The above pic is taken from a screen shot from nikonrumors.com
more after the jump
The D4 has just been released to its long awaiting public. At this time there are many mixed emotions some people are happy and more than ready to sell their perfectly good D3 & D3s for the upgrade. Some people as I seen online are saying its not "revolutionary, but instead evolutionary", I tend to agree with the latter. If you check out the specs on line ( nikon-d4-vs-d3s specs) at this point with the exception of the video and some odds and ends, not much has changed.
But what about the future of 35mm digital slr's
Please be advised I am in no way a camera expert or pundit, but just a regular guy with some opinions.
1st, digital point and shoot camera sales have been and continued to be decimated by the ever advancing cell phone camera. Cell phone cams are becoming ever more advanced and offering more option sets (such as the i-phone lens converter) to offset the phones standard camera short falls.
2nd m-4/3rd's are showing some promise. With the nikon one nex5 etc... (the list goes on) these are starting to take a nib at the traditional huge black box that hangs around the typical photographers neck. Think about it, The nikon one now has an adapter to use standard nikon lens. Most traditional photographers would think no way man, this is gimmicky. Doesn't feel right in my hand and it’s not status quo.. The Next Joey Lawrence sees it as dude I only have to carry half the weight of that heavy ass d4s&m and I can make great ass pics without paying the full price for that black box, totally... Just as
Zack Arias makes comments that there are many great photogs now who he can't have a descent conversation with about f-stop and aperture, imagine the next generation of photograhers and how they will view it, and view our current methods.
Elvis is leaving the building
I cannot say that I have studied the masters, Avedon, Adams, and many more. I like so many who have grown up in photography over the last 7-9 years only know Hobby, Arias, Mcnally, Wallace etc.., as the masters. But take a look at David Hobbys latest post or Zack Arais latest blog (which they announced during the d4's outing). These gentlemen are also moving away from 35mm digital format and moving towards medium format. I'm sure they have thought long and hard about their decisions and I hear medium format is great. For me I've held and played with one, but seems oddly bulk and slightly awkward to work with. However, David mentioned that his shooting style has changed. Zack talks greatly about the quality that can be achieved with medium format. But does this mean everyone is going to run out and get medium format? I hope the general answer to this is no. Unless you have done plenty of research and sole searching as to your own personal motives. This should get you thinking about the state of the 35mm business model.
Trying to bring it home
Ok almost at the finish line. So, 35mm digital looks as if it is being attacked at every angle. You have price increases putting both nikon and canon dangerously close to the price of old tech or low end medium format territory. Nikon and Canon are both as it appears to be outta space in terms of the megapixel wars are concerned. I've heard the d3s can darn near see in the dark, so iso's are pretty high up there so what's really left. I don't know a ton about dynamic range but I'm guessing this will probably be what 35mm will work on next, but at what cost.
Looking at David Hobby I think he's come full circle. He's started off in film mastered that medium and went to digital and mastered that medium. He's been there done that. Also with the d4 to be at least $6500 dollars usd after tax, suddenly medium format digital seems to be something more palatable. Also which I’ve started to see and have heard about for the last few years, which Im sure as the pixels continue to climb on 35mm you will start to hear the word "diffraction" tossed around alot more. who wants to spend $2,500 usd on a lens which can't be used below f/8 without the picture appearing to fall apart in front of you in terms of sharpness and quality (lets see what the d800 will bring :-).
I think 35mm is great and at this point has some obstacles to over-come or eliminate as I'm thinking at this point the 35mm format may be at its limits, which can be taken as either a good thing or a bad thing. Maybe now we will start to see fewer cameras put out every few years much like in the film days. I truly believe the laws of diminishing returns will start to come into effect.
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