Nikon Digital Rangefinder? MX Format? Medium-Format-ish?!
A little birdie passes along this really curious and especially informative rumor about Nikon having plans for what sounds like that old “modular” camera, but it also is a medium-format chip!
Dear Matt
FYI:
On speaking with Nikon [in country unnamed], this came to light with various questions – they already had development plans for a new Nikon digital rangefinder with approx 48mmx48mm size sensor inside it, tentatively called the “MX” format, the camera is not to dissimilar to the older film Mamiya 6 camera philosophy.The new camera will be backward compatible with DX and FX lenses (via mount adaptor), therefore the lens factor (based on using a FX lens) will be worked out like this:
DX = 1.5x (Half frame)
FX = 1.0x (Full frame)
MX = 0.5xCustom format choice:
When shooting in FX mode with this camera, you will be able to “rotate” the sensor crop from landscape to portrait rather than turn the camera as well as be able to shoot the full square resolution this camera provides. options for 5:4 etc will also be available.Viewfinder/Live View:
For more critical cropping (like for still-life and macro work) you will be able to use the live view function for exact framing rather than the rangefinder component.Sensor:
about 48 megapixels, similar to the Nikon D3 design.Lenses:
New range of lenses required for the full MX format, zoom option available covering different ranges on different formats, lenses relatively compact for format size.Summary
A relatively compact traditional “medium format-esque” camera in a new camera line that will be aimed at studio, portrait, landscape and wedding photographers needs, with a more affordable price point than present larger format digital backs. This will allow the continuation of the D line as the sports and news photographers choice, expanding on the D3 with an upgrade to a 24mp sensor (hopefully available for the D3 body!) and future plans for 60 frame rate video recording modes in future models.Please keep my name, email and location anonymous.
Wow- I really hope this birdie’s right, I’ve love to see something like this- I’ve been missing using my Hasselblad and its square format, which I loved. Can you image the images you’d get from a medium-format sized sensor using pixels the size of the D3. Now add in pixel-binning and you could see ISO’s in the stratosphere!
Tags: Digital Rangefinder, Medium Format, mx
September 5th, 2008 at 02:54
[...] que suger?a la existencia o el desarrollo por Nikon de una c?mara de formato MX. Por ?ltimo, en Nikon Watch otro lector aport? la posible existencia de una c?mara que inaugurar?a una l?nea nueva en Nikon, [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 05:51
[...] “uccellino“, ha cantato su NikonWatch.com ed ecco una sintesi di ciò che ha rivelato [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 07:00
[...] NikonWatch: MX – “mittelmässiges”-Format? NikonRumors Photographybay ANZEIGE [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 11:47
[...] more about this at Nikon Watch. September 5th, [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 12:39
[...] En Nikon Watch también recogen el rumor, pero con una interpretación algo diferente. Hablan de un sensor de 48 x [...]
September 5th, 2008 at 14:16
There are several things here that doesn’t ring true. Why would Nikon have been developing a 48×48 digital RANGEFINDER as opposed to a DSLR?
DX users always complained about the crop factor: “I want my 50mm to be a 50mm!” Would MX users not complain about the 0.5 crop factor?
“Sensor: about 48MP, similar to the Nikon D3 design”
????? WHAT???? If they had said similar to the proposed D3x design or similar to the D4 design, fine.
While MF cameras are probably high-margin, it’s a very small market. I might be wrong, but I cannot see Nikon wanting to bother with such a market UNLESS this is a modular camera that could take a MF sensor as well as DX or FX sensors.
But even if that’s the case, Nikon has had problems getting out new lenses and keeping the market supplied. Do they really want the distraction of also having to produce lenses that can’t be used on FX and DX bodies? Personally, I don’t think so (unless a third party is building the camera and lenses.)
September 5th, 2008 at 16:37
@ zoetmb:
I consider this rumor not unlikely, and I hope it is true because I’ll buy one! Two points for your consideration:
1) Nikon used to make the lenses for Bronica’s older medium format SLR cameras, as well as the legendary lenses for the Plaubel Makina rangefinder. They also have made optics for enlarging, graphic arts, large-format, and industrial applications; they should be able to retool.
2) The chip will have the same pixel architecture as the D3, just larger. I agree that the architecture of the potential D3x would be even more appealing to the target audience, but one thing at a time, right?
September 6th, 2008 at 11:13
The “crop factor” is wrong. It was roughly 0.5 for my old Bronica GS-1 6×7 medium format camera. The crop factor for a 48mm square chip would be 35 divided by 48, so 0.73.
The comment that MX users would complain about the crop factor… well the reason for DX users complaining was mainly that the two systems were otherwise identical, i.e. both “35mm” SLR systems and used the same lenses, and thus bore direct comparison.
This system would be a completely new format, more along the lines of a MF-lite, like 6×4.5, but square, with all-new lenses made specifically for that format. If no one complained about 6×4.5 or 6×6 cameras in this respect before, why would they now?
September 6th, 2008 at 15:20
I know Nikon made larger format and enlarger lenses, but they purposely got out of that business to keep the strategy focused on increasing sales and margin.
While the new system would have new lenses, it also supposedly will support FX and DX lenses and the users of such a system would largely be DX and FX users who have upgraded. So it’s those users who will deal with crop factors and I guarantee you, you’ll have people complaining about “reach” or that their wide-angle is now “too wide” or simply asking why Nikon is concentrating on lenses for a new mount when there’s so many missing lenses (like new primes) for the existing bodies. Unlike other MF cameras, because of the ubiquity of Nikon, you’ll have rich amateurs buying these bodies, then complaining about them (”where’s the smile recognition mode?”)
And by the way, if they do this, I don’t see it being 48 x 48. I see it being 48 x 36, like Hassy – the size of two FX sensors.
Frankly, I can’t see Nikon doing this (with the possible exception that this is also the rumored modular camera), but if they are doing it, I can see it being driven by those at Nikon who are still stung by Canon being able to claim these last few years with the 1DS series that they’re the high-resolution, high-end pro leader. A camera like this would put Nikon back on top in that regard and they’d be able to hype it in marketing. And if the body is a rangefinder or had a much different form factor than a typical FX or DX body, it will take Canon longer to catch up.
September 7th, 2008 at 10:54
Nikon already has 3 (brand new) lenses that will cover a 48×48 format. The pc-e lenses all have 70mm image circles, giving them 2mm to spare.
January 9th, 2009 at 12:33
What benefits Nikon to be on the “Rumor” watchlist as opposed to going public with upcoming designs?
What!! Betamax coming back to town?
With everything going digital, would be interesting to see the spin and design of this rangefinder.
For one thing, my Dad’s already sold on the concept, but then again, what old timer wouldn’t?
He had a Bessa-T 35mm, if memory serves me right, way back when black and white film was the only film in town, and not a choice.
There’s no mistaking the longevity factor with rangefinders, like a lifetime guarantee or something to that effect.
I’m a sucker for the Nikon D80 SLR Camera, chiefly because of its Wow factor derived from the best parts of its predecessors, especially the D70’s processor and large LCD.
Not sure how long I’ll hold onto this before eying the D90 but, price, weight and ISO speed, My D80’s still the best camera I’s ever had!