Rumours: Nikon D400 & 200-500VR

[Jan Anne]

Now these are some interesting rumours, Nikon is apparently about to announce the highly overdue D400 and as a bonus a 200-500VR.

D400 rumour on Cameraegg:
http://www.cameraegg.org/rumors-nikon-d400-will-have-a-24mp-aps-c-sensor-to-be-announced-in-september/

200-500VR rumour on NR:
http://nikonrumors.com/2015/07/26/nikon-rumored-to-announce-a-new-200-500mm-lens.aspx/#more-95462

The D300 was one of my main cameras for a long time even while owning the D700, for instance with the 200-400/4VR on the NG safari in Southern Africa where some extra length was needed.

What do you guys think, is there still room for a pro DX camera in the full frame era?

[PedroS]

I think the 200-500 will see the light, no so for the D400...

[Akira]

I'm tempted to D7200 for its vastly improved image quality and reduced shutter/mirro shock compared to D7000.  So, why not D400? 

I would seriously like to see an improved user interface, expecially the placement of video start buttons and the confusing co-existance of "i" button and "info" button.

I'm not sure if it is true, but this is also intriguing:

http://www.cameraegg.org/af-s-dx-nikkor-35mm-f1-0g-lens-patent/

The optical construction looks like a Gaussian lens plus speedbooster. 

In order for the "pro model" to make sense, the dedicated lens lineup is mandatory, methinks.

[Frank Fremerey]

I believe in D400 if it really hits the shelves.

Nikon cut into their sales by not having this camera yet. But will it still be selling after such a long wait?

probably yes. it will replace all the d300 and 300s that are still in use.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

I think there is definitely a market for a less expensive fast Nikon DSLR than the D4s. I think Nikon had a chance to make a great success story with the D750 which strikes a good balance between image quality, price and speed, but its sales were interrupted by the flare scare and recall.

A D400 may be successful if it offers action photographers a less expensive alternative than the D4s, but it is not the right type of camera for me.

If a 200-500 has a maximum aperture of f/4-f/5.6 and if the lens is of very high quality, it could be very useful and yet less expensive than the Canon 200-400/4 Extender (which is really expensive). I'm wondering what the advantage of making a 2x zoom lens with a built in 1.4x teleconverter instead of a slightly larger 2.5x zoom range is. Yes, constant aperture in sections of the range, but I think a continuous zoom range would be more useful as it allows continuous framing of an approaching subject, and the longest focal length in a telezoom is usually the most used, so having to switch on a TC doesn't seem like the best plan, instead I would prefer they optimize the lens to perform its best at its longest focal length wide open and allow perhaps slightly lower quality at shorter focal lengths if a compromise is mandatory. 

I would be interested in the 200-500mm if it turns out to be a high quality lens and if it is fairly priced. One additional point: it would be great if the center of gravity would not move  as the lens is zoomed. This would allow the effective use of the zoom on a gimbal head.

[tommiejeep]

Ilkka, and here I thought this site was the only one without a D400 Rumour any place to be found 

The initial Nikon publicity, Action Camera, for the D750 really had many of us expecting a fast Sports camera or something totally new.  I really enjoy the D750  and have had zero problems but, 1/4000, and the buffer, were a disappointment.  Also the AF spread could have been better.

Nikon has really let the average sports shooters down(not to mention Wildlife) .  Have to go FX with longer lenses (good for lens sales I guess).  It is either give up the 2.8 and use a TC1.4 or buy longer/heavier.  A proper D300/D300s replacement would certainly get my attention since I still use the D300s, 300 2.8vr as my main camera for shooting soccer before dusk with the D3S, 70-200vrII for the fast, close in action.

The 200-500mm is a few days late...and a $ short .    I fully expected something similar as a replacement for the 80-400vr D.  So with Tamron and Sigma going to 600mm?  The afs 80-400 works for me as a Nature Walkabout.  The 200mm is too long and the 500mm is too short.   It would have to be an extremely good lens at a good price and using the light weight Tech to get me interested.
Tom

[Tersn]

If this D400 rumor turns out to be right, I will probably preorder one. However, I would be quite surprised if the D400  becomes available as early as in September; if that were the case, Nikon Rumors should normally have noticed this already.

[Bjørn Rørslett]

The DX format as such holds more promise than most of the cameras made to serve it - until now. Not only have the cameras become smaller and more awkward to handle, they also tend to have dumbed down user interfaces, being overloaded by amateurish features, and having tiny finders of atrocious quality.

The D2X/H were good examples that DX itself can be delivered by quality gear, but of course their specifications otherwise are hopelessly outdated these days. A 24 MPix D400 with a robust build like a D300 on steroids would interested me, and probably a lot of other potential users as well.

[Roland Vink]

If the rumored 200-500 has an aperture of f/4-5.6, it could be considered a replacement for the 200-400/4 and TC-14E combination. You get the faster aperture of the 200-400 at the wide end, and the longer reach and slower aperture of the 200-400 with TC, but with continuous zooming and no need to attach or remove a TC. Could be an interesting addition to the Nikon lineup now that longer tele zooms are becoming popular.

[Akira]

If the rumored 200-500 has an aperture of f/4-5.6, it could be considered a replacement for the 200-400/4 and TC-14E combination. You get the faster aperture of the 200-400 at the wide end, and the longer reach and slower aperture of the 200-400 with TC, but with continuous zooming and no need to attach or remove a TC. Could be an interesting addition to the Nikon lineup now that longer tele zooms are becoming popular.

Now that AF at f8.0 has become more common (D7100/7200 can do that), 500/5.6 at the longest end still leaves the possiblity of using a 1.4 TC.

[chris dees]

According to Petapixel it's a constant F5.6 and will be released on August 27 together with a 24/1.8 and a 24-78/2.8VR
And look at the price: about $1,375. I find that hard to believe, but I hope it's true.

(http://petapixel.com/2015/07/29/nikon-lenses-leaked-24-70mm-f2-8-vr-24mm-f1-8-and-200-500mm-f5-6-vr/)

[Roland Vink]

Constant f5.6 of the 200-500 makes it less of a competitor for the 200-400/4, and more of a long lens companion for the 70-200/4 VR. I'm sure it will be popular.

[Ilkka Nissilä]

If that picture of the 200-500 is real, the tripod collar appears straight from a nightmare.

[chris dees]

For that price it's a competitor for the Sigma/Tamron 150-600

[Ilkka Nissilä]

By the way those who have used the Sigma or Tamron 150-600's, does AF function with all AF sensor points at 600mm, or is it limited like with an f/8 lens to a few central sensor positions? Thanks.