Nikon instant rebates for March

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

Nikon-intsnat-lens-rebate
Nikon-bundle-savings

Those are the Nikon US instant rebates for March, 2013:

Both offers are currently set to expire on March 30 (Nikon’s financial year ends on March 31, 2013).

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Posted in Deals| 40 Comments

Nikon Coolpix P330 vs. the P310 specifications comparison

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

Nikon-Coolpix-P310Nikon-Coolpix-P310-camera-back

Nikon Coolpix P310

Nikon-Coolpix-P330-compact-cameraNikon-Coolpix-P330-back

Nikon Coolpix P330

The new Coolpix P330 camera is actually a step in the right direction – Nikon did include a larger 1/1.7in. sensor  (the Fuji X20 still has a bigger 2/3 in. sensor) with less megapixels and freshly added NRW/RAW support. The price is also right at $376.95. Here is a quick specifications comparison between the new P330 and the old P310 models:

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Posted in Nikon Point and Shoot| 14 Comments

Nikon Coolpix A camera additional coverage

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

Nikon-Coolpix-A-black-and-silver-models

What you may have missed about the new Nikon Coolpix A compact camera:

  • the Coolpix A is compatible with the optional WU-1a wireless mobile adapter (see demo)
  • the camera does’t not have an optical low-pass filter
  • the new Coolpix supports 14-bit compressed NEF (RAW) images
  • it seems that only the top plate is made from magnesium alloy
  • Nikon markets the Coolpix A as the smallest compact camera with a DX sized sensor
  • the 18.5mm f/2.8 lens has a manual focus ring

Accessories

Nikon-Coolpix-A-with-SB-400-flash Nikon-Coolpix-A-optical-viewfinder

Nikon-UR-E24-HN-CP18-lens-hood-adapter-ring-set Nikon-DF-CP1-optical-viewfinder

The main accessories listed for the Coolpix A model are:

  • DF-CP1 optical viewfinder
  • UR-E24 adapter ring for attaching lens hoods and filters
  • HN-CP18 metal lens hood

The Nikon DF-CP1 optical viewfinder is priced at $449.96, the adapter ring and lens hood will be sold together as a set for $129.96. After adding the listed $1,096.95 price of the camera, the entire Coolpix A set comes to $1,676.87! I am not sure what Nikon is thinking, but I believe the Coolpix A will join the instant rebates program very soon.

Here is the complete charts of compatible accessories:

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Posted in Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged | 156 Comments

Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D vs. AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G specifications comparison

By [NR] admin | Published: March 5, 2013

Here is a quick comparison between the old and new Nikkor AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lenses based on the specifications listed on Nikon’s website:

Nikon-AF-VR-Zoom-NIKKOR-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6D-ED-lensNikkor-AF-S-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR
Nikkor-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6D-EDNikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR lens design
 Nikkor lens AF 80-400mm
f/4.5-5.6D ED VR		 AF-S 80-400mm
f/4.5-5.6G ED VR
Focal Length Range80-400mm80-400mm
Zoom Ratio5x5x
Max Aperturef/4.5-5.6f/4.5-5.6
Min Aperturef/32f/32-40
Max Angle of View (DX)20°20°
Min Angle of View (DX4°4°
Max Angle of View (FX)30°10′30°10′
Min Angle of View (FX)6°10′6°10′
Max Reproduction Ratio0.42x0.2x
Lens Elements1720
Lens Groups1112
Compatible Format(s)FX
DX
FX in DX Crop Mode
35mm Film		FX
DX
FX in DX Crop Mode
35mm Film
Vibration ReductionYesYes
Diaphragm Blades99
Nano Crystal Coat—Yes
ED Glass Elements34
Aspherical Elements——
Super Integrated CoatingYesYes
AF-S (Silent Wave Motor)—Yes
Internal Focusing—Yes
Minimum Focus Distance7.5ft.(2.3m)5.74ft.(1.75m)
Close Range Correction——
Focus ModeAuto
Manual		Auto
Manual
Auto/Manual
Rear Focusing——
Filter Size77mm77mm
Accepts Filter TypeScrew-onScrew-on
Teleconverter Useno (source)yes
Dimensions3.6×6.7in. (Diameter x Length)
91x171mm (Diameter x Length)		3.8×8.0in. (Diameter x Length)
95.5x203mm (Diameter x Length)
Weight47oz.(1360g)56oz.(1570g) incl. tripod collar
 Price$1,348 after rebate$2,696.95

The interesting part comes when we compare the MTF chart with other Nikon lenses with a similar focal length range – the new Nikkor AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G has a very good (if not the best) MTF diagram:

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Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 134 Comments

Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G, Coolpix A, P330 pre-order options

By [NR] admin | Published: March 5, 2013

Nikkor-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-lens

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens pre-order options (available on March 19, 2013):

Nikon-Coolpix-A-compcat-camera-front

Nikon Coolpix A camera pre-order options (available on March 21, 2013):

Nikon-Coolpix-P330

Nikon Coolpix P330 camera pre-order options (available on March 21, 2013):

Posted in Nikon Lenses, Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged | 41 Comments

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens announcement

By [NR] admin | Published: March 4, 2013

Nikkor-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-lens

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens announcement:

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens MTF charts:

Nikkor-80-400mm-f4.5-5.6G-ED-VR-lens-MTF-chart

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens design:

Nikkor 80-400mm f4.5-5.6G ED VR lens design

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens specifications:

Focal length
80-400 mm
Maximum aperture
f/4.5-5.6
Minimum aperture
f/32-40
Lens construction
20 elements in 12 groups (including four ED glass and one Super ED glass elements, and Nano Crystal Coat)
Angle of view
30°10′ – 6°10′ (20° – 4° with Nikon DX format)
Minimum focus distance
1.75 m/5.74 ft from focal plane (1.5 m/4.92 ft in MF)
Maximum reproduction ratio
1/5.7x (1/5.1x in MF)
No. of diaphragm blades
9 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size
77 mm
Diameter x length
(distance from camera lens mount flange)
Approximately 95.5 x 203 mm/3.8 x 8.0 in.
Weight (Based on CIPA Guidelines)
Approximately 1570 g/3.5 lb (with tripod mounting collar); approximately 1480 g/3.3 lb (without tripod mounting collar)
Supplied accessories
77 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-77, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-65, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-M2

Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR lens features:

  • A 5x FX-format compatible telephoto zoom lens covering focal lengths of 80-400 mm
  • Four ED lens elements and one super ED lens element adopted for advanced optical performance
  • Nano Crystal Coat adopted to effectively reduce ghost and flare
  • VR performance equivalent to a 4-step increase in shutter speed (tested in accordance with CIPA guidelines at a focal length of 400 mm)
  • Equipped with an SWM for an AF system that is both quiet and one of the fastest in its class
  • Three focus modes: A/M, M/A, M
  • When used with a camera that supports autofocusing with lenses with a maximum aperture of f/8, AF is possible even when a 1.4x teleconverter is used

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Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 165 Comments

Nikon Coolpix A, P330, S3500 and L320 compact cameras announced

By [NR] admin | Published: March 4, 2013

Nikon-Coolpix-A-compcat-camera-frontNikon-Coolpix-A-silver

Nikon Coolpix A:

Nikon-Coolpix-P330Nikon-Coolpix-P330-white

Nikon Coolpix P330:

Nikon-COOLPIX-S3500

Nikon Coolpix S3500:

Nikon Coolpix L320

Nikon Coolpix L320:

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Posted in Nikon Point and Shoot| Tagged | 116 Comments