PB PM said:
To help boost sales of Capture NX2 maybe???? There are some things that only NX2 can do with NEF files, like uses in camera settings, D-Lighting, etc if one wishes to do that.

Not entirely true, Adobe CameraRaw understands camera settings too, not D-Lighting though as far as I know.

To help boost sales of Capture NX2 maybe???? There are some things that only NX2 can do with NEF files, like uses in camera settings, D-Lighting, etc if one wishes to do that.

It is encrypted and a proprietary ... why beats me ...

Is NEF encrypted in any way or is it just a proprietary format?

mb said:
No problem here, Adobe and Nikon are best friends now:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/nikonraw.html
It would be nice if Nikon makes NEF specification public, obscurity does not help promoting anything

It also seems Nikon is quite cozy with Phase as well.

http://www.dpreview.com/news/0910/09102800captureoneinterview.asp

After reading both articles, I believe these software companies know far more about the NEF format than we are lead to believe.

NikoDoby said:
I don't think I'd pay $7000USD for a camera that doesn't auto focus :^(
I think Nikon would make a killing if they offer a "pro" version of an E-P or GF series camera. It won't actually be a true rangefinder. However if they get the AF figured out, a small rangefinder like package with D3S ISO performance and D3X megapix would sell like crazy.

Niko, I agree with you. My hope is that if Nikon comes with a FF rangefinder (or something similar) it will not cost 7k. I don't really care if the camera is hand-assembled - I will take one off the automated production line for half price (or less) any day.

This is petty... But I really dislike the name "Coolpix" It sounds so mickey mouse and crappy.

According to amazon, nikon DOES manufacture the top selling point and shoot. Just sayen.

The coolpix may not be top sellers like those from other manufactures, but remember that they still sell more coolpix than all DSLR models combined.

Also look how fast the market changes, 5 years ago everyone I knew had a Kodak P&S, now, none of them do, they have Canon.

kyoshinikon said:
The coolpix cameras just do not stack up to the offerings that Sony, Canon, and Olympus have

No they don't, well if you don't count the S1000PJ that is, but they still make Nikon a lot of money!

Welcome to the forum Kyoshinikon

The answer lies in that Nikon doesn't (and never has) take any pride in making consumer or student cameras, whereas the once underdog Canon made their market by making student cameras (in which when the student graduates will have no reason to stop shooting canon) and the consumers which can be easily swayed to purchase something new every year based on 2mpx more, and video, and the bells and whistles many(if not most) pro's live without. The coolpix cameras just do not stack up to the offerings that Sony, Canon, and Olympus have

PB PM said:
I cannot see Nikon fully opening access to the NEF file structure, which would make it hard to just hand out Lightroom with their cameras the way Leica does.

No problem here, Adobe and Nikon are best friends now:
http://www.adobe.com/products/photoshop/nikonraw.html
It would be nice if Nikon makes NEF specification public, obscurity does not help promoting anything

I cannot see Nikon fully opening access to the NEF file structure, which would make it hard to just hand out Lightroom with their cameras the way Leica does.

bmxdad said:
You know Nikon could make a deal with Adobe and incl Lightroom with every DSLR,

Pete

Nikon spent too much on development of Capture and (free) View NX to pay for something else now (like Adobe Lightroom).
As for firmware Nikon will probably never go open (and no other company will) but they acquired Fujitsu software division that was developing firmware for Nikon cameras so they will have more control over this. http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2009/0630_01.htm

PB PM said:
There are always compromises, no matter what the design is, so that is a given.

If size and weight are an issue, I pull out my E-410, for anything else, D300 comes out of the bag.

Thank you, I went over to Niks website and saw the video. You learn something new everyday. :-)

Admin was on the right track with the Leica idea, but I think all we really just need Scarlett Johansson to start shooting Nikon...

I think if she were to pull a Nikon SP out of her bag that would be just fantastic.

Capture NX is made by Nik software for Nikon.

bmxdad said:
You know Nikon could make a deal with Adobe and incl Lightroom with every DSLR,

Pete

I know, and wish they would strike a deal with Phase, or Adobe. Leica did not even try to deveope their own software because they know they could not cost effectivly deliver a quality product. Now if Nikon with their clout and volume could strike one hell of a great deal.

Who developes Capture NX, does Nikon, or Nik software? I was under the impression Nikon just licensed the U-Point technology.

I don't think I'd pay $7000USD for a camera that doesn't auto focus :^(
I think Nikon would make a killing if they offer a "pro" version of an E-P or GF series camera. It won't actually be a true rangefinder. However if they get the AF figured out, a small rangefinder like package with D3S ISO performance and D3X megapix would sell like crazy.

There are always compromises, no matter what the design is, so that is a given.

If size and weight are an issue, I pull out my E-410, for anything else, D300 comes out of the bag.

PB - SLR's require some design compromises to be made in order to accomodate the reflex mirror. Not making those compromises allows for smaller lighter lenses that can also be sharper.

Personally, I'll take precise composition over size & sharpness advantages but if I could have both I'd be down with that.

Going to be honest, I don't get the obsession here with range-finder cameras, I guess they are nice if you like shooting with primes and are worried about people seeing you as you shoot them on the street. Range-finders are a niche, and would not sell very well. If Leica didn't have such high prices, and rich followers, they would likely have been out of business a long time ago.

Now, give me digital FM/FE FX camera with AF and I'd be all over it, if it was $1800-2000.

soap said:
"What should Nikon DO to become [sic] no 1 camera Manufacturer?"

Nothing. Being #1 means you've watered down your product to make it palatable for as many people as possible, while likely completely satisfying none.

Few consider Budweiser the best beer in the world, yet it's #1.
Few would consider Taylor Swift's "Fearless" the best album in the world, yet it was the best selling one of 2009.
I could go on and on, but I'll leave it at that.

Outside Toyota - how many industry leaders are there because of their quality and service, not despite?
Check out almost any survey in Consumer Reports, nine time out of ten the products with the best quality ratings and repair history are not the market leaders.

I think Soap nailed it on the head, and I echo his sentiments verbatim. . .keep cranking Nikon, enough people own lenses that we'll continue to follow your loopey lead!

admin said:
I think they should buy Leica or come up with a digital FF rangefinder - I still cannot believe that Leica don't have any competition for their M9. I think there is a potential there. M4/3 is already crowded.

Yes you are so right, and that area will become even more crowded. Like this other thread "A Blogger's Review Of The D3S" he sure liked his M9 and that was compared to a D3X. The fact is that you can get away with better street pictures with a smaller M9 sized camera that a huge D3s. So Nikon get your ass in gear, but a D3s sensor into Nikon SF styled camera, make a few decent primes for it and kill Leica and maybe then buy the leftovers to be used for the future MX format, OK I am done

Pete

I think they should buy Leica or come up with a digital FF rangefinder - I still cannot believe that Leica don't have any competition for their M9. I think there is a potential there. M4/3 is already crowded.