Battery for Nikon D900, this time in print

By [NR] admin | Published: January 23, 2010

In the past, we went through a list of products compatible with Nikon D900. Some of them could be a typo or just an easy way to get Internet traffic. Today, a NR reader sent me those pictures of Phottix Titan battery which is compatible with Nikon D900 – clearly written on the back of the package (click on image for larger view):

On the manufacturer’s website, D900 is not listed as a compatible cameras.

For a list of  previously reported products for Nikon D900 click here, here, and here.

I know, after the D700x sensor post, this news doesn’t make it any easier to guess what’s coming next. The actual model number is not important, but it can give us a clue what the camera would be (D700s->sensor from D3s | D700x->sensor from D3x | D900-> completely new camera).

Posted in Nikon D800| 62 Comments

This may be the Nikon D700x sensor

By [NR] admin | Published: January 23, 2010

Just got this picture with questionable quality of a Nikon D700x sensor from xitek.com (Google translation) – it seems to be the same sensor used in the Nikon D3x:

Can anyone give us a quick translation? Thanks!

Update – here is the translation:

Nikon D700X
Price  350000 yen  (around?)
Special Feature: Fitted with the 24MP CMOS sensor that is the same (level?) as the D3X
The super high quality 24 million pixel CMOS sensor fitted in D3X

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 126 Comments

Official response from Nikon on the 70-200mm internal lens surface

By [NR] admin | Published: January 21, 2010

I said already that I will not cover this issue anymore, unless there is an official word from Nikon. The official word came yesterday from Nikon Europe:

“The 70-200mm f/2.8G ED AF-S VRII lens features a component in the lens design which may appear to have surface pits or a rough texture when viewed through the front lens element.  This rough surface appears in a very small confined area within the lens barrel and is caused by air holes remaining in the metal portion of the lens during component construction.  Due to the magnifying effect of the front element this rough surface will appear greatly enlarged when viewed through the front of the lens.

This components function is to reduce and remove internal reflections from the lens and due to this the texture of the surface will have no effect on the lenses performance or operation. Nikon would like to assure customers that the lenses optical performance remains unchanged and that this component will not release any dust or particles into the lens itself.”

Everyone can relax now! If you have returned your lens, you can buy it back directly from Amazon for 2368,98, free shipping.

Posted in Nikon Lenses| Tagged | 123 Comments

Interview with Tetsuro Goto

By [NR] admin | Published: January 20, 2010

Mr. Tetsuro Goto is the Director of Laboratory Research and Development at Nikon Japan. Focus-Numerique just published a lengthy and very interesting interview with him (in French | Google translation).

Key points & quotes:

  • No medium format from Nikon: “We have no experience in the niche market of medium-format. It may simply be impossible for Nikon to go on the market.”
  • On Micro 4/3 & Nikon: “If we follow this type of equipment, we change our frame (mount). The new frame will provide new opportunities or provide access to new technologies and to use targets smaller and lighter”.
  • Large sensor compact camera: “We study this way. You’ll know soon enough.”
  • On EVF: “In the near future, it is possible that we will also use electronic viewfinders, but for now the quality is not there yet.”
  • On SWM (Silent Wave Motor): “We are currently investigating a new system for the future.”
  • On the future of Nikonos: “personally I think the Nikonos reborn in the future.”

Sorry about the bad translation, but you get the idea.

Hit the comments section for some better translations of the interview.

Posted in Nikon 1| Tagged , | 114 Comments

All I got is some Coolpix specs

By [NR] admin | Published: January 20, 2010

From what I hear, there will be no “serious” Coolpix camera announced this time:

  • Coolpix S8000 will be the slimmest 10x zoom with HD video available to date
  • Coolpix P100 has a back-illuminated sensor (Nikon’s first?), 26x zoom

In the next few weeks before PMA, new compact cameras are expected from Olympus, Ricoh, Panasonic (new G model and even a possible LX3 replacment) and Sony (besides new compacts, the α700 is expected to be replaced).

Posted in Nikon Point and Shoot| 57 Comments

Nikon Coolpix S3000 and Coolpix S8000 will also be announced

By [NR] admin | Published: January 19, 2010

In addition to the P100 and L110, Nikon will also announce Coolpix S3000 and Coolpix S8000 cameras. I am still expecting more details in the next few days.

I am sorry I keep bringing up compact cameras, but I think this is what the February 3rd announcement will be about. I now strongly believe that there will be another announcement in the week after February 3rd (or maybe the week before?) that will bring the good stuff. I do not think the February 3rd date will be for Coolpix cameras and DSLRs/lenses at the same time. Last year, Nikon first announced the D300s and D3000 (July 30th) and the week after (August 4th) four Coolpix cameras were released.

Posted in Nikon Point and Shoot| 50 Comments

Capture NX v2.2.4 for Mac almost released

By [NR] admin | Published: January 19, 2010

Update: here is the Nikon USA link for Capture NX v2.2.4 for Mac.

For now, the new Mac version of Capture NX v2.2.4 is available only on Nikon Asia website.

What’s new:

  • Compatibility with Mac OS X version 10.6.2 has been added.
  • Specifications have been modified so that when 25 Photos on Page, or a higher number of photos per page, is selected for Select Layout in the Print layout dialog, the Use Thumbnail Data (Draft Use Only) box is automatically checked. This resolves an issue that prevented printing when 25 Photos on Page, or a higher number of photos per page, was selected for Select Layout.
  • Capture NX 2 would quit unexpectedly when certain settings files were applied with the Apply Settings box checked in the Watched Folder panel of the Batch Process dialog. This issue has been resolved.
  • An issue that caused Capture NX 2 to freeze when switching images after the Color Picker had been opened has been resolved.
Posted in Nikon Software| 10 Comments