This just in: Nikon will announce a total of 9 new Coolpix cameras tonight, including replacements for the P310 and AW100 models (pictured above). In addition, we will see also new Nikon Aculon A211 binoculars (replacement for Action VII), Aculon T01 (small, stylish pocket-binoculars) two new laser Rangefinders, a replacement for a Spotter spotting scope (also 16-48×60) and some riflescopes.
If my calculations are correct, Nikon should announce their new Nikkor AF-S 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5G ED full frame lens around midnight tonight (EST). A new batch of Coolpix cameras will most likely also be introduced. The CP+ show starts tomorrow in Japan and the new products will be on display. If you are visiting the show and want to share some images from the Nikon booth or some sample pictures taken with the new lens, please contact me.
The new online image sharing and storage website Nikon Image Space is now live (see official announcement). All previous myPicturetown accounts are converted over to the new platform. New and improved Nikon Image Space mobile apps are expected later in 2013.
Here is the best part – if you own a Nikon camera, you can get a free “special account” with a storage space of 20GB (up to 10,000 photos per album). You will need to download this utility and connect a Nikon camera to your computer in order to get the upgrade.
This year Nikon celebrates the 80th anniversary of the Nikkor lenses:
Nikon Corporation celebrates the 80th anniversary of the launch of its NIKKOR photographic lenses this year
In commemoration of NIKKOR’s 80th anniversary, Nikon hopes to strengthen and increase awareness of the historic and reliable NIKKOR brand with various promotions in 2013. The first step toward achieving this objective is the creation of a NIKKOR 80th anniversary logo that will be used in Nikon product brochures, advertisements, and various other forms of communication. The anniversary logo will embody NIKKOR’s image of taking the lead in every age based on optical technologies developed over its long history.
Todays’s guest post “My year in Antarctica” is by Stefan Christmann (http://www.nature-in-focus.de) who is working at the Neumayer III station in Antarctica as a physicist and was able to capture some amazing images with his Nikon D700/D800 cameras (click on images for larger view):
It’s 3am when my alarm clock rings. I am only half awake when I slide into my boots, covering myself with a thick jacket and putting on my beanie. Descending the stairs I can feel my body slowly waking up and when I open the door, a cold gust of wind blows into my face making the moisture in my nose freezes in an instant. The sky is pitch black with a million stars twinkling like holes punched into a backlit curtain. Soft clouds roll in the distant, starting to glow in pastel colors with a thin bright line visible along the horizon. My perception of my surroundings becomes crystal clear and I realize, that I am standing at the end of the world – Antarctica. While I walk to the Pistenbully, the solid-frozen snow shatters underneath my steps, sounding like cracking glass and spreading out in front of me. I turn on the block heater of the motor, since it will have to run at least 45 minutes before the machine can be safely moved. Coming back inside my glasses fog up from the warm air condensating on the cold lenses. It’s 3.15am when I start packing my gear. I check all lenses, batteries, extra memory cards and loosen the knobs on my tripod, since they would lock up in the cold otherwise. Pouring my morning coffee at 3.30am I meet Lars on the hallway as he is getting ready for our trip as well. He’s one of the few people I could always talk into getting up for a pre-sunrise tour to the bay. He’s not quite awake yet, but I know he will be, as soon as the cold air hits his face when stepping outside. At 3.45am I start putting on my polar clothing. First of all a thin layer of long underwear and thick socks. Then another layer consisting of a thick fleece pullover and fleece pants. Moving already feels awkward when I slide into my red polar overall. It’s not very fashionable, but I know it will keep me somewhat warm for 3-4h outside. Lars has joined me in the changing room. Together we make the last checks, get radios and GPS units and carry all our stuff outside. The bully weeps a few times before the engine finally starts.
Recently there was some discussion on NikonRumors about whether Nikon still makes its own glass, spurred on by the new Nikon lens making videos. A reader did some research and sent me the information included in this post (thanks J). It turns out that Nikon’s wholly-owned glassworks, which is its own business called Hikari Glass (Mitsumatanagadan 141 Komagatacho, Yuzawa, Akita Prefecture, satellite image of the factory), is quite the maker of optical materials:
The “raw” glass material before it’s cut out (pictures credit: freshakita.exblog.jp)
This is the “glass molding” mashine
The glass is cooled after is being cut
Different stages in the lens production (final polished lens in the middle)
Here are some related links:
This Nikon Optical Materials brochure contains more information on the different types of glass and technologies used (click on images for larger view):
