Been waiting for this update. Time to do the free trial and give it a test drive! Thankfully, I have about 1000 new images from my two week trip to Japan that need to be edited!
I had a chance to play with 50/1.8s briefly at a local Photo Expo.
It is about the same size and weight as 35/1.8s.
I had may be 10-15 seconds to take a picture of this lady.
There was quite a line waiting to get into Nikon booth as they
had this set up for people to try out the video mode on Z7
but I asked if I could just try a few snap shots
Z7+ 50/1.8s @f1.8, 1/100, iso 640, AF-C auto with face detection
As the 45 2.8 AI-P is chipped, the camera can control it in A, P, S, M modes, and has focus confirmation.
Interestingly, in very brief testing at 2.8, this LTM Rollei Sonnar is sharper. I did not have the patience to do more than just a peak at the center at 2.8..
While it is not a pancake lens - 40mm 2.8 - because it is an rf lens (LTM mount), the actual size on the camera (length) is about the same as the pancake, as the LTM adapter is a fraction of the size of the FTZ adapter.
Let's hope Nikon rate this feedback of constructive criticisms with the seriousness the document deserves. The reality is the company has no option. First and foremost, there is that matter of “Our goal is to become number one in the full-frame market for both mirrorless and DSLRs.”
It is hard to see how the current hierarchy of regional marketing can cope, and thus persist in its antiquated corporate structure. Nikon's relationship with registered users cannot afford to chug along as it has since the mid-20th century. The company's use of the www is sadly underdeveloped, and too often haphazard. I find its takes a serious effort to track down key technical information. It's either on the European site or Nikon USA, and too often I have to translate a page out of Japanese (thanks be to google).... eg this was the only page of these data I could find back in late August:
One example.... since 2015, the wonderful 1001 Nights Series of Essays has vanished and then reappeared - with no linking urls (?!?) . In this case, Haruo Sato and the group of optical engineers lose their message to us Nikonians - at the peril of what passes for a corporate webdesign dept!
Too many prospective long term clients of Nikon will be driven elsewhere if Nikon does not roll out a strategy of iterative software updates. This will fail unless they get seriously "Web-Savvy". Nikon has to become much more interactive with the customers, whose decisions will grow the company....or Not
w/ re to support i have always registered my Nikon USA gear. But I have never received an email from them re. firmware updates, recalls or the like. I only find out about that from sites like fredmiranda.
That is disappointing.
Desmolicious wrote:
w/ re to support i have always registered my Nikon USA gear. But I have never received an email from them re. firmware updates, recalls or the like. I only find out about that from sites like fredmiranda.
That is disappointing.
I've received belated emails from Nikon UK but they have been erratic and sporadic. The entire system "relating" registered owners with Nikon is shambolic. It is surely logical Nikon stands to gain the bigger slice(s) of the pie with respect to returning customers, speedier responses to problems, and focused marketing....
1bwana1 wrote:
Probably the most accurate and concise review I have seen to date. Worth the read if considering the Z Cameras.
Thom Hogan and Photography Life rate the highest in my experience in setting out the bigger picture, and drilling into the details of a lens or camera etc. Then we have the focused reviews by the likes of Steve Perry and Brad Hill, especially for the outdor and wildlife genres. They really drill into the details and 'Out There' in the field :-)
We are also fortunate to have the Nikon Ambassadors reporting on prelease trials etc. Each of these people is an experienced Pro, who have been selected with sound reasons. Anyone who dismisses them as false and fake imposters etc cannot have thought it through before hitting the keyboard. Their first impressions have proved to be invaluable guides. They give useful direction etc subject to these detailed reviews...
The quality reviews underscore what was obvious weeks back. Reliable reviews take time. Unless a rapid review is put out with strict caveats, it can be relied upon to make a fool of the "reviewer". Obvious lessons here for prominent charlatans on Youtube but then a gullible / devious audience is also at fault.
Nikon definitely has an uphill battle here in Thailand. The market here is quite different as mirrorless has 60% market share of all digital cameras and dslr only accounted for 31% or something like that.
Fuji has about 50% share of mirrorless cameras here. So Fuji market share is roughly the same as Nikon and Canon dslr combined.
Unfortunately I think D3500, D5600 is not going to make much dent in Fuji's market and D500/D7500 are considered too big and heavy for general use. Some people even complain that Z6/Z7 are too big.
Fuji just launched GFX50R with 63/2.8 which is only about $US6-700 more expensive than Z7 body only
and almost the same price as Z7 with 24-70 and FTZ adapter. Mine you, the new general manager of sales and marketing for Nikon here is very good and the last few years, I see a lot of Nikon activity all over the country but for now it seems like Nikon has a huge hole in its product lineup that are in high demand here in Thailand, namely aps-c mirrorless that are light and small. Lack of aps-c lenses also does not help.
I just got the Z7 this week and so far, I am really liking it. I really like the way the camera feels in my hand, unlike the Leica SL. For me, the operation of this camera is so much easier than the Sony A7R III.
The EVF of this camera seems to be as nice as the SL although I wish the opening is a round one (just my preference). Not sure if I can attach an eyecup to this one. I also love the image/color out of this camera. The 35 f1.8 is sharp. I can't wait to get my Leica M adapter. Maybe I don't need a Leica M anymore? Here are a couple of quick handheld shot this evening. BIS is great!
suteetat wrote:
Nikon definitely has an uphill battle here in Thailand. The market here is quite different as mirrorless has 60% market share of all digital cameras and dslr only accounted for 31% or something like that.
Fuji has about 50% share of mirrorless cameras here. So Fuji market share is roughly the same as Nikon and Canon dslr combined.
Unfortunately I think D3500, D5600 is not going to make much dent in Fuji's market and D500/D7500 are considered too big and heavy for general use. Some people even complain that Z6/Z7 are too big.
Fuji just launched GFX50R with 63/2.8 which is only about $US6-700 more expensive than Z7 body only
and almost the same price as Z7 with 24-70 and FTZ adapter. Mine you, the new general manager of sales and marketing for Nikon here is very good and the last few years, I see a lot of Nikon activity all over the country but for now it seems like Nikon has a huge hole in its product lineup that are in high demand here in Thailand, namely aps-c mirrorless that are light and small. Lack of aps-c lenses also does not help. ...Show more →
This quote from the article was interesting. Sound like anyone we all know?
“According to our survey, people perceived Nikon as a brand for a very skilled 40-year-old man who is difficult to communicate with,” Veera Chalieopiyasakun-kun, general manager of the sales and marketing division at Nikon Sales (Thailand), told reporters.
Bee Eaters are one of my favorite birds. So much color and personality. Congratulations of getting your first one. You did a superb job with all of these bird images. Thanks for posting.
1bwana1 wrote:
Bee Eaters are one of my favorite birds. So much color and personality. Congratulations of getting your first one. You did a superb job with all of these bird images. Thanks for posting.
And thank you very much for your kind and generous comments, Steve. Much appreciated!
1bwana1 wrote:
This quote from the article was interesting. Sound like anyone we all know?
“According to our survey, people perceived Nikon as a brand for a very skilled 40-year-old man who is difficult to communicate with,” Veera Chalieopiyasakun-kun, general manager of the sales and marketing division at Nikon Sales (Thailand), told reporters.
Interesting Times!
With FX and also DX, the F-Mount Legacy is a very powerful enabler for Nikon. It sells stability and confidence to the consumer. How many other companies can claim such a legacy? Above all, if it IS compatible, the F-Mount Legacy undergirds consumer trust in Nikon that's stands eroded... Until 380+ Nikkors ARE can be said to be fully compatible with Z cameras .... It is fair to demand that Nikon's Action meet its marketing... "
IF the FTZ did cover all key F-Nikon lenses _i.e. AI, AIS, AFD.... then, starting out into his/her photographic journey, the consumer with lower buying power can then afford a full MF and AFD system on their Z Camera. This consumer will likely buy into the AFS and Z lenses.
besides legacy owners, for the emerging photographer the FTZ should be the keystone to Grow your Nikon system, as earning power grows..
