Nikon D4? (busted)

By [NR] admin | Published: June 4, 2010

Update: In a comment to this thread, Denisa Mrackova (portfolio) explains the origin of those images:

“Apologies to everyone for this misunderstanding. My creation of the image of (non-existent) Nikon D4 is a study for a product visualization on my portfolio. Personally, I am a Nikon fan and own Nikon D3s, so I tried to achieve visuals of Nikon’s new camera based on what I knew and liked about their latest products. Unfortunately, just before finishing the image, I sent it to few of my colleagues to discuss possible improvements and few moments later, these images showed up online. I apologize to everyone for causing these fake news.”

Here are some more pictures of this project – amazing job, the best one I’ve seen in the two years I am running this site (somebody should offer her a job):

Those Nikon D4 pictures came from the Nikon Rumors Forum. Thoughts?

Nikon D4

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Nikon D4

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Nikon D4

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Posted in Nikon D4| 239 Comments

Canon pro photographer who is switching to Nikon was told no D700 replacement in 2010

By [NR] admin | Published: June 4, 2010

This is the email I received from a professional Canon photographer who is currently looking to switch to Nikon – I slightly edited the text to keep the privacy of everyone involved:

I’m working for GQ, Men’s Health, Stern, Geo etc. and since these switches aren’t cheap and easy (there’s quite some equipment involved in my case) I had some serious talks with Nikon reps. First, at my local shop I was given a very clear answer from a Nikon rep: no full frame body in 2010. This was definitely confirmed by Nikon *** (name of country). He also spoke of the 85 f/1.4 lens.

Yesterday I had a long talk with another Nikon NPS rep about my switch to Nikon. I was told that pro level full frame body (a.k.a. d700) is definite, however not in this fiscal year. New model is to be expected after March 2011, probably with a split up of the line in s and x. That’s all a bit vague but I trust him (he advised me to invest in a smaller number of bodies now (no/few backups) and to use the D700 bodies as backups as soon as the new stuff is out next year).

Regarding lenses: when putting together the list of lenses to be acquired with both 35 and 85 primes on it he said “there will be a 85 f/1.4 this year, wait for that but there won’t be a new 35 in the current lens refresh, go with the 35 /2. There will be a new 35 over the next few years but not now.”

I trust both sources and in particular the NPS rep who was very specific. I guess the only chance for a new full frame body this year is if Nikon Japan sent that info to the rest of the world on purpose and them surprised everyone.

I can confirm that the email was legit and it was really sent to me from that pro photographer.

The March 2011 time frame for a possible D700 replacement came up at least in two more tips from different sources.

Many Nikon authorized dealerships (mainly in Europe) are making D700 orders based on similar information from Nikon reps and if this turns out not to be true and Nikon does announce a D700 replacement in 2010, there will be a lot of unhappy dealers.

Posted in Nikon D800, Nikon Lenses| Tagged , | 179 Comments

You know this one was coming (Nikon lens coffee mug)

By [NR] admin | Published: June 3, 2010

When Canon came up with their coffee mugs during the last Winter Olympics, I thought for a moment that they may really have better stuff than Nikon. Today I got my faith back – the Nikon AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 coffee mug is “now available for pre-order” on eBay 🙂

But wait, there is more – for all you caffeine addicts: the Nikon Lens AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II Coffee Cup is also available:

Prices vary, to see all Nikon mug entries on eBay click here.

Posted in Nikon Humor Rumor| 111 Comments

Patent for a new Nikon AF-S 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 lens

By [NR] admin | Published: June 2, 2010

After the surge of Nikon patents application filed in the US last year, it seems that Nikon is very cautious lately – I can hardly find any interesting entries. Most of the patents are filed in Japan and I am starting to monitor the Japanese patents website on a regular bases. Please note that patents applications do not guarantee any future products announcements.

2009-282214 is a patent for a new, redesigned 80-400mm lens that was filed in December of 2009 in Japan:

f 81.6 to 200-392
FNO 4.6 to 5.4-5.8
2omega 30.0 – 12.0 – 6.1

For comparison, here is the design of the current Nikon AF 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED VR lens:

Posted in Nikon Lenses, Nikon Patents| Tagged | 49 Comments

Nikon D8000 could be the name of the D90 replacement

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

Update: Nikon D3s now in stock.

I started to get some good vibes from the rumor mill. The model numbers are really insignificant but I was always curious how Nikon will continue the D90 DSLR line. One very possible combination could be: Nikon D4000 (D3000 replacement) and D8000 (D90 replacement), both with full HD and 14-18MP sensors (the D4000 is probably going to be between 14-16MP and the D8000 will be between 16-18MP). The full frame body is still the big question mark – I continue to receive rumors that the D700 will be replaced in 2011.

The lenses situation also starts to resolve around the following lenses (nothing new here, but I want to emphasize that the same information is now pouring in from all over the world):

  • One prime lens – either the 35mm f/1.4 or the 85 f/1.4 VR (both AF-S). The rumors are currently split 50/50 for each lens. We will see only one of those lenses between now and Photokina.
  • New high-power zoom (FX): either 24-105 f/4 VRII  or 24-120 f/4 VRII, possible Nano coating (especially if it is the 105mm focal length).
  • New super telephoto zoom (FX) – 3 possibilities here: 28-300mm f/4.5-5.6, 100-500mm or 100-400mm. There is a very low chance of a new 80-400mm lens, even though there is a new patent for this lens (coming up online soon). All VRII of course.

It is still not clear what will be the kit lens for the D8000.

The two DSLRs and the three lenses should be released between now and Photokina. Very soon I will be able to give a 90+% rating on some of those rumors but we are not there yet – I just need some more information.

BTW, many European Nikon websites were down again today – some of them were offline for more than 24 hours.

Posted in Nikon D3100, Nikon D7000, Nikon Lenses| 202 Comments

More rumors for upcoming summer announcements from Nikon

By [NR] admin | Published: May 31, 2010

This Nikon rumor is from an Asian forum member with good previous track record (I briefly covered that rumor last week, but now I have some more details):

  • The two DSLR – one of them will be FX, the one will be DX.
  • The prime lens will be the AF-S 35mm f/1.4 priced at around US $1700 (direct conversion, actual price may be lower in the US).
  • The first zoom will be 24-105mm f/4 VR Nano, priced at around US $1200 (also direct conversion, actual price may be lower in the US).
  • The second zoom is most likely going to be a high power zoom: 100-400mm or something similar.

Supposedly, those are all scheduled for summer release. The DX body is probably going to be the D90 replacement, the FX body will be a D700 replacement or a new FX line. Initially, the 35mm f/1.4 lens was suppose to be announced in 2011, but as I mentioned already the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 has caused some “waves” at Nikon and maybe they will do some last moment adjustments.

There have already been some rumors in the past for the  24-105mm and the 100-500 mm lenses.

Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged , , | 206 Comments

Nikon equipment shipments reach the US

By [NR] admin | Published: May 31, 2010

After the Nikon D3s and the new 200-400mm f/4 lens now also the Nikon TC-20E III (2.0x) teleconverter showed up in stock at Amazon (via third party, overpriced). Expect the shipments to reach different US stores in the next few days (today was a holiday in the US).

Posted in Nikon Lenses| 18 Comments