via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Actually, I'm with you on this and I have no idea why some people think this is the single most important thing. In eight years I have not had a problem, I may in the future since these things do happen, but even then, it could happen and the second card might not work either if I was using two. I only use one XQD card, always copy everything when I return to my motel, and then just keep on shooting. And, good point about only one film roll at a time!

wingclui44 Loc: CT USA

I am one of the Nikon user over 40 years like you, I won't switch to mirror-less, unless Nikon makes some mirror-less battery with longer life like my Df. I am waiting for their Df2.

Wingpilot Loc: Wasilla. Ak

I just watched Steve Perry's video review of the new Z series Nikons, regarding wildlife and action photography, and based on that, I'd have to revise my earlier opinion. I'd have to say that the Z6 and Z7 may be pretty good all around cameras, so long as one doesn't use either of them for action/wildlife shooting. He recommends a DSLR for that kind of photography. So, would I get one of the new Z's? Maybe, as I don't do action photography, and any wildlife photography for me is a chance encounter thing. I do mostly landscape/scenics and macro/close up photography, so either might work, but for my part, I can't justify the cost. Let's see what Nikon comes up with after the fact, with firmware updates, etc.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

I don't know what you mean by this. The entire existing Nikon manufacture, distribution, marketing, sales, repair and customer support network that Nikon already maintains will handle these cameras in the same manner as they do their DSLRs, no doubt. Cameras costing $2000 and $3600 respectively - considerably more by the time you acquire lenses and/or adapters, as well as other accessories such as the planned vertical/battery grip, XQD memory cards, etc. - are clearly intended for professionals, too. Amateurs can buy a DSLR with two lenses for $500 or less.



Nikon "wet their feet" with mirrorless years ago. The had a major "fail" with the Nikon 1 system, introduced in 2011. Their mistake was designing a camera around a CX (1") sensor, smaller than anyone else was using. I suspect they were thinking mirrorless were going to be point-n-shoot cameras with interchangeable lenses... one step on the customer's path to eventually owning a DSLR.... rather than an alternative to DSLRs that needs to appeal to advanced amateurs and pros as well. Canon made the same mistake.... Fuji, Oly & Panasonic, and especially Sony all approached mirrorless more "seriously".



Yes, this is quite true. It's just that Canon "bit the same bullet" and made the difficult transition 30 years ago!



The digital camera is essentially a computer. And we all know that any computer is obsolete and "old technology" by the time it reaches store shelves. Same with cameras..... especially a new type such as mirrorless which are evolving rapidly. We actually saw similarly fast evolution of DSLRs in the late 1990s to approx. 2010.... The pace of DSLR innovation and obsolescence has slowed in recent years, coinciding with the rapid growth in popularity of MILC.



I agree. As neat as mirrorless might be, for some things DSLRs are still a better choice. I'd happily use a full frame mirrorless for landscapes, portraiture, macro work. But for sports, wildlife and other types of action photographer there are a number of reasons a DSLR is preferable. A crop sensor (APS-C or micro 4/3) MILC would also be great for travel.... Full frame MILC, not so much (little difference in size and weight, compared to FF DLSRs).

I would expect to see some of the innovations being implemented in MILC cross over into DSLRs.... and vice versa. In fact, we've already seen some of that. For example, Canon's M-series MILC got significant revision and upgrade thanks to Dual Pixel Auto Focus (DPAF). Introduced in their M5 and now being used in all models, for many potential buyers DPAF is a game changer compared to the contrast detection method of focusing that Canon used on their earlier MILC. But DPAF was actually first introduced in 2013, as the method of focus during Live View in their 70D DSLR. It wasn't incorporated into one of their mirrorless cameras until over a year later.

However, in their APS-C MILC Canon is still using firmware and menus adapted from their point-n-shoot cameras (even though those MILC use essentially the same sensor and processors as their APS-C DSLRs). I expect they will do differently with the full frame MILC they're promising soon (to compete with Sony and Nikon). Some are expecting an announcement from Canon within the next month or so (but they are being much more secretive about it than Nikon was with their Zs).

The AF systems of the Nikon Z are impressive, how they cover the entire image area (the number of AF points might be a bit over the top!). That's something many DSLR users have been wanting for a long time. I'm sure that's much more easily implemented when the AF system is embedded in the image sensor, than it is with a separate array of sensors like DSLRs use.

All the talk about the Nikon Z is based on limited info.... little to no actual hands on experience. So a lot remains to be seen. Once the cameras are out in real world use we will no doubt hear both positive and negative commentary about them. Some things will lead to corrections with the existing models or further innovation in future models. Other things we may just have to accept and learn to live with.... Or keep using our DSLRs instead, if they serve our particular needs better.

A positive side-effect of the Nikon Z launch should be that the backlog of orders for D850 might be resolved pretty quickly! There also should be an interesting increase in availability of used DSLRs, as some people swap them to try out the new camera. I don't expect to see a stampede, though. Most pros will stick with what they know and use now, aren't "early adopters" of new technology. They'll wait for a while, let others do the "beta testing" and work out any bugs, and watch to see if the new cameras prove themselves.

Billynikon Loc: Atlanta

The issue is that Nikon needed to hit it out of the park and blow Sony away. They didn't. They didn't with the DF and they didn't with the Z's. They have had 3 or 4 years to see what is going on in the industry, what the criticism from the pro's has been and they did not listen.

AlfredU Loc: Mooresville, NC

In case you don't know, Frank, that's sarcasm.

Glenn Harve

I just hope the images retain the "dimensionality" that i like about Nikon. Its hard to explain why but images from other cameras often look very 2-dimensional, or rather "dimensionally flat" to me. Sony seems to come closer to that quality though. In the end, its about the images.

wdross Loc: Castle Rock, Colorado

My only question is if the new mirrorless mount is going to used by all full frame manufactures? That way all manufacture's lenses can be used on on all cameras like the 4/3rds for all basic functions. That might make me look at full frame again.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Only once DPAF reaches a prosumer product.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Once DXO Mark cashes the check from Nikon the Z cameras will be rated at 110 and 120 so that Nikon will be able to sell them.

Bob Locher Loc: Southwest Oregon

"Anybody think Nikon is still working on ANY new F mount lenses? Unless Nikon has a LOT more R&D cash than I think they do, I suspect their DSLR users have seen all the different lenses there are ever going to be, and that all future Nikon lenses are going to be Z mount."

Z-mount lenses can not be adapted to DSLR's. Not enough space to the back plane.

User ID

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" Are new Nikon Z cameras a
move into the future for them? "

Not at all.

Simply joining the present day !


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PH CIB

As far as only one roll of film in the old days with medium format and multiple backs you could change film types in no time,,,not for me though as I shot the old Pentax 6x7 medium format described as a 35mm Camera on steroids,,,as far as getting along with one card I have never had a card fail but I sure like having two card slots for sequential or backup,,,the new Z mount is interesting and even though I think the new cameras do not stack up well against the Sony A7III and A7RIII...who knows what kind of outstanding mirror less cameras and lenses Nikon will produce in the future maybe as great a hits as their DSLR D500 and D850....I shoot Fuji and I am more worried about Canon and Nikon getting into the mirror less market for Fuji than anyone else,,,Olympus and Panasonic I think will always have a bright future because they are the only mirror less that is smaller and lighter especially the lenses,,,but with Sony and Nikon and in the future Canon producing mirror less full frame and full frame that also shoots crop sensor and crop sensor cameras,,,I worry about Fuji and their future as anyone would who has a substantial amount of money invested in them....

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

Glenn Harve

Ha, i wonder how many checks they cash, from all manufacturers. Image is everything.