Nikon launches D7000 and two killer lenses!

Nikon has (finally) released the successor to the aging D90. The new D7000 slots into the mid-tier ranking of the Nikon DSLR hierarchy, promising performance with a new 16-megapixel CMOS sensor and a faster 'Expeed 2' processor. One of the key highlights is the inclusion of a magnesium alloy body, which until now was only reserved for the higher-end Nikon body. This is interesting because while Canon has been systematically shifting their mid-tier bodies (such as the EOS 60D) downwards in terms of features and specs, we have Nikon actually moving the other way up by including better build for their mid-tier bodies. The Nikon D7000 features a high res 920k 3" LCD and Full HD 1080p 24 frames movie recording capabilities. Looks like the Nikon camp has unleashed a powerful challenger this time round…

Another interesting development comes in the form of the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G. This wide-angle prime lens holds 10 elements in seven groups, including one aspherical glass element, and incorporates Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for quieter auto-focusing, along with Nano-Crystal coating to reduce flare. It will definitely be a welcome addition to the camera bags of street photographers, journalists and portrait photographers looking to capture street photos and environmental portraits in low available light.

And finally, Nikon has also updated its 200mm F2 VR professional lens to Mark II. Although the optical formula remains unchanged, the new AF-S Nikkor 200mm F2G ED VR II utilizes the second generation of Nikon's Vibration Reduction technology (VR II), as well as the company's proprietary nano-crystal coating to reduce ghosting and flare.

Nikon lets the horses loose!

Nikon launches new entry-level DSLR, and four new lenses

You know what the say about the weather. It’s always calm before a storm. So when Nikon kept silent for so many months, you’d expect something to burst out from the gates of Nippon Kogaku! It turns out that the Japanese giant has been busy, with its optical department hard at work churning out four new lenses! And the popular Nikon D3000 received an update with higher resolution and HD video recording…

The new Nikon D3100 features the same user-friendly interface with a Guide Mode, making it easy for a novice to learn photography as if there was a instructor by the side. The difference is that the new D3100 features an updated 14.2MP sensor, full HD  (1920x1080) recording, as well as the popular Live View mode. All-in-all, a nice update to bring the entry-level model up to speed with the competitors.

The Canon EF 24-105mm f/4 L IS is one of my favourite lens, delivering sharpness and versatile mid-zoom range in a compact package with image stabilization. And this has been missing from the Nikon line-up for the longest time! And now Nikon has launched the AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, making it possible for Nikon users to enjoy a useful mid-range zoom without worries about slow shutter speed. Personally, this is really great news for FX format Nikon users. But guess what? It’d be perfect if Nikon launched a 70-200mm f/4 VR to match it as well! Ahem…

The NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4D IF has always been a legendary lens in the Nikon community, delivering superlative portraits. But it was getting old in age with the classic formula, and the autofocus speed meant that it did not excel in sports photography where it’s high-speed could really help in achieving high shutter-speeds. So here comes the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G powered by Silent Wave Motor for fast focus speed. The successor also features a totally new optical design as well as Nikon’s proprietary Nano Crystal Coat for rich colours and high contrast. It’s 9-blade aperture diaphragm will also help in delivering uber-smooth bokeh for portraits. I only wished that Nikon has thrown in VR as well to make this a killer portrait lens!

For travel photographers who secretly wish for a Nikon super-zoom to fit their full-frame Nikon DSLR, (and always casting envious glasses at the DX users with their Nikon 18-200mm DX), your wish just came true with the AF-S Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR! It has everything you need for travel: a wide zoom range, ED lens for great quality images, VR technology for steady shots, and a minimum focusing distance of just 50 cm. Sounds yummy to a travel photographer who just wants to stick to one lens!

And finally, the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR is designed to be a matching pair with the 18-55mm kit lens, starting off where the kit lens stops at 55mm and going all the way up to 300mm (it’s actually 450mm considering the crop factor!). Silent Wave delivers quiet focusing, while VR makes sure you get nice shots despite your shaky hands.

New Nikon 200-400mm f/4 launching soon

Nikon is set to launch a tweaked version of its 200-400mm f/4 VR by end of May. Featuring the same optical configuration and Silent Wave Focusing as its predecessor, the new AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II looks to deliver the same optical performance and speed. However, Nikon improved its stabilization ability by incorporating four-stop VR II image stabilization, and the new lens will benefit greatly with Nikon's Nano Crystal Coat lens coating for reduced ghosting and flare.

It will come at a price though. The AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II is expected to cost nearly US$7000, which squarely prices the lens out of reach for most but the most hardcore (and well-heeled) photographers. Who would buy such an expensive and huge lens? Nature photographers and sports photographers will certainly appreciate having the option to zoom at the super-telephoto range, as well as a relatively bright aperture of f/4 and enjoy the superlative performance of this ED lens as well (it has 24 lens elements in 17 groups with 4 ED elements!).

What other alternatives do you have to this Nikon? Perhaps you can look at the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8EX DG APO HSM instead, with its bright f/2.8 aperture and much more economical US$4200 price tag.  Add on a 1.5x teleconverter and you''ll have almost the same focal length range as this Nikon. You'll not get optical image stabilization (VR) with the Sigma though, which is a really useful feature on such a super-zoom.

Nikon announces two new lenses

Nikon has announced the launch of two interesting lenses - an ultra wide-angle lens with vibration reduction (VR) technology and a high-performance 24mm prime lens. Just when photographers around the world were about to give up, finally a manufacturer came around to our point-of-view that even wide-angle lenses can benefit from having image stabilization technology! It took them years, but we're still glad it finally happened (hopefully it'll open a flood-gate of more wide-angle lenses with vibration reduction technology). The new AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR is designed for full-frame performance, although it is not f/2.8 like the Nikkor 17-28mm AFS. I guess Nikon is going to keep us waiting for a while more for a f/2.8 VR lens! The VR technology is an improvement over its predecessors, delivering up to four stops of stability when shooting in low-light. Optically the lens look promising, featuring Nikon’s Nano Crystal coat, two ED glass elements and three aspherical glass elements.

The AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED seems designed to go head-on against Canon's 24mm f/1.4 L Mk II lens. With a wide angle of view and such a bright aperture, the 24mm f/1.4 lenses deliver a unique perspective unlike any other lens. This lens will appeal strongly to photojournalists and event/wedding photographers with its focal length and ability to shoot in low light. Unfortunately Nikon didn't up the ante by throwing in VR at the same time, or this could be the ultimate photojournalist lens of all time! As you might expect, the AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G ED features Nikon’s Nano Crystal coat, ED glass, aspherical lens elements, and even nine blade rounded diaphragm for the ultimate in image quality. I'd be interested to see how this lens match up to Canon's 24mm f/1.4 L Mk II lens!

Canon and Nikon = Romeo and Juliet?

Oh boy... this is good... someone just made a video about the "Romeo and Juliet" story of a pair star-crossed lovers. Both are photographers, but he is a Canon guy and she's a Nikon gal! Don't take it seriously, but its quite a laugh hearing the "hatred" and "differences" of both camps. Every brand fanatic should watch this and have a good laugh at themselves!

Space – the final frontier for Nikon

Normally it wouldn’t be a big deal if a huge camera company like Nikon receives an order for 11 cameras and 7 lenses. In fact, Nikon probably won’t even want to entertain such a miniscule order! Unless of course the customer happens to be American space agency NASA, and the “small order” justifies a press release. Nikon announced recently that NASA has placed an order for 11 sets of Nikon D3S and 7 units of the AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lens for their space mission. According to the press release, NASA has been using Nikon to capture more than 700,000 pictures in space. To infinity and beyond!

Damn it, Jake! I told you to hold on to it!