Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

I've been noticing there are fewer and fewer Nikon cameras for sale or on display in my area. Even in our own shop the majority items in display are Canon's & Sony.

I'm wondering if this is the end game for them. I hope not.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

(Nov 9, 2020) Nikon to Cut 20% of its International Workforce, Transfer Production to Thailand

https://petapixel.com/2020/11/09/news-nikon-to-cut-20-of-its-international-workforce-transfer-production-to-thailand/

Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

A bit of a C-22 there. They need sales but their products are not on the shelves.

jeryh Loc: Oxfordshire UK

I don't think their Z range has caught on, but this is in the UK- we're funny like that !

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

All camera companies are having a hit. Sony, in spite of the times is doing very well.
In the last few years there has been a drop in camera sales and the problem has become more pronounced with the pandemic. How a company like Pentax is still surviving is beyond me.

Eric Bornstein Loc: Toronto Canada

Spread the word - the z cameras and lenses are really good. If you are a Nikon user, the transition id easy; the menu system is straight forward, unlike those of Sony and Olympus,

Bill_de Loc: US

What is your area?

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Wallen Loc: Middle Earth

U.A.E. Dubai

Don W-37 Loc: Bangkok, Thailand

The mobile phone cameras are getting better and better. Now everybody is a "photographer," and few people make prints any more. They just post them on Facebook. Many young people don't want to bother carrying a camera - "Hey, man, I got my phone, so why do I need a camera?"

Photography used to be special, but now, not so much. I think it is a shame because the number of photos taken has increased geometrically, while the quality has plummeted...unless you like selfies! All camera manufacturers, with the possible exception of Sony, are suffering, and I think their sales will continue to shrink. With little interest in the young folks, I think it may get pretty grim.

As a side note, the quality of Nikon cameras made here in Thailand is excellent to the best of my knowledge. I've got a D7100, D750 and a D850, all made here. Haven't had any problems with any of them.

Life goes on. Times always change - so we just have to learn to live with it. If people want to go to a restaurant with a friend or friends, order food, eat in utter silence while staring their phone, who am I to object? I just wonder why they bother to come with other people? :-) Rant over!
Cheers,
Don

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I can't remember the last time I bought electronics in a store. has there been a reduction of Nikon cameras available online? Our local Best Buy has closed - another victim of Covid.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

Hobbies and interests come and go. What is important in society changes.. sometimes for good, and sometimes not. I dont want to sound like sn alarmist, but we are living in a time when very few people pursue any kind of deep interest unless it is something that will make them some money.

I feel very fortunate to have a few young friends who are exceptions. They have interests that they share with me, and they are interested in mine. But those relationships require a lot of effort and work. And just try to find a young model railroader or amateur radio hobbyist.

As far as "Why Nikon?" I believe it is because they, who have historically been a leading technology provider with capability second to none, decided to try to become a marketing machine. Think about that...nerds selling to the masses. I worked for a company that tried that. Massive flameout. I've never seen it work successfully.

I love Nikon's products. But think about their recent marketing. The D500 is a perfect example. One of the great all-around cameras. But no one knows about it as that. The company's materials (whether Nikon or Nikon USA) have painted it into a very small niche from which it has never recovered.

Companies try things. Some work, some don't. Photographic companies have made some big blunders, and now they have retreated inward at a time when they desperately need to be reaching out. I guarantee that's what Apple is doing to sell their cameras. And it is working. All camera companies, including Nikon, need to get a clue. Their market is not dead. They are just surrendering it away.

If they won't do it, each of us needs to do it, if we really care beyond just something to whine about. Make a young friend. Build some interest.

Winslowe

The most popular cameras are in short supply. The least popular are readily available. Nothing new there.

BurghByrd Loc: Pittsburgh

I hope not! Nikon has always been about supporting their customers with high quality products. I appreciate that they work hard to retain backward compatiblity as new technology is integrated into the product line which not all of their competators do. I hope they are able to adapt to the changes in the photography market particularly given the headwinds caused by this COVID19 pandemic.

User ID

C-22 evolved into C-41. Nikon could likewise evolve.

juan_uy Loc: Uruguay

I watched the first part of this video from Matt Irwin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XskiGtjww3A

He makes interesting points:
- Consumer camera market has shrunk a lot, but professional camera market not so much
- Nikon probably is shifting to focus on the professional segment
- Nikon at least forecasts a positive future