JoelKlein
Well-known member
What happened with Steves's list of questions sent to Nikon?
Miscellaneous, I'm curious about...
- Thread starter JoelKlein
- Start date
-
- Tags
- miscellaneous
If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).
As I recall he closed the thread because he’d gotten more than enough questions. Next step, I suppose, is to post the Q&A once he has the replies from Nikon personnel. Not sure when that will be.
JoelKlein
Well-known member
I’m curious to read the chosen questions
Me too.
Darrellhar
Well-known member
I'm curious too but I'm not holding my breath as a lot of suggested ones seemed to fall under future release category so I'm guessing Nikon rep isn't either going to know or be willing to share much along those topic lines. I look forward to any information they can pass along.
Here are the final questions 
Keep in mind that I was told to stay on the topic of optics. In addition, I tried not to ask too much about upcoming products since they aren't going to answer anything like that. Here's my final selection - I hope to hear back from them soon!
////
Nikon has been coming out with lens after lens, seemingly aimed toward the wildlife and bird photography community. Is this a new / higher priority now? Also, are you targeting bird and wildlife shooters more than sports shooters with your telephoto lens lineup? To make that even more specific, is there a ranking (maybe even equipment-specific) between sports, general journalism, fashion, weddings, etc.?
Nikon is celebrating its 90th anniversary of producing Nikkor lenses. Within that vast ocean of glass, what, in your opinion, are the three most innovative lenses? In other words, which three lenses do you think made the biggest impact for Nikon and the industry as a whole?
What are the most challenging aspects of designing a new lens?
With the new 180-600mm and 600 PF, we saw an F/6.3 aperture, which was met with some criticism online. Why are so many of the new lenses F/6.3 instead of F/5.6?
I know you can't tell us everything, but are there any new lens technologies on the horizon that will change the way we think about optics, or has lens development reached its peak?
Since every Nikon telephoto shooter wonders the same thing: Why doesn't Nikon include lens feet with integrated Arca-Swiss dovetails?
Is there a technical limitation that prevents a focus motor in an FTZ adapter, and if not, would you consider adding that to a future version to drive older F-mount autofocus lenses?
Is there a reason we don't see PF technology in optics like 600mm F/4 and 400 F/2.8 lenses? Also, is there any limitation to having built-in teleconverters in such a PF-style lens?
Specifically, what's the difference between an "S" series lens and a normal lens? Is it just sharpness, or is it a combination of factors?
Why does the Z 105 macro not support teleconverters as its predecessor did? For skittish creators, a little added working distance is very helpful. In addition, is there any chance of a new 200mm macro down the road?
Regarding weather sealing, can you give us any indication of how much these lenses can take? Are they good in just a drizzle? A downpour? Is it more about the time they are exposed to participation rather than the amount of precipitation?
One complaint I always see is how Nikon lens inventory always seems chronically low. Is Nikon taking any steps to increase production?
Are there any plans for future F-mount lenses? In addition, how long will Nikon sell/support the F-mount lenses that are still available?
One of the most frequently asked questions we saw for this interview was regarding new optics. I realize that what you can say is limited, but any hints about something like a 180-400mm F/4 for the Z mount or a 200mm macro?
Keep in mind that I was told to stay on the topic of optics. In addition, I tried not to ask too much about upcoming products since they aren't going to answer anything like that. Here's my final selection - I hope to hear back from them soon!
////
Nikon has been coming out with lens after lens, seemingly aimed toward the wildlife and bird photography community. Is this a new / higher priority now? Also, are you targeting bird and wildlife shooters more than sports shooters with your telephoto lens lineup? To make that even more specific, is there a ranking (maybe even equipment-specific) between sports, general journalism, fashion, weddings, etc.?
Nikon is celebrating its 90th anniversary of producing Nikkor lenses. Within that vast ocean of glass, what, in your opinion, are the three most innovative lenses? In other words, which three lenses do you think made the biggest impact for Nikon and the industry as a whole?
What are the most challenging aspects of designing a new lens?
With the new 180-600mm and 600 PF, we saw an F/6.3 aperture, which was met with some criticism online. Why are so many of the new lenses F/6.3 instead of F/5.6?
I know you can't tell us everything, but are there any new lens technologies on the horizon that will change the way we think about optics, or has lens development reached its peak?
Since every Nikon telephoto shooter wonders the same thing: Why doesn't Nikon include lens feet with integrated Arca-Swiss dovetails?
Is there a technical limitation that prevents a focus motor in an FTZ adapter, and if not, would you consider adding that to a future version to drive older F-mount autofocus lenses?
Is there a reason we don't see PF technology in optics like 600mm F/4 and 400 F/2.8 lenses? Also, is there any limitation to having built-in teleconverters in such a PF-style lens?
Specifically, what's the difference between an "S" series lens and a normal lens? Is it just sharpness, or is it a combination of factors?
Why does the Z 105 macro not support teleconverters as its predecessor did? For skittish creators, a little added working distance is very helpful. In addition, is there any chance of a new 200mm macro down the road?
Regarding weather sealing, can you give us any indication of how much these lenses can take? Are they good in just a drizzle? A downpour? Is it more about the time they are exposed to participation rather than the amount of precipitation?
One complaint I always see is how Nikon lens inventory always seems chronically low. Is Nikon taking any steps to increase production?
Are there any plans for future F-mount lenses? In addition, how long will Nikon sell/support the F-mount lenses that are still available?
One of the most frequently asked questions we saw for this interview was regarding new optics. I realize that what you can say is limited, but any hints about something like a 180-400mm F/4 for the Z mount or a 200mm macro?
Vincent_VdB
Well-known member
You summed it up nicely Steve and now we can only wonder how much Nikon is willing to share
I'm very curious as well. I'll get the article out as soon as they send me the answers.You summed it up nicely Steve and now we can only wonder how much Nikon is willing to share
Great summary, Steve. Most of the questions are really good! I hope Nikon can answer a majority, it will provide much appreciated insight into their path forward.
TurtleCat
Well-known member
Will it be Nikon USA supplying the answers or Nikon Japan? I wonder if there might be different answers as well.
I think Nikon Japan. It's a couple of their engineers.
TurtleCat
Well-known member
Great! That will get some great info. I know it’s too late to ask additional questions but one for the future: how do you work with photographers to design optics that have the qualities photographers look for?
I forgot to ask: will Nikon continue to develop SnapBridge….oops lol
We all certainly appreciate the time you have put in and invested for insight into Nikon’s priorities going forward. The corporate position here may be a one stop survey knowing the “reach” of BCG forums. You were wise not to push for details. The interview details you mentioned above will hopefully have a response from Nikon. Thanks Steve…
Steve, I think you meant, "critters" or "creatures". (Not sure how well "critters" translates to Japanese
). Or did you mean "creators"?
Oops - It's supposed to be creatures, but I'm sure they'll ask if they have an issueSteve, I think you meant, "critters" or "creatures". (Not sure how well "critters" translates to Japanese
Great list but I love the question above. I really wish they'd release a Z mount version of the 200mm f/4 micro lens but at the very least a TC compatible version of the 105mm micro. Sure would love to see a Z mount long focal length macro lens
FWIW, I'm pretty sure the reason the Z mount 105mm micro can't take a TC is the forward protruding element on the Z mount TC and the position of the rear element on the Z mount 105mm micro lens but it would be interesting to hear why that's the design and whether they might consider a lens and TC combo that gets around that problem.
JoelKlein
Well-known member
Thanks you Steve for posting the list.
You did a magnificent job asking the maximum without pushing it too far.
Some answers would probably be fluffy, and some might be really interesting.
Regarding the 6.3 vs. 5.6, didn’t we know the answer? But we all feel that Nikon could still pull some magic and get it to 5.6.
In my opinion, the 400/4.5 is also unimaginable compact without a PF element. No one could predict it, or believe it’s possible, and yet they pulled it off.
You did a magnificent job asking the maximum without pushing it too far.
Some answers would probably be fluffy, and some might be really interesting.
Regarding the 6.3 vs. 5.6, didn’t we know the answer? But we all feel that Nikon could still pull some magic and get it to 5.6.
In my opinion, the 400/4.5 is also unimaginable compact without a PF element. No one could predict it, or believe it’s possible, and yet they pulled it off.
This issue surfaced with Sony most recently after Steve asked for questions, so obviously this question is too late. For all brands, and therefore Nikon, what is their attitude to paid firmware updates? To me there seems to be a new “model frenzy” rather than optimising existing technology. Sure new innovations in technology come fast and furious today but I just wonder what the bottom line could look like for fully developing existing customers’ gear. Secondhand purchases rob new camera sales as people change over to new models, so keeping existing gear upto date as much as possible with paid for firmware updates could have a sweet spot on the bottom line. Maybe not $145 for five gridlines like Sony want. Maybe that was just a toe in the water??
Cameron T
Well-known member
Nikon has updated their cameras a lot, so I'm not sure where the question is really going. You run into hardware updates eventually, and nikon has been doing great about not charging for the interim software updates.
I'd prefer they keep going that way, rather than the sony method.
I'd prefer they keep going that way, rather than the sony method.
John Navitsky
Well-known member
thanks Steve!
Regarding that lens foot situation. Since they seem to be holding solid on not changing to that, a suggestion is Nikon make an Arca-Swiss dovetail mount plate as an accessory. We would buy it, I say.