Nikon 1 AW1 firmware update 1.11 released

By [NR] admin | Published: February 24, 2015

Nikon_1_AW1_camera
Nikon released firmware update 1.11 for the water, shock, dust and freeze-proof Nikon 1 AW1 mirrorless camera.

Download links: Nikon EU | Nikon USA

Modifications enabled in this version:

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Posted in Nikon 1| Tagged , | 43 Comments

The Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens got a surprising $1,000 price drop

By [NR] admin | Published: February 23, 2015

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Nikon-200-400mm-f4G-ED-VR-II-lens-1000-price-drop
Nikon-200-400mm-f4G-ED-VR-II-lens-$1000-price-drop
The price of the Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens just dropped by $1,000 to $5,647.90 at Amazon and B&H (still listed for $6,649 at Adorama). The grey market version is currently priced at $6,299. I am not sure what is going on since Nikkor tele-photo lenses are rarely discounted and this lens is not part of the ongoing rebates. One possible scenario is that Nikon may soon update this lens with a fluorite element (FL).

FIY: the price of the 200-400mm f/4G lens when announced was $6,999.95.

Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 103 Comments

Deal of the day: grey market Nikon D750 camera with 24-120mm f/4 lens for $2,199.99

By [NR] admin | Published: February 22, 2015

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Nikon-D750-kit-sale
A grey market Nikon D750 camera with 24-120mm f/4 lens is currently $2,199.99 on eBay (regular price after $600 rebate: $2,996.95). This offer is valid for the next 17 hours.

A body only D750 camera (also grey market) is now $1,767 (regular price: $2,296.95).

Posted in Deals, Nikon D750| 45 Comments

Weekly Nikon news flash #303

By [NR] admin | Published: February 21, 2015

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Jessops-Nikon-D810-camera-trade-in-deal
→ Jessops UK is currently offering £400 trade in discount on the Nikon D810 when you trade in any camera.
→ The Nikon D810 + 24-120mm f/4 lens combo is now $900 off in the US: Adorama | B&H | Amazon (see all current US rebates here).
→ Grey market Nikon D810 is now $2,299.99 on eBay.

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→ Demo Zeiss 135mm f/2 Apo Sonnar T* ZF.2 lens for Nikon F-mount now available for $1,599.99 on eBay (regular: $2,122) – it comes with US warranty.

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→ Sigma announced an Arca-Swiss compatible tripod socket TS-81 for their 150-600mm Sports lens (here is one of the first reviews of the lens)

Tamron-tripod-mount-ring-for-the-SP-150-600mm-f5-6.3-Di-VC-USD-lens
→ Tamron also announced a new tripod mount ring for their SP 150-600mm f/5-6.3 Di VC USD lens.

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→ The latest Samyang 135mm f/2 ED UMC lens (Nikon F mount) is now in stock.

Nikon-1-V2-mirrorless-camera-white
→ Up to $650 off Nikon 1 V2 camera kits at B&H (many V2 kits are already listed as discontinued).

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| Tagged | 37 Comments

Venus 60mm f/2.8 macro 2:1 lens review

By [NR] admin | Published: February 21, 2015

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Last month Venus Optics announced their new 60mm f/2.8 Ultra-Macro lens ($379) – the world’s first 2:1 magnification lens with infinity focus. Here is a review of this lens by Julian Eichhoff  (Website | Facebook | Twitter, see also his Samyang 12mm f/2.8 fish-eye lens review):

The Venus 60mm f/2.8 macro lens

Venus Optics, a Chinese manufacturer, released a 60 mm f2.8 ultra macro-lens. It is a special lens, because it can achieve a magnification of 2:1 (comparison: The 105 mm f2.8 Micro Nikkor “only” achieves a ratio of 1:1).

If you are not familiar with these numbers: The reproduction ratio describes the size of the image on the sensor in relation to the real-life size of an object. At 1:1 a 10 mm object will produce a 10 mm image on the sensor. At 2:1 the image of the very same object will be 20 mm.

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Posted in Nikon Lenses, [NR] Reviews| Tagged | 67 Comments

Lens diffraction in photography

By [NR] admin | Published: February 20, 2015

Storm Warning Upper Bond Falls
Hurricane River Sunset After The Storm
“Lens diffraction in photography” is the third [NR] article by Steve Perry (website | YouTube | Facebook). You can check also his previous posts “How to use Nikon’s AF-ON and back button autofocus” and “How to use a polarizing filter“.

Diffraction – it’s a topic that is frequently floated throughout internet forums and camera clubs, especially among landscape and high resolution shooters. The problem is, those discussions can leave you more confused than a chameleon in a bowl of Skittles.

In this video, we’ll go over all the essentials you need to know about diffraction in photography and kick the myths to the curb. We’ll dive into just what diffraction is, what it looks like, and what causes it.

And, most importantly, we’ll look at how diffraction can impact your photography and what you can do about it.

The video uses example after example to tackle burning questions such as:

  • How far can you safely stop down?
  • Does diffraction limit the usefulness of high res sensors?
  • Can you sharpen out diffraction?
  • Should you ever use small F/stops?
  • What causes diffraction in the first place?
  • What’s the difference between sharpness and depth of field?

So, if you’re ready to discover the truth about diffraction and its impact on your photography, go ahead and press that play button:

Sample photos

Frozen Lighthouse
Frozen Lighthouse

For this image, I only needed F/9.5 to pull it off. I had experimented with F/6.7 and then F/8, but the truth is those F/stops just weren’t getting me the foreground to background sharpness I needed. So, F/9.5 and a little hyperfocal distance saved the day. While my D810 is seeing slight diffraction at F/9.5, it made little difference – and was essentially gone with just a very slight amount of sharpening. I feel like I can print this about as large as I’d ever like. Captured with a D810, Nikon 28mm 1.8G, F/9.5.

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Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged , | 34 Comments

What to expect from Nikon in March

By [NR] admin | Published: February 20, 2015

Nikon Rumors
This is what I expect Nikon to announce in the next few weeks:

→ Nikon D7200 camera.
→ Nikon 1 J5 mirrorless camera.
→ Nikon Coolpix camera with large sensor:

  • I have been reporting for months that Nikon is working on a new Coolpix camera with a large sensor. I am still not sure of the size of the sensor – I am receiving rumors for everything between 1″ to APS-C and full frame, but the most likely scenario is a camera with a new 1″ sensor, EVF and price under $1,000 (maybe even under $800).
  • The new compact camera will most likely be announced together with the D7200 and J5 in the next 2-3 weeks. All three cameras are expected to start shipping before the end of March in order to boost Nikon’s Q4 sales (their financial year ends on March 31).
  • On several occasions in the past Nikon’s reps mentioned that they are still committed to their mirrorless and Coolpix cameras and they still see future potential in 4K video and advanced compact cameras. There were also reports that Aptina is developing new full frame CMOS sensor for Nikon.
  • A reader translated a portion of the Nikon interview I posted online few days ago – the company’s representative also confirmed that a new compact camera with 1″ sensor is coming in the future:

Q: Any new Coolpix A? Any plans to respond to Canon and Sony’s 1-inch sensor fixed-lens compact cameras?
A: Sony’s 1-inch CSC is definitely very successful. We will have a competing product in the future.

Rumors for later (2015/2016) Nikon announcements:

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Posted in Nikon D5, Nikon D7200, Nikon Lenses, Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged , , , | 113 Comments