More on the D300 @ BestBuy

This is the email I got from a Best Buy employee as a response to the Best Buy: Nikon D300 discontinued by the manufacturer? post:

“Checked the inventory system at work. It is a “deleted item” now.  For what it’s worth, the D200 is as well. Doesn’t mean we will stop selling it, just stop buying it from Nikon, that’s all.  Typically,  stores that still have them, like mine, won’t get anymore.  The ones that Best Buy has already purchased long ago and still receiving will just be shipped to stores that sell higher grade cameras.  My store primarily focuses on D40 – D90 because we are in a much smaller market.”

Posted in Nikon D400| 38 Comments

Best Buy: Nikon D300 discontinued by the manufacturer?

This rumor is coming from dpreview: a Best Buy employee claimed that the Nikon D300 is discontinued by the manufacturer. The camera is still on Best Buy website. I got similar reports from FNAC (France) and Media Markt (in Sweden). Nikon D300 is still out of stock @ B&H. D300 microsite was removed from Nikon Europe sites few weeks ago.

Can someone from Best Buy check the computer/inventory system for the D300 availability and maybe send us a screenshot? Thanks.

Posted in Nikon D400| 39 Comments

Happy Birthday NikonRumors.com!

Picture from aperturedaily.com

Picture from http://www.aperturedaily.com/happy-birthday-nikonrumorscom/

Today NikonRumors.com turns 1 year old. Happy Birthday! We have gone a long way – I have to thank to all NR readers and contributers that help build up this online community.

In our first year we had 738 posts and 18,608 comments! The new NikonRumors Forum is gaining momentum as well – take a look at the photo-a-day thread.

What’s new?

What’s next?

  • Expect a giveaway in the next few days – it will have to do with ThinkTank Photo and NikonRumors Forum. The giveaway will not be limited to US readers.
  • Several people have emailed me to complain about the black background. Soon, you will be able to change it to white on all 3 blogs.
  • NikonRumors will continue to use and support open source tools – almost every software/tool used in the creation of this blog is open source.

Just a reminder about the many ways you can follow NR:

Stand by NR! (you got to see this video):

Playing For Change | Song Around The World “Stand By Me” from Concord Music Group on Vimeo.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 29 Comments

Nikon Control Beta 3 released

nikon-control-beta-3
Update: the software has a new name and a new website: www.sofortbildapp.com and can now be downloaded from the App Store.

New Features:

  • Automatic HDRI Creation
  • Editable Settings
  • Aperture and iPhoto Auto Import
  • GPS Map
  • Self Timer
  • Focus Mode Status
  • Enhanced Viewer
  • Configurable Background Color

Improvements:

  • Much Nicer Design
  • Histogram View in Inspector
  • Faster Histogram Calculation
  • Same Index for Bracketing
  • General Image Details
  • Smaller Main Window

Please note that this is not a Nikon product, however it is based on the Nikon SDK and I can say that it is almost equally good and useful… and free.

Posted in Nikon Software| 16 Comments

More info on the D3/D3X extended service program (Canada)

Just received the full text of the Nikon D3/D3X  extended service program in Canada:

Thank you for purchasing your new Nikon D3/D3X camera. In appreciation, and at no charge to you, Nikon Canada Inc. (“Nikon”) offers an initial Service Program (the “Service Program”) described below for your new Nikon D3/D3X. 

Services: 

Unlimited preventative maintenance cleanings – Image Sensor Cleaning 

Two comprehensive check-ups and cleanings; one in the first year of ownership and one in the second 

Routine adjustments as necessary resulting from normal usage, excluding cosmetic “wear and tear” 

Firmware updates that may be available from time to time from Nikon 

Commencement and Initial Service Period: This Service Program is effective as of March 30, 2009 on all new D3/D3X cameras purchased from an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer and is applicable for an initial period of two years from the date of original purchase. Also, D3/D3X cameras purchased new from an Authorized Nikon Canada Dealer prior to March 30, 2009, are automatically covered, starting March 30, 2009, until two years after the date of original purchase or until March 30, 2010, whichever period is greater. 

Cost: There is no fee payable to Nikon for Services during the applicable  initial service period under this Service Program. You have the option, exercisable by submitting a written application form before the expiry of the applicable initial service period (but not after expiry) to extend the Service Program for an additional year, at a cost of $300.00, plus applicable GST / PST / QST / HST. An application form for an Extended Service Contract is available by contacting the Service Department at a Nikon office listed below. 

Shipping: To receive the Services, you must deliver your D3/D3X to one of Nikon’s three service depots listed below together with a photocopy of the original bill of sale. Unless contrary to applicable law, freight and insurance charges to these locations are your sole responsibility and so is risk of loss, damage or theft during shipment to Nikon. The return shipment, to the address you provide, will be by a means determined at Nikon’s sole discretion and will be paid by Nikon. Nikon will only ship the return shipment to an address within Canada. Any replaced parts become the property of Nikon and will not be returned. 

Conditions: The following conditions and restrictions apply except where they may be contrary to applicable law: 

the Services do not cover repairs or adjustment required due to damage caused by: 

accident, misuse or neglect (including impact, water/sand/dust damage and battery leakage), 

tampering, 

unauthorized repair, or 

damage caused by lenses and accessories not supplied by Nikon; 

this Service Program is not transferable; 

this Service Program is valid only in Canada to Canadian residents, and is available only on new products imported by Nikon and sold as new by an Authorized Nikon Canadian Dealer; and 

used, refurbished and demo models are not eligible. 

Notices: 

SUBJECT TO ANY APPLICABLE LAW TO THE CONTRARY, IN NO EVENT WILL NIKON BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL 

OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THIS SERVICE PROGRAM, HOWEVER CAUSED, EVEN IF NIKON HAS BEEN ADVISED 

OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN THE EVENT OF NIKON’S FAILURE TO ADEQUATELY PERFORM THE SERVICES, INCLUDING DUE 

TO ITS NEGLIGENCE, NIKON’S SOLE OBLIGATION, AND YOUR SOLE REMEDY, IS FOR NIKON TO RE-PERFORM THE APPLICABLE SERVICE. 

Nikon recommends that any data stored in the camera or in a storage device be backed-up by you before sending your camera to Nikon. 

Nikon is not responsible for loss of or damage to such data. 

To the maximum extent permitted by law, this Service Program is governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario and the federal laws of Canada. 

You may have greater rights under the laws of your jurisdiction. Where any term of this Service Program is restricted or prohibited by such laws, such term will be null and void, but the remainder of the terms of this Service Program will remain in effect. 

Posted in Nikon D3x| 12 Comments

Nikon Canada announced a new free service program for D3 and D3x

Luminous-Landscape just published this:

“Nikon Canada has announced a new free service program for its D3 and D3x customers. This provides:

  • Unlimited preventative maintenance cleanings
  • Routine adjustments as necessary resulting from normal usage, excluding cosmetic “wear and tear”
  • Two comprehensive check-ups and cleanings; one in the first year of ownership and one in the second.”

I could not find any official press release from Nikon Canada.

Posted in Nikon D3x| 8 Comments

New Nikon patent for remaining battery life

nikon-patent

The new patent is for a new system that will track the amount of work done with the camera and based on that to calculate the remaining battery life. The current system track only the number of shots taken without taking in consideration any other power consuming feature (flash, zooming, LCD, etc).

Via Examiner

Patent application link

Posted in Nikon Patents| 8 Comments