Agree with all, Mike ...

Japanese market is %50 mirrorless - mostly NEX & PEN. Europe & US is still around 10 % with the exception of UK ( > 20% ?? ) . Nikon missed the train in Japan and is losing big every day as it waits to make the format change.

The head of person responsible for the V1/J1 design/idea should go ! !

Hi all,

I'm not Nikon mirrorless savvy, but some of the cameras are available in Target stores and other local discount stores and Costco.

They are everywhere.

Personally, I don't know who their market is. An interchangeable lens market seems dubious here in the US, if you're looking for a wide-spread base(the world market could be very different).

It seems to me that Nikon should have joined the micro 4/3ds gang. That would have made a ton of sense. I have a Panasonic GH2 that I use my Nikon lenses with now, and use it for video with those lenses, and it could be a terrific backup, too - but I really have that taken take of with another body.

Four thirds makes more sense than the Nikon format. I would think Nikon would dominate the lens market, should it want to, and body market, if it jumped it.

The V/J bodies don't seem to be much, if any, smaller than the Oly bodies, and a little engineering would have really shored up that somewhat fragmented market. As it is, Nikon has dominance in the Asian markets, and dominance in the shelves in the American markets - I'm guessing that's why the price is dropping and will continue to drop until the there is a small drop in inventories.

Hopefully, Nikon will step into Micro 4/3ds, but I really doubt it. I think it is a case of corporate ego.

My best,

Mike

I haven't bought a V1 yet because I'm waiting for Nikon to make the necessary changes to get rid of the early V1 problems (V2 may be or V1s, or whatever ?). If they really make it the way it should be I will definitely buy one with the 2 lens kit, just to travel light. At age 66 I'm fed up having to carry 7 pounds of gear around my neck and even more in my back sack !… :)

PB PM said:
True Paperman, but the cost of lenses for the 1 series is much lower in general. You simply need to look at Nikon's marketing materials to know who the 1 series is targeted at (Coolpix users).

I really wonder what a Nikon Exec's answer will be today when asked who they targeted with the V1. At some stage, I thought they were going for the pro photographer's shirt pocket. If it is all the way down to CoolPix now, what a change !... And they have the wrong pricing.

True Paperman, but the cost of lenses for the 1 series is much lower in general. You simply need to look at Nikon's marketing materials to know who the 1 series is targeted at (Coolpix users).

PB PM said:
..Just because people on this site don't buy them does not mean they are not selling well, since we generally represent the upper end of the camera market, which isn't the target of the one series of cameras.

I'm not sure about what end user Nikon is targeting with a $800-900 V1 but D3000/D5000 series cost less and you'll find lots of them here in this forum .

- shawnino - "how much more memory cards cost up here vs. the likes of B&H. In many cases it's double or triple, even after shipping/customs."

You're buying your cards from the wrong places at the wrong times ! Try Walmart/Superstore - I bought 8GB LEXAR 200x CF cards for $25 - same price as USA. Futureshop/LondonDrugs/Best Buy - you know, they will match price if you can prove it is sold cheaper somewhere else.

Check shops regularly for bargains once in a while instead of buying at the moment when you need something. I believe Canada photo equipment prices are almost the same as US's.

Well, this is it.

In another thread AdamZ (I think it was AdamZ) was talking about making his backup system CX (V1/J1) instead of DX, and that was bandied about well, pros and cons. And I'm looking at a second body and half thinking the same thing, mostly for the sheer compactness. If I went that way I would certainly wait for J2/V2 (I'm a big believer in letting other people be early adopters) but most of all I'm wondering if I'm leaping on a dying horse.

If CX is indeed Big in Japan(tm), perhaps I have no worries on that front. Maybe the price cuts over here are just a natural process.

I disagree in practice with Paperman's opening comment that "Price goes down if supply > demand - Eco101 ." That's all fine in theory, but it's only really true in efficient markets. I think we all know the worldwide photo gear market is anything but efficient.

As a most minor example, I too am Canadian, and it never ceases to amaze me how much more memory cards cost up here vs. the likes of B&H. In many cases it's double or triple, even after shipping/customs. All gear is in some sense a commodity, but memory is probably the closest thing we have to a pure commodity... and these price differences are absolutely bananas. I know B&H does more volume, but, still.

Price goes down if supply > demand - Eco101 .

I know Japan is a totally different market ( mirrorless selling more than DSLR - with Sony & Olympus leading ). Maybe J1/V1 are more affordable over there.

I have not yet seen anyone here ( Canada ) shoot with a J1/V1 . I know a couple of Best Buy/Future Shop salesmen who say they are not selling any.

I think Nikon played the wrong horse going for a tiny sensor and is losing big on the mirrorless market. Could have been competing with NEX & PEN if they went for a decent size sensor.

Price cuts are likely due to them being over priced to start with. V1 and J1 sales in Asia are very strong (they were the most sold mirrorless cameras in Japan over Chrismas). Just because people on this site don't buy them does not mean they are not selling well, since we generally represent the upper end of the camera market, which isn't the target of the one series of cameras.

I will answer with a question or two...

Has anyone bought a J1/V1 in this forum ?
Does anyone know anyone who bought one ?

Another swath of retail price cuts in the last few days. Is this:

--Just the nature of things because J1/V1 have been out awhile?
--A sign that J2/V2 are a'comin'?
--Nikon dumping unpopular product?
--Retailers dumping unpopular product?
--Something else?