Nikon Rumors found a couple of new ads announcing something “BIG” (literally translating 大きい) but if this is true, what is it??

The mount looks pretty much the same, at least size wise. The only major differences you can spot is the red swoosh on the grip, the missing aperture lever and screw drive autofocus mechanism.

This could mean a move towards eliminating mechanical connections between body and lens started with the D40 (now D60) series, only allowing to work with AF-S series lenses.

I also notice a color difference on the “mirror”… or at least what is supposed to be the mirror.

Could it be that Nikon managed to get rid of the view finder mirror mechanism and replaced it with a LIVE view finder thus exposing the sensor?!?

This is getting really exciting!! But there is more…

Read more… »

I don’t know why one would sell a camera online along with the memory card.

Simply because, even if you’re not a MI-6 agent like this idiot, there is “always” a way to rescue images from a memory card… That’s the truth!!!

“A bidder, who bought the camera for £17 on the auction website, discovered photos of terror suspects, their names and fingerprints and even images of rocket launchers and missiles.

The 28-year-old from Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, only found the secret images when he downloaded his own holiday snaps from the Nikon Cool Pix device.

He told local police about the find and was shocked when Special Branch officers arrived at his home days later to seize his new purchase.

Officers have made five visits to his home in the last week to quiz him and his family, The Sun newspaper reported.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman confirmed that the police were investigating but said she could not confirm or deny the intelligence service’s involvement in the probe.

She refused to comment on reports that the camera was sold by an MI6 agent.”

Secret agents do make the world a safer place ah!

Nikon Corp posted a nice animation along with interviews (more coming up soon I guess) on how they approach the design of a camera.

Quite interesting! Now I have a better grasp on why Nikon designs such amazing cameras and lenses in terms of features, functions and ergonomics!

The molded hand grip, finger indentations, and soft rubber covering materials are all there just like other camera manufacturers.

But Nikon has stuck with the use of a large number of mechanical controls rather than an abundance of button-and-wheel-based controls.

Of course, Nikon cameras have those too, but nowhere near as many as does Canon.

And man, do they look stunning or what?!?!

The Leica S2 is definitely the biggest surprise at Photokina so far, literally. French reporters got the chance to actually play with the exposed models.

The five Leica S2 available were clearly hand made a were finished just a few hours before Photokina opened.

They are far from being fully functional but they are much better than just a mockup. Their feeling… massive, just like the sensor!

As you can see in the photo above, the shutter release itself, which sits at an angle on the front of the body.

This used to be a fairly common position on older SLRs and is surprisingly comfortable. It also allows you to use your forefinger and thumb to set the shutter speed and your middle finger to fire off a shot.

Quite interesting design choice actually.

Read more… »

Ever wondered what was the manufacturing date of your Nikon camera/lens?

Thanks to Roland from NZ, here is the complete Nikon lens versions and subversions with serial numbers and dates of production list.

“This page lists every Nikon lens version and sub-version I know of. Minor changes to internal mechanics, lens coating, engravings or electronics may not be listed.

For each version up to four serial numbers are given: Start < Earliest - Latest > End. Start and End serial numbers are from Nikon Ai conversion lists, service manuals, catalogs and various books. The Earliest and Latest serial numbers are from lenses I have seen. They help confirm the Start and End numbers or indicate the range where the Start and End numbers are unknown.

Note: Pictures of pre-Ai versions may be of Ai converted lenses. Versions with the same optical design are grouped together. Different optical variants are separated by a thick line, minor optical updates are separated by a thin dark line. Serial number blocks are separated by a thin pale line. “

This can always become handy when you are buying second hand equipment and wanna make sure when that particular camera/lens was manufactured.

If I were you, I’d bookmark this page!