Should I wait for new Nikons to be released...

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Should I wait for new Nikons to be released...

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Digitalfiend

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Hi,

I currently own a D80, SB600, 18-200VR, and a 35 f1.8dx. The camera performs admirably and is likely still well beyond my amateur ability to max out its capabilities.

With that said, I've become really hooked on recording HD movies with my Canon HF200. Unfortunately, it lacks the DOF and low-light performance, limiting my creativity options. I am also about to become a Dad and would love to be able to take candid shots of my daughter in low-light; my HF200 just doesn't cut it.

I was all set to buy a Canon 7D and some nice L-glass zooms and primes but then I found this site. Now I'm torn because it sounds like Nikon might be releasing some new cameras this year. I'd absolutely love to stay with Nikon and would gladly move up to a "pro" level camera, like a D700 replacement, assuming it offered 1080p, external mic input, etc. Back when I was looking at the D70, I secretly always wanted a D200 for the durability/ruggedness, so cost isn't too much of a concern - though something in the D3S price range is a bit too hard to justify. :)

I keep hearing that June is the next most opportune time for Nikon to announce a new camera. Sorry if this is a silly question but is there a significant Nikon event in June? What is the normal time-to-market after Nikon announces a new product?

Thanks.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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I edited your title digitalfiend so that it sounds less like a "troll" post. Some might not appreciate the wording and not take your question seriously.

The D700 was announced in July 2008. A Nikon brochure "leaked" out in June 2008 so we knew it was coming by then. So it's replacement is expected around the same time this year. The D90 was announced in Aug 2008. Normally when Nikon announces a new camera it is usually (note the word usually) out to stores about a month later.

So if you can't wait then go ahead and switch to canon and the 7D. But the 7D is more comparable to the D300S. I would say a D700 with video is going to be more like a 5D. A friend of mine recently put his 7D for sale because he hated the video results from it and the autofocus. After using it for six months he finally got frustrated and gave it up for a 5D because of the better video quality.

Posted 3 years ago #
clillja

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If you want to try DSLR video, the current deals D5000 are pretty amazing. Judging from your lenses, you won't really much from the D80. You certainly won't miss the (slightly) wonky D50/D80 metering. You may want a D90 for the finder or the CLS commander. Try out a Canon if you want. For me, they're very attractive, until I try to do something with it, then it's like switching to a car with the steering wheel on the right (wrong for Americans) side... and some of the lenses are disappointing.

The video thing is a funny question - if you need/really want a camcorder, none of the DSLR's (except maybe the GH1) are up to the task. OTOH, if you just want to play around with video, make a few short clips and pretend you are a film maker for a day - any of DSLRs are just fine.

If you want a real camcorder, some of the high-end Canons (like the HF S100, with a larger sensor and better low-light performance than the HFS200) are showing great deals - they're about to be replaced. The killer prosumer camcorder of the moment is the Panasonic 700K - the 300 series can be found for a reasonable price.

Good luck and have fun.

Posted 3 years ago #
Digitalfiend

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Thanks for the information. I've read about the potential autofocus issues and overall performance of the 7D, which is another reason I wanted to stay with Nikon.

clillja said:
If you want to try DSLR video, the current deals D5000 are pretty amazing. Judging from your lenses, you won't really much from the D80. You certainly won't miss the (slightly) wonky D50/D80 metering. You may want a D90 for the finder or the CLS commander. Try out a Canon if you want. For me, they're very attractive, until I try to do something with it, then it's like switching to a car with the steering wheel on the right (wrong for Americans) side... and some of the lenses are disappointing.

I really want a slightly more durable camera than the entry level options. I have been spending a lot of time taking pictures for the local clubs during track days, when I'm not participating myself. There tends to be some dust and occasional rain, so a better weather sealed camera would be nice. My D80 is decent but I do find that dust works its way into the camera when I'm using the 18-200 and the D80 doesn't have a way to automatically clean the sensor.

clillja said:
The video thing is a funny question - if you need/really want a camcorder, none of the DSLR's (except maybe the GH1) are up to the task. OTOH, if you just want to play around with video, make a few short clips and pretend you are a film maker for a day - any of DSLRs are just fine.

If you want a real camcorder, some of the high-end Canons (like the HF S100, with a larger sensor and better low-light performance than the HFS200) are showing great deals - they're about to be replaced. The killer prosumer camcorder of the moment is the Panasonic 700K - the 300 series can be found for a reasonable price.

Good luck and have fun.

Thanks for the info.

I looked at the HFS100 and the low-light performance wasn't significantly better than the HF200 and you're still limited with lens options. I don't think the 700K was available at the time. From what I've seen so far, the 7D performs quite well for making short films and allows you to use whatever lens you want. This is why I'm hoping the new Nikon will at least be competitive with the 7D (1080p for instance.)

I think I'm going to wait a few months and see what Nikon announces. I'll probably be so insanely busy with my newborn that I won't really have time to worry about video editing anyhow!

Thanks again.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Track days as in motorsports? Manual focus is going to be a big challenge for any brand of video DSLR. Some do have auto focus but not fast enough to keep up with fast moving objects. If you are use to the AF on your camcorder you will be very disappointed with trying to keep focus while recording cars around a circuit with a DSLR.

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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I agree with Niko. I've used the AF on several DSLRs while shooting video and it is all contrast based, which is just too slow to keep up with fast moving subjects.

Posted 3 years ago #
Digitalfiend

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Sorry, I should have clarified. The video requirement is only for candid shots, parties, other odds and ends. My camcorder is fine for track days and I use my GoPro from in-car shots.

My track-day comment was more with regards to not wanting a less durable camera like the D5000 - I'd prefer to step up to the D300/D700 replacement.

Not sure if people share pics here or not but these are a few taken with my D80/18-200:

I would LOVE a 200-400 or 70-200 lens.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Is that Mosport?

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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so maybe get d300s, the prices are quite good right now and You will have both - nice camera for outdoor work and a video camera for inside. as for AF in video's - well.. I would get any of the video enabled cameras and add a fully manual zoom - the focus ring works much better on those kind of lenses than on the AF enabled ones (in terms of precision)

Posted 3 years ago #
Digitalfiend

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NikoDoby said:
Is that Mosport?

Yep that's Mosport, the GP track. I've got a few of the DDT track as well but there are better vantage points on the GP track...lots of walking though. :)

Posted 3 years ago #
Digitalfiend

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adamz said:
so maybe get d300s, the prices are quite good right now and You will have both - nice camera for outdoor work and a video camera for inside. as for AF in video's - well.. I would get any of the video enabled cameras and add a fully manual zoom - the focus ring works much better on those kind of lenses than on the AF enabled ones (in terms of precision)

Agreed on the AF in videos. It sounds like it takes a good eye, practice, setup, and a little bit of luck. I don't think I'd ever rely on DSLR AF in videos (at least not with the current crop of cameras.)

I thought about the D300S, but, besides wanting 1080p video, I'm a sucker for the latest and greatest and it would drive me nuts knowing a replacement is coming soon.

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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The D300s isn't even a year old, I doubt we'll see a replacement till next summer.

Posted 3 years ago #
Digitalfiend

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PB PM said:
The D300s isn't even a year old, I doubt we'll see a replacement till next summer.

What about the D700?

Posted 3 years ago #
PB PM

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The D700 will likely be updated this summer.

Posted 3 years ago #
Photofan

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Greeting all, after surfing the site for a few weeks I've decided to post here instead of creating another "D90" thread. My old N80 had served me well over the years but an unfortunate drop last month finally spurred me to go digital. I just purchased a reconditioned D90 body from B&H for $679.95. I felt it was an optimal purchase for me in several ways. I get to reuse my existing lenses and I picked up a camera that I feel will do all I need it to do at what I feel is an awesome price. I'd just like to thank everyone here for the education I've received while reading the replies to all of the other D90 posts.

Posted 3 years ago #
jonnyapple

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Good luck, Photofan, and welcome. Don't hesitate to ask questions and/or post some pictures for us to see.

Posted 3 years ago #
Photofan

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Thanks Jonny, I should get the camera tomorrow. I cannot wait to get my hands on it.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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Have fun with Your camera Photofan.Please post some images to P-A-D thread or to flickr group.

Posted 3 years ago #

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Should I wait for new Nikons to be released...

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