Photoshop CS3 will be distributed in two editions. One for photographers, graphic designers, etc. and an “Extended” edition for Film, video, and multimedia professionals; Graphic and web designers using 3D and motion; Manufacturing professionals; Medical professionals; Architects and engineers; and Scientific researchers. Visit the product page for the two versions here. Check out Jack Nack’s rundown on the goods. Read the Press Release below. [Read more…]
Press Release: Nikon 55-200MM F/4-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX VR ZOOM
MELVILLE, NY, MARCH 5, 2007 – Nikon Inc. (www.nikondigital.com) today introduced the new 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens – a new compact telephoto zoom Nikkor lens that offers Nikon’s exclusive Vibration Reduction technology in a high-powered 3.6x zoom lens. [Read more…]
Nikon D40x Press Release
MELVILLE, NY, MARCH 5, 2007 – Nikon today introduced the new D40x digital SLR camera that is designed to allow users take spectacular photographs with very high-resolution at the touch of a button. The D40x maintains the same compact size, portability and ease-of-use as its already successful sister camera, the D40, and adds features like higher 10.2 megapixel resolution, faster continuous shooting capability and wider ISO sensitivity. Digital SLR cameras are the tool of choice among the majority of professional photographers but some people have found them to be complex or bulky. With the D40x, consumers don’t have to sacrifice the quality of their pictures anymore. The D40x inherits many advanced technologies from Nikon’s professional models, but was designed specifically to make taking outstanding pictures easy and fun for everyone.“The D40 has become a runaway success for Nikon because it effectively addresses so many of the concerns shared by those who take pictures to preserve family memories and for all-around fun. The D40 and the new D40x eliminate common annoyances such as shutter lag and inaccurate viewfinders, while answering our customers’ needs for superb image quality, fast handling, compactness and, most important of all, simplicity. Now with the D40x, anyone has the choice of higher resolution so they can do even more with their pictures,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for Marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon Inc. “Whether people want to make poster-sized prints or make special enlargements from a smaller (cropped) area of a picture, the D40x can produce images that have superb clarity, outstanding detail and vibrant colors. Even regular 4×6 inch prints, and pictures reduced in size for e-mailing, are visibly better when captured with a more capable camera”.
The Nikon D40x is able to capture special moments instantly, virtually eliminating the frustrations of shutter delay typically associated with point-and-shoot digital cameras. The D40x powers-up in a near-instant 0.18 second and can shoot up to 3 pictures per second, non-stop for up to 100 shots. With such great speed, you’ll never need to wait for the camera to get ready for the next shot. The camera reacts instantly when the shutter button is pressed ensuring you never miss a special moment. The images are immediately recorded to the camera’s SD memory card.
The D40x’s 10.2-effective megapixel CCD imaging sensor is complimented by Nikon’s exclusive 3D Color Matrix Metering II and an improved Nikon Image Processing Engine that together ensure breathtaking picture quality with analyzed exposure, refined details and natural, accurately rendered colors.
The increased image sensor capacity of the D40x isn’t its only advantage. In addition to shooting three consecutive shots per second (versus 2.5 pictures per second with the D40), the D40x also features design efficiencies that allows up to 520** images per charge) and wider ISO sensitivity of 100-1600, plus HI-1 (200-1600 plus HI-1 for the D40).
The back of the D40x is dominated by a refreshingly large and bright 2.5-inch color LCD screen that displays everything from menu options, pictures in playback mode and Nikon’s new visually-intuitive information display system that presents camera and shooting information in a user-friendly, graphically represented way. The camera also features a built-in help menu that can be accessed at the touch of a button and new Assist Images that help you select appropriate settings for many camera features by displaying a sample image typical of that setting.
The D40x’s automated, scene-optimized Digital Vari-Program modes allow users to capture nearly any type of scene without needing to understand the fine points of photography or fumble with camera settings. The D40x includes eight preset modes, including a new Flash Off mode that shuts off the camera’s flash and boosts its ISO so users can easily take pictures in places where flash photography is not allowed, inappropriate or when they prefer the look of naturally lit pictures. As users gain experience with the camera, the D40x offers advanced controls such as Aperture-priority and Shutter-priority modes that offer greater creative control over the look and feel of their pictures.
The D40x’s new Retouch menu offers exclusive in-camera image editing features that add to the D40x’s “fun factor” by providing greater creativity without the need for a computer. Included in the Retouch menu is Nikon’s D-Lighting, which brightens dark pictures and Red-eye correction that automatically detects and corrects red eye – a common condition that occurs in flash photography. Image Trim allows for creative cropping of an image and creates smaller files for easy e-mailing. Other creative features include Image Overlay, Small Picture, Monochrome (Black-and-white, Sepia, and Cyanotype) and Filter Effects (Skylight, Warm filter, Color balance).
The D40x comes packaged with the new 3X 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens that assures superb picture sharpness and optimum contrast, along with the versatility to capture everything from candid portraits to wide-angle landscapes. The D40x is also compatible with all of Nikon’s AF-S and AF-I Nikkor lenses***, including the remarkably versatile 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens and the new 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens.
For flash photography of subjects at greater distances, the light and ultra-compact SB-400 Speedlight proves to be a perfect companion to the D40x, providing a simple solution for adding more power and bounce flash capability. Keeping with the D40x’s remarkable ease of use the, SB-400 Speedlight is as simple as sliding it on, turning it on and shooting.
The D40x will be available throughout the United States beginning April 2007 for an estimated selling price of $729.95* for body only or $799.95*, packaged with the 3X zoom 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor lens. For more information, please visit www.nikondigital.com.
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. At the heart of every Nikon camera is Nikon’s In-camera Innovations, making it easy for anyone to take amazing digital pictures. Through the Nikon Spirit Initiative™, the company plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of philanthropic organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.
* Estimated selling prices listed are only an estimate. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.
** CIPA standards, with Built-in Flash used for 50% of the shots
*** Autofocus is supported only with AF-S and AF-I CPU lenses, which are equipped with built-in motors.
It’s Official: Nikon D40x is here
Nikon has officially announced the release of their new 10MP follow-up to the 4 month old D40, which is 6MP. Talk about short product cycles! It’s $799 (US) retail with the 18-55 DX lens. You can already pre-order a D40x at Amazon.
The tech specs are here for your review. Note the 3 frames per second, 1/200s flash sync and continued limitation of autofocus with AI-S and AF-S lenses. If you want to browse the brochure, it’s here (.pdf).
DPReview has a detailed hands-on review of the D40x. You can find several different shots of the D40x from various angles and showing off the body features in the product gallery. Ken Rockwell has a nice preview too and points out why you should buy the D40 over the D40x or just jump up to the D80 instead.
In addition to the D40x, Nikon has also announced a new lens: the Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm IF-ED lens. That’s right, another VR lens to choose from. Nikon is making quite a stable of VR lenses now. What’s most impressive to me though is that the retail price is $250! Don’t believe me? Read the press release.
I’m really wondering about the Nikon D3 now.
Nikon D40x Announced . . . What About the Nikon D3?
So, it looks like we’ve got ourselves a new 10MP Nikon D40x, which is reportedly the same physical size of the D40, just more horsepower. I wonder if Nikon took a page from Canon’s handbook and misinformed us about the Nikon D3?
I’ll keep you posted when more is revealed.
Sigma’s 18-200 Stabilized Lens Finally Available
Ok, not just yet, but you can now pre-order it now through Amazon in Canon, Nikon and, of course Sigma mounts. This thing was announce at Photokina last fall. Finally, it looks like it will actually release (ship?) on May 10, 2007. Canon is the company that really needed this lens though. Nikon has the wonderful 18-200 VR already. I’ve even been contemplating picking up a D40 or D50 (I’m a Canon user) just so I could have the 18-200 VR to carry around on family vacations and outings. I’m looking forward to reading some reviews on this lens and I’ll be sure to pass along my thoughts if I end up picking one up. If it lives up to the hype, it looks like a real bargain in the $550 neighborhood.
A Closer Look at the Canon EOS 1D Mk III
Everybody’s salivating over the new 1D Mk III from Canon. It’s punch list sure sounds attractive; however, the closer I look at the Canon White Paper on it, the more impressed I become with this killer new piece of equipment from Canon. Below, I’ve set out a few of the features that are discussed in the White Paper that have caught my eye.
No Canon 40D This Spring!
Have you been looking for the Canon 40D only to come across the real 40D at Amazon?
Every Canon fan and shopper is now well aware of the announcement of the Canon EOS 1D Mk III, which we all now want (affordability issues aside). However, in light of this announcement it also appears that we will be without a successor to the Canon 30D anytime soon (like the much rumored 40D). Mark Goldstein has posted his commentary on PhotographyBLOG.com noting that Canon has confirmed there are no further major release announcements for PMA.
He says:
Canon confirmed that these will be all the new products announced in the run-up to and during PMA, which starts on March 8th.
So all those rumours of the 40D and 1Ds Mark III cameras that you might have seen will continue to circulate for a while yet!
So, what happened with the infamous placeholder for the Canon 40D on the official Canon Hong Kong website? I think, perhaps, Canon has brought out one of the oldest tricks in the book for all of us bloggers and gear geeks. Canon pulled the old switcheroo on us. If that’s the case, it was a rather savvy move on Canon’s part by misdirecting our attention to something that really wasn’t going to happen and then surprising us with a remarkable new camera from a different line. Kudos to you Canon, you got us. Thanks for the great gear this year too!
Canon EOS-1D Mark III Announced
Looks like there is a new Canon EOS-1D Mark III and Rob Galbraith is hosting the official Canon whitepaper. Additionally, there’s a new 16-35 f/2.8 L lens and a 580EX II flash. Initially, the most salivating features of the new camera seem to be 10.1MP DIGIC III at 10fps! Oh, and how about a 3″ LCD display with LIVE view?
The key features pointed out by DPReview.com:
- 10.1 Megapixel APS-H CMOS sensor
- 10 fps continuous shooting for up to 110 frames
- Dual “DIGIC III” processors
- New auto focus system with 19 cross type sensors
- EOS Integrated Cleaning System
- ISO 3200 (expandable to H:6400)
- 3.0” LCD with Live View mode
- Wider, brighter viewfinder
- Picture Style1 [Read more…]
PMA Buzz: Nikon Coolpix P5000
PRESS RELEASE:
MELVILLE, NY (February 19, 2007) – Nikon is pleased to introduce the COOLPIX P5000 to the Nikon COOLPIX Performance Series of digital cameras. The new COOLPIX P5000 offers advanced functions, ease of operation, and high image quality that is sure to satisfy photo and camera enthusiasts. The P5000 boasts 10 effective megapixels, a 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens, an optical viewfinder, and an incredible, bright high resolution 2.5-inch LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating. The P5000 incorporates a new advanced image processing engine, which optimizes low light performance and color reproduction, and Nikon’s optical VR image stabilization, which compensates for camera shake.
“The COOLPIX P5000 was designed for the photographer who enjoys a high level of control, advanced imaging technologies and the ability to take creative control of their photography,” says Bill Giordano, General Manager Marketing, COOLPIX for Nikon Inc. “The P5000 will be compatible with system-expanding accessories that will allow photographers take their creativity and images to new heights.”
High performance and superior image quality are the hallmarks of the COOLPIX P5000. With 10 megapixels of resolution, photographers can capture the finest details in their images, as well as have the ability to crop creatively and produce beautiful large prints. The 3.5x Zoom-Nikkor glass lens provides compositional versatility when zooming in for tight close ups or zooming out to capture expansive landscapes.
The P5000 provides optical VR image stabilization, which helps compensate for camera shake to produce sharper images. The VR stabilizes images displayed on the 2.5-inch LCD, which makes it easier to frame and capture images. Another advantage of the optical VR image stabilization is that it helps achieve smoother action in the movie shooting modes of the P5000 and when using the optional TC-3ED Tele converter with 378mm of telephoto performance.
The COOLPIX P5000 features a new advanced image processing engine with enhanced noise reduction and an improved signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio that preserves image quality even when shooting at high ISO settings. The P5000 extends the light sensitivity range to ISO 3200*, which makes it possible to capture fast moving subjects with outstanding clarity, even in lower light conditions.
COOLPIX P5000 users can take advantage of the new mode dial which provides quick access to a selection of 16 different scene-optimized modes, seven movie modes, Anti-Shake mode and High Sensitivity mode. A turn of the mode dial to Anti-Shake mode activates High ISO and Best Shot Selector (BSS) in addition to VR, which automatically sets the optimal ISO for steady results and will allow users to select and save the best image from up to ten sequential shots. In addition, the mode dial has the choice of Programmed Auto [P], Shutter-priority Auto [S], Aperture-priority Auto [A], and Manual [M] exposure modes for even greater camera control.
The COOLPIX P5000 features a new menu interface that makes navigating and selecting images simple, while providing easy access to advanced functions for enhancing and correcting images. This includes everything from the new image optimization settings, which offer a choice of four color filters for shooting with monochrome filter effects, to barrel distortion control, which can correct images when using a wide-angle converter and can display the corrected image on the LCD in real time.
The COOLPIX P5000 has three Nikon In-Camera Image Innovations to correct common photo problems. This system includes Face-priority AF**, which can automatically find and focus on a subject’s face, In-Camera Red-Eye Fix, which automatically corrects red-eye, and D-Lighting, an innovation that automatically creates a copy of the image with detail added where necessary, but with well-exposed areas left completely untouched. Because the P5000 has a 2.5-inch high resolution LCD monitor with anti-reflection coating, viewing the monitor is easy even in bright sunlight. The COOLPIX P5000 also features a new optical viewfinder for those photographers who prefer a classic composition aid.
The COOLPIX P5000 is compatible with add-on system components to extend the user’s creative possibilities, including the 24mm*** Wide-angle lens Converter (WC-E67) and the 378mm*** Telephoto Converter lens (TC-E3ED). A built-in accessory shoe supports the use of Nikon’s advanced i-TTL flash control for external flashes, including the SB-400, SB-600, and SB-800 Speedlights.
The P5000 also comes with Nikon’s PictureProject software. Powerful yet user-friendly software makes transferring, organizing, editing and sharing photos easy. Furthermore, the P5000 has PictBridge support and is compatible with SDHC cards.
The COOLPIX P5000 will be available nationwide in March 2007. The P5000 has an MSRP of $399.95.