DSLRUsers.com

NASA's going camera shopping. I think we should refer them to Poon.
http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewsr.html?pid=24939

Interesting short read.

Ben

They are not giving anyone good lead time for this procurement. 3 weeks is a bit optimistic for their requirements I'd say.

How long before they put them up for sale on Ebay after they're done.

As long a there aren't any Moon Landings the lenses will be dust free....

Exactly! 28 D2XSs shouldn't be a problem for a large supplier/distributor, but how many of those will be "lubricated with Braycote lubricating grease which is approved for spaceflight"

Killakoala wrote:They are not giving anyone good lead time for this procurement. 3 weeks is a bit optimistic for their requirements I'd say.

TonyH wrote:As long a there aren't any Moon Landings the lenses will be dust free....

its not the moon landing you need to worry about its the dust and wind at area 51

Killakoala wrote:They are not giving anyone good lead time for this procurement. 3 weeks is a bit optimistic for their requirements I'd say.

i think its just a government requirement to put the tender out there when they know only nikon themselves will be able to supply them.

obzelite wrote:

Killakoala wrote:They are not giving anyone good lead time for this procurement. 3 weeks is a bit optimistic for their requirements I'd say.

i think its just a government requirement to put the tender out there when they know only nikon themselves will be able to supply them.

Ah yes, but going by Nikon's own ability at getting their own cameras to the market, it will be a tall order for even them

(I imagine they will push hard to get them suitable and up to spec as the marketing advantage would be too much to give up)

Killakoala wrote:They are not giving anyone good lead time for this procurement. 3 weeks is a bit optimistic for their requirements I'd say.

No, it just means that they're restricting it to the supplier that they have already chosen. Standard technique for corrupt organisations trying to look honest.

moz wrote:No, it just means that they're restricting it to the supplier that they have already chosen. Standard technique for corrupt organisations trying to look honest.

Definitely a conspiracy - why don't they give Canon a chance to build these D2XSs with the special lubricant?

Cheers

Expect a shortage of lens and camera body supply within next few weeks. They might simply turn their manufacturing site in Japan into NASA custom build factory until everything is out and certified.

I guess NASA is willing to pay US$8,000 - 10,000 for a single body
And everyone in the US wonders where their tax goes

Yi-P wrote:And everyone in the US wonders where their tax goes

I live in NSW and I wonder where all that GST revenue goes to...? Certainly not on the Pac Hwy near Coffs... (Another B Double rolled in Coffs yesterday, but I'm getting off topic here).

These cameras will be given to pers who will not know which way the flashcard goes in. They'll be Googling DSLRUsers from space in order to work out what PASM means!

Matt. K wrote:They'll be Googling DSLRUsers from space in order to work out what PASM means!

Google's server are only allowed to show "RTFM" from that query sent from space

out of interest, what the hell use are they goin to have for flash in space lol? id doubt a speedlight has a big enough guide no to light up the moon!

Why does NASA like Nikon so much?

Grev wrote:Why does NASA like Nikon so much?

Someone has too

Going totally OT here... but I just did a bit of a search into that Braycote stuff.
http://www.2spi.com/catalog/vac/braycote-600EF.shtml

According to the above:
"Castrol Braycote® 600EF is designed to operate in the presence of fuels, oxidizers, and in applications of deep space vacuum. It is used in gears, ball and roller bearings, electrical contacts, and "O" rings. This grease is highly recommended for applications where temperature extremes and/or low vacuums are routine, such as cryogenic coolers, FLIR, laser optical systems, or hostile chemical environments."

Ben

Grev wrote:Why does NASA like Nikon so much?

Because Nikon have supported/supplied NASA since the early Gemini launches.

Want proof - look at the optical assemblies they use on some of their old footage,especially the big powered binocular range finders (not cameras).

MarkW wrote:

Grev wrote:Why does NASA like Nikon so much?

Because Nikon have supported/supplied NASA since the early Gemini launches.

Want proof - look at the optical assemblies they use on some of their old footage,especially the big powered binocular range finders (not cameras).

Hmmm surely Canon can lure them away... But thanks, was just wondering why NASA's people only have Nikons.

Grev wrote:Why does NASA like Nikon so much?

I suppose that it would be necessary to look at the history of Nippon Kōgaku pre - 1945 at the core of Japanese optical development and its emergence post war as the worlds premiere optics company... even surpassing the German companies from whom they gained so much knowledge in the 1930's.

Nikon has always been an optics company first and foremost. NASA has probably forged a strong relationship with Nikon for much of their optical requirements, not just DSLRs. Why jeopardise that?

Or to put it another way. Nikon is not a marketing company. Why pay 200% more for 70% of the product? NASA people are not idiots.

Cheers

Those 28 " one off" bodies are going to be very expensive.

If an expense oversight committee was questioning NASA on the expenditure price, then NASA would be able to point out the tender process taken to procure them.

Alternately, given the short tender time, I would judge that NASA has already ordered them, they have been manufactured and are maybe already in NASA's hands. Possibly someone in the ordering department forgot that these were supposed to be tendered and this process is "back ordered".