Where are the Sample Images?
Rob reports that they’re already making the cameras (D3, D300).
Nikon’s Sendai factory opened in 1971 and employs over 1100 full-time and temporary workers. In addition to the D3, Sendai has produced the D2Xs, D2X, D2Hs, D2H, D100, D1X, D1H and D1. Except at the busiest times, Sendai runs a single eight-hour shift per day; Thailand, which handles the production of the D40, D40X, D80, D200 and now the D300 (plus certain lower-priced lenses), operates round the clock in three eight-hour shifts and employs about 15,000 people.
That’s certainly no surprise, if they’re launching in November, I’m surprised that they didn’t start in March or earlier, but this means that the tweaking is presumably over.
If you produce the cameras and then tweak them after they’ve been boxed, etc, then you have a lot of hassle. So unless it’s a critical ’stop-ship’ bug, you’re not going to want to do it.
So if the tweaking is over, then WHY THE FCK do we have no OFFICIAL FCK’ING IMAGE SAMPLES?
This just smacks of something to hide!
In my business (software), you never let a person say to you, “It just needs a little more work, then I’ll show it to you” more than once because invariably what they’re really saying is, “I’ve got nothing to show, and I’m hoping that with a little more time, I’ll have something to buy more time with.”
I’m also completely unwilling to buy the marketing angle that others have suggested- show the camera, create buzz, then wait on the images so that you can recreate more buzz right before it actually goes on sale.
What does Nikon have to hide? Why must it always be so cryptic? Why must we always sit and beg for the slightest bit of information from them? Why can’t Nikon ever just be upfront and open?
August 28th, 2007 at 12:49
I doubt it is anything to worry about….. software/firmware updates are usually installed later in the manufacturing process…. hardware takes more time to put together!
August 28th, 2007 at 15:38
Makes you wonder, if the cameras were being used in that sporting event in Japan, what do they plan to do with the photos if not publish them?
Oh, and I had a look at Rob’s article right before you posted this (so now I don’t have to tell you!) but the link to the Sendai factory is so out of date – they talk about manufacturing the F4, F5, D1 and D100!
And nice new banner too, noticed it yesterday, though you should really split the sentence into two lines so it doesn’t go off the edge of the banner (sorry, being picky now!)
August 28th, 2007 at 19:53
Software- if they’re making 400 a day, then they won’t have time flash them all with the latest firmware- they need to be in boxes, etc, and ready to ship on pallets in a week or two (I’m guessing) if they want them to arrive in time for November/Christmas.
I’ll allow one other likely scenario- cameras being made now get a shippable firmware and when they’ve gotten it the way they want, they’ll ship -that- firmware and release images.
August 29th, 2007 at 11:16
No sample images yet BUT – short video here of an interview with the Italian Head of Nikon Professional Service (members of the NPS get special treatment, including tours of Nikon’s Manufacturing plant). Nothing new again except that it appears the journalist will be lent a camera on the 20th September to try and he will be posting results – wahey! That is, if my understanding of Italian is up to scratch (which it isn’t). Will get a second opinion on my understanding tomorrow.
Damn, I really need to learn another language properly!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=29tY2Zdrx9o&mode=related&search=
mcv
September 4th, 2007 at 05:32
[...] to this comment, a journalist will be able to get his (her) hands on a D300, shoot some sample photos, and post [...]