New Nikon Cameras

[Peter Betts]

Hot off the Press ...Thomas Hogan in is blog has suggested that the D3X plus D90 Plus lenses will be announced by Mid June ...WOW
I have been doing all the permutations trying to figure out how I would get a D300

If the D90 takes CF Cards ,has the fast AF of the D300 and Noise reduction ...its a goner..... D3X ...thats going to be awesome

Lenses I predict

50 1.4 AFS
85 1.4 AFS VR
70-200 VR II plus Nano (Just in time for the Olympics)

[deetee]

Hi Peter,

On what do you base your predictions re the lenses??? These do look very interesting, especially the AFS on the primes.

[Creeper]

I am guessing the upgrade of the 80-400mm.

[skipperw]

D90 with CMOS?

[Blue Shirt]

There are plenty of rumours on dpreview and other forums, from posters with close links to Nikon. Even Thom Hogan predicts the D90 and D3x for release in June.

I would queue for a 85/1.4 AFS VR.

[Peter Betts]

Hi Peter,

On what do you base your predictions re the lenses??? These do look very interesting, especially the AFS on the primes.

Dan the current ones are great but OLD non AFS VR technology..also forgot about the long awaited 80-400 upgrade to AFS

[Irene McCullagh]

There are plenty of rumours on dpreview and other forums, from posters with close links to Nikon. Even Thom Hogan predicts the D90 and D3x for release in June.

I would queue for a 85/1.4 AFS VR.

I would queue for that too... however, I have a queasy feeling in my gut that the price-tag will be

[EtienneB]

Release in June vs Announced in June...I think we're probably going to see something similar to the D3/300 announcement last year. You'll be able to place your order but don't expect it to get to you before Dec/Jan...perhaps even later depending on the spec sheet (things like dust removal etc might add complexity to the manf/QC processes). I say this because the high end bodies are usually also built in Japan and therefore there's limited production capacity to service the International market.

My lenses are serving my needs perfectly at the moment. Only ones I might change in the future is the 70-200 f2.8 which suffers a bit on FX (softish corners and vig.) and the 85mm f1.4D which is tack sharp and is easy to focus but which can do with AFS (VR would be nice but I can take it or leave it on this one).

[Blue Shirt]

There was also a recent announcement that Nikon is expanding the capacity of their camera body assembly plant at Sendai by 2 or 3 times the current capacity. All this will take time to filter through to increased product availability.

[Peter Betts]

lenses are serving my needs perfectly at the moment. Only ones I might change in the future is the 70-200 f2.8 which suffers a bit on FX (softish corners and vig.) and the 85mm f1.4D which is tack sharp and is easy to focus but which can do with AFS (VR would be nice but I can take it or leave it on this one).

Amazing statement as the 70-200 f2.8 VR is a pro lens and not DX and therefore fits DX what I use and obviously FX what you use. Piet Venter uses this lens only on his D3 (FX) and its superb....check his Gallery of Kalahari the lion at Addo.....I would change that lens in the future but only for Nano Coat and VRII but not soft corners and Vignetting because there aint non on this the best 70-200 ever made

[Blue Shirt]

Peter, you have obviously not read the latest DPReview tests of the 70-200VR on the D3 FF sensor:

http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/..._n15/page5.asp

We consider falloff to become a potential problem when the corner illumination falls to more than 1 stop less than the centre. Here it's a serious issue wide open at all focal lengths, with corner brightness ranging from 2 to 2.7 stops (at 105mm) below centre. However the visual impact is greatest at 200mm, as here the vignetting extends furthest into the frame. Stopping down improves matters, but only gradually; at 105mm, falloff is 1.3 stops even at F11. Again, not really acceptable for a professional lens.

200mm F2.8, falloff

Finally, and perhaps most tellingly, here's the falloff profile at 200mm F2.8; as usual the first band outside the central area indicates 2/3 stop falloff, and remaining bands are 1/3 stop intervals (and it must be pointed out that this choice of data presentation does somewhat accentuate the appearance of the issue). Here we can see broad areas of falloff just beyond the DX sensor area, which are often clearly visible in real-world shots.

[tcmiller]

When Nikon bring out a 200-400 F2.8 I'll be first in line!

[Jola]

When Nikon bring out a 200-400 F2.8 I'll be first in line!

With a Bantam Bakkie to carry it in ???

[Creeper]

With a Bantam Bakkie to carry it in ???

Dont be ridiculous, most forum members only use Landies and Cruisers.

[rra]

Please let them bring out the updated 80-400mm without pushing price,thats what Im hoping for .Peter I have to agree with Jola as Im using it on D3 and could not believe vigneting (livable) compared to say 80-200 combo.But still my favourite lens.

[Peter Betts]

Jeepers Le Roux thank goodness I use D200 and a D300 later but to the naked eye Piet Venters shots with the 70-200 on the D3 are 1000% better than say a 70-300 VR at 200mm and optically this lens is rated at 100% image quality. It is my best and sharpest lens but then I shoot DX not FX

[Jola]

Jeepers Le Roux thank goodness I use D200 and a D300 later but to the naked eye Piet Venters shots with the 70-200 on the D3 are 1000% better than say a 70-300 VR at 200mm and optically this lens is rated at 100% image quality. It is my best and sharpest lens but then I shoot DX not FX

I also love my 70-200VR, but the dpreview review is disappointing. I'm using a D300 now, so there is no problem, but like many Nikon users I also aspire to an FX camera at some point.

I'm sure that Nikon is aware of this, though, so you may find that a revised 70-200VR resolves these issues in a year or two - not that his helps people who already have this lens.

I would love to see how the Canon 70-200/2.8L IS rates in the upcoming dpreview tests. I believe that the Nikon lens is often rated slightly better than the Canon lens in reviews, but this may not apply on a FF camera if these issues are taken into account.

[Fanie]

Bjorn Rorslett rates the 70-200 f2.8 VR as usable up to 150mm on D3 if you are prepared to stop down to f11- f16. Above 150mm, even stopping down, the one he tested had corner softness on the D3.

He is very critical of lenses and I respect his opinion on it.

BTW he also field tests Nikon stuff for them before it gets released.

[Hendrik van Rooyen]

My 2c worth.

I don't believe VR is needed at and below 200mm. Think about it.

The 70-200 f2.8 VR is heavy, big and expensive.

I have an older 80-200 f2.8 AF-D, bought it second hand in prestine condition. It was still boxed!

It's smaller, lighter and has true full frame performance.

Paid R5000- for it.

I matched that with a 17-35 f2.8 AF-S (like new, in box), and a 35-70 f2.8 AF-D(also like new, boxed).

These were all "used", but with the new craze around VR and nano coatings, people are selling them off.

A new 70-200 AF-S will set you back at least R20 000-, I bought all 3 for a total of R18 000-.

They were designed for full frame and will always be great doing that.

The latest lenses by Nikon represents a "return" to full frame coverage - they stand with one foot in the DX camp but proclaim FX design. Therein lies the problem.

A lens with FX heritage can be used to great effect on DX, but a lens with DX heritage will show that heritage when used on FX.

Regarding the new D3x, D90 (end 2008), and the D3h later on (mid 2009).

Followed by the D4 and D400 (end 2010), D4x (end 2011), D4h (mid 2012).

etc. etc.

People should still invest in good glass first, then match that with a body that fits their needs.

If you can truly say that the D3 can not keep up with you, and that you've pushed the limits of the camera - then rush out and get the new D5 (due end 2013 or start 2014).

[EtienneB]

Henke,

The voice of reason... Your post is enough to make me want to get up and go and shoot some pictures (but I also love the day job that pays my bills)!