Nikon stock tanks, new DSLR to be announced!

Maybe we'll see some price cuts or rebates!

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After Nikon lowered their future full-year forecast, the company's stock plunged to its lowest level in 19 months:

Read more on NikonRumors.com: http://nikonrumors.com/2013/08/09/nikons-stock-hit-hard.aspx/#ixzz2bZHA0R2O

Nikon's flagship lens turns 6 this month, with third parties (Tamron 24-70 2.8 VC)) knocking on the door. Wake up Nikon, your loosing market share! Roll out that new 24-70 2.8 VR, build it and we will come!

The problem is they bet the farm on the mirrorless line. Frankly, I'm sure it's a fine camera but it's not something anyone wants. I, for one, do not want to be tied to an LCD screen, especially in bright light situations and clearly neither do most photographers. Not only that but mirrorless cameras main competition are cell phone cameras and unless the add a phone and the internet to their mirrorless line, they will never take off.

Sounds to me there is going to be a takeover at Nikon( not because of this episode there are a lot of QC issues) - maybe Sony or Samsung. They both have the money to do so. I would prefer Sony over Samsung.

I looked at these smaller camera systems to compliment my DSLR. I ended up with a P&S because another interchangeable lens camera system defeated the purpose of having something truly compact and in my mind, would compete with my DSLR. I understand these smaller systems for folks that don't want the larger DSLR's, but in that case the smaller system is eating into DSLR sales, I would not own both (minimalist). They are forced to do this to keep up with everyone else, but it seems somewhat self defeating.

Fixed the first post for you rick

Time to get some Nikon stock if you're into that! I wouldn't invest in point and shoot cameras though. IMO, Nikon was a bit late getting into the 'upload your photos directly from your camera' game. The wi-fi addon they made seems nice, but they need to start offering that as a feature that is in the cameras, not a $150 dongle. That and GPS tagging. This is something that cell phones just do and they need to play catch up if they want to compete.

Also there already are lens rebates right now.

jdeg said:

The wi-fi addon they made seems nice, but they need to start offering that as a feature that is in the cameras, not a $150 dongle. That and GPS tagging. This is something that cell phones just do and they need to play catch up if they want to compete.

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So very much this... And, I'll go one step further. I don't know which makes my head hurt more: that my flagship DX DSLR doesn't have GPS Tagging built in or that the Nikon GP-1A that will give me that option costs THREE HUNDRED dollars. Are you freaking kidding me?? That amounts to a 25% markup over the price of the body itself to add a feature that should be standard issue this day in age.

Nikon needs to wake up and realize they're not the only game in town when it comes to top notch quality in technology like the GP-1A, or lenses for that matter, and get more aggressive with their pricing strategy, IMO.



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Nikon is trading at just under $18 a share. I would be tempted to indulge but with a very glorified

point and shoot called the Nikon CoolPix A, I doubt the company's ability to make rational market decisions.

A $1200.00 point and shoot is beyond the pale.

At least, it is to me!

BWTHDIK?

​Pete

Dave_W said:

The problem is they bet the farm on the mirrorless line. Frankly, I'm sure it's a fine camera but it's not something anyone wants. I, for one, do not want to be tied to an LCD screen, especially in bright light situations and clearly neither do most photographers. Not only that but mirrorless cameras main competition are cell phone cameras and unless the add a phone and the internet to their mirrorless line, they will never take off.

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That's pretty much what equity analysts are saying. All mirrorless lines have reached a saturation point with last years sales showing no increases, in some cases declines. Smart phone camera technology will eventually dominate that market.

Horoscope Fish said:

So very much this... And, I'll go one step further. I don't know which makes my head hurt more: that my flagship DX DSLR doesn't have GPS Tagging built in or that the Nikon GP-1A that will give me that option costs THREE HUNDRED dollars. Are you freaking kidding me?? That amounts to a 25% markup over the price of the body itself to add a feature that should be standard issue this day in age.

Nikon needs to wake up and realize they're not the only game in town when it comes to top notch quality in technology like the GP-1A, or lenses for that matter, and get more aggressive with their pricing strategy, IMO.

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Yep! That and no one is going to buy the GP-1a when you have a cell phone in your pocket that can tag the photos. While a little bit less convenient, it's still an option that mostly anyone with an Android or iOS device can do with a free or $3 app and a wire.

I've seen a drastic increase in cell phone only pictures posted to Facebook in the past couple years. That alone says something. You don't see people taking memory cards out of point and shoot cameras anymore and uploading - they are mostly mobile uploads.

just like when I went from a desktop to a laptop to a netbook. Thought that silly ipad and tablets would never last. When was the last time you saw someone selling or buying a netbook? Technology is moving so fast and the competition is soo aggressive, I think Nikon will do really bad unless they begin to offer lenses at a reasonable price, accessories at a decent price (compare Metz and Nissan to SB-910 and the price difference).

Sambr said:

Sounds to me there is going to be a takeover at Nikon( not because of this episode there are a lot of QC issues) - maybe Sony or Samsung. They both have the money to do so. I would prefer Sony over Samsung.

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I don't see much growth for Nikon, so if they get taken over it would be at a fire sale price, and probably for the brand as much as anything. I don't see what Sony gets out of Nikon, they're moving away from DSLRs as successfully as anybody. Samsung might gain something, but I'm not sure they want to invest much in cameras. Anyway the Japanese don't like non-Japanese companies buying their iconic brands. Fuji is actually surprisingly healthy and might be interested. I think the most likely thing would be a bunch of investors who take it private while trying to turn it around.

Don't Japanese companies historically co-operate and co-ordinate with each other vs take overs or all out buy outs? I can see partnerships or like filterxg said Japanese investors taking it private to right the ship without investor pressures. Much like what's happening to Blackberry.