Nikon related news/links

  • Nikon NPS “behind the scene coverage” of the Vancouver 2010 Olympics can be found on this website. For some reason they removed the time lapse video.

“Progress is cranking along.  As mentioned before, hardware is ready but the heart of the product is the firmware and that is still in development.  We’ve seen units firing a flash but there is still a ways to go to have enough functionality to bring the product to market.  No, we’re not ready to peg a date just yet.”

  • Cool D3s video from Nikon Australia after the break:

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash| 167 Comments

Nikon’s PMA press release – nothing new

Update #2: also don’t hold your breath for the Nikon press event in Japan next Tuesday – it will probably be similar to this one.

Update #1: I think Zoltar misunderstood this press release. In this announcement Nikon is talking about two DSLRs – the D3000 and D3s, but those are not new. I also got the time right (almost – I was expecting it @ 12 instead of 11 am, I still think the actual press event @ PMA will be at noon today).

I knew that there will be a press release about two DSLR cameras today from Nikon, but I did not expect them to have a press release about products that were already released! This is the story.

This just got published on Nikon USA press center – I guess there will be no new products. Sorry, I screwed up this time!

Nikon Exhibit Highlights First Look of New COOLPIX Line-Up, Nikon D3S, and Legendary NIKKOR Lenses

PMA INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW, BOOTH # 2200, ANAHEIM, Calif. (Feb. 21, 2010) – Attendees of the 2010 PMA International Convention and Trade Show looking to experience the latest innovations in digital imaging will visit the Nikon booth where a vast array of award-winning digital imaging solutions will be on display. In addition to the impressive line-up of products, the Photo Imaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA) appointed Nikon Corporation President Michio Kariya as PMDA 2010 Person of the Year. This year, Nikon will highlight seven new high-performance and stylish COOLPIX digital cameras, the easy-to-use D3000 D-SLR and the professional-grade D3S, Nikon’s first FX-format camera to offer HD video recording. In addition, visitors to the Nikon Booth # 2200 can also experience the popular COOLPIX S1000pj which is the recipient of multiple industry accolades, including the Popular Mechanics 2009 Breakthrough award. Also, the Nikon D3X Popular Photography Magazine’s 2009 Camera of the Year, and a selection of high-quality NIKKOR lenses will also be on display.

For nearly 40 years, Nikon has been a landmark exhibitor and brand presence at the PMA tradeshow. Nikon’s participation at PMA 2010 serves as yet another opportunity to interact with its retail and channel partners, photographers, journalists and loyal consumers about the latest trends in the world of digital imaging.

This year, PMA marks a momentous occasion for Nikon, as Nikon Corporation President, CEO and COO Michio Kariya was named 2010 Person of the Year by the Photo Imaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association (PMDA). The 2010 Person of the Year award was presented to Kariya prior to the opening of the 2010 PMA tradeshow to honor his dedication to Nikon and the industry for more than 40 years.

NIKKOR lenses and the extremely versatile Creative Lighting System (CLS) represent an integral part of Nikon’s complete high-performance Digital Imaging System featured at PMA. Visitors to the Nikon Booth # 2200, can experience a wide array of NIKKOR lenses, including the recently announced 16-35mm f/4 VR and Ultra-Fast 24mm f/1.4 as well as the versatile AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom and professional AF-S 300mm f/2.8 telephoto lens. Nikon’s series of CLS products, including the flagship SB-900 Speedlight and other lighting accessories, will also be on display highlighting the agility and overall effectiveness when used in-studio or on location.

Nikon’s complete line of digital SLR cameras, COOLPIX cameras and accessories, high-quality COOLSCAN scanners, world-renowned binoculars and other accessories will be accessible for PMA 2010 patrons. With a spotlight on Nikon’s series of COOLPIX digital cameras, Nikon’s “theater-on-the go” display showcases the capabilities of the revolutionary S1000pj camera, the world’s first digital camera with a built-in projector. Lastly, visitors can experience the complete Nikon imaging solution with instruction and demonstrations of Nikon’s Capture NX2 photo editing software.

As in years past, Nikon will bring to light some of the latest works and projects from its dedicated base of photographers. With images from various COOLPIX and D-SLR products, the Image Gallery calls attention to the overwhelming capabilities of the cameras and the creative possibilities.

Attendees are encouraged to experience Nikon’s entire line of photographic, digital imaging and optical solutions, including Nikon’s sport optics products, on display at the PMA 2010 tradeshow, from Feb. 21-23 at exhibitor booth # 2200. For more information, please visit http://www.nikonusa.com.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 228 Comments

Tomorrow. Noon (EST). PMA. Anaheim, CA. Two new DSLRs from Nikon. I hope I am right.

Update #2: Nikon Sweden & Nikon France web sites are down! (screenshots)

Update #1: Nikon Germany press release web site is down!

Ok, I will take a risk this time and I will “predict” that Nikon will announce 2 new DSLR cameras tomorrow (February 21st, 2010) @ PMA. The announcement should be @ 9:00am PST (12:00 noon EST) time. This time I have no source or link to show, there will be no probability rating, etc. – as I said I am taking a risk with this “prediction” and I could be completely wrong. Just stay tuned tomorrow!

Lenses and Coolpix cameras are already announced. Only the DSLRs are missing. I cannot believe that Nikon will release more lenses @ PMA, even though the latest rumors point to more glass.

Zoltar told me so…

Posted in Nikon D7000, Nikon D800| 151 Comments

Weird snapshots from the Olympics and PMA

The first one is a joke from dpreview’s PMA 2010 sneak peek (this is a F100 with a D900 sticker).

The second one is from CNN.com – what’s up with the orange “N”?

Now you are entering Photoshop country.

The third one is from the Olympics and probably a PS job – the delete button is on a different location, but the red card format sign is still on the same spot (click on image for full size):

Two more after the break:

Read More »

Posted in Nikon D800| Tagged | 37 Comments

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35-70mm f/4G ED N lens?

I am really pissed. The email containing this image was marked as junk mail and was sitting in my spam queue for days (click on image for larger view):

click on image for larger view

My problems with that lens is its size – shouldn’t it be much smaller for a 35-70 f/4? It almost appears to be bigger than the current 24-70 f/2.8 lens:

Current Nikon 24-70 f/2.8 model

Here is also the latest 16-35 f/4 for comparison:

latest 16-35mm f/4 VR model

Photoshop job or not? What say you?

Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 74 Comments

New Sigma lenses coming soon

Just a quick update from PhotoRumors.com: five new lenses from Sigma will be announced soon (including a new 85mm f/1.4 lens). Not sure about the details yet, but I expect all of those to be available for F-mount.

Posted in Nikon Lenses| 55 Comments

Breaking news: Another Nikon press conference next week?

I am not sure about the exact wording since Google cannot translate this page, but according to the tipster Nikon is suppose to have another press conference next week on February 23, 2010 (last day of PMA):

“Nikon will have a press conference regarding new camera products and their strategy on February 23.”

Here is the original source in Japanese. I have used this site as a source before on PhotoRumors and they have been accurate in the past.

This will be the first time Nikon will have three press conferences in a row.

Possibilities/guesses (unconfirmed):

  • The Nikkor 24-120 f/4 VR lens rumor said that it will be coming “soon”.
  • They could be another lens in addition to the Nikkor 24-120 f/4 VR.
  • This press conference will be different – maybe they will just announce that they are working on a new product line.
  • Nikon D700 replacement.
  • Completely new Nikon D900.
  • Nikon EVIL system.

That’s all I know for now. Stay tuned.

Update: I think this page has also some info on the upcoming Canon and Sony press conferences. Can someone translate please? Thanks!

Update #2 Translation clarification (thanks dhchen):

That “strategy” seems to be specific at “domestic (Japan) selling strategy”. And they use “デジカメ新製品”(digital camera new products). In Japanese, デジカメ usually refers to “digital (point-and-shoot) camera”. So cannot be certain whether Nikon will announce new DSLR… And, no Canon or Sony mentioned.

Maybe they will announce plans for the Nikon EVIL system (see previous Nikon EVIL rumors here).

Update #3 another interpretation of the Japanese text (thanks C):

Nikon will “announce” new digital camera and selling strategy inside Japan.  However, I should say the word “announce” in Japanese may have another meaning = “talk”.  Therefore, it could be: Nikon just “talk” about their new digital cameras (that means the Coolpix just launched in PMA) and also the selling strategy inside Japan as well. This word is too ambiguous so I think it may not be firm enough to conclude a completely brand new Nikon digital camera will be announced on 23th Feb 2010.

Posted in Nikon 1, Nikon D800| Tagged | 92 Comments