Actually the patents for Nikon show a smaller than m4/3rd sensor and a crop of something like 2.5X to 3X! Which means very small lenses geared towards "consumer" use and not really for "pros", I think. Unless the lenses were for a new rangefinder type line of cameras but dang that's such a small sensor. How could such a rangefinder like camera compete with a full frame Leica? Even Leica's "point & shoot" camera, the X1, would have a bigger sensor.

NikoDoby said:
Nikon's past video camera foray wasn't very successful. They have to get it right this time and they know this! I know the Fmount could still be used but eventually they will have to do something "revolutionary" and to me that means a new class of dedicated video lenses.

Unfortunately, everything seems to be pointing toward either a 4/3rds or APS-C, de facto, "standardization" for camcorder form-factor V-DSLRs. Panasonic's AG-AF100, Sony's EVIL product line, and NR's own blogs reporting on Nikon's own patent activity. Panasonic's product manager for the AG-AF100 exclaimed, "4/3rds is 'almost' as large a S35!" However, we're still left with a whopping 2.0x crop factor when using Nikon glass on the 4/3rds format.

So, it may be a possibility that Panasonic, Sony, Canon, and Nikon, all may assume the the same sensor format for the next generation of V-DSLRs, allowing for some economies of scale for lens manufacturers, Fujinon and Canon. If such a new product category comes to pass, I would expect both Fuji and Canon to introduce "industrial" quality, TV-style zoom lenses for these products in short order.

NikoDoby said:
One of the first things my wife asked me when I let her use an Olympus PEN camera was, "which button do I press to zoom in?". "You just twist the lens," I replied.

Another cameraguy at work wanted to check out my D90 the other day, and then immediately proceeded to grind the AF gear on my D90 as he grabbed the lens barrel and tried to "focus" my AF 50mm Nikkor f/1.4D . . . grrrr!

Yeah although I'll always be a still photographer at heart and will cherish my collection of still cameras, I welcome the prospects of video completely. If Nikon were to buy a video company like RED that would be a very good thing for all of us including "still" guys too.

Just because Nikon "could" offer powered lenses doesn't mean you can't use them manually etc. I think having a powered zoom lens/DSLR would also help steady your shots as your left hand can grip the lens tighter and you could just zoom with your index finger for example.

spraynpray said:
I hope not. That would be as pointless as the video we have on the DSLR's now.

Pointless as it may seem, we can't change the facts. As Niko mention is a done deal.
The question is which DSLR company is going to come up first with all purpose lens as a standard for those that like zooming at the touch of the button and all manual for us professionals that like to keep things in control.

At the end of the day even today we have variety of Cameras for almost everybody so even the next gen cameras are going to be like that. Entry level DSLR will have all the features to accommodate those people that like to shoot auto with zooming and face detection focusing, whilst on the professional side we are going to have things like manual control, ability to use manual lenses etc, etc.

NikoDoby said:
I think powered zoom lenses would be the next "big thing".

I hope not. That would be as pointless as the video we have on the DSLR's now.

Nikon's past video camera foray wasn't very successful. They have to get it right this time and they know this! I know the Fmount could still be used but eventually they will have to do something "revolutionary" and to me that means a new class of dedicated video lenses.

One of the first things my wife asked me when I let her use an Olympus PEN camera was, "which button do I press to zoom in?". "You just twist the lens," I replied. People are just so use to zooming in and out with a single button when recording video. Single handed operation is more natural to them.

I think powered zoom lenses would be the next "big thing". Just imagine you'd have VR AND one touch zoom on a DSLR!

NikoDoby said:
Wouldn't that be your N90S? Film is the "original" full-frame.

Yes! And what a joy that is to use! Unfortunately, most, if not all of the new V-DSLRs will likely only employ S35-, DX-, or 4/3rds-sized sensors. Even the large-format version of RED's Scarlet will only be S35.

NikoDoby said:
Yes for "pro" applications manual is preferred but for "consumers" they want AF and the ability to zoom in and out like a camcorder at the touch of a button. It'll be interesting to see how manufactures combine new lens technology with new camera bodies. I'd imagine Nikon couldn't make powered zoom lenses on the current Fmount "layout"? Perhaps they'd create a separate line of "video" lenses instead?

I think it will be telling what Panasonic does for their announced 4/3rds V-DSLR, the AG-AF100. I would imagine that they're already talking with Fujinon or Canon about building some ENG-style, motorized zoom lenses for the markets that will use those types of lenses. If Nikon goes with a common mount, with a 4/3rds-format V-DSLR, then they would probably just re-sell the Fuji or Canon zooms. A few decades ago, Nikon also made television zoom lenses, so it's not like they're completely unfamiliar with this type of product either.

Nikon could certainly make a powered lens for an F-mount. Just as 2/3" B4-mount broadcast lenses have multi-pin connectors on the bottom of their zoom grips for power and control data, so too, could a TV zoom-style Nikon lens, designed for television applications.

studio460 said:
As soon as I decide to buy a full-frame body, it will be a Nikon body, and it will likely be used exclusively for still work.

Wouldn't that be your N90S? Film is the "original" full-frame.

I think the convergence of photos and video is pretty much a "done deal". There really won't be a difference between the two. The only real future problem are zoom lenses.

Yes for "pro" applications manual is preferred but for "consumers" they want AF and the ability to zoom in and out like a camcorder at the touch of a button. It'll be interesting to see how manufactures combine new lens technology with new camera bodies. I'd imagine Nikon couldn't make powered zoom lenses on the current Fmount "layout"? Perhaps they'd create a separate line of "video" lenses instead?

NikoDoby said:
Why? Do you want to sell your Nikon gear already and switch? Canon will be making an announcement either the week of the 12th or the 19th. I doubt they'll unveil the EF video camera then but they "should" be announcing something new ("5Dmk3" or "60D"). The EF video camera will probably be announced at Photokina if at all...maybe.

Nooooooooo . . . but I can put Nikon glass on a Canon mount with just a mechanical adapter. I'm getting back into my still photography, and I'm really enjoying the craft again. As soon as I decide to buy a full-frame body, it will be a Nikon body, and it will likely be used exclusively for still work. I'm just hoping that Canon's (and, others') "D-cinema" camera announcements (i.e., cine-capable D-SLRs, but in a video camera form-factor) may stoke a similar product development effort from Nikon someday. But, if Canon does announce a D-cinema camcorder, I'll be ready to put my best Nikon glass on it, and start shooting short films with it, no problem. I've been acquiring an array of fast, manual-focus, Nikon primes, ever since I bought my D90, for just such an occasion.

If nothing else bests it before the end of the year (e.g., DX- or FX-sized sensor, camcorder-type product), I'll probably opt for the Panasonic AG-AF100 for movie-making applications, primarily for its AVCHD CODEC and its movie camera-like form factor.

NikoDoby said:
You can already do that too krevlin. There are a lot of Nikon D50 and D70 cameras that have been converted to infrared. Besides nightshot doesn't allow manual control on Sony cameras because you can see through people's clothing.

See through people's clothing you say. That would be bad... I'm guessing.

You can already do that too krevlin. There are a lot of Nikon D50 and D70 cameras that have been converted to infrared. Besides nightshot doesn't allow manual control on Sony cameras because you can see through people's clothing.

studio460 said:
Is there really such a rumor? How long has this been circulating? Is the source semi-reliable? Have there been multiple sources on this? Any time frame guessed for product launch? Any further details? Sources? Links? Do I need to register at canonrumors.com now?

Why? Do you want to sell your Nikon gear already and switch? Canon will be making an announcement either the week of the 12th or the 19th. I doubt they'll unveil the EF video camera then but they "should" be announcing something new ("5Dmk3" or "60D"). The EF video camera will probably be announced at Photokina if at all...maybe.

jonnyapple said:
I hate to break it to you, krevlin, but you're pretty much describing current sensor tech (less the gigapixel). ;-)

Fine then! How about this. Forget about low light pixels, what about Night Vision mode.

Let's bring the green tint to Nikon cameras. They can ask their buddy Sony about it.

How about that!

krevlingoodspeed said:
Hmm ok! You want out of the box then!

What if Nikon invented a way using nano-technology to create a film that could be reused over and over again. They then took this film and combined it with a mini film scanner.

The scanner would read when each film grain became exposed and translate that into digital. Then a small electric charge "resets" the nano-film to be used again.

Okay, that IS thinking outside the box! I suppose we could store those images on that 3D holographic memory-cube technology that that company in Texas has been talking about being "almost ready" since 1993? Exotic, yes! Exciting, yes! Time-to-market? Priceless!

NikoDoby said:
There are already rumors of Canon developing a RED-like video camera . . .

Now, THAT sounds interesting, if only for the possibility that Nikon may be doing the same!

NikoDoby said:
. . . If the rumors of Canon developing a FF 4k sensor camera with no line skipping and with no rolling shutter then RED is DEAD baby.

Is there really such a rumor? How long has this been circulating? Is the source semi-reliable? Have there been multiple sources on this? Any time frame guessed for product launch? Any further details? Sources? Links? Do I need to register at canonrumors.com now?

I hate to break it to you, krevlin, but you're pretty much describing current sensor tech (less the gigapixel). ;-)

Whoa! OK no more peace pipe for you...

Hmm ok! You want out of the box then!

What if Nikon invented a way using nano-technology to create a film that could be reused over and over again. They then took this film and combined it with a mini film scanner.

The scanner would read when each film grain became exposed and translate that into digital. Then a small electric charge "resets" the nano-film to be used again.

Canon has 18 megapixel? That's cool, Nikon has 1 gigapixel, step up.

Why would they need a new sensor for a new Nikonos? They could just drop the D3S sensor in it and it'll sell despite the 12mp. That's assuming though that they make a DSLR Nikonos. They could also just revive the Nikonos name in a small waterproof compact a la Pentax and Olympus :^(

NikoDoby said:
Although a digital Nikonos is floating around the R&D dept. I wouldn't call it a market game changer. If it's ever made that is.

The future is in new sensor designs, video, and mirrorless cameras.

Well won't they need to create a new sensor for a digital Nikonos?

Then they could carry that low-light lover into the other cameras.

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2285

http://nikonrumors.com/forum/topic.php?id=2286

Nikon isn't big enough to buy Sony so that will not happen. The only reason Nikon would merge with Sony in your dreams is to have have the ability to build their own sensors and for the NEX mirrorless cameras and lenses. The combined companies could not maintain two different DSLR mounts so the Alpha mount would probably die off.

Nikon could buy Pentax. The reason for that would be to enter into either the medium format or the mirrorless camera business. However I think Nikon is already too far along with their own mirrorless designs to care about Pentax. So renaming Pentax medium format cameras and lenses MIGHT make sense. But Pentax is in pretty bad shape and it might make better sense to just start from scratch and make their own "MX" system.

I still think buying a video company like RED would be a safer bet for Nikon. They tend to look for "smaller" companies that can add something significant to their line up. Like when they bought into NIK software to spice up Nikon's software

Except RED is in big financial trouble right now and their product line up is just vaporware. They recently had major set backs and are looking for a new fabrication partner. So if Nikon made any kind of offer, Jim Jannard would be stupid to say no! If the rumors of canon developing a FF 4k sensor camera with no line skipping and with no rolling shutter then RED is DEAD baby.

speye_21 said:
One that captures my attention is the TeraHertz band. Harmless, potentially a game changer in many ways. While most people reading such an article would think of the obvious such as replacing X-rays, try thinking a little deeper and outside the box. Some really interesting potential lies within.

Yes, an interesting technology, but I'm less interested in Nikon's medical division products--I'm much more interested in Nikon's product development efforts for the creative arts. I don't think these are the same old, tired guesses--I think Niko's musings are extremely intriguing.

I also think that this is the most exciting time in digital imaging since the integration of CCD imagers in broadcast video cameras, way back in 1983. It's an interesting time for all of the players involved: Nikon, Canon, Panasonic, Sony, and of course, RED. The engineering team at RED helped usher in a whole new product category, and took on the major players in film and digital cinema products: Panavision, Arriflex, Sony, Thomson-Grass Valley (Viper), etc. Never before had a $17,500 camera body competed with the multiple-hundred thousand dollar products of the old guard. A year after its release, RED ONE cameras were on the sets of 18 network and major cable network scripted dramas, shows previously shot with Panaflex 35mm cameras.

And, the RED ONE digital cinema camera accepts Nikon lenses to boot! If Nikon acquired RED, that would be super neat. But since RED is privately held, and Jim Jannard is both its founder and primary financier (via the untold riches he assumed when he sold his first company, Oakley), I wouldn't bet that he would be willing to sell his new enterprise anytime soon. Now, what WOULD be interesting, is some sort of strategic partnership between RED and Nikon. Now THAT would be something, "outside-the-box!"

With due respect, speye, the THz tech doesn't interest me as a photographer. It's a microscopy technique, so it's interesting but not really for photography.

Or better yet just look at the patents Nikon has been filing in the past year. Such as a new set of smaller than DX lenses and mirrorless AF designs.

It's amazing how many times people comment in these forums when a corporate executive says something about new direction of the company only to make the same old tired guesses as to what they're referring to. If you wander over to Nikon's website, they have links discussing the technologies they are pursuing. One that captures my attention is the TeraHertz band. Harmless, potentially a game changer in many ways. While most people reading such an article would think of the obvious such as replacing X-rays, try thinking a little deeper and outside the box. Some really interesting potential lies within.

Although a digital Nikonos is floating around the R&D dept. I wouldn't call it a market game changer. If it's ever made that is.

The future is in new sensor designs, video, and mirrorless cameras.