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Posts Tagged ‘Nikon’s’

Update: Images appear to confirm Nikon’s Z9 is being tested at the Olympics, gives us the first look at its back side

30 Jul

Update (July 30th, 2021 at 1:30pm EDT): We have added a new tweet from the Photolari Twitter account that shows new images of what appears to be the same Nikon camera shown off in the two images from yesterday.

Today, Twitter account Photolari shared a tweet with a pair of photos showing what appears to be Nikon Z9 mirrorless cameras in the wild at the Olympics.

The original tweet has been deleted, but digicame-info managed to save the above images before their removal. Nikon has confirmed some details of its forthcoming flagship mirrorless camera, but only shown renderings of the front of the camera. These new images reveal the back side of the pro-style camera body, which appears to feature Nikon’s signature circular eyepiece, dual joysticks, a directional pad and a generous array of buttons. Below is a breakdown of the buttons (many of which are surely going to be customizable):

There appears to be black gaffer tape around the screen of the camera, obscuring what may or may not be an articulating display.

DPReview confirmed with Nikon earlier this week that it had its Z6 II and Z7 II mirrorless cameras and Z mount lenses on-hand at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, but there was no mention of its unreleased Z9 mirrorless camera. It’s been confirmed Canon has photographers testing out its forthcoming EOS R3 mirrorless camera at the Olympics as well, so it’s no surprise Nikon is using the Olympic Games as a testing ground as well for its professional camera system.

Below is a new tweet from the Photolari Twitter account showing off two new images of what appears to be the same camera shown off in the above images:


Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon’s Future: A Flagship Z Camera, 8K Video, and Affordable Lenses

08 Mar

The post Nikon’s Future: A Flagship Z Camera, 8K Video, and Affordable Lenses appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Nikon's future: a flagship Z camera, 8K video, and affordable lenses

Nikon will be releasing “a flagship Nikon Z-series mirrorless camera…within the year,” said Keiji Oishi, a Department Manager of Nikon’s Imaging Business Unit. The camera “is being developed with the goal of surpassing the D6.”

This comes from a recently published DPReview interview with Oishi, which touches on the past, present, and future of Nikon’s camera business, including new cameras, lenses, Nikon’s mirrorless sales success, and the pursuit of 8K recording. 

The development of a flagship mirrorless model is welcome news for Nikon fans; it firmly reinforces Nikon’s commitment to growth and innovation in the face of supply struggles and questions about the company’s viability.

While Oishi didn’t offer many details on Nikon’s upcoming flagship camera, he did claim it “will respond to the advanced needs of professionals” and will “debut a newly developed, high-resolution stacked CMOS sensor.” The term “high-resolution” is a relative one, but this could signal Nikon’s intent to compete with the upcoming Sony a1, an all-around powerhouse packing a 50 MP sensor, class-leading autofocus, and 8K/30p recording.

In other words: Nikon’s flagship model may look to satisfy more than just professional sports photographers. Were the camera to pack 45+ megapixels while offering fast autofocus and shooting speeds in the spirit of the D6, it’d be capable of capturing sports, events, portraits, and even pro-level landscapes. 

As for video:

Oishi claims that Nikon’s engineers “are considering powerful video features such as 8K that respond to the needs of all kinds of content creators and professionals.”

So while 8K video isn’t a guarantee, it’ll likely find its way into the upcoming flagship model. With the 2020 arrival of the Canon EOS R5 and the days-away release of the Sony a1, Nikon will soon be the only leading camera manufacturer without an 8K hybrid camera. And while Nikon is ostensibly a stills-centric brand, the 8K bandwagon is one that it won’t want to miss. 

So when can we expect this high-resolution, high-performance, 8K powerhouse?

Given the lack of recent leaks, don’t hope for anything before summer 2021, and fall or winter is a realistic possibility. But we’ll definitely see the camera before the year is out, assuming all goes to plan.

A few other interesting tidbits from the interview:

Nikon aims to produce lenses “with a focus on more compactness and affordability” in the hopes of “mak[ing]…lenses more accessible to more people.” This will come alongside an effort to offer an expanded lineup of APS-C Z-mount cameras. 

(Currently, Nikon only offers a single APS-C Z-mount model, the Z50.)

Nikon camera sales have “defied expectations” these last few months, especially with the launch of the Z6 II and the Z7 II. As Oishi explains, “In the last quarter, we reported record mirrorless sales, which was helped by strong performance of the Z7 II and Z6 II. We observed strong sales of new products, both mirrorless cameras and lenses.”

Oishi thinks the hot Z6 II and Z7 II sales come from DSLR holdouts; he states that “many loyal Nikon users [were] waiting on the second generation of the Z series,” and that, thanks to “the improvements we put into the second generation,” Nikon DSLR shooters have finally bought into the Z system.

This is all excellent news for Nikon fans, and while the company still has a long way to go, it’s clearly taking steps in the right direction.

Now over to you:

What do you think about Nikon’s upcoming flagship mirrorless camera? Where do you see Nikon headed over the next few years? And what affordable lenses would you like Nikon to produce? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

The post Nikon’s Future: A Flagship Z Camera, 8K Video, and Affordable Lenses appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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Video: Meet Calypso, the predecessor to Nikon’s iconic underwater Nikonos cameras

03 Nov

A customer at Camera West in California recently traded in an interesting piece of photographic history, the Calypso underwater camera. The 35mm film camera was the first of its kind that didn’t need housing to be used underwater.

The Calypso was the brainchild of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau and Belgian engineer Jean de Wouters. The Calypso was released in 1961 as the first 35mm underwater camera which could be used without housing. Cousteau wanted a small, simple camera you could use on land and underwater without any fuss.

When the Calypso launched, there were a trio of available lenses. Two of the lenses were manufactured by SOM Berthiot, 28mm and 35mm prime lenses. A third lens, a 45mm prime, was manufactured by Angenieux. In the video below, the Calypso is shown with the SOM Berthiot 35mm F3.5 lens. The knob on the left side of the lens barrel is used for focusing and the knob on the right controls the aperture.

The camera includes a distinct shutter design. When firing the shutter, the camera simultaneously winds the film. Since the camera is always ready to fire, there’s a shutter release lock on the top of the camera. The original camera strap is included and as you can see above, there is a built-in mechanism in the links to open the camera for loading film.

The camera’s construction is quite simple. Camera components are in the top portion of the body and the lower area is primarily a shell. The camera is constructed from an alloy and is coated in black enamel. Each component includes water sealing and the grip is faux sealskin. The camera’s top shutter speed is 1/1000s and it does include a port for using a flash.

To construct the camera, you put the two camera body components together and then mount the lens. Each lens includes a notch, allowing you to tell when the lens is fully mounted and sealed against water. At the time of its launch, the Calypso was rated to for use up to 200′ (60m) underwater.

The Calypso camera, as seen in Camera West’s video above. Click to enlarge.

In 1962, Nikon took over the production of the Calypso camera, rebranding it as the iconic Nikonos underwater 35mm camera. This was not Nikon’s first foray with underwater photography, as the Japanese company had already developed an underwater housing for the Nikon S2 camera in 1956. After teaming up with the Calypso’s original manufacturer, La Spirotechnique, the redeveloped Nikonos was released. Interestingly, in Nikon’s history of the Nikonos, Nikon says the camera was water pressure-resistant down to 50m rather than 60m, and the shutter speed topped out at 1/500s.

Ultimately, Nikon released three Nikonos cameras built upon the legacy of the Calypso, with the Nikonos III releasing in 1975. Nikon then went back to the drawing board and designed a full original Nikonos IV-A. This camera was released in 1980 and included new features such as a TTL exposure meter, aperture-priority AE control, an electronically controlled shutter, hinged open-and-close camera back and improved usability. The Nikonos V came next and was sold for 17 years before its discontinuation in October 2001. Nikon also released an autofocus underwater camera, the Nikonos RS AF, which could be used at depths of up to 100m. You can learn more about all the Nikonos cameras by clicking here.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon’s 2019 Mirrorless Shipments Lag Behind Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus

22 Sep

The post Nikon’s 2019 Mirrorless Shipments Lag Behind Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.

Nikon's 2019 mirrorless shipments

Last month, we reported on Nikon’s decreased 2019 market share (Nikon now sits behind both Canon and Sony, but ahead of Fujifilm, Panasonic, and Olympus).

And we can now follow that up with additional data that highlights Nikon’s struggles, recently published in Nikkei article.

In 2019, over eight million interchangeable lens cameras (ILCs) were shipped, and here’s the breakdown by camera manufacturer:

  1. Canon: 4.16 million ILCs
  2. Nikon: 1.73 million ILCs
  3. Sony: 1.66 million ILCs
  4. Fujifilm: 500,000 ILCs
  5. Olympus: 330,000 ILCs
  6. Other Manufacturers: 280,000 ILCs

These numbers are pretty much what you’d expect, with Canon leading the digital camera manufacturers by a large margin and Nikon in second place, closely followed by Sony. Fujifilm sits at the back half of the pack, then Olympus, while Panasonic and Ricoh/Pentax fail to make the top five.

Here, we can see that Nikon still remains competitive, even as Sony threatens its position. But bear in mind that these numbers include all interchangeable lens cameras, not just mirrorless models.

And when you look at mirrorless cameras (MILCs) alone, Nikon’s position becomes much more tenuous:

  1. Sony: 1.65 million MILCs
  2. Canon: 940,000 MILCs
  3. Fujifilm: 500,000 MILCs
  4. Olympus: 330,000 MILCs
  5. Nikon: 280,000 MILCs
  6. Others: 240,000 MILCs

As the data indicate, Sony is firmly on top, though I expect its lead will narrow over the next year or so. Canon’s dedication to its full-frame mirrorless system, as displayed in the EOS R5/EOS R6 release, will boost Canon’s numbers to at least become competitive with Sony.

But for Nikon, the future isn’t looking so rosy. It’s now been two years since the release of Nikon’s initial mirrorless offerings, the Z6 and the Z7. And while we’ve gotten two additional mirrorless cameras to show for it (the full-frame Z5 and the APS-C Z50), Nikon hasn’t even outperformed Olympus, a company in the process of selling its unprofitable camera division.

It’s clear that Nikon has big plans for the future (rumors of a Nikon Z8 abound), and Nikon recently announced several impressive Z-mount lenses. But right now, the company seems to be held up primarily by DSLR sales, which just doesn’t seem sustainable.

Let’s just hope that Nikon manages to turn things around in the coming years. For me (and, I imagine, for most photographers), more camera choice is pretty much always better.

Now over to you:

What do you think about Nikon’s recent camera sales? Do you think the company will make a comeback? What do you think Nikon needs to do to be successful? Share your thoughts in the comments!

The post Nikon’s 2019 Mirrorless Shipments Lag Behind Sony, Fujifilm, and Olympus appeared first on Digital Photography School. It was authored by Jaymes Dempsey.


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What you need to know about Nikon’s new 14-24mm F2.8 S and 50mm F1.2 S Z-mount lenses

17 Sep

What you need to know about Nikon’s new Z 14-24mm F2.8 S and Z 50mm F1.2 S

We’ve known they were coming for a while, but Nikon’s mirrorless lens roadmap moved two steps further forward with the launch of the new Z 14-24mm F2.8 S and Z 50mm F1.2 S. Keep reading to learn more about these two premium Z-mount lenses.

Z 50mm F1.2 S

Good news for Nikon Z shooters looking for a standard lens – you now have another option. The new Z 50mm F1.2 S is positioned between the affordable (and excellent) Z 50mm F1.8 S and the considerably less wallet-friendly Z 58mm F0.95 S.

Size and weight

First (and most obvious) things first: This is a pretty big lens. At almost six inches long (without the hood) and with an 82mm filter thread, the new Z 50mm F1.2 S is almost twice as big as the F1.8, and almost twice the weight (1095g, or 2.4lb). Nikon claims that key optics in this new lens are ‘1, 1/2x larger’ than in the F1.8, and the new lens also houses twin STM motors for accurate focus throughout its operating range.

Amazingly, the Nikon 50mm F1.2 S is even larger and heavier than the Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM, which weighs in at 950g (2.1lb).

Size and weight

For the historically inclined, the last 50mm F1.2 from Nikon (the Nikkor 50mm F1.2 AI-S) weighed less than 400g (0.9lb) and was only 5cm (2in) long. However, due to the compromises involved in stuffing an F1.2 maximum aperture into the narrow F-mount, it was not, sadly, a particularly good lens. This 50mm F1.2, however, promises to be much better.

Optical construction

Optical construction comprises 17 elements in 15 groups, including three aspherical elements and two ‘ED’ extra-low-dispersion elements, and both Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coating and the newer ARNEO coating for flare, ghosting and coma suppression. Meanwhile, distortion is well-controlled and nine rounded aperture blades should help keep out of focus highlights circular at wider apertures.

Because of the exceptionally wide dimensions of the Z-mount, the rear element of the lens can be very large, helping to keep light rays near-perpendicular when they reach the sensor.

Nikon describes the optical construction of this lens as ‘symmetrical’, and in theory this should mean that the Z 50mm F1.2 S is capable of high resolution at all apertures, across the frame. This is obviously something that we want to put to the test as soon as we can.

Twin STM focus motors

The Z 50mm F1.2 S becomes the latest Nikon lens to feature twin STM focus motors, which should increase focus accuracy at close distances, as well as being quieter and more power-efficient than traditional Ultrasonic motors. Minimum focus distance is 0.45m (about 18″) and of course manual focus is also possible using the large focus ring. As we’d expect, this is ‘manual focus by wire’ but very finely-geared for precise adjustment.

Nikon promises ‘minimal’ focus breathing (where magnification changes as the lens is focused), which is good news for videographers.

Handling and operation

There’s no getting around the fact that this is a large lens, and it makes the Z6/7 feel pretty small by comparison. We strongly suspect, however, that it will pair well with those cameras when used with their optional grip, and of course any future high-end Z-series camera with a bit more heft.

Handling and operation

In terms of operation, the Z 50mm F1.2 S is also pretty consistent with other high-end S-series Nikon lenses of late. A control ring can be customized for direct control over exposure compensation or aperture (and other things, but those are the two most useful) and an ‘Fn’ button can be customized via the camera for quick access to various modes and features. Meanwhile an OLED status panel on the barrel shows focus and aperture + hyperfocal distance information. In line with other S-series lenses, the Z 50mm F1.2 S is ‘extensively’ sealed against dust and moisture.

The Nikon Z 50mm F1.2 S will be available in December for $ 2099.

Z 14-24mm F2.8 S

Nikon’s AF-S 14-24mm F2.8 was a wildly popular lens, and for many years it was among the best wide-angle zooms you could buy. Nikon was always going to create an equivalent for its new mirrorless Z mount and here it is: the Z 14-24mm F2.8 S.

Size and Weight

The old AF-S 14-24mm F2.8 is a famously large, unwieldy lens, thanks mostly to its enormous front element. The new Z 24-24mm F2.8 is an altogether more portable option, and considerably lighter (650g / 1.4lb compared to 970g / 2.1lb). That’s a weight reduction of 35%.

It’s not a small lens by any means, but at around five inches long, it is the smallest and also lightest 14-24mm F2.8 on the market (albeit in a class of only three – the third being Sigma’s 14-24mm F2.8 DG HSM Art). Minimum focus is 0.28m (~11in) so get ready to shoot some classic ‘wildflowers at sunset’ landscapes.

Optical construction

Optically too, this lens is totally different to its nominal F-mount predecessor. This is very obvious from the flat front element, which contrasts very clearly with the large, bulging front element of the older AF-S 14-24mm. And yes, this does mean that you can use screw-in filters, although you’ll need to attach the included HB-96 hood to do it, and you’ll need to hunt down 112mm filters – not a particularly ‘standard’ size (or a cheap one), but both Nikon and B+W do make them.

If you don’t fancy shelling out for massive new filters, there’s also a tray for trim-able 40.5mm drop-in gel filters at the very rear of the lens.

Optical construction

Internally, the new Z 14-24mm F2.8 S comprises 16 elements in 11 groups, including three aspherical and four ED elements. Like the 50mm F1.2, it features both Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings. Nikon promises “stellar point light reproduction capabilities” and excellent coma and flare suppression, which should make this lens ideal for wide-aperture astrophotography.

Weather-sealing

The front element is coated with fluorine, to aid with cleaning if moisture and fingerprints should make their way onto the glass. Speaking of which, the Z 14-24mm F2.8 is sealed against dust and moisture.

Price and availability

The Nikon Z 14-24mm F2.8 S will be available in November for $ 2399 – a considerable premium over the older AF-S 14-24mm, but one that’s hopefully justified by its image quality. We’ll be sharing sample images as soon as we get hold of a production lens.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon’s FY2020 financial results: ¥225.8B in revenue, ¥17.1B loss in operating profit for Imaging Products Business

29 May

As it promised when it initially pushed back the release date, Nikon has released the financial results today for its 2020 fiscal year (FY2020), ending March 31, 2020, as well as its forecast for its 2021 fiscal year (FY2021).

Overall, Nikon Corporation recorded ¥591B in revenue and ¥6.7B in operating profit. These numbers align with what Nikon’s updated forecast suspected and are a decrease of ¥117.6B and ¥75.9B, respectively, year-over-year (YOY).

An overview of Nikon’s revenue, operating profit and more for FY2020.

Interestingly, Nikon attempts to quantify the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with its report saying it believes the pandemic has caused 10 billion yen in operating profit losses. Specifically, Nikon attributes ‘approximately 4 billion yen’ of that loss to its Imaging Products division ‘Due to product mix change by [the] suspension of distributors mainly selling mid- and high-end cameras, and delay of launch in main products including professional use products by stagnation of the supply chain.’

Diving specifically into its Imaging Products Business, Nikon recorded ¥225.8B in revenue and a loss of ¥17.1B in operating profit. These numbers are both worse than Nikon’s February 2020 forecast and are a decrease of ¥70.3B and ¥39.1B, respectively. The documents reveal Nikon sold 1.62 million interchangeable lens camera (ILC) units and 2.65 million interchangeable lens units, with just 840,000 compact digital cameras sold. These unit numbers are a decrease of 21.4%, 16.4% and 47.5%, respectively, YOY.

Nikon’s breakdown of the FY2020 results for its Imaging Products Business.

In notes on the revenue of its Imaging Products Business, Nikon says revenues were ‘progressing mostly in line with previous forecasts until the middle of February,’ when the COVID-19 started to wreak havoc on the supply chain and retailers. Nikon again reiterates that it’s had to delay new product launches ‘such as high-end DSLR cameras and [mirrorless lenses]’ due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is referencing the delay of Nikon D6 shipments and suggests the Nikkor Z 70-200mm F2.8 VR S zoom delay back in January could’ve been due to COVID-19 complications as well, even though at the time Nikon said it was caused by ‘production reasons.’ Nikon also notes sales of its Z-series mirrorless cameras and Z-series lenses have increased, and that the volume/sales ratio of mid-range and high-end cameras ‘improved steadily’ YOY.

Additional comments under the ‘Operating Profit’ headline note Nikon incurred ¥2.7B in restructuring costs and posted ¥6.6B in fixed asset impairment losses, which were detailed in its statement earlier this month.

As for FY2021, Nikon doesn’t share too much information, saying performance forecast details will ‘be disclosed once reasonable estimation can be given as the impact of COVID-19 is uncertain.’ Numbers aside, Nikon notes sales for its imaging Products Business ‘decreased significantly YOY’ in April and May of this year and notes that ‘the business of luxury goods is expected to continue in a severe business environment for the time being, and the deficit for the second consecutive fiscal year is inevitable.’

The executive summary section of the report details how Nikon plans to approach its various divisions in the upcoming year.

Under the executive headline, Nikon says its strategy for the Imaging Products Business is to ‘rebuild business with an understanding of accelerating market shrinkige [and] aim to achieve early profitability.’ In other words, Nikon plans to optimize its Imaging Products Division to get ahead of the quickly-shrinking camera market by restricting and minimizing costs.

You can find all of the latest financial results and presentation materials referenced above on Nikon’s investor relations website.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Lensrentals tears down Nikon’s $10,000 Nikkor AF-S 120-300mm F2.8 lens

15 May
Aaron of Lensrentals uses his new, specialized driver to carefully remove screws from the Nikkor AF-S 120-300mm F2.8 FL ED SR VR lens.

Roger and Aaron at Lensrentals are back again with another lens teardown; this time, the Nikkor AF-S 120–300mm F2.8 FL ED SR VR lens.

While no reason is needed to take apart another lens to see what goodies lurk within, Roger specifically notes he chose this lens because he wanted to see if the new modern design of Nikon’s Z-mount lenses is being carried over to newer F-mount lenses as well. In the introduction paragraph of his teardown post, Roger says:

‘We were interested to see if newer F lenses would pick that up, or if they would continue in ‘classic’ format. While it’s pure speculation on my part, I thought that if F lenses were starting to pick up Z characteristics, it would, perhaps, signify a unified approach going forward. If not, maybe then Nikon is maintaining separation of the Z and F design teams.’

Roger notes Lensrentals only has ‘a few of these,’ almost all of which have been rented out. However, one came in with dust inside and although it wouldn’t affect the image quality of the lens, Roger thought it’d be a perfect opportunity to do a teardown. Plus, ’t customers like to receive really sparkly clean lenses, and we didn’t want to deal with the inevitable “I can’t believe there’s dust in this $ 10,000 lens” complaint,’ he says.

The disassembly started in the front, as that’s where the dust was located. The first notable observation is that Nikon has made the front filter barrel fairly easy to remove—and therefore replace—as it slides out after removing half a dozen screws and a bit of tape.

From there, it was onto removing the first group of lenses, which Roger believes consists of 3–4 elements (Nikon is yet to publish an optical diagram for this lens yet). After a brief moment of concern that the dust was lodged between these elements, he and Aaron discovered the dust was instead on the next group of lenses—the optical zoom group. As you might expect for a 120–300mm F2.8 lens, this group has quite a bit of travel in it.

Upon diving further into the lens, Roger found the answer to the initial question he had for this teardown. When looking underneath the rubber grip of the zoom optical group, he saw an aluminum cover; a discovery that made him ‘sad.’ He elaborates:

Note the clear plastic tape and aluminum shielding beneath the zoom ring rubber.

[The aluminum covers are] what Nikon uses to cover old-time position-sensor brushes, which means this lens has ‘classic’ brush position sensors, not newfangled optical sensors. They work just fine, don’t get me wrong, but this is a strong hint we’re not going to find new ‘Z- style’ electronics inside this lens.

At this point, no further assembly could be done from the front of the lens, so he and Aaron turned it around and started taking off the rear bayonet mount, which was ‘thoroughly weather resistant with both hard rubber and foamed rubber gaskets.’

From there, Roger and Aaron break it down all the way to the aperture assembly, carefully maneuvering through a messy array of soldered wires, ribbon cables and enough glue that it might just give Roger nightmares. In wrapping up the teardown, Roger says:

‘We had seen what we most wanted to see. The lens is well built in the old, classic Nikon F way. Obviously, we don’t think that’s pretty, and it’s not fun to work on. But it’s been an effective method of manufacturing for decades. The moving parts are solid, the chassis and assembly are solid, the weather resistance is as good as anything, maybe better.’

While the teardown was done, Roger also ran an optical test on the lens to see how this copy performed. He notes ‘there will be better or worse copies’ out there ‘but given the price of the lens, I assumed it should be clearly better than the Sigma 120–300mm F2.8 lens.’

His assumption ended up being correct, with the MTF curves looking much cleaner than the Sigma (which he notes is a great lens in its own right) and ‘at least as good as, perhaps better than’ Nikon’s own 300mm F2.8 lens.

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 300mm F2.8G ED VR II Average MTF vs Nikkor 120-300mm F2.8 FL ED (@300mm) Average MTF Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Sport (@300mm) Average MTF vs Nikkor 120-300mm F2.8 FL ED (@300mm) Average MTF

When all was said and done, Roger concludes that ‘Roger’s Law,’ which states ‘that Zooms Are Never as Good as Primes has at least one very expensive exception. At one of its focal lengths. This zoom is ‘prime good’ at 300mm.’ Other lessons learned include that the 120–300mm F2.8 is incredibly well-build and ‘spectacularly good optically, particularly at the long end.’

You can see more images and read a more detailed breakdown of Roger’s thoughts over on the Lensrental blog post.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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The gear that changed my (photographic) life: Nikon’s 35mm F2 AF-D

29 Mar
My workhorse combo for many years (with a cleaner UV filter, I promise).

I finished my undergraduate degree in visual journalism using a Nikon D80 while many of my peers were using Nikon’s D90, D300 and D700 cameras. I was, shall we say, a bit jealous. The change in overall image quality from the switchover of 10MP CCD sensors to 12MP CMOS sensors in all of Nikon’s camera bodies (both APS-C and full-frame) wasn’t lost on me, and I couldn’t help but think one of those cameras was really the key to making me a better photographer.

They weren’t. I got a fancy, brand-new D7000 when I graduated and got my first real job, and a very well-used full-frame D700 after that. They were great cameras (I still have that D700), but it wasn’t so much the cameras that helped me grow. It was my embracing of prime lenses that pushed me photographically, and chief among them, the Nikkor 35mm F2 AF-D lens which was all but glued to my D700 for years.

ISO 200 | 1/160 sec | F2.8

Up until this point, I thought I needed a decent wide-aperture zoom to cover everything. I felt I needed the versatility of varied focal lengths, and the idea of having a zoom became a crutch I leaned on. The F2.8 constant aperture on the Promaster 17-50mm lens (I swear, all the reviews said it was just a rebadged Tamron) mounted to my D80 helped during Bellingham, WA’s interminably short and dark winter days, but ultimately, it was $ 250 USD down the drain for my photographic journey.

Why? Because I spent so much time shooting at the wide end of the zoom range, trying to fit everything in and capture every essence of the scene in each photograph. By looking at the broader picture, I was missing some of the details.

Once I got that D700 and figured I needed some lenses made for it, I picked up a secondhand 35mm F2 on a whim and discovered that – for myself – I had been shooting photographs wrong a lot of the time.

Nikon 35mm F2 AF-D sample gallery

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Framing is everything. We ‘crop’ just about everything in our lives, whether we want to admit it or not. This is a philosophical debate in and of itself, but pretending we’ve come out on the other side of that debate, I quickly found that 35mm lenses provide my eyes with a sense of ‘here’s the most important thing in the scene, but with just the right amount of context’. The photos coming out of this lens and camera combo just felt right.

When I twisted my 35mm F2 D lens onto my D700 and peered through the viewfinder, I found that instead of trying to fit everything in a 26-28mm equivalent frame, I needed to pick-and-choose-and-layer things into my 35mm equivalent view. My photographs improved because of that. I thought to myself, this is a great way to document the world in front of me. I can get used to figuring out how to cut out the ‘fat’ in the image, and focus on the most important bits.

ISO 200 | 1/1000 sec | F8

Fast forward many years, and I still tend to judge a new camera system by whether or not it has a decent and affordable 35mm equivalent prime-lens option. I know that it’s not to everyone’s taste (sorry, Chris, I know you hate 35mm), but with the 35mm F2, my D700 was my carry-everywhere camera for years, and I can honestly look back on my time with it and realize how it helped make me the photographer I am today.

If you have a piece of gear that you’d like to write about, we’d love to hear from you – and you might even get featured on the DPReview homepage. Leave us a short note in the comments and if you have a longer story to tell, send it to us, and we’ll take it from there.

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Nikon’s Nikkor Z 70-200mm F2.8 VR S lens is being delayed ‘due to production reasons’

01 Feb

Nikon Japan has announced [translated] that the much-anticipated Nikkor Z 70–200mm F2.8 VR S lens and three of its accessories will be postponed.

Originally set to be released on February 14, 2020, Nikon Japan says the lens has been ‘postponed due to production reasons.’ No specific details have been given regarding production issue at hand and no timeframe is given for the new release date. Nikon Japan says it ‘apologize[s] for any inconvenience this may cause to customers waiting for this product.’

DPReview has contacted Nikon for a comment and will update this article accordingly when we receive a response.

We will provide further updates regarding the situation as they become available.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

 
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Nikon’s 70-200 F2.8 for Z-mount to ship in February

07 Jan

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Nikon’s new Nikkor Z 70-200mm F2.8 VR S is the first full-frame tele-zoom for the company’s Z-mount. The lens has Vibration Reduction built-in – which works in tandem with the Z6 and Z7’s in-body IS system – and can reduce shake by up to 5 stops.

As with Nikon’s F-mount 70-200s, the Z-mount version has both internal focus and zoom. The company claims minimal focus breathing and also that this is a parfocal lens, keeping the subject in focus as you zoom. It has a total of 21 elements, including one SR (short wavelength refracting) to reduce longitudinal chromatic aberration, as well as 6 ED, 2 aspherical and 1 fluorite elements. It also features Nikon’s Nano Crystal and Arneo coatings to minimize both off-axis and on-axis flare, respectively. The 70-200 can focus down to 0.5m at its wide end and 1m at its telephoto end, with a maximum magnification of 0.2x. These short focus distances are achieved using two separately driven autofocus units.

The 70-200 F2.8 weighs in at 1.4kg (3.2lbs) and uses 77mm filters. A customizable control ring allows for quick adjustment of aperture or exposure compensation, and a digital display shows things like aperture and focus distance. As with other high-end Z-mount lenses, the 70-200 is weather-sealed.

The Nikkor Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S will be available in February for $ 2599.

Official sample photos

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NIKON ASSERTS COMMITMENT TO OPTICAL SUPERIORITY WITH THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF CUTTING-EDGE Z MOUNT, F MOUNT AND COOLPIX PRODUCTS

The New NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Redefines a Quintessential Photographer Favorite for the Z System; The AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is a Ground-Breaking Pro Super-Telephoto Zoom Lens; The COOLPIX P950 Packs an 83X Optical Zoom to Bring the World Closer

LAS VEGAS – CES BOOTH #14018 (January 6, 2020 at 9:00 P.M. ET / 6:00 P.M. PT) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced three new innovative products that affirms the imaging brand’s commitment to bringing optical excellence to all levels of customers. First, the new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is the latest in the ever-expanding Z mount lens line, giving users of Nikon Z series mirrorless cameras an indispensable workhorse lens for capturing action and portraits. For professional sports and wildlife photographers, the new AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is an enticing high-performance, professional super telephoto F mount NIKKOR lens. Finally, the COOLPIX P950 is a powerful new addition to Nikon’s superzoom bridge camera lineup, offering creators a spectacular 83x optical zoom and a myriad of innovative features to take their creativity to new heights.

“Nikon continues to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible in imaging and lens technology,” said Jay Vannatter, Executive Vice President, Nikon Inc. “The new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S takes advantage of the next-generation optical system offered by the Nikon Z mount to create a versatile 70-200mm lens with astounding sharpness and clarity, cementing this S-line lens as a staple for those who demand only the best from their lenses.”

The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S – Astonishing Details, Uncompromising Zoom
An essential pro-level telephoto zoom lens re-imagined to take advantage of the optical potential of the Z series, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S is the latest addition to Nikon’s rapidly growing lineup of mirrorless lenses. The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 represents a pivotal lens for the Z series and a must-have for those shooting action, weddings, events, news, wildlife and portraits. Equipped with a versatile focal range, fast f/2.8 aperture and an impressive 5 stops of built-in optical VR image stabilization1, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm gives mirrorless shooters the flexibility to capture astoundingly sharp images and videos in a variety of scenarios. Additionally, multimedia and content creators using the lens will appreciate the stepping motor (STM) for extremely quiet autofocus operation and reduced focus breathing.

The NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S demonstrates the technological benefits of the Nikon Z mount to reinvent a classic lens, while including new features to make this photographer favorite even more superior for Z series users. Parfocal support maintains focus when zooming, while a reduced minimum focus distance (0.5m wide, 1.0m telephoto) vastly increases versatility for photos and video. When used in combination with the in-body stabilization of the Nikon Z 6 and Z 7, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 promises unparalleled stability with additional optical stabilization. Like other S line lenses, the NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 boasts a premium optical design complete with a 9-blade diaphragm as well as Anti-Reflective Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings for maximum image quality in any light, with a Fluorine coating that resists dirt and smudges. In addition to a rugged weather sealed design the lens is ready to tackle any assignment with a dedicated Info Panel, two customizable Function buttons and an additional custom control ring.

The new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S and AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR are the first Nikon lenses to feature the newly developed SR (Short-Wavelength Refractive) lens element, a specialized-dispersion glass lens featuring characteristics that greatly refract light with wavelengths shorter than that of blue. By controlling short-wavelength light that is difficult to compensate, the lens can more effectively collect light of various specific wavelengths and achieve highly precise chromatic aberration compensation.

AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR: Impressive Reach, Incredible Speed, Absolute Versatility
The all-new AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is a versatile, professional lens for the Nikon F mount with a large focal range and fast constant aperture. It’s ideal for sports, wildlife and portrait photographers seeking a bright and fast telephoto lens that offers sharp image quality across a wide range of focal lengths. Thanks to its extensive 120-300mm focal range, the NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8 provides users with a pro-level single lens solution, replacing the need to carry multiple lenses. With Nikon’s reliable weather-sealed construction, the NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8 is equipped to handle any shooting scenario whether on the sidelines or in the wilderness.

Users will appreciate the constant f/2.8 aperture which offers incredible low-light capability and depth of field that draws emphasis to a subject. The impeccably sharp image quality, beautiful bokeh and enhanced AF performance of the NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8 offer speed and sharpness reminiscent of a prime. Engineered with Nikon’s cutting-edge technologies, the AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR is the first NIKKOR F mount lens to adopt Nikon’s new SR lens element as well as Nikon’s anti-reflective ARNEO coat to deliver superior chromatic aberration compensation and effectively reduce ghost and flare. The built-in VR function provides an effect equivalent to a shutter speed 4.0 stops1 and includes a Sport VR mode for rapidly moving subjects.

Ready for professional use, the lens is sealed to resist the elements and is engineered for maximum usability, even when handheld. The zoom ring, focus function buttons, tripod collar ring and controls are all designed to ensure superior operability for more comfortable shooting.

COOLPIX P950: 2,000mm Zoom Power, 4K UHD Video & More
With an unbelievable 83x optical zoom NIKKOR lens, the 16-megapixel COOLPIX P950 is a powerful new addition to Nikon’s superzoom bridge camera lineup, which delivers unprecedented image quality from extreme distances. Beyond the staggering 24-2000mm lens, the COOLPIX P950 packs an advanced feature-set complete with Nikon’s renowned NIKKOR optics and advanced stabilization technology with 5.5 stops of VR image stabilization, allowing stargazers and birdwatchers to capture high-quality photos or 4K UHD videos at extreme distances with ease. Plus, by using the COOLPIX P950’s 166x** Dynamic Fine Zoom for far-away subjects and Macro Shooting capabilities to get as close as 0.4 inches, adventure-seekers can bring the unimaginable closer than ever.

Users can rely on the P950 to photograph life’s most unique subjects with incredible accuracy and focus thanks to its Target Finding AF capabilities, 7 fps continuous shooting and ISO sensitivity up to 6400. A great option for photographers of all skill levels, the COOLPIX P950 features user-friendly controls alongside an intuitive menu system and a 2359k-dot EVF, making it easier to review and capture one-of-a-kind shots. Using dedicated Bird-Watching and Moon Modes, photographers can effortlessly snap photos of their world and beyond. The new P950 also adds RAW (NRW) photo recording, an enhanced high-resolution electronic viewfinder and Nikon SnapBridge2,3,4 to seamlessly share images or remotely control the camera.

The COOLPIX P950 is also equipped with an accessory shoe to enable compatibility with a variety of useful accessories, including the optional DF-M1 Dot Sight, which helps users locate subjects and compose shots from far-away distances.

Pricing and Availability
The new NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S lens and COOLPIX P950 will be available in February for suggested retail prices (SRP) of $ 2,599.95* and $ 799.95*, respectively. The AF-S NIKKOR 120-300mm f/2.8E FL ED SR VR lens will also be available in February for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $ 9,499.95*. For more information about Nikon and their latest products, please visit?www.nikonusa.com.

1. Based on CIPA Standard. This value is achieved when attached to an FX-format digital SLR camera, with zoom set at the maximum telephoto position.
2. The camera’s built-in Bluetooth® capability can only be used to connect the camera to a compatible smart device running the SnapBridge app, and to take advantage of SnapBridge features.
3. This camera’s built-in Wi-Fi® capability can only be used with a compatible iPhone®, iPad®, and/or iPod touch® or smart devices running on the Android™ operating system. The Nikon SnapBridge application must be installed on the device before it can be used with this camera.
4. Using the SnapBridge App System Requirements:

a. Android 5.0 or later or 6.0.1 or later
b. A device with Bluetooth 4.0 or later (i.e., a device that supports Bluetooth Smart Ready/Low Energy) is required.
c. The SnapBridge app is available for compatible iPhone®, iPad® and/or iPod touch®, and for smart devices running the AndroidTM operating system. The app can be downloaded free of charge from Apple’s App Store® and GooglePlayTM. SnapBridge can be used only with compatible cameras.

-Android™ and Google Play™ are trademarks of Google Inc.
-Wi-Fi® and the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo are registered trademarks of the Wi-Fi Alliance. The N Mark is a trademark or registered trademark of NFC Forum, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. The Bluetooth® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Nikon corporation and its Affiliates is under license.

*SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
** At the maximum image size. The maximum zoom ratio varies by image size. Dynamic Fine Zoom magnification is calculated from the maximum wide-angle position of the optical zoom.

Nikon Nikkor Z 70-200 F2.8 VR S specifications

Principal specifications
Lens type Zoom lens
Max Format size 35mm FF
Focal length 70–200 mm
Image stabilization Yes
CIPA Image stabilization rating 5 stop(s)
Lens mount Nikon Z
Aperture
Maximum aperture F2.8
Minimum aperture F22
Aperture ring No
Number of diaphragm blades 9
Optics
Elements 21
Groups 18
Special elements / coatings ED, SR and aspherical elements + Nano Crystal and ARNEO coatings
Focus
Minimum focus 0.50 m (19.69″)
Maximum magnification 0.2×
Autofocus Yes
Motor type Stepper motor
Full time manual Yes
Focus method Internal
Distance scale Yes
DoF scale Yes
Focus distance limiter Yes
Physical
Weight 1440 g (3.17 lb)
Diameter 89 mm (3.5″)
Length 220 mm (8.66″)
Materials Magnesium alloy
Sealing Yes
Colour Black
Zoom method Rotary (internal)
Power zoom No
Filter thread 77 mm
Hood supplied Yes
Tripod collar Yes

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