Nikon News

Nikon's F-mount DSLR lens lineup is strengthened by two new additions today: the AF-S Nikkor 400mm F2.8E FL ED VR extreme telephoto prime, and the AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III rear converter. Both new items are updated versions of existing products.

Nikon has just released a firmware update for the D800 and D800E, improving button customization, modernizing wireless adapter features, and addressing a number of bugs. With this update, CompactFlash cards larger than 128Gb can now also be used.

Below are download links and installation instructions for both cameras:

• Nikon D800 Firmware A 1.10 / B 1.10
• Nikon D800E Firmware A 1.10 / B 1.10

Nikon has just announced the new AF-S Nikkor DX 18-300mm F3.5-6.3G ED VR, a compact super-zoom lens designed for DX-format DSLRs. This new all-in-one lens weighs just 550g: just over a pound and almost 35% less than the existing 18-300mm F3.5-5.6G. It features a maximum aperture of F6.3 at the long end, which is only a third of a stop slower than the 18-300mm F3.5-5.6, which is also more costly. When fully collapsed, the new lens is under 10cm long, about the same size as the 18-140mm F3.5-5.6G. This is remarkable for a lens that can zoom all the way to 300mm, which delivers extreme-telephoto magnification on APS-C cameras.

This lens is ideal for travel photography and for users looking for a compact lens that delivers more versatility than the standard kit lens.

Visit our lens database for the full specifications of this new lens. It is now available for pre-order at B&H Photo for $899.

Nikon has just officially unveiled the Nikon 1 V3, the latest member of its high-performance compact mirrorless camera lineup.

The V3 is all about speed: its new EXPEED 4a processor enables continuous shooting (with AF) up to 20 frames per second, as well as progressive full HD video recording at 60 frames per second. The camera has also gotten a new 18.4 megapixel sensor (1-inch CX format) and built-in Wi-Fi. It is being launched together with a cosmetically-redesigned 10-30mm F3.5-5.6 VR kit lens.

As you can see from the photos, both the V3 and the new kit lens sport an elegant design that looks more "serious" and is more meticulously-crafted than previous 1-series bodies.

Like other V-series cameras, the V3 supports an electronic viewfinder. It also has a tilting rear LCD screen.

The V3 is launching for $1199 in the US (with lens); the 10-30mm can also be purchased separately for $299. The V3 system can be expanded with an optional multi-function grip (pictured above) an an adapter for DSLR lenses.

In addition to these two items, Nikon also announced a new nano-coated 70-300mm 1-series lens, pictured below.

This extreme-telephoto lens offers a field of view equivalent to 189-810mm on a FX-format DSLR. It is launching for $999 in the US.

Nikon has just officially announced the Nikon D4s, the company's latest flagship DSLR which offers increased speed and improved performance compared to its predecessor, the D4. This professional-grade FX-format DSLR is built for the most demanding of photographers.

The hardware of the D4s is very similar to that of the D4: in fact, the D4s's body is nearly identical to that of the D4 with the exception of a few minor ergonomic improvements on the back of the camera. The D4s also has the same 16.2-megapixel sensor resolution. What has changed is the processor that lies at the heart of the camera: the D4s features Nikon's latest EXPEED 4 chip, which is up to 30% faster than the EXPEED 3. This leads to some very exciting enhancements which we discuss below.

The redesigned processor allows for faster continuous still shooting (11FPS w/AF and AE, up from 10FPS), better video quality, video framerates maxing out at 1080/60p rather than 1080/30p, 10x faster Ethernet connectivity (1Gbps, up from 100Mbps), and a longer battery life (3020 shots per charge, up from 2600).

And with the D4s, Nikon is setting another industry first: the camera's maximum expanded sensitivity has been increased to the equivalent of ISO 409,600 (Hi 4), higher than what any other DSLR currently available offers.