I’m a very conservative equipment buyer. I usually don’t move on the next best thing, and I wait until the price is midrange and the technology is proven until I pounce. But…
The D300 (which we currently use 4 bodies for our studio) is phenomenal and has been the best camera we’ve ever had, but I’m sure the low light/low noise capabilities of the D700 (which I have not used) blow the D300 away. in fact, I’m chomping at the bit for the new FX sensor of the D3 and D700.
However, Nikon just released the press about the D3x and it’s so off base: ISO only to 1600, slower frame rate… probably higher noise, too. And did I mention the price: $7999?!?! The only thing better about the body is the huge 24 megapixel sensor, which Canon has been paying around with for years, and for much less (Canon 5d mkII = $2699)!
Like I said above, I’m a very careful buyer of equipment. It’s usually the next proven model into a technology that I buy (D100 = skip, D200 = proven, D300 = Buy!). I can’t help but fear that Nikon will somehow have a brain-fart about my new dream camera, the unreleased D400 FX, and ignore the top priorities of most wedding professionals for the stupid “wow” factor of a big megapixel sensor… so, I’ve decided to issue my open letter to Nikon with a list of features, to help them out a bit:
Dear Nikon,
Please don’t screw up the D400 like you screwed up the D3x. I love the low noise/high ISO capabilites of the D3 and D700. Is it too much to ask that you keep the same sensor, if not the next generation?
Also could you include HD video at 1080i? I know that you know Canon’s already done this, so could you at least try to play catch up. It’s really hard to be a die hard Nikon fan when you’re constantly surging ahead of Canon (kudos on the D3 and D700 FX sensors), then shooting yourself in the foot (D3x). I mean, you basically ignored everything the world loved about the D3 and D700 and then issued a big fat $8000 turkey (What’s that? It has a big sensor?… who cares?!?).
Finally, could you make it $2500?
If you could do this, I would love it, and I would buy 4 right now. Even better, send me 2 and I’ll sing your praises forever… or until the D500 comes out.
Sincerely,
Trig Bundgaard
Nikon Devotee since 1998
There you are, Nikon. Now that you have your marching orders, go run with it and make my dream camera.
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