Nikon D3000 body only option discontinued

By [NR] admin | Published: June 15, 2010

B&H lists the Nikon D3000 “body only” as discontinued:

The D3000 kit version is still available. Nikon D3000 is expected to be replaced in 2010 with a new version.

Posted in Nikon D3000, Nikon D3100| Tagged | 45 Comments

Weekly Nikon related news/links

By [NR] admin | Published: June 12, 2010

  • Dandelion chip is designed to be installed on adapter rings and manual lenses so that they could then be used on Nikon AF digital and film cameras. See how it’s done here. Has anyone tried this? Update: more info on the Dandelion chip available here (details instructions with pictures).

The chip is also available on eBay for $34.50:

More after the break:

Read More »

Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 59 Comments

Nikon D400 @Capture NX 2 screenshot

By [NR] admin | Published: June 11, 2010

Update: the photographer posted this comment on his Facebook page:

“This has gone so far. I’m just joking among friends. I didn’t write anything about it, just posted the photo, no description. But you have to wait for the news at the end of this month. There’s a new model, not sure if it’s this name (D400). Someone already tested it while I just had a look. Sorry for the panic. Let’s talk again at the end of July”

Credit: Waran Suwanno

This screenshot was published on the facebook account of Waran Suwanno (pictures; websites: pixpros, pixproshouse) – a well respected photographer from Thailand. The rumor is that he did test Nikon equipment in the past. The screenshot is a Capture NX2 window showing Nikon D400 listed in the camera info window.

Posted in Nikon D400| 206 Comments

Who dictates Nikon release schedule – engineering or marketing?

By [NR] admin | Published: June 10, 2010

Since I have no interesting rumors to report, I decided to share one of the emails I received recently – there is no way to confirm if this is all true: I was told that Nikon is already working on their 2012-2016 product line. The technology is already here and new product are fully developed and ready to be released – the actual announcement schedule is decided by the marketing department. Nikon usually is sending early samples to photographers to test 1 or 2 years before launching the product on the market (of course, under NDA). It seems also that Nikon and Canon agree on some product releases as well (timing, features, etc) – I have read this before, but could not find any references online.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 129 Comments

Carl Zeiss presents the Distagon T* 2,8/25 ZF.2 for F bayonet mount

By [NR] admin | Published: June 8, 2010

Update: B&H now has the lens in stock.

This new lens has electronic contact and “you no longer have to manually set the data for focal length and speed in the cameras menu because the lens passes on these parameters to the camera. In addition to standard data such as lens manufacturer, date and metering mode, lens data such as the correct aperture value is also automatically saved.”

Full press release after the break:

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Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 87 Comments

More Nikon patents filed in Japan

By [NR] admin | Published: June 7, 2010

Patent application 2010-026469 (filed in February 2010) is about a built in rear lens cover – similar to the body mount/sensor cover patent discussed here – the corer is deployed automatically once the lens is removed. The interesting part here is that the lens release button is located on the lens (item 54 in the first drawing) and not on the body (Nikon’s EVIL camera is expected to have the lens release button on the body):

Patent application 2010-035145 (filed in February 2010) is for a folding display which will double the size of the camera’s LCD screen. The extra real estate could be used to display additional information:

Two more after the break:

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Posted in Nikon Patents| 46 Comments

Weekly Nikon related news/links

By [NR] admin | Published: June 6, 2010

Soon I will have the weekly Nikon news/links section on a separate blog on NR so you don’t have to wait till the weekend to see the updates. The main blog will stay untouched.

  • Adobe releases Camera Raw 6.1 for Photoshop CS5 (Mac/Windows).
  • Next year the PMA show will be in September (8-10) in Las Vegas.
  • Nikon USA response to the potential focus issue of the new 24mm f/1.4 lens: “Nikon Service was able to reproduce your issue with your lens as well as another lens. They are currently studying the issue and trying to determine if/when it can be addressed.”
  • New Nikon discount programs in France (D3000, D5000, D90 and D700), UK (free MB-D10 grip).
  • Why is the new Nikon 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens removed from the Nikon Imaging website (topics section)?

Read More »

Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 43 Comments