Nikon patent suggests password-based security system for lenses

Another password to remember, adding to a long list of passwords that people need to remember. If frustrated users set all their password to 123456. It would end up defeating the purpose of having a password. This idea is not really good.

I truly believe that some bright young MBA at Nikon came up with this scheme and sold it to management by touting it's "virtue" of making reselling of lenses just a bit harder. I have bought lenses on eBay and can just imagine the seller giving you the wrong code so you have another thing to complain to eBay about. What happens to guys like me who own half a dozen lenses? This has got to be a boondoggle.

A great way to prevent you from buying anything but a Nikon lens. Great one, Nikon! Think I'll give it a miss.

Breathtakingly ridiculous! I cannot imagine who came up with that one. Maybe Nikon lost all of its photographers (kind of like Microsoft seems to have lost its core programmers). You, know, people who actually use the product. I can just see trying to login as I pull my camera up for a "fast" shot.

We used to call the old "ever-ready" camera cases "never-ready" cases because it always took so long to drop the front and open the camera. Password input would be far worse or any kind of biometric ID device (gloves in winter, bloodshot eyes, different hold or tripod mounted, etc.).

If a password-protected device is stolen it is more likely to land in some dumpster out of frustration on the part of the thief instead of finding its way back to me.

More cynically, maybe this is just a way to control your hardware so that is it never really yours. Not so far from the recent trends to rent you a license for software (i.e. cs6) at roughly 5.5 times what it usually costs me to upgrade.

The problem with all these schemes is that the guy who steals your camera/computer/stereo doesn't know he needs a password.

Good idea but could be not good implementation. I have so many trouble with those passwords over internet, feels not so...

So much negativity over something no one knows anything about.

You can cut the cynicism here with a knife.

Like another here, I can put a password on my phone, but I only do so when I think there is a need.

It has no bearing on the operation of the device whatsoever, except as it provides a measure of security at my discretion.

What is more likely is a scheme to prevent the resale or used sales of lenses. Or a subscription system to bring in additional revenue after the sale of a lens (in exchange for continued use). At the end of the day, companies really only care about the 'bottom line' or another way to make money.

Also, all antitheft stuff does on car radios is get additional damage done
to the vehicle or driver due to angry thiefs.

I guess it's a 21st century equivalent of missing the shot because you left the lens cap on.

Nikon does not say the password would be mandatory. Anyone who do not want to use it may probably skip it. But for those who might feel this would give them advantage, password option could come handy.
It's little like with cellphones. Most of people do not even bother with protecting its content against being used fraudulently. But they should. Not because their phones get stolen often but lots of user just loose it.
The validity of patenting password protection for lenses is another story. US patent law execution is just ridiculous. IT allows you to patent "wheel" again if it used for specific purpose or application. But that is just system gap that have been created to feed greedy patent seeking business entities, not true inventors.

This has got to be nipped in the bud. Next step will be a lock that prevents the camera from taking photos wherever a government or commercial entity doesn't want you to take pictures.

So instead of reusing your stolen lens it get a quick bash with a hammer and tossed in the garbage.

It's not going to save anyone from having there gear stolen. If a thief has the opportunity to take it they will. If it has a password on it making it unusable, they aren't going to then return it.

In twenty-plus years of shooting, I've only suffered theft once–and it was by far because of my own carelessness. I don't need (or want) Nikon or Canon or any other manufacturer to protect me from myself or any potential miscreants because, honestly, what are the chances that the thief will know (or care) that all my gear is "registered" and, therefore, unusable to anyone but him. Likely by the time that happens, it's already been stolen (and maybe I've been assaulted in the process). So, other than the inconvenience of yet another password to remember (and/or forget), what *really* does this gain me?

And let's be honest–what electronic security systems can't be defeated by a knowledgeable and motivated enough person?

Yet another reason to stay away from further investment in Nikon gear.

Obvious attempt to break the used lens and third-party lens markets. Oh well, it's not like I needed more reasons not to buy Nikon.

Pleeese not another password.I think that we are all suffering from "password fatigue'.

I wonder how they're going to force this upon people who use adapters on other brands of cameras. Oh, they're going to wipe out that market...? I can see people never buying another Nikon lens after the first time this happens.

I see no advantage of this method compared to registering your equipment on manufacturer's website for reference in case of theft.

Nice idea. Simular to the chip & pin on credit cards

What a silly idea, trust Nikon to 'sign in' to this. Now if Nikon were really on the ball, they would push forward with their wi-fi enabled systems, add a chip / link in the new lenses so that an owner could check online where a camera and lens combination was being used at any time and in any location. Would make more sense?

Nice idea, but as others are saying, hassle and hardship in the real world

Oh, my password is incorrect I can't take any pictures but Nikon will give me a new one within three weeks

Waiting for Nikon's password protected Speedlight !

Its going to prevent you from working if it does not work like its supposed. Don't like that. Encryption everywhere......but not where it would make sense for the ordinary beeing (email).

1. If the lens is stolen along with the body, it will work fine. (as I doubt that a camera that forces you to enter a password each time you start it up would even sell).

2. I trust the stolen goods market will figure out the workaround to reset it (just as you can on computers by pulling the RTC battery or setting a DIP switch on the motherboard if you forget the setup or startup password).

3. it will either increase the cost of already expensive Nikon lenses, or reduce Nikon's profit margins should they not increase their prices.

For these reasons, I feel that it's pertinence and viability are in question.

not sure about this, but I wished ebay would make everybody that sell used gear to show the serial number, I know some sellers do. Also people can look up stolen camera gears on nikon site and compare. Craigslist forget about being honest there.

I think the folks at Nikon simply do not understand the mindset of thieves. They could post a warning in twelve different languages on the camera or lens that that particular unit has theft-deterrent features, but that wouldn't stop a thief who doesn't know how to read or is incredibly smart at finding a hack to circumvent the security password/features.

Wasn't Nikon suing Sigma recently for some sort of patent infringement? As others have suggested, this could be a way for Nikon to lock third-party manufacturers quite literally OFF their lens mount.

My life is overwhelmed with passwords. One reason I pick up a camera is to escape the tedious of passwords and security questions. I'd rather see Nikon come up with a compelling mirrorless system than give us this boondoggle.

This is a cool idea, but it needs to come with the option to disable this feature by the owner so you could share lenses with friends.

waste of time

Is this really necessary? The whole world is drifting more and more toward Gestapo like behavior...

I wish they'd put their energy more into developing better and more innovative gear...

this idea is useless, what for? password for lens? so you cant share lenses? or you want to get hold of the brand nikon, maybe afraid of some third party lens company to soon have their own brand of camera, just like nikon did.

you should add another slogan like "We make simple things - Stupidly Difficult + complicated - that's how we understand innovation"

the only reason for this is big brother trying to watch you.
But imagine what would happen if we all say NO to that, and leave it in the stores. Think about it, no one can do anything to you that you don't want.