Nikon rumor of new....

[cicsprog]

camera for astrophotography.  The "Nikon Rumors" website is reporting a 60 percent probability of a Nikon 810 version with astrophotography features. www.nikonrumors.com

[admin]

Yeah, I saw that this morning.  Let's wait and see if it pans out.

[s3igell]

It would be "affirmation" for the Canon 60Da to have a competing Nikon offer the similar Modded Filter.

And might just push Canon to expedite it's next "Da" offering - since the 60Da is coming to End-of-Production.

 

However, this doesn't seem the right Nikon on which to Offer such a "Variation":

Full-Frame High-MP Sensor - FF is hard to justify for AP, as all but highest end Scopes have real problems illuminating such a Sensor without all the "Uglies" showing up in the corners - Vignetting, Coma, Curvature, etc.  AP Imagers with those Scopes are very predominantly Mono CCD Users.

Price Point - the D810 has a Very High Price ($3300) because of numerous Features and Technologies which wouldn't be of any Use/Interest to AP Imagers

Weight/Bulk - the D810 is about the Biggest/Heaviest in the Nikon Lineup - 34oz - nearly as much as a 60Da with Battery Grip loaded with 6xAA batteries

 

I'd think it would be a more plausible (and Marketable) idea if Nikon were to offer a D3300 or D5500 "Astronomy Edition" - Crop Frame but still high MP (and High Sensitivity in the D5500).  Of course they'd need to ensure the SDK were Rock Solid...

[s3igell]

For the past 2 Years, Canon has sponsored a booth at ASAE (Tucson's Fall Astronomy Trade Show).  And both years, it has been staffed by one of the Product Leads for the Canon 60Da project.

 

He has told interesting stories about the difficulties of Justifying a "Modern Astronomy-oriented DSLR" to Canon's Upper Management - even after the Success of the 20Da.

He explained how additional "minor features" to improve the AP Imaging "potential" were shot down over concerns for the non-Astro Buyers - (true Red Screen, integrated Intervalometer, "Silent" Shutter Delay w/o IR-Assist Lamp, etc).

 

We also had an interesting short conversation about the plausibility of an "Astro Model" based off of the Mirrorless EOS-M line - (light weight, no Mirrorbox/very short Back-Focus, less-expensive Auto-Focus, etc).  But I got the impression that an "Astro-M" isn't in the offing...

 

I did get the impression that there IS motion for a future "Astro Model" from Canon - I really hope it is based on the 7DmkII !!

[s3igell]

Well, this Rumor turns out to be CONFIRMED -  Press Releases and other Threads found in this newer Thread in BackyardNikon Forum 

[bruciesheroes]

I can`t really believe those rumors. It would be nice if Nikon suddenly discovered the astro bunch (also because there might be software/firmware improvements) but i think this camera is the wrong approach. At this price point i`d rather buy a dedicated astro ccd.