NEW! nikon D90 released with a new kit lens

"I can not afford a D300" , "I want to buy a CMOS sensor, semi-expert D-SLR" , "I do not want to buy a D80"

Here is your answer.

12.3 MP, DX format CMOS Sensor, Live View, ISO200-3200 or 100 (Lo1.0)-6.400 (Hi2.0), very low noise, 4.5fps, 3" LCD screen, D-Movie Mode, GPS Geo-tracking, 1005 RGB Matrix metering, in camera image editting, self cleaning sensor,11 point AF Area.

This camera is a revolution in Dxx series compared to all "CCD sensor"ed D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s and D80.

Another revolution for nikon D-SLR's is capability of recording 720 pixel HD movie clips. This may sound weird for SLR users, but do not be spider head and enjoy the fruits of technology. I believe you will not use this mode often, but in case of need, this will eleminates to carry to cameras for recording/photographing purposes. I would like to remind you that this mode will suck your battery to the bones for sure.

Power up is 0.15 second, which is faster than a blink of an eye.

Compared to D80, D90 has new advantages like:
3inch LCD screen (D80 has had a 2,5inch LCD screen)
Having Live View mode
Video capture speciality
12.3 MP sensor (D80 has had a 10MP)
50% faster shutter - 4,5 fps (D80 has had 3fps)
GPS Geo tagging (optional with GP-1 GPS unit)
HDMI
Better battery life
Upgraded software and in-camera properties

Are you still reading? C'mon... Leave your computer and get one asap...

(Price tag - body only 990 US$/Euro)

Not finished !!!
A new DX lens released together with the D90 too.
AF-S Nikkor 18-105mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR
I do not have any test or review note at the moment, but i may guess that it would be a cheap solution for zoom and kit lens seekers. My favorite is still 16-85mm VR and 18-200mm VR as a kit lens, but hope this one will have better results than this low-quality 18-135mm supplied together with D80's. But looking to price (300US$ in US), i may consider this lens as a regular kit lens with a plus only (VR) compared to 18-55mm and 18-70mm kit lenses...

Predictions > nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR ED Nano

I have heard rumors about the new updated 70-200mm VR with Nano coating to be released in the fourth quarter of 2008. It is no surprise that nikon will upgrade all its Golden Series lenses together with all primes in a very near future. As they have started to do that with 600mm VR Nano, 500mm VR Nano, 14-24mm f/2.8G Nano, 24-70mm f/2.8G Nano and the next will be no surprise that 70-200mm f/2.8G VR Nano.

I am expecting nikon to release 50mm f/1.4 Nano, 85mm f/1.4 Nano soon. After these admiral primes, the next step will be Ultra Wide Angle Primes which have considerably level of chromatic abberrations. ED was a good solution in the past, but it is time for Nano Crystal Coating now...

As you all know, 70-200mm VR has very high levels of resolution values, very low vignetting but some CA's which do not fit such a high level lens. With nano crystal coating, it will be a flawless lens like its brothers 14-24mm and 24-70mm's.

For small budget nikoners, wait a while, you will see "OLD" 70-200mm VR's very soon in the second hand market with lower prices.

Expected price tag of the new nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G VR Nano will be around 1700US$/Euro

Predictions > nikon D400

4 LOONGG YEARS PASSED... WHERE ARE YOU ??

Everybody asking me about , what will happen when the new D400 released. Nothing. As nothing happened they released D200 over D100 and D300 over D200. At the moment, a lot of D200 users are not able to buy a new D300 and waiting for the price drop down and second hand market.

Going back to D400, here are what will you face (more or less)

D400 will be FX format with a FX sensor inside. DX lenses will be recognized automatically.

5 fps at FX, 6,5 fps at DX format.

16 MP in FX, 6.9MP at DX format.

A new LCD, with 3,5" two fingered touch screen (wow)

1080p HD video is also possible.

Possible release will be May 2009

Extreme predictions : May have a GPS and wireless system onboard

Expected price tag will be around 2500US$/Euro

Buying a second hand nikon ?

If you are buying a second hand lens for your nikon - nikonos - nikkormat camera and not sure about its orginality, you may take a look below website for all original serial number lists :
Nikon Lens Serial No's

Lens Review - Nikon AF Nikkor 180mm f/2.8D IF-ED

nikon nikkor AF 180 mm f/2.8D IF-ED (1994 Release)

FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS

Focal Length : This is a FX format lens, so you can both use them on typical SLR 35 mm cameras and D-SLRs. But on a D-SLR camera, it will effect like 270 mm.
Aperture: f/2.8 . Nine-bladed rounded diaphragm stopping down to f/22
Optics: 8 elements in 6 groups. 1 ED glass element.
Closest Focus: 1.5 m(5 feet)
Macro Ratio: 1:6.6
Filter size: 72mm Non-rotating, Internal Focusing
Accesories: Lens rear/front caps, Barrel shaped, Bayonet Lens Hood . Lether Lens (CL38S)case is included.
Dimensions: 79 mm diameter. Length is 144 mm.
Weight: 760 grams

MY REVIEW ABOUT THIS LENS
The Nikkor 180mm f/2.8D is extereme sharp with showing NO flaws. Build quality is excellent. Lens glass quality is very high. According to IMATEST results, pinchusion distortion is only 0,3% , not negligible in field conditions. Vignetting is almost non-exsist. You may shoot without worrying even at widest aperture setting of f/2.8. MTF Resolution results are excellent starting from f/2.8 reachest peak values at f/5.6. Chromatic Aberrations are not field relevant. (limit is 1 pixel, test results do not exceed 0,64 pixel)

180mm f/2.8D is a very good lens for outdoor portraits and wildlife photography. Some may consider to buy a 70-200mm f/2.8 VR or 80-200mm f/2.8 instead when price is considered. But the weight is an advantage for this lens for hendheld shoots.
PAY ATTENTION :
- Not so fast Auto Focus (but not slow for sure!)

- Be careful about second hands. There is no lens in the back side of the lens to protect the diaphragm blades. They may be filthy !!

VERDICT : It is not a cheap lens. I may recommend 80-200mm f/2.8 instead if you are not a prime lens addictited. All test result are almost excellent. It is compact telephoto lens with good performance. Recommended (8/10)

MY SAMPLE SHOTS :

What does PC-Nikkor means ?

PC-Nikkor means a lense which features a Perspective Control ability, to be more clear, they are wide-angle lenses with extended film plane covering ability. These lenses are used to cover large rectangular subjects, for i.e., a tall building, the photographer has to tilt his camera upwards to include the top of the structure; generally, the resulting image portrays in the photograph will have walls of the building appear to converge, as if the building were falling over backwards. With the PC Nikkor lenses, you may correct this convergness.

Technically, there is an other trick to minimize effect of converging perspectives.By using a wideangle lense, you shoot the subject in the middle but you have to compromise with a loss of useful negative space with inclusion of large unwanted foreground in the photo while cropping to eliminate undesirable elements in a wide-angle negative. With the new D-SLR crop factor 1,5x cameras, you will have less problem.

Pic No:1 > CONVERGED

Pic No:2 > CORRECTED

nikon D90 D-SLR > Is it a speculation or truth?

Altough a a lot of bloggers consider this is a big baloon, i will use my sixth sense and share my prediction:
First of all , nikon's tradition will change about two digit models use CCD sensors. As you all know, D40, D40x, D50, D60, D70, D70s, D80 uses CCD sensors.
D90 will have a new developed Sony CMOS sensor, with 12.3 MP. Speed will be 3-3.5 fps different from D300. This will be an answer to Canon 450D for sure.

For latest news, check latest nikon releases , USA.