• Three rare Nikon items on eBay: Nikon Ai-S 13mm f/5,6 (price: $29,399):

Nikon fisheye 8mm f/8 lens (€999):

Nikon MF-24 250 exposure camera back ($1,999.99):

• New book: Mastering the Nikon D7000

• Ikelite announced new underwater housing for the Nikon Coolpix S9100 camera:

• Nikon D90 is the most popular camera on flickr:

• "Political views: Nikon, Religious views: Leica" (somebody’s Facebook profile).

• DIY: Adding an old Nikkor  E-series 50 f/1.8 lens to a p&s camera for macro photography.

• Nikon Coolpix P300 named as "must-have gear for spring and summer" by National Geographic.

• Nikon teams up with royal photographer Arthur Edwards to suggest map of best locations to photograph the procession of the royal wedding.

• NASA certified a Nikon 10.5mm F/2.8 DX lens for Extra Vehicular Activity during the STS-134 mission. It will be used to capture wide angle photos of the ISS (source: NASAspaceflight forum, subscription required).

• Nikon Direct (Japan) now offers color customized products.

• Nikon ME-1 microphone already shipping in Japan  (unboxing video).

• Full Westlicht Photographica Auctions catalog is now online, including some rare Nikon cameras and lenses.

• Different Nikon D7000 serial stickers? Maybe indication for grey market products? See this forum thread.

• Nikon issued a notice for D5100 cameras shipped with European type power plugs:

"It has come to our attention that a batch of D5100 cameras have been shipped with battery charger power plugs suitable only for European sockets. If you have bought a camera with a European plug you can claim a UK plug for your charger direct via Nikon’s support centre, on 0330 123 0932 from Tuesday 26th April 2011.  Alternatively, you can also contact your retailer. Apologies for any inconvenience caused."

• Nikon D5100 user's manual is now available online.

• Nikon D5100 digitutor video now online:

Posted by NikonRumors.com
This RSS feed is copyrighted and cannot be republished in any way without permission.
Follow [NR] on Facebook and Twitter.

The next Westlicht Photographica auction will take place on May 28th in Vienna, Austria. Here are some of the highlights in the Nikon section:

Nikon I No. 60924 (1948)

The earliest known surviving production Nikon in the world! Nikon started in March,1948 to assemble (serial number 60922), this is one of two cameras made in April, 1948 and the 3rd of all Nikon cameras ever produced. It comes with the matching lens (Nikkor 2/5cm no. 70811) and is still in fantastic original condition. Published in: 'The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System' by Robert R. Rotoloni (pgs 51-52), ex-Tad Sato collection.

Opening bid: 70,000 EUR | Estimate: 140,000-160,000 EUR

Reflex-Nikkor 11/2000mm (1972)

The very first 2000mm Reflex-Nikkor, the largest ever built Nikkon lens for 35mm, AV-1 tripod mounting unit, this lens (total weight 25kg) - donated by Nikon Europe for the victims of the earthquake in Japan.

Opening bid: 9,000 EUR | Estimate: 18,000-20,000 EUR

Nikon Underwater Housing for RF (ca. 1958)

One of only three existing underwater housings for Nikon rangefinder cameras (see Rotoloni \'The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System\' pages 514-519 showing no.32587 from a private US collection, the other item is owned by Nippon Kogaku), ex collection Tad Sato.

Opening bid: 12,000 EUR | Estimate: 20,000-25,000 EUR

See also the Leica cameras that will be offered at this auction.

Posted by NikonRumors.com
This RSS feed is copyrighted and cannot be republished in any way without permission.
Follow [NR] on Facebook and Twitter.

This is a Nikon F3 camera with a Kodak DCS100 digital back currently listed on eBay:

Posted by NikonRumors.com
This RSS feed is copyrighted and cannot be republished in any way without permission.
Follow [NR] on Facebook and Twitter.

Sorry, I forgot to include this material in my weekly links post:

During the exclusive Westilicht auction that took place on December 4th, two Nikon cameras made it to the top 3 most expensive cameras sold - a Nikon F3 NASA from 1986 and a Nikon S2-E both sold for 168,000EUR (around 225,000 USD). The first and second place were of course held by Leica cameras - somebody actually paid 402,000 EUR (around 537,000USD) for a Leica MP camera and this is a lot, even for Leica's standards (the most expensive Leica camera ever sold).

If you are adventurous, there is currently a Nikon F3 NASA for sale on eBay for 22,500 USD.

FYI: Nikon S2 rangefinders can be found for few hundred dollars on eBay. More info on Nikon S rangefinders can be found here and here.

Detailed description of both Nikon cameras after the break:

Nikon S2-E Black Paint:

"One of the most important Nikon RF cameras ever offered for sale. The S2-E was the first Nikon with electric motor drive and also the most early 35mm post-war camera with electric motor drive (already before Leica MP-2). Only 4-5 cameras (out of 10-15 produced) are known to exist. This is the most complete outfit in wonderful condition. The black paint camera comes with the matching black paint aluminium Nikkor-S.C 1.4/5cm no.365419, the original motor drive no.94063 (all with boxes with matching numbers), extremely rare sardine battery back, papers and guarantee cards, caps, black everready case, grey relay box, soft release and other accessories - this outfit is published in 'The Complete Nikon Rangefinder System' by Robert R. Rotoloni on page 110-115. ex collection Tad Sato."

Nikon F3 NASA 250:

"Space Shuttle' version of F3 with magazine back for 250 exposures (no.1015) combined with motor drive (no.1004), different details modified for use in outer space, only approx. 19 of these very special cameras were made for NASA around 1986, some were lost in space, in near mint original condition"

Did you notice the "some were lost in space" part?

The next Westlicht auction will take place on May 28th, 2011.

Posted by NikonRumors.com
This RSS feed is copyrighted and cannot be republished in any way without permission.
Follow [NR] on Facebook and Twitter.

It is time for ebay madness:

• This  Nikon Rangefinder camera sold for US $13,000.00
• You can still get the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF AF Lens (Nikon mount) for US $23,899.95 (hey - the shipping is free).
• Phoenix 800mm f/8mm MF Mirror Super Telephoto Lens for Nikon: US $214.95
• Nikon Lens 11/360-1200mm Zoom-Nikkor ED for US $10,966.00

Posted by NikonRumors.com
This RSS feed is copyrighted and cannot be republished in any way without permission.
Follow [NR] on Facebook and Twitter.

I like ebay madness. I am keeping this category. This is what he got today:

• Nikon S3M Half-frame black paint Olympic for US $59,850.00
• Rare Nikon Black Olympic S3 for US $12,000.00
• Nikon SP black paint + Motor for US $21,280.00
• Nikon SP black paint + Motor camera No. 6 of total prod for US $33,250.00
• Nikon AI-S 2/300mm Nikkor ED for US $18,620.00
• Nikon RF Lens 3,5/3,5cm Stereo-Nikkor for US $12,635.00