NASA ordered 53 Nikon D5 bodies

[Akira]

Yes, D5 should deserve it.

https://www.dpreview.com/news/9915024320/nasa-just-ordered-53-nikon-d5-dslrs-for-the-iss-and-training-purposes

[Ann]

If NASA finds that they ordered one camera too many, my D5 is desperately seeking a twin brother.

But seriously, I have never used such a superb machine in my life as this camera.
It seems able to go anywhere, and handle anything and everything at which I point its lens, with aplomb. And interestingly, the D5 doesn't seem in the least heavy or large when its in my hands because the balance and ergonomics are just so good.

Lucky NASA photographers — they are in for a treat!

[Akira]

Ann, one additional advantage of D5 used in ISS is, aside from its excellent performance, that it weighs zero, and thus one of the biggest possible complaint will disappear. 

[Ann]

So true, Akira!

The huge advantage of working in the Space Station is that you can just park your camera wherever you like — even on the ceiling.

My very cluttered Earth-bound desk would love it if I could do an instant tidy-up by throwing all my junk on the ceiling.

[richardHaw]

after the D850 passes the test it will be next

[armando_m]

I saw the news, I'm intrigued to find out what will they do

[Ann]

I assume that the D850 does not have the rugged metal chassis of the D5 and NASA appear to prefer rugged cameras.

(I do too.)

However, I wouldn't be surprised if NASA buys some D850s too for their high-count MP images although I personally don't want to work with such enormous files.

I have just opened and processed some of the  D850 NEFs: a full size 16-bit PSD weighs in at 250 MB — with just a single Layer!

I return from trips with over 10,000 NEFs (and I usually keep most of them) so file-sizes like this are not suitable for the way in which I operate.

[Akira]

The huge advantage of working in the Space Station is that you can just park your camera wherever you like — even on the ceiling.

My very cluttered Earth-bound desk would love it if I could do an instant tidy-up by throwing all my junk on the ceiling.

Well, you don't even need to "put" the camera somewhere: you can just let go of the camera.  It floats where it is!

Another important aspect of D5 is its electromagnetic shield.  The flagship Nikon cameras have traditionally been used by the Japanese Self-Defence Forces, and designed to shield the strong electromagnetic interference in the Aegis ships.  I'm not sure if the D8x0 is shielded as well as the flagship models.

[Hugh_3170]

Once in orbit, I agree with you.

On the other hand, the launch cost per kilogram is still pretty horrendous. 

However, once in orbit, they stay there and no doubt the NASA repair policy will be to launch multiple cameras.  I would love to know if NASA (or Nikon) calibrate and pre-configure these cameras with preferred colour profiles, exposure compensation, lens AF adjustments etc etc etc.  Maybe that is one of the jobs of the Astronauts & Cosmonauts that will use these  devices.

Ann, one additional advantage of D5 used in ISS is, aside from its excellent performance, that it weighs zero, and thus one of the biggest possible complaint will disappear. 

[arthurking83]

I assume that the D850 does not have the rugged metal chassis of the D5 and NASA appear to prefer rugged cameras.
....

Without seeing actual specs, or images, one would assume it will be built the same as the D800's and D810 before it .. full magnesium alloy body.
Maybe not as rugged as a D3/4/5 series body, but a full metal jacket all the same.

What I'm surprised to not see in NASAs camera body lineup is the D810a.
D850 is as yet an unknown quantity, so it'd be foolish of NASA to send any up into space.
But D810 and D810a now have been around for a long time, are still relevant, provide reasonably high res images .. especially considering the specialised kind of image output that the D810a caters for.

[Akira]

On the other hand, the launch cost per kilogram is still pretty horrendous.

The weight of D5 should make the fight against the gravity of the earth tougher.  Fortunately the astronauts don't need to hang their cameras from their necks!

[Akira]

Without seeing actual specs, or images, one would assume it will be built the same as the D800's and D810 before it .. full magnesium alloy body.
Maybe not as rugged as a D3/4/5 series body, but a full metal jacket all the same.

What I'm surprised to not see in NASAs camera body lineup is the D810a.
D850 is as yet an unknown quantity, so it'd be foolish of NASA to send any up into space.
But D810 and D810a now have been around for a long time, are still relevant, provide reasonably high res images .. especially considering the specialised kind of image output that the D810a caters for.

I guess there would be something other than the full magnesium alloy body to shield the camera against the elctromagnetic interference, given the exposure to the radiation is one of the serious problems in the outer space.

D810a is intended for the H-alpha spectrum for the astrophotography.  For that purpose, there should be a bunch of infinitely expensive specialized instruments have been made and used at various institutions.  There is also HST for the dedicated purpose.  D5 should be intended for the recordings of the activities of ISS and occasional "areal landscape" photography to provide the beautiful scenes that cannot be shot by usual methods available to us.

[Lorne]

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik interviewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=292&v=OwZjz02EBFs

Talks about the change from D4 to D5, favourite lenses, zero G technique, and more.

[richardHaw]

NASA astronaut Randy Bresnik interviewed here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=292&v=OwZjz02EBFs

Talks about the change from D4 to D5, favourite lenses, zero G technique, and more.

space!