Saved the company through photography

Saved the Company through Photography

2020 has been the most challenging year, we as a world community have faced in our lifetimes. My company, D’Argenta, had a particularly hard year, as most of our clients are tourists, so no tourism, no sales, no flights, no exports.

We entered world of art 45 years ago. We make 24K gold and .999 silver finish sculptures, mostly of wildlife, human form, aztec and mayan art, home decor objects like table centerpieces, vases and candle holders that make for great decor and special gifts.

On October 2019, we had a website that barely sold anything, so I took the initiative of redesigning it, the further I worked on the project, the more apparent it became that the main reason for not being able to sell our art pieces was the lack of high quality photographs. Even before we had the new pictures we decided to launch the new website on February 2020. We didn’t have anything to loose anyway.

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Posted in Other Nikon stuff | Tagged | 19 Comments

Nikon Q1 financial results are out and they look very good

Today Nikon released their financial results for the first quarter of the year ending March 2022 and the numbers are better than expected (click for larger view):

  • Increase in revenue in all segments
  • Imaging Products Business: increase ¥24.9B in revenue and ¥17.5B in profit
  • Significant recovery in sales unit of digital cameras
  • Strong mirrorless camera sales, revenues nearly doubled
  • Nikon also revised the revenue and profit upward


Here is the relevant data for the Imaging Products Business:

  • Q1 YoY: Increased revenue and operating profit
  • Mirrorless and high-priced interchangeable lenses have enjoyed strong sales on recovery in demand for cameras.
  • Higher ASP on further progress in shift to models for pro/hobbyists. Revenues nearly doubled, due in part to the weaker yen.
  • Q1 operating profit improved significantly YoY due to subdued sales expenses and deferred partial expenses to Q2 and beyond.


Forecast for the year ending March 31, 2022 for the Imaging Products Business:

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Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 and 35mm f/1.8 autofocus lenses for Nikon Z-mount now available for pre-order



The previously rumored Viltrox mirrorless autofocus lenses for Nikon Z-mount are now available for pre-order:

Here is an updated pre-order list:

Additional information on the new Viltrox 24mm f/1.8 lens for Nikon Z-mount:

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Posted in Nikon Lenses | Tagged , , , | 43 Comments

New Venus Optics Laowa FF II Argus 35mm f/0.95 lens for Nikon Z-mount coming very soon

Venus Optics is expected to announce soon their new Laowa FF II Argus 35mm f/0.95 lens for Nikon Z-mount. Here is what we know so far:

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The new Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 Z & AF 35mm f/1.8 Z autofocus mirrorless lenses for Nikon Z-mount are expected in September



The Polish Viltrox distributor Foto Technika posted on social media that the previously rumored Viltrox AF 24mm f/1.8 Z and AF 35mm f/1.8 Z autofocus mirrorless lenses for Nikon Z-mount will be available in September and the retail prices will be between 1,788 – 1,999 złoty ($460 – $520).

Additional information on the Viltrox mirrorless autofocus lenses for Nikon Z-mount can be found here:

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The June CIPA numbers are all green again



CIPA (Camera & Imaging Products Association in Japan) published their camera production data for June 2021 (orange: 2021, black: 2020, blue: 2019, click for larger view):

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Announced: LEE Filters expands the LEE100 system with a new adapter for the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens



The new LEE filter holder for the Nikkor Z 14-24mm f/2.8 S lens I reported last week is now officially announced. The adapter is designed for the LEE 100 filter system. Here are the details:

  • A physically larger LEE100 holder, developed specifically for the NIKKOR Z 14-24mm f2.8 S lens and designed for optimal vignette performance
  • Featuring a bespoke compression system for a secure fit without damaging the lens barrel
  • Visual “smart alignment” markings help to secure the holder in the correct position on the lens
  • Made from aluminium alloy, with an anti-reflective coating and an integrated gasket to protect against light leak
  • Uses the same interchangeable, modular guide blocks as the standard LEE100 system
  • Newly designed foamless stoppers for optimum wide-angle performance
  • Innovative quick-change filter frames enable photographers to use their existing 100mm LEE Filters resin and standards
  • Integrated handling tabs on the filter frames allow for easy positioning without having to directly touch the filter surface, mitigating fingerprints and increasing the filter’s usable visible area
  • A physical stop on the filter frames optimizes the filter’s position relative to the lens, ensuring the filter’s edge won’t drop into the shot

LEE Filters are sold at Adorama, Amazon, and B&H Photo. Here is the full press release:

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Weekly Nikon news flash #635


Luminar AI update 4 with new Portrait Bokeh AI released (more info available here).


→ New Exposure X7 photo editing software is coming soon (more info available here).


→ Lens in Focus: Nikon Ambassador Lucas Gilman shares his favorite lens.

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Posted in Weekly Nikon News Flash | 43 Comments