Nikon announced the winners of the 44th annual Nikon Small World Photomicrography Competition (click on images for larger view).
1st place: Eye of a Metapocyrtus subquadrulifer beetle
2nd place: Fern sorus (structures producing and containing spores)
3rd pace: Spittlebug nymph in its bubble house
4th place: Peacock feather section
The Polish Lexar distributer My Adventure issued a press release indicating that Lexar will not make any XQD memory cards as previously reported. XQD memory cards are currently not listed on Lexar’s website. I have reached out to Lexar for a confirmation/comment.
The good news is that the new Delkin XQD memory cards are supposed to start shipping this week – see pricing and availability at Adorama and B&H (WEX in the UK).
Here is the translated press release:
Refurbished Nikon D750 DSLR cameras are now $1,199 (regular price: $1,696.95).
The Nikon KeyMission 170 action cameras are now $150 (regular price: $396.95).
The Nikon KeyMission 360 models are now $288 (regular price: $496.95).
Has the KeyMission fire sale already stared?
More refurbished Nikon gear can be found at Adorama, B&H, Amazon, eBay, Cameta Camera and BuyDig.
→ New 8Sinn Nikon Z6/Z7 cage (8Sinn is sold at B&H and Amazon).
→ Brad Hill was interviewed about the latest Nikon products (Z7, Nikkor 180-400mm, 500mm f/5.6E PF). You can also find the podcast on iTunes and SoundCloud as “Photographing the West“.
→ I recently watched this 60 Minutes segment about The Photo Ark shot with Nikon cameras (check out also the Photo Ark books):
![Nikon Z7 + Nikkor 24-70 f4 Z [AF-C dynamic area]](https://nikonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Nikon-Z7-mirrorless-camera-review4.jpg)
![Nikon Z7 + FTZ + Nikkor 85mm 1.8 G [AF-C subject tracking]](https://nikonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Nikon-Z7-mirrorless-camera-review6.jpg)
My hands-on experience with the new Nikon Z7 by Fabio Marciano (website | Instagram | Facebook):
First of all, I would like to introduce myself: I am an Italian wedding photographer based in Padua who has used Nikon cameras for the past 8 years; and like many others, I was thrilled when Nikon announced their new mirrorless camera system. I could not wait to get one of the new models into my hands. When I was offered the chance to test the Nikon Z7 with the new 24-70mm f4 Z, I did not hesitate. I immediately organized a small photo shoot at a nearby lake and later also tested it during an actual wedding for a whole day.
Here I want to share my experience and the insights I gained: Where I see the strengths and the weaknesses of the camera, and for which kind of photography I believe it works best.
For easier reading I have divided this article into different topics:
Nikon Z7 mirrorless camera field review by Stuart Palley (stuartpalley.com | terraflamma.org | @stuartpalley):
TLDR: Mirrorless is the future of working pros in the documentary/journalism/travel realm. It may take another generation or two to fully compete with DSLRs, but it’s coming. The Z7 will not replace my D850 but rather complement it for the many situations where weight and size trump ease of use and AF speed/reliability in the near term. As the Z mount lens system grows I can start divesting myself of F mount glass when a Z mount equivalent comes into production. This is written from the perspective of someone who makes the majority of their income as a photographer and creative professional.
For years many great companies have manufactured excellent mirrorless cameras already in use by working pros and enthusiasts alike. Fuji, Olympus, Sony, etc, all make awesome cameras (I’ve used many, the X100, X Pro 1, GFX, OM-D series, etc). The big news here is the FTZ adapter with solid AF/VR compatibility with my existing dozen Nikon lenses, similar button layout for fast workflow adoption, and smaller and lighter baggage.*
That means I can integrate the Z7 into my workflow with minimal fuss and rock the Z mount 24-70 f4 or 35mm 1.8 when I want to go fast and light. A metadata analysis of my images from wildfires shows 60-80% of my images shot in the 24-70mm focal length.
The other two lenses I use the most are the 70-200mm 2.8 VRII, 200-400 VRI, and Sigma 14mm 1.8, which all work great with the FTZ adapter.
Sigma 14mm 1.8 with FTZ adapter
With the Z mount 24-70 f4 I lose a stop of speed and the durability of the 24-70 f2.8 VR AF-S, (which is the best/most versatile Nikon midrange zoom I’ve used) but the lens is about 1/3 the overall mass and a fraction of the weight of the F mount big brother.
