Sample video excerpts from Nikon’s upcoming creative lighting system DVD

By [NR] admin | Published: October 31, 2008

Link – that’s all I got…

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 6 Comments

Nikon cuts profit forecast, increases DSLR shipments

By [NR] admin | Published: October 31, 2008

Recession…

  • Nikon slashed its annual net profit forecast by 40% (ouch).
  • Nikon expects to post a net profit of 47 billion yen for the year, down from 75.5 billion yen in the last year (good that there is still a profit).
  • Nikon raised its annual target for DSLR shipments to 3.5 million units from 3.3 million (good!).
  • Nikon increased its compact camera forecast by 7% to 10 million units (who cares).

Via Reuters

If you are not impacted by the recession, get the Sigma 200-500mm f/2.8 EX DG APO IF AF Lens (Nikon mount) for US $23,899.95.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 3 Comments

Nikon Canada plans to increase prices soon

By [NR] admin | Published: October 31, 2008

This is according to cameracanada.com:

“Nikon Canada plans to increase prices soon. Please order by Wednesday, November 12, 2008 to take advantage of this current low price.”

They have this warning on almost all Nikon products.

This could also be a marketing gimmick to get people to buy now.

Updates:

1. The Camera Store in Alberta posted a similar statement:
“The Canadian Dollar has lost significant value in a very short period of time. Many of our suppliers are indicating they will be forced to raise prices as early as mid November.”

2. Here is an email from Henry’s on the same topic:


Dear Henry’s Customer,

Just one year ago we were watching the Canadian Dollar steadily
increase in value until it equalled and surpassed the value of
the American Dollar. Canadian consumers reacted with a cry to
Canadian retailers to lower their selling prices. At Henry’s we
listened. We lowered our prices to reflect the currency changes,
and we satisfied our customers wishes. Again, thank you for your
vote of confidence and for continuing to shop in Henry’s retail
stores and shop at Henry’s online. But that was a year ago.
Today the news is quite different.

Over the past few months our Canadian Dollar has incurred an
incredibly fast and steep drop relative to the American Dollar
and the Japanese Yen. Our Suppliers are now telling us that
their prices have to go up, and soon. I’m sending this email
out to inform all of our customers that now is the time to
buy that new camera, lens or accessory.

If Henry’s has a product in stock please take advantage of
our current low Canadian price. We are being told by our
suppliers that many price increases will go into effect
beginning November 1st. In particular, on large ticket
items. We have also been told by our suppliers that many
new products will see a price increase prior to them even
hitting our shelves.

I also have to inform our customers who have ordered new
models that have yet to be shipped that there may be price
increases on your products prior to their arrival.

I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause.
They are economy driven and in response to our suppliers’ actions.

I wish everyone a Healthy and Happy Holiday Season.

Yours truly,
Mark Wolfson
Vice President Sales
Henry’s

Posted in Deals| Tagged | 25 Comments

“Look Good in Pictures” videos available online

By [NR] admin | Published: October 31, 2008

I am not sure how many of our readers will be interested in the “Look Good in Pictures” Nikon series, but the videos are available online @ lookgoodinpictures.com. Here is the latest episode about nighttime photography:

The featured cameras are Nikon S60, S610c (with build in Wi-Fi) and the D90.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 7 Comments

nikonhunting.com

By [NR] admin | Published: October 30, 2008

I bet you did not know about this site… http://www.nikonhunting.com

Well if you care, they are currently offering a $50 gift card when you purchase an eligible Nikon ATB Binocular from an authorized dealer.

I still don’t think this Nikon ad is real:

Posted in Weird| 9 Comments

Jeff-c has spoken again

By [NR] admin | Published: October 30, 2008

On the dpreview discussion “When will the Nikon 24 mega sensor camera come out“, Jeff-c wrote today:

“A high pixel count pro body in 135 format, about 45 days to go for more details. :-)”

This would be the second source that talks about a new camera being released in December 2008, unless he means that he will just have more info in 45 days.

Jeff-c is known to have advanced knowledge about upcoming Nikon products and he was right many times before (I could not find a case where he was not correct, please send me a link if you find one).

Thanks Cap. Kirk!

Update: OK, I will dig in the dpreview history of jeff-c:

  • On August 8th 2008, he said “Aug. 27th. That’s all I can say and it’s not a second information. :-)”. D90 was released on August 27th – CORRECT (source).
  • July 2007: “Two new cameras – August announcement” – Nikon D3 and D300 were released in August 2007 – CORRECT (source).
  • On April 1st (or May 30th) he wrote about a new AF-S 50mm f/1.2G lens – this was probably a joke, or he was talking about the AF-S 50mm f/1.4G.

A reader was able to find much more detailed prediction history from jeff-c (thanks John):

“jeff-c has been wrong a few times. However, some of his predictions are right on the mark and he was the first one to speak out with accurate information. For example two months prior to Canon launching 10D he posted here:

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1019&message=4048422

Nikon F6: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=9737711

Nikon D50 and D100 replacement. Although the D100 replacement didn’t materialize: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=12436327

D200 spec’s: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=14809860

Someone attributed the famous D200 spy photo to him but he never admits or denies it: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=15570415

The biggest flop for him is the quasi-FF post, although he didn’t say this 1.13x sensor is coming. It seems more of his opinion than a rumor: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=17335390

Nikon D300, note that the thread titled two DSLR’s coming but he only posted a D200 replacement ad photo. We all know now D3 and D300 were announced together: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1039&message=24110549

Someone posted a D700 leak, it seems jeff knows about it but he confirmed it in a weird way of posting: http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=28325244

From his posting history at dpreview.com it seems he is getting more cautious when revealing upcoming products, perhaps his identity is known to the parties involved and he is taking different approach without jeopardizing his sources.”

More jeff-c history:

D2Xs
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=18110686

D70
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=5985223

D50/D70s
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=12436327

D200
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=14809860

D80
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=19267365

D40x
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1034&message=22252337

D3/D300
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=24110549

D700
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=28325244

D90
http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/read.asp?forum=1021&message=28888307

Posted in Nikon D3x, Nikon D400| 48 Comments

Sony will not release the 24 MP sensor to other brands

By [NR] admin | Published: October 29, 2008

Interesting post on dpreview from someone who talked to the Sony Alpha 900 team at PhotoPlus last week:

“They claim that they convinced the sensor division at Sony (the folks at PhotoPlus were camera designers) NOT to sell the A900 sensor to anyone, in order to build Sony’s camera market share.”

Canon has been doing this for years. This basically means that Nikon may not have a choice of sensors beyond 12 MP and their only way up is to go medium format (MF sensors are not restricted to a certain manufacturer). There is a dark area of who exactly produces the D3 sensor, but it seems that Nikon may not be getting the latest 24 MP sensor from Sony, which is actually a good news (based on online reviews of the A900).

This is a rumor which I cannot confirm.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| Tagged | 40 Comments