Another product “designed” for Nikon D3x

By [NR] admin | Published: October 12, 2008
This one comes from a photo expo in Calgary thanks to A.N.
This is the fourth company that creates a product for Nikon D3x without even knowing if and when it will be released. You can check the other three companies here: SanDisk, Adorama (Sea & Sea) and Delkin.
The full scan of the ad can be found in flickr (NikonRumors photostream).
Posted in Nikon D3x| 8 Comments

Need help from Sweden (updated)

By [NR] admin | Published: October 11, 2008
Update:
Thanks for all the translations – the only hint in the interview was about a possible AF-S 50mm f/1.8:

“I transcribed the interview and it is mostly about the new 50 mm 1.4 and DSLR in general.
The reporter asks how come there is no 50 mm 1.8 since the 1.4 is so much more expensive. Johan, the Nikon guy then replied: Good question, but as we say, we have not stopped making products, we will have to see what tomorrow brings.
Then some talk about market-share on compact and DSLR and finally some questions about how the market has reacted to the D90 and if there will be more DSLR with film capabilities in the future.
As Mattias says: Just a hint about a 50 mm 1.8 AFS is what I can get out of the interview.”
I’ve said it many times before – this blog is a collaborative effort from Nikon fans around the world. Today I need some help from our audience in Sweden.
Here is a Photokina interview with Nikon regarding the new Nikon AF-S 50mm f/1.4G lens:

I need some translation please. I have a feeling that this interview may contain some hints about future Nikon products (specifically lenses). You will ask why? I watched the Leica interview from the same series (in English) and they did talk about upcoming Leica products. I could be wrong – unfortunately Google does not provide video translation yet.
Thanks!
Posted in Nikon Lenses| 23 Comments

Nikon DSLR prototype with HUGE LCD spotted on a conference in Europe (updated)

By [NR] admin | Published: October 8, 2008

Update: this one got busted – the large screen is an…. iPhone (as someone already suggested n the comments). The blog owner did not mean to trick us and actually felt very uncomfortable for misleading the rumor hunters  He also updated his blog.

Huge LCD! I say 3.5 – 4 inches. Way bigger than the D90.


What is that?

Posted in Nikon D3x, Nikon D800| 16 Comments

Nikon dropping prices in France

By [NR] admin | Published: October 8, 2008

To celebrate Nikon’s 75th anniversary, there is a major discount on Nikon lenses in France (source). The offer will be valid from October 1st till the end of 2008. No word yet if this is a Nikon sponsored discount and whether it will be a world wide event. Here is the list (€100 = US$140):

OFFRE SPECIALE POUR LES 75 ANS NIKKOR
Pour les 75 ans des optiques Nikon, dites NIKKOR, une opération de réduction sur une gamme d’objectifs, à valoir sur le tarif Nikon-France à la BOUTIQUE NIKON
50 € de réduction pour le AFD 28/2.8, AFD 50/1.4, AFS DX 55-200 VR et AFD 35/2.
75 € de réduction pour le AFD 24/2.8, 85/1.8, TC 14E II, TC 17E II et TC 20E II.
100 € de réduction pour le AFS 60 MACRO, AFS 70-300 VR, AFD 18-35, AFD 20/2.8, AFS DX 16-85 VR, et AFS 24-120 VR.
125 € de réduction pour le AFD 10.5/2.8, AFS DX 18-200 VR, AFD 24-85/2.8-4, AFD 16/2.8 et AFS 105 MACRO VR.
150 € de réduction pour le AFD 180/2.8 et AFD 105/2 DC.
200 € de réduction pour le AFS DX 12-24, AFD 85/1.4, AFS 300/4, AFD 135/2 DC, AFS DX 17-55/2.8 et AFD 200/4 MACRO.
250 € de réduction pour le PCE 85/2.8, AFS 24-70/2.8, AFD 80-400 VR, PCE 45/2.8 et AFS 14-24/2.8.
300 € de réduction pour le PCE 24/3.5.
350 € de réduction pour le AFS 70-200/2.8 VR.
500 € de réduction pour le AFS 200/2 VR.
600 € de réduction pour le AFS 300/2.8 VR.
800 € de réduction pour le AFS 200-400/4 VR.
1000 € de réduction pour le AFS 400/2.8 VR.
Offre non cumulable, valable du 01/10/08 au 31/12/08 pour tout objectif livré et facturé avant le 31 Décembre 2008.

Sponsor: Nikon D90 lens kit and body only now in stock @ Amazon France

Posted in Deals, Nikon Lenses| 11 Comments

Nikon D3x is coming in December?

By [NR] admin | Published: October 8, 2008

The only news I see in this message is the release date – December:

“Nikon USA’s PR Dept. D3x is coming…slated for December at the moment. Full Frame, Crop features…24.4 megapixels 9 fps and a host of other features. The price? $6499.99 USD (U.S. Dollars) Its supposed to look identical to the D3, and use many of the same D3 addon’s…but have more megapixels, better noise-reduction software and faster high-speed for sports.”

Source: dpreview

Posted in Nikon D3x| 50 Comments

Top five best selling DSLR cameras & is Nikon marketing falling behind?

By [NR] admin | Published: October 8, 2008
I am going to continue the series of Ritz reports. This time I got the top five best selling DSLR cameras for the month of September (this data is for a whole region that includes multiple states):
  1. Sony A200
  2. Sony A350
  3. Nikon D80 (yes, not the D90!)
  4. Canon Rebel XSi
  5. Nikon D40
Here is the email I got, I could not have said it better:
“No joke about Sony though. We don’t even take an A350 out of the box to demo anymore, because they go so fast. Basically Sony had trumped all the other brands feature-wise at the entry and mid-level price points. $499 buys you a 10.2MP, image stabilization, and an 18-70mm lens, while Nikon and Canon stand with less pixels, no stabilization, and 18-55’s. $799 buys you all that plus 14.2MP, Quick AF Live View, and a large fold out screen. The D80 is at that price now but is inferior at every spec, and Canon’s XSi has fewer pixels, no screen articulation, and the slower mirror-lockup type Live View.
What really scares me is that Nikon’s dealer relations are suffering as well, as they move closer in line with Canon’s business model. For years, Nikon has offered extensive sales rep support, product training, loaner gear, and sales incentives to the people selling their gear. Canon has never done any of this, instead relying on huge marketing campaigns  to make consumers insist on their products. For the past year and a half, Nikon has offered these services very sparingly, even more so once the whole Ashton Kutcher campaign started. On the other hand, Sony is now making a huge push into the entry and mid level consumer market, while not only making a very formidable product, offering dealers like us more than Nikon has recently. Even strictly from a sales incentive prospective, one A200 puts as much money in my pocket as two D40’s.
Personally, I am still 100% a Nikon fan and only use their equipment, but I am extremely worried with the way their marketing department has been steering them.”

Just fyi this is the current top 5 DSLR best sellers @ Amazon:
Posted in Nikon D90| 75 Comments

Nikon involved in a new made-for-web entertainment series “Look Good in Pictures”

By [NR] admin | Published: October 8, 2008

NIKON AND CARSON KRESSLEY TEAM UP TO SHOW VIEWERS HOW TO “LOOK GOOD IN PICTURES”
Camera Manufacturer Launches New Made-for-Web Entertainment Series Entitled Look Good in Pictures: Nikon’s How to Series with Carson Kressley

MELVILLE, NY (Oct. 9, 2008) – Everyone loves to look great in pictures, yet so many of us are uncomfortable whenever someone yells “cheese!” and more often than not, dissatisfied with our picture. Nikon Inc. today announced a unique new series called Look Good in Pictures starring style guru and television personality, Carson Kressley. Beginning October 9, Carson shares entertaining and helpful insights at www.LookGoodinPictures.com. Throughout the fall series, Carson will give real practical advice on how to embrace photogenic qualities in a variety of everyday situations such as vacations, holidays, nights out on the town and weddings.

“Nikon’s Look Good in Pictures is the first program of its kind to help people look better in their photos and be more comfortable in front of the camera,” says Lisa Baxt, senior communications manager, Nikon Inc. “Nikon’s simple and easy-to-use cameras have helped those behind the lens take exceptional photos with the touch of a button. With this new program, we’re hoping to help those in front of the camera look good and feel great too.”

The first episodes to premiere on the program’s website will feature Carson’s entertaining general guidance for looking good in and taking great photos. Ranging from how to use the flash to posing tips, the episodes will show Carson tackling common photo problems around New York City. In addition to the episodes, the website features Carson’s Corner, which offers an inside look into Carson’s experiences on set, as well as consumer polls and Nikon camera information. Upcoming episodes include Carson on the campaign trail with political photographer, John Harrington and Carson soliciting photography tips from the celebrities at a red carpet event.

“Photographs are important as they reveal who we are, how we want to express ourselves and help us capture priceless memories,” says Kressley. “I am excited to be working with Nikon to show people how to look better in photos and feel better in front of a camera.”

For more information on Look Good in Pictures: Nikon’s How to Series with Carson Kressley, please visit: www.LookGoodinPictures.com. For information on Nikon’s product line, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Posted in Other Nikon stuff| 9 Comments