Nikon D7100: A Loaded Intermediate DSLR Might Be Just Right

Over the last year, Nikon has replaced its two bottom DSLRs with the D3200 and D5200 refreshes. The new D7100 is the latest DX format camera bump, replacing the dated D7000 from three years ago. More »

Nikon Lenses Major Rebate Plan For Announced

Nikon Lenses Major Rebate Plan For Announced

A couple of days back we ran a story about a rumored an upcoming Nikon Lenses rebate plan rumor. Nikon was expected to slash prices of their lenses and give major discounts on a large number of lenses. Well, Nikon has done it and has announced major discounts. The price scheme is supposed to expire on March 2nd 2013. As reported earlier, consumers do not have to buy a DSLR body in order to qualify for the discounts. They will only need to purchase the lens.

Discounted prices can be checked on Nikon’s website . Lenses that have been discounted are: Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D, Nikkor 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikkor 24-120mm f/4G ED VR, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII, Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VRII,  Nikkor 24mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 35mm f/1.4G,Nikkor 85mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8G, Nikkor 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G VR, Nikkor 28mm f/1.8G, Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G, Nikkor 85mm f/1.8G, Nikkor Micro 60mm f/2.8G, Nikkor 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G, Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G VR, Nikkor Micro 85mm f/3.5G VR and the Nikkor 50mm f/1.8G.

If you were in the market for lenses, we hope that you read our previous post and waited until this was made official. Knowledge is power and it can also save you a buck or two.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Huge Rebate Plan For Nikon Lenses Coming [Rumor], Amazon Announces ‘Amazon Coins’ Virtual Currency,

Nikon Holding Press Event In Thailand On 21st February

Nikon Holding Press Event In Thailand On 21st FebruaryIt looks like come 21st of February, Nikon will be holding a press event in Thailand. The company has been sending out invites (via ThaiDPhoto) although they did not specify what exactly it is that they would be announcing. Nikon Rumors has suggested that Thursday seems like an odd day for Nikon to be announcing new products, but they have also speculated that it could be where Nikon announces the Nikon D7000’s replacement. For those who have been following photography-related news, you might recall that back in August of 2012, the D7000 had been listed as discontinued, and at the same time there have been rumors that said that the D7000’s successor could be seeing an announcement before April of 2013, making this event a pretty good candidate. Either way there’s not much to go on, but if you were a fan of the D7000 and want to see what its successor will bring to the table, check back with us on the 21st of February to see if there are any announcements to be had.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: Sony A58 Photos Leaked, New Sony NEX-3n Photos Spotted,

Huge Rebate Plan For Nikon Lenses Coming [Rumor]

Huge Rebate Plan For Nikon Lenses Coming [Rumor]

Nikon is rumored to be in the process of putting in place a major rebate plan for its line of lenses.  The rebate plan is supposed to be introduced at midnight on Saturday and is set to include some top selling lenses.  Another major part of the rebate plan is that buyers will not have to buy a body in order to become eligible for the plan.

The major reason why this would happen (if it does happen) is Nikon’s financial report for its third quarter. The company has had a bad quarter and its stocks fell 19% after its third quarter financial summary was released.  Nikon already has a rebate plan on its website, and might try to slash prices further to move its current inventory.  No official word has been given by Nikon about these rumors

Nikon and its rival Cannon Inc. are the dominant players in the digital camera market. However both companies are facing strong competition in the market of lower end cameras as consumers are now using smartphones for taking pictures. If you were waiting to buy your favorite Nikon lenses, but were on a budget, you just might get a really good deal by Sunday.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: New Sony Cameras Rumored For 20th February Announcement, Sony A38, A58 and A78 Rumored For Launch This Year,

Nikon PROSTAFF 3 Fieldscope

Nikon PROSTAFF 3 Fieldscope Do you have a penchant for birdwatching? I do admit, I lack the necessary kind of patience to just sit out there and wait it out, hoping that through sheer luck or providence, the feathered friend of my choice would simply show up as I take a closer peek at it. Well, imaging company Nikon might have just the thing for you to keep you happy – the Nikon PROSTAFF 3 Fieldscope that comes in a lightweight and compact form factor for an easy birdwatching experience.

The PROSTAFF 3′s predecessor would be the venerable Spotter XL II which has proven itself over time to be a popular entry-model Fieldscope when it comes to nature observation activities such as birdwatching. Good to know then that the PROSTAFF 3 Fieldscope will maintain the honored features such as a similar bright and clear field of view of its predecessor, in addition to sporting a lightweight design that will enhance usability. Not only that, it will come in an airtight, waterproof structure as well as sport shock-resistant rubber armoring so that the PROSTAFF 3 Fieldscope operates well even under severe conditions.

By Ubergizmo. Related articles: TMY Air Fryer Arrives In Japan, Robot Hornets Are Weapons Of The British Army,

Watch the Spellbinding Process of How Nikon Makes Its Lenses

It’s a work of art. The magnificently choreographed dance of manufacturing lenses seems like an ancient tradition as old as making swords or soap or something (which I guess isn’t surprising because it is glass that they’re making). We’ve seen Nikon produce the glass inside its lenses but this video shows the entire lens making process—you see sand basically become a Nikkor lens. Incredible. [Nikon Imaging via PetaPixel] More »

CP+ 2013 wrap-up: brochure models, Japanese dancers and point-and-shoots aplenty

CP 2013 wrapup brochure models, Japanese dancers and pointandshoots aplenty

Despite an unfortunate lack of product introductions, largely due to the recent influx of new models at Photokina, there was plenty of excitement on the floor at Japan’s annual CP+ trade show. The promise of new point-and-shoots brought us out to Yokohama, but non-stop manufacturer-sponsored entertainment at the exhibition hall, most often not in any way related to the devices on display, kept us coming back.

At Nikon’s booth, Japanese dancers clad in a variety of “urban” dress, remained in constant motion in an effort to demonstrate the autofocus abilities of the company’s latest 1 Series cameras. At dozens of other stands, models, often surrounded by groups of attendees, held camera brochures in an array of different poses. And, at Casio, female presenters spoke of the company’s “speed revolution” in front of dozens of amateur photographers, each clicking away as if under a looming deadline. All in all, this relatively small exhibition is an experience not to be missed. So, even if you weren’t able to visit this year, you can join us inside Pacifico Yokohama in the video after the break.

Filed under: , , ,

Comments

Nikon Coolpix S9500, S9400 and S5200 point-and-shoots debut at CP+ (hands-on video)

Nikon Coolpix S9500, S9400 and S5200 pointandshoots debut at CP handson video

Ready to check out some more point-and-shoots? That’s great news! We’ve got a few more to share. The first two, the Coolpix S9500 and S9400, are nearly identical, save for a few key features. Appearance-wise, it’s difficult to distinguish between the two, especially when they’re powered off. Once you flip them on, however, you’ll probably notice the S9500’s whopping 22x zoom lens, compared to an 18x optic on the S9400. Both include 18.1-megapixel CMOS sensors and very crisp 3-inch OLED displays, while the higher-end S9500 ($350), which is likely to be the only US-bound model, adds built-in WiFi and GPS. Not to be overlooked, the S5200 includes a 16-megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3-inch VGA LCD, 6x optical zoom lens and WiFi for $180.

We caught up with all three compacts at Nikon’s CP+ booth this week, and we were quite impressed with the S9500 in particular. Despite the 22x zoom lens, the camera was very thin and light — it should be able to tuck into a pocket just fine. It included a premium finish, just like its slightly less capable sibling, the S9400, and performed very well during our hands-on. Both of these shooters have sharp OLED displays, which really looked fantastic, along with dedicated mode dials, though we were disappointed to see that Nikon omitted manual shooting options, in favor of some scene presets. The S5200, which was on display in red and blue, had a similar feel and finish, though it was quite a bit more compact, and lacked the OLED screen and mode dial. All of these models are set to ship later this month, but if you’re eager to learn more, you can check ’em out in our hands-on after the break.

Filed under: ,

Comments

Hands-on with Nikon’s Coolpix P520 and L820 superzooms at CP+ (video)

Handson with Nikon's Coolpix P520 and L820 superzooms at CP video

Nikon introduced a pair of step-up superzoom cameras here at CP+, with the P520 designed to meet the needs of advanced amateur shooters and the L820 best suited for casual photographers looking to get a bit closer to the action. Both models include BSI CMOS sensors, with the $450 P520 snapping 18.1-megapixel stills and the $280 L820 capturing 16 megapixels. That first model includes a 42x (24-1,000mm) optical zoom lens while the latter sports a 30x (22.5-675mm) optic — both offer lens-based image stabilization. Both options feature lens-mounted zoom toggles, pop-up flashes and dedicated video capture buttons, but only the P520 offers a dedicated mode dial, and if you’re planning to make changes on the fly, that’s really a necessity.

We caught up with the duo at Nikon’s CP+ booth this week — we were expecting some inconsistency between the two based on price and specs alone, but after trying out both models, the Coolpix P520 is far and above the better option. The VGA-resolution 3.2-inch display was incredibly sharp and bright, and the vari-angle functionality lets you snap overhead and below-eye-level shots with ease. The camera was very responsive and the housing felt quite durable — you definitely get quite a bit for your 450 bucks. The L820, on the other hand, felt very much like a low-end alternative, so unless you’re on a strict budget or in the market for a sub-$300 model, you’ll want to spend for the P520. You should be able to check out both cameras in retail stores beginning later this month, or you can take a look today in our hands-on after the break.

Filed under: ,

Comments

The Daily Roundup for 01.31.2013

DNP The Daily RoundUp

You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours — all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.

Comments