Nikon mirrorless? Sony NEX-7 is rangefinder copy? E-P3

Lots of buzz everywhere about a new Nikon system with a sensor halfway between a compact and m4/3.

http://nikonrumors.com/2011/07/28/nikon-executives-we-have-almost-completed-the-development-of-a-new-generation-of-digital-cameras.aspx/

http://www.1001noisycameras.com/2011/07/hogan-on-potential-of-nikon-27x-mirrorless.html

http://www.43rumors.com/rumors-from-others-nikon-sensor-versus-m43-sensor-nex-7-specs-nx200-rumors/

Quite why Pentax and now possibly Nikon are going down this small sensor interchangeable lens sytem route is beyond me. Where the market is I'm unsure.

SonyAlphaRumors are saying that the above mock-up is being rumoured as what the NEX-7 will look like. 24MP, Viewfinder etc.

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr3-first-nex-7-specs/

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/sr5-exclusive-first-user-reviews-about-the-new-adapter-a77-nex-7-and-16-50mm-lens/

Finally Park Cameras rang up to say that one of these is apparently on its way to me today.

Lens or body stabilisation?

An article from Nikon UK on why they think lens stabilisation is better than in body.

https://nikoneurope-en.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/23997

Personally I've always thought it was better in the lens. The two lenses I've used that allowed me to shoot with the lowest shutter speed at the longest focal length are the Panasonic 14-140mm and Nikon 16-85mm VRII. I've never felt I was getting the same advantage with in-body IS.

Obviously in certain cases, when lenses have no IS, in-body stabilisation is the only answer. 

Interestingly, though many say you shouldn't do it, I've had remakable results from a stabilised lens on a stabilised body. My Panasonic Leica 45mm macro on Olympus m4/3 bodies produced no problems with both lens and body IS turned on. Quite the reverse in fact, razor-sharp images at low shutter speeds.

It does of course depend on how good the IS system is.

Nikon D5100 - Part 1 - Preamble

Nikon D5100 - Part 1 - Preamble

Nikon D5100 18-55mm Rode microphone. Manfrotto tripod.

I wrote a piece on the Serious Compacts site recently - http://www.seriouscompacts.com/f42/review-user-experience-2649/ asking about how people make the decision to buy (or not to buy) a camera, or for that matter any other piece of camera equipment. There were some interesting replies. 

Personally I've always liked to read peoples experiences of working with a camera. I'm less influenced by lab tests and the more real world samples I see the better. I don't photograph test charts and I'm not really interested in how cameras render them. Photography to me is about 2-D representations of a 3-D world and thats what I like to see pictures of.

I also like a review that lasts longer than a few days and thats where the benefit of actually owning the camera comes in. 

So, this review will be undertaken over a period of time and will not be written to a deadline.

"Nikon speaks out about compact system camera"

From Amateur Photographer (UK)
Nikon speaks out about compact system camera news - Amateur Photographer - news, camera reviews, lens reviews, camera equipment guides, photography courses, competitions, photography forums
Via Mirrorless Rumors
Mirrorless Rumors | Blog | Nikon says mirrorlress is taking away market from compact cameras, not from DSLR's.

"The success of compact system camera sales is taking away from the compact camera market, not from digital SLRs, according to Simon Iddon, Product Manager for DX DSLR at Nikon UK, and has not had an impact on the company's DSLR sales.

In an interview with AP Iddon said that Nikon currently has a complete line-up and does not need to fill any gaps in its product range with a compact system offering. 'We have all points covered' Iddon told AP 'with a complete range of cameras from entry level to professional, and plenty of great compact cameras too.' Iddon says that the compact system camera market will not divert sales from the DSLRs, because 'if you want a DSLR you want what a DSLR stands for' and that isn't a compact system camera.

James Banfield, also of Nikon UK, commented that some of the companies that have been particularly successful in the compact system market have had to spend a lot of money to achieve that success. 'I think in some cases marketing spend has out-stripped sales revenue,' he remarked.

These comments come at a time of heightened speculation about Nikon's intensions in the CSC market and the size of sensor the company might use. While Iddon's remarks certainly do not rule Nikon in or out of the compact system camera arena, they might suggest that an announcement is not as imminent as some believe and others would like."

My favourite bit is "if you want a DSLR you want what a DSLR stands for"  Last time I checked it was Digital Single Lens Reflex, but I'm not sure thats what was meant.

As with the Canon comments earlier - http://soundimageplus.blogspot.com/2011/03/canon-doesnt-need-compact-system-camera.html theres a sly dig at the companies who make CSC's, and its very much another case of we don't need it, we're doing alright with what we have and the basic underlying unstated premise that these other companies only came up with CSC's because they can't compete with us.

However it does seem that for the time being at least, for whatever reasons, Nikon and Canon won't be offering us anything new on this front.

Some recent rumours and news.

Nikon "Pro" Mirrorless - 

http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/exclusive-nikon-to-launch-a-mirrorless-system-in-april-with-sony-sensor/
Whatever "pro" means. Probably "expensive"!! If it looks like a Nikon Rangefinder - I want one!

The story was that Nikon were going to go with a sensor halfway between a compact and m4/3 which I thought was a complete waste of time. If they really are going to go with a top end, probably APS-C system built around either the Sony Exmoor 16MP or their new rumoured 24MP sensor then great. Full-frame would be even nicer. The obvious problem is lenses. How many and how soon. Is the rangefinder picture a hint or clue? They already have the designs for their wonderful rangefinder lenses. Its an intriguing rumour.

 Panasonic redesigning G3 -
http://www.43rumors.com/ft5-panasonic-g3-with-a-complete-new-design-new-sensor-and-fullhd/
Panasonic apparently disappointed with sales of G2 and G10. What a surprise. I've never thought that the "make a camera for every conceivable price point" philosophy is a great idea. Surely a lot of the market for a G2 or G10 is covered by the GF1 or GF2. The G10 also lost many of the things that make the G system so attractive. There's also apparently a plan to make the "G3" closer in design to the Samsung NX10. Hmmmm...... not sure about that.

According to Amateur Photographer -
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/news/Canon_and_Nikon_lose_ground_as_camera_wars_hot_up_news_305118.html
Sony have moved into 2nd. Place, above Nikon, in sales of interchangeable lens cameras in the UK. Perhaps this explains the top item.



Kai at DigitalRev is not everybody's favourite camera reviewer, but I've always liked his irreverent attitude to kit. This is his take on the Olympus E-PL2.



 

2011 Predictions

Its a new year, and time to make a few predictions for 2011. Total speculation, since I have no insider knowledge, and with a few fantasy / wish list items masquerading as "possibilities". One day this terrible weather, dull and cold, might disappear and I could actually get out and take some pictures. Writing about cameras is fun, but I'd rather be using them.

NIKON

For what seems like years there's been speculation about a D700 upgrade. Basically people want the D3X sensor in a D700 type body. There's rumours of a D800 or D900 doing this and I can see it happening. The D3X is 2 yrs + old and Nikon probably feel that they can "allow" that sensor, or something like it, into a more enthusiast level (cheaper) camera. It will of cause get bought by professionals, who are as reluctant to pay high prices as anybody else.

The D300 is also getting somewhat old. It seems obvious that the D7000 sensor will get added to a higher end body & we'll get an upgrade. D400?

A D4 is due also. I would imagine slightly more pixels - 16MP? - with better video and the same high ISO performance as the D3, maybe not as good as the D3S. 

The rumour about Nikon and mirrorless, is for a small, interchangeable camera with a sensor somewhere between a compact camera and m4/3. They will introduce it, probably because they feel they should, but their heart won't be in it. Despite rumours to the contrary DSLR's aren't going anywhere for a while. With companies like Samsung and Olympus dropping out out of that field, Nikon have even less competition than before. Systems like m4/3 are very popular in the far east but the huge US and European markets are much more DSLR orientated and likely to remain so for some time. The DSLR isn't dead and likely to remain the dominant camera in these markets for years to come.

On lenses I'm no Nikon expert so I'm not going to attempt any predictions other than a new 24-70mm f/2.8 with VR.

CANON

A 1Ds Mk IV is due. Canon are currently behind Nikon in the MP race, so expect a pixel hike. The rumours are for a 32MP full frame sensor. Expect upgraded video also. I Imagine they will keep the same body shape.

At some point in the year a 600D is due, if Canon follow their usual timetable. However the 550D was such a well-specified camera its difficult to see where they can go. Would they add more MP's and make their low-end enthusiast camera have more than the 7D or 60D? I can't see that happening. So if no more MP's, there's not much point in upgrading. 

I can't see Canon only releasing one camera in the year, so will we see a 5D Mk III earlier than expected? If they follow the timetable it should be appearing at the end of the year, but maybe it will be announced late summer. I see this as a camera concentrating on video. My guess is that it will be the best specified video DSLR they can come up with. Slightly more MP's, maybe 25MP, to equal the D3X, articulated screen, raw output for video etc. 5D Mk II's are getting used to make movies and TV programmes so its logical to go in that direction.

My off the wall prediction is for some designed for video lenses for the continuous AF they will introduce in both the 1ds Mk III and 5D Mk III. How many and what type, I don't know, but I think Canon see themselves as the "inventors" of DSLR video and I think they are probably ticked off at people saying the Panasonic GH2 is a better camera for video. 2011 is the year they show the world that Canon is the leader in that field.

A mirrorless Canon? Everything I read and see tells me not. I don't think they believe in it and they are so far behind, they will have to get a lot of lenses on the market very quickly. The EIS system? Sounds total fantasy land me. A 22MP m4/3 size sensor, with ultra-fast small primes? Sounds great, and who wouldn't want it, but apart from the first rumour back in September everything has gone quiet. This obviously means it will announced next week!! 

SONY

OK, here's a real stick your neck prediction. Sony are a company that are big enough to try something daring and just shrug it off if it fails. They have a large range of DSLR's and will probably upgrade a few of them. They will also expand the NEX system and add more lenses, probably smaller than what they have. 

However I believe that the big news will come at the high end. I think they still want to be a player in the full-frame pro market. The A900 and A850 weren't the cameras to achieve this, so what do they do? I think they will go in another direction. My prediction is that they will go for a monster! A full-frame 32MP pellicle-mirror, EVF, full HD video with continous AF, raw output, hybrid stills / video camera. This will be an attempt to take out Nikon and Canon in one go, as they will price it at something like £3000. It will be their attempt to grab the pro / high end enthusiast market. It may also be a radical design, Sony have no qualms about that, and may look like the offspring of a DSLR and a video camera. They will also introduce a range of high-end video friendly lenses, designed with Zeiss, which will be phenomenally expensive.

So this is my (first) outrageous prediction for 2011. Read on for the second.

PANASONIC

The GH2 and GF1 are recently announced, so what will Panasonic announce? Well I see a 25mm f/1.4 and a "pro" zoom. Maybe the 12-75mm F/2.8 thats been talked about, which could explain the lack of a wide-angle prime so far. 

However, I see the big news as a collaboration with Leica on a GF1 follow-up. Despite both companies talking down their association, I see it as in both their interests to continue this. This camera will be primarily made by Panasonic, with design input from Leica. I believe it will have retro aspects but be modern. However in Leica tradition it will look uncluttered and simple. It will take the Panasonic EVF and have an optional optical viewfinder. To go with it there will a small number of Leica MF primes with a m4/3 mount. These will of course be very expensive and be outside of the current Panasonic range. 

So the second outrageous prediction, though I will admit this is bordering very closely on personal wish fulfillment!!

LEICA

See above. More S2 lenses - possibly an X2 announcement - dealing with all the criticisms of the X1. Some M-lens revamps. 

OLYMPUS

My initial thoughts on Olympus were "I haven't got a clue" On thinking about it more I came up with "I still haven't got a clue!" E-PL2, and E-P3 are obvious, with minor improvements. More lenses, including a 12mm prime. Apart from that I really can't see where they can go. They need something radical. A mirrorless vehicle for the 4/3 lens range is possible, but they don't want to hurt E-5 sales. Maybe a quiet year for Olympus.

PENTAX

I think they will build on the success of the K-5 and the 645D. A new mid-range camera is probably on the cards.

There are very strong rumours about a mirrorless camera. I think this may happen, and may be a vehicle for their existing range of small and pancake lenses. I don't think they will join m4/3 but will go their own way like Samsung and Sony. If they do announce something, and do remember Pentax aren't the fastest in this regard, then I think it will be an APS-C camera. I don't think it will be super small in order to accommodate their existing lenses, and may be designed to resemble their heritage cameras. Spotmatic or MZ series possibly?

SAMSUNG

We already know that its NX all the way. I see more cameras and lenses next year, with a Sony like strategy to include a camera at every conceivable price point. Maybe a new sensor with more MP's. A high-end compact could also appear.

FUJI


Fuji obviously have everything tied up with the X100. I see no more DSLR's from them. Everything depends on how good the X100 actually is and whether there is an appetite for this kind of retro styled compact in the mass market. If it remains a niche market then it may be heading for collectable status in a few years time. At its price point it has to be really good, otherwise it will sink without trace.

SIGMA


Is the SD1 with its 15MP (In real terms) Foveon sensor too late or is it going to blow everything else away. We will see. Probably neither. Always destined to be a niche product I think, though they do have an amazing lens range for it!!


I think 2011 will be the year that Sigma start producing lenses for the mirrorless / e.v.i.l systems. With the growth in this market, can they afford to ignore it? Maybe a few lenses to start with for m4/3 and Sony NEX.

RICOH


I assume we'll see more modules for the GXR. 




So there it is, my predictions for 2011. If these all come true, I'm off down the bookies for 2012!


David

SCS

Reprinted by kind permission of:-

The University of Worcestershire, Department of Irrelevant Yet Lucrative Studies.

Excerpts from the Paper "Illnesses associated with Photography" by Justin Cash and R.U.Serious, Senior Lecturers in Psychosomatic Media Disorders ©2009

S.C.S or Small Camera Syndrome is an obsession with small cameras. Sufferers from this condition develop an uncontrollable desire to sell their cumbersome, oversized and overcomplicated DSLR's (invariably black) and replace them with ever smaller and lighter alternatives. Dr. Hans Full (Ph.D, C.A, I.Q) of Solms University identified this pattern of behaviour in the 1930's. He saw it as an irrational desire to enjoy photography, without the need to carry large quantities of equipment in ever expanding camera bags.

Many of those afflicted with the disease group together in small, semi-religious sects on the internet. Long-term sufferers promote therapeutic alternatives via a network of self-help organisations such as Rangefinders Anonymous and Photographies Sans Douleurs Dorsales.

Many have tried to explain this. Dr. M. Oron of the MCS (Macho Camera Society) in his paper MInes bigger than yours (2009) said "While the disease is understandable for women and children, it is particularly disturbing for men. They seem to loose their masculinity by rejecting the norms of photographic society and in seeking to return to a simpler, less complicated way of taking pictures, put themselves into conflict with their peers."

The I.I.G.M.K.I.B (If its got more knobs its better) group, have taken an aggressive stance towards those who state that S.C.S is not in fact an illness, but an enlightened way of dealing with the complex issues of camera kit. In their recent publications, Flak Jackets and Telephotos and Big lenses: More fun than a Gun! They have aroused controversy by promoting the view that sufferers of S.C.S are actually a subversive organisation seeking to erode the long established traditions of photographic equipment purchasing. Their car bumper stickers proclaiming "Stand back! I've got a 300MM f2.8 and I'm going to use it!" have given rise to protest demonstrations in many towns and cities.

P. Sonic and Sam Sung authors of Pictures from my Pocket and Small is Special have taken the line that S.C.S is actually a healthy and desirable development. "In seeking to distance themselves from the ontological zeitgeist of the DSLR proliferation of recent years, so called S.C.S sufferers are merely responding to the negative discombobulation and persnicketiness (sic) of self-describing real photographers and offer a quasi-theological solution to this dilemma based on a reaction to the tautological imperatives promoted by those who in their struggle for consumerist producerism domination, merely encourage a guerilla type reverse proportionality response to the problem. In opposition to those who erroneously justify their error by misquoting the works of Marshall Mcluhan, which, as should be obvious, is an absurdly inappropriate understanding of this argument, we assert that SCS, far from being an illness, is a mature and innovative response to the non-ethical yet persuasive dominant mores prevalent in todays aquisition led society ."

The N.C.F.M.A.I.S (National Centre for meaningless and irrelevant statistics) have identified S.C.S as being on the increase. From a small but consistent population of sufferers, prior to 2009, the occurrence of the syndrome has risen dramatically in the last two years. Many see this as a direct consequence of easy to obtain products flooding in from manufacturers in the far east. Despite the efforts of organisations such as B.C.R International (Big Cameras Rule) and P.W.O.C.A.N.A.T.O.R.P (People who own Canons or Nikons are the only real photographers) to point out the dangers of these imports, including the notorious pink hybrid, more and more photographers are becoming addicted to these products.

References

1. Dr. Hans Full (1932-02-01) Small Camera Syndrome

2. Dr. M. Oron (2009-11-07). Mines bigger than yours

3. I.I.G.M.K.I.B group (2009-11-16). Flak Jackets and Telephotos. Big lenses: More fun than a Gun!

4. P. Sonic and Sam Sung (2009-08-08) Pictures from my Pocket. Small is Special.

5. N.C.F.M.A.I.S (2009-12-10). Analysis of Diseases related to Camera Purchasing. 2008-2009.

6. P.W.O.C.A.N.A.T.O.R.P (2009-11-21). Small Cameras Suck.

GH1 Nikon 50mm f1.2

Since the Leica X1 is a fixed lens camera I have been looking around for a camera/lens combination to offer a longer lens option, to take out as a second camera. Over the weekend I tried the Samsung NX10 fitted with the 50-200mm zoom. While this combination worked in terms of image quality it was somewhat large and unwieldy, and often ended up in a tangle of straps.

Yesterday I tried a series of test with various lenses on a GH1. Of all the combinations tried the Nikkor 50mm f/1.2 manual focus lens gave the best results. It is also the fastest lens by some distance and the closest focusing. Its not light but in combination with the X1 made for an easily carried combination. I can't remember ever trying this combination before. I used the 50mm with a G1 extensively, and with the GH1 for video, but never for stills.

The clincher was this somewhat messy panorama below that provided an extremely sharp and detailed 85MB file. A real world test is called for. Particularly to overcome the problem of the restricted dynamic range of micro four thirds.

In order to prevent burn-out of highlights I may have to shoot a little darker than I like. I have been experimenting with spot metering highlights and seeing if I can make the image lighter in raw conversion without creating unacceptable noise.

Hopefully I will be able to achieve satisfactory dynamic range results with this combination since the image quality is excellent.

A

Canon Nikon 85mm f1.8 Test

Comparison between a Canon 85mm f 1.8 and a Nikon 85mm f1.8D fitted to a Canon 550D.

Almost identical performance and colour balance. The only real difference is that the Canon is slightly softer at f16.

As before full-size file is available on flickr.

Diversity

The pictures above are something that I've waited a while to produce. They are Samsung NX10 images processed from raw via Photoshop*. Samsung in their wisdom decided not to include a Mac version of their software to develop the raw files from that camera. As a Mac user I managed to track down a dcraw based programme to do that & also borrowed a PC laptop so that I could see what the raw files look like. Not necessarily something all Mac users would want to do or even be able to do.

(* The new Adobe Camera Raw 5.7 beta update now supports NX1o files.

http://labs.adobe.com/wiki/index.php/Camera_Raw_5.7)

Samsung have said that they feel they can't compete with Canon & Nikon on DSLR's but that in the small, compact, high specification market now occupied by m4/3 they have a real chance. However they now seem to have a limp and a smoking gun as they have chosen to stick two fingers up at Mac users. Apple have moved a long way from the dark days of the 1990's when they were down to 3% of the global pc market. They now have a healthy 16% of the US personal computer market and I would suspect that for photographers this is higher.

So they do produce an excellent camera and then decide to annoy a large and significant percentage of their possible market by preventing them from using the full capabilities of that camera. Hardly an action designed to give them this market share they are looking for and for the rest of us to give us a choice of products from different manufacturers.

My second thought concerns my ongoing, seemingly endless contemplation of "What on earth is Nikon doing?" To which of course the answer is "Not a lot!"

Amateur Photographer magazine in the UK had one of its "camera shootouts" this week. Between the Nikon D90 & Canon 550D. They came down in favour of the Canon, though were very polite to the Nikon, probably with an eye towards future advertising revenue. However I have no such concerns. Having owned both cameras the 55oD is, in my view, a vastly superior camera. In terms of image resolution, high ISO performance and video I find it way ahead of the Nikon. This got me thinking about what Nikon have on offer at the moment. Their current range includes 5 x 12MP cameras, more if you include the offshoots and upgrades. D3, D300, D700, D5000, D90. There is one 25MP camera - the D3X. In these days of video DSLR's they don't have a camera that shoots full HD 1920 x 1080 video.

I'm a long time Nikon user. When I started in photography if you wanted the best in 35mm and/or you were professional you chose Nikon. The best system, the most hard wearing, the best lens range, the most choice. What happened? If you want more than 12MP then you have one very expensive, very heavy option. Add to this the fact that they don't seem to be able to produce a decent compact camera and you might ask whether they are still serious about being a serious photographic company.

The D3 was their last great camera. It dragged a lot of people back to them, myself included. However Canon then produced the 5D MK II. To my eyes just as good at high ISO's + full HD video + 21MP + substantially cheaper. So what was Nikons response to this? Well nothing really. I should be Nikons core demographic. I earn my living from photography, I shoot in a variety of situations and I have disposable income to upgrade my equipment on a regular basis. So what do I currently own made by Nikon? 85mm f1.8 and 50mm f1.2 MF lenses and a Nikon 9000 scanner. I changed my D3 and D700 for a Canon 5D MK II, my D3X for a Leica M9 and my D300 for a Canon 550D.

Nikon make some great lenses, I have two of them, why can't they provide me with something I might like to use them on? I prefer using m4/3 and a Samsung NX10 to anything Nikon have in their APS-C range at the moment. I actually feel that at low ISO's I get equal quality in a much smaller package. What is that saying about their current, to my mind very conservative, philosophy? Do they think that we will all stay "loyal" to them just because they are who they are? They don't seem to have noticed that the world economy has been having a few problems lately and we are all looking for value for our money. The way they are going they seem to be heading for some kind of niche, expensive, Leica type position - leaving the way clear for Canon to have us by the trouser fillers. OK - at the moment Canon offer great choices and good value, but what happens when they eliminate their main rival? Will they be so customer friendly when they don't have to try so hard?

I like my photographic equipment to be flexible, varied and open system. The more little bits of metal that let me fit x to y the happier I am. I don't want a situation where I put my Canon lens on my Canon camera, having taken it from my Canon bag, and having inserted my Canon SD card take some pictures that I view in my Canon software and then print out my pictures onto my Canon paper using my Canon printer wearing my Canon T-shirt. If some of their supposed competitors don't start to think about what their customers, and prospective customers might want then that could be my only choice.

UPDATE

Just as a follow up to this. Samsung claim to have sold their 1,000,000th. NX10 in their home market. For the financial year ending March 2009 Nikon claim to have sold 2.92 Million DSLR's in total worldwide. The figures are from various dpreview news items.

D

As ever this a personal commentary and not intended to influence or criticise others choices and personal preferences.

Focus on Imaging Show

The Focus on Imaging 2010 show at the NEC in Birmingham was, as always, a fascinating insight into the world of photography

VIDEO AND THE DSLR

This year saw the rise of the video enabled DSLR. In previous years video has been almost non-existent, but this year there were lots of stands featuring add-on rigs for cameras such as the Canon 5D Mk II and 7D.

There was a great demonstration of the Steadicam system from Tiffen. It proved that unlike us, people can get the Steadicam Merlin to balance! The rep. also gave a wonderful impression of a cyborg in his steadicam suit. However it is a serious piece of kit. He jumped up and down, using no hands and the picture was rock steady.

We also tried out one of the Red Rock kits and were very impressed by the Zacuto loupe, demonstrated by Mandy, the lady in the video.

All of this stuff is excellent, but I get the feeling that its all trying too hard to turn DSLR's into video cameras. With the amount of extra kit bolted on, why not buy a video camera? The extra weight is also incredible. However the film and tv industry, cameramen and directors of photography are taking DSLR's seriously, because of the high quality of the images, the lenses that can be used and the cost savings, though with the cost of the extra kit this may not be as great as some imagine.

CANON MAN and WOMAN

Seeing so many photographers in one place I realised just what a grip Canon and Nikon have on the photographic market. Many people take their cameras to try out the various goodies on display, and Canon dominated on the day. A rough estimate would be something like 65% carrying Canon, 25% Nikon and 5% other brands. The Canon and Nikon stands were huge, packed and difficult to get near. In contrast to the Panasonic stand which was almost empty.

It was also fascinating to see the sheer size of the kits that people carry. DSLR's with battery grips, heavy zooms, flash guns and shoulder bags full of lenses were the order of the day.

It was good to see a lot of women photographers. The numbers were much higher than I remember in previous years.

Sitting in my internet bubble, the photographic world is a lot different in reality. I suspect that "size matters" still prevails in photographic circles. There was obviously a lot of "mines bigger than yours" going on. I could see no practical reason for people carrying around D3's fitted with 300mm f2.8's other than to say "I've got one of these and you haven't!"

However I did ask someone on one of the retail shop stands, what was selling and he told me that Canon 550D's were selling well (No surprise there) and also that the Samsung NX10 was disappearing fast, something that I helped along!

I must admit I enjoyed it more than usual and both B and I thought it was very useful. Its always nice to see the kit for real rather than on the internet.

Finally the nicest camera I saw all day. Talking to another photographer on the Panasonic stand, he mentioned he had a Contax G1 with him in his bag. I persuaded him to take it out so I could photograph it. Now thats what I call a camera!

D

What planet are Nikon on?

Nikon announced two lenses today.

A 16-35mm F4 VR Zoom that weighs 680g and will cost $1260.

A 24mm f1.4 that weighs 620g and will cost $2200.

Add those to your D3s and you have the perfect outfit for inconspicuous street photography!!!

As a long-time Nikon user, I'm beginning to despair as to what they are doing. Their products are having less and less relevance to me as time goes on.I should be in their target market -

Full-time photographer, Wedding and event photographer, Stock Photographer, Moving into Video.

So they release more brutally heavy and expensive lenses to fit onto their brutally heavy and expensive cameras.

They recently released a video showing a model stealing a D3s with lens and running around Madrid with it. Running??? She probably had to spend weeks in the gym just to lift it.

Does this mean that Nikon are now only interested in providing cameras and lenses for pro sports and news photographers? It seems very much that they are. Their entry level cameras are pretty nasty and for the mid-range their response was to slightly upgrade the D300. This is now their top of the range APS-C camera. 12MP and 720 HD Video. Its pretty much out performed by a Panasonic GH1 for me.

I have been hanging on to a few Nikon lenses, to use on m4/3, but also in the hope that Nikon might produce a camera that I would want to use. Yes the D3X is a great camera, but does that sensor have to be housed in such a large heavy body?

To Nikon it seems that size is everything. Their attitude seems to be - Lets make it bigger and more expensive.

They have lost me. There is currently not a single camera in their line-up I would consider buying. There's a rumour of a D900, which is presumably the D3X sensor in a D700 body, but that doesn't hold much interest for me either.

Ultimately it doesn't matter. This is a camera company & I don't have sentimental attachments to cameras. I just it find it strange that one of the premier camera manufacturers, who have produced so many classics over the years, have become so one-dimensional and conservative. Maybe they will surprise me yet.

As ever this is a personal commentary and is not intended to influence or criticise others personal preferences.

D

NIKON D3X > LEICA M9

nikon D3X
Originally uploaded by soundimageplus

After a while using the Leica M9, my decision to replace the D3X with it is looking better and better. Over the past few days I have been editing a lot of D3X pictures from the summer. While the camera undoubtedly produces excellent images, the M9 files are sharper, and much "punchier" out of the camera. I used the D3X for my high-end picture library work & never made use of its higher ISO capabilities, so the Leica
gives me what I need. All in a lighter smaller package.

D & A