Nikon launching limited-time 'Trade Up' program in the United States for its D780 DSLR

I've heard that sometimes they don't even care, giving the discount before any camera has been sent. It's probably just a better way to disguise a discount at this time, to not create negative publicity, see recent E-M5 III discount thread.

I would not question what Nikon do with trade-ins, nor do I care. Once traded, the camera is not mine anymore.

Getting off tangent - I have purchased three camera bodies and 5 lenses at eBay BUT I will never sell any item at eBay. eBay is highly biased towards the buyer.

Why would you trade in two D800s for a D780? They are far superior cameras to the D780.

@BrownieVet "I would not question what Nikon do with trade-ins, nor do I care. Once traded, the camera is not mine anymore." - even if they were dumping them in the ocean? Good to know..

@BrownieVet Dumping them in a landfill for some third world country to deal with then. Is that less of a stretch? Just being hypothetical because you made a rather absolute statement about not caring.

Regardless of which camera people are moving towards, Nikon DSLR gear has gone down in value on the used market. That's why I sold my Nikon gear at the end of last year. Here's what I had observed on the used market over the last 24 months:

+D800 down $200
+Nikon 24-70 F2.8G down $300
+Nikon 200-500 down $100
+Nikon 50 F1.4G down $50
+Tamron 70-200 F2.8 VC (Nikon mount) down $400
+Tamron 15-30 F2.8 VC (Nikon mount) down $150.

In my opinion, if you've got older Nikon DSLR equipment, you should sell it quickly. I can only imagine that the used market prices will drop even faster especially once all of the lenses have a Z-mount equivalent.

Not fully abandoned. They still make cameras capable of autofocusing those dinosaurs. But c'mon, most companies don't support products past 7 or 10 years. The last screw drive lens was made (introduced as new) over 20 years ago. They started phasing out bodies with motors in 2008 with the D40 launch. The demise of AF-D lenses can't be a surprise to you. As for IBIS.... It's better suited for EVF. What you see is what you get. I know that Pentax has it and can't comment on. But in theory with a DSLR, what you see through the lens and what is captured could be slightly different with the sensor moving around and all. That and Nijon had VR available in focal lengths ranging from 16mm to 800. Almost all their zoom lenses and exotic telephoto prime lenses have VR. Sensor duplication is not needed. 16-35, 24-70, 24-120, 70-200 2.8 & 4 and up have VR. So if its important, they have options.

I can think of two possible reasons for omitting IBIS from the D780.

One is that there might have been technical challenges. In a DSLR it is necessary for the sensor position to match up with the viewfinder and the focus unit. This is easier to ensure if the sensor is bolted to the frame than if the sensor can move around.

The other is that it was a product management decision: for some reason they didn't think IBIS would be a sufficiently strong selling point to justify the cost. It is certainly possible to argue that IBIS has more value on a mirrorless camera than a DSLR because in the former it can stabilize the viewfinder image.

My own view is that, without IBIS, the D780 isn't enough of an improvement over the D750 to justify the current price. The fact that Nikon has implemented the trade up program suggests that I am not alone.

You don’t get exact framing with optical VR either.

Pentax has had in body stabilization for a long time. The Pentax faithful always mention it as one of the biggest perks of the system.
In fact I had Pentax for a while. There is absolutely no way to observe the sensor shift induced "framing error" in practice.
It is also used for potentially useful items (especially for landscape and still life) such as pixel shift and a built in astrotracer.

@mgblack74 - your post and I quote "They started phasing out bodies with motors in 2008 with the D40 launch."

Perhaps you have forgotten the D800 which was introduced in early 2012, followed by D800E, D810 and D850. I own two of these "built like tank" beast.
Works perfectly with my 6 AF-D lenses, 1 E and 1 G lenses as well as my legacy Ai lenses.

@brownievet. Yes you’re right. I didn’t suggest you wouldn’t be. The D5xxx series and below doesn’t. So we’re both right. I’m aware of what bodies do and don’t have the in body motor. But again, there hasn’t been a new screw drive AF-D launches in over 20 years. University aged kids have lived a life of never seeing a lens press release bestowing the virtues of screw drive AF. That’s a long time!

Sony has had IBIS in their A77ii and A99ii. Perhaps because they did away with the moving mirror, it is easier to implement.

Not to pile on, but there are multiple reasons Nikon wouldn't want to support screw drive in contemporary mirrorless bodies or IBIS in this DSLR, and most of it has to do with money.

Camera companies make way more on lens sales than bodies, so giving users a reason (or, really, an ultimatum) to update from screw drive is just good business on Nikon's end. As for IBIS, it's entirely possible that many F-mount lenses wouldn't provide a big enough image circle to cover the potential movement of a stabilized sensor on a native F-mount SLR, but even if that weren't the case, it's obviously good marketing to have some features reserved for Z bodies as yet another incentive for Nikon loyalists to buy new products.

Long story short: don't expect Nikon (or any other manufacturer) to give you more for less if they can figure out a way to "incentivize" you into accepting less for more.

Nikkor AF-D lenses are actively manufactured and available in stores a number of people prefer AF-D lenses vs AFG. Nikon is not designing new AF-D lenses but they manufacture them. Not supporting AFD with FTZ adapter was one of the major reasons I didn’t rush to buy Z6.

Trade-Ins are what they are and Nikon's trade-in offer is no different. Have you traded-in your car lately? I will agree that with the $300.00 incentive its not a bad deal.

These type of trade in programs benefit someone who has a 10 year old body hanging around and the $300 bonus is worth more than the old camera.

Hi sirhaweye64 - was Nikon's trade-in offer to you based on their PHYSICAL INSPECTION of your D750? Two years ago, I wanted to have a "tune-up" / cleaning of my perfectly working D800. A Nikon Authorized Service Center quoted $450 (minimum) plus I pay for shipping and insurance.

It was based on their website. After seeing the $350 I never bothered to complete the form or send it in. I don't recall if it was with or without shipping but even if it did include shipping, it was still too low IMO. I traded it into the the local store a later on and got a better deal in the end (traded it on a Z6 during Nikon's promo a year ago).

If you're going to trade it in, I wouldn't bother with a clean-up or tune-up. As longa s it works, I think they'll give you close to what is quoted, but one has to be honest about the actual condition of their camera (is it really in "Excellent" condition or is it "Very Good condition" etc, because Nikon may have a different opinion once they inspect things). Either way, the promos generally benefit Nikon in the end, and only add a little value (savings) to the consumer.

Marc: I gave a departing colleague a D7000 plus lens as a parting gift back in 2012. I hope and think he’s still using it. Great camera.

Likewise I’m looking at used D200 bodies (I bought one in 2008 and used it well for over two years, then traded it in for a D700) for my stepson who wishes to have more control over his (cars mainly) photography. Those old bodies can still deliver the goods!

@Marc. Because he wants to.

What about the iq? The extra stop of dr, or the 20% less resolution?

Never heard of Nikon having worse IQ than Canon in the last 19 years.

Canon have really lost their way when it comes to IQ. Colors are bad grossly inaccurate. DR is bad.

I think they will destroy them to prevent them from showing up again on the used gear market.

I doubt they'll destroy them. They'll recycle the ones that are pretty much obsolete (like if someone traded in a D40 or something, but if someone traded in a D600 or D610 (or even a D750) I could see them refurbing it and selling it as refurbished.

IMO they're obviously "bogus" offers they give you.

Interesting thought on possible dealings with other camera mfrs. Wouldn't surprise me if they did.

But more than likely, they test them, and the ones that pass the general functionality tests will probably be donated or sold at an auction of some sort or sold wholesale to a large reseller of used gear like KEH and others. I'm sure NIkon will try to recoup whatever they can from them, even though they are giving people low-ball offers in the first place for their gear.

I personally just wait until stuff goes on sale, and not bother with the "trade in bonus" deals because they end up not being much of deals in the end (yes it can save you some, but not as much as people believe they are saving) (I tr y to time most of my major purchases around the holidays and so far it's worked out pretty well--scored some good deals over the past few gears on various gear).

Joe, amazing the number of people that thought that 58/0.95 was a good idea...

Glad to see nikon going Sony way. Those who hate Sony will have another brand too hate too.

Z6 is quite a good camera. It has Nikon DNA, it is very ergonomic, it has good IBIS, it has excellent EVF and LCD, it has a beautiful shutter mechanism, it is fast (12fps), it has excellent video capabilities.
Even tracking AF is OK if you can manage to set it up right (which is unnecessarily tedious). So no, Z6 isn't a total failure. The only big issue with it is the AF-C in video.

Its not a sale on the new camera, its a trade-in incentive. Plenty of camera companies do something similar.

Sony does the same thing frequently, even for new cameras. Pentax, Canon, Panasonic, all do it.

I agree; just because it's not what you want doesn't mean others feel the exact same way. And I still don't see why some bother to post on a thread about a new product that they don't want to buy it.

I don't go to online threads about all of the products I will not be buying, whether that be cars, refrigerators, smartphones, etc...and just say in some grumpy tone that I will not be buying. That doesn't add anything constructive.

Just do not buy if you do not like it. Why do you think your opinion is important for everyone to know it? I am tired of the negativity online.

@ Thoughts R Us - thats funny comming from you ”And I still don't see why some bother to post on a thread about a new product that they don't want to buy it” .
You write 1000+ negative Sony comments per year om DPR. You must be planning on buying Sony big time.

Well, then do!

@sillen: the key is that I don't go into threads on Sony equipment and post negative stuff. Most of the time my negative comments on Sony are simply responding to those who come into threads on other brand equipment and try to trash them and promote Sony. So if someone comes into a discussion on a Nikon or Canon brand item, and tries to tell us how bad it is and how great Sony is, I may respond.

it's like if you go into a NY sports bar and try to trash the Yankees and tell everyone how great the Red Sox are. That's what some of the Sony fans are like and its not cool. But if someone in a NY sports bar talks down the Red Sox, that's perfectly fine, esp. if someone tried to trash the Yankees and tell us how great the Red Sox are.

fill their repair centers

They are trying to keep people from jumping to other platforms. They don’t care about the trades in Nikon’s. Wouldn’t they belong to the store that accepted the trade (and paid the trade in value?). They would probably be re-sold.

Nikon.de has a €200 trade-in program until March 31.

What is UK? The newly independent country with cars on the left side?

@LenRivers... Nikon and Canon have a huge user base so they can't just stop making DSLRs too aggressively but my best guess is that we'll see a D850 update and that's about it. I think that would be three DSLRs released after the Z6 and Z7 with the D780, D6 and D8xx and I bet Nikon had already put in a lot of work on all three before the Z cameras. I'll be surprised if Nikon dedicates too many resources to DSLRs outside of those they had already worked on.

There is way too much guessing about mirrorless vs. DSLR. Fact is the companies will make the kind of cameras we want (the public). If DSLR continue, its because people buy them, which, they still appear to be. I've no reason to believe that the optical finder is going away anytime soon.

The problem is the assumptions being made. I see it everywhere. Mirrorless or DSLR. Why are people assuming it has to be one or the other for sale? It doesn't. Both can exist. Both should exist.

Said the mirrorless fan.

Cool if you want to attempt insult more than half of the camera market still buying DSLRS. :)

I'm not insulting anyone by stating the obvious.... if someone feels insulted then perhaps they are a little too invested in the type of technology they like which is an odd thing to say the least. That said, it's probably wishful thinking to believe that half of the camera market will be DSLRs in 2020... that's not going to happen.

AshleyMC, I would agree except that its a real problem at this site with people not recognizing the great many different use cases we have.

Turns into ridiculous arguments when for example 1 person is primarily sports and another primarily landscape. "Its awesome!" "No its not!" "Yes it is!" blah blah endlessly.

@SteveAnderson: An expert confronting another expert that, in the dim view of the former, should not act like an expert.

That's the general attitude. But it does not have to be that way.

Many people post their comments tongue-in-cheek because they know most, perhaps 99%, of the comments in this section are useless. Only the crazy ones come to this section to "learn" something of real value and significance.

There are no definite "right" and "wrong" around here. :D

It was kind of you to reply, but I did not expect you to agree, or disagree, with me. Cheers!

@blackcoffee17 - If you need 4K and better video performance, you might as well get a Z6/Z7. Nikon doesn't even offer an AF-P FX-mount standard zoom. Most regular F-mount FX Nikkors will have audible auto focusing sound. D750 bodies are a steal right now which gives you essentially the same thing minus the video performance.

Your post is not well rounded in that it does not take into account people for whom cost is not an issue. For these people, the D780 is a better choice.

""not well rounded" - you expected a PhD dissertation?"
-no, but expected a comment with less bias. Adding one additional simple sentence isn't in the realm of a PhD dissertation.

" "cost is not an issue" - why bother with D780 then? :D"
-Not everyone needs the features of a higher end camera and the additional weight, etc.

@rbach44 ... you say you own a full D600 kit and a D3500, but you want to sound like you shoot D5, isn't that cute, you seasoned Nikon lover?
Or maybe you just tried to be funny ... but it did not work, sorry.

It is a full magnesium alloy build.
It is not plastic at all.
In fact, they removed the plastic pop up flash which is/was the weakest link on the D750 build.

Indeed it is even not equal to d750 body standard.

zakaria, share with us where did you purchase your D780 "zakaria Ltd. Edition"?

@NIKON D800ES
I just tried the camera today in my local store in Abudhabi.
As I mentioned the body feels plasticky .
I trade in my d750 to get z6.
Nikon makes it easier give them your old camera for estimated price " the third " of the z 6 or z7 or d850 .

@NikonD800Es

Dude, tone it down a litte. Your negativity is not appreciated.

Great, on the other hand you must be appreciating a big time bashing any camera that nobody actually had to use in the field, that kind of negativity rocks your boat, right?

As a counterpoint, someone who got to handle a D780 who posted a comment on a Nikon Rumors thread said that it felt more like the quality of the D850 than the D750. He was very impressed by it. So take it FWIW until you get to handle one if you care.

Now NR does manage its comments and weeds out those who come just to inflame. Just saying that this thread may be more susceptible to those just wanting to post made up criticisms than the NR thread. BTW NR does allow criticism, just not the sort of baseless criticism that the internet can be known for.

@ NEX LUBUS
I think you will change your mind if you get the chance to handle it !
Btw iam a Nikon user since the d200 until now and I like Nikon gear!

Because they tried to get another $300 for the camera, then found out it was not selling near how they expected it to sell. Now... they are scrambling to make it look like they are giving people real break in the price.
It's all a marketing scam to try and get people interested in purchasing this sub $2K camera. Basically, they overpriced the camera and are now backtracking.

exactly! totally absurd MSRP for a run of the mill middle-class DSLR, at a time when mirrorslappers are going extinct like dinosaurs.

No way a D780 should have been priced any higher than Z6. Nikon beancounters have to learn the hard way it seems.

I don't think in this case that's going to matter that much. If the D780 is anything like the original D750 I'm sure they will get a lot of takers, especially since it's more of a hybrid D750/Z6, both of which are available so one can sort of come to a conclusion on the D780 (not to mention DPR's review and sample photos).

There are only two logical explanations for them to offer such a rebate program so early in the life of the product:
1) They vastly overestimated the sales demand and have a lot of inventory to unload
or
2) They remain concerned about people currently in the midst of making a platform decision going another way.

There really is no other explanation. If they believed this kind of promotion wouldn't result in substantially more sales, why would they be giving away $300 per body? It doesn't make sense.

That they "announced" this promotion before the promotion is even ready makes it even more puzzling.. "Don't buy that other camera now.. Wait.. Please wait! We will give you another $300 off if you give up your old camera. But wait. We're not ready yet."

I hope they would at least try to recycle it, with all the talk about environment these days, and not just throw into the ocean. Although I might find some free cameras at the beach if they do.