Nikon about to enter "Micro-DX" format?

jsherman999 · 10-19-2009, 07:18 AM

Hmmm... Not sure how I feel about this. (So, someone tell me how I should feel about it

)

Nikon's new MX lenses? [Page 1]: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

*k100d* · 10-19-2009, 07:37 AM

mirrorless is the future
the small DSLR market will eventually fold into the EVIL concept

B Grace · 10-19-2009, 07:55 AM

That's a 180 degree shift from what I've read in the past about the MX format but then all of this is simple rumor. The idea of a sharp little rangefinder-like camera, about the size of my Olympus Stylus Epic but with live view, with a trio of lenses sounds kind of fun. If they can get the resolution from the lenses required to print up to 8x10 it would be amazing.

jsherman999 · 10-19-2009, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by B Grace

That's a 180 degree shift from what I've read in the past about the MX format but then all of this is simple rumor. The idea of a sharp little rangefinder-like camera, about the size of my Olympus Stylus Epic but with live view, with a trio of lenses sounds kind of fun. If they can get the resolution from the lenses required to print up to 8x10 it would be amazing.

.

In my book, none of it matters if everything over ISO 800 looks like crap.

Sometimes these small lenses have a lot of barrel distortion, also. But it does seem interesting.

*k100d* · 10-19-2009, 09:06 AM

barrel distortion and nasty CA is to be expected
the key is to designing the lens uniform enough so that these things are easily corrected in software

*awo425* · 10-19-2009, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by jsherman999

Hmmm... Not sure how I feel about this. (So, someone tell me how I should feel about it )

Nikon's new MX lenses? [Page 1]: Nikon SLR Lens Talk Forum: Digital Photography Review

I know I will pass on mirrorless DSLR system. If I need something small, G11 will be enough for me, IQ and price are more than adequate .

*nostatic* · 10-19-2009, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by awo425

I know I will pass on mirrorless DSLR system. If I need something small, G11 will be enough for me, IQ and price are more than adequate .

Have you shot it back to back with a u4/3 camera? The G11 is actually not particularly small, and in my experience no matter how good the small sensor camera, u4/3 will crush it at higher iso.

That said, the G11 gets bonus UI points for having an iso dial.

**Damn Brit** · 10-19-2009, 04:13 PM

Perhaps Pentax should look at producing something with the old 110 mount. There was a decent range of lenses in that format, they would probably just need reworking instead of redesigning.

*awo425* · 10-21-2009, 08:25 AM

I've seen samples from G11 at ISO1600 & ISO3200. I am yet to see anything from u4/3 that come even close to this.
And the main point for me, putting tele zoom, even something compact like my SMC F 70-210 on a small body like 4/3 without pronounced grip, zumming it and holding still in front of my face is ergonomically a nightmare. I consider micro 4/3 idea a cute toy for geeks, not a tool.

Originally Posted by nostatic

Have you shot it back to back with a u4/3 camera? The G11 is actually not particularly small, and in my experience no matter how good the small sensor camera, u4/3 will crush it at higher iso.

That said, the G11 gets bonus UI points for having an iso dial.

*nostatic* · 10-21-2009, 10:01 AM

Originally Posted by awo425

I've seen samples from G11 at ISO1600 & ISO3200. I am yet to see anything from u4/3 that come even close to this.
And the main point for me, putting tele zoom, even something compact like my SMC F 70-210 on a small body like 4/3 without pronounced grip, zumming it and holding still in front of my face is ergonomically a nightmare. I consider micro 4/3 idea a cute toy for geeks, not a tool.

Well, interesting opinion but I know some very good photographers who like shooting u4/3. I personally can't quite warm to the format but I see the appeal.

So you're saying that you've seen shots online from a G11 at iso 1600 that are better than equivalent shots from EP1 or G1/GH1/GF1? Have you worked with the raw files?

*awo425* · 10-22-2009, 12:10 PM

Yes, there are plenty samples around from different sources.
The ideal experiment would be to buy micro 4/3 system and try it, but I see it as a pointless experiment.

Originally Posted by nostatic

Well, interesting opinion but I know some very good photographers who like shooting u4/3. I personally can't quite warm to the format but I see the appeal.

So you're saying that you've seen shots online from a G11 at iso 1600 that are better than equivalent shots from EP1 or G1/GH1/GF1? Have you worked with the raw files?

*nostatic* · 10-22-2009, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by awo425

Yes, there are plenty samples around from different sources.
The ideal experiment would be to buy micro 4/3 system and try it, but I see it as a pointless experiment.

Are the samples raw files or jpgs? imho jpg files mean very little.

I've actually shot EP1, G1 and GF1. Of all three I like the output from the EP1 the best, but none are in my bag at the moment. Right now u4/3 occupies an interesting niche and it really depends on what your needs are. I'm holding out for a compact APS-C because I haven't been happy with the Panny u4/3 files.

I'm close to picking up an S90 though as I'd like to have something *really* compact that still shoots raw. I haven't handled a G11 yet but it seems significantly bigger.

**roentarre** · 10-22-2009, 10:19 PM

I love micro four thirds as long as range finder lenses could be used on these cameras. However, panasonic or olympus sensors really sucked.

Good to see these lenses working on nikon cmos

johnmflores · 10-22-2009, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by nostatic

I'm close to picking up an S90 though as I'd like to have something *really* compact that still shoots raw. I haven't handled a G11 yet but it seems significantly bigger.

Have you considered the Ricoh GRD III? I had a GX100 and while I was happy with the IQ, it was the controls and user interface that blew me away. Like a dSLR with 2 control "wheels" but also neat features like stepped zoom, snap/hyperfocal focus, customizable buttons and settings, etc...

*nostatic* · 10-22-2009, 11:39 PM

Originally Posted by johnmflores

Have you considered the Ricoh GRD III? I had a GX100 and while I was happy with the IQ, it was the controls and user interface that blew me away. Like a dSLR with 2 control "wheels" but also neat features like stepped zoom, snap/hyperfocal focus, customizable buttons and settings, etc...

I have shot a GRD2. I love Ricoh but I don't really see the world at 28mm. I'm interested to see if the GX300 comes out, and there also are rumors of Ricoh making an APS-C sensor small cam. It is hard to beat my DLux4 for small sensor at the moment...there really isn't a compelling competitor that gives significant advantages. The X1 still has my greatest interest, in part because it is rumored to have little/no AA filter. And while 35mm isn't an "ideal" FOV for me, if the glass is up to real Leica quality and the sensor is good, the almost perfect UI makes a package that is hard to beat...as long as one can swallow the $2K price tag.