As a retired professional photographer I was curious about digital cameras. The Nikon Coolpix 990 interested me. However when I read about the Nikon Di and the ability to use all Nikon lenses I was stopped short. I have two Nikon F bodies with Photomic FTn finders and five lenses from 20mm to 200 mm plus polarizing filters and other filters and close-up attachments.

I would love to have the Nikon Di so I can use all my lenses and other paraphernalia but to spend $5000 for a body that will not generate any income does not make any sense. Does anyone have a crystal ball or know anyone in the research and development department of Nikon that will alow me in the near future to use my lenses on a digital for about the price of a Nikon 990

-- Anthony Cutroneo (acutroneo@triad.rr.com), June 16, 2000

Answers

Here is my best guess for you: The D1 is based on a professional body, with the film equivalent being a $1200.00-$1500.00 body. So by the time you add up all the electronics the price is up there. Maybe Nikon will use a cheaper body and produce a $2500.00 camera in the not distant future. I don't see it going much below that for quite some time. When Nikon introduced the D1, kodak scrambled and dropped the prices on their digital cameras (these are based on Nikon and Cannon bodies). The best bet for the near future would be to look at a camera like the Kodak 315 (Nikon Pronea body). These can be purchased used the the low $2000.00 price range. I think it will be a long time before we get a Nikon body SLR anywhere near $1000.00

-- Ralph (REObert@aol.com), June 17, 2000.

As a somewhat related add on question... What has been the time lag between the introduction of the 990, 950 ...?

-- bill (this_old_house@pobox.com), June 17, 2000.

Anthony:
Unless the lenses you are using on your Nikon F are newer models (Do thay have the AI ring?) then I don't think they will work on the D1.

Des

-- Dan Desjardins (dan.desjardins@avstarnews.com), June 17, 2000.

Try a Coolpix 950 or 800 to see if you like digital bdfore you take a serious plunge. Don't forget the hidden cost. You will need to purchase rechargeable batteries, at least a 48 meg memory card, not to mention a decent computer, printer & software to take full advantage of your digital camera.

-- sanford lee (sanford@usa.com), June 17, 2000.