- NEF format is secret. There is even encryption of white balance (already broken, but still the intention is clear). Raw conversion software companies have to reverse-engineer it for support. Nikon's own software is in many ways much worse than third parties. If Nikon would have opened the format, its cameras would be more useful.
- Camera-Lens protocol is not openly documented. Third parties have to reverse-engineer it. That causes many problems in compatibility of third part lenses. Focus issues in Sigma lenses, exposure issues in Tamron lenses (that Canon users of Tamron lenses do not report). Also new bodies stop working with older third party lenses like new D7000 not working in live view with current Sigma lenses, because the protocol forward compatibility was not documented. Nikon's own lenses are good, sometimes great, but they lack a lot. Nikon does not make 50/1.4 with creamy bokeh like Sigma. Nikon does not make stabilized 17-50/2.8 DX lens. Nikon does not make wider than 35/1.8 DX prime that would be also fast (24/1.4 is compatible but costs way too much because of FX coverage). If Nikon would have opened the Camera-Lens protocol, its cameras would be more useful.
- Nikon does have open firmware. Some Canon cameras have it with CHDK. Being a programmer more than photographer, this irritates me a lot. I'm not alone in that - see Thom Hogan's "Camera Redefined" article here: http://bythom.com/design2010.htm It irritates me more every time I see photographers complain about some camera behavior that prevents them getting optimal photos where this behavior could be changed by competent programer in minutes if there would be a reasonable way to program the camera. How many times have you seen these complaints "Auto ISO does not work the way I would like.", "I know what AF should do when photographing my wildlife, but I cannot tell it to camera.", "I would like the camera to do focus stacking exposures for me.", "I would like to use manual focus in video, but VGA resolution display does not allow precise focusing of much higher resolution video" (that would be solved if camera indicated areas of sharpest microcontrast in similar way how highlights are indicated). All of these are problems that could be solved by programmatic access to camera. Not even need to open firmware like in phones with Android OS where firmware is not open, but third party programs are allowed to do and change almost everything. Irony is the camera in my phone despite having worst image quality can do things my pricy DSLR cannot. My Canon G9 with CHDK can do things my pricy DSLR cannot. If Nikon would have provided a way to affect camera behavior programmatically, its cameras would be more useful.
man i really didn't think i'd open up such a can of worms here!! The thing that shocks me the most is people talking about how the NEF codec is too encrypted, etc... i haven't used Capture NX, but are the results THAT good?? i'm getting great results with Aperture 2 and Photoshop CS5....either one does exactly what i want and i have a lot of latitude to work with etc....as you should with a raw file...i dont really think it's any different than the files i got when i shot raw with canon or pentax.....
The fat that they still have not made a 64-bit codec for NEF is a real PITA.
Seriously, is there anybody out there who's been running a 32-bit OS in the last 4 years?
Photo editing needs lots of RAM and 4 GB just isn't enough so why would they be so slow with releasing something as simple as a 64-bit codec?
Don't like the bulky size and weight for the D3 series, but would still prefer it to be build with AlMg alloy.
Wish users can have the choice to configure their system with interchangeable view finders, sensor backs and power grips like the good old F2, F3 & F4 that I had owned.
Don't like the 2 LCD configuration on the back when present day LCD technology allow the design of a bigger LCD with the top or the bottom section being able to be turn on or off independently and at the same time reduce the parts and the opportunity of failures.
The rest are already brought out by other users one way or the other.
NathanHamler wrote:
it's no an issue of which shutter release you're using, it's an issue of how you're holding the camera.... MOST people when they shoot vertical WITHOUT a vertical grip, they shoot with their hand at 12 o clock, vs. shooting with their hand at 6 clock....my strobes WILL bounce behind me when shooting with hand at 6 o clock, but NOT at 12 o clock.....i'm 99% sure my strobes are fine, and everyone is just confused on what's going on...
Most? Gee... I thought it would be the other way round
Like many here my main gripe is the lack of certain lenses. None of the new announcements by Nikon float my boat at all. I want a 300mm f4 vr, 400 f5.6 vr, or new 80-400 vr with good tripod mounts, high image quality, and good close focus ability. Why did Nikon get rid of the 70-180 micro and offer no replacement? I want that, perhaps a little longer in focal length so it could have a bit more working distance for fx users, and with all the usual current features (vr, afs, etc). I want a good quality, fixed focal length ultra wide for dx. I don't want it to be huge or expensive, so please no f1.4 or 1.2. Make it an f2.8, give it good close-focusing ability and image quality, make it resistant to flare, and I'll be happy.
williamkazak wrote:
I don't like how the camera strap falls over the viewfinder when shooting verticles.
I cannot see the rear screen in bright sunlight to gauge exposures/cannot see the histogram on a sunny day.
I like F2 lenses but Nikon would rather make F1.8, F1.4 and F2.8 lenses.
I don't like variable aperture zoom lenses.
I like push/pull zooms but Nikon likes twist to zoom.
Inconsistent filter sizes annoy me; 77, 72, 67, 62, 58, 52 WTF?
Buggy software, so I just load Photoshop and LR.
User manuals are crazy/thick. Need to purchase Magic Lantern series.
Flash with the camera bodies can be a nightmare for inconsistency.
What is with AF fine tune that works sometimes?
Some mediocre prime lenses tarnish the brand. ...Show more →
I'd like to see the focus mode selection switch on the back of the camera because its hard to use without spinning the camera around.
I hate that the ISO setting is set per menu bank instead of being global. So if I'm shooting on bank A at ISO 200 and I switch to bank B, my ISO could have changed to ISO1600 and I wont realise.
I really hate Nikons prices of their top level lenses and accessories. Things like the 10 Pin remotes, hot shoe cables etc are priced at just ridiculosly high points. And the new primes are prohibitivly expensive if you're not a millionare or can write it off as a business expense. There's a lot of price difference between the admittedly good consumer stuff and the 2.8 lenses.
On my D200/300's, focus often wanders off to the the left side of the frame. It's because the left side of the AF selector button gets pressed by my nose. I shoot with my left eye. And frankly, my nose is larger than that of most Japanese.
I also wish the adjustments such as exposure compensation operated such that negative was on the left and positive on the right, just like every number line and graph we ever saw in school. Or at least make the direction user programmable.
And I too find that the c/s/m switch often gets bumped into new positions in the bag.
dont use strap
buy LCD cover - forgot name for it - the one that covers whole thing
sorry but you have what you have
lock them in A mode and it will not change
just weird
dont get me started ...........
never liked it much as well
manual - what is it ? but if you read it once everything else is the same. read D300 and did not touch one for D700
use off camera flash
I am with you all 99.99% !!!!!!
agreed
williamkazak wrote:
I don't like how the camera strap falls over the viewfinder when shooting verticles.
I cannot see the rear screen in bright sunlight to gauge exposures/cannot see the histogram on a sunny day.
I like F2 lenses but Nikon would rather make F1.8, F1.4 and F2.8 lenses.
I don't like variable aperture zoom lenses.
I like push/pull zooms but Nikon likes twist to zoom.
Inconsistent filter sizes annoy me; 77, 72, 67, 62, 58, 52 WTF?
Buggy software, so I just load Photoshop and LR.
User manuals are crazy/thick. Need to purchase Magic Lantern series.
Flash with the camera bodies can be a nightmare for inconsistency.
What is with AF fine tune that works sometimes?
Some mediocre prime lenses tarnish the brand. ...Show more →
Wow... I really don't like the focus point selection toggle/pad. Too slow.
Miss the wheel from the Canon's so you could spin that baby quick to get a focus point!
On that point, as others have mentioned - focus points on full frame are too close to center and it would be nice to have them in the 'rule of thirds' grid.
birdnerd wrote:
I also wish the adjustments such as exposure compensation operated such that negative was on the left and positive on the right, just like every number line and graph we ever saw in school. Or at least make the direction user programmable.
Good news: they are user-programmable. Have been for years.
firewireguy wrote:
I hate that the ISO setting is set per menu bank instead of being global. So if I'm shooting on bank A at ISO 200 and I switch to bank B, my ISO could have changed to ISO1600 and I wont realise.
As a counterpoint, I sometimes use the shooting banks to do precisely that: switch from one ISO setting to another, or enable/disable Auto-ISO.
Rodolfo Paiz wrote:
As a counterpoint, I sometimes use the shooting banks to do precisely that: switch from one ISO setting to another, or enable/disable Auto-ISO.
good one mate
