Where is Nikon heading?

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Nikon did make an Android based compact camera, but apparently no one cared.

https://www.dpreview.com/reviews/nikon-coolpix-s800c/10

"Mediocre photo quality; photos are soft and noisy, with strong highlight clipping at times
Terrible battery life
Wi-Fi has very poor reception, occasional connection problems
Buggy playback mode sometimes displayed photos out of order, or not at all
Camera not fully functional until Android is booted (which takes 30 seconds if camera has been off for a while)
Running outdated version of Android
No manual controls, save for white balance
Hard to see subjects on OLED in low light"

So, problems, problems, problems.  This one in the conclusions is particularly striking "Since Wi-Fi is the main way in which the S800c can share photos, I was disappointed at how poorly implemented this feature is. Reception is truly awful, and I experienced a handful of connection problems at various times."

If Nikon experiences difficulties selling their products, they should look in the mirror. They always state in their financial statements how the camera market is sluggish but it is of course sluggish if the products are poorly made and do not function correctly. Poor wifi is now becoming a pattern with Nikon with Snapbridge in the D500 and the Keymission getting crushing reviews from users. It's extraordinary that they would put out such products without proper testing.

[bjornthun]

Nikon did make an Android based compact camera, but apparently no one cared.

As for the Wifi function, it is not likely that the flagship models employ the powerful wireless system integrated in them.  As Nikon's flagship models are traditionally used in Japanese Self-Defence Forces, the strong electro-magnetic shielding is paramount: they have to function flawlessly even in the severest attacks of electro-magnetic field in the aegis ship, for example.  The strong shielding should also be of great importance when these cameras are used in the Space Shuttles or the ISS.

I would have to agree with the disastrous software.  The wifi enabled pre-SnapBridge cameras are totally orphaned.  Airnef works fairly good, but the genuine WirelessMobileUtility for the smartphones are almost useless.

Cameras for NASA and navies around the world with uber-sensitive radars is a special application, and those clients can probably pay for special versions of the cameras they use.

Nikon has basically orphaned Snapbridge as well, since they fail to update it as soon as there's a new version of iOS.

[Akira]

Potentially strong magnetic field can exist withing the terrestrial area.  A pro phog who used a Canon flagship model (1Ds III, if I remember correctly) once reported in his blog that it stopped working while he was working in the machine room of a data center, and it started to work again when he went out of the room.  Areas around the high-voltage power lines may also cause problems.

[bjornthun]

Potentially strong magnetic field can exist withing the terrestrial area.  A pro phog who used a Canon flagship model (1Ds III, if I remember correctly) once reported in his blog that it stopped working while he was working in the machine room of a data center, and it started to work again when he went out of the room.  Areas around the high-voltage power lines may also cause problems.

A camera could be shielded in a Faraday cage when necessary. A pro should be able to take the necessary precautions. You can't stop or halt a lot of sensible applications of cameras, due to to such rare usage cases.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

Having the WT-6 on the D5 is hardly a serious annoyance, it's just a tiny thing on the side. Encasing the camera in a metal housing would likely not work. It would limit access to controls, and huge gaps would be needed for the lens, hands, LCD etc., preventing it from being effective against external EM interference. If you're on a ship, or in an aircraft, there may not be any space to play with extra gear especially if they interfere with normal operation. Having a tiny bulge on the side of the camera for those who need wireless is clearly the lesser issue to deal with.

People routinely use flash and other gear in photojournalistic work, and these are much bigger than the WT-6.

Android would likely impose large battery power demands and a long start-up time, potentially interfering with the photographer's ability to capture the moment. It simply isn't worth it just to get internet access and some apps.

[stenrasmussen]

To steer this thread a little bit back on track;
- what do you suggest Nikon should do in order to regain lost pride and territory?

[Ethan]

What really gets me is the amount of "know it all" people who can analyze Nikon from the comfort of their cushions to deliver rubbish advise.

Hell, Nikon is so stupid that they should hire Thom and Tony and Ming and Dick and Harry as they seem to know everything about high finance, stock shares movement, company politics, product development and how to cook a burger.

It is alright to voice a personal take on things. But please, do not write gospel. Nikon management are not official morons.

P.S. I, personally, do not like or want EVF and video or cyber transfer of pictures and do not give a rat ass about MTF and MDF and MIT and Lateral CA with Vertical CA and concentric CA and mishmash CA.

I mean really, you want to take pictures or have a mental brainstorming whether the far right pixel at coordinates 104/2005 is sharp or not?
I just want a camera that works.

end of rant.

[BW]

+1

[BW]

What the hell! +2

[stenrasmussen]

What really gets me is the amount of "know it all" people who can analyze Nikon from the comfort of their cushions to deliver rubbish advise.

Hell, Nikon is so stupid that they should hire Thom and Tony and Ming and Dick and Harry as they seem to know everything about high finance, stock shares movement, company politics, product development and how to cook a burger.

It is alright to voice a personal take on things. But please, do not write gospel. Nikon management are not official morons.

P.S. I, personally, do not like or want EVF and video or cyber transfer of pictures and do not give a rat ass about MTF and MDF and MIT and Lateral CA with Vertical CA and concentric CA and mishmash CA.

I mean really, you want to take pictures or have a mental brainstorming whether the far right pixel at coordinates 104/2005 is sharp or not?


I just want a camera that works.

end of rant.

As we are a free community here at NG with a polite tone, it is no intention to try and tell Nikon what they should do. And gospel is a highly personal thing anyways.
Your last sentence re. a camera that works is also at the core of this discussion 

[Ilkka Nissilä]

They should not release products which do not work correctly in any aspect of the specified features. The products should simply always work and be easy to use. This includes software. I do believe apart from the infamous wifi and software in general, Nikon does achieve this in their mid to higher end DSLR products for the most part. For example, I've found the D5 to be very functional and reliable and their new flash (SB-5000) to function flawlessly as a radio controlled remote by itself or in combination with older units. If Nikon were to test all products to the same level of reliability, they could eventually become a reputable brand again. No products should be released which do not always work. Test it until it does match these requirements. I've been extremely pleased with the 105/1.4 as well, it works well together with the D5 and images are near perfect optically and in focus with very high reliability.

Spend a few extra months testing a product before releasing. Make sure that users don't run into problems. People will buy if the stuff works well.

[John Koerner]

As we are a free community here at NG with a polite tone, it is no intention to try and tell Nikon what they should do. And gospel is a highly personal thing anyways.
Your last sentence re. a camera that works is also at the core of this discussion 

I think Ethan's rant was against the "Thom Hogan" types who try to act like "The Gospel" for Nikon ...

To steer this thread a little bit back on track;
- what do you suggest Nikon should do in order to regain lost pride and territory?

I think Nikon is on the right track by delivering the class-leading D500 and D5, as well as the entire class-leading FL ED series of lenses, which are superior optically (and lighter) than their counterparts.

I think moving away from low-end "burner" cameras and P&S's is a good shift as well, given what's been stated.

I believe coming out with a new class-leading upgrade to the D810 will breathe a lot of life into the public perception also

Moving forward, there are some good thoughts about simply making online connectivity a top priority rather than an incidental afterthought ...

To this I would like to see Nikon enter the "uber lens" race with Zeiss, and offer standard lenses with the same FL ED technology, but be all manual.

One of the things that made the Ai-S lenses so great is the fact they're manual and built to last for generations. This same truth is underscored by Zeiss.

By contrast, while the new 105 f/1.5 ED is a very nice optic, "today," I think we all know it is not "built to last" like a Zeiss (or even an Ai-S) is built to last.

• There is a truism that bears consideration: "When times get tough, people gravitate to quality."

To me, it is not important that Nikon have "the biggest share of the market," or that they be "the biggest company."

What is important to me is knowing that, when I make a several-thousand-dollar purchase, that I am making a long-term investment, by purchasing the best possible lenses (quality-wise) that I can afford, and mounting them on the best possible cameras I can afford.

Part of what's "best" isn't just its performance "today" ... but knowing that the (lens/camera) will LAST and keep performing for a long time.

Thus, what will keep me loyal to Nikon will be dedication to quality, not necessarily quantity.

[Frank Fremerey]

To sum it up for me: I am happy with the Nikon stuff I have and hope that Nikon will continue to make tools I really like to use every day for my work and my leisure. I do not use video nor Coolpixels not Nikon Ones nor low end plasicky DSLRs.

I hope Nikon will continue to make my happy. Then I will continue to give them my money.

[basker]

To me, it is not important that Nikon have "the biggest share of the market," or that they be "the biggest company."

What is important to me is knowing that, when I make a several-thousand-dollar purchase, that I am making a long-term investment, by purchasing the best possible lenses (quality-wise) that I can afford, and mounting them on the best possible cameras I can afford.

Part of what's "best" isn't just its performance "today" ... but knowing that the (lens/camera) will LAST and keep performing for a long time.

Thus, what will keep me loyal to Nikon will be dedication to quality, not necessarily quantity.

That seems to perfectly describe my interests. To me "long term investment" means that it continues to be satisfying.   

[John Koerner]

Seems to be universal agreement here.

People spend $$$$$ on Zeiss and Leica, not because they're "the biggest companies," but because they want to get quality products ... that hold their value ... because they are good and they last.

To me, it is a fool's errand for Nikon to try to offer low-budget gadgetry and try to compete with the "make everything" paradigm.

I believe they will be more profitable concentrating on LESS products, but products that are the best in their respective markets, and built to last.

Their best cameras and lenses prove they can do this ... so they should stick to this, and only this, type of effort and investment ... as no one gives two $#!^$ about tiny, bs DSLRs or point-and-shoots anymore.

Because cell phone + internet connectivity are phasing out low-end (and, to some degree, even mid-level) photography needs for people, Nikon needs to concentrate on the best cameras and lenses they can make ... while upgrading/improving on seamless PC/online connectivity.

Budget lenses are now virtually disposable and no longer appealing. Today's iPhones, Samsungs, and Google phones actually produce better results and are thus more appealing to 99% of the population (who only want to take and share common, every-day photos) Because of this, the low end camera market is dying and will never recover.

Only the best camera/lens options remain appealing to legitimately-aspiring photographers, because they do what cannot be done using "more convenient" cell phones as tools.