Nikon Files Patent for an Interchangeable Sensor Camera

Golf007sdGolf007sd Posts: 2,840Moderator
edited November 2013 in Nikon DSLR cameras
What are your thought on this course of action by Nikon...or other manufacture that might go this route?

Nikon Files Patent for an Interchangeable Sensor Camera.

This was first brought to our attention by Admin on September 27, but wanted to bring it up for discussion on our new forum. For those that want to read what other had to say, here is our conversation in the past on the old forum.
Post edited by Golf007sd on
D4 & D7000 | Nikon Holy Trinity Set + 105 2.8 Mico + 200 F2 VR II | 300 2.8G VR II, 10.5 Fish-eye, 24 & 50 1.4G, 35 & 85 1.8G, 18-200 3.5-5.6 VR I SB-400 & 700 | TC 1.4E III, 1.7 & 2.0E III, 1.7 | Sigma 35 & 50 1.4 DG HSM | RRS Ballhead & Tripods Gear | Gitzo Monopod | Lowepro Gear | HDR via Promote Control System |

Comments

  • TaoTeJaredTaoTeJared Posts: 1,306Member
    I'm not sure what to think of that or how much of a possibility that would work. So much of the system is the dance between the Sensor, Buffer, & Processor that I'm not sure you could really just replace the sensor for something like upgrades. I could see it for same "model release versions" as in to be able to swap the 16mp sensor and 36mp sensors of the D800/D4. (Same parts, just different sensors, (and firmware.)

    It is interesting, but too much of each generation of a system is upgraded for it to make since at this time. I'm chalking that patent up to "better do it before someone else does" category.



    D800, D300, D50(ir converted), FujiX100, Canon G11, Olympus TG2. Nikon lenses - 24mm 2.8, 35mm 1.8, (5 in all)50mm, 60mm, 85mm 1.8, 105vr, 105 f2.5, 180mm 2.8, 70-200vr1, 24-120vr f4. Tokina 12-24mm, 16-28mm, 28-70mm (angenieux design), 300mm f2.8. Sigma 15mm fisheye. Voigtlander R2 (olive) & R2a, Voigt 35mm 2.5, Zeiss 50mm f/2, Leica 90mm f/4. I know I missed something...
  • PB_PMPB_PM Posts: 4,494Member
    edited November 2013
    I doubt this would be useful to us as consumers. I think the idea is simply to make it easier for Nikon to build and repair cameras. It would allow them to use the same body, chipsets, LCDs etc, but put in different sensors to differentiate them.

    While interchangeable sensors make a modular design possible, it isn't overly practical for long term use. Why? When a new camera is released users get more benefits than just a new sensor and firmware. Newer, smaller, lower power chipsets are also included.
    Post edited by PB_PM on
    If I take a good photo it's not my camera's fault.
  • PhotobugPhotobug Posts: 5,751Member
    I read the announcement on the patent and thought...what benefit is there for me or the typical consumer. This has got to be more expensive, so why would you do this?

    For me, right now I don't see an advantage for me.
    D750 & D7100 | 24-70 F2.8 G AF-S ED, 70-200 F2.8 AF VR, TC-14E III, TC-1.7EII, 35 F2 AF D, 50mm F1.8G, 105mm G AF-S VR | Backup & Wife's Gear: D5500 & Sony HX50V | 18-140 AF-S ED VR DX, 55-300 AF-S G VR DX |
    |SB-800, Amaran Halo LED Ring light | MB-D16 grip| Gitzo GT3541 + RRS BH-55LR, Gitzo GM2942 + Sirui L-10 | RRS gear | Lowepro, ThinkTank, & Hoodman gear | BosStrap | Vello Freewave Plus wireless Remote, Leica Lens Cleaning Cloth |
  • SymphoticSymphotic Posts: 711Member
    edited November 2013
    Custom sensors for different applications. We tried this years ago, building various CTD sensors that we could mount in the removable backs of film cameras. Some sensors we optimized for dynamic range using non destructive readout of individual pixels, and others we optimized for radiation tolerance or infrared sensitivity, etc.
    For general photography, I would love to be able to change sensors for the type of shooting, just like we used to be able to change film.
    Post edited by Symphotic on
    Jack Roberts
    "Discovery consists in seeing what everyone else has seen and thinking what nobody else has thought"--Albert Szent-Gyorgy
  • sevencrossingsevencrossing Posts: 2,800Member
    edited November 2013
    I think the idea of a D4 that could have its current 16 mp sensor, Interchangeable with a 36 mp sensor from a D800 would be very attractive

    would I buy one? I think so

    Post edited by sevencrossing on
  • IronheartIronheart Posts: 3,017Moderator
    Every sensor is a series of trade offs. If you want to do IR, Solar, or X-ray etc.. you need a specialty sensor for ideal results. Think of how much money you can spend, er I mean fun you can have :-)
Sign In or Register to comment.