D300s Successor-D400, what and when

sevencrossing

if Nikon do bring out another Mirrorless camera I very much doubt if would be called a D400 or be a replacement for the D300

totally off topic

my hope is for a full frame compact with 36 mp 6400 ISO and a 24mm f 2.8 (or wider ) pancake lens that will focus as fast as a DSLR

spraynpray

"I believe Nikon will dip a toe into the mirrorless by replacing a DSLR lower down the range than the pro level."

?? But isn't that the nikon1 system ? I think the FX/DX mirrorless will be simply a scaled up Nikon1

I certainly hope not, it needs all the controls accessible like a DSLR - more so with the pro version.

Msmoto

Did you guys know that eating crow is not really that good? Maybe the D400 will come out in 2014.... )

heartyfisher

"I believe Nikon will dip a toe into the mirrorless by replacing a DSLR lower down the range than the pro level."

?? But isn't that the nikon1 system ? I think the FX/DX mirrorless will be simply a scaled up Nikon1

I certainly hope not, it needs all the controls accessible like a DSLR - more so with the pro version.

Of course all the current useful DSLR controls will be in the FX/DX mirrorless.. but what i mean was the focusing technology the video technology the body design etc.. surely will be very similar to the Nikon1 system. what about a FX-AW1 (Underwater mirrorless) .. wouldn't that be nice :-)

Sports

Still no D400 news ... but again rumors from Sony about their Alphas becoming "more pro" and their next models improving AF speed and accuracy.
Suppose Sony actually reads "why the D7100 is not good enough".
Suppose Sony actually does release a DX that is everything we hope for in the D400 (and maybe even more).
Then ...... switch to Sony or not?
I know it's a standard question, but not in this case if Nikon is really terminating the line.
It would be so sad, but it's "Nikon's fault", if you ask me.
Yes, have to try the Sony first, of course. But we cannot wait for D400 forever.
What do you think?
My background: I own a 50/1.4 and a 70-200/f2.8 for Nikon, but the rest of my gear (D300, two more lenses, flash) is borrowed long-term.
- - - - -
This queation being asked, I AM :-) still slightly optimistic.
A new D400 could simply not happen without a new processor, and as Fujitsu just released the new processor generation now, then this small brick makes the D400 possible. For this to make sense, the D400 must accour this year .... I mean, if Nikon was waiting for Fujitsu, then the rest of the D400 would be almost complete, production planned and everything ...
If it's not announced in '13 or very early '14, then I won't believe it anymore, because then the lack of processor was not the explanation.

Photobug

Crow never taste good...MsMoto. :-))

See below, this could be right....another nail in the D400 coffin. I did not think this would ever happen but as time passes Nikon really screwed up.

This is the first set of Nikon D5300 specifications:

24MP
39 AF points
EXPEED 4 (new)
Built-in Wi-Fi (new)
Built-in GPS (new)

In addition to the built-in Wi-Fi and GPS capabilities I already mentioned few weeks ago, the new D5300 will be the first camera to get the new EXPEED 4 processor. I was expecting the EXPEED 4 to be featured first in the D400, but that's not going to be the case. Maybe this is another nail in the D400 coffin.

I have no exact announcement date, but my guess is that the D5300 will be introduced right before the Photo Plus show in NYC at the end of October or for the CES show in Las Vegas at the beginning of January 2014.
==================================================
Bet the new EXPEED 4 will be available for different cameras running at different speeds with different amount of memory for bigger buffers. Bet the EXPEED 4 will be in the new D4x and D810. That speaks well for 2014.

sevencrossing

Nikon really screwed up.

.

I beg to differ

Nikon have already stated they want to target the entry level Market
This makes sense, as they already have two excellent cameras at the high end, the D800(E) and the D4
There are a lot of people out there, who have discovered photography, thanks to the smart phone
but the smart phone is limited, it is no use for sport or action ,
For that you need a DSLR, they don't need a D4, a D5300 will do them very well
Once they have bought into the a system, they wont jump ship, so Nikon need to get them early

Yes in a few years time, they will want something better, and that is when we will see the D400

DaveyJ

Having seen MANY photos of people with D4s and D800 etc. I cannot for the life of me believe that a D400 is not necessary. NO OTHER CAMERA IN NIKON HISTORY has ever had such a pent up demand. If Nikon FAILS to answer this demand I think it would establish very clearly that Nikon just does not care what it's faithful customers think. Do not try to tell me that a D4x in the field would always outshine the D400 in every way BUT ONE. That single element would be bucks for Nikon. Those who write in saying the D400 is not necessary or would not be successful are probably in the camp of those who think bigger equipment is better. Had you been a combat soldier I am not sure you could state so clearly that bigger gear is better. Let me add another troubling element to me, When I see photographers in the field those with bigger gear seem to isolate themselves in a way that sends a signal......stand clear......I am the essential element in this scene. There is a lot to be said for accomplishing more with less. One of the best quotes I have heard in field photos lately is get close.....or closer. Some subjects than take you to the edge of the crevasse and then you have to shoot from there or start using very special climbing gear or go aerial. let me use just ONE example. The movie Chasing Ice (James Balog) was done a fair amount with time lapses with Nikon D200s. FX does not control digital photography. A successor to the wonderful D300 and D300s should arrive NOW!!!

PB_PM

The movie Chasing Ice (James Balog) was done a fair amount with time lapses with Nikon D200s.

Keep in mind that when he started that project in 2007 the D3 was just coming to market, thus it was only full frame Nikon body. I'm sure he went with the D200 because they could be had for not a lot of cash ($800 per body) when the project started. The D300 was already on the market then, but at a price of $1899. Buying higher end cameras like the D3 or D300 would not have been cost effective for the project (he had 25+ cameras running). Then again, to say he wouldn't go with FX bodies today if he was starting now, is simply speculation.

Honestly outside of internet forums, like this one, I've yet to meet a photographer who is still waiting for a D400. Most have moved to full frame or are more than happy with a D7000/D7100. There were plenty of rumors last year, and even this year about the D400 and 7D MkII. I do wonder about the validity of such rumors for the 7D MKII, because I recall Canon saying earlier this year (in an interview with Dpreview) that they would no longer be developing a high end APS-C sensor camera. If that really is the case, Nikon really has no incentive to do so. The Dxxx DX class body is dead, move on.

Coastalconn

@sports... I have been watching the Sony rumor mill pretty closely and have been wondering the same thing.. if Sony produces a camera with all the specs I want in a D400 and has a new advanced AF system along with no shutter lag and really good EVF I would be very interested to say the least... I only shoot birds (99% anyways) and there is nothing that can replace the D300 for me... but in the meantime I just picked up another d300 just in case...

Photobug

Sevencrossing....we will have to agree to disagree.

I really want a D400 and its become clear that the focus is on the entry level models to improve their profit position. I clearly remember reading that info about the refocus to entry level. It's fine to do that but how can they ignore that pent-up demand for then D400. That is how they screwed up.

sevencrossing

Honestly outside of internet forums, like this one, I've yet to meet a photographer who is still waiting for a D400.

Same here. I have two friends with D300s, both "Use what they've e got and don't whine" both used to shoot film, and have at lot of Fx lenses, both say they will probably buy a D800, one day, nether have heard of the D400 ( which is not surprising as it only exists in NRF)

The Dxxx DX class body is dead, move on.
+100

Msmoto

Maybe this thread is best described by Shakespeare....Much Ado About Nothing.... :O

sevencrossing

Maybe this thread is best described by Shakespeare....Much Ado About Nothing.... :O

There are times, when I think this entire forum, should be renamed Nikon Moaners

Although fun, I don't think having a long running thread, with the same people, saying the same things, does not do the credibility of NRF any good

ricochet

Before you guys, and Nikon, dismiss the market for a D400, remember its the sports and wildlife shooters who want it, the same guys who buy those insanely expensive long lenses. Lose that segment of the camera market, and you lose a large part of the long telephoto lens market.

sevencrossing

the same guys who buy those insanely expensive long lenses. .

The insanely expensive long lenses are all Fx and the guys who own them have insanely expensive FX cameras, such as the D4. If they do need more "reach" they are not going to buy a Dx camera, they will but a TC.
There are no insanely expensive long Dx lenses

PB_PM

Before you guys, and Nikon, dismiss the market for a D400, remember its the sports and wildlife shooters who want it, the same guys who buy those insanely expensive long lenses. Lose that segment of the camera market, and you lose a large part of the long telephoto lens market.

Except they aren't loosing those groups. I live in an area where there are plenty of wildlife and sports shooters. They are the very people I'm talking about, who have moved to the D600, D800, D4 or are using D7000's or D7100's. Either that or they are happy with the D300 or D300s they have. I've asked some if they would want a D400. Most just look at me funny and say, "what's wrong with my D300?" or "I'll replace this when it dies" or "I'm going full frame, so I don't care."

shawnino

Maybe this thread is best described by Shakespeare....Much Ado About Nothing.... :O

"The Tempest" ... for sure.
"A Comedy of Errors" ... if you have a sick sense of comedy.
"All's Well That Ends Well" ... I doubt it.

snakebunk

Someone doesn't know anyone who wants a D400 and I still want a camera with lots of fps, high pixel density and a pro body.

ricochet

Most of the wildlife shooting pros I know have both a FX and a DX camera. Not every wildlife photographer is a pro. Very few work for National Geographic and can afford a D4. We had about a dozen Nikon photographers in our mule deer camp last November, not one D4. Two had D3's, one had a D800, the rest were using DX cameras. Big glass was pretty well represented, with a 400 2.8, 600 f4, several 200-400 f4's, even more 500 f4's, among others. Only one of those guys is a full time pro, NPS member. So my experience is that a lot of long glass is being used with DX cameras. Its not like the DX camera users have a choice, its FX glass or nothing when you go big.
I knew there'd be disagreement with my previous post, not all of us live in the same part of the world, or travel with the same crowd, or shoot the same subjects. I haven't given up hope that Nikon will build the camera that I desire, in the mean time, I'm one of those guys who'll "use my D300 until it dies", and also a guy who's moved on to a D7100. That still doesn't mean I wouldn't rather have a D400. If you believe I should be using a D800, then send me one. I'll continue to have positive thoughts about the D400, if being negative floats your boat, have at it.

PB_PM

I think there is a big difference between being negative, and realistic. The D300s was released over 4 years ago, and there are no signs of replacement coming. If looking at the facts is negative in your eyes, so be it. Don't get me wrong, I was a D300 shooter (I still have one with 110,000 actions), but I realized earlier this year that there is no D400 coming and moved on.

I'm not a pro wildlife/bird shooter, yet somehow as an FX user I manage to get decent bird/wildlife shots with the 300mm F4 + TC14E. I guess must be doing something wrong if I don't need a D400 and 600mm F4. Would I like that combo? Sure. I'm I ever going to have that combo? Most likely not.

sevencrossing

That still doesn't mean I wouldn't rather have a D400. . </blockquote

So

The D400 is announced tomorrow

It has

24 megapixel
100-6400, ISO extendable to 25600:
Professional level AF system utilizing 51 focus points
EXPEED 4
All the controls and Build quality of D800
With a battery grip, it can do 8 fps RAW with a 24 frame Buffer capacity

As you say there is defiantly a demand for such a Camera

and I think Nikon could build one

BUT

there is a very big issue

The very big advantage DX has over FX is cost

Supposing the Camera is indeed announced but the cost is, as think it would be, very similar to a D800

Could Nikon sell enough to make a profit ?

PB_PM

@sevencrossing it's very unlikely Nikon would release a $2000+ DX body at this point. The last DX body to retail for over $2000k was the D2Xs/D2Hs, but that was 8 years ago. If a D400 did come about, it would be around $1899, no higher. That's still $700 more than the D7100, but way to close price wise to the D600/D610. Then again, different class of bodies, so it could be justified.

sevencrossing

@sevencrossing it's very unlikely Nikon would release a $2000+ DX body at this point.

100 % correct
and the reason we will not see a D400 for awhile yet

proudgeek

The last thing Nikon is going to do is create even more headwind for the D600/610. A fairly similar camera (albeit with a DX sensor) would do just that.