I would imagine there are still a few people who still NEED the top cameras... people who truly go into extreme elements or deal with extremely fast moving subject matter. Pro simply means you make money. There are many pros who never even bring a camera outdoors.
PKR
Veteran
I left the pro digitals a while back. The biggest problems were cost/performance ratio, size and weight. The weight issue was big if packing two bodies on location with all the batteries and other extras. So, currently owning FF and APS-C cameras, I'm moving to the smaller format for a lot of stuff. I tend to buy cameras by sensor performance over all other things, like ease of operation.
I've found that the lighter and simpler my hardware load, the more work I get done. I now, often use speed lights where I would have packed studio portables in the past.
Plastic camera bodies aren't a problem for me. Plastic lens mounts are. NPS never complains about repairs on non "pro cameras". They fix what I send them. I'm not sure, but I think most Nikon USA folks don't consider DX cameras, pro cameras. Nothing official, I'm just guessing from some experience.
I've found that the lighter and simpler my hardware load, the more work I get done. I now, often use speed lights where I would have packed studio portables in the past.
Plastic camera bodies aren't a problem for me. Plastic lens mounts are. NPS never complains about repairs on non "pro cameras". They fix what I send them. I'm not sure, but I think most Nikon USA folks don't consider DX cameras, pro cameras. Nothing official, I'm just guessing from some experience.
PKR
Veteran
Nothing but a gut feeling but, when folks at Nikon USA have looked at some of my images (pro products people) they sometimes say, too bad it wasn't shot on a pro camera. Meaning the division can't use the photo. On one email exchange, my pal there was a bit upset that I had taken a photo he liked with a high end consumer model. His comment was, I'll walk it across the hall to the consumer division. He's not happy about me not lugging around big heavy cameras.
My feeling is those big "pro" cameras are for sports photographers, some news folks, I guess, and the government.. meaning cops, NASA, FBI, DEA, etc. Those are big markets for Nikon.
I honestly think a lot of people at camera companies and in the pro camera world, think... pros should be using FF cameras and nothing else. It never comes up until asked what a particular image was made with. And then, only because they can't tell from looking at the image. Marketing people!!!!!
If Nikon was serious about pros using DX cameras, they would have made a decent series of high end primes for the format, they've had plenty of time to do this. Fuji knows what the trends are and produces to please their users. Nikon, I think, still thinks they will create the trends and loyal users will follow. I've got some Fuji digital gear and will buy more. But, still loyal to Nikon. I'm treated really well anytime I call for help or see them. It's a long history.
https://petapixel.com/2017/08/25/nasa-just-ordered-53-nikon-d5-dslrs/
x
Contarama
Well-known
Prosumer class = go out and pay a bunch a money for this rig then you will be able to make pictures like a pro.
Thanks PKR... very interesting. Sorry you have to deal with BS like that over camera choice. I understand the manufacturer's side too I guess.
PKR
Veteran
Yeah, they have to be honest. And, as advertising goes, telling the potential non pro customer that a nice picture made by a pro, was made with a high end plastic camera, costing a fraction of what they want this pro wantabe to spend on top pro stuff doesn't make sense. You know the camera dealers are in step with this. In the film days, Nikon pro gear was used to brand for pro quality ("The Pros Choice" or similar). The marketing scheme was (and it worked) we can afford to loose money on pro cameras because the ads will drive the market for non pro models. F3,4,5.. to sell the non pro public FM,FE,FA, FG, N series, and all the lower models.
I was told by a photo chemist that Kodak made little money on color negative stock, they purposely kept prices low. It was a vehicle to sell color printing paper. Kodak made huge money on Ektaprint products.
Ronald M
Veteran
Been collecting Nikon F2`s for 2 years now and I can attest my D3, D700, D800, D800e are no comparison for being tough, not even close. I can not even focus the things, yes very close but not perfect. Autofocus is perfect if you set it up. But the lenses are giant big. I suppose I can use live view, but then the moment is gone.
They don`t even set the focus screen in the right place. I forget how many I have adjusted a few thousandths. F2 are right from the factory and you drop in any screen you want.
They don`t even set the focus screen in the right place. I forget how many I have adjusted a few thousandths. F2 are right from the factory and you drop in any screen you want.
Tim Murphy
Well-known
Not for me
Not for me
Dear ade-oh,
I realize that I am not a typical member of this forum.
I shoot mostly nature and wildlife photos. I couldn't imagine walking in the woods with a 150-600 zoom and anything less than a gripped "prosumer" camera. I'm a Canon guy and 1D's absolutely rock for me.
The larger camera makes handling a telephoto lens much easier for me and truthfully for everyone else on Earth who cares to use them.
Hopefully before the decade ends I'll upgrade my EOS 1DMK3 to a MK4 and I'll be set for life.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA
Not for me
Dear ade-oh,
I realize that I am not a typical member of this forum.
I shoot mostly nature and wildlife photos. I couldn't imagine walking in the woods with a 150-600 zoom and anything less than a gripped "prosumer" camera. I'm a Canon guy and 1D's absolutely rock for me.
The larger camera makes handling a telephoto lens much easier for me and truthfully for everyone else on Earth who cares to use them.
Hopefully before the decade ends I'll upgrade my EOS 1DMK3 to a MK4 and I'll be set for life.
Regards,
Tim Murphy
Harrisburg, PA