texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

So I’m trying to be upbeat and positive, however, with Nikon’s continuing problems, I am concerned that my beloved Nikon will go the way of Olympus. I’ve been a Nikon fan ever since Canon went to the EOS system, requiring us to upgrade all of our lenses. Until then, I used many different camera platforms, including SpeedGraphics 4x5. Once I switched, Nikon has always served me well, and I never saw the need to switch to Canon or Sony. However, times are changing, and it remains to be seen whether Nikon gets it’s act together or not. An article explains why they might not survive the current transition (https://petapixel.com/2021/01/20/nikon-is-going-to-be-fine-probably/). While Japan’s industry usually makes reliable decisions, that is not always the case.

I love my Nikon equipment. I’ve owned, and still own, a number of Nikon bodies, but my main bodies are the D610 and D850. But, my biggest investment is in Nikon lenses. My opinion has always been that the lens is the heart of any camera system. Bodies change and improved, but lens are a long term investment. That is, unless the entire system fails, such as the case if Nikon is no longer a competitor in the market.

So, if there are any Nikon executives monitoring this forum, please do not allow my beloved Nikon to go the way of the dinosaurs. Make good financial decisions and get your engineers off their butts and continue to innovate and improve. I know I am just one person and my support of Nikon won’t be a difference in whether Nikon is successful or not, but understand that I once lived in Japan and I understand the Japanese Psyche better than most Gaijin. Please don’t disappoint me and the thousands of Nikon supporters who have faithfully stuck with you for many years. Kimi nara dekiru yo!

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

I with you! I have been a Nikon user since the middle 70's.

Don

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

Ditto. I don't think they are going away, though.

Quixdraw Loc: x

'68, still on board. Way too much great Nikon stuff to consider any other brand. It will outlast me in all probability.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

Your Nikon equipment will still work.

Hamltnblue Loc: Springfield PA

Worrying about something that might happen means you have too much time on your hands.
Worry about other things and enjoy the great cameras you have now. I’ll continue to look forward to the next great z lenses to use on my outstanding Z7ii.

Oh and about the so called low light focus issues, last weekend I was able to autofocus with a 15 stop ND filter mounted on a Z 70-200 at F11 and 800 sec exposure.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

Nikon is not going away. They turned a profit in the last report. The Japanese are still in control.

Curmudgeon Loc: SE Arizona

Nikon user since 1968. If Nikon should go away, there will be so much used equipment on sale at bargain prices.

Vault Loc: Gig Harbor, WA and Yuma, AZ

My first Nikon was a D40. Still takes great shots as long as I take it out of the bag and point it at something and push the button.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

Your decision made in frustration about the EOS system had a number of long-term impacts, some still occurring:

1) Canon took the #1 worldwide position from Nikon, a position they've held ever since the early 1990s after the 1987 EOS system release.

2) Nikon looked the other way when Sony arrived about 15 years ago, where Sony is now #2 worldwide and Nikon has dropped to #3.

3) In camera and lens sales, Canon's market position is bigger than both Sony and Nikon combined.

4) Canon FD lenses have a renewed interest, both for a vintage cinema (video) look and mounted to any mirrorless digital body for still photography where the body provides image stabilization and the camera's EVF lets you focus the lens manually better than any legacy SRL ever could. The camera manages the exposure, the photographer just needs to focus and shoot.

5) Canon redesigned their lens mount moving to their fully electronic approach based on EOS. After first ignoring auto-focus technology, Nikon spent several years with kludged together solutions mixing mechanical and electronic. And now in this mirrorless world, their much vaunted F-mount isn't fully upwardly compatible with their Z-mount, the 'hit' Canon took in 1987 and Nikon and their long-term customers now have to absorb when the chips are down for Nikon.

Interchangeable lens cameras are a luxury good. Everyone has a camera in their phone and phones are expensive. Professional photographers need interchangeable lens cameras. People with disposable incomes can also afford interchangeable lens cameras. The entire market size for interchangeable lens cameras is down 80% in just the 10+ years starting 2010. The history of companies with declining market shares in contracting markets is not a history of success nor even survival.

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

I don't know about that sir. When I went through Groton, the Thresher had been lost for several years, and the Scorpion was still fresh on our minds. We worried a lot about things that might happened, because that was what we were trained to do. Train for the best but prepare for the worst. However, that being said, I am recovering from two major surgeries, so yes, I do have time on my hands. But, I have faith that there enough Nikon users to make a difference, but only if we are on the same page about the continued presence of Nikon.

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

Not much I can argue about in your statement. I've been frustrated for some time with Nikon's lack of innovation. I had hopes that the D850 was changing things, but I'm not so sure. I only want Nikon to excel like Canon and Sony have done. That may take a complete restructuring of Nikon's board.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

The D850 is a great camera. Nikon's mirrorless options are great cameras and great lenses. But, in a market such as 2020 where for every 1 mirrorless camera Nikon sold, both Canon and Sony sold 5 each of theirs, that's going to be a problem. A big problem.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

I have said this before...

There's no money to be made in entry-level cameras.
There are not enough professional photographers to fuel an industry.
The future depends on enthusiasts, like you and me.

So if your concern is real, go find some kids or young people interested in photography, mentor them to want to have meaningful skills and capabilities, and encourage them (and support them) to become Nikon enthusiasts. In other words, help make some customers.

texasdigital Loc: Conroe, Texas

I'm 72. I've done that already, even purchased Nikon entry level kits for nieces and nephews. I spread the gospel when I can, but it is going to take more than that. It's going to take men and women at the top of Nikon, yea and even Canon and Sony, to want to bring Nikon back. Don't get me wrong, Nikon is still a viable system and I'll make good use of my equipment for years to come ... may even buy another lens or two. And Nikon, the company, is not dead yet. There is still life in Nikon, and it is my wish that they return stronger and better.