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We had an ex-pro photographer at our club last night who informed us that Nikon have a new digital SLR up their sleeves to rival the Canon 300D. Apparantly they have just registered the trademark 'D70', so it doesn't take a genius to work out what it will be.
Anyways, just passing on the news.
Andy
Andy,
Did he say how he came by the news, most people actually in the know (ie have seen the specs or handled the prototypes) are restricted under NDA.
Of course he could have been referring to the new D2H 
Mike
He didn't say, it was a 20 questions to a pro type session and someone asked about the 300D and how the other companies viewed it. He said that, as usual, Nikon have been slow to respond as they don't make their own chips, but that they had just registered the name 'D70'.
I think that kind of information is public as you should be able to check somewhere which names are trademarked (don't ask me where!). Whether he know the details or not, it would seem a pretty simple guess to work out what a Nikon D70 would be.
Andy,
I would agree - the D70 would seem to indicate a digital version of the N70 (or at least whatever the numbering convention is).
It doesn't necessarily indicate an immediate release though as the corporate marketing department would need to have the final model designation completed way in advance of any specific launch in order to prepare marketing materials, press releases and packaging - not to mention preparing the manufacturing line to emblazon or extrude the D70 onto/into the casing.
I would have thought that a good 6 months would pass before anything with D70 hit the streets if not more.....
It would be interesting to see what other desingations have also been trademarked by Nikon and Canon, although if they are smart they will be covering the model lines for the next few years - you wouldn't want to be unable to launch a D3H in 3 years time because someone registered it for a cheap kids toy.
Mike
In theory it should be a good way of checking what is registered, as these companies tend to buy up names early on to avoid problems with 'name' thieves (ie. I register D3H now, and then when nikon want it I charge them an exorbitant fee, happened a lot with web names), although I'm sure they have a cunning way of restricting it?!
Don't know how Canon managed it as the bloke we had in is involved with Digital Depot, but had no idea about the 300D till about 2 weeks before the release. Slick operation!
Andy
Very very tight NDA clauses and a strict communcations black-out to all but those who need to know.
You would probbaly find that many within Canon, and very few retail outlets would not find out until absolutely necessary. For digital depot that would mean pricing information, graphics and material for advertising that would be needed in advance so that they could market it from day one after announcement.
As a priviledged Canon tester you would probably only make the mistake once of leaking information - then all the freebies and early views would be removed forever.
I know when I was at a Canon day earlier in the year Canon UK were looking for focus group volunteers (I wasn't selected) the time frame of which would have been right for a 300D focus group to determine marketing messages and maybe a price point. Those guys would have had to sign an NDA to attend.
Mike
Nice,
A chance to play with new toys and then maybe keep them in return for keeping schtum, sounds good!
Slick operation though to keep it all tight, but then to have huge quantities ready for the launch. The Digital Depot bloke said it is the only DSLR that he can order in large quantities and actually get. All the others come in 2s and 3s.
Nikon have been slow to respond as they don't make their own chips, but that they had just registered the name 'D70'.
Hardly news I'm afraid. I read about this a while ago - about the time the 300D was announced.
Is it just me or is this an odd choice of possible name for a Nikon, given that until recently Canon sold the D60?
Bob,
I'm a strong Canon believer - and acknowledge that I have never used a Nikon myself, and possibly never will.
However, I have seen many D100 images and it does produce excellent work. It's not that common a theme amongst Canonites that is has resorted to religion.
Digital is so dependant on the user - from white balance to ISO speed, in-camera and post-processing that the petty arguments at that level about the cameras being better or worse are not really valid at all.
pnb - Canon has resolved the mis-alignment of the digital range which started with the D30 and continued with the D60 (nomenclature that was representing the pixel count) - now they are aligned with the film body naming scheme (1 = pro range, 10 = a prosumer level, 3 will equal the model below pro and 300 the consumer model) I dounbt Canon will have the D first again.
Mike
Nikon have used F65 and F80 for their consumer film models, D70 fits into this branding.
To answer Jonjed the D70 would be aimed at the consumer market, the D100 at the prosumer, the D2H at the press/photo-journalist and the D1x at the social pro photographer.
The D100 is a nice camera, which gives great images.
While Nikon probably need to compete with the 300D they also need to address the resolution of the D1X. The advances made in producing the D2H, especially the flash system and the focusing areas needs now to cross over to a new D1X replacement.
PS Mike I didn't know I'd left.
Jeff
Nikon have used F65 and F80 for their consumer film models, D70 fits into this branding.
Not to mention the F70, eh Jeff!
There's a story about the D70 at Rob Galgraith
BOB S, You are misunderstanding, I don't see any point in Nikon/Canon slanging matches and I certainly didn't say that the D100 is 'no good'. I haven't used a D100 so I wouldn't know but I'm sure it's a good camera.
I didn't really want to go here but the fact is that new cameras come along and overtake older ones. According to all the professional reviews the 300D has the edge at the moment. Not my opinion, it's just the way things are. Digital technology is fast moving and as new cameras come along, the 300D will slide down the leaderboard. When that happens it will still be a good camera and I won't be crying about it.
My real point was that Nikon appear to be planning to aim a camera at the 300D end of the market. Assuming this camera will compete technology wise with the 300D it follows, if you accept what I say above, that it will therefore have an edge over its big brother the D70.
I think this is a bit odd. Who is going to buy the D100? The 300D is good but there is still an obvious gap between it and the 10D.
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