Share your D3x rumors/links

[Nikkor]

Although the rumors were strong for an announcement of the 24MP D3x/4 around end of august early september, it looks like its a no show.

I was contacted by an old friend who works for nikon, and even though the 24.4MP camera is going around and will be at the olympics (from what i understood still only as an early prototype), there is no intention of bringing it into production until after the end of 2008.

When i asked him repeatadly if he was sure, he insisted in a very confident matter, that if nikon was going to announce something that big in the time frame given he would have known. I insisted that there had to be some truth in the august rumor, and this time he said: "if its true, then they will surprise everyone, including official dealers - the only thing to come next is the full range of new coolpix cameras" 

So it looks like nikonians for 2008 will have to suffice with 12 MP on the full frame format.

Anyone else hear anything about D3x/4 or has a link to any other rumos? .. please share

Thanks

[longzoom]

No offence for everyone, but for me, personally, no interest for any high MP new camera, whatever you call it, without new primes of higher quality ever possible. A new 20-30 MP sensor, due to its nature, will be an old lenses killer - does it not? Look at the Canon line - new lenses first, top resolution cameras - second. I still like Nikon IQ, so I need new lenses. Simple, primitive truth. Dimitri,

[ilkka_nissila]

No offence for everyone, but for me, personally, no interest for any high MP new camera, whatever you call it, without new primes of higher quality ever possible. A new 20-30 MP sensor, due to its nature, will be an old lenses killer - does it not? Look at the Canon line - new lenses first, top resolution cameras - second. I still like Nikon IQ, so I need new lenses. Simple, primitive truth. Dimitri,

Nikon is revising their lens line as quickly as they can. Meanwhile most old FX lenses seem to work just great. E.g. the 24mm PC-E is exceptionally capable in terms of function and image quality.

I also am not interested in the D3X - but not because my lenses couldn't handle it (I know they will) but because I can't deal with that amount of data and I don't want to spend so much money on a single camera.

[longzoom]

I respectfully disagree, your point of view is very disputable, but understandable and acceptable for me, for further reference. THX. Dimitri.

[ilkka_nissila]

I respectfully disagree, your point of view is very disputable, but understandable and acceptable for me, for further reference. THX. Dimitri.

Which part of my post do you disagree with?

[longzoom]

The new sensor of, say, 24 MP will resolve about 3700 l. All of my old lenses - AF and MF - simply won't be able to cover so high resolving sensor. 14-24, 24-70 and 200-400 will do the job well. Not so sure about 70-200 - vignetting will do its ugly job very painfully, center only will be sharp, from 8,0 to 16,0 to corners, but not extrimes - they still be soft, under any aperture. That is what - you ask -I respectfully disagree with your post. THX. Dimitri.  (BTW - it is my own opinion, based on my experience. Your experience could be different.)

[ilkka_nissila]

The new sensor of, say, 24 MP will resolve about 3700 l. All of my old lenses - AF and MF - simply won't be able to cover so high resolving sensor. 14-24, 24-70 and 200-400 will do the job well.

When we did testing of our 24mm lenses, the 24-70 was the fuzziest of the lot on the D300, whereas it was in the middle (but behind the 25mm ZF and 24mm PC-E) in terms of detail on the D3. The 24mm PC-E was the overall detail winner whereas the 25mm ZF was the most flare resistant and second best in terms of detail. The 24-70mm, while I like the lens for its overall quality and practicality, just doesn't seem to match the primes in terms of raw detail.

I am sure that many lenses will have issues with 24mm FX but if you pick the best over the decades, you'll find stuff that beats in many cases the latest offerings. It's understandable, for example, the 105 mm VR has VR, internal focus, and has to go 1:1 without extension. The 24-70 has the largest zoom range of its type. They're convenient but not the sharpest lenses ever.

If you'd like I can run my other primes against the 24-70 too.

[longzoom]

I would like, of course! Such the test will be fully formal, but hell interesting! My 14-24 is a very little bit sharper at 24 than my Leica 24, and my 24-70 is a bit softer than Leica, but still sharper than any corresponding Nikkor in range 24-85!(Excl. 35/1,4).  So if you will get opposite result it simply means there is some sample variations between 24-70 lenses! Hmm, I already know I'll hate that... THX. Dimitri

[BMWrangler]

I just want a new D3 series camera to come out so I can pick up a used D3 for cheaper.  My D200 is starting to die on me

[Nikkor]

Well no D3x rumors flying around lately, but the D90 is sure on fire

Some of the specs so far:

    * Live View on 2.7 inch LCD
    * Built-in microphone
    * HDMI and GPS connections
    * 12MP at a max frame rate of 4.5 fps
    * Video recording?
    * Available in kit form as well with the new AFS 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G VR

Most rumors are suggesting a DX format, which is probably right, but imagine the impact if Nikon actually announced the D90 as another cheaper 12MP FX option along side the middle class D700 and the top of the class D3!

[Nikkor]

Does any one recognize this camera?

[Noct]

I agree with Dimitri (longzoom).There is a need for better glass before we jump to these 24MP+ cameras'

[jeffkohn]

I agree with Dimitri (longzoom).There is a need for better glass before we jump to these 24MP+ cameras'

A 24mp FX camera would have lower pixel density than D2x, D300, and upcoming D90. So while it would still be pretty demanding on lenses (especially at outer portions of the image circle), I think there are plenty lenses that will perform admirably on such a camera: 14-24, 24-70, the PC-E's, the 60 and 100 AF-S Micros, not to mention the entire Zeiss ZF line, and others I'm sure I'm forgetting. Just because some consumer zooms and some of the older wideangles won't look so hot doesn't mean such a camera would be pointless. I don't think the typical D3x user is going to be all that concerned about how the 24-120vr holds up. And yes, for the best performance it may mean using more primes particularly at wider focal lengths, but that's OK.

[AFS]

Does any one recognize this camera?

You mean the D60?

[Nikkor]

You mean the D60?

Wow, it is! I never seen one before. I was surprised to see a nikon with eye/face detection! .. or is it something else?

[AFS]

Since the D40/x/60 lack a top info LCD, the info screen is on the back. The D60 has the proximity sensor to turn it off to save power.

[Nikkor]

Since the D40/x/60 lack a top info LCD, the info screen is on the back. The D60 has the proximity sensor to turn it off to save power.

Thanks for the info AFS

[Dallas]

I did a review of this little fella a while back: http://nikongear.com/nef/reviews/Nikon_D60_review.php

[Tom]

Ken (Rockwell that is) predicts "The D3X will sell for $5,500" and "D3X ships, probably in the beginning of 2009" here.

And Thom Hogan has also started speculation (but emphazises that this is no prediction of him) somewhere about the hi-rez Nikon being a MF (medium format) body.
He's becoming less and less authoritative in my eyes  
My take on this: As development costs are a very important factor Nikon will be playing with two different sensors in the D3 and the D700 body. Canon has done it and earns money with it, the pros want it (not in an even clumsier MF-body) and it makes perfect economical sense.
Oh, and btw: Where should all the medium format (MF) lenses come from?
I can't imagine Nikon making a body with a new bigger lens-mount where other manufacturers' MF-lenses fit
And designing and making a new series of MF-glass for a selected few is certainly not an economically viable proposition!

So I'll stay with my "predictions" as to the D3x in a D3-body announced end of 2008 and the D900 in a D700-body announced 1st half 2009

[jonathan f/2]

It'll be hard to top the D3's high ISO capabilities. Nikon has a tough act to follow!