New product releases in the next 6 months according to Nikon Australia national sales manager

By [NR] admin | Published: May 10, 2011

Nikon Australia has a new national sales manager and he is looking forward to new product announcements in the next 6 months – this is what David Allen told current.com.au:

“Allen outlined a number of key goals Nikon wants to achieve in the next six months. These include market share improvements, new product releases, greater engagement with retailers, more merchandising, greater involvement in retail training and better supply chain management.”

There are some recent concerns that Nikon may delay their new product announcements as a result of the earthquake in Japan. Hopefully, we will get some more details when Nikon announces its 2011 financial results on May 12th, 3:00pm Japanese time. Nikon’s financial year ended on March 31, 2011.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 100 Comments

Review of the latest Nikon patents

By [NR] admin | Published: May 9, 2011

Nikon filed a patent in Japan for a full frame 55-300mm f/2.8-4 lens:

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Posted in Nikon Patents| 77 Comments

Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/1.4 ZF.2 Lens (Nikon F Mount) to start shipping in few days

By [NR] admin | Published: May 9, 2011

B&H is now taking pre-orders for the latest Zeiss Distagon T 35mm f/1.4 ZF.2 lens (F mount). This is an indication that the lens will start shipping in the next few days. The initial release date was February, 2011.

More details and technical specifications on the this Zeiss 35mm f/1.4 can be found here.

Update: some sample images can be found here and here.

Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 69 Comments

Weekly Nikon news flash #109

By [NR] admin | Published: May 8, 2011

This has been a slow week, which is typical after an official announcement. Here are few links and videos worth mentioning:

  • Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC lens now available for sale (Nikon mount).
  • PMA/CliQ show now moved to January, 2012.
  • New “Welcome to our world” website from Nikon is now online.
  • Painted Nikon D7000 cameras.
  • DIY: how to replace the bulb/tube on the Nikon SB-600 flash unit. See also this link.
  • This photograph was taken with the help of 1000 hand-held flashes + Nikon D3x + 14mm lens.
  • Behind the scenes at Nikon UK’s temporary service depot for the royal wedding
  • “According to a survey conducted by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, some 60% of Japan’s major manufacturers victimized by the March 11 quake and tsunami have resumed operation by April 25, and some 30% will restart operation by July. And some 70% of the manufacturers surveyed have found other suppliers for components and materials but only 40% said they can secure enough amount by July. Thus the recovery to normal operation of the supply chain will be delayed until this autumn.” (source: PEN Weekly News)
  • Nikon D300s bent pin replacement time-lapse video:

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 44 Comments

Rumor: Nikon mirrorless camera will come with three lenses and 2.6x crop factor

By [NR] admin | Published: May 5, 2011

Information about the Nikon mirrorless camera is so scattered, that when I receive anything from a reliable source, it is a big deal. The latest tip indicates that the sensor in the upcoming EVIL camera will have a 2.6x crop factor. Most of the previously filed patents also suggested a sensor with image diameter of 17 mm (diagonal) and a 2.5x crop factor – the difference between 2.5x and 2.6x is probably because of different rounding. If this turns out to be true, the Nikon mirrorless sensor will be smaller than the current m4/3rd format (diagonal: 21.6mm, 2x crop factor). On this diagram I added in yellow the approximate size of a 2.6x crop sensor:

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Posted in Nikon 1| 333 Comments

Nikon D5R concept camera

By [NR] admin | Published: May 3, 2011

This Nikon D5R camera is a designer’s concept created by Ned Mulka. The idea is to include the mirror, prism and sensor into a rotating element that can reduce the camera size and weight (see this slideshow for a detailed description of this concept).

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Posted in Other Nikon stuff| Tagged | 210 Comments

Nikon D800 delayed till October 2011, D4 in early 2012?

By [NR] admin | Published: May 3, 2011

According to Quesabesde the Nikon D700 replacement is postponed till October 2011 and the Nikon D4 is expected to be announced in early 2012. This delay was caused by the earthquake in Japan.

In the past few weeks I have been receiving conflicting reports on a potential delay for the D800 and I am not convinced that this is the case. I still believe there will be a major Nikon announcement in late August. The Nikon mirrorless solution is probably delayed based on previous statements from Nikon representatives indicating a potential March/April announcement.

Posted in Nikon D4, Nikon D800| 232 Comments