Nikon retro-inspired camera

[markjwyatt]

Again, watching the video I linked earlier, it appears it is retro looking, but functionally, it still largely operates as a standard Nikon DSLR. The aperture ring is decorative only. The shutter knob kind of works, but only under certain conditions, otherwise you change speeds like the Nikon DSLR, etc.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3039926&postcount=176

 

[willie_901]

Exactly

Exactly

You don’t fight the crop factor if you use lenses made for it...but you guys are always fighting to use lenses that don’t match the body.

I put forward for our consideration: Nikon's target market for this retro-inspired camera does not include people who prefer to re-purpose existing lenses.

Perceived image quality does depend upon sensor area alone. It depends on both the sensor area and the maximum lens aperture.

I am skeptical this retro-inspired camera's focus system will fully support retro-inspired (analog, manual) focusing. I hope I'm wrong.

 

[JeffS7444]

Again, watching the video I linked earlier, it appears it is retro looking, but functionally, it still largely operates as a standard Nikon DSLR. The aperture ring is decorative only. The shutter knob kind of works, but only under certain conditions, otherwise you change speeds like the Nikon DSLR, etc.

https://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3039926&postcount=176

Thanks for that.

At 17:22 in the summary of his Fstoppers review, Lee Morris comments that he would've found a scaled-back Df-like APS-C camera at entry-level prices to be very appealing - wouldn't it be something if this is exactly what Nikon were doing? I think he's also on the right track in thinking that functionality shouldn't be compromised for the sake of style.

 

[Spluff]

Well, there may be substance to the rumour:

https://twitter.com/noki****a_c/status/1409387434152906755

Although the Tweet itself is in Japanese, that image (which I initially thought was just a FE) on closer analysis suggests we are getting an announcement in the next 24 hours.

If it is a fake, that's a pretty neat fake, although I have to confess, I'm not a fan of dusty pink!

PS Just realised the tweet link might not work, so have attached the file of the image

 

[keytarjunkie]

Yeah, Nokish-i-ta is blocked on RFF because it contains a swear word 🙄 However, they are a highly trusted source, and the image looks real(ly compressed) and matches the previously leaked images. The camera looks very much like a FE, though I suspect the giant Z mount is quite present when you take the lens off.

More images, looks like a grip accessory:

 

[gavinlg]

Told yall it was real!

Looks cute. Not the digital FM I was hoping for but personally, if I were on the market for an aps-c digital from anyone besides fujifilm, this would likely be it. When Nikon does a FF version I'll be there with the money.

 

[olakiril]

When Nikon does a FF version I'll be there with the money.

Would be great if they released the Zfc with a FF Zf at the same time!

 

[PaulDalex]

It looks horrible to me.
The lens looks like that of a point and shoot with two fake rings applied in the first half
Nikon could have chosen FF, could have imitate his rangefinders or the slr's like the F or F2.
All these design choices would have lead to a great product.
But this looks a point and shoot with a corrupted appearance of an FM3

 

[Spluff]

Told yall it was real!

Looks cute. Not the digital FM I was hoping for but personally, if I were on the market for an aps-c digital from anyone besides fujifilm, this would likely be it. When Nikon does a FF version I'll be there with the money.

You did! Thank you 🙂
Can't say I like the top plate though, feels cluttered unlike the elegance of the FE's top plate.

 

[Larry Cloetta]

Nikonrumors.com says there will be a “Nikon Z fc 28mm special edition kit”, in homage to Nikon’s storied history of Ai-s 28mm lenses I suppose. But, since it’s a crop sensor that would be effectively a 42mm. What a dog’s breakfast this thing is, regardless of all the Emperor’s New Clothes happytalk going around. What a waste of scant resources.
Nikon needs to make money. It’s possible that there is a substantial market for this that I just am incapable of seeing, only time will tell, but my guess is that the Nikon One will end up looking like a huge sales success in comparison.
It’s not just the cluttered appearance, it’s the fact that Nikon has spent over a decade ignoring DX lenses, seems odd, though not impossible, that all of a sudden they are going to start devoting resources to pumping out DX lenses which are equal or better than what Fuji already has.
“Why don’t I just buy a Fuji?” This looks to me like the Trabant of the camera world; except in cameras there is a free market and people have better crop sensor options, and better “retro” crop sensor options, it would seem, at first glance. Change my mind🙂

 

[Disappointed_Horse]

The plain black one looks pretty good to me. I nearly gagged when I saw the pink one.

Keep in mind this isn't a camera that Nikon intends to compete with the XT-4. With an APS-C sensor at the $1,000 price point, this camera is playing on the XT30, EM10 Mk. IV, and EM5 Mk. III level. Whether it competes with those cameras any better than the Z50 already does is the question.

I agree packaging this camera with a 28mm FF lens makes no sense, but I gave up expecting anything Nikon does in terms of DX lenses to make sense years ago.

 

[olakiril]

“Why don’t I just buy a Fuji?”

Valid question Larry. And for many, Fuji would be a better choice given the lack of DX lenses. But I guess there are a lot of people that fancy an old looking nikon camera plus it comes in so many colors 😛. There is also plenty of people with Z cameras and lenses already that would get this just for the fun factor.

Nikonrumors.com says there will be a “Nikon Z fc 28mm special edition kit”, in homage to Nikon’s storied history of Ai-s 28mm lenses I suppose.

Most likely just a silver version of their upcoming 28mm.

 

[Larry H-L]

If the special edition "28" is actually 18mm, 28mm equivalent, that would make much more sense for the camera, and probably more useful for current Z50 owners.

 

[jsrockit]

Nikonrumors.com says there will be a “Nikon Z fc 28mm special edition kit”, in homage to Nikon’s storied history of Ai-s 28mm lenses I suppose. But, since it’s a crop sensor that would be effectively a 42mm. What a dog’s breakfast this thing is, regardless of all the Emperor’s New Clothes happytalk going around. What a waste of scant resources.
Nikon needs to make money. It’s possible that there is a substantial market for this that I just am incapable of seeing, only time will tell, but my guess is that the Nikon One will end up looking like a huge sales success in comparison.

Perhaps this is targeting the Japanese market? I think it is certainly a usable camera... and a 28mm being 42mm is perfect for me. But I already have real Fujis, so I don't need Nikon's version.

 

[jsrockit]

If the special edition "28" is actually 18mm, 28mm equivalent, that would make much more sense for the camera, and probably more useful for current Z50 owners.

Why? why would 28mm make more sense than 42mm? How does a focal length make more sense? It will be 28mm on APSC... just like they say 16-50mm. So, in other words, 42mm and 24-75mm.

 

[Corran]

Wow, looks terrible (to me), and APSC. Couldn't be less interested.

 

[Larry H-L]

It would make more sense for the Nikon aps-c system, because to my knowledge there are not any wide PRIME lenses currently made for Nikon aps-c. There are already plenty of 28mm primes available for full frame.

While 40-42mm is a popular focal length with users here, I don't believe it is all that popular overall with the general camera buying public.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Perhaps this is targeting the Japanese market?

That was my first thought too, but not just the Japanese market in general... the younger Japanese market. Retro styling is absolutely in style in that market, and this camera looks like a winner.

 

[jsrockit]

That was my first thought too, but not just the Japanese market in general... the younger Japanese market. Retro styling is absolutely in style in that market, and this camera looks like a winner.

From the source... 😀

 

[jsrockit]

It would make more sense for the Nikon aps-c system, because to my knowledge there are not any wide PRIME lenses currently made for Nikon aps-c. There are already plenty of 28mm primes available for full frame.

I see. But are there really a lot of native 28mm lenses for the Nikon Z cameras?