Nikon files patents for a new 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 lens and back-illuminated sensor, possibly for their EVIL camera

By [NR] admin | Published: September 1, 2010

US Patent Application 20100214667 from Nikon is for a new 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 lens. Some interesting specs: the lens has a constant length of ~260mm at all focal lengths and possibly 21 elements in 14 groups with 4 ED glass elements (@2, 3, 12 and 15):

click for larger view

The current Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED model has 17 elements in 11 groups with 3 ED glass elements:

US Patent Application 20100214453 is for a backside illumination image sensor:

“A backside illumination image sensor equipped with a plurality of pixels disposed in a two-dimensional pattern, includes: image-capturing pixels; and focus detection pixels.”

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Posted in Nikon 1, Nikon Lenses, Nikon Patents| 61 Comments

NikonRumors.com is back online

By [NR] admin | Published: August 30, 2010

NikonRumors.com is now online. It may take several hours until the server changes propagation is complete and all ISP have updated their routers. If you cannot access NikonRumors.com directly, try http://173.45.162.91 (make sure you also clear your browser’s cache). I am not going to discuss again the details of why NR went down, I did that already on Twitter and Facebook.

NikonRumors now has a new dedicated server and a new host (NationalNet). There could be some interruptions in the next few days, until I fine-tune the site.

Coming up next: Nikon files patents for a 80-400mm f/3.5-5.6 lens and a back illuminated sensor.

Did you see the new Zeiss Distagon T* 1,4/35 ZF.2 lens that will be announced this Wednesday? Maybe now Nikon will be rushed to release their AF-S 35mm f/1.4 lens…

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 75 Comments

Weekly Nikon related news/links #73

By [NR] admin | Published: August 29, 2010

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 29 Comments

Nikon Coolpix P7000 on September 8th, the rest on September 15th

By [NR] admin | Published: August 27, 2010

It seems that the second round of Nikon announcements before Photokina will also be divided into two: the Nikon Coolpix P7000 (and probably few more Coolpix cameras) will be announced on September 8th, 2010 and the rest (D7000, 200mm f/2 plus the second lens and a new Speedlight) will be announced on September 15th, 2010.

Here is some updated specs for the new Nikon Coolpix P7000:

  • 10.1MP 1/1.7″ CCD sensor
  • 28-200mm equivalent zoom lens with f/2.8-5.6
  • Lens Shift Stabilizer
  • The same old Coolpix RAW mode (.NRW)
  • 720p HD 24fps
  • 3” LCD screen, 920k
Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged , | 158 Comments

Google removed the warning for NikonRumors.com

By [NR] admin | Published: August 27, 2010

Google lifted the warning for NikonRumors.com. You can now safely access the site. As far as I know, not a single reader was infected with any type of malware. Again, I apologize for the inconvenience. I have taken all security steps recommended by WordPress, but it seems that this type of malware is common for my current host. As far as I know this was not a targeted attack. I do take this very seriously and I will be moving to a new hosting company soon.

When the main site is down, you can always get the latest updates from:

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 40 Comments

NikonRumors.com is clean

By [NR] admin | Published: August 26, 2010

The malware that was present on NikonRumors was removed yesterday and the site is now clean. It can take Google up to 24hr to remove their black listing for nikonrumors.com. Here are  the results from sucuri.net – everyone has a clean listing for nikonrumors.com except Google:

Sorry for the inconvenience.

You can aways get RSS updates without visiting the site.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 107 Comments

Nikon may announce a new flash and a second lens before Photokina

By [NR] admin | Published: August 26, 2010

In addition to the D7000, the new 200mm f/2 lens and the P7000, Nikon may announce a new Speedlight and a second lens before Photokina. I do not have any details, but the flash could be a replacement of the SB-600 (you probably remember those SB-600 being discontinued reports) but it could also be a replacement of the SB-400. I do not think that the SB-900 will be replaced, since it was announced 2 years ago (SB-400 and SB-600 were announced 6 years ago).

The second lens will be a tough guess. According to my initial list of expected lenses in 2010 from February, the choices are for a new DX zoom that will go with the new D7000, a new AF-S 35mm f/1.4 or the long expected 80-400mm replacement.

If Nikon announces 2 more lenses, this will bring the total lenses for 2010 to nine, which is a new record. There could also be another announcement after Photokina (around November/December).

Posted in Nikon Flashes, Nikon Lenses| 148 Comments