Dear Nikon...

46 comments

• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:33 posted by Alex

  you could not be clearer. I thought exactly same idea. Sony did already a Mirrorless with the body of a DSLR and it worked perfetly (alpha 99) It is time to a big change. Just keep some DSLR for now as high end ones but start to change the lines!
  
  Great

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:33 posted by Alex

  you could not be clearer. I thought exactly same idea. Sony did already a Mirrorless with the body of a DSLR and it worked perfectly (alpha 99) It is time to a big change. Just keep some DSLR for now as high end ones but start to change the lines!
  
  Great

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:39 posted by Frank Ciccone

  The added advantage of keeping the size of a mirrorless D5 or D810 the same as the current cameras is that the extra room will also allow Nikon designers to avoid one of the pitfalls of mirrorless - the build up of heat that causes them to shut down after a relatively short shooting time. It would also improve ISO performance as heat build up around the sensor hurts ISO performance. Nikon would be able to give components room to better dissipate heat and could also build in better heat dissipation than with current mirrorless.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:40 posted by Edmund

  A high end FX Full Sized Mirrorless would be great, and I'd be first in line to buy one...as long as the price was reasonable ! I'm shooting and loving my D300s and D800, and we're not scared of big camera bodies !

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:47 posted by Mike Masella

  I could not agree more !!!!
  I am/have been a Nikon user since the 60's. ... as an amateur and later a professional.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:49 posted by Erik Weaver

  Sounds great to me! I'd love to see a full frame mirrorless, but ONLY if it fully supports the f mount. I like your suggestion to keep the same body and pack in more useful options in the created soace. I would very much prefer that over a smaller body.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:51 posted by Michael Miller

  I agree with your ideas Matt.
  I was also thinking that they should make a mirrorless, but keep their lens capability. The compatibility 'F'actor is a legend with Nikon.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:55 posted by Bill

  When I was considering upgrading from my D300s, one of the things that kept me from buying mirrorless was the lack of good glass. A serious APS-C mirrorless that would continue Nikon's tradition of supporting legacy F-mount glass would tip the balance for me.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 16:58 posted by Clive

  Just watched Tony & Chelsea review on the A9.
  
  Nikon MUST get a Pro mirrorless that accepts F mount as a matter of urgency. In 18 months when we next replace our 750/800's I will NOT be buying Nikon if there is no Pro mirrorless.
  
  Just the silence alone means that an A9 type product is mandatory for a Pro shooter.
  
  Nikon get me a product to buy in the next 18 months: full frame, F mount, 24 MB....and most importantly in a BIG body - I DO NOT WANT A TINY CAMERA>>>>IT SERVES NO PURPOSE!!!
  
  If I have to start down the Sony route then I foresee that all my Nikon will just get traded in.
  
  I hope these guys respond...I love the brand:)

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 17:00 posted by Andy G

  Spot on Matt, you've nailed it - come on Nikon take note.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 17:16 posted by Gert Klay

  I just hope they listen to you and everyone else shouting they need to make mirrorless for F mounts. The glass remains valuable and high-end, so let them focus on fast, responsive and high-end new camera they can make new profit on. And from that point onwards...

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 17:18 posted by john kelly

  Well my beloved Nikon have just lost me. I have completely changed system, opting for the Fujifilm X Series mirrorless. Nikon have totally lost their way in the modern market, and what they have brought out regarding the D7100/200/500 have not been anywhere near worth the increased price point, nor had astounding improvements. Sorry Nikon........I'm out.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 17:19 posted by Joel Weiss

  Awesome video Matt. I agree with all your comments and want to add a key one to you 'wish list to Nikon': make the LCD display like Apple's "Retina" phone display - larger than your current LCD, remove the less frequently used buttons and put them on the screen (ISO, spot meter, focus-area, video vs. still, etc.) and make the screen iPhone interactive to enlarge, reduce image magnification, etc. I love Matt's idea about the OLED viewing through the lens so I don't have to take my eye away from the viewfinder to see what I just shot. Get an exclusive with Apple if possible to make lenses and advanced image processors and firmware for phones in exchange for user interface improvements in general. Afterall, the images we want to print large can only be captured with 'real' cameras - not phones! (At least not yet!).

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 17:40 posted by Jörg

  dear nikon,
  
  become more like (old) apple: every product has to be great and is fighting against other apple products - no artificial protection and dumbed down products.
  
  become more like microsoft/sony: think of your camera as a xbox/ps. add features by software. new features don't require new hardware.
  
  become more like linux: be open. let users add software-features, share your f-mount codes.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 18:06 posted by Antony

  I would like to see Nikon produce a killer (sharp) and fast 50mm lens with vibration reduction. Also in body image stabilisation would be a nice touch.
  -

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 18:39 posted by Steve

  I agree Matt. Looking to upgrade from my D7100 and D610 but can't see buying Nikon as they seem satisfied living in the past. This is a shame since I have been using Nikon since my film days. I hope your and our collective message gets through.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 18:43 posted by Steven

  My biggest suggestion for Nikon is: invest in a good software development team.
  Connectivity is the future. It is I.m.o one of the main reasons why people stick to their phones for pictures. You cannot afford a second snapbridge.
  Update your menus to a standard worthy of the 21St century, with WiFi and touch screen Start developing a system to perform image stabilization through software means and develop software that does the corrections that are now making lenses huge and expensive. In other words: take your software to the 21St century, your hardware is there already, but it is held back by below standard software.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 18:45 posted by Ansgar

  well said Matt
  
  especially the huge advantage of having a compatible Mount siystem for alle the lenses.... thats what they should take advantage of!

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 19:04 posted by Tom Jones

  Matt, well done on the "Dear Nikon" message. I suggest another that asks Nikon to do a firmware update if possible for the D500 and D810 (maybe others, but those are two I have) to provide user saved settings like the U1/U2 available on the D750 (my third body). Frustrating to make Shooting and/or Custom Setting changes to the A-D banks during a photo shoot session and not be able to go back to the original saved settings without going through the Save/Load process. Changes those banks to U1, U2, U3 and U4.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 19:18 posted by alphadog

  Great idea, but to really nail it Nikon need a unique proposition over and above upgrade for loyal Nikonistas. I think it should be 8k Video - should be feasible now or very soon. Both Canon and Sony may be reluctant to compete for fear of canibalising their high end video kit.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 19:37 posted by KD

  I am not certain that such a frontal message to a Japanese company is the best approach. I recall reading an article from Nikon explaining how to submit idea to the company. Photography world has changed so much since my first Nikon F ( in the70's), nobody would have imagined what would happened. But it is a good try to predict what would work commercially for Nikon.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 19:40 posted by Robert E. Handley

  Keep the body size and Lens compatibility. Problem with Sony and the smaller body is that it does not feel comfortable hand holding and awkward with larger lens.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 19:43 posted by Stephen Warner

  Couldn't agree more. Spot on regarding the mirrorless option, and the idea of cannibalising the D810/500 models to achieve it chimes with my thoughts, possibly collude with a major IT player like Apple to improve the screens and potentially the EVF. I've had too many reliability issues with Sony consumer electronics to ever buy one of their cameras, so that's a dead end for me. Agree too about the D7500; too many shortcomings. Currently shoot D7100/7200 combo, I would like to switch the 7100 as the buffer can be limiting at times but in the current line up I'd probably go for a second 7200. To be honest, the flip screen on a 7200 body would have been fine, even knocking back the resolution possibly, although I feel for most situations the low-light performance is acceptable as it stands. No second card slot and no facility for a vertical grip = no sale. Improving the Wi-Fi app would be great and some decent DX primes wouldn't go amiss. Basically, what we all want is something truly worthy of the centenary year, grey lenses and the D7500 really aren't it.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 20:12 posted by PaulJ

  I had exactly the same thoughts: My buddy has already sold all his Pro Nikon gear and gone Sony mirrorless. He was trying to talk me round to also selling up my Pro DSLR gear. I was like nope, I'm sure that by the end of the year Nikon will be announcing a full frame (hopefully large body) mirrorless that uses the F-mount. It such an obvious next step that will be horrified if they don't and will look to jump to Sony next year.
  
  In the meantime Nikon, fix the remote control camera software (snapbridge et al), it's just plain rubbish.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 20:56 posted by Walid

  Prime lens 135mm f1.8, not too expensive as they have done this in 50mm f1.8 ad D. Everyone loved this lens and everyone could adore it, why not make 135mm f1.8, we are not asking for 1.4 or 1.2

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 22:28 posted by Andre

  I agree, the bodies must not be smaller, as small cameras are no fun to grip. As a DX user, I would like to have a pancake fixed lens with 35mm equivalent, so a 24mm 2.8 specially for the DX cameras in a very flat size, with af-s o -p and manualautofocus with a focus scale and not to far minimum focus distance, to use it as one and only lens on city and landsape trips.
  The small size of the lens makes the camera much more compact to travel with it and have it with you, when you otherwise only take your smartphone with you.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 22:49 posted by Tarrus Elliott

  I think what you've said in this video is great. I would like to see the option to take still images from 8k videos. I watched a video that Canon put out a few years ago to do just this. This option would change the market, I myself have the Nikon D300 with no video capability, the D2x and the Nikon D700 my first full frame camera.

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 22:50 posted by Dave

  Canon have a 1-5x macro and a lens with a built in macro lite. Why cant Nikon give us something similar?

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 22:57 posted by Lauran

  What I like to see is that Nikon should make a FF camera with no filming opportunities but only for photographing. So they can offer a cheaper camera. For example a D9 with the best quality for photographing but cheaper as for example the D810 or the new D820

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• Comment Link Monday, 08 May 2017 23:29 posted by Andrew

  What I would like to from nikon is a new 50mm 1.4 and also a135mm build from metal high quality

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 02:21 posted by Dave

  Major upgrade of firmware required and back date it to recent cameras
  
  I like the idea of the FX mirror less
  
  I would have bought a DL, especially if GPS had included

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 03:44 posted by Jim Kelly

  Every cell phone has figured out touch screens.
  So do that!
  Also, while you're at it get with the 21st Century and provide secure Wi-Fi! Again, cell phones have figured it out so how hard can it really be?
  And do that, at a minimum.

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 07:03 posted by JED

  Fully agree - this comes exactly out from the heart of a true Nikonian. Although I love my D810 and D750, I personally would be really keen on a real mirroless camera body with optical stabilization (wrt old guys like me) and with a F mount to continue with the existing lenses. I feel that there is a big, big demand out there - I would buy it blindfolded.

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 11:23 posted by Saul

  Fully agree. As a person that came back to photography as a hobby, just last year and invested heavily on a mirrorless system, one guess - full frame 42Meg - manufacture starts with an "S" it's clear things are changing. You are talking about the exact features still missing in my camera(which is the bomb by the way) - battery life, two memory card slots, affordable zoom. About the cell phone partnership - I totally agree as well!

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 13:15 posted by Art

  Well done. I want to see PDAF on sensor. The Live view autofocus is embarrassing. Spread the automatic MFA to all the bodies, even the d5xxx and d3xxx.

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 13:46 posted by nratt

  Yes, Nikon! What Matt said!

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 15:23 posted by Rogerio

  You're spot on mate, It's time Nikon starts listening to customers.

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 15:58 posted by al c

  Fully agree with your video. A full frame mirrorless would be a great addition to your to Nikon's camera lineup. I currently use a fujifilm xt-2 and love it.

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• Comment Link Tuesday, 09 May 2017 22:53 posted by Chris

  I couldn't agree more with you. You hit alit if things I would like and some I didn't think of. A EVF would be huge and no mirror keep the body big. Not everyone wants a tiny camera give us somthing to hold on to. Well said Matt.

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• Comment Link Wednesday, 10 May 2017 19:20 posted by Graham Ford

  Agree with majority of comments. As a matter of interest I asked what DSLR was the best selling line and the response was 'mirrorless Sony' by far. This pressure alone will steer Nikon down this route commercially

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• Comment Link Thursday, 11 May 2017 11:44 posted by Karl

  Entirely agree with you Matt, you did an open letter to Sony regarding customer service warranties repairs etc , maybe you could give Sony another kick up the ass, .great video as ever , cheers :)

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• Comment Link Sunday, 14 May 2017 06:18 posted by J B Singh

  Aptly covered all the points Matt. Even I would love to see Nikon evolve and reclaim their position being taken over from other manufacturers.
  
  All the best.
  
  Cheers!

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• Comment Link Sunday, 14 May 2017 10:09 posted by Gregory Lewis

  A DSLR that doesn't have hundreds of menu items to wade through. I want fewer features, not more. I would pay top dollar for an FE2 style camera with a D5 chip. No video or auto-focus and a decent viewfinder.

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• Comment Link Sunday, 14 May 2017 20:02 posted by Henk

  Very good! I agree!!
  What I also would like is some very small features like shutter time > 30 seconds etc.

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• Comment Link Monday, 15 May 2017 18:26 posted by Rick

  How about an f 1,4 or a f 1.2 normal auto-focus lens like they made in the old manual focus days?

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• Comment Link Monday, 05 June 2017 01:58 posted by JD750

  A good mirrorless body, with the Nikon F lens mount and an adaptor for existing lenses.

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