The demise of analog Nikon?

[Mike Kennedy]

I just spoke to my local camera shop manager who said the Nikon Rep. for our region told him that N plans to do away with all film cameras except the F5. Any truth to this rumor or is it a vicious pack of lies.

Mike

 

[Will S]

Including the F6?

 

[laz]

I just spoke to my local camera shop manager who said the Nikon Rep. for our region told him that N plans to do away with all film cameras except the F5.

Just doesn't make sense to me, but then lots of things don't make sense to me

 

[Ailsa]

I was under the impression that Nikon would be unable to sell the F5 after July 2006, because of a European Union directive on using lead solder in the manufacture of electronic equipment. Obviously this relates only to EU countries, but if what this rep has said is true, then it would seem somewhat daft.

 

[Nige]

..because of a European Union directive on using lead solder in the manufacture of electronic equipment.

wow.. that would effect a lot of things wouldn't it?

 

[André E.C.]

Ridiculous!
So, the F5 stay and what happens to the F6? Maybe discontinued!
Pure nonsense!

Cheers

André

 

[jd callow]

I see alot more people using the F100 then I do the F5. Having just introduced the F6, I think this is a bad rumour.

 

[Dave Parker]

Nikon has come out with new film gear this year, I doubt they will be getting out of the film game for at least a while, especially with the new F6 and the F100 still selling well.

As the egg said, I think this is a bad rumour to get people to buy the digital stuff the stores have in stock.

Dave

 

[FrankB]

I've had a quick look around the Nikonians website. I would have thought that if it were true they be screaming about it (quite loudly!), but nothing leapt off the screen and whacked me between the eyes.

Could be I missed it, but methinks camera shop manager speak with forked tongue!

 

[gr82bart]

I wouldn't believe this. Canadian retailers are notorious for 'getting it wrong'. Especially when it comes to marketing photographic equipment.

Art.

 

[pauluk]

From what I can gather digital is only replacing film in the compact and amateur gadget-oriented markets and some pro markets like paparazzi and stock. That rumour sounds like more of the same digital hype.

 

[ajuk]

F85

Any Vinyl Comparisons here (links to old 80's Articals ETC)?

I heard a rumour the F80 and F100 Are to be discontinued next year and replaced with 1 new camera called the F85.

Why F85? well most people who still do want a film SLR are getting second hand, so making somthing new availible that would rare to find second hand would make sence, some Darkroom enthusiasts will still want the lastest technology in there fim cameras ETC.

 

[PhotoJim]

Since used equipment is a fantastic bargain, I don't think it really matters. I guess if I had my equpment stolen, I'd like there to be new F100s and such to replace my high-end cameras, but the reality is that used cameras are where it is at if you want to shoot film. People are nearly giving the stuff away.

 

[laz]

but the reality is that used cameras are where it is at if you want to shoot film. People are nearly giving the stuff away.

I'm sure I've said this before but seeing stuff I only dreamed of owning 20 years ago going on ebay for peanuts is like being a kid in a candy shop (wait did I say 20 years ago, more like 30!)

I can remember like it was yesterday the day the 28mm/2.8 Nikkor I saved my pennies for arrived. It cost me $201 from a mail order place in Skokie Ill.
This was a kings ransom for a guy in the military making $368 a month!

Even though I rarely shoot 35mm it is very dangerous for me to look at Nikon auctions!
-Bob

 

[benjiboy]

Since the Nikon F6 will be their last ever film camera, and has just come out, are you sure he isn't just trying to sell you an F5 ?

 

[Dave Parker]

Since the Nikon F6 will be their last ever film camera, and has just come out, are you sure he isn't just trying to sell you an F5 ?

Bently?

Where did you hear the F6 will be the last film camera? I was just talking to the Nikon Rep last weeks at the local Pro shop, and he was telling us they are still doing RD on a couple of new models of film cameras(SLR) and other P&S film cameras?

So just curious.

Dave

 

[benjiboy]

Last Pro SLR

Bently?

Where did you hear the F6 will be the last film camera? I was just talking to the Nikon Rep last weeks at the local Pro shop, and he was telling us they are still doing RD on a couple of new models of film cameras(SLR) and other P&S film cameras?

So just curious.

Dave

In A review of the F6 in the August issue of Professional Photographer ( I have just reread the article Dave it actualy says probably Nikons last Pro SLR) "It could become something of a landmark there is every chance it will go down as the last ever pro spec 35mm SLR to appear- a sobering thought for film lovers. It is hard to see an F7 because the whole area of professional Photography has changed so radically recently ". I have also read in other mags, British Journal Of Photography, Amateur Photographer things that would very strongly give that impression.

 

[gnashings]

I think this is just another case of nearsighted self serving behaviour from a retailer. I get this all the time - even with things the stores have in stock, they look at me as an unwanted pest because I cling to film. I hear a horror story every time I walk in, and its usually delivered with a smirk.
Just two days ago, my local Henry's store clerk informed me that they havve very little film becuae manufacturers are "not shipping it" - and made that face like she was about to call security...
Screw her - I told her that I like to support my local stores before they all go away, but with their attitude, I dont see the point.
This Nikon story seems like more of the same, that smirking little attitude that says: "So, what are you going to do now, huh?".

 

[laz]

....A review of the F6 in the August issue of Professional Photographer "It could become something of a landmark there is every chance it will go down as the last ever pro spec 35mm SLR to appear- a sobering thought for film lovers. It is hard to see an F7 because the whole area of professional Photography has changed so radically recently ". I have also read in other mags, British Journal Of Photography, Amateur Photographer things that would very strongly give that impression.

This journalist is trying to make his review more than just that. The writer's speculation is as good as yours or mine. It is the easiest thing in the world of photography today to "predict" the end of film forever.

 

[benjiboy]

I rang Nikon UK customer services this afternoon this to try and clarify the situation and asked them what their plans are regarding them continuing making film cameras, and I couldn't get a straight answer, all the guy would say was they had had no information from Japan. I sincerely hope this isn't the case Laz, I don't have an axe to grind, I have been shooting film for more than fifty years, and don't own any digital gear not even a scanner. I agree as you point out there is a large element of speculation in that particular quote, but I have seen it reported as fact in some of the recent photographic magazines.

 

[Dave Parker]

I rang Nikon UK customer services this afternoon this to try and clarify the situation and asked them what their plans are regarding them continuing making film cameras, and I couldn't get a straight answer, all the guy would say was they had had no information from Japan. I sincerely hope this isn't the case Laz, I don't have an axe to grind, I have been shooting film for more than fifty years, and don't own any digital gear not even a scanner. I agree as you point out there is a large element of speculation in that particular quote, but I have seen it reported as fact in some of the recent photographic magazines.

Bently,

I don't ever take anything published in the press as fact, they can publish it as fact, but I can almost guarantee you 100% that it is not fact, but pure speculation, as is the way of the world with most published words in the world now a days..

Dave

 

[laz]

Bentley,
Don't take what I said the wrong way. All I'm saying is that we just don't know the answer and neither do the journalists or even the sales reps!

Unless we're sitting in the corporate board room while these sorts of decisions are being made we just won't know.

The only thing you can be certain about is that nothing is certain!

-bob

 

[detune]

Not Nikon but... I just bought a 2nd hand EOS3, the reason why I had to go 2nd hand (aside from getting a great deal!) was that when question, Canon NZ said they had no EOS3's in stock and didn't plan on getting any.... then another store clerk said the EOS3 has been discontinued ...

 

[firecracker]

Nikon products in Japan

It seems that there's less and less of a chance for any camera stores to sell any high-end film equipment. For cameras, I've seen a bunch of Nikon F5s, F4s, and even F/N90s being sold at real low prices, I mean, low. And they don't come with any good warranties any more.

It just reminds me of the time in the late 80's and the early 90's when used Japanese cars(not that old and still in good condition) were starting to get shipped out to the regional countries like former Soviet Union/Russia and being sold real cheap like 500 U.S. dollars per car. It was quite a shocking story within the Japanese society because they were alway switching to brand new cars but didn't know where their old Totoyas and hondas ended up. And they never thought their old cars being sold at that price range. Even refrigerators and VCRs would cost more to buy.

Anyway, I posted a thread about EL Nikkor 63mm that's being discontinued in Japan, which is also definitely a sign of Nikon getting out of the film business.

 

[Dave Parker]

Anyway, I posted a thread about EL Nikkor 63mm that's being discontinued in Japan, which is also definitely a sign of Nikon getting out of the film business.

Discontinued and getting out of the business is two entirely different things, camera companies discontinue things all the time, even good things, does not mean their getting out of the film business and anyone posting this type of information is doing so on pure speculation..

Dave