Nikon Rumors » Nikon D400

Another Nikon D400 book is available for pre-order

[NR] admin — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 22:03:36 +0000

The saga of unreleased Nikon D400 books continues - this time it's Magic Lantern who promises a new D400 guide on September 4th, 2012. The book is currently available for pre-order on Amazon US, Amazon Germany and Amazon UK:

The timing of the book release (September 4th, 2012) is interesting because Nikon is known for making major announcements in August (D90, D7000, D3, D300). In addition, the biggest photo show Photokina starts on September 18th.

After the D3200, Nikon is expected to release two more DSLR cameras in 2012. It will not make sense to upgrade the D7000 and the D300s at the same time, so my guess will be for a new D5200 and a D400. This will open the path for current D7000 owners to upgrade to the D400 (just a speculation, I have no reliable info on the D400 at that point).

Update: the publisher of the book issues a statement that this listing was a mistake:

"Due to an internal systems error, the Magic Lantern Genie Guides book with ISBN 978-1454707820 was mistakenly listed with a fictitious model name: the D400. This was a dummy title that never should have fed out to booksellers, and neither Simon Stafford nor Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. have any knowledge of such a camera model."

Nikon D3200 coming in April with a 24MP sensor and many new features

[NR] admin — Wed, 28 Mar 2012 21:59:27 +0000

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Nikon will soon announce the D3200 DSLR camera which will replace the current D3100 ($549). The expected specs are:

24 MP sensor
11 AF points
4 fps
ISO range: 100-6400, with hi-ISO of 12800
Improved video functionality
The Nikon D3200 will have some kind of a Wi-Fi connection that is supposed to offer few very interesting new features
Announcement in April, 2012

Those specs basically confirmed my initial D3200 report from last month.

In addition to the D4 and D800, Nikon is expected to announce 3 more DSLR cameras in 2012. I understand that most of you are interested in the D300s replacement - at that point I do not have any reliable information worth sharing. I think it's safe to assume that the D400 (or whatever the name might be) will have a 24MP DX-format sensor. There is also a possibility for two different models - one with an anti-aliasing (AA) filter and one without (just like the D800/D800E).

I am still not sure if some of the expected Nikkor lenses (18-300mm f/3.5-5.6, 16-85mm f/4 and the full frame 28mm f/1.8) will be announced together with the D3200 next month.

Stay tuned for more details.

Nikon will announce three more DSLR cameras in 2012

[NR] admin — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:41:05 +0000

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The current DX camera line according to Nikon Europe

In addition to the D4 and D800, Nikon will announce three more DSLR cameras in 2012. I believe that the new cameras will all be DX models - my vote goes for Nikon D3100, D7000 and D300s replacements.

In terms of lenses, I am confident about at least two new DX products:

A refresh of the 16-85mm lens (it may even have a fixed f/4 aperture)
A new 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6 lens (see patent):

Nikon D400 will not be announced before the D800/D4

[NR] admin — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 02:00:28 +0000

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Image: Anders Relling

As of today I don't have any details on the Nikon D400 DSLR camera (or whatever the D300s replacement will be called). The only information I received is that the Nikon D400 will be released in 2012 after the D800/D4 announcements (I was told in March). It's just too early to consider this information as reliable. Maybe Nikon will really try to get it out before the London Olympics. The Nikon D400 is supposed to be a "bigger D7000" with a monster burst rate and tweaked AF system from the D4.

In 2012 Nikon will be announcing the D4/D800 plus a D7000 replacement (probably in August). Adding the D400 on top of those three cameras will really make 2012 a "Nikon DSLR year".

I am also getting some tips that a new Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/1.8G DX (no VR) lens is currently being tested. With the success of the AF-S 35mm f/1.8G DX, I will not be surprised if Nikon releases another DX prime lens.

[NR] probability rating for everything in this post is low at that point, about 30%.

What could the Nikon D400 sensor be like?

[NR] admin — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 22:06:16 +0000

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The only D400 traces so far (credit: Anders Relling)

In addition to Nikon's press event on August 24th, Sony is also expected to announce its new a77 camera on the same date. This is another reason why we may not see a Nikon D300s replacement this month - Sony will want to take all the glory with its new 24MP sensor. Here is what I know about the a77 sensor in case Nikon decides to use it in the D300s replacement later this year:

World's first 24.3 MP APS-C sensor (FIY: Nikon D7000 has a normal ISO range of 100-6400)
ISO range of 100-16000 (expandable to ISO 50)
The sensor will offer AVCHD progressive (ver.2.0) full HD video recording at 60p which is also world's first
A 24p frame rate option will also be available.

A recent unscientific poll indicated that the D300s replacement is the second most anticipated Nikon camera right now (22% of all votes).

What camera are you waiting for?

[NR] admin — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:38:50 +0000

I am just curious what new Nikon camera the majority of [NR] readers are waiting for? Here is a quick poll:

Nikon rep: two DSLRs will be announced by the end of August

[NR] admin — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:11:46 +0000

This is the email I received from a reader describing a recent Nikon event organized for major authorized dealers in a country I will not mention online in order not to get anyone in trouble:

They essentially explain what happened with Nikon since March 11th (earthquake, tsunami, Fukushima, etc.) and what major decisions have been taken since concerning the product plants situated in the area.

They told us that most of the machines have been moved to a new plant in Malaysia and most of the employees have been moved as well with some monetary compensation. Then, some photo slides of the Malaysian plant have been shown. The new facility is already producing cameras and lenses. Expect to see "Made in Malaysia" Nikon product very soon.

Now, as you can imagine, everybody asked for the D700 and D3 replacement schedule. Here is what the Nikon rep said: "Two new FX bodies will be announced by the end of August. Availability in Fall." Even though the rep wasn't explicit about which current cameras are going to be replaced, it was quite clear they were talking about "old body designs" (guess D700 and D3). Nevertheless, the two FX cameras will be aimed at different customers who have different needs: one camera for "expert" photographers, the other for "pro" photographers. Technical spec and form factors will be significantly different as well.

Could it be that the camera for the "expert" photographers is actually the previously rumored D400? In any case, the major announcement scheduled for the end of August seems to be on track and has not be delayed by the recent tragedy in Japan. All information so far points to the announcement of two new DSLR cameras. The Nikon Coolpix line will also be upgraded, probably somewhere in the middle of August.

Nikon D4 with 32MP, D400 with 24MP sensors from Sony?

[NR] admin — Sun, 19 Jun 2011 19:38:38 +0000

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I received a tip about Sony's new a920 full frame camera with a 32MP sensor to be announced this August. If this turns out to be true, there is a good chance that the Nikon D3s replacement (D4?) will also use this 32MP sensor (given that Nikon continues to use Sony sensors).

On the APS-C side, Sony is expected to release a 24MP a77 camera in July. This could become the base of the Nikon D300s replacement (D400?).

FYI: Nikon announced the D3x three months after Sony introduced the 24MP full frame sensor in the a900. Sony announced their 16MP a580 camera on August 24th 2010, Nikon released the 16MP D7000 on September 15th, 2010. The Nikon D7000 has a tweaked Sony sensor where the D3100 had a Nikon developed sensor (see more info on Nikon/Sony sensors here).

Reality or fiction: Nikon D4, D4x, D400, D400x, D800, D800x, D9000 specs

[NR] admin — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 05:35:57 +0000

So, you want rumors? Here we go: this is an email I received few hours ago. I am posting the unedited version. Reality or fiction? You decide (I vote for fiction with both hands):

Subject: Believe or not. I have most Nikon D4/D400/D800 specs from Swedish information i have.

Message: You cannot truly believe it. So, even i don't, but i have heard this information in Swedish restaurant dinner table from other table and the second were looking Nikon's employer and they speaking over three hours together in english about specifications and i don't really believe the word, but so on, that's what i heard. Huh, i were lucky cause he do not notice my listening, is this secret information? They do not have other customers at same time. Thats what i writed based from their conversation.

I heard a rumor of Nikon's fourth generation digital camera series specifications in Sweden. Additionally, i know that the Nikon is releasing its own 35mm video camera models for professional market, using of course Nikon F bayonet mount for lenses. They have two models to release, first the heavy pro model priced around 10000€ and lighter second camera to below two kilograms-group. Both have XLR-audio inputs and world's first Ultra High Definition in videocameras, the UHD 3840x2160p. Of course the same feature is even found in it's professional DSLR models targeted for still camera use (D4/D800/D400-series). Both they video- and DSLR-cameras are compatible with they new feature found by their lenses, it's simple an AF-upgrade which do not stop the focusing between each frame, which means focusing is really continuous. Yes i know some other videocamera manufacturers may have already this feature in their lenses (yet them bodycan use it) but Nikon delivers this feature even to stillcameras and lenses which are targeted to still use, other stillcamera manufacturers do not have that feature for still-shooting. I'm said this feature "compatibility even in video", cause the feature means the lens must be equipped with new type AF-motor, that lenses compatibility with older models is they can't use the feature, but they can use lenses traditionally by stopping the focusing-between each frame. That means the focus stop to some "point", it do not mean focus power-on/power-off. It's possible the third generation have compatilibity to use it by hardware, but Nikon can release an firmware update to them is that's possible. Well, next more. Cause that AF-feature, AF and meterings servo features and updated metering and focusing systems, i heard the manufacturer have a plan to make new pro film camera model, the F7. Yes, you read right and maybe you know they even release they first full frame digital camera model for consumer market, the D9000. So, you we

ll know Nikon and their politics, its camera factory and the previous film model is 7 years old while writing this. They know the film is not dead and film manufacturers have a change to develop new films that can really compete with nowadays modern digital cameras. But really, it's only the D4 or D800 body that is modified to film use, nothing more nothing less. Well, it's looking highly important that memory manufacturers will have to develop new faster and higher capacity memory cards for that new cameras, but is important to hurry up with them cause new cameras really need high speed memory. Nikon's fourth generation DSLR models specifications are below.....

*For IQ i mean High ISO Image Quality

Nikon D400

Sensor: 24 Megapixel APS-C CMOS sensor (Bayer type or new type 1-layer sensor which do not have Bayer filter but anyway needs three pixels to create any color. This new type will be better at high sensitivies)
Sensor made by: Nikon.....
Sensor filtering: Nothing (IR and AA filters are detachable and they are in a detachable lens
mount module)
And that lens mount module: Detachable and including two filter slots for carrying example of Anti-Aliasation and Infrared filters or what you want to mount over your sensor? Detachable lens mount module is also useful for easy cleaning of sensor and prism too..... (personally i don't want any aliasation to make photo unsharp while i can remove moire in photo manipulation or unuseful light decreasing traditional fysical IR filter, cause i prefer to remove IR frequences directly from sensor if i don't want IR pictures)
Prism: Standard moving prism with Multi-Shot mode (more than 1 exposures in 1 prism move, user selectable number of exposures around 1-9 exposures, 1-12 with grip and ENX-1 battery)
Dynamic range: Over 14 F-Stops
Sensitivity: 100-51200 ISO (Boost 50, 102400, 204800, 409600) (IQ* over 2 stops better than D3s)
Autofocus sensor: 201 points MultiCAM-5000DX (all points cross type, huh) or it's possible AF can be a completely new type? That AF systems have many AF-servo features like 1DmkIV.....
Light metering: New type 24 Megapixel light metering sensor (this is a surprise!)
Exposure modes: P,A,S,M,PM,AM,SM (in PM,AM and SM you can manually set what shutter speed and aperture ranges program can be use. Example of PM-mode. 1/20-1/500sec and apertures f/2.8-8 while the lens itself can be use aperture from f/1.4 to f/22 (example). Shortly you can set what speeds and apertures can be used in program. And now Automatic ISO is allowed to use in all metering modes even in the full manual.)
Shutter: Focal plane shutter with speeds from 60sec to 1/16000sec, Bulb, Time (probably metal shutter rated over million exposures)
Shutter lag: 20ms
Framerate: 9 frames/sec (12 frames/sec with new MB-D20 battery grip and ENX-1 battery)
Camera buffer: Over 4 Gigabytes
Video recording: 30frames/sec UHD 3840x2160p & HD 1920x1080p quality AVCHD video
Flash sync: Up to 1/250sec X-sync and Nikon High Speed Sync up to 1/16000sec
Infrared sensitivity range: Up to 900Nm for full Infrared photography compatibility
Infrared sensitivity range set: You can manually set what red sensitivity range the sensor records. Eg. you can take genuine Infrared pictures without using any filter with sensor by setting the
red sensitivity range to example of 650-900Nm. And you can take standard pictures simply by set the max red sensitivity to Around 550Nm. Its highly possible the camera have an
own standard mode in the menu for easy setting to no IR senzitisation.
Memory: Two CompactFlash card slots and one standard USB3.0 port on the camera right side for moving the photos and videos to memory stick or hard disk or shooting to them directly
Other features:
Autofocus and Light metering servo features
Additionally the old AI/AI-S lens connectors for metering
In camera moire remove feature while shooting samelike as noise remove (Off, Lo, Md, Hi)
Thunderbolt High Speed I/O
Integrated GPS
Integrated Wi-Fi for uploading pictures, remote controllers, setting cameras settings from computer, for flash controlling etc.....
The camera uses new 2500mAh ENX-10 Lithium Polymer battery
New user and menu interfaces
Shutter release now selectable for any user set button
Weight: Around 1000g without battery, memory card or body cap
Release date: 4th quarter of 2011 or 1st quarter of 2012
Price: ?

Nikon D4

Sensor: 18 Megapixel full size CMOS sensor (Bayer type or new type 1-layer sensor which do not have Bayer filter but anyway needs three pixels to create any color. This new type will be better at high sensitivies)
Sensor made by: Nikon.....
Sensor filtering: Nothing (IR and AA filters are detachable and they are in detachable lens
mount module)
And that lens mount module: Detachable and including two filter slots for carrying example
of Anti-Aliasation and Infrared filters or what you want to mount over your sensor?
Detachable lens mount module is also useful for easy cleaning of sensor and prism too..... (personally i don't want any aliasation to make photo unsharp while i can remove moire in photo manipulation or unuseful light decreasing traditional fysical IR filter, cause i prefer to remove IR frequences directly from sensor if i don't want IR pictures)
Prism: Standard moving prism with Multi-Shot mode (more than 1 exposures in 1 prism move, user selectable number of exposures around 1-12 exposures, except over 12 frames/sec its mininum of 2)
Dynamic range: Over 16 F-Stops
Sensitivity: 100-409600 ISO (Boost 25, 50, 819200 and even the unbelievable 1638400) (IQ* over 5 stops better than D3s, personally i will not believe that, sounds impossible)
Autofocus sensor: 201 points MultiCAM-5000FX (all points cross type, huh) or it's possible AF can be a completely new type? That AF systems have many AF-servo features like 1DmkIV.....
Light metering: New type 18 Megapixel light metering sensor (this is a surprise!)
Shooting modes: P,A,S,M,PM,AM,SM (in PM,AM and SM you can manually set what shutter speed and aperture ranges program can be use. Example PM 1/20-1/500sec and apertures f/2.8-8 while the lens itself can be use aperture from f/1.4 to f/22 (example). Shortly you can set what speeds and apertures can be used in program. And now Automatic ISO is allowed to use in all metering modes even in the full manual.)
Shutter speeds: 60-1/16000sec, Bulb, Time (probably metal shutter rated over million exposures)
Shutter lag: 20ms
Framerate: 12 frames/sec (18 frames/sec in Multi-Shot mode)
Camera buffer: Over 4 Gigabytes
Video recording: 30frames/sec UHD 3840x2160p & HD 1920x1080p quality AVCHD video
Flash sync: Up to 1/250sec X-sync and Nikon High Speed Sync up to 1/16000sec
Infrared sensitivity range: Up to 900Nm for full Infrared photography compatibility
Infrared sensitivity range set: You can manually set what red sensitivity range the sensor records. Eg. you can take genuine Infrared pictures without using any filter with sensor by setting the red sensitivity range to example of 650-900Nm. And you can take standard pictures simply by set the max red sensitivity to Around 550Nm. Its highly possible the camera have an own standard mode in the menu for easy setting to no IR senzitisation.
Memory: Two CompactFlash card slots and one standard USB3.0 port on the camera right side for moving the photos and videos to memory stick or hard disk or shooting to them directly
Other features:
Autofocus and Light metering servo features
Additionally the old AI/AI-S lens connectors for metering
In camera moire remove feature while shooting samelike as noise remove (Off, Lo, Md, Hi)
Integrated grip
Thunderbolt High Speed I/O
Integrated GPS
Integrated Wi-Fi for uploading pictures, remote controllers, setting cameras settings from computer, for flash controlling etc.....
New user and menu interfaces
Shutter release now selectable for any user set button
The camera uses new 3500mAh ENX-1 Lithium Ion or Lithium Polymer battery
Weight: Around 1400g without battery, memory card or body cap
Release date: 4th quarter of 2011 or 1st quarter of 2012
Price: ?

Nikon D4x: Other features same as D4, but changes below.....

Sensor: 48 or 54 Megapixel full size 3MOS (samelike as Sigma Foveon) or 3-layer JFET-LBCAST sensor (heh heh ? Nikon uses his own strategy for challenging with Canon and should have used some Sony sensors before for showing to challengers they can't develop good sensors, this is don't true but Canon and Sony believing it's true, you know what i mean)
Sensor made by: Nikon.....
Dynamic range: Over 18 F-Stops
Sensitivity: 25-51200 ISO (Boost 102400, 204800, 409600) (IQ* ?)
Light metering: New type 48 or 54 Megapixel light metering sensor
Framerate: 12 frames/sec
Release date: 3rd quarter of 2012
Price: This rumor is not a joke..... like D4x price, its not a cheap joke for amateurs. Nikon states the body is priced over 8000 euros.

Nikon D400x: Other features same as D400, but changes below.....

Sensor: 36 Megapixel full size 3MOS (samelike as Sigma Foveon) or 3-layer JFET-LBCAST
sensor
Sensor made by: ?
Prism: Standard moving prism with Multi-Shot mode (more than 1 exposures in 1 prism move, user selectable number of exposures around 1-9 exposures)
Dynamic range: ?
Sensitivity: 25-25600 ISO (Boost 51200, 102400, 204800, 409600) (IQ* ?)
Light metering: New type 36 Megapixel light metering sensor
Framerate: 9 frames/sec
Release date: 3rd quarter of 2012
Price: ?

Nikon D800: Other features same as D400, but changes below.....

Sensor: 24 Megapixel full size CMOS sensor (Bayer type or new type 1-layer which do not have Bayer filter but anyway needs three pixels to create any color. This new type will be better at high sensitivies)
Sensor made by: Nikon.....
Prism: Standard moving prism with Multi-Shot mode (more than 1 exposures in 1 prism move, user selectable number of exposures around 1-12 exposures)
Dynamic range: Over 14 F-Stops
Sensitivity: 100-51200 ISO (Boost 50, 102400, 204800, 409600) (IQ* over 3 stops better than D3s)
Light metering: New type 24 Megapixel light metering sensor
Framerate: 9 frames/sec (12 frames/sec with new MB-D20 battery grip and ENX-1 Lithium Ion battery)
Release date: 3rd quarter of 2012
Price: I think it's below 3000€

Nikon D800x: Other features same as D400, but changes below.....

Sensor: 36 Megapixel full size 3MOS (samelike as Sigma Foveon) or 3-layer JFET-LBCAST
sensor
Sensor made by: ?
Prism: Standard moving prism with Multi-Shot mode (more than 1 exposures in 1 prism move, user selectable number of exposures around 1-9 exposures)
Dynamic range: ?
Sensitivity: 50-25600 ISO (Boost 25, 51200, 102400, 204800, 409600) (IQ* ?)
Light metering: New type 36 Megapixel light metering sensor
Framerate: 9 frames/sec
Release date: 3rd quarter of 2012
Price: Even this maybe under 3000€

Nikon D9000: Other features same as D7000, but changes below.....

Sensor: 32 Megapixel full size CMOS sensor (Bayer type)
Sensor filtering: IR & AA
Framerate: 3frames/sec
Release date: 3rd quarter of 2012
Price: Around 1000€

Nikon event in Taipei tomorrow

[NR] admin — Mon, 21 Mar 2011 16:51:14 +0000

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Update: the event in Taipei was for the already announced Coolpix cameras - see this report for more info.

Nikon has scheduled an event in Taipei for tomorrow (March 22nd, 2011). The only detail I have is the text 新品體驗會 (translation: "the experience of new models" or "an experience of new stuff"). The event will take a place in one of the luxurious hotels in Taipei and may not be for a new product announcement. Has anyone received an invitation?

Nikon Malaysia is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a series of events from March 31st till April 3rd, 2011.

They are also promising a surprise contest on March 31st:

"We have a special contest planned for you. Do come back on 31 March 2011 to find out what’s the surprise!"

I already reported about a possible press event on April 4th. This date could have been moved to the second week of April because of the situation in Japan. I believe a new product announcements is imminent in the next 3 weeks. Potential new products to be released are the Nikon D5100, Nikon's mirrorless camera and some tips even suggested the D400.

Nikon's strategy is to announce different product categories separately in order to get full attention of the press. We should no longer see Coolpix and DSLR announcement on the same date. This could mean that we may have multiple announcements in the next few weeks.

Nikon D300s slowly phasing out

[NR] admin — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 19:33:58 +0000

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A follow up on this post from yesterday: Nikon Service Point Munchen is selling their Nikon D300s demo camera on eBay:

Nikon Service Point Munchen has been a good indicator of discontinued products in the past: when they sold their last D300 on eBay in 2009, the D300s was announced a month later.

Another German retailer lists the Nikon D300s as "geringe Stückzahl auf Lager" which means limited quantity in stock:

Nikon D300s orders no longer possible in Switzerland

[NR] admin — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 19:36:11 +0000

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The Swiss retailer Brack (in English) has listed the Nikon D300s as "keine nachbestellung möglich" which means "can not be ordered any longer":

A reader contacted the store directly and got the same response from the product manager. Brack is a large electronics reseller and they deliver to several different stores in Switzerland.

After the release of the D7000, the price of the D300s has fallen down to $1,449.00 for body only.

Sony rumored to announce 24MP APS-C sensor, what would Nikon do? (Nikon D400)

[NR] admin — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 01:50:54 +0000

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The current Sony a700 12.24MP Exmor APS-C CMOS sensor

Amateur Photographer is not big on reporting rumors, but today they did just that: the Sony α700 replacement is rumored to have a new APS-C sensor with high ISO "up into the hundreds of thousands" and resolution of 25MP. The potential release is expected to be around September at PMA 2011 (now called CliQ 2011).

This upcoming sensor from Sony could be the base for the D300s replacement (D400?), unless Nikon really is designing and producing their own sensors now. Since the replacement of the α700 will be a direct competitor of the D300s successor, it will be interesting to see who will make the announcement first (my guess is Sony).

There are even some early rumors floating around that the D400 could go back to the PRO body design of the Nikon D2xs (pictured below) - that would be a way of "upping" the D7000 which currently has better specs than the PRO D300s model.

Nikon D2xs body

If Nikon really goes with a new full-body style for the D400, this will also ensure Sony that they will not have a direct competitor for their α700 replacement.

Nikon D400 @Capture NX 2 screenshot

[NR] admin — Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:43:55 +0000

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Update: the photographer posted this comment on his Facebook page:

"This has gone so far. I'm just joking among friends. I didn't write anything about it, just posted the photo, no description. But you have to wait for the news at the end of this month. There's a new model, not sure if it's this name (D400). Someone already tested it while I just had a look. Sorry for the panic. Let's talk again at the end of July"

Credit: Waran Suwanno

This screenshot was published on the facebook account of Waran Suwanno (pictures; websites: pixpros, pixproshouse) - a well respected photographer from Thailand. The rumor is that he did test Nikon equipment in the past. The screenshot is a Capture NX2 window showing Nikon D400 listed in the camera info window.

Nikon D500 rumor from Russia

[NR] admin — Sat, 15 May 2010 14:23:29 +0000

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Update: the ISO 3200 is not the maximum value but rather a comment from the photographer that ISO 3200 was very usable. Also, it was mentioned in the comments that this could be the replacement of the D300s (info sent by some native speakers - thanks).

This rumor came from the World Wide Web and I cannot vouch for its validity (thanks to everyone who sent that in).

The Russian nature photographer Igor Shpilenok has arrived in Kamchatka for 10 days and the rumor is that he will be testing a new camera from unidentified company (hint: he is a Nikon shooter, check his blog). The rumored specs are:

20MP crop sensor
HD movie mode
10 frames per second
single CF card slot
working ISO: 3200

The source of this rumor (in English) has labeled this camera as D500, but this could be just a guess.

I am not sure if the camera on the picture is the actual test piece or just a reference photo (the Nikon logo is taped):

Update on the latest Nikon D400 book listing

[NR] admin — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 04:14:02 +0000

This the response from the publisher regarding the latest Nikon D400 book listing:

"Wir hatten aus einer in der Regel sehr zuverlässigen Quelle die Information, dass Nikon demnächst eine Kamera mit dem Modellnamen D400 ankündigen wird. Dementsprechend hatten wir ein Buch dazu bereits fest eingeplant. Bislang hat sich das leider nicht bewahrheitet und uns liegen keine neueren Infos darüber vor, ob und wann Nikon eine Kamera diese Namens herausbringen wird."

Google translation:

"We had a usually very reliable source of information that Nikon will soon announce a camera with the model name D400. Accordingly, we had a book about this already scheduled. So far, unfortunately this is not true and we are no recent information on whether and when Nikon will release a camera that name."

The author and photographer Klaus Kindermann did not know anything about this book - it seems that the publishing company created the entry without this knowledge.

Thanks to all readers in Germany who helped me on this topic.

Another Nikon D400 book shows up in Germany

[NR] admin — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:54:32 +0000

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There was already a Nikon D400 book listed on Amazon Germany a year ago. The publisher came out officially and said that this was a mistake. Few months later they released the same book (same ISBN) with a Nikon D300s name instead.

Now we have a new Nikon D400 book listed on Amazon Germany (from a different author: Klaus Kindermann).

The same book is listed also on Amazon UK, Amazon France and Amazon Japan. The book is not listed on Amazon US.

The "product details": 320 pages, there is date reference of May 2010 (ISBN-10: 364560037X, ISBN-13: 978-3645600378):

The publisher is Franzis Verlag - could not find any other information on their website.

Rumor: Nikon DX DSLR roadmap

[NR] admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 03:05:23 +0000

I got this rumor few days ago and I have been unsuccessfully trying to get some confirmations. What bothers me is the time frame of the Nikon D90 and D300s replacements - those lines are on a 2 years refresh schedule and Nikon has been strictly following it. Removing the AF motor from the D90 is also questionable. Coincidentally, the Nikon D90 "body only" hit a new low price of $789.95 @ B&H Photo (the also offer free overnight shipment). Here is the rumor:

"The specs given below for the D7000 are final and pretty much certain. Details on the D4000 & D400 however are a bit less so, but the concept of each of those two cameras, like what each replaces and which sensor it uses, that at least is sure. It is also sure that D5000 was a transitional camera not a beginning of a new series.

D7000
• Replaces D90/D5000.
• Announcement in Jan/Feb 2010.
• 14MP* CMOS sensor (similar to Sony A550 sensor).
• No* AF motor.
• New* AF module: CAM2000, 20 area.
• 5 FPS.
• Live View & 1080* video.
• Articulated 920K LCD.
• OVF same as D90.
• Weight and size below D90 "thanks" to the removal of the AF motor.

D4000
• Replaces D3000/D5000.
• Announcement in 2nd half of 2010.
• 12MP CMOS sensor.
• No AF motor.
• OVF & AF module same as D3000/D5000.
• 3.5 FPS.
• Live View*, but no video.
• Fixed 230K LCD.
• No AEB.

D400
• Replaces D300S.
• Announcement in 1st half of 2011.
• 16MP or higher* CMOS sensor (same new sensor as upcoming Sony A700 replacement).
• AF motor still there.
• 8 FPS (without the grip).
• Live View & special* high quality 1080 video (possibly RAW video???!!!).
• Articulated* 920K LCD.
• OVF & AF module same as D300S."

And another unrelated rumor:

"Nikon is working on new battery grip for the next DSLR camera (possibly D800). It will have GPS module build inside, small LCD screen and some outputs."

You can see the related forum discussion here.

Official Nikon D300s survey

[NR] admin — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 18:34:16 +0000

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credit: Nikon USA

Nikon just sent out a D300s survey (via email). It seems that this survey is not personalized and everyone can do it (at least in the US) - here is the link. There are a lot of questions about lenses.

Tell Nikon what you think!

Nikon-Rumor mills from around the web

[NR] admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 22:50:00 +0000

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Bits and pieces of Nikon rumors from around the web:

Ellis Vener made a comment on photo.net:

"More fast wide angle prime lenses are definitely in the pipeline, but I can't say more than that." (from Oct 29, 2009, 09:53 am).

If you read his first comment on this thread, Mr. Vener had the opportunity to shoot with the Nikon D3s almost right after it was released, so I would assume that he does have some insider information.

Interesting comment on dpreview: in 2010 we should get:

- D500 (DX)
- D800 (not D700x) with 18MP (not 24MP)
- A new wide angle prime lens
- A new mid range zoom lens with VR
- A super tele zoom lens with VR (all lenses expected by February, 2010 - for details see older post)

This is pretty much nothing new (it seems that we now have a rumor consensus for all those lenses), except the 18MP sensor. Two weeks ago I received a tip that Nikon has been actively working on a 16MP full frame sensor - maybe they redesigned the 16MP chip and turned in into a 18MP?

I got a report from the UK that people who pre-ordered the 70-200mm f/2.8 VRII were asked to make a payment. Shipments should be starting soon (officially scheduled for the end of November).

Zeiss will be releasing some new ZF lenses: "around a 180, 135 focal length (the 180 will probably be macro)"

Again: Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.4 coming soon (source). See also this patent (full pdf available here).

f = 35.863, FNO = 1.45 and the lens diagram:

Not clear yet if the rumored wide angle prime will be 24mm f/1.4, 35mm f/1.4 or maybe both?