Why no Nikon D4 Review?

José S · Feb 11, 2013

My D700 is getting pretty worn out on the exterior after only 41,000 clicks (mostly my own fault) and I want to upgrade to a more durable body. I think I will buy a (not too) used D3s, but I would buy a D4 if it really was enough of an upgrade in my opinion. I highly value the job DPreview does when reviewing cameras. Better out of camera JPG's would be GREAT for me, since that could reduce my post processing time. And time is money. I get paid per job not per hour.

-Jose

Hugo First · Feb 12, 2013

you already seem to know enough about it to write the review yourself! what remains to be said?

joejack951 · Feb 12, 2013

José S said:
José S wrote:

My D700 is getting pretty worn out on the exterior after only 41,000 clicks (mostly my own fault) and I want to upgrade to a more durable body. I think I will buy a (not too) used D3s, but I would buy a D4 if it really was enough of an upgrade in my opinion. I highly value the job DPreview does when reviewing cameras. Better out of camera JPG's would be GREAT for me, since that could reduce my post processing time. And time is money. I get paid per job not per hour.

After getting my hands on a D4 briefly, I really wanted one. The ergonomic changes alone almost convinced me to spend the extra $2k+ at the time. But, I had committed to buying my friend's backup D3s when he got the D4 so I "settled" for the D3s. I really do miss that extra joystick on the vertical grip though. I got so used to using it on my D300s grip that I feel a bit lost using the D3s in portrait orientation.

As far as your concerns about OOC JPEGs, the D4's auto white balance seemed to do a far better job of getting things right when the light gets really low. The D3s can be adjusted in post to be spot on of course but it regularly gives some quite ugly results compared to what I saw from the D4 playing at ISO25600 and above (who can resist the chance to use ISO200K and f/1.4 for a few shots?). Photography is just a hobby for my wife and I and we always shoot raw so WB is a non-issue for us.

rayman 2 · Feb 12, 2013

José S said:
José S wrote:

José S said:

steelhead3 wrote:

A low resolution, big brick camera is not important to DP readership.

Click to expand...

Yeah, who would want 4000 shots per charge, 11fps, clean images at ISO 3200, the ability to pound nails in a pinch, a shutter rating of 400,000 clicks, and full weather sealing!

-Jose

you forgot mine works down to -15 deg C without any hicups..

and i use it with 10 pps.. at this temperature....

its an awsome camera......DOES THE JOB PERIOD !

Peter

AllOtherNamesTaken · Feb 12, 2013

José S said:
José S wrote:

Well, its just that its a flagship camera and every other flagship camera has a review here. Sorry to upset. I like the job DPreview does with its reviews.

-Jose

Sorry if my reply came off harsh, it wasn't my intent. Absolutely no offence taken.

The 1DX hasn't been reviewed either, so not every other flagship camera (nor the most relevant in this case), has a review.

All I'm saying is I really don't see what it can add. Especially with cameras like the D4 and 1DX, nobody is going to be switching systems over them, so if you have Nikon lenses, you buy the D4, if you have Canon lenses, you buy the 1DX. Both are the best of the best for sports shooters, or those demanding a truly "pro" build.

There are lots of other well respected reviews, comparisons, etc. out there and the DPreview review would just regurgitate much of that.

Is there something you feel you would get out of a DPreview review at this point that you could not find out through user experiences or other avenues? If so I'm sure we could help you find the answer without having to wait for Dpreview's review.

rayman 2 · Feb 12, 2013

AllOtherNamesTaken said:
AllOtherNamesTaken wrote:

AllOtherNamesTaken said:

José S wrote:

Well, its just that its a flagship camera and every other flagship camera has a review here. Sorry to upset. I like the job DPreview does with its reviews.

-Jose

Click to expand...

Sorry if my reply came off harsh, it wasn't my intent. Absolutely no offence taken.

The 1DX hasn't been reviewed either, so not every other flagship camera (nor the most relevant in this case), has a review.

All I'm saying is I really don't see what it can add. Especially with cameras like the D4 and 1DX, nobody is going to be switching systems over them, so if you have Nikon lenses, you buy the D4, if you have Canon lenses, you buy the 1DX. Both are the best of the best for sports shooters, or those demanding a truly "pro" build.

There are lots of other well respected reviews, comparisons, etc. out there and the DPreview review would just regurgitate much of that.

Is there something you feel you would get out of a DPreview review at this point that you could not find out through user experiences or other avenues? If so I'm sure we could help you find the answer without having to wait for Dpreview's review.

I´ve seen reviews in print media and both cameras were just one point way from each other...

some favoured the Nikon some the Canon..... nothing realy dramatic.....

My personal review from about 50000 expüosures is that the camera works without fail....

I sometimes have a problem with the image review it sometimes doesnt work but that a minor glitsch.... other then that no problem...

even in low temperature... Its an awsome bread and butter camera.. and if 16MP is enough for the

job you are working on its about the best camera you can get....

If size is an issue get something else......

Peter

Pradipta Dutta · Feb 12, 2013

José S said:
José S wrote:

Does no one want to buy this thing or what?

A very-very large percentage of potential D4 buyers would not rely on a camera review at DPR. This is a $6K body and 99.9%o f the buyers of this camera already know what to expect. For the rest of 0.1% of the buyers who would rely on DPR's review, it is probably not worth spending so much effort to review it as it will not translate into adequate revenue.

Also D4 is not a high volume body anyways.

José S · Feb 12, 2013

Pradipta Dutta said:
Pradipta Dutta wrote:

Pradipta Dutta said:

José S wrote:

Does no one want to buy this thing or what?

Click to expand...

A very-very large percentage of potential D4 buyers would not rely on a camera review at DPR. This is a $6K body and 99.9%o f the buyers of this camera already know what to expect. For the rest of 0.1% of the buyers who would rely on DPR's review, it is probably not worth spending so much effort to review it as it will not translate into adequate revenue.

Also D4 is not a high volume body anyways.

Antal I Kozma · Feb 12, 2013

Hey, I have a conspiracy theory. Or suspicion maybe?

Here it goes;

I suspect that the D4 might have a very serious flaw that nobody has yet stumbled upon. Now, DPReview is well known about conducting thorough tests. They do not just read and repeat that others have already said. Therefore, they might have learned about a serious flaw in the D4. However, they might be hesitant to publish their review because Nikon is a serious customer and they do not want to be the bearer of some really bad news. Hence they are just sitting on their findings till someone else will herald the bad news first.

I am so suspicious about this whole hush-hush approach that I keep using my D4 till I shall find that secret flaw and then I'll write a review myself.

In the meantime happy shooting for everyone out there with a D4.

Best, AIK

Roland Schulz · Feb 13, 2013

José S said:
José S wrote:

DPreview still has a healthy (but diminishing) number of professional photographer followers which would be interested in a D4 review. To me the fact that DPreview no longer does reviews on all flagship cameras is a sign that they are tacking toward the consumer side of photography which is their prerogative. I think it marks a change from what they did in the past. Maybe its all just become too much for them.

Its an interesting time for Nikon. They really broke the mold with the D3 then perfected it even more with the D3s. If it was a question of whether to upgrade to a D3 from a D2x there would be no question and I would not need a review from anyone. But the changes are so minor (compared to D2 to D3 upgrade) that an in depth review of the D4 would help tremendously. I'll make my decision no matter what, its just that DPreview used to be a place I could count on for this.

-Jose

+1!

The commercial aspect of this site comes more and more in focus. In the past many faults of cameras were published as with other sites like Rob Galbraith or Imaging Resource. Under commercial aspects there is no use to publish faults.

You must be blind not to find faults with Nikons todays cameras: D4/D800 had many problems with AF, ok, to be fair FW1.04 on D4 solved most of them for me. LV is not working as demanded in M. The D4 also still has problems using the virtual horizont in portrait mode I realized last weekend. Focus hold using a8 with AF-ON gives unforeseeable results in exposure. I also had several freezes of the camera in less than 5k shots that I never had with my D3/D2x before. All this may be reason to delay or to omit a review yet.

Due to forum reorganization (D600 "beginner" camera mixed up with Pro bodies) many pros left, so the interest may also have become lower.

Roland

The Davinator · Feb 13, 2013

Pradipta Dutta said:
Pradipta Dutta wrote:

Pradipta Dutta said:

José S wrote:

Does no one want to buy this thing or what?

Click to expand...

A very-very large percentage of potential D4 buyers would not rely on a camera review at DPR. This is a $6K body and 99.9%o f the buyers of this camera already know what to expect. For the rest of 0.1% of the buyers who would rely on DPR's review, it is probably not worth spending so much effort to review it as it will not translate into adequate revenue.

Also D4 is not a high volume body anyways.

Lea5 · Feb 13, 2013

Pradipta Dutta said:
Pradipta Dutta wrote:

Pradipta Dutta said:

José S wrote:

Does no one want to buy this thing or what?

Click to expand...

A very-very large percentage of potential D4 buyers would not rely on a camera review at DPR. This is a $6K body and 99.9%o f the buyers of this camera already know what to expect. For the rest of 0.1% of the buyers who would rely on DPR's review, it is probably not worth spending so much effort to review it as it will not translate into adequate revenue.

Also D4 is not a high volume body anyways.

PhD4 · Feb 13, 2013

steelhead3 said:
steelhead3 wrote:

A low resolution, big brick camera is not important to DP readership.

The camera is important to many, the opinion of some web site (and it's inhabitants) isn't.

There are other web sites better suited for higher end cameras, that is where the D4 conversation is.

Unless, of course, your question is about camera phones or "what strap for my poor-focusing D800?"... then this is definitely the place.

Pradipta Dutta · Feb 13, 2013

The Davinator said:
Dave Luttmann wrote:

Then maybe you can explain the Canon 1Ds, 1Ds2 and 1Ds3 reviews...along with the Nikon D2x, D3, D3s and D3x rebiews. Looks like your theory holds no water.

What you are missing is that this site used to be much less commercial focused in the past as generating revenue from camera sales was not a factor. It took a little while to change from that mind set.

Pradipta Dutta · Feb 13, 2013

Lea5 said:
Lea5 wrote:
With this logic no high end camera, TV, computer, car or supersport motorbike would get a review somewhere.

I use my cameras every day for work. The DPR review of the D3 made me switch from Canon to Nikon years ago, the DPR review of the D3X made me buy the D3X and the D800 review made me buy the D800E. I use the D4 too since march last year but I want to see a D4 review, like many others too. Hey and I just want to know how my D4 competes against the Canon 1DX. And for a leading "photography review site" it is obligatory to review the newest flagships.

See here - http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/50852343

José S · Feb 13, 2013

PhD4 said:
PhD4 wrote:

PhD4 said:

steelhead3 wrote:

A low resolution, big brick camera is not important to DP readership.

Click to expand...

The camera is important to many, the opinion of some web site (and it's inhabitants) isn't.

There are other web sites better suited for higher end cameras, that is where the D4 conversation is.

Unless, of course, your question is about camera phones or "what strap for my poor-focusing D800?"... then this is definitely the place.

This is so painfully true! To be perfectly honest 90% of the reason I even look at the forums is for entertainment value. People get so riled up about silly things, its entertaining. I wish someone would compile the funniest threads! My only other reason for coming to this site is to read reviews and articles, and to ask the occasional question. Reading the forum today I just found out the D700 has a new firmware update since May 2012. Sometimes the forums can be useful, but I guess firmware updates aren't the sexiest thing.

-Jose

José S · Feb 13, 2013

Pradipta Dutta said:
Pradipta Dutta wrote:

Pradipta Dutta said:

Lea5 wrote:
With this logic no high end camera, TV, computer, car or supersport motorbike would get a review somewhere.

I use my cameras every day for work. The DPR review of the D3 made me switch from Canon to Nikon years ago, the DPR review of the D3X made me buy the D3X and the D800 review made me buy the D800E. I use the D4 too since march last year but I want to see a D4 review, like many others too. Hey and I just want to know how my D4 competes against the Canon 1DX. And for a leading "photography review site" it is obligatory to review the newest flagships.

Click to expand...

See here - http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/post/50852343

José S · Feb 13, 2013

PhD4 said:
PhD4 wrote:

There are other web sites better suited for higher end cameras, that is where the D4 conversation is.

Like which ones, I know the obvious DXo Mark, photo net, and Thom Hogan, but which other sites do you recommend that do reviews as thorough as DPreview does? Because the above sites aren't as thorough as DPreview is. I rely on DPreview to be fact based, not opinion based. And they try to write from the perspective of a wider range of shooters.

As an aside, is there any way Nikon is holding up a thorough review because it would show that the D4 is not a big enough improvement over the D3s for a majority of shooters? How's that for a conspiracy theory?

Jose

José S · Feb 13, 2013

Hugo First said:
Hugo First wrote:

you already seem to know enough about it to write the review yourself! what remains to be said?

Thanks for the vote of confidence! If I had both cameras I would! In the meantime I want DP review to answer the following:

I would like to see the difference with graphs and images of high ISO comparisons between D3s and D4,

what the difference between 12MP and 16MP looks like in practice,

a comparison of OOC JPEG results,

ergonomics,

how much better the video quality is if at all,

how the live view compares,

What the new memory card type adds (or subtracts) from a CF

What improvement if any to AF performance

Again, wouldn't it be nice to find all these answers and more in ONE in depth review?

-Jose

phoman · Feb 13, 2013

Lea5 said:
Lea5 wrote:

Lea5 said:

Pradipta Dutta wrote:

Lea5 said:

José S wrote:

Does no one want to buy this thing or what?

Click to expand...

A very-very large percentage of potential D4 buyers would not rely on a camera review at DPR. This is a $6K body and 99.9%o f the buyers of this camera already know what to expect. For the rest of 0.1% of the buyers who would rely on DPR's review, it is probably not worth spending so much effort to review it as it will not translate into adequate revenue.

Also D4 is not a high volume body anyways.

Click to expand...

Why no Nikon D4 Review?

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