Weekly Nikon news flash #222

By [NR] admin | Published: July 14, 2013

A quick note: I will be traveling in the next few weeks and will have limited Internet connectivity. Some posts may be published online with a slight delay.
Metabones-adapters-for-Nikon-F-mount-lenses
The new Metabones adapters for Nikon F-mount lenses are now listed at B&H and are priced between $99-$109.

Roof-Robotic-Nikon-Camera
Nikon teams with MRMC for futuristic robot-controlled photography at Wimbledon:

The setup used here at Wimbledon was a combination of camera and robotics equipment. Legendary sports photographer Bob Martin took part in the event with a Nikon D4 SLR camera along with 200-400mm and 80-400mm lenses to start. These were attached and deployed with the robotic system and MRMC Polycam configuration set up alongside three additional Nikon D4 units set up around the arena for time-lapse images.

Nikon-1-J3-protective-sleeve
New: Nikon 1 J3 protective sleeve.

Pixel-King-PRO-for-Nikon
Pixel-King-PRO-for-Nikon-2

Pixel King PRO for Nikon will be release soon (brand is sold on eBay):

With the release of the 3rd Generation Wireless TTL Flash Trigger King PRO Canon Version, the market response of this product is good and hence the sales have risen rapidly. Meantime, this has attracted the attention of many Nikon users. They have been in consultation with the release date of King PRO Nikon version. Pixel then accelerates the pace of research and development to meet customer needs. King PRO Nikon version is expected to release in mid-August.

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 24 Comments

Price drop on refurbished Nikon DSLR cameras

By [NR] admin | Published: July 11, 2013

Refurbished-Nikon-D4

Refurbished Nikon D4 cameras used to sell for $5,199.00 few months ago. The price has now come down to $4,899.95 at B&H and $4,899.95 at Adorama. The Nikon US store still lists the refurbished D4 for $5,499.96.

I noticed also few other recent price drops on refurbished Nikon products – check the full list at Adorama and B&H:

Posted in Deals| Tagged | 87 Comments

This is what happens when you drop a frozen Nikon 600mm f/4 lens from 14 feet

By [NR] admin | Published: July 11, 2013

Frozen-Nikon-600mm-f4-lens-broken-in-half

Daniel Cox was photographing polar bears near Churchill (Manitoba, Canada) when he witnessed a frozen $10k Nikon 600mm f/4 lens falling from 12-14 feet (4 meters) to the frozen tundra. The lens basically broke in half. Read the whole story on his website;

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Posted in Nikon Lenses| 117 Comments

Nikkor 500mm and 600mm f/4G ED VR lenses tested by DxoMark

By [NR] admin | Published: July 10, 2013

Nikon-AF-S-Nikkor-500mm-lens-DxOmark-test

DxOMark published their test results and conclussions for the Nikkor 500mm ($8,399) and 600mm ($9,799) f/4G ED VR lenses:

Comparing the 500mm with rival offerings, we can see that the Nikon is very close to the new 3460g $13,000 Sony. That said the Nikon is slightly sharper at full-aperture and has better uniformity, which is crucial in a lens like this and accounts for the slightly higher DxOMark Score. Compared with the newer, lighter (3190g) and more expensive ($10,399) Canon model though, it can’t match that at full-aperture nor has it the low levels of CA afforded by the three fluorite lens elements.

However, while the Canon 500mm mounted on 5D Mark III is sharper optically than the Nikon model mounted on D800, at the light levels used for DxOMark score (1/60, 150 Lux), the excellent dynamic range of the Nikon D800 sensor helps it improve the DxO Mark Score and accounts for the level-pegging. In lower light levels, the Canon would have the advantage.

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Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 61 Comments

New wave of Nikon announcements coming in August/September, D400 a possibility

By [NR] admin | Published: July 9, 2013
nikon-d400-sensor

Image: Anders Relling

I already started receiving bits and pieces for the upcoming Nikon announcements in August/September – new products will be introduced in two waves that are rumored to be few days/weeks apart. The first wave will most likely be for the new Coolpix/Nikon 1 products (Nikon 1 cameras appear to be on a 1 year refresh cycle). The more interesting second wave will be DSLR related. Three possible products were mentioned to me: a D300s sucessor, a new 300mm f/4 lens and a new DX zoom lens (probably to be sold as a kit with the D300s successor). Please note that even though this is the first time I am receiving any info on a potentials D400 camera, everything is still preliminary at that point and I would rate this at 60% probability for now. I am expecting more detailed info to start flowing in the coming weeks.

A new Nikon D4 based camera is expected later in the year or maybe even in early 2014.

Posted in Nikon D400, Nikon D4s, Nikon Lenses| 231 Comments

Nikon working on a “secret” product (smart phone?)

By [NR] admin | Published: July 7, 2013

Nikon-secret-product

In a recent interview at Nikon’s headquarters, the company’s president Makoto Kimura raised concerns about falling sales of compact cameras due to the growing market share of smart phones:

“The number of people taking snapshots is exploding by use of smartphones that sold 750 million or so last year and are still growing. We’ve centralized our ideas around cameras but can change our approach to offer products to that bigger market.”

Nikon President Makoto Kimura (Bloomberg)

Nikon President Makoto Kimura (Bloomberg)

Apparently Nikon is looking for alternative ways to generate growth – they have assembled a new Nikon Imaging team that is working on secret products that will be available in less than 5 years:

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Posted in Nikon KeyMission, Other Nikon stuff| Tagged , | 146 Comments

Weekly Nikon news flash #221

By [NR] admin | Published: July 6, 2013

Samyang-16mm-f2-ED-AS-UMC-CS-lens
The new Samyang 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS lens for Nikon DSLR cameras is now shipping in the US and is currently in stock (the same lens is also available under the Rokinon brand).

Nikon G - Micro Four Thirds Speed Booster Nikon G - Sony E Speed Booster
Metabones introduced new Nikon G Speed Booster lens adapter for Micro Four Thirds and Sony NEX cameras that has an aperture ring. The US price is $99-$109.

This-Nikon-F-saved-Don-McCullin's-life
This Nikon F camera saved photographer Don McCullin’s life.

Topas Labs plugin bundle sale
Last chance: the entire Topas Labs plugin bundle is now $100 off (use coupon code july4). The suite includes Adjust, DeNoise, B&W Effects, ReMask, Lens Effects, Detail, Simplify, Clean, InFocus and DeJPEG products. This offer will expire tomorrow (July 7th).

Trey-Ratcliff-switched-from-Nikon-to-Sony

An interesting article by Trey Ratcliff on why he switched from Nikon D800 to Sony NEX.

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| Tagged , | 80 Comments