Nikon - D500 and D5 announced

[Dave Humphries]

Excuse me, but is this hype? Or is it so much better than any current camera?

So does anyone think these cameras are so earth shattering they are worth the hype?

I am sure they will be much better for some people, less so for others and a disappointment to some others.

Of either camera (D500 or D5), all we can say is ...

It's just a camera - one that improves several features over previous/earlier models - but then most new releases do that, don't they?

Almost certainly not worth jumping brands and ditching a heap of lenses you might already own by another manufacturer - it probably won't improve your photography. I'm not sure where you are coming from 'Simes' (Simon?).

We don't know what you're shooting with now, how well you understand it and make use of it, nor what shortcomings you hope will be addressed by one of these cameras (which one?)

We cannot answer such a vague question any better than that, I'm afraid.

Cheers, Dave

[Black Pearl]

So does anyone think these cameras are so earth shattering they are worth the hype?

For starters we don't know anything about you so at the very least your current camera, current lenses, current shooting preferences, current style, current subjects and current expectations are an absolute or we can't begin to give you a relevant answer.

Also - can you define what you believe is hype?

[NorthernFocus]

So does anyone think these cameras are so earth shattering they are worth the hype?

Yes. Well the D500 is at least. If the AF lives up to the hype then both will be great. For action shooting anyhow.

[Mike Buckley]

If the AF lives up to the hype then both will be great. For action shooting anyhow.

If that happens, isn't it true by definition that there was no hype?

[Dave Humphries]

Yes. Well the D500 is at least. If the AF lives up to the hype then both will be great. For action shooting anyhow.

Yes Dan, it will be very interesting to read and see the 'hands on' reviews in a few months as they 'hit the streets' (and nature reserves) with regard to AF and buffer performance with the (faster than D7100) continuous shooting speed.

I'll almost certainly wait until the initial price has reduced a bit; currently on pre-order at 1729 GBP (body only), say to between 1400 & 1500. However, my possible purchase is dependent upon me finding my photo-mojo again and getting out with the D7100 in 2016.

[Mike Buckley]

This article is an in-depth piece about the D500 written by one of the photographers hired by Nikon to make images for the camera's launch.

[Stagecoach]

So does anyone think these cameras are so earth shattering they are worth the hype?

10 fps with a 200 shot buffer for Raw images !

Absolutely worth it if you want this function.

[SteveF]

This article is an in-depth piece about the D500 written by one of the photographers hired by Nikon to make images for the camera's launch.

Thanks for this link Mike. I've had a look and does anyone else think that they're a bit contrasty or is this how the music industry shoots?

[SteveF]

10 fps with a 200 shot buffer for Raw images !

Absolutely worth it if you want this function.

More like shooting a movie ...

[Dave Humphries]

Thanks for this link Mike. I've had a look and does anyone else think that they're a bit contrasty or is this how the music industry shoots?

I didn't place any faith in the photos, they look ok, but we can hardly judge the quality of the camera from such small, un-enlargeable images. Contrast is so easily changed at a whim in post processing, so I don't see that is worth worrying about. Yes, it will be contrasty in such situations - if you ask me, he was fortunate that there was that much white light on the performers.

I read the text and was encouraged by that, but we have to bear in mind that he's flattered by Nikon's trust in him and likely not wanting to upset them, plus he had fun.

[charzes44]

So does anyone think these cameras are so earth shattering they are worth the hype?

Who cares? Yaaaaaawn!

[Mike Buckley]

See this about options on the D5 about the use of either CF or XQD memory cards.
.

[NorthernFocus]

Two of the same cards in the D5 is definitely a step in the right direction. Even better that you get to choose between two formats.

Unfortunately with the D500 they are sticking with the inane concept of two different cards. And it's gotten even worse, it has one XQD and one SD slot Again Nikon displays its schizophrenic corporate self. Two pro bodies coming out in tandem and touted as a matched set but a major practical difference between the two. OK so say I'm a pro and prefer CF format and can't wait to get my hands on a D5. Well if I also want a D500 in my bag, I have to carry THREE card readers along with me. Or at least two if one is of the universal design that will take both CF and SD. So far I'm not aware of any of the multi-format readers that will handle XQD. Why not? Oh, yeah, because Nikon is the only company ON THE PLANET that uses them

[Brev00]

Hype? Doesn't that imply that the excitement is coming from the manufacturer in some sort of advertisement blitz? Or, maybe from Nikon spokespeople. The 'hype' seems to be just coming from actual members reading the specs and the simple and surprising fact that the D300 has finally met its upgrade. The buzz you hear are credit cards being pulled from wallets.

[NorthernFocus]

...The buzz you hear are credit cards being pulled from wallets.

I like the specs of the D500 and am one of those who has long awaited a D300/s replacement. But due to Nikon's performance in recent years I'll be waiting 90 days or so after it is actually on the street before ordering. To give enough time for any major QC issues to become evident. That should also get past inevitable backlog caused by pre-orders. Assuming all works out this will likely be the last new DSLR body that I own. Henceforth my limited budget will be spent getting me to interesting places to put all of the wonderful kit to good use.

[Brev00]

I like the specs of the D500 and am one of those who has long awaited a D300/s replacement. But due to Nikon's performance in recent years I'll be waiting 90 days or so after it is actually on the street before ordering. To give enough time for any major QC issues to become evident. That should also get past inevitable backlog caused by pre-orders. Assuming all works out this will likely be the last new DSLR body that I own. Henceforth my limited budget will be spent getting me to interesting places to put all of the wonderful kit to good use.

That is an excellent strategy! I plan to wait a little longer. I am not so worried about qc issues. I want to see reviews, particularly in terms of noise. After being so disappointed in the D7100, I want to make sure this camera combines af and iq. Very optimistic! Plus, a little drop in price won't hurt.

[Black Pearl]

That is an excellent strategy! I plan to wait a little longer. I am not so worried about qc issues. I want to see reviews, particularly in terms of noise. After being so disappointed in the D7100, I want to make sure this camera combines af and iq. Very optimistic! Plus, a little drop in price won't hurt.

Thats a very valid point.
Many D300/300s users have given in and bought a D7100/7200 thinking there would never be a proper replacement and while the sensor is better than the ageing (ancient really) 12mp one it is not a nice sensor to work with. Unfortunately Nikon generally buy their sensors in so were stuck using the 24mp Sony unit which exists simply because of the idiotic headlong rush for more pixels regardless of other considerations.

It will be interesting to see how the new 20mp DX sensor performs. At the moment the sweet spot seems to be 36mp for FX and 16mp for DX which both have, as near as makes no different, the same pixel size with any more seemingly just beyond current technology for overall performance. If this new 20mp DX sensor proves things are at the next stage then it should lead the way for the D810 replacement too.

[Dave A]

I like the specs of the D500 and am one of those who has long awaited a D300/s replacement. But due to Nikon's performance in recent years I'll be waiting 90 days or so after it is actually on the street before ordering. To give enough time for any major QC issues to become evident. That should also get past inevitable backlog caused by pre-orders. Assuming all works out this will likely be the last new DSLR body that I own. Henceforth my limited budget will be spent getting me to interesting places to put all of the wonderful kit to good use.

I will be getting the D500 also if the higher ISO performance turns out to be as good as the specs suggest. Most likely around August once the D500 has been fully tested. It will have to last me, well, forever

Dave

[Saorsa]

I remember a Sony that used a floppy disc and later CDs for image capture.

I don't see the move to more modern storage as a problem and think that by taking a dual card approach that folks will be able to transition over time without abandoning their legacy gear.

Even at this early stage of development XQD outperforms CF which outperforms SD.

[Clactonian]

Firstly I must declare that I have more modern Nikon DSLRs but for high speed work, mostly aircraft shots, I have to confess that I still favour my old D2Xs. Yes, only 12Mp and limited focus points but used within its limitations it is still capable of producing stunning images. Over time I have learnt to use it effectively despite it falling well short of modern specifications. Bells and whistles are fine but you still have to learn to use them properly to achieve any benefit.