Major Move for Nikon - Not Good: We had a big discussion a few weeks ago about Nikon's update that prevented third party batteries from working in certain bodies. Well, they've taken...

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

We had a big discussion a few weeks ago about Nikon's update that prevented third party batteries from working in certain bodies. Well, they've taken it one step farther with the D5300. Now they want you to use their lenses, and only their lenses.

http://www.diyphotography.net/nikon-changes-lens-mount-rocks-dslr-and-mirrorless-ecosystem-boat

TimS Loc: GA

I just have one word to say about that...Canon.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

TimS wrote:

I just have one word to say about that...Canon.

The folks at Canon must be jumping up and down about that news. I'd like to see a Magic Lantern version for Nikon. What will be devastating is if this can be done retroactively through a firmware update.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Gee, Apple would never do anything like that and hope to survive!

Crwiwy Loc: Devon UK

DaveO wrote:

Gee, Apple would never do anything like that and hope to survive!

Apple are better built than the PC but much more expensive so although very good - fewer people purchase them.

Is Nikon hoping to go the same way? No chance as they are no better built than any of the opposition.

There used to be an old expression 'shooting oneself in the foot' - Nikon is obviously bring it back!

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

We had a big discussion a few weeks ago about Nikon's update that prevented third party batteries from working in certain bodies. Well, they've taken it one step farther with the D5300. Now they want you to use their lenses, and only their lenses.

http://www.diyphotography.net/nikon-changes-lens-mount-rocks-dslr-and-mirrorless-ecosystem-boat

I'd like to be the fly on the wall when that marketing decision was made. I'm sure there was a list of pro's and con's....

buffmaloney Loc: Indiana

If possible, Nikon should find a way to maintain quality and lower cost. Many people go 3rd party due to cheaper price. I want Nikon stuff, but have to get used or 3rd party.

bersharbp Loc: Texas

Crwiwy wrote:

Apple are better built than the PC but much more expensive so although very good - fewer people purchase them.

Is Nikon hoping to go the same way? No chance as they are no better built than any of the opposition.

There used to be an old expression 'shooting oneself in the foot' - Nikon is obviously bring it back!

I think Nikon (and us) are likely to find it painful

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

Jerry, Next you are going to tell me that Nikon will not sell the cameras and lenses but will only rent them. They will then charge per image.... Oh yes, next you will have to send the batteries in for recharge.... ya.. they will have a special memory card with a propriety chip in it...images only viewable once converted by a Nikon rep.

Well, it is a Adobe business plan clone and surly will work. Perhaps they hired experts from Canon who are really covert double agents. Yahoo is an example of this.. I and other Yahoo people loved it the old way and Gmail was only a secondary EMail address. Yahoo then hired the GMail guy to head up the organization and WaLa... puke... yahoo is now a GMail look alike that does not work...

What is the old saying if it ain't broke hire someone to brake it!!!

TimS Loc: GA

DaveO wrote:

Gee, Apple would never do anything like that and hope to survive!

I'm confused. Do you mean that all the non-Apple external components like routers, switches, firewalls, USB hubs, monitor calibration, printers, etc that are available for PCs aren't available for macs?

Or perhaps you mean that the only software you can install on a Mac is Apple software?

Or do you mean that Apple is an example if a company with tight control of its internal hardware and is still a tech giant?

Screamin Scott Loc: Marshfield Wi, Baltimore Md, now Dallas Ga

Canon changed their lens mount from FD to EOS back when they moved to AF cameras thus rendering as useless all of their older manual focus lenses. Lots of people jumped ship to Nikon when that happened. As for Sony, their hot shoes are proprietary & you need a special shoe to mount on their camera. Stuff like this is pretty common in the business world as manufacturers try to lock buyers into their proprietary systems. Trust me, 3rd party makers will find work arounds or do a bit of reverse engineering...

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

jerryc41 wrote:

We had a big discussion a few weeks ago about Nikon's update that prevented third party batteries from working in certain bodies. Well, they've taken it one step farther with the D5300. Now they want you to use their lenses, and only their lenses.

http://www.diyphotography.net/nikon-changes-lens-mount-rocks-dslr-and-mirrorless-ecosystem-boat

I'd like to be the fly on the wall when that marketing decision was made. I'm sure there was a list of pro's and con's....

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

dpullum wrote:

What is the old saying if it ain't broke hire someone to brake it!!!

This move might put the brakes on Nikon sales. :D

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Crwiwy wrote:

Apple are better built than the PC but much more expensive so although very good - fewer people purchase them.

Is Nikon hoping to go the same way? No chance as they are no better built than any of the opposition.

There used to be an old expression 'shooting oneself in the foot' - Nikon is obviously bring it back!

The point I was trying to make is that Apple's proprietary software, accessories, apps, etc., hasn't hurt them too much! Apparently the increased prices of their products have offset the loss of sales. The quality argument may or may not have anything to do with their perceived arrogance. I even had to buy special Bose headphones with a volume control that only works on Apple. I guess I'm suggesting that Nikon can most likely get away with it too. Their brand recognition and the number of people that have no issue springing for Nikon lenses will go a long ways. I guess we'll see!!

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

DaveO wrote:

I guess I'm suggesting that Nikon can most likely get away with it too. Their brand recognition and the number of people that have no issue springing for Nikon lenses will go a long ways. I guess we'll see!!

If the general public learns that you cannot use anything but Nikon lenses on their cameras, I would think sales would decline sharply. With no choice but Nikon lenses, what incentive would there be for Nikon to keep the prices of their lenses down?