New Nikon in the wings?

[d2creative]

Any rumors floating around about a new nikon? Maybe a D2Hs replacement?
Something to fit between the D200 and D2X but with more than 4.1 megapixels, maybe 10 would be nice. Around the same 3k pricepoint.
If I was looking for a new camera right now, something from the current lineup, it would be the D200 or D2x but there seems to be such a major gap in price between the two.

[dougjgreen]

I should think that the camera in Nikon's lineup that needs an upgrade is the D70s. It's image quality has been superceded by the D50, and they need something closer to the EOS 30D, so they can squeeze it from both ends along with the D200.

[Nikonfreak]

I would guess that there'd be a replacement announced for the D70s and the D2hs somewhere in the near future.

In today's world, reality or not, 4 megapixel and 6 megapixel cameras will be perceived as inferior and there are fewer and fewer folks that want to shell out $3,000 for a 4 megapixel pro body.* The expectations are getting higher.* Nikon will need to react to that.

I would say an 8 megapixel D3h or even 10 megapixel D3h would be right on.* The LBCAST sensor would be great at that level with some enhanced capabilities, HSC mode like the D2x (sweet) and a few other tweaks.* I can't speak much on the D2h as I never owned one.

D70s?* Hmm.. tougher question given that the D200 just came out at 10.2 Megapixels.* I'd bet an 8-10 megapixel version is due, improved AF - faster, more accurate and better IQ, larger number of AF zones, perhaps a larger LCD display...

All this would be nice.

I'd love to hear what some of the D2h users would think about things they'd love to see in the D3h. Expecations for a new D3h are high..

I know there are some D70 users out there... what would you guys like to see other than the obvious more megapixels.

Julio

[DavidRM]

Originally Posted by Nikonfreak

I know there are some D70 users out there... what would you guys like to see other than the obvious more megapixels.

My D70s turns 1 next month. What I would like in an upgrade would be:

* Better/faster autofocus in low light.
* Brighter/bigger viewfinder.
* Full RGB histogram.
* Improved ISO 1000-1600 performance.
* More shutter speed options in auto-ISO and flash sync speeds.

I'm not too demanding, I think. Just nitpicky.

-David

[cyclohexane]

As a D2H user, I'll contribute what I would like to see in the D3H:

1. Same EN-EL4 battery; it's a fantastic battery, and they're hard to get.* I don't want to buy new batteries.* Provide a tray to use AA-size batteries.
2. Keep the overall control layout as it's very good.* Add an AE-L button to the vertical grip.* Keep the fantastic viewfinder which displays all the settings.
3. Make the AF sensors match the brackets.* AF Sensor placement is already beautiful.* Provide more patterns for the Group Dynamic mode, and add user-control of which sensor gets priority (instead of closest subject vs. center sensor as the two group choices).
4. Keep the image review using dials instead of keypad option; 3-inch LCD would be fun, but is unneccessary.
5. Clean ISO 3200 with saturated colors. Add a lower base ISO than 200- i.e. 125.* Doesn't have to be 100, but 100, 125, and 160 would fit right in.
6. Include the AC adapter in the box (instead of charging $50) and allow sensor cleaning with a battery charged above 85% or something.
8. Improve dynamic range for when a scene's all over the map.
9. Dual CF and SD card slots, with selectable writing preferences for each one (i.e. JPEGs to the SD Card, NEFs to the CF) as found on the Canon 1D Mk.II N.
10. Low resolution, low price.* Sports shooting is expensive enough thanks to the lenses, and 4 megapixels is plenty for most news uses.* Give us 5 megapixels if it's really neccessary to make us feel better, but I don't need more than 7, honestly.* If I want high resolution, I'll buy the next X camera.* Make the price of admission lower- $2,500 max; $2000 would be much better- pay for the improved features, not improved resolution.
11. Built-in wireless transmission, with an included antenna to extend the range. Make a long-range antenna available, like the ones made for the WT-1A and WT-2A currently in production.
12. Non-CPU lens database independent of the shooting menu banks like the F6 so I don't have to change the settings when I change lenses.
13. Add ability to use command dials to cycle through the shooting banks and custom functions banks. I set Custom Bank number four to emulate "Green Auto" from the D70 and D50; getting to it without going through the menus would be nice.

An "H" camera with high resolution would defeat the purpose of a high-speed workflow.* I have a speedy machine, but I've don't want to be forcing huge files through it when I don't have to.* Like I said, if I need more resolution, I'll buy the appropriate X camera instead of wanting a fast high-res camera.* Right now, the D2X is already fast enough for the high-resolution needs of sports publications.* I really like the shared chasses of the D2 and D1 series cameras; Nikon should continue this so one can switch between specialized bodies.

As for the D70, if I replace mine, I'll just get a D200 (though it'd be nice if it had more than one cross-sensor). All of my batteries are EN-EL3e anyways.

[Jon]

What Cyclohexane said, with these addendums:

More res/MP would be nice in terms of having a larger max image, but not at the cost of quality. A 6 or 8 MP JFET would be perfectly fine, though when I want to shoot something REALLY big I use a different camera.

KEEP THE JFET SENSOR and don't even think about sticking a crappo CCD in it.

A High-Speed Crop mode will very specifically cause me to NOT buy it. Have you used that on the D2X? It SUCKS especially if you go back and forth between drive modes (as I'm sometimes want to do).

I'd also expand on the RGB histogram, a seperate R, G and B map (as well as the combined) is what I'd ask for.

As to the AE-L button on the vert, I don't think it's necessary, I have it mapped to the Function button. A larger Function button would be a nice bonus. Hmm, now that I've typed that, they'll have to retool to make either of those changes, so a AE/F-L button on the vert mimicking the other control layout makes more sense haha.

[cyclohexane]

Doesn't the D2HS already have seperate R, G, and B maps? I thought I saw an image of it somewhere, but I haven't picked up a D2HS to compare.

Hey, the larger function button is a good idea. Hell, why don't we make the DOF button a little bigger too? I mean, they already appear to be larger on the D200...

I agree on the HSC thng; there's no need for that on the H camera, as it's already high-speed anyhow. If that piece of work gets included anyways, the one thing I'd ask for is an electronically-overlaid crop box that blacks out the outside of the viewfinder, instead of the interchangeable screen that costs extra for the D2X. This would serve as a superior composition aid when using HSC, as well as providing a better reminder that one is in HSC instead of regular.

[Jon]

Originally Posted by cyclohexane

Doesn't the D2HS already have seperate R, G, and B maps? I thought I saw an image of it somewhere, but I haven't picked up a D2HS to compare.

It might, I don't know. It wouldn't surprise me as I think the Hs and the X came out at about the same time, and they share (almost) everything else, so the same menu and controls would stand to reason.

[cyclohexane]

I think the only thing that the D2HS lacks other than HSC and the CMOS found in the D2X is the multiple exposure mode:

List of additions found on the D2X and D2H, from Thom Hogan, emphasis added by me:

Separate RGB histograms (and highlights!).
High ISO noise reduction.
Support for the WT-2 (802.11g), which allows control of the camera wirelessly via Nikon Capture.
An improved matrix metering system (300k patterns instead of 30k).
JPEG compression levels.
Separation of Color Space and Color Mode for more accurate and controllable color.
A new tab (RECENT SETTINGS) provides nearly direct access to the last eight things you set on the camera.
(D2x only) A high-speed crop mode with a reduced angle of view of 2x from full frame (as opposed to the usual 1.5x) and reduced number of pixels (6.9mp from 12.2). The viewfinder is etched with this frame line and the camera can be set to use the FUNC button to go back and forth between this mode and normal.
(D2x only) Multiple exposures and overlay of two preshot exposures.

I guess that's one thing down already. =)