Nikon Reviews in a Nutshell

Photo: NASA

- From Nikon Press Center - Nikon has spent many years contributing to NASA's study of space through the development and manufacture of advanced cameras and Nikkor lenses.
Nikon’s history with NASA began with the Nikon Photomic FTN, a modified Nikon F camera that was used aboard the Apollo 15 in 1971.
The relationship continued with the transition to digital when NASA placed orders for Nikon D2Xs DSLR cameras in 2008. These cameras are still being used in space today.
In 2009, NASA ordered eleven D3s cameras and seven AF-S Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses for use in recording activities aboard the Space Shuttle and the International Space Station (ISS).
These D3s are standard consumer products with no special modifications, and were delivered to the ISS with Space Shuttle mission STS-131, which launched on on April 5 and returned on April 20, 2010.

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The Adobe Camera RAW (ACR) and DNG converter 6.2 RC are now available for download (Free) from the Adobe Labs website.

This update adds support for the following cameras:
- Casio EXILIM EX-FH100 (P&S, DNG native)
- Leica S2 (Mid-Format, DNG native)
- Panasonic DMC-FZ100, DMC-FZ40/FZ45, DMC-LX5 (P&S)
- Pentax 645D (Mid-Format)
- Samsung NX10 (DSLR), TL500/EX1 (P&S)
- Sony A290, A390 (DSLR)
- Sony Alpha NEX-3, Alpha NEX-5 (EVIL/SLD)

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Nikon D40 with manual focus, AI 50 mm. f/1.4 lens

Virtually all Nikkor lenses produced since the introduction of AI in 1977 can be mounted and used on virtually all Nikon cameras produced since 1977, because the Nikon F-Mount has remained fundamentally unchanged since 1959.
In other words: Nikon DSLRs are almost 100% backwards compatible with Nikkor lenses back to 1977...
That this is no small feat, is particularly well demonstrated by the fact that Canon have had to change their mount 5 times in the same period (R, FL, FD, new FD y EOS), while these mounts are not always backwards compatible.

Mounting a lens on a camera is one thing, however, can you actually shoot with it? Yes you can!
The following manual focus (non-CPU) lenses and accessories are compatible with the D40, and if they are compatible with an entry-level camera, they ought to be compatible with most everything else.
• AI, AI-S, E-series
• AI-P (post-chipped AI)
• Medical 120 mm. f/4
• Reflex Nikkor
• Nikkor PC (perspective control)
• AI tele-converters
• PB-6 bellows
• PK-11A, 12, 13 and PN-11 extension rings.

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Nikon D1 and D3S: find the differences

More than benchmarks | RIP Film | Glass | Auto Focus Leap | GPS Conclusion | The Best Nikon

With 2010 recently started, and many of us awaiting at least one important Nikon launch this year, I’m looking back on a decade that has seen jaw-dropping advancements in photography hardware.

Revolution upon revolution.
Over the last 10 years, we have witnessed dramatic improvements in camera technology, an epoch that I believe we will not see again.
Nikon kick-started the digital decade with the launch of the groundbreaking D1 in June ’99, featuring a 2.7 Mp. CCD sensor at a third of the price of its nearest competitor, the 2.0 Mp. Kodak DCS 620.
And slammed it closed last October, with the launch of the groundbreaking Nikon D3S, sporting a 12,5 Mp. CMOS sensor specifically optimized for clean high ISO performance, making it the first camera on the planet with standard 12.800 ISO, extended 102.400 ISO, and high sensitivity 24 fps. HD video capture with auto focus.
I believe the D3S to be yet another Nikon milestone, bound to reshape the DSLR battle ground top-down...

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Nikon D3S: the VR Killer.
Nikon have just launched their long awaited D3S professional FX camera. As the D3, it is equipped with a 12.1 effective Mp. CMOS sensor, to which Nikon have made several improvements to further limit image noise.
To find out if they have actually succeeded in building the fastest camera on the planet, check out these sample images @ 6.400 ISO, 12.400 ISO, and 102.400 ISO.
The first is virtually noise free, the second more or less as grainy as a 400 ISO from my D200 in low to medium low light, while the 100K ISO pic I found on the Nikon Japan site, proves that even at these extreme ISOs the camera still produces usable results.
It is also important to remember that high ISO images shot with more abundant light generally tend to be (much) cleaner than those shot at the same ISO in low light, which is especially relevant when hand holding heavy and long lenses at lower apertures.

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