Nikon News (Page 20) Report News & Deals

From BT Tower's website:
 
BT Tower breaks world record for panoramic photo
 
An amazing image of London taken from the top of the BT Tower has set a new record for the world’s largest panoramic photo. The image shows a full 360 degree view of London in incredible detail.
 
The 320 gigapixel image, taken by expert photography firm 360Cities, comprises more than 48,000 individual frames which have been collated into a single panorama by a powerful workstation. It is the first time that an image of this magnitude has ever been attempted, and it took several months to create due to the scale of the endeavour. If printed at normal photographic resolution, the BT Tower panorama would be 98 meters across and 24 meters tall, almost as big as Buckingham Palace. In comparison, the last record attempt for a London panorama was 80 gigapixels, taken from Centrepoint in 2010.
 
Project by numbers:

• 320 – the number of gigapixels in the photo
• 48,640 – the number of individual images shot
• 3 – the number of days it took to shoot all the individual photos
• 3 – the number of months over which the computer processed the final result
• 60,000 – times bigger than an iPhone 4 photo
• 98 – the number of meters long if printed in normal photographic resolution
• 24 – the number of meters high if printed in normal photographic resolution
• 29th – The floor at the BT Tower where the photos were taken
• 20 – number of miles distant to the viewable horizon

Technical photographic information, and how the photo was taken:

• Working over a period of three chilly days in 2012, the 360Cities team spent hours on the 29th floor outdoor platform of the BT Tower working with four cameras to record the 48,640 images comprising the panorama.
• Four Canon EOS 7D cameras with EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lenses and Extender EF 2x III teleconverters were mounted on Clauss company Rodeon VR Head ST robotic panorama heads and positioned in four secure locations around the 29th floor platform.
• The Clauss company robotic panorama heads are capable of 72,000 steps in a single 360 degree arc, and in this case were set to fire four frames a second.
• Laptops monitored a live preview of the progress of the shoot, which was accomplished in the teeth of sub-freezing temperatures and occasional 50 mph winds high above London.
• The 360Cities photography team of Jeffrey Martin, Tom Mills and Holger Schulze ensured that not a single individual frame from the more than 48,000 planned was missed.
• The raw images were then processed over a multi-week period using Fujitsu Technology Solutions’ Celsius R920 workstation with 256GB of RAM and 16 cores at 3.1GHz, and Autopano Giga panorama stitching software from Kolor.
• The resulting online interactive version of the photo is presented in multi-layered, tiled resolution that permits zooming in to view extreme details, and is composed of millions of individual image tiles.

See the full BT Tower Press Release and check out the amazing 320-gigapixel panoramic photo.

 
From Kickstarter:
 
Luxi turns your iPhone into an incident light meter for photographers.
 
What is Luxi?
 
Luxi is a small diffusion dome that fits securely over your iPhone’s front-facing camera. When attached and used with a light meter app, Luxi will help you determine the best settings for your DSLR or other camera so that you can take perfectly exposed pictures.
 
What does it do?
 
With Luxi, your iPhone becomes a convenient and easy to use incident light meter. Professional light meters with the same features can cost several hundred dollars and require you to carry a whole separate device.
 
Incident light meters, like Luxi, measure the amount of light falling on the subject you are photographing, not the light reflected by the subject. Incident light meter readings are independent of the subject's reflectance and cannot be fooled by tricky lighting situations like back-lit subjects (e.g. sunset portraits).
 
Go to the Luxi Kickstarter page to see more.

From Microsoft:
 
REDMOND, Wash. — Feb. 21, 2013 — Microsoft Corp. and Nikon Corporation have signed a patent licensing agreement that provides broad coverage under Microsoft’s patent portfolio for certain Nikon cameras running the Android platform. While the contents of the agreement will not be disclosed, Microsoft will receive royalties from Nikon.
 
“Microsoft and Nikon have a long history of collaboration, and this agreement further demonstrates the value that both companies place on responsible IP licensing,” said David Kaefer, general manager of Intellectual Property (IP) Licensing at Microsoft. “Microsoft is proud to align with a leader in the digital camera industry to license Android technology for the benefit of Nikon’s customers.”
 
B&H carries Nikon Digital Cameras with Android.

From Tamron:
 
February 22, 2013, Saitama, Japan - Tamron Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Morio Ono / Headquarters: Saitama City), a leading manufacturer of optical equipment, announced the launch of a next generation 90mm Macro lens for full-size SLR cameras. The lens features completely redesigned optics, a proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation)*1, and USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive)*2.
 
The SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD (Model F004) for Nikon will be first released in Japan on March 2, 2013 and subsequently elsewhere.
 
(*1) VC (Vibration Compensation) is Tamron's proprietary image stabilization mechanism.
(*2) USD (Ultrasonic Silent Drive) is Tamron's proprietary ultrasonic motor drive.
 
B&H has the Tamron SP 90mm F/2.8 Di MACRO 1:1 VC USD Lens for Nikon available for preorder.

Through February 28, use coupon code PX35OFF at AdoramaPix to save 35% on their complete lineup of photo print products.
 
AdoramaPix products include:

• Traditional Prints
• Metal prints
• Canvas print
• Photo books
• Calendars
• Greeting cards
• Custom framed photos

 
From YouTube:

"How do the world's top chefs photograph their food for recipe books?
 
Photographer David Loftus and Jamie Oliver have worked together for the past 15 years preparing and shooting food for countless cookbooks and websites.
 
In this master class, David (shooting on the Nikon D4) and Jamie (shooting on the Nikon D3200) explain how they capture rich, vibrant imagery of the food that Jamie cooks, and what can we learn from them for our own food photography."

B&H carries the Nikon D4 and Nikon D3200 DSLR cameras.

From Nikon:
 
Superior Clarity and Nimble Precision: The DX-Format Nikon D7100 Embraces The Advanced Enthusiast With Intuitive Engineering
 
Nikon’s DX-format Flagship Provides Agility, Amazing Image Quality and Wireless Connectivity
 
MELVILLE, N.Y. – Nikon Inc. today announced the D7100, the HD-SLR that ushers in a new era of DX-format image quality and functionality for the experienced shooter and photo enthusiast. The lightweight Nikon D7100 has an impressive array of intuitive features and controls bolstered by rapid performance and a robust feature set that includes a new 24.1-megapixel CMOS sensor, Nikon’s 51-point AF system and wireless connectivity.
 
“Solidifying Nikon’s ongoing commitment to the DX-format D-SLR customer, the innovative D7100 provides new ways for photographers to capture their creative vision with incredible detail and precision, whether through still images or HD videos,” said Bo Kajiwara, Vice President of Marketing, Planning and Customer Experience, Nikon Inc. “The D7100 blends the best creative features with advanced-level functionality to give the enthusiast exactly what they want– and that’s a great shooting experience before, during and after capture, from shooting to sharing.”
 
Engineered for Exceptional Image Quality
 
At the core of the Nikon D7100 is a new 24.1-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor, designed to render the truest, most detail-rich images possible and brilliant HD video. The innovative sensor design delivers the ultimate in image quality by defying convention; because of the high resolution and advanced technologies, the optical low pass filter (OLPF) is no longer used. Using NIKKOR lenses, the resulting images explode with more clarity and detail to take full advantage of the 24.1-megapixel resolution achieved with D7100’s DX-format CMOS sensor.
 
Driven by Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED 3 image processing engine, the D7100 realizes a focus on image quality that extends beyond staggering sharpness to outstanding images with a wide dynamic range in a variety of lighting conditions. A wide ISO range of 100-6400 (expandable to Hi-2 of 25,600) allows for more versatile shooting to capture challenging conditions such as nature at twilight or even sports under less-than-ideal lighting. Even at higher ISOs, noise is minimized for both still images as well as when recording HD video.
 
Performance and Features Geared for the Advanced User
 
The Nikon D7100 is designed for the experienced shooter ready to take their photography to the next level, who demands a camera that conveys reliability and performance, and who is eager to embrace the next photographic challenge. These features include:
 
New 51-Point AF System - The D7100 features Nikon’s professionally proven and lightning-fast 51-point AF system, with a new Multi-CAM 3500DX AF module. Additionally, the AF system and exposure are augmented with Nikon’s 3D Color Matrix Metering II 2,016-pixel RGB sensor and Scene Recognition System, which recognizes the scene prior to shooting in order to adjust AF, AE, AWB and other parameters. The results of this system are accurate and even exposures, sharp details and vivid color, frame after frame. For additional precision, 15 of the 51 AF points are cross-type, and the center point is functional at f/8, giving DX photographers an additional telephoto advantage when using a teleconverter.
 
Rapid Response and Operation - To help ensure the decisive shot is not missed, the D7100 can shoot at up to six frames-per-second (fps) at full resolution and up to seven fps when using the new 1.3x crop mode at slightly reduced resolution. Overall operation and image processing is swift, while startup and shutter lag is nearly imperceptible with a release time lag of 0.052 second (CIPA). Image data is also written to dual SD card slots, which accept the latest high-speed UHS-1 and SDXC cards.
 
1.3x Crop Mode - Sports photographers take note: Building upon the telephoto benefits of the DX-format, the D7100 has the unique ability to shoot in a 1.3x DX crop mode for both stills and HD video. While in this innovative mode, shooters will gain an extra telephoto boost (2X), and a boost in burst speed to seven fps, with 15.4- megapixel resolution. Additionally, while in this mode, the 51-point AF array covers more of the frame, allowing improved subject acquisition and tracking performance through the viewfinder.
 
New High Resolution LCD - The new, wide and bright LCD screen is 3.2-inches and features a super high resolution of 1,229K dots. Now photographers can easily compose and check critical focus for HD video.
 
New Viewfinder - Nikon has implemented a bright and high-contrast new OLED data display within the optical viewfinder that makes it easier to read and see shooting data. When composing through the viewfinder, users see 100% frame coverage, essential for proper framing.
 
Spot White Balance - A new feature for Nikon cameras, Spot White Balance allows for quick and precise white balance adjustment while shooting in live view. By selecting a desired point on the screen, users can set a custom white balance from a distance, even while using a super-telephoto lens. This is helpful for shooting video or when shooting under unfamiliar lighting when no gray card is available.
 
Durable Construction - Built to perform in a wide variety of conditions, the D7100 is built to the same moisture and dust resistance specifications of the venerable Nikon D300S. For durability, the top and rear covers are constructed of magnesium alloy, while internally, the shutter has been tested to withstand 150,000 cycles. Despite its robust construction, the camera remains lightweight, weighing in at approximately 1.5 pounds (body).
 
Enhanced Interface - To make it easier for users to quickly access frequently used functions, the “i” button has been added to the enthusiast-oriented control layout on the camera.
 
Sharing and Remote Shooting Simplified
 
Photographers know that moment when the shutter clicks and they have created something stunning which deserves to be shared. No matter where that moment occurs, whether in an urban landscape or isolated forest, they can now share their images wirelessly by an attached WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter.1 With this optional adapter the user has the ability to share images to a supported smartphone or tablet, shoot remotely from their device, and transfer photos from up to 49 feet away. The Nikon Wireless Mobile Utility application is available free of charge on Google Play™ for Android™ devices or from the App Store™. When using the application, photographers can wirelessly transfer images from the camera to a mobile device and even remotely control the camera.
 
Capture Exceptional HD Video
 
For those looking to create multimedia content, the Nikon D7100 has a wide variety of innovative features for capturing HD video at various frame rates. With a press of the dedicated video record button, video can be recorded at 1080/30p, or at 60i/50i (in 1.3x Crop Mode) for optimal playback on many HDTV’s when connected via HDMI. The D7100 also provides the ability to record stereo sound through the internal microphone, or attach an optional external microphone such as Nikon’s ME-1, through the dedicated microphone terminal. To reference audio, the camera also features a headphone terminal. Users can also get creative using Nikon’s Creative Effects in real time. This feature lets users take advantage of modes like Selective Color or Color Sketch to create truly customized movies.
 
Full Control, Creatively
 
In addition to full manual controls, the Nikon D7100 features a variety of intelligent modes to create effects and special features so that users can unleash their creativity. Nikon’s Picture Controls can be applied to photo and video to change the color, tone and saturation of an image for creative control. When capturing still images, the same Creative Effects modes and filters available in video are also at the disposal of the user. By combining consecutive frames, the D7100 also has a high dynamic range (HDR) function to let users capture photos with a vast tonal range.
 
NIKKOR, Speedlight and System Compatibility
 
For 80 years, the NIKKOR legacy has been providing world renowned optics for photographers. The D7100 is compatible with Nikon’s dedicated DX-format lenses and more than 50 FX-format lenses. NIKKOR lenses offer the ultimate in sharpness and clarity in photos and HD video. For added versatility, the camera features a built-in flash, or can act as a commander in Nikon’s popular Creative Lighting System (CLS).
 
WR-1 Transceiver
 
In addition to the D7100, Nikon also announced the WR-1 Transceiver for Nikon D-SLR cameras. This device uses the 2.4 GHz radio frequency for maximum range when communicating with the camera, extending the range and functionality2 for remote shooting applications. The communication range between WR-1 units is approximately 394 feet3, and 15 channels are available. Users also have the ability to remotely control a camera (with a WR-1 used as a receiver) attached by operation of another WR-1 (used as a transmitter), and also perform simultaneous or synchronized release of shutters on several cameras using the WR-14. Furthermore, there are a wide variety of options for remote shooting, which include dividing remote cameras into groups and controlling each group separately and interval timer photography. Remote shooting by combining the WR-1 with WR-R10/WRT10 wireless remotes is also possible5.
 
Price and Availability
 
The Nikon D7100 will be available starting in March 2013 for the suggested retail price (SRP) of $1599.95* with the AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens or $1199.95 for the body only configuration. Additionally, the new MB-D15 battery grip and the WR-1 transceiver will also be available in March 2013, and pricing for these products is not yet announced. The WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter is currently available and has a suggested retail price (SRP) of $59.95.
 
Preorder opportunities:
 
Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera (Body Only): B&H | Adorama | Amazon
Nikon D7100 DSLR Camera and 18-105mm DX VR Lens Kit: B&H | Adorama | Amazon

From Datacolor:
 
Join Us For A Webinar On Floral Photography
 
Flowers are a favorite subject matter for photographers. Composition, methods, equipment, and settings will all be touched upon, with an inspiring series of floral images to demonstrate each tip. Using the correct lense is crucial to ensure that you will capture your best possible shot. When choosing, Lensbaby lenses are a natural for soft-focus, controlled-focus and macro shots.
 
Join us, Wednesday, February 27th from 3PM-4PM EST, as Datacolor Experts David Saffir and C. David Tobie explore a wide range of tips and techniques that can help you move your floral photography to the next level.
 
An interactive Q&A will take place throughout the webinar to answer any questions you may have.
 
One lucky webinar guest will win a free SpyderLENSCAL!
 
Title: Tips and Techniques for Floral Photography
Date: Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Time: 3:00 PM – 4:00 PM EST
 
Register for the webinar here.

eBay (via BuyDig) has a Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Lens and Sony 32GB Sony SDHC Memory Card (Canon/Nikon) bundle available for $289.00 with free shipping.

 
This new promo video demonstrates what it's like to use Google Glass - and how the technology can help you capture, share, and preserve life's great moments as they happen.

Adorama has the Refurbished Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens available for $359.00 with free shipping. (Compare at $446.95 New)
 
B&H has their Refurbished Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm VR Lens kit available for a nearly-identical $359.95 with free shipping.

From Photoshelter:
 
For our latest guide, we’ve partnered with Wonderful Machine’s CEO Bill Cramer to bring you Pricing Your Work: Magazine Photography. This is the first in a series of guides that has tips to help you create estimates and fee structures for your work.
 
Get savvy when it comes to negotiating and developing an estimate for potential magazine assignments, plus gather important information on the most common magazine shoot expenses. Stay ahead of the competition with an understanding of the three basic types of magazine contracts, including the biggest win-win for photographers.
 
Get the guide here.

From the Photoshop.com Blog:

"What do Smokey Robinson, Copernicus and Adobe Camera Raw (ACR) have in common? Other than just the right mix of science and creativity…they all share a February 19th birthday. ACR fits right in with this group of right and left-brained all-stars. Astrologists say that those born on February 19 have, 'the ability to put ideas into form,' and are, 'born builders.' Also on this date, the stars aligned for Thomas Edison to patent the first phonograph, for Cracker Jack to insert the first prize into a box and Stevie Wonder’s 'Songs in the Key of Life' to win a Grammy for album of the year. Coincidence? Probably not."

See the rest of the blog post here.

B&H's price for the Refurbised Nikon D800 DSLR Camera has dropped by $100.00 thanks to Nikon's recent rebates - now $2,399.95 with free shipping.
 
The Refurbished Nikon D600 DSLR Camera also dropped in price - now $1,599.95 shipped.

B&H has the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Lens (Canon | Nikon) available for preorder.
 
According to B&H, the lens is expected to be available March 16, 2013.

Modifications enabled with version 2.7.2:
 
Modifications that apply to both the Windows and Macintosh versions

• Support for the COOLPIX P520, COOLPIX S9500, COOLPIX S9400, COOLPIX S5200, COOLPIX S31, COOLPIX AW110, COOLPIX L820, and COOLPIX L27 has been added.
• With the renewal of Nikon's image storage and sharing service, my Picturetown (launched as NIKON IMAGE SPACE on January 28, 2013), ViewNX 2 has been modified to provide collaboration with NIKON IMAGE SPACE.
• The my Picturetown tab in the Browser palette has been changed to a NIKON IMAGE SPACE tab.
• Upload to my Picturetown... and Share on my Picturetown... options under the Web Service item in the toolbar have been changed to Upload to NIKON IMAGE SPACE... and Share on NIKON IMAGE SPACE....
• The my Picturetown option under the Web Service item in the File menu has been changed to NIKON IMAGE SPACE

Download the ViewNX 2.7.2 Update: Windows 32-bit | Windows 64-bit | Macintosh

B&H has the Buffalo 2TB DriveStation Axis USB 3.0 External Hard Drive available for $89.99 with free shipping. Compare at $107.99.

Adorama has an Adobe Photoshop Elements 11 & Premiere Elements 11 Bundle available for $82.95. Compare at $99.99.

B&H has the Samyang T-S 24mm F/3.5 ED AS UMC Tilt-Shift Lens (Canon | Nikon) available for preorder.

Adorama has the SanDisk Extreme 120GB Solid State Drive (SSD) for $96.00 with free shipping. Compare at $106.99.

Adorama has the Refurbished Nikon D5100 Digital SLR Camera & 18-55mm Lens Kit available for $439.00 with free shipping. Compare at $596.95 new.

Through February 28, use coupon code pxfw12x9 at AdoramaPix to get 30% off a 12x9" Photobook.

Nikon has just announced instant rebates on a large selection of its DSLR lenses. For Nikon, savings like this haven't been seen for quite some time. The rebates will not last long - so act quickly!
 
Nikon Lenses with Instant Rebates:

Model	Rebate Amount
Nikon 24-70mm f/2.8G AF-S Lens	$200.00
Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S VR Lens	$100.00
Nikon 24-120mm f/4G AF-S VR Lens	$300.00
Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S VR Lens	$150.00
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II Lens	$300.00
Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D AF VR Lens	$350.00
Nikon 24mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens	$200.00
Nikon 35mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens	$200.00
Nikon 50mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens	$100.00
Nikon 50mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens	$20.00
Nikon 60mm f/2.8G AF-S ED Micro Lens	$100.00
Nikon 85mm f/1.4G AF-S Lens	$200.00
Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S Lens	$100.00
Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens	$100.00
Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR II Lens	$250.00
Nikon 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Lens	$300.00
Nikon 85mm f/3.5G AF-S DX VR Micro Lens	$100.00

Additional savings are available when lenses are purchased with a Nikon DSLR camera. See B&H's "Buy Tother and Save" section on Nikon DSLR product pages for more information.

Cameta Camera has the Refurbished Nikon 1 J1 Digital Camera with 10-30mm VR Lens available for $249.95 with fee shipping. Compare at $396.95 new.