Nikon D2X...bets?

[Acadia25]

Hi All,

It does seem that Nikon takes it's sweet time with these things. I think that part of it is that Nikon is overmatched in the R&D department by Canon, which is a huge company with many resources. Nikon also seems to be a fairly conservative company, and there still seems to be a "We're Nikon, and we wait until it's right, even if we get beaten to market" culture. It would have been much better if they could have gotten the D70 out the door before Christmas, but that obviously wasn't in the cards (Canon surprised everyone with a sub $1000 DSLR, I think).

The flip side is that the D2H and the D70 seem to be real winners. The D70 on paper is much better than the Digital Rebel and pros are raving about the ergonomics and usability of the D2H. Nikon seems to be picking it's shots and thus far is doing a good job. I think that the D2X will (eventually) be a very nice camera. But boy, that Canon 1D MkII has really raised the bar.

Of course, these cameras are getting MUCH better than most photographer's capabilities or needs. Isn't it great? ;)

Happy shooting (and equipment watching)!

[Sebastian]

Acadia,

I think you hit the nail on the head with Nikon's culture. However, if they intend to survive in the pro market that culture NEEDS to change. I love their products, and I really, really want them to stay competitive, but if their products don't sell, then they don't have money for R&D, and we die-hard fans lose out in the end.

As for the D2H, something needs to be done about the image quality. It has a terrible repuation for being merciless with exposure and white balance settings unless you want noise soup. It takes great images if all conditions are perfect, but how owften does that happen? Especially in their target market, journalists and sports shooters, it seems that the D2H is making a sizable amount of people very upset. I am holding out, maybe they'll somehow get it resolved. I have plenty of time before I can even start considering getting another body.

[racingpinarello]

Acadia,

I think you hit the nail on the head with Nikon's culture. However, if they intend to survive in the pro market that culture NEEDS to change. I love their products, and I really, really want them to stay competitive, but if their products don't sell, then they don't have money for R&D, and we die-hard fans lose out in the end.

As for the D2H, something needs to be done about the image quality. It has a terrible repuation for being merciless with exposure and white balance settings unless you want noise soup. It takes great images if all conditions are perfect, but how owften does that happen? Especially in their target market, journalists and sports shooters, it seems that the D2H is making a sizable amount of people very upset. I am holding out, maybe they'll somehow get it resolved. I have plenty of time before I can even start considering getting another body.

I'm almost done waiting for Nikon to change the philosophy. I'm not tied to a 35mm slr system, since I can always continue to shoot Nikon film, but Canon digital is way ahead. Better quality and noise reputation. I held off buying the D2H even though it feels very good, but Sebastian is right about the tempermental nature of the camera.

I hope they come out with firmware, but in the next 3 months I want to buy a 35mm digital that would allow me to shoot sports. I would choose Canon if that decision was today. That's tough to say from a lover of Nikon 35mm film cameras.

Loren