Nikon DSLR Predictions For 2009

Nikon always keeps it release schedule strictly confidential, but based on past experience, below are our predictions for 2009. Note the slow economy and declining sales could slow down Nikons release schedule, but they are also in a battle for market share with Canon, which puts pressure on them in the other direction (The 50D hasn't exactly set the world alight, but the 5D Mark II is getting an awful lot of attention):

Pro Bodies:

Nikon D3

The D3 will turn 2 years old before the end of the year, but it's still the low light king (and based on past experience it's usually 3-4 years between major pro body updates). Street prices for the D3 have dropped to the $4k mark, so Nikon needs to do something to get the price point back up to around the $5k mark, and there is room to improve the D3. We are predicting a D3h (or maybe D3s) release, which will be a D3 with the following features:

• The 2Gb buffer upgrade that you can currently get for the D3 will be standard.
• The newer, improved EXPEED processors from the D3x may yield a small IQ improvement as well as slightly extending the already impressive battery life.
• Since the D3 is primarily a photojournalists tool, the ability to capture video (1080p) would be extremely useful in the field, however that means adding video encoding hardware and microphones, so that may be delayed until the D4. It will be a big selling point to a certain segment of the pro market if Nikon can add it in the update.
• If Video is included, it may also bring a slightly improved sensor (as it did when the D90 was launched based on the D300 sensor)
• Misc. minor features/tweaks.
• Priced at $5k, maybe $5.5k if video is included.
  

Nikon D3x

Other than firmware releases, we expect this camera to remain unchanged, albeit with a steady price drop throughout the year.

Prosumer Bodies:

Nikon D400

The D300 hits its second birthday towards the end of 2009, before it hits its second birthday we expect the D400 to be released. We expect the following:

• Slight increase in megapixels - perhaps 14mp with the same or slightly better ISO capabilities than the D300.
• Better dynamic range than the D300 (since the D90 has shown they can improve it, add another years sensor development into the equation).
• Video is a must, probably at 1080p.
• What we'd like: Retain compatibility with the MB-D10, and please put in a bigger buffer - this is the Nikon DSLR of choice for most pro telephoto users, the bigger buffer would be really useful.
• Price has to be under $2k.
  

Nikon D700x/Nikon D800

Based on recent history, Nikon puts new sensors into the highest end body first, then that sensor appears in the next level down body somewhere around 9 months later, give or take a couple of months. That would imply the D3x sensor would appear in a D700 style body (D700x or D800) sometime during the summer of 2009. There is also severe pressure from Sony (with the A900) and Canon (with the 5D Mark II) in this mid range full frame space, so bringing a competitive product to market here would have a very strong appeal. However, this leads to a couple of fundamental issues:

• The D3x is little more than a D3 with a new sensor, yet at current street prices it costs almost $4k more, that's an awful lot of premium for a sensor. Applying the same logic to the new camera, if they price it with a similar margin above the D700, that would put it around $6k, which would severely limit their market and would not be in the same market space as Canon and Sony's offerings. Realistically, to be a competitor, the camera has to be priced not that far above the Canon and Sony - somewhere in the $3,000 to $3,500 range. If they price it at $4k, then they will lose a lot of the potential market.
• If they do price it at $4k or below, that really hits the D3x (who needs weather sealing and extended battery life in the studio?)
• To add Video or not to add Video. To compete with Canon and gain market share, they need to add video. But if they add video, that'll hit the D3x with it's premium price even harder.
  

This one is a tough call for Nikon, there is clearly a demand for a cheaper version of the D3x, they have to protect market share in the face of the 5D Mark II and A900, but deciding the right price point will be the biggest challenge. Our guess is we'll see the D3x sensor in something around mid year.

Consumer Models:

Nikon D40 Replacement

We expect to see this early in 2009, most likely with the 10.2mp sensor from the D200/D80/D60 lines.

Nikon D60 Replacement

A replacement for the Nikon D60 may be possible towards the end of 2009, using the sensor out of the D90, perhaps with video.

Nikon D90 Update

A Nikon D90 update is possible in the second half of the year - perhaps called the D90s, basically the same camera, but with a significantly improved video feature set (autofocus, improved exposure controls, perhaps even 1080p). This would also pave the way for a D60 with 720p video.

Lenses:

This one is tougher to predict, but:

70-200 f2.8 VR Update

This lens performs exceptionally well on DX and Film cameras, but may users have reported edge softness problems on FX. Nikons pro zooms are typically updated every six years or so, so this lens is due. With the D3x getting out there and pushing the edge performances of lenses further than the D3 can, this makes getting a new version of this lens out even more important.

85 f1.4 Updated with AF-S

A logical choice to be upgraded next given the 50mm f1.4 AF-S that has just been released.

80-400mm Updated with AF-S

This amazingly versatile lens is in a price range where it may appeal to D90 and even D60 owners, plus it has a reputation as being slow to focus, so would be a good candidate.

With a slow economy, updating more obscure lenses that won't be as profitable makes less sense than it did in prior years. Nikon will likely chose lenses that either (a) will sell in larger quantities to help recover the design/retooling costs faster, or (b) that will support sales of the D3x or other key bodies. If you are charging $8k for the body, you better have the lenses available to back them up.

Overall, given the economy, we would expect to see fewer lenses released in 2009 than 2008, but suspect Nikon will keep their body development on track for competitive reasons. We'll check back later in the year to see how we did.

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Guide To Digital Photography

During this high tech age that we live in, it has become quite common for photographers to depend on digital photography than to practice the age old technique of 'trial and error' in taking several shots of an image and then developing them just to find out that the image has not come out perfect.

Many photographers today are shifting from regular 'point and shoot' and old 'SLR models' to newer models of digital cameras. Considering the fact, that the DSLR models gives the option to delete the images later that are not in accordance with the photographers requirement, more and more photographers prefer DSLRs which allows them more time to concentrate on taking great pictures.

SLR (Single Lens Reflex) models use lenses and a mirror, where the mirror reflects light that has entered the lens into the viewfinder, giving the photographer an idea of how the image will turn out after it has been developed. Additionally, an SLR camera is ideal to capture various depths of an image simply because it uses separate lenses that are interchangeable depending on what kind of resolution the photographer is looking for.

Similarly, a DSLR camera also uses lenses and mirror. But, it is more of a computerized version of the traditional SLR camera, which uses light sensor chips and digital memory instead of a film that records the image.

Due to the differentiation in the features of these models, users are urged to do some research about these gadgets before the initial purchase. By method of 'trial and error', users can not only learn to take and store better pictures, but also hack these models later on.

For the ones who are considering professional photography as a career, it really pays off to invest in good quality memory cards and lenses, along with investing in good cameras.

Points to remember when capturing perfect images with DSLR cameras using the new art of digital photography:

• Consider taking shots from shoulders up or of upper body instead of full body shots against a background to make a person look larger in the picture.
• If the above technique is not possible, take a shot of the person with him or her at the side rather than at the center. This will allow the owner to zoom later and make the person appear at the center.
• Digital camera like any other camera works the same when considering how the light should be focused. Sun light behind the object makes a picture silhouette, and in front will make it appear squint.
• Consider using your sunglasses to polarize and avoid reflections and glare.
• Sunglasses also help to increase the exposure of the objects.
• Always assure that the source of light is perpendicular to the object when using a polarizer.
• Outdoor portraits and bright landscapes works best when the White Balance is set to auto.
• In bright sunlight, avoid using flash mode.
• Focus on capturing a certain asset or characteristic of a subject by zooming into it.
  

Remember, the more you practice, the better your images will turn out. The technique in getting the perfect shot has remained unchanged. Nevertheless, the new art of digital photography and the use of digital cameras have remarkably improved the process of picture taking and photo shooting and had made easy for everyone. Besides, the only way to perfect and crystal clear shots is practice.

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Reasons Why You Should Get a Digital SLR Camera

As technology improves, a Single Lens Reflex (SLR) camera nowadays is cheaper to get especially when we are talking about Digital SLR (DSLR). DSLR is a camera with a digital sensor that records images digitally, replacing film used in traditional SLR. DSLR are generally bigger, heavier and more expensive as compared to compact or "point and shoot" camera, widely available in the market now. But following are a few reasons and comparisons which might change your mind to get a DSLR instead!

When you hold on to a DSLR, no doubt it would be heavier than compact cameras. But you would definitely feel that the grip, feel and hold are much better. Try experiment the difference between shooting using a compact camera and a DSLR. You would immediately feel that shooting with a DSLR would provide a firmer and more comfortable grip. Also, important photography functions like White Balance, ISO, Aperture, Metering Modes, etc are easily assessable in a DSLR. That is provided if a compact camera have these functions too. Do this simple experiment yourself (between a DSLR and compact camera) and you will totally understand and agree with me.

Unlike any compact camera, you are able to detach and change the lens from the body of a SLR to give a variance field of view. Thus unlike a compact camera, you would not be limited by the field of view available by the brand and model. Although the lenses of the SLR are expensive but as technology progress, these lenses (for DSLR) are less expensive to get nowadays. There are a wide range of lenses available, example fisheyes, wide angle, telephoto, macro, etc. You could choose to get the necessary lens suitable to the area of photography you like.

One big advantage a DSLR had over compact camera is the response time. The start-up time (from Off to On state) of the DSLR is usually a fraction of a second. This would ensure that you would not miss a shot when needed, which I believe you would encounter frequently when using a compact camera. A DSLR allows you to shoot a continuous burst of pictures at high speed which is an excellent feature for fast moving subjects. The Auto-Focus of a DSLR is definitely much faster, more accurate and thus controllable.

The image quality from a DSLR is much better as compared to a compact camera. Also, for the same reason, a compact camera would produce are more noisy picture as compared to a DSLR of the same ISO. This is due to the smaller sensor size of the compact camera as compared to a DSLR, even if they are of the same pixel resolution. The surface area of a DSLR sensor is much bigger compared to compact camera and therefore they have better light gathering ability. With this, a stronger signal is achieved and thus garners better Signal to Noise Ratio. On top of that, a DSLR is capable of recording images in an uncompressed RAW format which allows you to process the image yourself later in custom software which could enhance the results of your picture.

Above are some of the major reasons and differences on why you should get a DSLR if you are keen in photography. Many beginners worried that they would not know how to use a DSLR due to their complex features and etc. Fear not as new entry level DSLR is very user-friendly and easy to use. A lot of photography information is also widely available in the internet and you can join reputable photography forum to learn from others experiences and ask questions.

Hope you benefited from this article and have fun with photography!

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