Continuous AF in video mode/live view patent (used in the upcoming Nikon D3100)

By [NR] admin | Published: July 15, 2010

As some readers already noted, this previously covered patent application could be the base of the new continuous AF in video mode/live view feature which will first be implemented in the new Nikon D3100 DSLR camera. As you can see from the drawings, Nikon produced various camera configuration as a possible implementations of this patent, which could indicate that this solution will spread across all future Nikon cameras, including the EVIL system.

Nikon patent application 20100150539 is for a focus adjustment solution (see wikipedia’s explanation of the two different passive focus solutions: phase detection and contrast measurement). Different implementations are shown in this patent application: the first drawing is a camera with a half mirror, the second is mirrorless (EVIL) camera, the third implementations is without a prism (Pellix camera?) and in the last drawing the sensor is located under the mirror (instead of behind the mirror):

Quotes from the patent application after the break:

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Posted in Nikon D3100, Nikon Patents | Tagged | Comments closed

Meet the new Nikon D3100

By [NR] admin | Published: July 15, 2010

D3100

Rumors about a new entry level DSLR between the Nikon D3000 and the D5000 started few months ago. This new camera will not be called D4000 as previously expected, but Nikon D3100.

This is a break down of the main specs/features:

  • continuous AF in video mode/live view (yes, that’s right – it seems that the continuous AF I mention earlier today will first be introduced in the upcoming Nikon D3100)
  • new AF points configuration which should cover a very large portion of the viewfinder. Total of 11 or 12 AF points.
  • 10 MP CMOS sensor
  • HD video: 1080p/24 and 720p 30/24!
  • AVCHD video codec
  • In camera video editing capabilities
  • 3fps (same as D3000)
  • will be sold in a kit with the 18-55mm lens
  • expected announcement in “few weeks”
  • no swivel display

[NR] rating: 99%

This could well be the first pictures taken with the Nikon D3100 (I know, the date is 2009, EXIF can be manipulated, etc.)

Posted in Nikon D3100 | Tagged , | Comments closed

Nikon will release continuous AF in video mode/live view

By [NR] admin | Published: July 15, 2010

The way we AF while video recording may change soon (Nikon D300s in the picture)

Nikon was able to to implement continuous AF in video mode/live view. From the Google translation I got, it is not clear how exactly this will work or whether this technology is still in development, but my guess is that it will use contrast focus. This feature is expected to be present in the upcoming EVIL system and will probably jump to the DSLR line as well, but I am not sure which camera will be the first to have this feature (probably the D90 replacement, since the D90 was first to introduce DSLR video). Nikon’s main concentration was on the AF speed, so we should expect some really fast video mode/live view AF system.

[NR] rating: 95%

Posted in Nikon EVIL, Other Nikon stuff | Comments closed

Nikon D90 listed as “clearance Item, limited availability”

By [NR] admin | Published: July 14, 2010

One of the big US retailers, J&R, has listed the Nikon D90 body only as “clearance Item, limited availability”:

The Nikon D90 kit (with 18-105mm lens) is listed as “Limit 1 per customer”.

Posted in Nikon D90 | Comments closed

Don’t forget the “G11 killer”

By [NR] admin | Published: July 14, 2010

Few months ago Nikon’s UK Senior Product Manager Kevin Egan told AP that they planned to release a Canon G11 competitor with the last batch of Coolpix cameras back in February, but the camera was not ready. Expect this new “G11 killer” to be released with the next batch of Coolpix camera somewhere in the middle of August (unless Nikon decides to make a separate announcement for it).

Today I received also this tip:

“I work at ***. The Nikon rep was in the store and I was pressing him for any info… He told me that Nikon had 3 big cameras to be coming soon, and a G11 competitor had been in development for a while… probably this fall for a release…”

Nikon reps have proved not to be reliable source of information in the past, but this rumor reminded me of the statement Nikon made few months ago and I think it is worth sharing.

Posted in Nikon P7000, Nikon Point and Shoot | Comments closed

I am almost ready to say “it has begun”

By [NR] admin | Published: July 14, 2010

I am almost ready to say “it has begun”, I just need to verify few more things and go through some translations. Stay tuned!

Here are just two of the reports I got in the past 24hr:

“I work for a big retailer in ***. Today all stores have been told to remove demo Nikon D90 bodies from display and send them back to head office.”

“I have had a Nikon SB-600 in order for about 3 months now at a big electronic store in ***. I know a guy that works there. He made a call to the head office, and they told him they expect Nikon to announce a replacement at Photokina.”

Posted in Nikon D90, Nikon Flashes | Comments closed

A note from the admin: the best of 2010 is in front of us

By [NR] admin | Published: July 13, 2010

Photokina is almost two months away, the end of July is approaching and all this could only mean one thing – we should start getting some reliable rumors. The Internet is currently full of speculations and I will continue to filter out the nonsense and post only credible information. We may have few “filler” posts to keep us entertained in the mean time (a new “Nikon in 3D” article is coming up this week). In the worst case scenario, we should have a new line of Coolpix cameras in the first half of August (this is almost a tradition for Nikon). Looking at previous years, Nikon also likes to schedule a more “serious” announcement a week or two before or after the Coolpix press event – either way we are entering the “golden time” of 2010.

I already started noticing few interesting comments on Asian forums from some of the posters I have been following for years. Nothing specific at that point, but the first signs of an upcoming Nikon announcement are present.

On the blog site: soon I will unveil a new “Page 2″ of Nikon Rumors – that way I will be able to cover everything Nikon related without cluttering the main blog page.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff | Comments closed