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Mark Booth

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David Dentry (Nikon USA's Manager, Technical Information, Digital Products) has recently posted a few messages to the Nikon 5700 E-mail list at Yahoo Groups. There isn't any "new" news in his messages but it is encouraging to see him participating. If you would like to read what has been posted (and exchanged), please visit the Nikon5700 site here:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Nikon5700/

You will likely have to join the group to be able to read any messages.

Mark
 
It is disappointing to see arguments like his - thousands of customers did not have problems... HOw would NIkon know that? David should know that Nikon customers not only expect not to have problems, but they expect true, good quality. I have a 5700 and am frustrated with the lack of focus assist. Probably because I didn't complain, or I don't consider it a big problem, they count me among those satisfied customers whom they use as examples to deny the focus issue.

Yes, I think the focus is acceptable but far from what's expected from Nikon quality. Again - they should understand, if they want to remain at the top, that when customers buy a Nikon they don't expect not to have problems, they expect quality. Otherwise, they would buy a .. Sony? (just kidding, and a bit envious on Sony's focus (not picture quality though !))

--
http://www.pbase.com/adriank
 
Agreed...moreover, it is extremely strange he would use a forum or user group so inferior to this one....I mean, wow, there are a lot of highly excellent photogs on this one !

I just don't like the attitude of Nikon tech support..."we know it all" and "your opinion doesn't matter".
 
David Dentry has been increasingly active on the previously mentioned Yahoo Groups E-mail list. He has single handedly convinced me that Nikon IS listening and that some sort of improvement is forthcoming. He is, of course, sometimes limited in exactly what he can say but it is pretty easy to read between the lines and draw some conclusions.

BTW, yes, some of the posts there have been pretty angry. And I applaud Mr. Dentry for his diplomacy and tact in dealing with the angry mob. :)

Mark
 
Adrian Calin said:
It is disappointing to see arguments like his - thousands of
customers did not have problems... HOw would NIkon know that? David
should know that Nikon customers not only expect not to have
problems, but they expect true, good quality. I have a 5700 and am
frustrated with the lack of focus assist. Probably because I didn't
complain, or I don't consider it a big problem, they count me among
those satisfied customers whom they use as examples to deny the
focus issue.

Yes, I think the focus is acceptable but far from what's expected
from Nikon quality. Again - they should understand, if they want to
remain at the top, that when customers buy a Nikon they don't
expect not to have problems, they expect quality. Otherwise, they
would buy a .. Sony? (just kidding, and a bit envious on Sony's
focus (not picture quality though !))

--
http://www.pbase.com/adriank
Click to expand...
Here's how I see it. You want to take pictures in conditions that require AF assist, and the camera doesn't have that feature. Now you want to blame the camera.

Nikon did not deceive you in any way. Auto Focus assist is not listed anywhere in any of the advertising literature, on the box or anywhere else. Nor did they claim that the camera had any other technology that approximated AF assist. Every review mentions the lack of AF assist and tells how the camera performs as a result. As it happens, the camera truly focuses better than most other quite excellent cameras that also do not have AF assist.

So just maybe Dentry is right...thousands of others bought the camera--and perhaps they knew what to expect. You apparently didn't AND you bought the wrong camera for your style of picture-taking. Your disappointment is misplaced.

--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
 
Technically you are absolutely correct....I'm about to purchase but based on comments I've read now know what to expect.However I think what we are all saying(wishing) is that Nikon improve/correct or whatever word you would like to use this 'problem' so that a great camara(based on other comments) can be even better.

Just my 2 cents worth.
kecohen said:
Adrian Calin said:
It is disappointing to see arguments like his - thousands of
customers did not have problems... HOw would NIkon know that? David
should know that Nikon customers not only expect not to have
problems, but they expect true, good quality. I have a 5700 and am
frustrated with the lack of focus assist. Probably because I didn't
complain, or I don't consider it a big problem, they count me among
those satisfied customers whom they use as examples to deny the
focus issue.

Yes, I think the focus is acceptable but far from what's expected
from Nikon quality. Again - they should understand, if they want to
remain at the top, that when customers buy a Nikon they don't
expect not to have problems, they expect quality. Otherwise, they
would buy a .. Sony? (just kidding, and a bit envious on Sony's
focus (not picture quality though !))

--
http://www.pbase.com/adriank
Click to expand...
Here's how I see it. You want to take pictures in conditions that
require AF assist, and the camera doesn't have that feature. Now
you want to blame the camera.

Nikon did not deceive you in any way. Auto Focus assist is not
listed anywhere in any of the advertising literature, on the box or
anywhere else. Nor did they claim that the camera had any other
technology that approximated AF assist. Every review mentions the
lack of AF assist and tells how the camera performs as a result.
As it happens, the camera truly focuses better than most other
quite excellent cameras that also do not have AF assist.

So just maybe Dentry is right...thousands of others bought the
camera--and perhaps they knew what to expect. You apparently didn't
AND you bought the wrong camera for your style of picture-taking.
Your disappointment is misplaced.

--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you
need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
Click to expand...
 
when I bought the camera I wasn't aware of reviews, opinions or other tests. I wasn't even aware of the importance of focus assist - I was coming from an F80 and I simply assumed that if NIkon did not implement a focus assist meant the camera just didn't need one to do a good job. I thought techological improvements eliminated the need for a focus assist (for instance). Yes, I am not an expert, not even a semi-expert, but I still wanted a good camera, probably just like 80% of other customers who bought this type of camera.

you're argument is like - "it's your fault that you didn't read the small print". Technically - you're correct. However & again, I think that when you buy a Nikon product you shouldn't be concerned about reading reviews and tests before, particularly about a simple issue such as focusing.

http://www.pbase.com/adriank
 
Mark Booth said:
David Dentry has been increasingly active on the previously
mentioned Yahoo Groups E-mail list. He has single handedly
convinced me that Nikon IS listening and that some sort of
improvement is forthcoming.
Click to expand...
PR: keep your customers at all costs! He is probably only planted there to dissuade the ever-increasing negative opinions. Olympus had a guy like this on their forums, then he disappeared after "too many specific" questions were asked. K.

Galleries: http://www.koo22photos.com/-/koo22photos/default.asp
 
I wonder why this Nikon "representative" is staying away from this forum? Why would Nikon have an employee post, reply or communicate on any forum other than a Nikon web site.

Ron T
Mark Booth said:
David Dentry has been increasingly active on the previously
mentioned Yahoo Groups E-mail list. He has single handedly
convinced me that Nikon IS listening and that some sort of
improvement is forthcoming. He is, of course, sometimes limited in
exactly what he can say but it is pretty easy to read between the
lines and draw some conclusions.

BTW, yes, some of the posts there have been pretty angry. And I
applaud Mr. Dentry for his diplomacy and tact in dealing with the
angry mob. :)

Mark
Click to expand...
 
I think we need to remember that the large majority of digital camera buyers do NOT read these forums or reviews before they buy. Really, for a camera this expensive and supposedly "high end" for prosumer digicams, it SHOULD have an AF assist light. I agree it does focus very well (with work) without one, but there are other cameras without AF assist lights (like the Minolta D7Hi) that focus MUCH BETTER in low light than the 5700. K.
kecohen said:
Here's how I see it. You want to take pictures in conditions that
require AF assist, and the camera doesn't have that feature. Now
you want to blame the camera.

Nikon did not deceive you in any way. Auto Focus assist is not
listed anywhere in any of the advertising literature, on the box or
anywhere else. Nor did they claim that the camera had any other
technology that approximated AF assist. Every review mentions the
lack of AF assist and tells how the camera performs as a result.
As it happens, the camera truly focuses better than most other
quite excellent cameras that also do not have AF assist.

So just maybe Dentry is right...thousands of others bought the
camera--and perhaps they knew what to expect. You apparently didn't
AND you bought the wrong camera for your style of picture-taking.
Your disappointment is misplaced.

--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you
need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
Click to expand...
--
Galleries: http://www.koo22photos.com/-/koo22photos/default.asp
 
I've noticed that in the main page http://www.nikonusa.com , the 5700 has been long gone in their introduction photography chapter. It says "Get carried away with the award-winning Coolpix 2500 and its inner swivel. Step up to 16 scene modes with Coolpix 4500. Take hold of the future with the awesome power of Coolpix 5000. Don't miss the powerful 6.1 effective megapixel digital SLR camera, D100. Realize your photographic vision with the stylishly compact N65 film SLR."
and no mention of the newer 5700!
Hey what would you say, Dr Nikon?
Ron T said:
Ron T
Mark Booth said:
David Dentry has been increasingly active on the previously
mentioned Yahoo Groups E-mail list. He has single handedly
convinced me that Nikon IS listening and that some sort of
improvement is forthcoming. He is, of course, sometimes limited in
exactly what he can say but it is pretty easy to read between the
lines and draw some conclusions.

BTW, yes, some of the posts there have been pretty angry. And I
applaud Mr. Dentry for his diplomacy and tact in dealing with the
angry mob. :)

Mark
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Hariette said:
I've noticed that in the main page http://www.nikonusa.com , the 5700 has
been long gone in their introduction photography chapter. It says
"Get carried away with the award-winning Coolpix 2500 and its inner
swivel. Step up to 16 scene modes with Coolpix 4500. Take hold of
the future with the awesome power of Coolpix 5000. Don't miss the
powerful 6.1 effective megapixel digital SLR camera, D100. Realize
your photographic vision with the stylishly compact N65 film SLR."
and no mention of the newer 5700!
Hey what would you say, Dr Nikon?
Click to expand...
This is obviously because the 5700 is such a disappointment to Nikon they are on the verge of pulling it from the market!!!

Just joking!! Please don't flame me for my impudence.

They also don't mention the 3500 and 4300 which are even newer than the 5700.

DCuser
--
950/coolpix2500/cp5000
 
koo22 said:
I think we need to remember that the large majority of digital
camera buyers do NOT read these forums or reviews before they buy.
Really, for a camera this expensive and supposedly "high end" for
prosumer digicams, it SHOULD have an AF assist light. I agree it
does focus very well (with work) without one, but there are other
cameras without AF assist lights (like the Minolta D7Hi) that focus
MUCH BETTER in low light than the 5700. K.
Click to expand...
It's not a matter of your not reading the fine print, it's that you failed to read any print at all.

You both are saying that you spent $1000 on a camera because of it's name? Not only did you not read up on it, you didn't bother to compare it with other cameras to see the difference. You're victims of your own erroneous assumptions--that an expensive prosumer camera would/should perform like a beginner's camera. Just the term "prosumer," (from "professional" and "consumer"= a purchaser who has a great deal of expertise and skill perhaps?) should suggest to you that it isn't your garden variety photos-for-dummies p&s. The camera is more pro than sumer and actually requires some real experience and technique.

Nor can you seriously compare the Minolta D7Hi--it doesn't have as long a zoom, and it doesn't have the quality of glass, nor is the build anywhere near the same quality. The CP5700's focus "problem" of which you speak is almost exclusively the result of improper technique in using full or near full zoom--you're trying to focus in poor light to start with, and then full zoom reduces your light another 2 stops. To compensate, the camera wants more light, so it reduces the shutter speed. Without a tripod, it's almost impossible to keep the big lens steady....

Nikon has been criticized for years for not putting AF assist in their high end digitals with fixed lenses. So far they have not seen fit to bend to the criticism. Probably because adding it would be costly enough to price them right out of the ballpark. Or worse, having to compromise on the other quality features.
koo22 said:
koo22 said:
--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you
need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
Click to expand...
--
Galleries: http://www.koo22photos.com/-/koo22photos/default.asp
Click to expand...
--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
 
so you think that a feature not in the camera is a problem? hmm..that's interesting....

So If I were to buy Ferrari and yet they do not have a Carbon-Graphite Bonnet which is featured in other Japanese Race Cars.....Ferrari has a problem?

yah....everything is okay...just for that feature (which was not even listed in the specs) so Ferarri has a problem and I will have to be disappointed with Ferarri.

LOOK!!! FERRARI IS OF TOP QUALITY!!!! WHEN I BUY A FREAKING FERRARI, I EXPECT THAT TO BE AVAILABLE.

is that the attitude I ought to have? muahahahaha

that's the way some ppl in here are thinking...I buy Nikon, they ought to have this in there, that in there....coz it's Nikon.

Come on....wake up....and use the camera to take pictures...not complain..
 
Nikon probably rotates cameras on that page..then again maybe not,i dont know..lol
 
kecohen said:
It's not a matter of your not reading the fine print, it's that you
failed to read any print at all.
You both are saying that you spent $1000 on a camera because of
it's name? Not only did you not read up on it, you didn't bother to
compare it with other cameras to see the difference. You're victims
of your own erroneous assumptions--that an expensive prosumer
camera would/should perform like a beginner's camera. Just the term
"prosumer," (from "professional" and "consumer"= a purchaser who
has a great deal of expertise and skill perhaps?) should suggest to
you that it isn't your garden variety photos-for-dummies p&s. The
camera is more pro than sumer and actually requires some real
experience and technique.
Click to expand...
You have Koo22 pegged all wrong. Maybe you should stop being so defensive. :c)
kecohen said:
Nor can you seriously compare the Minolta D7Hi--it doesn't have as
long a zoom, and it doesn't have the quality of glass, nor is the
build anywhere near the same quality. The CP5700's focus "problem"
of which you speak is almost exclusively the result of improper
technique in using full or near full zoom--you're trying to focus
in poor light to start with, and then full zoom reduces your light
another 2 stops. To compensate, the camera wants more light, so it
reduces the shutter speed. Without a tripod, it's almost impossible
to keep the big lens steady....
Click to expand...
The Nikons do need an AF assist! No doubt about it. There are techinques to work around the problem of getting decent focus on a persons face, but the assist should be there,
kecohen said:
Nikon has been criticized for years for not putting AF assist in
their high end digitals with fixed lenses. So far they have not
seen fit to bend to the criticism. Probably because adding it would
be costly enough to price them right out of the ballpark. Or worse,
having to compromise on the other quality features.
Click to expand...
How much do you think a little light would increase the cost? I have a feeling that it has something to do with the fact that it would drain the battery way to fast. Just a guess though.

Still love my 5000! :c)
--
http://www.pbase.com/ken_5
 
First of all, don't refer to me in your post......I do much research and have been an active member of these forums for over two years. I have both the Nikon 5700 and the Minolta D7Hi. And guess what? The Minolta performs MUCH better focusing in low light......which is all I was saying, whether you like that or not. I didn't refer to the length of the zoom, build quality or anything else. I ALWAYS read the fine print, and would never, ever buy any product simply because of its name. If you didn't "get it", I was trying to speak from the point of view of the "average" buyer of a digicam, NOT the members of these forums. So quit with the overly defensive responses to (I think) a fairly innocuous posted response to you. And I'll say it again........a camera for over $1000 should focus damned well better in low light than it does!! K.
kecohen said:
koo22 said:
I think we need to remember that the large majority of digital
camera buyers do NOT read these forums or reviews before they buy.
Really, for a camera this expensive and supposedly "high end" for
prosumer digicams, it SHOULD have an AF assist light. I agree it
does focus very well (with work) without one, but there are other
cameras without AF assist lights (like the Minolta D7Hi) that focus
MUCH BETTER in low light than the 5700. K.
Click to expand...
It's not a matter of your not reading the fine print, it's that you
failed to read any print at all.
You both are saying that you spent $1000 on a camera because of
it's name? Not only did you not read up on it, you didn't bother to
compare it with other cameras to see the difference. You're victims
of your own erroneous assumptions--that an expensive prosumer
camera would/should perform like a beginner's camera. Just the term
"prosumer," (from "professional" and "consumer"= a purchaser who
has a great deal of expertise and skill perhaps?) should suggest to
you that it isn't your garden variety photos-for-dummies p&s. The
camera is more pro than sumer and actually requires some real
experience and technique.

Nor can you seriously compare the Minolta D7Hi--it doesn't have as
long a zoom, and it doesn't have the quality of glass, nor is the
build anywhere near the same quality. The CP5700's focus "problem"
of which you speak is almost exclusively the result of improper
technique in using full or near full zoom--you're trying to focus
in poor light to start with, and then full zoom reduces your light
another 2 stops. To compensate, the camera wants more light, so it
reduces the shutter speed. Without a tripod, it's almost impossible
to keep the big lens steady....

Nikon has been criticized for years for not putting AF assist in
their high end digitals with fixed lenses. So far they have not
seen fit to bend to the criticism. Probably because adding it would
be costly enough to price them right out of the ballpark. Or worse,
having to compromise on the other quality features.
kecohen said:
kecohen said:
--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you
need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
Click to expand...
--
Galleries: http://www.koo22photos.com/-/koo22photos/default.asp
Click to expand...
--
Karen

...but if you try sometimes, you just might find, you get what you
need.
Minolta 7000i, accessories and lenses, lenses, lenses; CP5700, TC15ED,
Kenko KUT-300 Hi, SB80X Speedlight, Epson Stylus 980N, Epson 7600
(shared), Epson Expression 1680 w/ transparency unit, Tamron Fotovix
60WU....
http://www.e-designarts.com
http://www.pbase.com/kecohen/
Click to expand...
--
Galleries: http://www.koo22photos.com/-/koo22photos/default.asp
 
yes, if my Ferrari's top speed was 100 km/h - I would be dissapointed, although maybe somewhere, in small prints, that information could have been available.

why are you so aggressive, by the way? I don't like expressions like "wake up", etc.
 
I spent more than $ 1,000 based on specifications (pix. nr., zoom) and on the assumption that a Nikon camera will manage to focus and give good quality pictures. While picture quality is excellent (in my opinion the best in its class), focus is not.

Your arguments are very hard to understand. Difficult focus is not a feature of a "prosumer" camera, it has nothing to do with that. Wanting a reliable and faster (not fast - just a bit faster) focus doesn't mean I want a P&S (in fact P&S refers to the degree of control over exposure, etc, and has nothing to do with focus). Don't put words in my mouth. The focus issue is not the result of my zooming in, I don't use zoom indoors (almost not al tall). I talk about simple situations, like a properly lit room where you need to be able to capture a nice moment and take good photos. As professional as possible, any camera should be able to focus acceptably, in fact the accuracy and speed of its focus is a measure of its quality. As I said in another e-mail - focus is a basic function. A less performing focus is by no means an indication of the "prosumer" level of the camera. If focus assist is necessary, Nikon should have implemented it so that it's performance is no worse than the competing Sony or Minolta's.

I don't understand why you all get so upset. We all have Nikon, some are more satisfied than others. Perhaps, some have greater expectations than others. I don't see any reason to get defensive and aggressive, scorne each others photographic skills, or use malitious e-mails. I am perfectly happy with the image quality, at the same time I lost a number of nice pictures due to less than perfect focus. Does that make me a worse fotographer. Should I give up taking pictures at parties, or of my familiy, friends, etc, just because Nikon is a "prosumer" camera?

http://www.pbase.com/adriank
 
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