Category Archives: Announcements

Nikon D610 gets new shutter mechanism

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Nikon D610 picture

The new Nikon D610 gets a redesigned shutter and a lower retail price. The new Nikon D610 is officially announced October 8, 2013. The main change from the D600 is the shutter. The new design allows for a faster frame rate and a new quiet continuous shooting mode.

The Nikon D610 now offers a Quiet Continuous (QC) mode to yield 3fps of nearly silent shooting. The mode is selectable on the shooting mode dial. Continuous shooting has also been improved to 6fps (from 5.5fps on the D600).

New Automatic White Balance (AWB) refinements improve color tones, especially in mixed and artificial lighting, providing better skin tone and more accurate sky color.

The D610 is also priced competitively, base price is now $1999 for the body only and $2599 for a kit including the 24-85mm VR lens. Additional kits are available with the 28-300mm VR lens.

Pre-order the D610 at Amazon
Pre-order the D610 at B&H Photo
Pre-order the D610 at Adorama

More Nikon D610 pre-order options, kits and discounts.

Nikon D610 announcement coming in 2 weeks

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The Nikon D600 FrontNikon D610 could be announced in just 2 weeks. The admin of Nikon Rumors reports that tips point to Nikon announcing the new camera on October 7 or 8, 2013. The D610 will be a revised version of the Nikon D600, brought to market to address concerns over the shutter mechanism causing oil spots to be deposited on the image sensor.

The new D610 is expected to have a new shutter mechanism, and is rumored to be able to shoot at 6 frames per second, rather than the current 5.5 frames of the D600. Other specifications of the camera are expected to be largely similar to the existing D600. Last week the D600 was removed from the minimum price policy (MAP) which signaled retailers to clear their inventory at unrestricted price.

We expect the retail price of the D610 to fall in line with the current D600 model, with a suggested retail price of $2095 US Dollars, and discounted to $1995 with instant rebate for the body-only version.

Adobe Photoshop Photography Program – Photoshop CS and Lightroom for $9.95 per month

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Adobe Photoshop Photography ProgramAdobe has announced a new program for current Photoshop users. With the move of Photoshop to the Creative Cloud, many photographers were upset with the requirement of high monthly subscription fees. Adobe has addressed this concern with a new offer: Photoshop Photography Program. You will get Lightroom 5.2 and Photoshop CC for $9.95 per month. Adobe claims this is not an introductory price and membership can be renewed in subsequent years. However, to qualify for this pricing, you must sign up by December 31, 2013 and be a registered user of Photoshop or Photoshop Extended CS3 or newer.

One benefit of Creative Cloud programs is you always have access to the latest features and updates for as long as you have an active membership. An additional benefit of the Photoshop Photography Program is 20GB of cloud storage for sharing files and collaborating with other users. Adobe is including a Behance ProSite to host your online portfolio website. Adobe Bridge CC is also included with membership.

To get the special Photoshop Photography Program pricing, you must agree to an annual commitment and monthly billing. Current Photoshop CC users can transition to the lower price, provided they own Photoshop CS3, CS4, CS5 or CS6.

Adobe Lightroom 4.4 and Camera Raw 7.4 for Photoshop CS6 Released

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Adobe Photoshop CS6Today Adobe releases updates for its popular image editing programs Lightroom 4 and Photoshop CS6 to support for the latest digital cameras and lens profile data. Lightroom version 4.4 update can be applied to any version of Adobe Lightroom 4.x, while Adobe CS6 can be updated to latest Adobe Camera Raw version 7.4. Users of previous versions of these programs (Lightroom 3 and CS5 and earlier) will not be able to install the latest updates, but can use the new DNG Converter 7.4 to convert RAW files to the DNG format to open files from the latest cameras.

New camera support added in Lightroom 4.4 and Adobe Camera Raw 7.4 include the Nikon D7100, Nikon 1 J3 and S1, Nikon Coolpix A and preliminary support for the Nikon Coolpix P330.

New lens profile data is included for the latest Nikon and third-party Nikon mount lenses including the Nikon Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 VR and Nikkor 1 18.5mm f/1.8. Third-party lens profiles for Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG, Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC and Tamrom 90mm f/2.8 Di Marco VC are also included in the udpates.

The updates fix some minor bugs, improve performance and include revised white balance defaults for old generation Nikon DSLR (D2X, D2Xs, D2Hs, D200, D40, D50 and D80).

Nikon Releases D600 Firmware Update Version C: 1.01

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Today Nikon has released updated firmware for the Nikon D600. The new firmware fixes the HDMI video output to allow full 100% frame size when the information display has been turned off. Previously, the display was only 95% with black bands displaying on the output HDMI image. Continuous auto focus (AF-C) tracking has also been improved. Support for the ultra-telephoto Nikkor 800mm f/5.6 VR has been added. Other minor bugs were fixed including:

  • When shooting in DX mode with Active D-Lightning turned Off, sometimes the right edge of the image had a white cast. This has been fixed.
  • When using Camera Control Pro 2, with Storage set to PC+CARD mode, pressing the shutter-release button on the camera repeatedly could result in an error (displaying “Err” on top LCD on the camera) and it would stop responding. The issue has been fixed.
  • When shooting with a custom white balance, either in Kelvin (K) or in a preset white balance (PRE), in rare cases the color would change when shooting. This issue has been fixed.

To check the firmware version or update the firmware installed on your D600, press the Menu button and go into the Setup menu. Select Firmware Version.

In order to update the firmware, download the new firmware from Nikon’s support site. Running the program will extract the update file named .bin file on your computer in the selected directory. Copy this file to the root (not in a folder) on a SD card and place the card in the D600. Your battery must have a full charge before you begin the update process. Then on your camera, go to Menu > Setup > Firmware Version and select update firmware.

Download Firmware Update for Nikon D600: Firmware Version C: 1.01

Nikon Lens Rebates Ending March 30, 2013

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Nikon 85mm 1.8G Lens

Nikon is ending its financial year at the end of the month, and the current batch of instants rebates on 18 Nikkor lenses will also end March 30, 2013. Unlike many recent Nikon promotions, the discount is not tied to the purchase of a new camera. You can save up to $350 per lens on many popular lenses.

Because of strong demand during the lens promotion, several popular lenses are backordered. If you order by March 30, you will lock in the low price and lenses will be delivered as stock becomes available.

The rebates are available at participating Nikon retailers, including Amazon and B&H Photo. Rebates in effect through March 30, 2013.

FX Zoom Lenses
24-70mm f/2.8G $200 off @ B&H, Amazon
70-200mm f/2.8G VR II $300 off @ B&H, Amazon
24-120mm f/4G VR $300 off @ B&H, Amazon
24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR $100 off @ B&H, Amazon
28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR $150 off @ B&H, Amazon
80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D $350 off @ B&H, Amazon

FX Prime Lenses
24mm f/1.4G $200 off @ B&H, Amazon
35mm f/1.4G $200 off @ B&H, Amazon
50mm f/1.4G $100 off @ B&H, Amazon
85mm f/1.4G $200 off @ B&H, Amazon
28mm f/1.8G $100 off @ B&H, Amazon
50mm f/1.8G $20 off @ B&H, Amazon
85mm f/1.8G $100 off @ B&H, Amazon
AF-S Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8G ED $100 off @ B&H, Amazon

DX lenses
18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR $300 off @ B&H, Amazon
18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II at $250 off @ B&H, Amazon
16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G $100 off B&H, Amazon
DX Micro 85mm f/3.5G VR $100 off @ B&H, Amazon

Visit the special promotion page: Nikon Lens Discounts at B&H Photo.

Nikon Announces 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G VR Lens

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Nikon-80-400mm-VR-lensMarch 5, 2013 — Nikon announces the ultra-telephoto zoom 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens. This long telephoto option for full frame cameras delivers outstanding performance for the latest high megapixel Nikon FX-format digital cameras. Its long reach offers 5X zoom capabilities in a compact package. The lens can be combined with a 1.4X teleconverter on the latest Nikon DSLR including the D4, D800/D800E, D600 and D7100 DSLR to allow up to 560mm reach at f/8 with full auto focus capabilities. The DX-format D7100 provides additional magnification to 35mm equivalent 600mm without and 840mm with the 1.4X teleconverter.

Nikon 80-400mm VR Lens Diagram The lens incorporates the latest VR technology, providing up to four stops of additional stabilization without the use of a tripod. It uses Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for fast auto focus operation. Internally, the 20 elements are arranged into 12 groups. Four regular ED glass elements and one Super ED glass element provide sharp images in the most demanding conditions. The 80-400mm also features Nikon’s signature Nano Crystal Coat to reduce flare and ghosting when shot into bright light sources.

The Nikon 80-400mm 4.5-5.6 is the lens of choice for demanding sports and nature photographers, in addition to specialty HD videographers. The lens is aimed at both still and video use by advanced enthusiasts and professionals needing extra reach in a compact package. The NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR will be priced at $2,699.95 suggested retail in the US, and will be released in early April 2013.

Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Pre-Order Options:


MTF @ 80mm:
MTF Chart 80mm
MTF @ 400mm:
MTF Chart 400mm
 
AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ED VR Lens Specifications
Focal length 80-400 mm
Maximum aperture f/4.5-5.6
Minimum aperture f/32-40
Lens construction 20 elements in 12 groups (including four ED glass and one Super ED glass elements, and Nano Crystal Coat)
Angle of view 30°10′ – 6°10′ (20° – 4° with Nikon DX format)
Minimum focus distance 1.75 m/5.74 ft from focal plane (1.5 m/4.92 ft in MF)
Maximum reproduction ratio 1/5.7x (1/5.1x in MF)
No. of diaphragm blades 9 (rounded)
Filter-attachment size 77 mm
Diameter x length
(distance from camera lens mount flange)		 Approximately 95.5 x 203 mm/3.8 x 8.0 in.
Weight (Based on CIPA Guidelines) Approximately 1570 g/3.5 lb (with tripod mounting collar); approximately 1480 g/3.3 lb (without tripod mounting collar)
Supplied accessories 77 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap LC-77, Rear Lens Cap LF-4, Bayonet Hood HB-65, Flexible Lens Pouch CL-M2