The race is on, New Models

[james_frater]

I see with interest that Nikon and Fuji are releasing new camera's. The Fuji

one does certainly look interesting. But I think the Nikon D80 will be the

main contender for the A100

 

Nikon - Quote from Steve's Digicams site

 

Building on the extraordinary success of the D70 and D70s, Nikon today

introduced the new D80 digital SLR camera ﾖ an impressively featured, high

performance camera that incorporates Nikon's latest digital and photographic

technologies, and offers advanced features as well as automated operation.

With a new 10.2-megapixel DX Format CCD image sensor and an exclusive high-

resolution color processing engine the D80 can render images with incredible

resolution, sharp detail and vibrant color. And it can shoot these images

fast ﾖ at speeds of up to 3 frames per second, for up to 100 consecutive shots

(in JPEG Normal mode).

 

And now Fuji

Fujifilm, a pioneer in digital imaging products and services, broke new ground

again today with the introduction of the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR camera. The

FinePix S3 Pro UVIR is the worldﾒs first production D-SLR camera capable of

taking photographs in the ultraviolet and infrared light spectrums. It has

been designed for use in the science, medical and fine art disciplines, with

its most intriguing applications coming in the field of law enforcement

investigation.

With its digital capabilities, the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR makes the evidence-

gathering process more efficient and accurate for investigators. The FinePix

S3 Pro UVIR has a live CCD previewing feature, a significant aid to the

forensic photographer. This feature enables manual focusing while dark filters

are attached to the lens as well as pre-capture verification.

 

Priced at $1,799.95, the FinePix S3 Pro UVIR will be available through select

authorized dealers in the United States beginning September 2006.

[._._z]

Off-topic.

[nolan_ross]

Doesn't the A100 have a sync speed of 1/60th. If that's true it will not be a contender for anything except the X-700. Besides it's not a Minolta it's a Sony....Nolan

[cmphoto1]

Flash sync is 1/160th of a sec, a little better than 1/60th.

 

chad

[andrew robertson]

The Fuji's kind of neat actually. However, all production DSLRs are capable of taking

photographs in UV and IR with the proper lens and filter.

[patrick j dempsey]

So when are these greedy companies going to stop reinventing the wheel and just offer ungradaible digital backs for the dSLRs instead of redesigning the bodys which seem to me to be pointlessly more complicated than electronic film SLR backs had already gotten. They are making faster and better sensors but I cant see the point in different bodies... yes the big camera companies FINALLY got the point and started making digital cameras with interchangible lenses, i think they barely deserve a small pat on the back for that, but when are they going to stop flooding the market with identicle bodies when the backs should be and could be the only part you have to buy? One of the really exciting and great things about film cameras is that many of them featured upgradible PARTS like add-on rangefinders or lightmeters or focusing screens. The Olympus OM series featured interchangible backs, interchangible flash mounts, interchangible focusing screens, interchangible motordrives and winders, as well as attachments for microscopic and telescopic photography and a complete line of over 80 lenses when the cameras were introduced in the mid-1970s. Over the years, second-party manufactures have always found ways to use the standard flash-shoe mount on film cameras to attach all kinds of interesting doodads, but most digital camera designs have even shunned this classic appraoch to expanibility. It seems to me to be a shame and a waste that these companies keep throwing new models at the public which are barely different... the D50 and the D70 for instance are virtually the same camera. Give me interchangible backs and throw a film back in the mix and you might have a worthwhile product... just my 2 cents.

[craig_gillette]

That idea's been clearly and repeatedly discussed. Go do a search. Silicon Film may still be looking for suckers, uh, investors.

[mark_k3]

The high ISO performance from D80 put me into ICE............why A100 is so noisy?

[orensztajn]

Because the nikon NR SW is better.

I think if Sony get a better NR SW it can be done by a firmware update.

The sensor type are almost the same.

[andrew robertson]

For one thing, Patrick, sensor technology is changing quite rapidly. A higher megapixel

camera requires a faster bus and other upgraded electronics compared to an older one.

Leica is trying this with their Digital Module R which straps to the back of their R8 and R9

SLRs, but it sure the heck isn't any cheaper for the consumer!

[admiralblur]

It's not so simple as swapping the sensor. And there isn't a lot of profit motive in selling you fewer products.