UPDATE: the Nikon D3s may have a new 1.3x crop mode.
I don’t know about this rumor (anonymous email), but here it is – the Nikon D3s looks much better already (if those are true of course):
D3s
Ok, rumors are flying fast this weekend – now I can say that the Nikon D3s has a 99% release probability. Still waiting on confirmations for the lens(es). Expected announcement date: October 15th, 2009.
As reported previously, some of the Nikon D3s “improvements” will be 14fps and full 1080p HD video.
Based on the stars alignment and the moon phase, I am now 75% confident about a Nikon announcement during the second week of October. Expected is a Nikon D3 refresh (probably called Nikon D3s – not sure yet) and at least a Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens.
I expect the official press invitations to be sent out next week – Nikon usually sends them a week or two before the actual press conference.
I received this tip several days ago and was trying to gather some more information before publishing it online. This is what we have so far:
According to this post on the Japanese site kakaku the user “That’s 235’s” claims that a new Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens will be release soon. Let’s look into some previous comments made by the same user:
Note that this poster always writes about the new product aprox. one month before the official release. The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR comment was made on September 12, 2009. This will make the potential announcement during the second weeks of October, which matches the previous Nikon D3s rumors – also right in time for the Photo Expo Plus in NY (October 22-24).
This user (That’s 235’s) has a total of 7 comments – it seems that he writes only when he knows something (no BS here).
The expected Nikon AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G ED VR lens will be full frame, with Nano coating.
That’s it folks. I am starting to get convinced that something is coming in mid-October (for now D3s and at least one lens).
Special thanks to the tipster who had the patience to explain me all the details and translate them from Japanese (I did not believe this rumor initially – read the whole discussion in the comments section here).
Remember the Nikon D400 book story from Germany by the author Michael Gradias? It was covered multiples times here on NikonRumors (post 1, post 2 and post 3). Well, this rumor was almost true (except the actual book name). The book is now available for pre-order on Amazon Germany under the name Nikon D300s with the same ISBN# 9783827244826 and from the same author:
If you need a Nikon D300s book in English, those are your options:
NPS Poland has a special offer/price for Nikon D3 (for members only). The interesting part: the offer is valid until October 7th, 2009. Is Nikon trying to clear its D3 stock (remember this post)?
I also received a report that Nikon dealers in Poland cannot order the AF 85/1.4D lens (currently in stock in the US). Nikon Poland doesn’t have any information on the availability of the lens. I know this rumor is getting old, but I am just reporting on the information I received.
And an update from Korea: Nikon Imaging Korea released a “Nikon D700 + GITZO monopod” promotion: free GITZO monopods for the first 700 people who purchase D700 and register their serial number.
There are many references to Nikon D3s on the web and they may just mean the plural of D3 – for example go to this Hasselblad USA page and look at the bottom of the first paragraph:
What is it, a D3s or multiple D3 cameras?
