Nikon Rumors » Nikon D4

Nikon D4 now in stock

[NR] admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 19:10:24 +0000

Nikon D4 is now in stock at OneCall. This also means that they no longer have a waiting list.

Update: the status now says "coming soon".

Posted by NikonRumors.com
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Nikon D4 now ships without a free XQD card and reader

[NR] admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 02:42:26 +0000

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Up till now Nikon included a free 16GB Sony XQD card and a reader (aprox. $185 value) with every D4 shipment. This seems no longer to be the case and the last Nikon D4 shipments do not include any freebies.

The other bad news is that so far I have not heard about another major manufacturer to jump on the XQD wagon.

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Nikon acknowledges the D4/D800 lockup issue, offers temporary fix

[NR] admin — Fri, 04 May 2012 00:54:48 +0000

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Can you spot the problem?

In a statement to PDN Online, Nikon USA acknowledged the D4/D800 lockup issue that I reported a month ago (several readers and other websites have reported similar issues). Nikon is currently working on a permanent solution, in the mean time you can turn off both the 'Highlights' and 'RGB Histogram' display options in order to avoid this problem:

"Nikon has received reports of a small number of D4/D800 users who are experiencing 'locking up' issues, where the camera becomes unresponsive until the battery is removed and reinserted. Nikon is investigating a permanent solution to this issue and will update users accordingly. To immediately resolve this issue, users can turn off both the 'Highlights' and 'RGB Histogram' display options in the 'Playback Display Options' sub-menu found in the 'Playback' menu. Nikon apologizes for any inconvenience this may have caused users."

Today Fstoppers reported another D800 focus/viewfinder issue that was also confirmed by Nikon:

"I didn’t believe my buddy when he told me that his brand new Nikon D800 viewfinder was always out of focus. I assumed that he had the diopter out of whack. It wasn’t until I used the camera myself that I realized there was a serious problem. The camera was sent back to Nikon for repair and he received the camera back last week with the same issue. After sending it back a second time, Nikon has admitted that “a run” of D800s have an issue with viewfinder alignment."

Here is an example sent in by a reader:

In addition to this blog post, there is an entire thread on the [NR] forum for all D4/D800 related issues.

Up to £180 cashback when you buy a Nikon D4/D800/D800E and a FX lens in the UK

[NR] admin — Tue, 01 May 2012 15:17:28 +0000

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After Nikon UK raised the prices of the D4 and D800, they are now offering a new cashback program (up to £180) when you purchase a D4/D800/D800E together with a new FX lens. The claim form can be found here. The eligible lenses are:

AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G: £100 cashback
AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G: £80 cashback
AF-S 16-35mm f/4G: £75 cashback
AF-S 24-120mm f/4G: £75 cashback
AF-S 28-300mm: £60 cashback
AF-S 105mm Micro f/2.8G: £50 cashback
AF-S 50mm f/1.4: £35 cashback

There are also new Nikon rebates in the US - I will post the details online once I get them.

Nikon claims that the greenish D4/D800 LCD screen is more accurate than the D3s/D700

[NR] admin — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 18:18:09 +0000

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Nikon's response on the green cast present in the D4/D800 LCD screen is that this is not a defect. According to emails from tech support, the D800/D4 LCD displays are more accurate and set to have a better colors reproduction. The display color temperatures in the older D3s/D700 models were slightly higher which made the images to appear somewhat bluish. In other words, the problem is not with the D4/D800 but rather with the D3s/D700 - the new Nikon cameras have a more precise reproduction of white and colors (as defined by the sRGB color space) visible to the naked eye when compared to earlier models.

There is a separate thread on the NR Forum for D4/D800 issues reported by readers.

Images credit: Benjamin Brolet

Revisiting the alternative Wi-Fi solution for Nikon D4

[NR] admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 01:56:55 +0000

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The $30 Wi-Fi solution for Nikon D4 described in this post had one limitation - the Wi-Fi bridge did not act as an access point and needed an established Wi-Fi network in order to operate. This setup can be further improved if you use an USB solar battery charger (around $15 on eBay) and the ASUS WL-330N3G mini Wi-Fi router (around $70 on Amazon):

The battery is charged from the sun in about 10 hours or from a PC in 3 hours and can lasts for about 2 hours. The 3G router is excellent, it starts-up in seconds, can share an USB hard disk, can also share its Internet connection via a SIM card, etc. Including a WEB/FTP server in the D4 was a very clever move from Nikon - it gives endless possibilities. I can for example make a script on my Android phone to connect to the FTP server every x seconds and downloads all the new JPEG files (similar to Eye-Fi cards). If the camera is far away from Wi-Fi reach, I can connect to it through the Internet (provided I made a port forwarding for ports 80 and 21 in the 3G router).

Here are some pictures of the setup:

Check also this alternative Wi-Fi solution for Nikon D4.
Thanks to GfK from Patras, Greece for sending in this update.

Underwater housings for Nikon D800 and D4 cameras in the making

[NR] admin — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:01:26 +0000

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Hugyfot underwater housing prototype for Nikon D800

The first underwater housing prototypes for Nikon D800 and D4 cameras are already out and they look slick. I was told that the Hugyfot housing for D800 will cost "only" €2,850 including VAT (around $3,700). Hugyfot showed also those 3D rendering for the D4 housing at the London Dive Show:

Hugyfot underwater housing prototype for Nikon D4

Nauticam already has a working prototype of an underwater housing for Nikon D4:

Nauticam underwater housing prototype for Nikon D4

Via Wetpixel

Another alternative $44 Wi-Fi solution for Nikon D4

[NR] admin — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 04:04:05 +0000

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This guest post describes another (see also this post) Wi-Fi solution for Nikon D4 by Nick O'Donnell:

Like most of you I love spending a boat load of money on things I won't be using very much. Yeah, right. The Nikon D4 is one heck of a camera with seemingly every capability the could stuff into it, including the wireless networking abilities of the WT-5. I purchased my D4 the day they were released along with the WT-5 and it's a great tool but not for that price. As a working pro I will get the use out of it to make it worth the $800 investment, but I periodically book events that I would like to have 3 or more cameras transmitting images to the server computer and buying extras for a couple shoots a year isn't worth it. On the other side, photographers that might want to have fun with what it can do without putting out the cash for real thing have been looking into other options. Here's my $44.16 solution:

I've purchased the Powerlink AP2403 on a tip from my best friend and host of the amazing website Technically Lexy. They were running a few days long deal to pick one up for $22 shipped free. The AP2403 is a very small, lightweight Router/Client/Access Point that can switch between these modes, plus it has a mini USB port for power which will be crucial for getting the setup portable. For this setup I'm using it in AP mode, that's basically taking the data from the Ethernet port on the D4 and turning it into a wireless signal to send to the server.

The other item is a $22.16 eBay purchase of a GearPower USB charger. This is normally used to recharge cell phones or iPods on the go. Important thing with this is the power comes from a mini USB port so we can power the AP2403. You may be able to use several other devices, one I have on order is called a Callpod, bought that also because there is much more battery capacity so I'll let you know how it goes.

Setting this up was pretty easy too. You will need a separate Wi-Fi network to get the AP talking with the computer. I plugged the AP2403 into the wall using the provided ac adapter and used my laptop to log into it while it was in router mode. If you have a computer with Wi-Fi, it should see it as the network MP01, that was the default for mine. I connected to it and opened Internet Explorer to type in 192.168.16.254 - this will open the settings. Then I changed the switch on the side of the AP2403 to "AP". That allowed me to see 'AP Client' in the wireless settings drop-down menu, select enabled and click apply. It will look for your Wi-Fi network when you click on 'site survey' you'll get a confirmation that it's connected to your Wi-Fi. The instructions that were included seem to be translated from Chinese or something because they were hard to read, but that should be all you'll need to do.

From there you'll be using the network settings in the D4 to connect, and your hardware settings will be using the wired network connections. The D4 doesn't know the wired connection isn't actually plugged in. Again, the AP2403 is essentially taking the signal from the wire and turning into a wireless signal. Since it's powered by a mini USB connection, the battery powers it perfectly. I've used it in HTTP mode and FTP mode and it works exactly as the WT-5 does. I'm using Cerberus FTP as my server program, it works like a charm. There are several free ones out there, but currently the WT-5 is incompatible with some of the free software out there. Of course using the HTTP setting in the camera to view and download images via a web browser is pretty easy too. I prefer running a server that can do some of the work for me. If you run a server you can send only the images you want. Combining the FTP software with a program like Hotfolder Prints from Breeze Systems will allow you to instantly print images sent from the camera, or you can use similar programs to show the images on a monitor to share with clients or friends. You can connect to your iPad or iPhone with an awesome app called ShutterSnitch, it's very user friendly and allows for rating of photos with a slick interface that lets you move between images quickly.

I've been looking at some mounting options for this setup too. I had a special plate added to a stroboframe flash bracket to hold the WT-4, of course that thing was huge so I don't need all that. I can see a simple use of Velcro holding the AP2403 and the battery to a small bracket that will attach to the tripod mount. I used to use Nikon's SK-7 to mount the extended range antenna for the WT-2 on my D2x. Another great thing I have is a brother-in-law that installs networks for a living so he can make me a cable a few inches long, so I'm hoping to mount it right off the side where the connection is maybe right in front of the sync port. Hope some of you out there can have fun with this and open up new doors for solving problems, or at least let the geek in you have a fun weekend project!

Feel free to leave comments if you have questions, I'll do my best to reply to them. I've also been chatting with many other users on dpreview on this topic in the D4 forums.

A quick Nikon D3 vs. D4 high ISO comparison

[NR] admin — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:34:37 +0000

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This is a quick high ISO comparison between the Nikon D3 and D4 cameras - the first image above is the original (click for larger view):

Nikon D4 and D800 cameras were designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro

[NR] admin — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 01:07:22 +0000

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I reported this rumor over a year ago - similar to previous Nikon professional cameras, the latest full frame DSLR models were also designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. You can see the D4 and D800 pages on italdesign.it.

Here is an old interview with Giorgetto Giugiaro on the Nikon D3 design:

DIY $30 WiFi solution for Nikon D4 and other smart phone additions for your camera

[NR] admin — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 21:59:46 +0000

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credit: Voudas

The NR reader Voudas sent me this inexpensive alternative for controlling your NikonD4 camera through WiFi:

"The idea was to connect the small VAP11G portable WiFi bridge device (available on eBay and Amazon) to the D4's Ethernet port in order to use it through WiFi. I setup the Ethernet connection of the D4 and then used the VAP11G device to connect through my WiFi. I then used my laptop and iPhone to check the WiFi connectivity with the D4. It worked like a charm!

The limitation of the device is that it didn't act as an access point - it would always need an established WiFi network, but the important thing was to prove that the price of the WT-5 price is ridiculously high ($877) and the VAP11G does the same thing for around $30. This limitation could probably be eliminated with the Asus WL-330gE wireless access point."

The next gizmo is the FlashDock that lets you attach an iPhone (or any other smart phone) to your DSLR and use many of the available apps dedicated to help photographers:

Sharing pictures: Imagine a DSLR with a 3G/4G connection: Bruno Rousseau says: "What if we could share a High Quality picture by E-mail, SMS or via cloud services like iCloud or DropBox? That is something users have done for years with their camera phone but never did with their DSLR. How does the Flash-Dock help doing that? Well, have you heard about the EyeFi SD Cards? EyeFi cards are SD Cards that store pictures and send them to the SmartPhone through their built-in WIFI chip. Again, it is possible to use EyeFi cards without the Flash-Dock, but it is not that easy. The SmartPhone being next to the DSLR, everything works seamlessly and without the user paying any special attention to it. Once the photo-shoot is finished, the photographer only has to share his photos with the world through the 3G/4G networks... they are all on his SmartPhone."

Geotagging with .GPX files: SmartPhones have a built-in GPS and most DSLR don't. SmartPhones can record tracks into a file called a "GPX file". That file is then read by iPhoto, Aperture, Lightroom, Photoshop Elements, Picasa and most photo library softwares. What these softwares do is, merge this GPS data with the metadata of pictures taken during the photo-shoot. It is simple and free.

Geotagging with bluetooth: Some add-on devices like the BlueSLR are plugged into the DSLR GPS connector. Since SmartPhones also have a bluetooth connection, they can send in real-time location information to the camera that in turn will geotag pictures. It works the same way as if there was a GPS receiver plugged into the DSLR, only cheaper.

LightMeter: SmartPhones have cameras and light sensors. Both combined, some smart developers have managed to create Light Meters that perform very well. They do require a calibration with a real light meter, but passed this stage, all the photographer needs is a SmartPhone.

Depth Of Field calculator: These apps let the DSLR user calculate precisely the sharp area before and after the subject. These calculators take into account the lens type, the camera model and aperture to give a very precise value.

Level: Photographers have used levels for years on their tripods and now some DSLR feature an electronic horizontal line. However, some cameras do not have this feature and people can now monitor a level even without a tripod. Typical accelerometers inside the SmartPhones have an accuracy of 0.1°, more than enough for a level functionality.

Microphone: The latest DSLRs all have video functionalities. However, the sound is often not in par with the video quality. SmartPhones on the other hand are made to deliver good sound quality with ambient noise cancellation and remote recording. Another good exemple of combining DSLR and SmartPhones.

Vibrations monitoring: What sort of vibrations does the shutter bring on a DSLR? With Seismometers apps, photographers can visually see and record the vibrations brought by their set up and correct it until pictures are taken completely still.

The next accessory for DSLR cameras is called iCandy - it uses the front facing camera of a smart phone to entertain small children and make them look into the camera while taking portraits:

PhotoMeta iPhone app lets you see EXIF data on your iPad. It works with both JPG and NEF files from the D800:

Nikon D3s mini guide for iOS. The press release can be found at PB:

If you live in Norway, you better pre-order the Nikon D800 before the upcoming price increase on April 1st

[NR] admin — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 18:00:08 +0000

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As previously suspected the Nikon D800 price in Norway will be going up according to this banner posted on the Norwegian online store fotovideo.no. Nikon D800 pre-orders placed before April 1st will be eligible for the current price. The D4 was not mentioned, but I believe its price will go up as well.

Curious to read the official statement - another "system error" two months after the camera was officially announced?

At that point I believe there is a very good chance that more countries will get a price increase for the D4 and D800 cameras.

Update: there could be also a D4/D800 price increase in Sweden and Denmark.

Update #2: The Nikon D800 price increase in Norway is over 12%: from 22,185 to 24,990 kr.

Nikon D4 and D800 price increases coming to more countries?

[NR] admin — Sun, 25 Mar 2012 04:11:09 +0000

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DigitalRev has the D4 in stock for £4,689.00 + free shipping

The UK may not be the only country to raise the price of the Nikon D4 and D800 cameras. There is a good chance that this will happen also in at least one more European country (maybe Norway?). For now this is just a rumor, but I was told that Nikon D4 orders has been put on hold awaiting the new prices. I have no information about a potential price hike in the US.

If you are in the UK, maybe it's worth checking DigitalRev who currently have the D4 in stock for £4,689.00 (free shipping to the UK).

Update: several readers confirmed that pre-order UK prices will not be changed/increased. Nikon UK also confirmed the price increase on Facebook:

Nikon UK increased the price of the D4 and D800 cameras?

[NR] admin — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:32:42 +0000

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Pixiq reported today that Nikon UK increased the price of the Nikon D4 by £500 and the D800 by £200, with immediate effect. The information is based on an email sent from a Nikon UK general manager. The previous pricing was described as a "systems error".

Currently the Nikon D800 is listed for ~~£2,399.00~~ £2,599.00 at Amazon and Jessops and the Nikon D4 is priced at £5289.00. I am not sure about the D800, but the D4 was initially listed for £4799...

Few days ago, the price of the D800 dropped £300 for few hours on Amazon UK.

I emailed few sources in the UK but could not get a confirmation for this price increase (probably because of the time difference).

Nikon D4 tested at DxOMark, gets second best overall score

[NR] admin — Tue, 20 Mar 2012 14:59:52 +0000

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DxOMark published their test results for the Nikon D4 camera. The D4 automatically took the #2 spot, based on overall test score and just 2 points after the PhaseOne IQ180 digital back. Another interesting aspect is that the Nikon D3s got a better low-light ISO score than the new D4.

DxOMark doesn't have any test data for the new Canon EOS 1Dx camera yet. I will post another comparison later between those two cameras, since the 1Dx is the only real D4 competitor.

The first Nikon D4 is already on eBay

[NR] admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 22:35:21 +0000

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The first Nikon D4 is already listed on eBay by an authorized US dealer. The starting price is $6,999.95. Let's see for how much it will sell tomorrow.

There is another listing here.

So far ALL Nikon D4 shipments include free Sony XQD card and reader

[NR] admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:13:56 +0000

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As of today, all Nikon D4 pre-orders that I know of (in multiple countries, even non-NPS) were delivered with a free 16GB Sony XQD card and a reader (aprox. $185 value).

Maybe this XQD bonus will be included only in the first D4 shipment since XQD cards are not yet available.

Update: the rumor is that Nikon Capture NX will be included with every D800E shipment in order to provide customers proper tools for moire control. At least this will be the case in Europe, not sure about the US.

Nikon D4 shipping to NPS members in the US

[NR] admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 02:28:52 +0000

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NPS members in the US who pre-ordered the Nikon D4 received a shipping confirmation today. I still have no evidence that the D4 is shipping to "regular orders".

Dear ***,

I wanted you let you know that your D4 camera is preparing to ship to the dealer you specified on your priority request.

You will receive 1 camera on this order. If this completes your D4 order, your name will be removed from the list. If you still have additional D4's on order you will be notified as each one ships, until the complete order is shipped.

We are sending a copy of this notice to *** so that they can be on the lookout for the camera. It will arrive with your name on the packing slip.

Please contact your dealer to discuss with them when you plan to pick up the camera.

Regards,

***
General Manager NPS

Nikon D4 manual, XQD cards and other updates

[NR] admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 15:09:19 +0000

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The user's manual for Nikon D4 is now available on Nikon Europe support site (registration required). Update: here is the direct Nikon US link for the D4 manual.

This Nikon D4 in Australia also came with Sony XQD card and reader. The rumor is that the first batch of D4 shipments will all include Sony XQD card and a reader (and not only NPS orders).

The US delivery of D4 (and D800) cameras should all happen by the end of next week because Nikon will suspend all shipments from March 24- April 1st for their yearly inventory count (March 31 is the end of the fiscal year for Nikon). The Nikon WT-5A and BL-6 covers for the new battery should be in stock in the next 48 hours.

Amazon offered 5% discount for the Nikon D4 to selected Amazon Prime members.

Nikon D4 unboxing video

[NR] admin — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 21:12:34 +0000

As I already mentioned earlier today, the Nikon D4 is now shipping and this is the first unboxing video. I am not sure why this D4 camera came with a Sony XQD card and a reader - this was probably a local special.