A quick update: so far I have reported the replacement of the Nikon D7200 camera as the D7300 assuming that Nikon will follow their existing D7xxx naming convention. Well, they will not – the D7200 replacement will most likely be called Nikon D7500 – probably to go with the D500 since both models will have the same sensor. I stopped trying to make sense of Nikon naming convention a long time ago.
I changed the name of the new Facebook page to Nikon D7500.
Sigma announced the pricing of their new 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens for Nikon F: $799. Pre-orders are now open:
For comparison, the Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR is $1,396.95
Shipping is expected to start at the end of May.
Additional information on the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary lens:
A quick update on the rumored Nikon D7300 D7500 specifications:
Update: the new camera will be called Nikon D7500.
Follow the new Nikon D7300 D7500 Facebook page for additional future coverage.
→ It seems that the last Nikon D810 firmware update made some third party batteries, like the Watson EN-EL15, unusable. Update: I received multiple reports that the batteries do work fine after the latest firmware update – maybe this was just an isolated incident.
→ Firmware update version 1.2 released for the Nikon Coolpix W100 camera.
→ Subal announced a new special edition of underwater housings – Subal Navy line (available also for Nikon cameras).
→ Brad Hill has posted his final summary on the Sigma 500mm f/4 DG OS HSM Sports ($5,999) vs. Nikon 500mm f/4E FL ED V ($10,296.95) lens comparison.
→ 15% off all used gear at Borrow Lenses with coupon code SpringGear17 (valid: 03/24/2017 to 03/31/2017).
“Travel Photography with a 35mm prime lens” is by Thorge Berger (reisefotografie.de):
I am a travel photographer from Germany and a long-term NikonRumors reader. I have written one guest post for NR before which you can find here.
From the beginning of my photography – which is … almost 30 years ago (can’t be true!)- I was always shooting with zoom lenses. Due to the flexibility they offer, I was convinced to make the best choice. And as far as I know, there will be thousands of travel photographers who would say the same.
I personally started with the classic 18-200mm zoom lens which is sometimes referred to as the travel zoom. But after some time, I moved to a heavier solution, the 24-70mm f/2.8 and the 70-200mm f/2.8 because I wanted faster glass and the option to compose with a smaller depth of field. At some point, I started to travel with 2 bodies (currently Nikon D4s and Nikon D500 or D3s as second body). Read More
Lensbaby Velvet 56mm f/1.6 lens for Nikon F-mount ($499.95) review by Marc Rogoff (Twitter | Instagram | Website | Facebook):
I bought this lens last year and I must admit I haven’t used it all that much so far. This is mainly due to the fact that for the kind of work I do as a professional fashion and portraiture photographer it is a little bit cumbersome as it requires manual focusing and doesn’t really fit my fast paced workflow easily. As far as focusing is concerned – it has a very smooth long travel gearing which does allow for very fine focus adjustments but any swaying back and forth whilst shooting wide open leaves little margin for error. The barrel is very smooth and as its a metal lens it feels like a quality bit of kit with a good weight and balance when attached to a body.
The lens has a very nice “Velvety” bokeh and a diffusion in the focussed areas when wide open. This I am told is not out of focus but rather a diffused effect. It is not something one can replicate in photoshop as it is not blur…it is a rather unique aspect to this lens alone.
Time for another recap. Do not expect anything new to be announced from Nikon this month (obviously) since March 31st is the end of their financial year. It seems that Nikon has decided to take a hit in the yearly financial reports and start fresh on April 1st (no pun intended). I already started receiving tips that there could be a new product announcement in April (second or third week of April, Nikon usually does their inventory in the first week of Aril) – two big shows are taking place next month and several companies are planning to announce new products. I received at least two tips suggesting April 20th as a potential date for a big Nikon event for a new product and a 100th anniversary celebration in Beijing. It also makes sense for Nikon to concentrate on the Indian and Chinese market which may explain the event in Beijing.
Here is a recap on what to expect from Nikon:
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