ken_i_h

<p>Update final - arrived one day before they said they would (today is 18th). Perfectly packed and they even replaced the rubber around the body as well as MB-D10. All free - wonderful, Nikon! And now it works as it did before. One thing I noticed - my previous EL4a was, I thought, "0" but now it is "2". Should I buy another one for spare? Or, since it has been discontinued (I assume, right?), having it and time passes then the battery would deteriorate anyway? I intend to use D700 at least for a few more years, or more if possible. Thanks.<br>

Ken</p>

<p>Thanks everyone.<br>

Update 1:<br>

I brought the set in to the service center again today - D700, MB-D10, EL4a, EL3e. I explained again that I came in a few days before and was told that the EL4a battery was just dead. I showed the person (different person from the previous time) that the EL3e works inside D700 while it doesn't in MB-D10 showing the battery sign.<br>

Then he brought out the spare MB-D10, D700, and Batteries and concluded that there is something wrong around the connector pins in the D700 body. He was apologetic (for me coming/ bringing in twice) and for the fact the body had been overhauled 10 months ago there. So, he offered free repair and free shipping to my place instead of picking up.<br>

Great service from Nikon and I love them!<br>

So far so good. The paper says it will be shipped back to me on May 19th (10 days) and I will report back how they report about the malfunction and how good they will have repaired.</p>

<p>Please stay tuned.<br>

Ken</p>

<p>Thank you everyone so far.<br>

Paul: the EL4a was, last time I checked - which was a few weeks ago - the condition was "0" = like new. And I fully charged before use this time. But from within MB-10, the camera display says "Low Battery".<br>

Pete: and when turned on, the battery shaped mark blinks, and the camera does not have enough power to show menu or do anything at all.<br>

They are all Nikon genuine pieces.<br>

One thing you guys did not pay attention was:<br>

There is one EN-EL3e (small) battery that are used for the D700 body and it works (Condition is "0", too) and fully charged (100%) as well as before. But when I put it in MB-10 (there is EL3e adapter that comes with MB-10), the camera display shows the same.<br>

So, perfectly fine EL3e works in the body of D700, but not from MB-10. So I assume 8 AA's won't work either, I suspect. What do you figure? Like I said, I borrowed the same MB-10 from a friend and it did the same thing. So, battery is fine, MB-10 is fine. Is charger fine? I don't know. Or is some parts of D700 broken? </p>

<p>It's been a while. I am still using my D700/ MB-10 combo. The question is not about IQ or technique but about what started recently with my system.<br>

I was using the D700/ MB-10/ EN-EL4a (all Nikon genuine) for a while and quite happy. although I can spend my time for this hobby less and less, so it is sometimes weeks between the use. One day, I charged EL4a fully and put it in MB-10 - then the LED on top of the body shows "Law Battery (the shape of the battery with thin black area - please imagine)" and when I turned it on, it just blinks and nothing works.<br>

Well, I then detached it and used the fully charged EL3e (the small guy) and put it in D700. It works. Hmnn. Then I put that perfectly fine fully charged same EL3e into the "EL3e adaptor" that came with MB-10 and attached it to D700 body. Again, same "Low Battery".<br>

So, so far, I have concluded (1) doesn't seem to be battery problem, or even charger problem, (2) then the MB-10 fault, maybe.<br>

To eliminate possibilities one by one, I borrowed another MB-10, which is perfectly working with his D300, and did the same thing as above. Nope. The same result. Okay, then my conclusion (3) this is not MB-10 fault.<br>

Then, the rest is D700 body problem. I cleaned the terminals with alcohol/ Q-tip. No change.<br>

Okay, so I brought the set to the service center - they checked all and said "battery has deteriorated". REALLY? Last time I checked, it had no deterioration (like I said, I don't spend a lot of time with this camera). But I bought a brand new EL4a from Amazon and charged it and tried again. THE SAME THING!<br>

I am a bit frustrated. Is it time to re-visit the service center?<br>

I would appreciate any help you guys can provide. Thank you.<br>

Ken</p>

<p>It's meant to be the successor of Noct 58mm 1.2 and I am very much looking forward to it. Don't be stuck with between 1.2 and 1.4 discussion. I heard that this "1.4" is quite closer to 1.2. The price? Used Noct 58mm is still sold at eBay between USD2500 and 3000 or more (in case of "Nocf", the price still skyrockets :-)). I think it's fair.... Just my humble 2 yen. Note that I use Noct 58mm 1.4 for night time or low light situation as well as the night sky or night view application only. Other than those applications, 50mm 1.2 manual would suffice. I just couldn't stand the "oozing" of the light when taken in the night time at wide open Time Square and sold it away. 58mm Noct is much cleaner at wide open - I am expecting more from AF function for this lens and looking forward to the first review.....<br /> <br />Ken</p>

<p>Well, based on my business experiences, majority of manufacturers take into account the servicing cost in the future to the price of their product price. So, the matter should be only the staffing and the time. And it takes into account the assumption that people would come to Nikon repair center instead of other cheap street repair shop - thus no more parts supply to the outsiders. They just don't want to lose money. Why do you assume people are all evil and greedy?<br>

Personally, I have not experienced serious damage repair other than that I dropped my PC-E lens on the marble floor, but it was repaired very reasonably, and used lens to make sure everything is all right, which it turned out a bit of overhaul, which was very reasonable as well. </p>

<p>That is what I meant by "Nikon doesn't try to make or lose money here". That makes perfect business sense under the cost and pricing structure. If they make money repairing, they would be much better financial position today. </p>

<p>Gosh I am glad I am in Japan. I have never been quoted such a high price before opening the lens up, or charged so much for drop repair at Nikon Service Center here. I am sure Nikon doesn't try to make money from repair, but not lose money either. Nikon customer service (repair center) in Tokyo are all staffed with semi-retired technicians (pretty old guys only at reception and the back), which means cheap labor while the knowledge and experience are top notch. Remember that the your lens was made in Japan (right?) and parts must be transported to your country and the repair work manual or knowledge must be transferred to your country. That alone would certainly costs. Better than sending it back to Japan, I guess. It may still turn out that the actual price would be less than that - you mention that the quote was given without opening it up, ain't it? But I agree it is a bit sloppy to quote without opening it up..... just IMHO and 2 yen.<br>

Sorry for your misfortune, and good luck!</p>

<p>It's easy to criticize after the result came out. Well, some may have criticized before the result, but who knew it would be good or bad in the end. Many Japanese consumers like Nikon's mirror-less (Nikon 1 has satisfaction scores 4.74 out of 5.00 by the owners), although not the most sold camera. When it fails, it fails. It is what it is.<br>

Nikon has learned the lesson, hopefully, and let's hope it make better products this fiscal year. And you all meet the better products, too.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>People with more money than sense buy Japanese luxury cars.</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Sigh... Sorry to get distracted.... Do you have any problem with Japanese stuff? I have no clue why Japanese cars popped up here. Then, why don't you dump your Canon and Nikon and Mamiya 7 altogether? Yeah, buy American luxury cars and American camera, maybe? That would fit your philosophy, assuming you are an American.<br>

Also, interestingly, someone makes it sound as if Cosina were earning the high price of used lenses. Please. Have you actually compared the Voigtlander made by Cosina and made in Germany? Is there difference equivalent to three times price difference? There are reasons why Voigtlander and Zeiss let Cosina use their brand name - strict guideline and quality control, to name a few.<br>

As for the said lens, maybe it does. At least the market says so. eBay is the market of supply and demand, perhaps with some spice of bidding mentality. Collectors show odd behavior all the time. But it is HE that determines the value, not WE. If we or you don't think it is worth it, that's fine and just let it pass. Nothing more to discuss here. All start sounding like whining and cry of envy, or pride contest of having bought cheaply in the past. Sorry for not contributing anything for this thread.<br>

Ken</p>

<p>I don't even carry 50mm (I have f/1.2 MF) all the time. 35mm or 24-70 does, or even 28-300 does the job. I see your point, but could be done with another way. The software suggestion may be good - but I don't even own any of the PS software (only Capture NX2). But I can survive. I tried 50mm 1/4G twice, but didn't like the "nervous" bokeh, either. It is the "standard" lens and is meant to be cheap.... Quality creamy bokeh doesn't come from f/1.2 automatically. <br>

Like someone says, Katz Eye screen helps MF a lot. 40mm f/2 Voigtlander is a good choice, too, with comparable price.</p>

<p>Thanks, Shun.</p>

<p>"i'm not clear if nikon ever officially announced a delay"<br>

Huh? What more info do you want? You think I am lying on the translation? Like I summarized, the CEO, I repeat, the CEO announced that D4 delivery will be delayed. How much more official can it get?<br>

Sure, you can be optimistic. But official announcement is there before having reason to be optimistic :-) Just one month delay is nothing compared to the pain Sendai and other parts of Japan felt.</p>

<p>Here it is:<br>

http://www.asahi.com/digital/bcnnews/BCN201202080002.html<br>

Sorry, only in Japanese. But you can see "D4" and "3...15..", at least :-)<br>

The gist of it is "at the new product press conference (presumably for D800/E), CEO Mr. Atsushi Godai told the press that he has decided to push back the shipment date of D4 to March 15 due to the overwhelming pre-order and they could be no longer confident to deliver all the pre-orders on the previous delivery date Feb. 16."<br>

Ken</p>

<p>... a bad news has just been released. Nikon decided to delay shipping D4 - from 2/16 to 3/15, due to, according to the CEO, the overwhelming pre-orders from all over the world. <br>

I am not on the list nor intende to fro now, but just want to let you know what I just saw on the news. So, you will have to wait a bit longer.<br>

Ken</p>

<p>Have been using Capture NX2 since its inception and upgraded each time they release. Never been asked for the product key. But when I upgraded a few weeks ago to 2.3.0 64bit version, I was asked for it. I looked for the email from Nikon Mall when I first purchased it a few years ago, found it, and entered it (full number) <em>together with my name</em> in the box above. Voila, no problem. Sorry that you are experiencing it... Hope it be solved soon.<br>

Ken</p>

<p>zlight B. Believe me. Nikon executives couldn't care less whether it is "<em>ni</em>" or "<em>nai</em>". You read too much between the lines. It is just the brand name. <br>

There is a Swiss watch brand "Jaeger-LeCoultre", pronounced in French and the first part should be "jze jze lekultre (sorry for my poor pronunciation ciphers)", but Japanese call it "jagaa lukuruto". As with many cases, the non-human name is not universally pronounced correctly and that is life. No need to stick to the original one.<br>

nee-kon, nai-kon, ni-kon.... they are all fine with me....</p>

<p>Isn't there any Japanese here?<br>

As a Japanese, I can say with 100% certainty that Nikon is pronounced "<em>ni-kon</em>", and yes, the short <em>i</em>. The rest of the etymology is, I think this has been discussed before, it is the abbreviation of the name of the company back then.<br>

Nippon Kogaku (Japan Optics) - was their name until relatively recently. So, Ni-Ko, and then Ikon thing - Ni-kon. Naturally, the "i" is the short one because the first part of the original word is Nippon (Japanese name for "Japan") and that is no way it should be pronounced "<em>nii-pon</em>". Double "p" means the vowel immediately before it is very short explosive sound, like "<em>i</em>" in "p<em>i</em>ck".<br>

Of course, like someone said, the pronunciation is dictated by the market. So <em>nai-kon</em> or <em>ai-kea</em> is fine, too.</p>

<p>Everyone, thanks. I admit I overreacted a little. Hope you all have what you want, in terms of Nikon equipment in stock, as soon as possible. There are still some unbalance of Nikon products between domestic and global. Nikon is not a huge global company like Canon. Let us give them some time. And thank you for your kind thought and words. Japan is the rich country? It is a matter of perspective, and devastation from 7 to 1 and devastation from 3 to 1 is certainly different in the relative sense for those who suffered. Bottom line - we are lucky to alive and talk about the hobbies. We have to enjoy and live the best everyday. Good luck on hunting the products d700 and such!<br>

Ken</p>

<p>Maybe I am the only another member in Japan to post on this thread - sorry for not posting often. I don't know why D700 or other Nikon products are out of stock or price is going up and, you know what, I don't care. <br>

I just care that there are still 12K people missing with 15K people confirmed dead, and 12K people still homeless. Most of the manufacturing facilities have been back in operation, but not full capacity - may take until this fall or so, some say. Sometimes the headline or these comments here and there sound as if it were Japan's fault. I apologize that you guys have tough time to get your hands on D700 and such - are you happy?<br>

So, like Rene, as a person living in Japan, I wonder why or whether it is so important to know why some products are out of stock or price is increasing. Japanese are doing the very best they can to recover. You also have to remember that many of them have lost their homes, families, and some are still missing some or all the family members - these people are fighting 24 hours a day to try to get the factory back to 100% operation. I hope you understand that and forgive Japan.</p>

<p>I would await a bit until the situation gets better, or normalization of production is officially announced by Nikon. There are lots more to worry about for Nikon people (or for all of us for that matter) right now than the price fluctuation overseas, I guess.</p>

<p>I was experiencing the same symptom after I upgraded my PC to WIN7 Ultimate (64bit) with NX2 2.2.5. Nikon USA was not helpful at all. BUT, when 2.2.6 was released, it resumed the smooth operation. Someone already asked you, but again, have you upgraded your NX2 to 2.2.6?<br>

Ken</p>

<p>As a native Japanese, we call it Ni-Kon, as Vincenzo says. That's the correct answer, if the question is what the "right" pronunciation is. <br>

Used to be "Nippon Ko-gaku (Japan Optical Technologies - if it has to be translated)", so "Ni" came from "Nippon (the other name of the country)" and "Ko" came from "Ko-gaku" and the last "n" came from nowhere :-). So, there is no way "Ni" becomes "nai", from the origin standpoint, but each language has its rule and custom and I think it is okay to pronounce it however people like. When it's written, Nikon is Nikon :-)</p>

<p>Tomorrow will be a very nice weather and you won't have to worry about lighting if you are planning to go daytime, so no need for bulky flash, unless of course you want to use it for fill-flash in case the contrast is too great, but the "existing light" won't need "help" under the forcasted weather tomorrow.<br>

As for the lens, I would go with 70-180 macro for such flower/tree event, but among your choices, all of which I own, I would choose 105. 14-24 is too wide, 24-70 can't get close enough (for my taste). But beware that 105mm has to get close to the flower (if close-up is your intention) and handheld means faster shutter speed (relatively) and DOF might be a bit of an issue.... But for cherry blossom from decent distance, 105mm would be great, I believe.</p>

<p>Just my 2 yen.  Enjoy! I might go there, too.</p>

<p>Shun, very good idea!</p>

<p>I am with William about this. Like I said, I believe US is the TOP priority market for Nikon, FWIW. But if you can't wait, you can and should go for other brands and I completely understand that.</p>