Nikon's response to Canon's Rebel 300D?

Glad to see I'm not the only one with feelings about this.

 

I DO want a Nikon DSLR.

 

I DO want it to meter with my AI and AIS lenses.

 

I DON'T want to shell out $1699 for one, especially when it has features that I don't think I'll use.

 

I DON'T want a Pentax *istD, Canon 300D, or any other permutation of the letter D produced by another company.

 

Yes, Nikon, there is a market segment for you to fill.

I think Nikon doesnt have enough development man-power to compete with Canon. A nice way to go could be trying to make a good use of existing D100 manufacturing line, for example taking out the motor of D100 making it only able to drive AFS lens, good for nikon lens business and also help cost-down. Fitting it to a plastic body if that also help cost-down. Can this move cut down 500 retail price? How to diferentiate it from a D100? Okay, itz not able to drive AF lens, make it not able to connect to voice recording pack, also make it only able to take single shots, how's that?

Call it Babe.

Gilbert,

 

How about not to be able to take any pictures. Just plastic body, black strap with yellow BOLD "NIKON DIGITAL" on it. It can cost as cheap as 20 bucks.

Frankly speaking the two straps I am using now are all non-brand strapes, Edward. One is a marine-style thick strap and the other is a half-leather one. What strape do you use?

"Canon has managed to churn out two mid level DSLR's to nikon's zero"

 

 

That D100 must be in my imagination...

I'm quite familiar with the D100 and like the camera very much. The only thing I could wish for would be coupling for manual focus lenses (I have quite a few) - and maybe an even better sensor.

No Neil it's not in you imagination. The only thing your imagining is that's it's as good as, or as reasonable as the EOS 10D.

 

You might want to join the "F3 and FM3A Club". What's sad is the mentality of many Nikon users, and their inability to see problems when they are looking them in the eyes. Who cares if you or any other Nikon user will but the 300D? Or if you like the Rebel line in General? The Rebel is a very popular entry level camera, and a digital Rebel will be even more popular. SOooooooo for those of you who can't figure it out on your own, THAT MEANS lost sales for Nikon. Do you want that? I don't

 

Instead of making a nice entry level DSLR, that people could enjoy buy a few lens, then a few more, and then upgrade the body. Nikon only offers the very average D100 with a price of $1700..

 

Neil, that's the same as EOS 300D and the 17-40mm f/4 USM "L" pro grade lens, and maybe even a film card to boot. Boy, I wonder how many people are going to run out and get the D100.

 

Sure Nikon will "someday" bring out something to compete with the EOS 10D, and the Rebel 300D and the EOS 1Ds, after they loose about 3 million, or more, in potential sales. But then maybe Rob and some of the "F3" gang will decide to get one :).

 

Nikon, Kodak, and Fuji may have a larger market share now, but these cameras from Canon were just introduced. Let's look at that market share next year and the year after and see where it stands

Joshua, please explain why you find the D100 'very average'?

Joshua, how old are you? No I am not asking for a date.

Umit, I wonder: do you automatically consider anyone with a different opinion than you to be immature? What's the age matter here?

 

I don't fully agree with him either but he's got an interesting point of view that many consumers may hold right now. And particularly in the US the immediate is what matters most to many consumers. THey don't care who will be biggest in a year, or who will be offering or selling more cameras.

"...the very average D100"

 

On the contrary, it seems the Canon 10D has more "average" autofocus than the Nikon D100.

<digression>

 

Gilbert, where did straps come in to the conversation? lol

 

Usually I just use the strap that came with the camera, for the way I shoot I don't have it around my neck much. On one of my cameras I just use a hand strap. Only exception being the N90s, which I have an EOS strap on. Whoops.

 

</digression>

"Canon has managed to churn out two mid level DSLR's to nikon's zero"<p>

Actually, Canon has had to churn out 3, not two, mid-level DSLRs before coming close to matching Nikon's one, not zero.

Josh, you really "need" to quit your day job, and lend Nikon a hand. Obviously they

can't survive without your long experience in these matters. If you get any flak, just

tell 'em who you are. On second thought, with your family connections to Nikon, they

probably wouldn't dare to risk offending you. Of course I'm not at all affiliated with

Nikon, so I don't at all mind telling you that they are not blind to the market, as you

have mistakenly said.

Since when that not being able to get it right the first time around and therefore having to keep coming up with new models to correct mistakes considered a strength?

First off, How can we compare a Rebel based Digital to a N80 based digital (The D100)? I don't think we can really. Of course it will be less expensive, with less features - or so I would think. But I haven't seen it to say. Maybe Technology has changed to enable Canon to offer a less expensive built DSLR with the same features that the EOS D60 had. Does any one know? Maybe Shun, did you hear anything?

 

I do remember reading the reviews on the 10D, and that seemed like a damm nice camera. I've seen some work done with it and was very impressed, but there is also a lens and the "HUMAN ELEMENT", not just the body.

 

The only thing I say is that, even if the Rebel 300D doesn't have the features, quality or write speed of the D100, it will appeal to a lot of potential first time DSLR buyers, and that will cost Nikon money. Just as the 1Ds has cost them some sales in the pro market.

 

The point of the Rebel and the 17-40 f/4 "L" lens costing the same as a D100 is a valid point. Actually it's a well taken point in light of a lack of reviews on the Rebel - even if it was made by a young loud mouth like Josh. My friend has that lens, it's really some fine glass. I wish it was made by Nikon

 

Josh, sometimes if you don't insult people you'll see they may actually agree with some of your points, some not all. Even if they do think your a Jack Ass!

<b>"Frankly speaking the two straps I am using now are all non-brand strapes, Edward. One is a marine-style thick strap and the other is a half-leather one. What strape do you use?" Gilbert C </b>

 

I use standard strap that comes with the camera. nothing fancy. :)

 

<b>"Only exception being the N90s, which I have an EOS strap on. Whoops" Carl Smith.</b?

 

You are a traitor!!! You should be NIKON-ed to death! just kidding man :)

 

<b>I wonder: do you automatically consider anyone with a different opinion than you to be immature? What's the age matter here?" Carl Smith </b>

 

hey I agree with u. He can say whatever we wants. Why do some people take his words so offensive or insulting? Don't be so sensitive..

"Why do some people take his words so offensive or insulting?"

 

Well, everyone doesn't respond to the same stimulus in the same fashion. With all due

respect, your response isn't any more valid than anyone else's response with regard

to Josh. Moreover, it's more than a stretch to say that Nikon should be guided by

Josh, or his interpretation of how the world turns. Some people find that attitude to

be presumptuous on his part. If he wishes to be taken seriously, then he needs to

demonstrate his credibility in the area of world marketing strategies, or leave it to

those who have such experience.

Gee, I already thought they did, and it's called the D100. Or do you have one made of metal, that's built like a F100? I wonder if anyone noticed this new Rebel 300D has an Iso setting of 100-1600. Or don't you think a ISO 100 setting produces better "grain" and color in portraits than the D100's ISO 200?

 

Carl, I'm not a marketing expert or even a pro photographer, but then neither are you. In fact I've yet to see you post a single photo, but you sure can give us your opinion can't you? By your views Nikon is the best at everything. Not very realistic is it?

 

But then you don't have to be an expert to understand a few simple things, like the Rebel series is a big seller for Canon, that's why they kept the name no doublt. Entry level photographers will run to a DSLR under $900.00 that is 6 megapixals and able to use all those wonderful EL lens. Plus, they can move up the ladder to the 10D, which has had great press. Oh, it's also less expensive than the D100. Talk about Marketing

 

So if some of you take off you "Nikon Blinders", you'll see this is going to hurt Nikon Badly. They will loose lots of potential photographers. And that means lots more future potential sales. So if you think you need a marketing degree to figure that out, you better get to school. No way around it.

 

You walk around thinking that just because it says Nikon it's better than anything else. That's the kind of mentality that allowed Nikon to get behind in this race as it is. I would think they need Real input on how to get back in the race, not just "Homage to the Nikon Gods".

 

Also, do you really think Nikon cares about how many cameras Kodak sells? Or do you think they would rather sell their own, if they had anything to compete.

 

Instead of standing around saying "oh, everything is wonderful", we should voice our opinion to Nikon. And hopefully they get going.

 

BTW Rob, and others, It's a free Country. If you don't like my views Too Bad. AND I'm not a Jack Ass. Maybe if put down your Antiques and enter the 21st century, you too can get concerned for this great company.

<p><i>"But then maybe Rob and some of the "F3" gang will decide to get one :).</i></p>

<p>-- Perhaps. The question is where and when a DSLR's price will break even. For example, we don't see any serious film shooting rigs listing for under $300 (and if you're a Leica shooter, then for much much more). If you want to go with the 17-40L + 300D analogy, why not try to compare that combo with the future Sony 8 mpixel system? I don't need a plastic DSLR (and excuse me, I've owned a Rebel before, and I've worked for the FAA before. They have nothing in common when it comes to aviation plastic), or a plastic point & shoot. The 10D is a great system, nonetheless, but in brute force functionality, it lacks a spot meter. This is enough to differ it from the D100. </p>

 

<p><i>Or don't you think a ISO 100 setting produces better "grain" and color in portraits than the D100's ISO 200?</i></p>

 

<p>Gee. are we heading back to ISO 25 then? If Canon could've improved the 300D's performance, they would've included an ISO 50. The same applies to Nikon's D100. Btw, I've owned an S2Pro, and I STILL believe it beats both Nikon's and Canon's offerings in its color matching algorithms (1Ds, D1x included).</p>

 

<p><i>Instead of standing around saying "oh, everything is wonderful", we should voice our opinion to Nikon.</i></p>

 

<p>I actually welcome other companys' innovations or price breaks. Should Nikon respond immediately, and with what model, is very probable, but beyond my intelligence. I had a DSLR, and I'm very happy I'm out of this insane race. Just came back from a gorgeous trip to Pt. Lobos, took my FM3a and three (3!) prime lenses, and had a GREAT TIME. I'm in no hurry, and don't need those pics processed and submitted today. As long as that system answers my needs and makes me feel as proud and as content as I've felt today, I don't care what's the constant rave is about -- I've learnt the same lesson concerning personal computers. </p>

"Just came back from a gorgeous trip to Pt. Lobos, took my FM3a and three (3!) prime lenses, and had a GREAT TIME. I'm in no hurry, and don't need those pics processed and submitted today. As long as that system answers my needs and makes me feel as proud and as content as I've felt today, I don't care what's the constant rave is about -- I've learnt the same lesson concerning personal computers." - yaron

 

Nicely said Yaron. I own a D100, is it also a "Antique" Josh, F100 and F3. I've been shooting a lot more film lately. But I do have to admit I love Pan 50 and Provia 50 and 100. There is a place that will digitally scan my B&W and slides to a CD in 18meg tiff, so if you want their address, let me know.

"Carl, I'm not a marketing expert or even a pro photographer, but then neither are

you. In fact I've yet to see you post a single photo, but you sure can give us your

opinion can't you? By your views Nikon is the best at everything. Not very realistic is

it? "

 

Josh, you don't have any idea of who or what I am, or am not. I have not said that

"Nikon is the best at everything", even if you think I did. I will tell you that you're a

regular "Chicken Little", running amok with your doomsday prophies. Unless Nikon

keeps you informed about their intentions, and the reasoning behind them, you're

just fulla crap. What's realistic about your predictions, that you have no evidence to

support?

Josh is free to say anything he likes, and that quite includes everything that it takes to remove any remaining doubts about the depth of his ignorance.

Carl, no one said they would go out of business, only that it will hurt them and they will loose Market Share. My evidence - common Sense. But maybe you don't know anything about that do you?

 

I'm not a geat photographer, never said I was. I don't know anything about you, NOR do I care. You never show us your level of ability or expertise. So Carl since you feel confident in telling me I'm wrong, let me challange you - Put up or shut up!

 

Nikon doesn't need the "yes" men, they need supports who will see their are problems and understand what it takes to solve them. Your too "Tight A--" to see how a $900.00 DSLR, even if it doesn't have all the bells and whistles, will cost market share, and FUTURE SALES. But YOUR the expert Carl.

 

That's why even here ther are so many who see it as a potential problem for Nikon, even your Buddy "Antique Camera Rob"