Nikon D700: CAMERA GRAND PRIX 2009 Readers Award

Great news!..as Nikon D700 digital-SLR camera been awarded the CAMERA GRAND PRIX 2009 Readers Award by Nikon Corporation held last year while commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Camera Grand Prix. The way how such prestigious result was achieved is through polling of general users during the Photo Imaging Expo (PIE) 2009 held in Tokyo, March 26–29. This award showed the great popularity of the D700 with a majority of general users. Last year, the Nikon D3 was the recipient of this award as well as the CAMERA GRAND PRIX 2008 Camera of the Year, giving Nikon digital-SLR cameras the honor of winning these prestigious awards two years in a row.

The D700 is sold in Japan through Nikon Imaging Japan Inc., and has been extremely well received by users, primarily advanced amateur photographers, since its release last July.

As for the main reasons for Nikon D700 selection are as follow (source from main site of NIKON):

1. The D700 is a digital-SLR camera equipped with the same large CMOS image sensor of 36.0 mm (h) X 23.9 mm (w) as the D3, which has been highly praised by professional photographers. It also offers great cost performance in a compact and lightweight body.
2. Users who voted for the D700 were extremely pleased most notably with the camera's extraordinary image quality delivering outstandingly low noise characteristics at high sensitivities, its excellent cost performance, as well as its great flexibility and operability.

The Nikon D700 has the following major features:

• 12.1 megapixel Nikon FX-format CMOS sensor (36.0 X 23.9 mm)
• Extremely wide sensitivity range of ISO 200 to 6400 that offers an extraordinary image quality at low sensitivity settings, while also delivering outstandingly low noise characteristics at high sensitivities. In addition, sensitivities can be increased up to the equivalent of ISO 25600 and decreased down to the equivalent of ISO 100.
• Quick response with a power-up time of approximately 0.12 seconds and a shutter release time lag of only 40 milliseconds (according to CIPA standards)
• Continuous shooting at up to 5 fps for up to 100 frames. When the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 is used, high-speed continuous shooting at up to 8 fps is possible.
• High-speed image processing based on Nikon's exclusive comprehensive digital image processing concept, EXPEED
• The Scene Recognition System redefines the scope, accuracy and performance of autofocus, auto-exposure, and auto white balance control
• High-density 51-point AF system achieved with newly developed Multi-CAM3500FX autofocus sensor module
• Two built-in Live View modes: Tripod and Hand-held
• The highly durable shutter has passed release testing for 150,000 cycles
• Body made of extremely lightweight and durable magnesium alloy
• The Image Sensor Cleaning function, which vibrates the low-pass filter to remove dust and foreign matter

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Nikon D3X and D90 Got TIPA European Photo & Imaging Awards

TOKYO – The Technical Image Press Association (TIPA) has honored two Nikon products: Nikon D3X digital-SLR and D90 D-SLR with significant awards this year. TIPA named the former as Best D-SLR Professional in Europe 2009 and the later as Best D-SLR Advanced in Europe 2009.

Here are the additional features of The Best D-SLR Professional in Europe 2009 – D3X

• "Modeled on the D3; the Nikon D3X with a 24.5-megapixel
• Full-frame.
• FX-format sensor size of 35.9 X 24.0 mm was made for highly skilled professional photographers.
  
• Beautifully built, with a superb, approximately 100% viewfinder and a reassuringly comfortable grip,
  
• The D3X combines very high resolution and a wide dynamic range with outstanding low-noise performance.
• Means it has a great feature for quality, high-end photography."

As for The Best D-SLR Advanced in Europe 2009 – D90

• "With its compact body, the Nikon D90 offers a true marriage of technology and innovation in its movie making capabilities.
  
• Its CMOS sensor offers the definition and quality of the successful D300 for a much lower price.
  
• A truly sturdy D-SLR, suitable for all terrains."

Nikon has always offered true enjoyment to users of Nikon products, creating links between people and generations. This year Nikon celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Nikon F mount, the lens mount that forms the link between interchangeable-lens SLR cameras and NIKKOR lenses. Adopted for the latest digital-SLR cameras as well, this mechanism acts as the foundation of photo imaging culture in this new digital age.

Throughout its 92-year history of developing and utilizing optical and other advanced technologies for use in the development and manufacture of cameras and lenses, Nikon has taken its role in the capture of "special moments," regardless of the age or situation, very seriously. By continuing to develop attractive products equipped with the latest in state-of-the-art optical technologies, Nikon will introduce new ways to enjoy light, in the hopes of increasing the number of people who know the joy and thrill of capturing and sharing "special moments" by even one.

Nikon has launched Nikon Next (www.nikonnext.com), a new brand communications site that presents the future of digital-age photo imaging expression in a variety of formats. This site features information on Nikon digital cameras, beginning with the TIPA award winning D3X, and exhibits works by well-known artists in the digital imaging field.

Summarized from Nikon.com

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Nikon Introduces New EDG Fieldscope Series

March 5, 2009

Nikon Vision Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation, is pleased to introduce the EDG Fieldscope series, a new Nikon Sport Optics brand.

EDG is pronounced “edge” because the series provides edge-to-edge brilliance and overall leading-edge performance. The optical and mechanical results of the current fieldscope series, which has won plaudits from users around the world, have been enhanced for the new EDG series. The outstanding performance of EDG Fieldscopes, including natural color reproduction and crisp clarity, has been achieved through the use of Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass. The straight-type models also feature dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating.

Both the main bodies and eyepieces of the EDG Fieldscopes are waterproofed with O-ring seals and nitrogen gas, allowing EDG Fieldscopes to be used in adverse weather conditions. Seven kinds of eyepiece are available, providing unparalleled performance in differing environments. The newly developed zoom eyepiece in particular offers superb optical performance with minimized distortion and long eye relief (18.4-16.5mm).

Key Features

• Nikon’s ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass for chromatic aberration compensation
• Phase correction coated roof prism for high resolution
• Dielectric high-reflective multilayer prism coating on roof prism for the brightest view (straight models only)
• All lenses and prisms are multilayer-coated for the brightest images
• Bayonet mount with lock for EDG eyepieces
• Fog-free and waterproof up to 2 m for 10 min.—thanks to use of O-rings and nitrogen gas (water-resistant main body/eyepiece joint)
• New and stylish design
• Three tripod mount screw holes provided for flexible mounting position; optimum balance realized by CAE (Computer Aided Engineering)

EDG Fieldscope Specifications

	EDG Fieldscope 85	EDG Fieldscope 85-A	EDG Fieldscope 65	EDG Fieldscope 65-A
Objective diameter (mm)	85	85	65	65
Close focusing distance (m)	5.0	5.0	3.3	3.3
Length (mm)*	379	398	313	332
Height x Width (mm)*	127 x 102	131 x 102	120 x 88	131 x 88
Weight (g)*	2030	2030	1560	1620

* Body only

Key Features—Eyepiece

• Seven new kinds of eyepieces for optimum optical performance
• Bayonet mount with lock for easy attachment and release
• Fully multilayer coated
• Fog-free and waterproof up to 2 m for 10 min.—thanks to use of O-rings and nitrogen gas (water-resistant main body/eyepiece joint)
• Eyecup moves in and out at turn of eyepiece ring and stops at any of three click-stops to facilitate observation and digiscoping (not applicable to FEP-30W, FEP-25LER and FEP-20-60)
• FEP-30W offers a choice of eyecup: soft rubber cup for observation and digiscoping eyecup for connecting with the Digital Camera Bracket FSB-series
• FEP-25LER has ultra long 32.3 mm eye relief
• FEP-20-60 features long eye relief (18.4-16.5 mm) and minimized distortion with aspherical lens
• Numerous COOLPIX series compact digital cameras can be attached to EDG eyepieces (except FEP-20-60) with digital camera bracket FSB-series

EDG Eyepiece Specifications

	FEP-20W		FEP-30W		FEP-38W		FEP-50W
EDG Fieldscope diameter	85	65	85	65	85	65	85	65
Magnification (x)	20	16	30	24	38	30	50	40
Real field of view (degree)	3.3	4.1	2.4	3.0	1.9	2.4	1.4	1.8
Apparent field of view (degree)*1	60	60	64.3	64.3	64.3	64.3	64.3	64.3
Field of view at 1,000 m (m)	58	72	42	52	33	42	24	31
Exit pupil (mm)	4.3	4.1	2.8	2.7	2.2	2.2	1.7	1.6
Relative brightness	18.5	16.8	7.8	7.3	4.8	4.8	2.9	2.6
Eye relief (mm)	20.1	20.1	25.4	25.4	17.9	17.9	17.8	17.8
Length (mm)*3	59	59	81*4	81*4	74	74	71	71
Outer diameter (mm)*3	63	63	63	63	63	63	63	63
Weight (g)*3	240	240	390*4	390*4	230	230	230	230

*1 Calculated based on ISO14132-1: 2002
*2 At the lowest magnification
*3 Without caps
*4 With detachable turn-and-slide eyecup

	FEP-75W		FEP-25LER		FEP-20-60
EDG Fieldscope diameter	85	65	85	65	85	65
Magnification (x)	75	60	25	20	20-60	16-48
Real field of view (degree)	1.0	1.2	2.4	3.0	2.2*2	2.8*2
Apparent field of view (degree)*1	64.3	64.3	55.3	55.3	42*2	42*2
Field of view at 1,000 m (m)	17	21	42	52	38*2	47*2
Exit pupil (mm)	1.1	1.1	3.4	3.3	4.3*2	4.1*2
Relative brightness	1.2	1.2	11.6	10.9	18.5*2	16.8*2
Eye relief (mm)	17	17	32.3	32.3	18.4*2	18.4*2
Length (mm)*3	71	71	77	77	99	99
Outer diameter (mm)*3	63	63	63	63	63	63
Weight (g)*3	230	230	320	320	330	330

*1 Calculated based on ISO14132-1: 2002
*2 At the lowest magnification
*3 Without caps
*4 With detachable turn-and-slide eyecup

Source: Nikon.com

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Nikon DX

Main Features

• Nikon's original FX-format CMOS image sensor with 36.0 (H) x 23.9 (V) mm image size; 12.1 effective megapixels
• Compatible with three image-sensor formats – FX format (36 x 24), 5:4 (30 x 24) and DX format (24 x 16)
  
• Sensitivity range ISO 200 to 6400 at normal setting for exceptionally high-quality images; can be set to ISO-equivalent 25,600
• Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED digital image processing concept
• Nikon's original Scene Recognition system, utilizing the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
  
• New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
• High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 9 frames per second [FX format (36 x 24)/5:4 (30 x 24)]/approx. 11 fps [DX format (24 x 16)] ^*1
• Newly employed Picture Control System enables creation of desired picture with preferred tones
• Accurate focal-plane contrast AF^*2 available with built-in Liveview mode
• Wireless Transmitter WT-4^*3 (optional) realizes wireless connection of cameras with a PC, enabling thumbnail display of images taken with up to five of them, and downloading of images selected
• CF card double slot accepts two CF cards
• Quick response with approx. 0.12 sec. startup time and 37 ms Shutter-release time lag
  
• Viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.7x magnification in FX format
• High-definition (920,000 dots), 170˚ viewing angle, 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with tempered glass
• Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights
  

*1 With Continuous-servo AF, S or M exposure mode, shutter speed 1/250 sec. or faster; other settings are set at "Default".
*2 When Tripod mode is selected.
*3 Specifications differ depending on country or area.

Specifications

Effective pixels		12.1 million
Image sensor		CMOS sensor, 36.0 x 23.9 mm; total pixels: 12.87 million; Nikon FX format
Image size (pixels)		FX format (36 x 24): 4,256 x 2,832 [L], 3,184 x 2,120 [M], 2,128 x 1,416 [S] 5:4 (30 x 24): 3,552 x 2,832 [L], 2,656 x 2,120 [M], 1,776 x 1,416 [S] DX format (24 x 16): 2,784 x 1,848 [L], 2,080 x 1,384 [M], 1,392 x 920 [S]
Sensitivity		ISO 200 to 6,400 in steps of 1/3, 1/2, or 1 EV; sensitivity decreases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, or 1 (ISO 100 equivalent) EV below ISO 200, and increases approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1 (ISO 12,800 equivalent), or 2 (ISO 25,600 equivalent) EV over ISO 6,400
Storage media		CompactFlash (Type I/II, compliant with UDMA); Microdrives
LCD monitor		3-in., approx. 920,000-dot (VGA), 170-degree wide-viewing-angle, 100% frame coverage, low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with brightness adjustment
Exposure metering		TTL full-aperture exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor 1) 3D Color Matrix Metering II (type G and D lenses); Color Matrix Metering II (other CPU lenses); Color Matrix Metering (non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data) 2) Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-, 15- or 20-mm circle in center of frame, or weighting based on average of entire frame 3) Spot: Meters 4-mm circle (about 1.5% of frame) centered on selected focus area (on center focus area when non-CPU lens is used)
Exposure modes		1) Programmed Auto (P) with flexible program, 2) Shutter-Priority Auto (S), 3) Aperture-Priority Auto (A), 4) Manual (M)
Interface		Hi-speed USB
Power sources		One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EL4, Quick Charger MH-22, AC Adapter EH-6 (optional)
Dimensions (W x H x D)		Approx. 159.5 x 157 x 87.5 mm (6.3 x 6.2 x 3.4 in.)
Weight		Approx. 1,240 g (2.7 lb.) without battery, memory card, body cap or accessory shoe cover

Specifications and equipment are subject to change without any notice or obligation on the part of the manufacturer. August 2007

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Main Features

• Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor with 24.5 effective megapixels
• Exceptional noise control from ISO 100 to ISO 1600
• Fast 14-bit A/D conversion incorporated onto the image sensor for high signal-to-noise ratio and low power consumption
• Nikon’s EXPEED image-processing system, utilizing a supremely powerful CPU with 16-bit image processing
• Near-instantaneous shutter release time lag of approx. 0.04 second (based on CIPA Guideline)*
• 5-frames-per-second continuous shooting in FX format and 7 fps in DX crop mode (up to 130 frames)*
• 51-point Multi-CAM3500FX autofocus system
• Scene Recognition System for more accurate AF, AE, and AWB results
• Active D-Lighting for complete control over highlight and shadow detail
• Picture Control: Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome (Landscape, Portrait and D2x Modes I, II and III are available free via download)
• Live View mode for shooting handheld and with a tripod
• High-resolution (approx. 920k dots), 3-inch VGA-size LCD monitor with tempered glass
• Durable, lightweight magnesium-alloy construction and comprehensive weather sealing against dust and moisture
• Intelligent power management that lets you shoot up to approx. 4,400 frames on a single battery charge (based on CIPA Standards)**
• Compatibility with the Nikon Total Imaging System

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Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon Digital SLRs combine capability with ease of use to produce incredible digital images. Whether you’re new to digital photography or a seasoned pro looking for the latest in technology, you’ll be able to compare the features, explore the benefits and delve into the details and specs. Turn your ideas into images with a Nikon D-SLR. Nikon D-Series DSLRs Ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Digital SLR Cameras, Two Years in a Row, Tied in 2008"

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