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The Hong Kong based company di-GPS introduced two new GPS modules for Nikon cameras - di-GPS Eco Pro-S and Pro-F: di-GPS Eco ProFessional (Pro-F) specifications Support Nikon D4, D3, D3S, D3X, D700, D800, D800E, D300, D300S, D2XS, D2X, D2HS, D200 &...

Via Philippe Gassmann

Nikon currently offers three 85mm prime lenses: the ageing AF 85mm f1.8D, the new AF-S 85mm f1.8G, and the largest aperture AF-S 85mm f1.4G, but if you're in the market for a fast short telephoto lens, which one will end up being best for you?

Via Philippe Gassmann

I uploaded few Nikon D800 sample images on flickr that I took during the weekend. There are few cropped images, some high ISO samples, with and without post processing. See the description of each photo for more details. You must check also the full resolution version of each image (go to->actions->view all sizes). Needless to say that I am very pleased with my D800 purchase.

Via Philippe Gassmann

"Nikon continues to update its range of affordable fast primes with the new Nikkor AF-S 85mm f/1.8 G. While the existing screw driven AF-D lens was not a bad performer, Nikon's decision to remove the screw drive from its entry-level DX cameras made the lens a rather unattractive choice for the majority of their customers.
Consequently, the new model now offers a silent wave AF drive, which makes it compatible with the complete range of current Nikon DSLRs.

Even though 85mm traditionally is a classic portrait focal length on full frame cameras and the new AF-S 85 f/1.8 is of course a FX lens, the largest pressure to update the lens may have come from DX customers. So, in this review, we'll have a look at how the lens performs on our current DX test camera, the Nikon D7000, where it is the equivalent of roughly a 130/2.8 lens. As such it doesn't leave its original scope (portraiture)."

Via Philippe Gassmann

Here are some samples from the Nikon V1 + FT-1 adapter + TC 2.0x + Nikkor 400mm f/2.8 lens. The focal length calculation should be: 400 x 2 x 2.7 = 2160mm:
Images credit: Razvan T.

Via Philippe Gassmann

"Jared Polin from FroKnowsPhoto.com has just handed me this press release from Nikon on their new D4! Which he says is pure awesome.
Sniff test it? Yes he did… Watch the video below for Jared’s reaction to the newly announced Nikon D4
Potentially available end of Feb 2012 and coming in at around $6,000…
Here’s the video, press release right below it!"

 

Via Philippe Gassmann

Dedicated Combat Camera units photograph operation on the ground, at sea and in air--even in battle.

 

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Via Philippe Gassmann

Nikon has released a firmware update for their 16.2MP Nikon D7000 DSLR camera. The new version 1.0.3 firmware update corrects a couple of bugs including one...

Via Ricardo Vilela

The product life cycle of a lens usually covers several years, if not a decade or even more. As with any rule, there are exceptions, and the Sigma EX 70-200/2.8 is certainly one of them. The initial product was launched back in 1998, when Sigma introduced the EX 70-200/2.8 APO as one of the first lenses to carry the "EX" designation. That lens remained a current product for 7 years. From 2005 onwards however, Sigma's product managers switched into fast pace mode. The Sigma 70-200/2.8 EX OS HSM, announced in 2010, is the 4th update to the initial product within less than 5 years:

2005: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM 2006: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro HSM 2007: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro HSM II 2010: Sigma AF 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM

The latest upgrade adds optical stabilization (OS), a feature that has been offered by the original manufacturer's lenses for quite some time now. With this feature added, Sigma currently is the only 3rd party manufacturer that can fully compete in this segment with Nikon and Canon, at least on paper.

In this review we'll have a look at how the lens performs on our current FX test camera, the Nikon D3x.

 

Via Philippe Gassmann

When thinking of fast tele lenses, most people no doubt think about the professional grade 70-200mm f/2.8 zooms first. These lenses nowadays offer very high quality, but they do have a few drawbacks, too: they are large, heavy and quite expensive.
For those who are willing to trade the flexibility of a zoom lens for portability and lower price, a fast tele prime can be an alternative. One such lens is the Nikon AF-D 180mm f/2.8 ED, which is part of Nikon's product line for quite a while now. The original AF version was introduced in 1986 and updated to the still current AF-D version in 1994. The Nikon AF-D 180 costs less than the pro-grade f/2.8 zooms, however it's still not exactly a cheap lens and currently retails for around 850 EUR.

In this review, we'll have a look at how the lens performs on our FX test camera, the Nikon D3x.

Via Philippe Gassmann

Everyone seemed to enjoy my destruction of an NEX camera a couple of weeks ago. I made the statement in that post that it was amazing how simple and clean the camera was compared to even a small SLR. So, of course, a number of people then wanted me to open up an SLR so they could see the difference. Having matured only marginally since 3rd grade, I had no choice except to rise to the challenge once someone said “bet you won’t take an SLR apart like that”.

So, yesterday a D7000 got a nasty scratch on the sensor. It was already an older camera and Nikon has upped prices on sensor replacements to the point it wasn’t economically worthwhile to replace it. So it was time to go get some useful parts. Why? Because with the Nikon parts shortage we can sell the parts for more than the camera. (Anybody besides me seeing the coincidence of “Nikon will no longer sell parts to independent repair shops” and Nikon repair prices going up? Just me? OK, well I’ll up my medication again.)

Via Philippe Gassmann

The Nikon D4 camera is currently en route to some dealers in Europe. I expect to see the first unboxing pictures/videos/samples tomorrow or the day after. I still have no confirmation on the exact US delivery date.

Via Ricardo Vilela

"It’s winter. It’s slow. We get bored. We have lots of stuff to play with. Too much stuff and too much time leads to all kinds of trouble. I mean experimenting to find combinations of equipment that might benefit our customers. So anyway, Joey decided it would be a superb idea to take a tiny little Nikon V1 mirrorless camera with it’s 2.7 crop factor and put it on the back of a Nikon 600mm f4 VR with a 2X teleconverter. I mean, who doesn’t need a 3250mm equivalent lens, right?"

Via Philippe Gassmann

The D800 image that leaked few hours ago on several of the official Nikon websites is now gone, but several readers noticed the folder named...

Via Tiaan Jonker

Shortly after it announced its new monster of a camera, Nikon published the first sample photos and a video captured with the D4.

Via Tiaan Jonker

"Fast, journalistic telephoto lenses with fixed focal lengths are expensive devices because, in their cases, every manufacturer strives to offer everything the best. The Nikon company is not an exception to that rule and already at the beginning of the era of digital detectors so in 2001-2004 they offered their customers a whole series of fast “primes” with focal lengths ranging from 200 to 600 mm, which parameters are presented in the following chart.
As you see, although the lenses were designed in accordance with contemporary standards they featured high quality optics and coatings; however, the longest three came without optical stabilization. It is a serious flaw in this class of focal lengths and Nikon certainly knew something had to be done, especially that Canon was already offering the same lenses with stabilization. That’s why in 2007 three successors featuring 400, 500 and 600 mm focal length were released. The 200 and 300 mm lenses could wait longer as they had a stabilization system and were launched later (the 2.0/200 not so long ago because only in 2004). The time has come for them too, though. In 2009 we saw the new 2.8/300 and in September 2010, the new 200 mm. Currently the whole line-up of long, fast primes presents itself this way.
Although all of these lenses are very interesting, the 2/200 model remains perhaps the most versatile one. It is huge but its dimensions still allow to take hand-held photos and even go for a walk with it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be used for journalistic photography only because in the studio, on full frame, it will be great as a tool for more close-up portraits as well. With 1.7x or 2.0 converters it can be used as well for nature photography and also it is a great astrophotography tool, with or without converters, as its huge front element with the active surface of 10 cm is able to gather a lot of light, and a flat, well-corrected field ensures you point-like images of stars across the frame.
It seems we started to praise this lens even before we tested it...does it really deserve it at all? Let’s find out and enjoy the lecture of the next chapters!"

Via Philippe Gassmann

"Fast, journalistic telephoto lenses with fixed focal lengths are expensive devices because, in their cases, every manufacturer strives to offer everything the best. The Nikon company is not an exception to that rule and already at the beginning of the era of digital detectors so in 2001-2004 they offered their customers a whole series of fast “primes” with focal lengths ranging from 200 to 600 mm, which parameters are presented in the following chart.
As you see, although the lenses were designed in accordance with contemporary standards they featured high quality optics and coatings; however, the longest three came without optical stabilization. It is a serious flaw in this class of focal lengths and Nikon certainly knew something had to be done, especially that Canon was already offering the same lenses with stabilization. That’s why in 2007 three successors featuring 400, 500 and 600 mm focal length were released. The 200 and 300 mm lenses could wait longer as they had a stabilization system and were launched later (the 2.0/200 not so long ago because only in 2004). The time has come for them too, though. In 2009 we saw the new 2.8/300 and in September 2010, the new 200 mm. Currently the whole line-up of long, fast primes presents itself this way.
Although all of these lenses are very interesting, the 2/200 model remains perhaps the most versatile one. It is huge but its dimensions still allow to take hand-held photos and even go for a walk with it. It doesn’t necessarily have to be used for journalistic photography only because in the studio, on full frame, it will be great as a tool for more close-up portraits as well. With 1.7x or 2.0 converters it can be used as well for nature photography and also it is a great astrophotography tool, with or without converters, as its huge front element with the active surface of 10 cm is able to gather a lot of light, and a flat, well-corrected field ensures you point-like images of stars across the frame.
It seems we started to praise this lens even before we tested it...does it really deserve it at all? Let’s find out and enjoy the lecture of the next chapters!"

Via Philippe Gassmann

"Those are the first pictures of the upcoming Nikon D800 DSLR camera. The specs so far are exactly the same as reported previously (there are some new updates in this list):

Smaller and lighter than D700 Resolution: 7360×4912 (36MP) CF+SD memory card slots Slightly larger display Excellent video quality, better than D3s Video modes: 1080p/30/25/24 and 720p/60/30/25/24 AF identical to D3/D700"
Via Philippe Gassmann