More after the break:
I can definitely tell that the rumors chatter started to pick up in the last few days after it was dead for a month. Something is definitely coming – I already started to see the first signs of an imminent announcement (Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED VR lens) which could happen as soon as the end of April. The next step will be to get the exact date for the scheduled Nikon press conference.
This is the latest info I got: 3 new Nikon DSLR cameras are in the pipeline. One of them will be an entry level model (probably D4000).
The second camera will have:
I do not have any info on sensor size, exact model name or release date – this could be Nikon’s plan for the whole year (2010).
It is interesting to note that the current PRO DSLR line from Nikon has 51 AF points. The Nikon D90 has 11 AF points. The AF of this rumored camera falls in between, which means (if true) it will either be:
FYI: Nikon D90 and D300s have a standard ISO of 3200, the Nikon D700 has a standard ISO of 6400 (same as the rumored camera).
No word on what the third camera will be.
Update: another option could be: the entry level camera is the Nikon D90 replacement (I know the D90 is not really entry level), the 16MP camera is the D300s replacement and the third camera is the Nikon D700 replacement. I was not directly told that the entry level will be the D4000.
[NR] Rumor rating: 75% possibility
Update: the patent for this lens was already covered last year.
Thom Hogan wrote on his site today that the new Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G VR lens is “coming very, very soon now”. Yes, this lens will have VR as it was already discussed in the patent for that lens:
“A lens group or a portion of a lens group may be shifted in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis as a vibration reduction lens group for correcting an image blur caused by a camera shake. It is particularly preferable that at least a portion of the second lens group or the third lens group is used as a vibration reduction lens group.”
Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4G mockup
Starting February, 2010 the Nikkor AF-S 105mm f/2.8G ED IF VR Micro lens is being produced in China instead of Japan. See the slideshow below for more details (source: Eri_c@flickr):
This is the first reliable rumor I received in a while: in few weeks Nikon will introduce a new version of the Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED VR lens. The improvement will be a new VR and few other minor tweaks. I also got a report from Japan that this lens cannot be ordered from Nikon any longer. Not sure yet if this will be the only new product in this announcement.
[NR] Rating: 90% – everything with rating of 90% or above is pretty much a done deal, however final changes in the release schedule are always a possibility.
Nikon AF-S 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED VR was introduced back in 2003.
Amazon, B&H and Adorama all have the current model in stock.
Nikon’s patent application for a 35mm f/1.4 lens was reported back in August last year (patent application 20090086340).
On February 16, 2010 the USPTO approved the patent for this lens (7663816):
Specifications:
f = 36.000
FNO = 1.45
ω = 31.53
Y = 21.6
TL = 131.135
Bf = 38.02909
Update#2: the lens was in stock – a reader was able to order one and the status of his order is “Ready to ship”:
Update#1: this lasted like 15 minutes, the lens is now again listed as new.
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G ED lens now in stock at B&H.
This lesn was suppose to be released by the end of March but shipments were probably delayed because of Nikon’s inventory count.
Here are some samples by Xavier Lhospice:
And some feedback from Xavier Lhospice after the break:
