Nikon D4H? $3000

[jsrockit]

From nikonrumors.com

I feel pretty comfortable with the information I have published so far on the rumored Nikon full frame retro-styled camera. Today I received another list of specifications from a new source (take them with a grain of salt) that slightly differ from what I have already reported (different battery, LCD screen size, etc):

• Will be called Nikon D4H
• Will use EN-EL15 battery
• 3" LCD Screen
• EVF/OVF hybrid viewfinder
• Can be used with true mirror lock up for non-AI lenses while still allowing viewing through view finder.
• New hybrid mechanical shutter
• No AA filter
• No video in low power mode but otherwise it will have video (?)
• Expeed 3A processor
• Price: $3,000 for body only, $3,300 for a kit with the new 50mm f/1.8G lens
• Black, Black/Sliver and Chrome version will be available

Read more on NikonRumors.com: http://nikonrumors.com/2013/10/23/n...-nikon-fx-dslr-camera-d4h.aspx/#ixzz2iZVFLgTu

 

[Phil_F_NM]

Wow.
I have to stock up on more AiS lenses now since this is surely going to drive the price up a bit.
Actually, I have pretty much everything I need... I guess I'd like to find a 35mm f/1.4 and replace my Spiratone 17mm with an Ai or AiS 18mm Nikkor. Oh yeah, and of course, I'll need to find a Noct Nikkor...

Are you going to jump on it, John?

Phil Forrest

 

[N.delaRua]

So its absolutely nothing like a FM2 or F3.... sad. A device for geeks.

 

[stompyq]

Reading through the comments, even the Nikonrumors admin seems to be skeptical of this one. Doesn't make a lot of sense since conflicting rumors say that this would be placed below the D610 so whats up with the $3000 price tag. Also "No video in low power mode"? what does that mean?

 

[jsrockit]

Are you going to jump on it, John?

It depends. It can't have a huge grip, convoluted menus, or DSLR style controls for me to be into it. If it has classic controls and is shaped more old school than new school, I could be interested. I guess we will know more in 2 weeks.

 

[jsrockit]

Reading through the comments, even the Nikonrumors admin seems to be skeptical of this one. Doesn't make a lot of sense since conflicting rumors say that this would be placed below the D610 so whats up with the $3000 price tag. Also "No video in low power mode"? what does that mean?

Well, rumors are rumors... we don't know any of the commenters or their sources...it's all speculation. I can't see this being placed below the D610... that's what you call wishful thinking.

 

[jsrockit]

So its absolutely nothing like a FM2 or F3.... sad. A device for geeks.

How do you know? Did you expect a film camera?

 

[FA Limited]

[*]EVF/OVF hybrid viewfinder
[*]Can be used with true mirror lock up for non-AI lenses while still allowing viewing through view finder.

so i am guessing the way this works is the mirror flips up and blocks the prism housing (like the dark shutter on the X100 viewfinder). and the entire EVF is then projected into the prism somehow? help me understand how this could 😕

secondly i don't get why Nikon would bother, what lenses would they need to support that they don't sell or didn't make? f-mount lenses fit on their DSLRs at basically full capability now (on the high end) and it's not like nikons can use many other SLR lenses

 

[N.delaRua]

I don't know anything as it seems is true for everyone not working at Nikon.

I've worked with a D2H and it was nothing like a FM2 or F3. The H in the name of a full frame nikon digital makes me thing of a photojournalist speed machine. That sounds nothing like a FM2. Just stating a thought.

I though by some slim chance Nikon was going to produce a simple FF SLR type camera. Something akin to a FM2 or F3. Originally it had no video etc. Maybe the comparison to a FM2 or F3 is just style and not substance. That is a what a D4H sounds like to me.

 

[jsrockit]

secondly i don't get why Nikon would bother, what lenses would they need to support that they don't sell or didn't make? f-mount lenses fit on their DSLRs at basically full capability now (on the high end) and it's not like nikons can use many other SLR lenses

To gain back some customers that left for mirrorless or stick with film because they love film cameras. Not everyone has bought into the plastic lumps with ridiculous grips. Many Nikon fans have been requesting a different style of SLR from Nikon for awhile.

 

[jsrockit]

Maybe the comparison to a FM2 or F3 is just style and not substance. That is a what a D4H sounds like to me.

What substance would you expect? It is a digital camera, so of course it'll be different, specs wise, than a mechanical slr. Nikon doesn't need to change its specs (there's nothing wrong with them)... they need to change its style (for those who don't like the current style).

 

[FA Limited]

To gain back some customers that left for mirrorless or stick with film because they love film cameras. Not everyone has bought into the plastic lumps with ridiculous grips. Many Nikon fans have been requesting a different style of SLR from Nikon for awhile.

john my question was more about why make an EVF for
1) non-AI lenses, really are they that popular to make a camera for?
2) "adaptable" lenses, it's not like other SLR lenses even adapt on Nikon anyways
this part of the rumor sounds bogus to me

i personally come to realize i like a comfy grip makes it much easier for me to hold than a slippery bar

 

[jsrockit]

I must have strong hands... I never seem to need a grip. 🙂 Yeah, the EVF seems strange... but it is only a rumor still. Maybe they are trying to get third party lens users? Some people use Leica R lenses on Nikon no? I'll concede because I have no idea.

 

[N.delaRua]

When I heard FM2/F3 I was thinking it would not be an autofocus speed demon.

I was thinking it was going to be something more like a Leica M9. Simple., smaller, more affordable, and made to work nicely will MF lenses like older Ai and Ai-s lenses. Maybe I am totally off base but that is initially I how perceived the FM2/F3 comparison.

If they make another D4 in the style of an older F, I have no interest, and what would be the point?

 

[jsrockit]

I was thinking it was going to be something more like a Leica M9. Simple., smaller, more affordable, and made to work nicely will MF lenses like older Ai and Ai-s lenses. Maybe I am totally off base but that is initially I how perceived the FM2/F3 comparison.

I think many of us were, but was it realistic for Nikon? I'm not sure. The first clue was the special edition G lens though.

If they make another D4 in the style of an older F, I have no interest, and what would be the point?

Ergonomics.

 

[N.delaRua]

Not to be cheeky, but I can't see how anything could be more ergonomic than a D4: the culmination of many professional iterations of the Nikon professional digital body.

I think I am just out of touch with reality and what the market would respond to. I though a small FF camera with manual controls, shutter priority, aperture priority, and automatic settings like a Fuji X was more akin to a F3 or FM2.

However, you are right to point out the packaging with a G lens. Obviously they would not release a camera that would not work with their current series of lenses.

 

[daveleo]

The G lens does not mean that the focus drive motor is in the camera (could be in the lens as the D5100, etc) , so the camera can possibly be a small and FF.

The Nikon F3 was not very much larger that the Leica M4, so theoretically this new camera needs not be much larger than the M9.

Link to a comparison picture:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mediawench/4585757244/

 

[jsrockit]

Not to be cheeky, but I can't see how anything could be more ergonomic than a D4: the culmination of many professional iterations of the Nikon professional digital body.

Well, there are two types... those that think a Nikon D is how a camera should be and those who think it should be shaped some other way. Remember which site you are on and what camera shapes are popular here. I absolutely hate DSLR shapes. I'd much rather have a brick shaped camera.

I think I am just out of touch with reality and what the market would respond to. I though a small FF camera with manual controls, shutter priority, aperture priority, and automatic settings like a Fuji X was more akin to a F3 or FM2.

Many of us here are out of touch too. Many of us on RFF would love that camera, but we are talking about Nikon. It is obviously catering to a different crowd, but also to the Nikon community. You can't deviate too much.

However, you are right to point out the packaging with a G lens. Obviously they would not release a camera that would not work with their current series of lenses.

I just cannot see them making a manual focus only camera at this point.

 

[Highway 61]

What substance would you expect?

16MP sensor and not more, no video, simplified menu, RAW / RAW + Jpeg (fine/large) only, no in-body D-Lighting, no rubber gaskets everywhere, no built-in flash, no external LCD display on top of the camera, 100% viewfinder, all metal casting (including the front panel behind the lens mount) with durable classic leatherette covering, classic speeds, ISO and exposure compensation dials on top of the camera, no grip, simplified Drive modes (no CH mode etc), mechanical lock-up mirror ability, DOF test lever, small body the size of the F3 at the very most, flippable Ai coupling tab so that non-Ai lenses can mount without breaking everything.

Nothing that Nikon can't make. But...

 

[Vince Lupo]

[*]Will be called Nikon D4H

The name makes no sense, at least in relation to the features and price you list. And based upon Nikon's naming of previous cameras, the name D4H conjures up thoughts of a high-speed pro camera, and would somehow be an offshoot of the D4, which is a $6K camera body.