Nikon Releases D300s . . . with Hi-Def Video

It had to happen. All the talk (yet again) about convergence, combined with the success of the most highly (technically) converged devices yet - Apple's iPhone and iPod Touch - have everybody in a raving tizzy. Nikon was first to the post with its D90 Digital SLR (DSLR) containing a 720p hi-def video option (which I guess makes it a DSLR/V, no?!). Canon followed with the full-frame 5D MKII DSLR/V, Nikon added the D5000 DSLR/V to its entry-level, and now just released the long-awaited successor to its vastly successful D300 - the D300s. It's the top-of-the-line APS-C sensor-based camera in Nikon's lineup (Nikon uses the acronym "DX" rather than APS-C). The camera provides 12.3 stunning, high resolution megapixels, superb handling in a weather sealed, magnesium-framed body, LiveView, the best 3" rear LCD (also high resolution) in the industry, all the semi-pro and many of the pro feature bells & whistles, and, well, what more could you want? I used the D300 for a couple years, as do many other amateurs, hobbyists and pros to this day. It's among the finest cameras ever made. The D300s trumps it. You need this one if you're serious about great still photography and/or combining still and incredible hi-def shooting. Imagine being able to use great Nikon lenses to create the same gorgeously shallow depth-of-field you see in the movies? Pre-order your D300s at Amazon or B&H Photo.

35mm film processing on the decline

Had enough of your 35mm point and shoot camera? Or did your favorite photo finishing lab discontinue processing 35mm film? A few mini labs will be able to handle your 35mm film processing requests for a while, but it seems that larger operations like Costco are the first to have set cut off dates. Depending on demand levels per store they have notified customers that they will cease development of the film itself. They will however allow you to order reprints if you bring in your negatives from previous processed film. My local Costco has advised its members that as of Feb. 19 they will no longer accept 35mm film rolls for processing. This news leads me to believe that most who haven't converted to some sort of digital camera will have to very soon. So if you are looking to purchase a new Digital SLR camera this year check out the great deals to be had on these Nikon cameras, lenses and accessories here!

Nikon Unveil D90 DSLR

Nikon have unveiled their new D90 DSLR. The D90 features a new 12.3 megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with an Integrated Dust Reduction System. The DSLR has a Low-noise capability which ranges from ISO 200 to 3200, it also has support for ISO 6400. The camera can also record video using their D-Movie mode, which records in AVI format at 320 x 216, 640 x 424 or 1,280 x 720. Other features include: Scene Recognition System based on 420 pixel RGB sensor for improved autofocus, autofocus and auto white balance, in addition to Face Detection. Multi-CAM 1000 autofocus with 11 AF points. 3-inch, VGA Live View LCD. 4.5 fps continuous shooting 0.15 second startup 65ms shutter release lag. SD / SDHC storage. HDMI output The Nikon should be available in kit form for around $1,299. For more info visit Nikon.com

Nikon D3 Firmware Update

Nikon have released a firmware upgrade for the D3. there are no major bug fixes other than one for a dead battery issue that some people have been experiencing with both the D3 and D300. There are however a a few additions worthy of consideration. Modifications enabled with upgrade of A and B firmware to v.2.00 Images captured with "Rotate tall", in the playback menu, set to "On", are not automatically rotated for display immediately after capture (image review). The following changes and additions have been made to "f4: Assign FUNC.Button > FUNC. Button + dials" ; "f5: Assign preview button > Preview + command dials", and "f6: Assign AE-L / AF-L button > AE-L / AF-L + command dials" menus in Custom Settings: The "Choose image area" option has been separated into two options, "Choose image area (FX / DX / 5:4)" and "Choose image area (FX / DX)" A new "Shooting menu bank" option has been added. When "Choose image area (FX / DX / 5:4)" or "Choose image area (FX/DX)" is selected and the function button (Fn) is pressed, the image area setting is displayed in the top control panel, in the shooting information display, and at the bottom of the viewfinder. A "Copyright information" item has been added to the setup menu. When "Copyright information" is enabled, the copyright symbol ( © ) is shown in the shooting info display. "Recent settings" can now be displayed in place of "My Menu". The virtual horizon can now be displayed with shooting in LiveView mode. The "Vignette control" setting can now be confimed in shooting information. The "Vignette control" item in the shooting menu now supports all types of G- and D-type lenses, except DX and PC lenses. The "Vignette control" compensation value has been optimized for shooting with "Active D-Lighting" the shooting menu. Electronic analog exposure displays are now shown in the control panel and shooting info display while the exposure compensation setting is being applied. The degree of the "High ISO NR" setting can now be confirmed in the shooting info display while the "High ISO NR" setting item, in the shooting menu, is being applied. Design of the FX-format icon in the "Choose image area" setting has been modified. Ankara, Riyadh, Kuwait, and Manamah have been added to the "Time zone" options for the "World Time" item in the setup menu. When a GPS device is used and no heading information is available, --.--° is now displayed for the "Position > Heading" option in the "GPS" item in the setup menu. When shooting in LiveView mode using Camera Control Pro 2 (ver. 2.2.0) or later with a PC-E lens, the aperture setting can now be adjusted from the computer. Autofocus performance has been improved. Auto White Balance performance has been improved. An issue that, in some rare circumstances, caused the battery indicator to blink, regardless of actual battery charge, has been resolved. Errors in the German help displays have been corrected. For further information regarding the new firmware, download the supplemental document for the new firmware, D3_FirmUp200_Jp.pdf. The supplemental document for A firmware version v.1.1.0, and B firmware v.1.11, D3_FirmUp110_111_En.pdf, is also available. Visit Nikon for information and to download the update.

Nikon Release D700 DSLR

Nikon have just released the D700 digital SLR camera. This DSLR is aimed at the Prosumer and is based upon technologies found in their D3, boasting pro-level performance and an extensive array of features and innovations. It also features the Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor, Nikon’s EXPEED Image Processing System, Nikon’s renowned 51-point auto focus system with 3D Focus Tracking and two Live View shooting modes. Having seen Live View in use on the D3, it is something I wish I had on my Canon DSLR.

Nikon Announce New Compacts

Nikon have followed up their announcement of the D3 and D300, with news of several new compact digicam models. This includes their 12.1 megapixel, Coolpix P5100, the 8.1 megapixel Coolpix P50, the S700 with image stabilization, and other models like the S510, the S51 and 51c and the entry level L14 and L15. All models should be available in the next few weeks.

Nikon Unveil Full Frame D3 & new D300

After what has to be one of the longest waits Nikon released a Full Frame D-SLR, featuring a CMOS based 12.1 megapixel sensor. D3. The D3 is centred around speed and sensitivity, with a base sensitivity of ISO 200 to 6400 and an additional two stop range above that (up to ISO 25600). The D3 can shoot at nine frames per second with AF tracking, and up to eleven frames per second without. The D3 should be available in November, at around US$5000. Other capabilities included their new EXPEED image processor, a new 51-point AF sensor, color AF tracking, dual CF compartments featuring UDMA support, an amazing 3.0" Live View Display, HDMI video output, and even a virtual horizon function which can tell you when you're holding the D3 level.The D300 also features a 12 megapixel CMOS sensor, albeit a 1.5x FCF, 14-bit A/D conversion, EXPEED image processor, sensitivity up to ISO 6400, HDMI video output, UDMA CF support and the 3.0" Live View Display. The D300 should be available in November, at around US$1800.

Spotlight On . . . Nikon CaptureNX

CaptureNX is a non-destructive RAW photo processor developed specifically for Nikon by Nik Software. CaptureNX runs on Windows XP, Vista and Mac OS X Tiger. Experienced digital photographers use a consistent process after every photo shoot. Copy photos from camera to computer; cull and delete the junk; tag, rank and sort; adjust white balance, brightness, color, etc., as needed; convert to TIFF or JPEG and file everything away; back up all the files; crop, adjust, alter and otherwise process selected shots. Using a consistent digital photo workflow often requires a couple of different programs to get everything done. For many serious Nikon photographers, CaptureNX is the software of choice for getting RAW photos through the crucially important initial workflow processes. I found that CaptureNX actually does a better job of handling dynamic lighting, sharpening and noise reduction than Photoshop CS2. A few problems have crept into NX which did not exist in the previous version (4.x). The Windows version is a slowpoke unless you've got a real fast dual core system with 4GB of RAM. The Mac OS X version is noticeably faster at thumbnail rendering, screen draws and editor updates among other things. I did some base measurements and found that LAB values don't seem to be converted properly to Adobe RGB. CaptureNX offers something called U Point Color Control Points which let you select image areas to enhance without having to use of masks, selections or layers. The software handles all Nikon digital SLR files (including D80 NEFs). CaptureNX has the potential to be a very good product, but the Windows version is marred by some glaring bugs and a lack of horsepower. 3 out of 5 stars

New Reviews on KSN - Friday March 2, 2007

Review of Photo Mechanic 4 - digital photo sorting & tagging Review of the Microsoft Zune Media Player - new competition for the iPod Review of the Nikon D40 Digital SLR camera - entry level SLR Review of Norton Internet Security 2007 - the biggest keeps getting bigger Review of jetAudio v6.28 VX Plus - audio/video media player