replacement cameras. In particular should they replace the D700 with an 18MP body or bring out separate 12 and 24 bodies like they have done with the D3/D3s?
Another area where information would be looked for would be to help decide whether a plastic FX camera and lighter weight lenses would be worth while.
Well that probably means that we truly have to wait quite a bit longer for a D700 successor. Since I don’t believe Nikon would start such a survey shortly before releasing a new camera. What are your thoughts? Please tell me that I’m wrong.
well to me it means we will only see a D700x or D700s sometime next year.
Hmm as i know they are developing and improving features in labs without strict relation to one specific camera model. More likely they choose some collection of developed features to create the model of camera from and testing and tuning it do deliver to the market. But then it’s more likely they will use these answers into the release for 4th quarter of 2010 of sooner. If it will be the successor of d700 or only some facelifting i have no guess. But what will be this daily reading all about if we know the answers?
My credit card is ready . . . do it . . . do it now!!
If D800 can manually exposure + 30-60fps in 1080 video, then they can finally fire down the Canon 5DMKII
The D800 is not a video cam =.=
yep i agree. although i want a camera for photo sake, i would hate to be left behind in the multi media world and not have really good video function on my top range dslr. canon 7d is looking very nice to me where i can shoot sports and do slow mo video of snowboard jumps etc. come on nikon! beat canon!
Considering I just bought a D300s, I’d really consider adding an FX camera like a D800 if it were spec’d right with an 18 MP sensor that can still handle low light very well. If it’s a longer wait, I’d be fine with that since I’m happy with my new camera but a nice used D3 or D3s might suit me very well too if they set the price too obnoxiously high. I’d love to use the same D3 battery in the D300s grip.
I find it hard to believe somethign isn’t near completion. Look at all the bodies that came from the D3 would give the impression that the D800 will not be in a newer body. Rumors have also reported that the D3S is a new sensor. So my guess (guess) is that we would get a D800 with a similar sensor to the D3S that can provide video.
Why not a medium format
… ok it’s not for the D800 but I want a medium format nikon made…
I think you make a great point. I think there is a market out there for something designed along the lines of a Mamiya 6 rangefinder. Rangefinder in style to help keep it compact.
Seems like a camera of that type would be pointless.
The D3x pretty much beats the Mamiya on every spec feature. You pay a heck of a lot more for the extra size and weight and get almost nothing in return. They only real advantage would be the leaf shutter and high flash sync.
If you look at the specs on the ‘blad you will find that their ISO performance is essentially the same as the D50 despite the large sensor cell area.
There will be no medium format Nikon, the future is in making the sensor smaller, not larger.
did you buy the d3x?
Well, it actually means nothing about the next camera if it’s coming soon. Why? Because they’re not going to survey you on the D800 when it’s not even out yet. But what they can glean from what people are thinking now will not only tell them if they are on track with the D800, but what they should be planning for the D850 and D900! Cameras take a long time to develop. They can’t possibly be doing preliminary research on the next one.
More than likely, it is a survey for the D800, but there is a D700s or x in the pipeline.
15mp sensor with mp4 movies instead of the ridiculously large mjpegs.
not that I use movies much, but seriously, do it properly or don’t do it at all.
disk space is cheap but NOT infinite. If you want 25mp get the D4x.
The questions they ask definitely make sense.
I guess they are looking for a compromise between resolution
and high ISO performance.
For me high ISO is more important, but you may want more resolution
for wild-life shots (long lenses).
If you shoot for Sports Illustrated and need crazy resolutions, may as well use mid-format…
I’m pretty happy with D700 the way it is now, other than maybe viewfinder coverage.
The natural progression for nikon would be using D3s sensor in a smaller body, like
they did with D3 and D700.
Doesn’t seem to make sense to design a completely different sensor for
D800.
I think the survey is targeted more towards D4 or whatever next pro camera is
going to be.
I guess they are looking for a compromise between resolution
and high ISO performance.
For me high ISO is more important, but you may want more resolution
for wild-life shots (long lenses).
There is no compromise between resolution and high ISO performance. See http://dxomark.com/index.php/eng/Insights/More-pixels-offsets-noise!
15MP seems conveniently placed between the 12MP D3s sensor and the 18MP sensor that there have been rumors about.
I love my D700. Quite honestly, I believe it to be the best SLR I have ever owned.
As a Pro (Who makes money with my camera) I would like to see continued focus on image quality. 12mpxl is fine for my prints up to 24×36″ but I’d like a lil more head room resolution wise. So if image quality doesn’t suffer 18Mpxl is more then sufficient.
I think that with the D3 and D700, Nikon gets it. I only hope that the focus on image quality continues.
Quite honestly, in real world terms, I like what I’ve seen of 24MP cameras and the like. I only hope to see them improve low-light shooting capabilities with each iteration and it will no longer matter to me if they just capped the whole thing off at 25MP and let medium format continue the rest of the race and so on.
Silent shutter (I will keep saying this one), less vibration, or anything that can help and then keep improving the menu software system. I love the D700, but weighs a lot with a good fast lens. DSLRs today are amazing, video related for me is much less of an want, as a far as what a DSLR can offer me right now, I’m doing good! For everything else there’s my point n’ shoot and then a digital rangefinder!
it makes clear nikon is thinking ahead with D700s.
Right now I am still a DX shooter as I need the pixel density and 1.5 crop factor for wildlife. However, if they come out with an 18 MP FX sensor, with ISO performance similar to current D700, that would probably be the camera to get me to move up to FX. It would have enough pixels that I could still crop in to “extend” reach, and the higher ISO capabilities would help keep shutter speeds high for long lenses. Since I travel for my wildlife photography, I am also very interested in a replacement for the 80-400 (which I currently have), especially if it is in the 100-500 range with improved IQ, AFS, Nano, and VRII.
You are so right! That is exactly the reason for more pixels. In wildlife photography you have to be fast, framing almost can´t be perfect, which means you need cropping. With 12 mp you can´t do that.
I do lightning photography and I experience the same thing. Most of the time the bolt isn’t perfectly framed and I need to crop. I need more MP and good low light picture quality. For me, I’d also love the versatility of a good video camera on it so I don’t have to buy one of those too.
My bet is they had something like a 700s ready and got upstaged by the Canon 7d and MkII so they are rethinking what they put in the D800. They really need it at least 21MP and 1080p with many of the other new features to keep in the game.
I love my D3 but even with 600mm I miss the 1.5x reach of DX. I’d buy an 18MP DX that’s super sharp at low ISO (50 would be nice) coupled with a 100-500 f4 and VR at least as good as VRII. But the lens can’t get soft at 500, needs to be sharp throughout the range. I’d buy both now.
I would have thought they would be asking these questions last spring, not in Dec 2009, unless they are laying the ground work for the D4 and beyond. The D700 replacement should be undergoing field testing by now. Can’t imagine Nikon deciding on what sensor to use this late in the game.
Perhaps they are just making you think they are clueless on the replacements and then pull a double launch of D4/D400 (like D3/D300 ) + a few lenses in Feb. just in time for World Cup 2010.
Like my rumor?
I’m lovin’ it
Doesn’t make much sense, the D3s with its speed and high iso will be fantastic for both the winter games and world cup. Not sure how much could be improved on given both should have ample light.
Let’s just hope they have been working on both the S and X version and they are not sure which one to release first !
I’m waiting for this update to switch to FX !
I think the 700 replacement needs to do more than mirror canons current cameras, needs to be innovative like the D90. I would like to see internal Wi-Fi, or 1080p at 60fps and 720p at 120fps. I do not want to see the D700 replacement to be a poor man’s D3s, or D3x. .
i think my D700 kicks ass, cant ask for more, or else will have to turn to d3s.
I hope they will put D3s-sensor and Q-mode to the D700 successor. Doesn’t care about the video at all… What is important, is the really good high ISO’s!
Nikon, forget the Canon style pixel race and give us the things that really matters and give us new possibilities to use our cameras! Like really really good very high ISO’s ,)
I have a D300 and I am very, very close to making the move to FX i.e. D700. For the weddings that I do I have really enjoyed the low light abilities when I’ve rented it, and I tend to do most of my shooting is lower light. But I am waiting for the D700 succesor for a few reasons…. while 12 mp is great, I do like the idea of even 16 or 18 mp… better resolution for some of my DX lenses (wife has D90 and likely will stay DX), and more head room for 5:4 cropping. Also, dual card slots. D300s, D3s, D3x has them. I can’t imagine the D700 successor not having them, and that is a feature I really see the value in. And one can only imagine that the successor will have a movie function too. All that adds up to me waiting. D300 is a fantastic camera, absolutely, but I prefer the DOF of FX and it’s low light abilities too boot. I hope the rumors are true and that this new hypothetical camera comes about before April.
My guess is Nikon is debating whether to release a D700s relatively soon (spring/summer), or wait a bit longer and release a D800 instead (next year w D4 and D400).
If the D700s is falling behind schedule, there’s a potential issue with the other newer generation models following closely behind eating up D700s profits. Granted, the cameras would be for different market segments, but if the newer generation models sport big enough improvements (sensor size, ISO, …), it would render a D700s a perceived lame duck product in the eyes of consumers. Under such a scenario, it would be better to skip the D700s and release a D800 in conjunction with the D4 and D400.
I think in the not-too-distant future you’ll see chips that can switch between high resolution and high ISO. Binning has done in astrophotography for years. Combine 2×2 pixel signals before A/D and gain 4x sensitivity at the expense of half the resolution.
So imagine a 48MP camera with 3200 ISO that can switch to 12MP with 12,800 ISO.
those astronomical sensors you’re referring to generally use much larger pixels than what would be used in the DSLR you’re proposing. also, the fill factor of the pixel (the active light collecting area) does not scale linearly with area, and neither do any of the noise parameters.
Why stop there, if they could put two sensors in the body (one large pixels for high ISO performance and the other small pixels for supurb detail) then they could combine the output and get best of both in the same output and very large too.
Hey, if you’re going to wish, why not go all the way!
That’s a great idea! I wonder why nobody’s thought of it! You could have, say, a 24MP sensor, and then when you wanted less noise you could tell the camera to save images at 6MP (2×2 binning) or use Ye Olde Interpolator to get to any lesser resolution you like.
Oh wait–they’ve been doing that in consumer digicams for a decade.
I love my D700, its the FX glass I want. 300 f4 update PLEASE.
I’m not a professional, but to me it’s all very simple. Just give us a D700S with the sensor from the D3S and we will all be very happy!
There will be no new body in the pro-segment until summer 2010.
as someone who is studying r&d/marketing/engineering and sales I would say they are reseaching for the next full redesign(the nature of that survey suggests the product is a long way out). I would also guess they have another camera in the pipeline (D700S or X).
I’m not sure how NIkon R&D works, but maybe they have two teams working on different sensors and they are trying to decide which one to implement? Not sure how early in the camera design process the sensor has to be selected. Maybe the sensor and its processing is not developed alongside the shutter/body.
Sadly I’d have to agree.
If they have something ready for 2010, then it would likely be way beyond the point of market surveys influence already. Damn
If you go to the B&H website and type Nikon D700 into the search box, there is now a D700s model listed.
Send a screen shot!
Did you know the word “gullible” is not in the dictionary.
I don’t really think we need that D700 replacement by 2010, but a slight update as D700s or D700x wouldn’t be a bad move. I’d really like to see them working on piratical updates such as:
- Dual memory card slots like the D300s or D3 series
- increased ISO performance – although I’m not complaining about the current performance at all, but improving that is way better than pumping MP
- increased dynamic range – it is a huge + in the D700’s abilities and not usually praised, but it continues to amaze me when I pull stuff out of +2 stops overexposed areas
I feel sad to see them dumping more money into R&D wasted in HD movie mode, 1080p recording, high frame rates movie stuff… I don’t use it, and I don’t want to have to pay for it, and I’d rather buy a camera WITHOUT the feature at a discounted price. I’d rather see Nikon come up with another speedlight priced between the SB900 and SB600 and some new glass that replaces the aged gems such as 50mm F/1.2, 85mm F/1.4, an more affordable PC-E, a higher magnification macro lens, etc.
It’s a good sign that they’re listening, but I think the D300 is more appropriate to get a replacement than the D700 that still is one of the best cameras out there on the market.
Great expectations, and great disappointments. That’s why I’m planning to start reading canonrumours after buying 5mk2, and great lens like 24 nad magical 85 1.2
Waiting is so stressfull, and Canon gives all I need today. Colours, lenses…
How is your AF ?
Dude, that is a low blow.
I had what sounds like the same survey via Nikon Europe, but not NPS member. I got the impression that this was about how to fine tune the marketing campaign for the D700 replacement – what features/benefits are most likely to have the most pull in the market place. I left some comments at the end about what I’m really looking for are updated fast primes.
Damn – should have made that suggestion too.
(Think it was NPS was my fault as it’s obviously the same E-mail address used from my Nikon Europe account)
I left a comment at the end that what I’ve been waiting for is a decent mid-range (24 – 120 mm) zoom.
And a watermarking option in Capture NX2. And layers or control points that would work with the Develop section of CNX2.
An alternative motive may be that they are thiking of releasing a D400 that is ~15Mpx and worried that it may kill off sales of the 700.
But then part of the mai did say :”Nikon Europe has decided to undertake a short survey in order to better understand what consumers seek in a new digital camera. The feedback that we receive from the survey will be used for our future product development; ” so I agree that does point more to a 700 replacement.
Towards the end there were standard “any suggestsions or feedback” to Nikon , both on FX and in general. Part of my reply was that they shouldn’t be so secrative. E.g. If I knew for sure that there wouldn’t be a 700 replacement or 400 until well into late 2010 – then I’d go out and buy a D700 tomorrow! (I’m currently on D200) – Surley that would be good for Nikon.
+2
I am ready to buy a FX body today. But I am hesitant because a replacement for the D700 may (probably not) come out next month – then I would wait. But if I knew it was going to not come out until April/May, I would go buy a D700 today.
Daf,
You and I are basically in the same boat. I have a D200 and either want a D700 or what is going to replace it. I want the D700xs/D800 if it will provide me the proper gains at the right price. I would like a little more megapixels for $2800 or less.
Mark
Resolution is important to me as a stock shooter. The D3x is now a year old so that doesn’t seem like a good investment. I really hope that Nikon get this right and make a competitor for the 5d mk2. I really have too much glass to go swapping systems. It is getting on for almost 2.5 years since the D700 was released, the replacement must be due for release soon.
Are you sure it is more than 2.5 years since the D700 release?
I’m pretty sure is 1.5 years. I got mine last Jan and is the best SLR I have ever used except maybe my FT3(circa 1978) that I still use on a regular basis.
The D700 was released in summer 2008, just 1.5 years ago.
Opps, my mistake, it just seems that long
Why can’t we participate as well? Is there any link to take this survey ? The only thing that is clear is that Nikon wants to know who has to address this new Dx00, if studio users or reporters. In the end they might be thinking of the fact that the actual D3x,the only real studio camera, is a very expensive one and people might buy Canon for more MP and lower iso usage. I think we could even see two Dx00 given the circumstances, where only the sensor and few else is changed and of course a distinctive -s or -x on the Dx00 mark.
Their e-mail said they chose at random from their customers.
p.s. Such move might lead us to think how valuable they think the D700 is.
Good News!!! They are asking us!!!
I was beginning to show interest in Canon 5D MKII as I´m openminded. (At this time I own a D300.)
Yesterday I had a friends 5D MKII in my hands and tried it. I can say for sure, I will never ever buy this piece of plastic. 21 Mpix or not. Its ugly, bulky, bad ergonomics, the list is endless. For me the choice is easy. I will buy a D700 NOW, and when the replacement is released, I will look at the reviews and take it from there
Nikon asking for user input from europe is special enough. That they still think NPS members are more valuable than other customers is a shame. But, this is a start.
I am an NPS member, but I have not been asked.
Someone above said they received it – but are not NPS. So was just to Nikon EU users.
Appologies – thinking it was for NPS was my mistake. (I sent it in)
They may have only sent it to certain people e.g. I have a D200 registered on Nikon EU site.
I’m NPS and didn’t get it either.
I’d imagine it would be a good mix of NPS, NPU and other registered customers.
NPS members are full-time professional photographers. In other words, these are the people whose income depends on their cameras, and they’re the people who are going to be using them every single day. They’re the people who know their cameras best, and they know what features Nikon can add or tweak to make their lives easier or offer them new sources of revenue. So yes, the opinions of NPS members should count for more than the casual user or armchair pixel peeper.
True, and as a pro, and NPS member I can see your point.
BUT the D700 is a cross-over camera for both pro’s and well off or serious amateur photographers and therefore it is relevant to ask a wider pool than pure pro users. Especially as is currently the lowest end of the FX range.
If it was for the D4 then I’d say restricting it to NPS members might be a good idea, accepting the fact that some non-pro’s (and therefore non-NPS members) still own it, but wouldn’t necessary be demanding of the key features of the pro line of camera – every day with their mortgage and food depending on it.
If the like to know:
# What improvements you would like to see in the D700 ||| 18Mp or more as long as the high iso performance remains
# How likely it is that you will purchase a Nikon D700? ||| Most likely! I’m waiting a few months allready for the D700 replacement
# What would you photograph with a FX camera? ||| Nature + portrait
# What are the most important features of a FX camera? ||| Bokeh
# Are you interested in a FX camera (vs. DX camera)? ||| ABSOLUTELY!
# What is the largest print size you use? ||| postersize
# Will you purchase a DSLR in the next 12 months? ||| YES
Explain, why is Bokeh THE feature you are looking for in a FX camera?
Bokeh describes the quality (not quantity) of how a lens renders out-of-focus light. In other words, bokeh is NOT how blurry something is – bokeh is how the blurry parts look. This has nothing to do with the camera. Depth of field, on the other hand, is dependent on the sensor size.* You have to use longer focal lengths to cover the same FOV, and that yields a smaller depth of field for an equivalent FOV, meaning the out-of-focus areas will be blurrier.
* – technically it isn’t, since a 50mm f/1.4 lens will have the same depth of field on both cameras, which you can prove to yourself by printing out a DX print 1.5x smaller than an FX print and then comparing them side-by-side.
I will explain what I meant, I always thought the lens made the bokeh
I think he meant DOF.
But his/her answer to this question is indicative of finicky customers:
# How likely it is that you will purchase a Nikon D700? ||| Most likely! I’m waiting a few months allready for the D700 replacement
I will not even buy one for sure, and I am waiting for it! Show me some news Nikon
I’ve listened something about a replacement of the D700 it will be named D007 with plunder license of our pockets. Modest improvements in image, useless video features and an astronomic Mpx/price rate. It would be the first time Nikon company sells bargains.
-1, boohoo, we dont need comments like this
Right, we can post here our thoughts !
* What improvements you would like to see in the D700 or why did you not purchase one?
a) size, more compact and lighter if possible. No other gimmicks to add (that cause also more button). Less is better. Try to create a digital FM3A or something like DRF (very easy to operate)
b) iso, d/r and iq. This wil be never regretted by users. Less MP but utmost iq. 15 MP is enough, even 13.5 would be fine (3000 x 4500)
c) eventual shutter silencer for reportage purposes. Don’t ask me how, I’m sure engineers can do it.
d) PLEASE put rule of the third lines in the viewfinder and PLEASE put AF CROSS sensors where we have always wanted: at lines crossings ! Then you can set how many sensors you want but please take care of photography basics !!!
e) eventually improve / create a better viewfinder for manual focusing.
* How likely it is that you will purchase a Nikon D700?
Actually low since I’ve already one.
* What would you photograph with a FX camera?
Nature and portraits
* What are the most important features of a FX camera?
Iq,versatility, reliability (here including weatherproof)
* Are you interested in a FX camera (vs. DX camera)?
yes, definitely
* What is the largest print size you use?
11″x18″ or 30cm x 45cm
* Will you purchase a DSLR in the next 12 months?
Not likely, but I’ve already done it a few months ago!
* 15 or 25 MP ?
15 is enough.
Since others have clearly expressed that: I agree with keeping the built-in flash.
WOW.. Should have sent this out 6 months ago…Seems late too market?
I was looking for the D700x/D900 soon, like first quarter 2010.
More disappointment.
I love my D700! It’s the best camera I’ve ever tried!!!
You nailed that. And for this reason Nikon Co. might discontinue the D700 production in order to launch a new camera more expensive an with little more features. We have to consider that D700 price is falling an that means less benefits.
What has Nikon done wrong to you? It has always been like this with new cameras, yes they come with higher price, so what, its normal.
I think his gf thinks his Canon makes her look fat and went and posed nude for a Nikon shooter.
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Suggestions, Nikon? All I want is digital FE/FM:
• FX sensor with about 18 megapixels
• lens mount reads AI aperture settings on manual lenses
• all shutter speeds, plus B, on a top dial with program settings for
aperture and shutter priority; no other preset programs matter
• viewfinder has split-image focuser
• body no larger than a D40 and preferably smaller
Useless features that can be jettisoned:
• built-in flash
• live view
• video capability
The older I get, the less I want to deal with menus, and thumbwheels, and
hold-this-button-while-pressing-the-shutter-halfway…. I want a full-frame sensor in a traditional-size body, using traditional lenses, with traditional controls. And the non-traditional part of the camera (menus, etc.) should be handled with similar economy and finesse.
And if Leica can do this in an M9, which is the Leica M-body equivalent of this,
what’s stopping Nikon? To me that’s the big message of the M9 — and I sure hope every DSLR manufacturer understands it and copies it.
Prices will take care of themselves, as they always do. So while I’ll never be in the market for an M9, I do have hope for a full-frame Nikon DSLR that’s traditionally sized and operated.
And if Nikon doesn’t make it, well, someone else will — Cosina, maybe?
I have a D700 and I found more convenient to “disable” the auto replay on the back screen after each picture, it make it easy to change settings for an other shoot.
I actually think the built in flash is a feature that is superior to the D3/D3s. With it I can use the camera in commander mode to control off camera flashes. With the D3 you need an SB-800/900.
SU-800
Leica did this in a rangefinder camera format which is not subject to the design constraint of the SLR mirror.
I know that lots of people here think that FX is the bees knees, but bigger sensors do not improve camera performance. Only bigger lenses that collect more light are going to improve your low light response.
Think about it for a minute, if you have a 3 inch diameter front element and you wast no light in the lens path it is not going to make any difference to your light sensitivity if you concentrate that light in a small area or a large one.
The FX format is better in SLR format at the wide end of the scale. If you look at how the 14-24mm has to bend light to fit the FX frame and the 10-24 has to bend the light to fit the DX frame you will see that the 10-24 is actually the more impressive design achievement. The results are nowhere near as good, but the constraints are much more severe.
The mirror is sized for 35mm film, that is why there is an advantage to using FX sensors in F-mount format.
On a rangefinder design a bigger sensor just means that you are going to have to make bigger pieces of glass. If you make a smaller sensor (as appears to be the case with EVIL) you have a lot more flexibility than with a large one.
If Nikon made a mirrorless design in medium format the result would be bigger than the D3 and could not use F-mount lenses. Going for a 2.5 crop sensor makes a lot more sense since it is a no brainer to provide an adapter to use F-mount lenses. So you get a new 5mm Wide and use your existing F-mount zoom.
I’d buy a FX camera for the wide angle FOV (28, 25, 24mm) without pronounced barrel distortions. I wouldn’t buy the D700 because it’s huge and heavy (for my standards).
I can replicate the whole survey here, on NikonRumors (I have the full pdf file with all questions) but I am not sure Nikon Corp. will like that. Maybe I can create my own version of the D700 replacement survey.
Yeah, give us a D700 poll
Maybe, since you’re a forum administrator about Nikon news, Nikon may allow you to post here the poll or sending to people who could request to you with the premise to fill in completely especially as regards your (our) user profile (i.e. telling them who are we, which kind of business we have etc.)
I may only be a lowly D90 user, but I am waiting on the next generation full frame from Nikon in the $3K to $4K price range.
Here is what’s important to me:
1. Low light capability that is 2nd to none.
2. Decent MP like 18. Doesn’t have to be 24 since I don’t do huge posters.
3. In camera stabilization
4. In camera pixel re-mapping. I don’t want to send my camera away for something that can be fixed internally. Pentax does it, so can Nikon.
5. Quick preview of image. Modify exposure settings and then take picture and write to card. Pentax K20D does it, so can Nikon.
6. Simple multiple image capture for HDR.
7. Don’t make me pay for Video mode since I can’t be bothered. I want efforts to go into better IQ, etc.
8. Full 100% viewfinder view. And more diopter magnification for those of us getting older with poor eyesight!
9. Pop up flash which the D700 has now. Don’t get rid of it.(Someone up above said to get rid of it. Nooo!)
10. Multiple card slots so those of us with SD cards can use them instead of Compact Flash.
11. The realization that there are scads of non-professional photographers out there that want and deserve the option to buy a top-notch camera for their own use. Their needs are just as important as the professional’s. So, listen to us, and your profits might increase!!
12. Tell us what you are doing, so we can make more educated purchasing decisions. Why do we need to keep guessing? The amount of blogging and commenting on the future models of cameras, at least on Nikon, is enormous! This time could be better spent taking pictures!!
Basically, I would really like a full frame Nikon that continues with the high IQ of the D700, but incorporates some of the wonderful USEFUL (not just fluff stuff) that my husbands Pentax K20D has. The features make his imaging experience very smooth and produces some wonderful results. We all want high IQ, but the useful tools to get there encompass more than just the sensor.
I am a non-professional photography enthusiast who has a nice stash of cash waiting for the next full-frame as long as it suits my needs. I am an amateur visual artist who uses photography to increase my artistic options.
thanks for listening Nikon!!
These will probably collide:
8. Full 100% viewfinder view. And more diopter magnification for those of us getting older with poor eyesight!
9. Pop up flash which the D700 has now. Don’t get rid of it.(Someone up above said to get rid of it. Nooo!)
I use the D700 every day(ans night) as a professional photog. its tremendous imagequality in lowlight and lightweight. the glass i wear on it is heavier. best thing would be the d3s in this small design. d3x is shurely welcome though.
neverever i had so much fun and job upportunities as with this cam.
it really changed my life. my d2x and d300 is getting dust since then.
I completely agree. For the size…. it is definately not a poor man’s D3 etc., as some might suggested! It definately holds its own. I really wouldn’t like to carry any heavier or larger for that matter, the glass is plenty enough for my weight training
Same for me. I use my D700 to earn a living and find my spare D300 gathering dust. I’ll dump it and add another D700 or its replacement soon.
I notice that pros who own a D700 seem pretty darn happy and want little changed. Perhaps a D3s sensor. The people who are not earning a living with the camera seem to be the ones who want all the changes. Funny…
I love my D700 and would buy a replacement/upgrade if soem features were improved. 1) totally weather proof; 2) 100% view finder, even though I use Live View a lot; 3) Shaded LCD, maybe; 4) NOT 25mpix, that would require lots of terrabytes of hard drive. 5) the rest are little things, mostly related to my finger size being bigger than Japanese engineers’.
hurry up with that upgrade!
I can understand the MP-ISO dilemma. each photographer has different needs.
but for me, there’s nothing like looking at my photos printed in BIG! 12MP seems short after i tested the 5DMKII
Maybe, to make an educated guess of the significance of this survey, you have to compare it to previous surveys (if any) and how long afterward new bodies were released whose capabilities may have been influenced by the survey. For instance, did Nikon survey NPS and others in 200X and release a new body (D3s, D300s, D700) three months, six months, a year later?
I recently started working at a large camera retailer in the NYC/metro area and I am a Nikon D700 shooter myself.
My general observation is that Nikon needs to re haul it’s prime lens line into AF-S lenses. I don’t mind AF-D lenses, but a lot of people who are interested in buying new lenses for their entry level bodies are disappointed there is no fast 50 for their cameras. The 35mm 1.8 DX has solved some of this, but what about for me? There is only the old 35mm f/2 AF-D.
Granted Nikon makes the very popular (we have trouble keeping them in stock) holy trinity of lenses 14-24, 24-70, 70-200 but they are a much bigger investment. They are all fabulous lenses, but are all very heavy and I would prefer something similar to Canon’s 24nm f/1.4 L II, maybe even a 1.8?. I shoot in a lot of low light and love how the D700 performs, faster primes would make it even better.
Granted there are some extremes I don’t think Nikon needs to go to, for example the Canon 85mm f/1.2 is overkill in my opinion. The Nikon 85 f/1.4 AF-D is a fabulous lens, I don’t think they need to do anything there, but an AF-S version would be nice.
Here is a lineup I would like to see from Nikon in 2010:
Lenses:
35mm f/1.4 AF-S
24mm f/1.4 or 1.8 AF-S
18mm f/2.8 DX?
Redesigned 24-120mm with a constant f/4 aperture and VRII
Bodies:
D800 towards the end of the year is probable, I don’t think there will be a D700x/s
D90 replacement (FX?) I think the D5000 line is too similar to the D90, granted there is a better build quality, AF system, etc…
The D3000 is perfect for an entry level camera. Most people who look at the D90 have ended up buying the D5000 kit with two lenses because it has the same sensor and they don’t consider the upgraded features of the D90 to be worth the extra money. Some people who consider the D300s end up buying the D90 because the D300s is more than they need, but what about this idea…
Nikon could really steal everyone’s thunder if they were the first to sell an FX sensor in a D90 type body. I know it may sound crazy, but hear me out.
Nikon D95
12.1 MP FX sensor (when they stop making the D700… They love to reuse sensors anyway right?)
AF: Nikon Multi-CAM1000 or maybe an updated system for FX, to spread the points out more, but not have the same capabilities of the D300/700 bodies
ISO Sensitivity: Same as the D700
Continuous shooting: 3 FPS
Basically keep everything the same as the D90 right now, maybe update the video to true 1080p? They had no shame in releasing the first dSLR with video on a D90 body, why not make the first Nikon 1080p on a D90 as well?
Granted this would NOT be something to release while the D700 is still in production. When the D800 comes out, it would be smart to release this a little later on.
Consumers are very interested in high ISO performance and an FX sensor is the way to go, but a lot of people would also like something less expensive than the D700 or the new D800 line.
Price (body only): $1,250
Possible ktis:
Redesigned 24-120 f/4 or 24-105 f/4 ?
Redesigned 24-85mm f/2.8-4.0 AF-D as an AF-S lens?
Granted this may bite at the D300s sales, but honestly I think the D300s was a stupid camera for them to make. The video they added was not as good as Canon’s 7D and Nikon should have known about the 7D’s coming. Their best bet would have been to wait it out until they could release a D400 at some point in the future. It’s still a great camera, but a lot of people would be happy to pay a lot less for the original D300 for a lower price without the video instead of a Canon 7D for $1,700.
Just my two cents.
Hey
Talk today whit a Nikon dude, at a Nikon expo in switzerland. He says to me, that there in no new D700s or D700x, it would be a D800 ore somthing like that.
To Nikon Europe:
It’s the lenses, stupid.
I am not a professional or an NPS Member and i got emailed this survey.
i love the D700, cant afford one right now, but if there’s a replacement: i want the D3S in the D700 body + 16MP(would be nice) + 720p HDvideo(at least) + 7-8fps. Do this for me nikon and i will buy it in a heart beat.
I haven’t read every post above, so forgive me if someone else also thought this, but IMO, I don’t think those questions have anything to do with the development of a new camera. Camera development times are probably still in an 18-24 month time range. My bet is that these questions are being asked to determine the MARKETING of the camera.
Hum, dose someone have to prove of ones comments here? If so please delete this one Admin!
I sell Nikon d-SLR’s for a living, well I sell d-SLR’s for a living, and I do that each and everyday, I do consider my self to be one of the most subjective seal’s men because the body one gets with more or less determine what they will and will not do, even though all d-SLR’s are basically capable of almost anything. (and so I’m a Nikon user or should maybe call it all enthusiast) Either way, Nikon’s AF is superior to Canon’s. And either they go for a more affordable FX just abode D90 and just beneath D300’s, they will gain even more market. (Which as I heard is world wide just around 54% this year). Or shake the market with something no one could DREAM of. And now I’m going to talk about that dream, so hear me out if you have the time.
Discontinued D700 would be wise (do it now, stop wasting your money and our time) and they should have done so as soon as Canon released the 5D MkII.
So what Nikon needs to do is (not as a seal’s men, however though, they would sell even more if they did listened to some of the great opinions coming from some of us who have greater/cheaper/improved needs and so).
A new sensor that is CLEANER for future D4, not saying the sensor in either FX or DX is not clean enough or there are better sensor out there, no. But in-order to “own” something which comes with a price tag in the short terms for them they will get a massive boost in many years to come in aspects like: being the first ones with a really cheap FX body on the market, because they will now have a usage for what makes the D700 the camera it’s (it’s sensor in a new body) (loved the comment from someone who opened this “door” up which have seen like a dream that never CAN come true). But also gaining newer users, mostly Europeans who think just because pocket cam’s like IXUS are “good” and now that they have “Canon” they should buy a plastic 1000D body with a lens which is probably cheaper then some random home-made glass, this kind of consumers can be Nikon users, these ones will get in line for upgrades to come with the “Nikon” sensor technology you came up with. So new sensor, aim for it sooner, rather then later..
And now, Project D1000 and D800 (this is not a rumour of any kind, this is a grown ass man’s dream)
A new body, a bit more rugged then what D90 is, put the D700 sensor in it (this would be the cheapest way out of both bringing in profit and remaking the market to their benefit).
Implantation of W-LAN and GPS into the battery grips. For this camera and the new ones (future replacement for D700). Use in all cameras from now on, the EN-EL3e battery. EN-EL4a should also be used in all the grips, no more 2 times the EN-EL3e ones. So the battery grip usage would not only mean balance, ergonomics, faster continuous shooting, it would also have in terms of “future” technical the kind of wireless advantage. This grip should have a small LCD panel, not for the D1000 body and with this grip the advantage in terms of faster shooting should not be more then 1.2 or (top) 1.6 frames/sec, and also this grip should be in the same build quality as the body without weather sealing. Which would mean, this COULD be used for the other models, hens compatibility which field is Nikon’s ground, but also flexibility. The other version of this grip should be fully whether sealed, with the LCD panel, this should bring to the D700 replacement at least 2.4 more frames/sec. So the new body for this model of the grip has to be just as tough as the D800 body, for the serious choice for the wild mark photographers, sports and so on.
A new SB series, less buttons, more functionality, more flexibility, SB-900 replacement should ALWAYS be FULLY weather sealed. All should have wireless functions, no exceptions. Interface improvements in all, this is really important. The 400 replacement could lack LCD and so, but should also be wireless, and more flexible (angels and so) this one as it is now (the 400) is not much more then any other built-in flashes. Which is why Nikon are mostly giving then away with last year D60 and now D5000. And so the 600 replacement should land in between, but yet again, IMPROVED!
In terms of MOVIE modes. (I don’t need it, market and the customers “want it”)..
In 720p both cameras should aim for at least 20+FPS (D800 should have in this resolution only with the ->gripinternally; more custom function button availability in the D800 wouldn’t hurt at all!
Before I forget, quiet mirror mode on the 1000D and this mode also or even improved version of it beside the mirror lock in the D800. Period!
100% <- viewfinder in both cameras, but glass in the 1000D could be cheaper or not as bright at all (without battery it should remain dark just like D90), just solve this issue, ones in for all, invent something if you have to, but DO it!
ISO, since the sensor of D1000 would be the one in current D700, you don't need to do much here, beside allowing lower base ISO instead of "extended" to this or that, keep it simple, 100-6400 nothing else! Clean it up a bit for extra shining clearness beneath 400, thank you. This D1000 should not have more than 2.5 frames/sec with either versions of the grip it'll shine at 3.5, almost 4 frames/sec!
More than ENOUGH for any enthusiast photographer. (Add to this DX format shooting and allow them to not only use DX glass but also 7 frames/sec or something if FX at approximately 4 is not "good enough").
ISO on the D800, 100-12800, same as before, cleaner and shinier result at LOWEST ISO, the rest could more or less be just like the output of D3s, if anyone complains, they really should stop taking pictures. 4 frames/sec or so should be the base in this body, but with the grip, which should be the weathersealed one for anyone who gets this camera in my opinion, needs to get up to almost 7 FPS, outshine what is possible, break the rules Nikon. you will gain something greater with this that you couldn't count on.
In terms of MP's; 24 on the D800 nothing less, for those who want less MP's (put it in lower resolution mode and stop complaining)
For the big brother of D90 but yet still sister of D800 the "first affordable FX for the majority of consumers" 16 is ENOUGH. Not a single one more, (I would prefer this camera staying at 12 but that is me…)
Most of this will remain a dream, but this dream is more real when I look at Nikon and put it in perspective combined with logic, all of this will not ever happen with Canon. Why do I say that, no I don't hate Canon, but I'm just not seeing then taking ONE, just one single step towards general improvement of photography, all I see is new models with more profit, more benefit, in Canon bad gets worst and it sells better, Nikon could always use this for it's advantage in any level of consumers.
I shoot on daily bases, FX is what real photography is for me and many like me, do you need extra "reach" get proper glasses, extenders and so and so.
I hope someone noted that having a camera with a higher (500th) sync speed is more important to (semi) professionals than video.
Nikon, what are we waiting for? Let’s turn that around, what are you waiting for? We know your supplier has a 24mp Full Frame sensor….
I’m new to this web site and I just finished to read a lot a of your comments. I just have myself a general comment: I can’t belive how many of you need the future camera that will actualy came out in some month, and how a 1 year old camera looks like outdated. I understand that most of you are professionals, but in the old time there was a 10 years time lapse between Nikon F(x) camera.
From what I read, it looks like a D3s will realy make yourself a better photographer than a D3.
I think that having 4 new DSLR camera in the same year is already a lot!
I’m sorry if i’m too negative here but it’s truly what I feel.
Finaly, as improvement for future camera, other than all the image quality aspect, it would be about the size of them. I’m pretty sure that it’s would be possible to do compact FX camera. I could maybe looks like as stupid example but my smallest SLR is a film Olympus OM-1. It’s also the one which has the second largest viewfinder of any 35mm camera ever made (about 15% larger than a D3). I pretty shure than can shrink electronic a bit more…
Martin
Hi Martin, totally see what you are saying there.
in the old days when there was a 10 year gap between cameras i suspect there was not a 10 year gap between development of different films used? The development of Dslrs is more around the sensor than the camera (the sensor being the digital equivalent of film) and to date the Dpart of the slr is still not as good as good old fashion film, regarding dynamic range, tonal detail, or potential resolution. Technology is doing its best to quickly catch up and surpass film and one way which it is rocking the world of photography is through ISO development.
I too have my fingers crossed that they do some more with issues like view finder etc but at the same time love that they are doing their best with making new cameras all the time.
so what’s this say about the d700? they might have a possible d800 already made and just checking if people want what they have?
They are asking this in the US too.
Nikon please, stop selling toys like D3000 and D5000, Be serious like canon and produce the semi professional camera that every body is waiting for. You well know Most people can’t afford a camera like D3s. Don’t you listen the crow?
Wherever it is D700s-D800 D700x…… please bring it out to the public.
The Rebel is not a toy? come on get real.
I just received the same survey here in the US, and it has the following wording.
“No personal identifiable information will be collected or used. It may take up to 15 minutes to complete this survey and the survey will only be available through December 11, 2009 (PST). The survey site is managed by our Japanese research firm so the URL will not be a “Nikon” web site.”
Non-encrypted white balance. Then I could actually consider buying it.
Anyone here to help me to think out of the box ?
Here is what I would like to see on a rugged, FX image capturing device for my worldwide travel:
• Fully move-able display (like on Lumix GH1 or Olympus E-3), or even better – a detachable one, without cable.
This would help ergonomics: today I have to hold up > 1kg in front of my nose, but rather have the camera around my neck and my hands resting on the device (almost ideal ergonomics can be seen at Sony’s R1 !!)
• Get rid of the mirror ! This is an ancient device from analog days. I want to have smooth, silent operation not the ‚clicks’ of a 70s style dial phone
• And without mirror, pls crank up the fps – look what Casio is doing here: 1000 pictures a second puts any DSLR to shame !
• No video please ! If you can’t do it right, don’t do it at all. Any of the guys asking here for video features ever used it on Canon or Nikon ? – Manually adjust focus while filming ??? This is 2009, not 1989 ! I can buy a full HD video camera for 500 Euro, that will easily capture what todays visualization technology (TV screens, beamer) are capable of. And btw: Producing a decent film will need a different script than taking good photos (sound, cuts, movement, etc.)
• Yes, electronic viewfinder ! – Give me a proper Live view with the same performance of autofocus as today’s mirror technology (Sony, Panasonic are on this track already) ! E.V.I.L. is the way to go !
• Maybe even sealed lenses with integrated image conversion as we have seen from Rocoh’s GXR. So I can keep the body (processing engine) and use different options for my travel.
• I would like to see a ‚system architecture’ for the camera body, where I could plug and play different processing options according to need: display (large, small, detachable), processing engine ( 1-4 processors with narrow or wide bus systems, for pros and amateur needs), Exchangeable sensor, so various needs could be met (ISO vs MPs for example), etc… Like today’s PCs can be assembled by an enthusiastic amateur
…OK, I stop dreaming now, this is after all a Nikon forum.. I probably need to wait till Apple gets into the camera business…
I got the survey to complete, which I did. In the additional comments section I asked for f4 zooms to partner the lighter weight of the D700 compared to the D3 series, without the terrible edge performance of the Canon 24-105, and an updated 80-400.
A thought has occurred to me since completing the survey, it was all about pixel density compared to dynamic range/image quality. Could it be that Nikon have developed two sensors, one a high pixel density one with the same problems that Canon are having with theirs, and another with excellent dynamic range/image quality which will appeal to people who take photographs rather than the ‘my camera has more pixels than yours’ brigade and are wondering which one to release?
To tell you the truth, people are crazy demanding anything more from the D700, more megapickles just put more stress on the lens resolving power, more problems of micro detail that can be captured, diffraction, etc. As it is I think the D700 is what I would call a frigging perfect camera.
For those asking to remove the mirror: you gotta be joking me, no EVF or live view system works like the performance you get from the phase detection system and it will take a looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooot of time in R&D before you see a decent (not even good) EVF or live view system… so don´t talk about something you don´t know, what´s sad is most of the people asking for this kind of “features” are IT dudes or hobbyist photographers who are to lazy to learn to use a camera properly.
Dunno why so many want 24 megapixels in a camera?? most of you don´t even print a friggin photo you take and you post only a small web sized version… so if you don´t print often at all nor you post at full resolution in your “pbase, flickr, smugmug” (and all those crappy places for IT people) Why the F you want 24 megapixels? to impress models at model mayhem/one model place or the likes? to compensate? … I can almost hear the reply “to crop” and I will laugh so hard I will die…
spot on!
Why Nikon did’nt produce a camera which works with both dx and fx lenses???