MINISCULE DETAILS.  MONUMENTAL IMAGES.  BROADCAST QUALITY VIDEO.

Nikon D800

Nikon in South Africa announced a groundbreaking new 36.3 megapixel FX-format professional D-SLR, the Nikon D800.

Designed to answer the needs of tomorrow’s photography and video today, the masterful Nikon D800 is packed with new technology that delivers unprecedented levels of depth and detail in photography, and offers all the flexibility necessary to shoot broadcast quality video.

Firmly establishing a league of its own, the Nikon D800 offers imaging potential to rival medium format cameras, but with all of the agility of the D-SLR format — giving professionals who demand attention to detail the freedom to create monumental images.

In an industry first, this exciting launch includes a special edition of the D800 – the Nikon D800E. With a modified optical filter, the D800E offers a unique alternative for those seeking the ultimate in definition.

Romi Jacobs, Chief Brand Officer for Nikon in South Africa said: “The Nikon D800 is the ultimate full-frame D-SLR with significant ramifications for the future of image making and video. The overwhelming 36.3 megapixel resolution resolves detail like never before and the comprehensive video options will captivate moviemakers of all disciplines.” She added: “We’re really excited about what the D800 means for anyone who is serious about telling stories through still images, movies or both.”

The big picture

The groundbreaking 36.3 megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor incorporates key technology that enables unprecedented levels of detail and tonal range.

12-channel readout with 14-bit A/D conversion and high signal-to-noise ratio: delivers images of remarkable quality with low noise and wide dynamic range.

Broad ISO: offering an ISO range of 100–6400, extendable up to 25600 (equivalent) and down to 50 (equivalent), the D800 will set a new benchmark for D-SLRs with this level of resolution. The camera’s intelligent noise reduction systems manage noise without sacrificing fine details, allowing superb flexibility under all lighting conditions: images are crisp and clean, even at higher ISO settings.

Nikon D800

Peak performance 

Equipped with Nikon’s next-generation EXPEED 3 image-processing engine, the D800 makes light work of data-rich tasks without sacrificing the speed and quality that pros are accustomed to.

16-bit image processing: offering richer colours and tones than ever before, this cutting-edge image processor delivers smooth gradations with abundant detail and tone all the way up the scale to pure white, even when shooting in JPEG.

Broadcast quality video

For professionals whose workflow demands video, the D800 offers all the flexibility required for a wide variety of movie applications.  It’s large format movie shooting at its best, with a comprehensive variety of frame rates.

Frame rates: Full HD (1080p) movies can be recorded in 30p, 25p and 24p, with 60p, 50p and 25p options at 720p. Movie clips can be up to 29:59 minutes long.

Multi-Format Full HD D-Movie: as introduced with the D4, Full HD recording is possible in both FX and DX based formats, enabling exceptional freedom of expression.

High-fidelity audio control: responding to feedback from the industry, the D800 sets a new standard for D-SLR audio recording, enabling your movies to sound as good as they look. Aside from the external stereo microphone input, an audio out for external headphones lets you fine tune audio in isolation, both before and during movie recording. A line input setting for PCM linear recorders is also provided.

Uncompressed HDMI output: for those who need the purest video output for professional quality editing, the D800 offers the possibility to output the uncompressed live view to external recorders and monitors.  As with the Nikon D4, this data is output at the designated image size and frame rate, and is clean of the information overlay that can be simultaneously displayed on the camera’s TFT monitor.

Convenient custom controls: have been implemented for live view operation. Instead of rotating the command dial, power aperture enables smoother aperture control using assigned buttons on the front of the camera. Index marking helps you tag important frames in the timeline by attaching markers during movie recording, which makes for easy location during editing.

Advanced scene recognition with 91K-pixel RGB sensor

Nikon’s revolutionary Advanced Scene Recognition System now incorporates a newly designed 91,000-pixel RGB sensor that meticulously analyses each scene for outstanding accuracy. It can detect human faces with startling exactness even with exclusive use of the optical viewfinder, and recognize a scene’s colours and brightness with unprecedented precision.

This level of detailed scene analysis is also utilized to support more accurate autofocus; auto exposure and i-TTL flash exposure results in a diverse range of compositional and lighting situations. For example, 3D-subject tracking is particularly improved when shooting smaller subjects.

Implementing Nikon’s highly-acclaimed Multi-CAM 3500FX AF system — with individually selectable or configurable 9-, 21- and 51-point coverage settings — the autofocus sensor module and algorithms have been re-engineered to significantly improve low light acquisition sensitivity capabilities down to  -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F). The overall performance is similar to the latest flagship of Nikon, the D4: AF operation is even possible under a combined aperture value of f8 (e.g. a 600mm f/4 AF-S lens combined with 2x-teleconverter TC-20EIII) with 11 AF sensor involved, and with 15 AF sensors between f/5.6 and f/8.

Simplified AF and AF-area mode selection is now possible without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.

Responsive and intuitive 

The Nikon D800 responds as quickly as you do, with secure, conveniently placed, buttons and controls that quickly become an extension of your hand.

Fast response: start-up is approx. 0.12 seconds1, release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.042 seconds2 (equivalent to that of the D4), with continuous approx. 4 fps capability in FX-format and crop modes, pushed to approx. 6 fps capability in DX-format Crop mode with the optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D12.

Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic monitor brightness control: delivers bright, crisp image playback with a much wider colour reproduction capacity. LCD brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment and images can be magnified up to 46x during playback, which can be a big help for spot focus confirmation.

Glass prism optical viewfinder with approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1).

Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon offers accurate confirmation of level shooting by letting you check the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder, for both the camera’s position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation).

Enhanced ergonomics: buttons and dials have been strategically laid out for fluid operation. Improvements around the shutter-release button mean your index finger can rest comfortably for longer periods of time, while the designated movie record button means you’re ready to trigger movie shooting in an instant. Build features high-quality rubber materials for secure grip.

Release mode dial: mode visibility and operability has been improved via a four-button layout and release mode dial on camera’s top deck, along with dedicated buttons for ISO, White Balance and Image Quality. A new bracketing button has been strategically placed to aid such features as HDR.

Direct access to Picture Controls via a new, dedicated button, rather than via the menu. Picture Controls let you customize the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue.

Durability

Despite its light weight and compact size, the D800 is as tough as Nikon’s professional single digit cameras, with extensive weather and dust sealing throughout to ensure you can keep working when the going gets tough.

High-precision, high-durability shutter: the shutter unit has been tested to well over 200,000 cycles of release to prove durability and precision. Boasts a speed range of 1/8000 to 30s; features an intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor and, for the first time, a drive unit designed to reduce the demand on power when the shutter is raised for extended periods during movie shooting.

Efficient power management: a re-working of the D800’s circuits now enables approx. 850 shots3 of still image shooting or approx. 60 min. of movie live view4. All on one charge of a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL15.

Build quality: as reliable on the road as it is in the studio, the D800 boasts a weather- and dust-sealed magnesium alloy body that weighs in at approx. 10% lighter than the D700.

Storage media:  high-speed CF (UDMA 7) and SD (SDXC and UHS-1) dual card slots.

High-speed data transfer with USB 3.0.

Nikon D800E – The ultimate alternative

The Nikon D800E is a special edition of the D800, specifically designed for those seeking absolute definition.

Incorporating an optical filter with anti-aliasing properties removed in order to facilitate the sharpest images possible, this is an ideal tool for photographers who can control light, distance and their subject to the degree where they can mitigate the increased risk of moiré5 and false colour.  Aside from the optical filter, all functions and features are the same as on the D800.

Creative expansion tools

The D800 incorporates a variety of creative and practical tools for those too busy to spend time in excessive post-production.

Time-lapse movies: the D800 extends the popular time-lapse photography function by saving images as a movie file in the camera. With playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal.

HDR (High Dynamic Range) shoots one overexposed and one underexposed frame in a single shutter release. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, full of saturation and tonal gradation, while the smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural appearance.

Refined colour temperature control enables minute control over white balance. The monitor hue of live view and the resulting image’s white balance can be adjusted so that the two are aligned. Colour temperature can be manually set in 10-Kelvin increments, or in mired units.

Auto shutter speed control for auto ISO sensitivity control: a new auto option for minimum shutter speed, which automatically controls the balance between shutter speed and ISO sensitivity based on the focal length of the lens being used.

Four image area options: for the first time in a camera of this class, you can choose from a variety of image crop modes, all visually masked in the viewfinder. 5:4 (30.0 x 24.0 mm), 1.2x (30.0 x 19.9 mm), and DX-format (23.4 x 15.6 mm).

In-camera editing: captured images and movies can be altered and edited in camera and on the fly if required. Retouch menus include an array of useful features such as NEF (RAW) processing, resize, distortion control, fisheye, miniature effect, red-eye correction, filter effects and image overlay — as well as the ability to designate the start and end point of movie clips all at once, in order to save them more efficiently.

Accessories

Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D12 (optional) accommodates a variety of batteries (see specifications) and utilizes the same integral magnesium alloy construction and weather sealing as the D800 body itself. You also get approx. 6 fps continuous shooting speed6 in DX-format. The MB-D12 has its own dedicated shutter-release button and command dials for vertical composition shooting.

Nikon SB-910 (optional) — unparalleled lighting performance: Nikon’s SB-910 offers versatile i-TTL for on-camera or wireless flash control, refined operability and a powerful guide number of 34/112 (ISO 100, m/ft, STD, FX format, zoom 35mm). Menus and controls have been improved for more operational ease. Hard-type incandescent and fluorescent colour filters are included, which can adjust your D800‘s white balance instantly.

Capture NX 2 (optional) — Fast, powerful and creative image processing: to accommodate the imaging power of the D800’s 36.3 effective megapixels, the latest Capture NX 2 is faster than before and 64-bit compatible7.

Camera Control Pro 2 (optional) — Versatile remote camera controls: aside from controlling exposure mode, shutter speed, and aperture, the software now offers numerous improvements to make the D800’s live view operation exceptionally smooth. New creative controls include remote start and stop for movie shooting and switching between live view for stills and movies.

ViewNX 2 (supplied) — Browse, edit, share and more: this bundled, all-in-one software implements an easy-to-use interface and an array of editing functions, including basic editing of RAW files and D-Movies. Seamlessly integrates with my Picturetown, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage service.

Doing it professionally is very hard work. It can be both physically demanding and mentally challenging. Not only do you have to be relatively fit in order to keep up with the action, but you will also need to be alert to catch the best moments of the game. If you are working for a newspaper, you will also need to be fast in selecting and sending in your shots in time to go to print – sometimes you’ll have as little as an hour in which to submit your work. While you won’t be working 9 to 5, and may have days of not working at all, the times when you are working can be exhausting. However, if you love photography and sport, it will be a career worth pursuing.
How to get started
First things first: get a good-quality digital SLR camera and learn how to use it well. At the same time, start to build up your equipment. Because photographing action requires you to move fast and take shots in quick succession, you need to have very specialised equipment. It is expensive, so don’t try to buy it all at once – get one new item every few months and learn to use what you have in the meantime.

The equipment you will need will depend on the sport you specialise in, but there are some basics to consider. You’ll need a telephoto lens but depending on what kind of sport you are photographing, the length of the lens may vary. Your camera will need a continuous shutter function (8 frames per second is the industry standard) as well as a continuous-focus servomotor, so that you don’t have to keep refocusing as the athletes move up and down the field.

Take some time to build a portfolio of shots. Your portfolio is what will get you a job. While you might find workshops that specialise in sports photography to be very helpful, a photo editor will be less interested in your CV than in what you can actually do with your camera.

Start at low-level events that have easy access and where you can get a better vantage point, such as school and university sport. What matters is not the size of the events you shoot, but the quality of your photos.

Once you have a collection of good shots, contact a local newspaper and ask for an interview with the photo editor. If the editor likes your work, you may get an assignment to shoot a specific event. Be prepared to start small and realise that it will take time to get to the job you want. You may get a number of rejections at the beginning. In that case, ask the editor for some constructive feedback and then keep trying.
As you get more experience, make sure you keep your portfolio updated by taking out any older, sub-par photos when you add better ones. Once your portfolio is very good, you may be able to get an internship at a sports magazine or a news agency. You probably won’t get paid much, but you’ll learn a lot and meet people who will be able to help you work your way up.

How to be good
To be a good sports photographer, you need to be very familiar with the sport you plan to photograph. This way you can anticipate where the action is likely to be and know which angles are best to capture a particular play. Understanding the sport will also help you to better convey the emotion of a certain moment. It is also important to know which players are newsmakers.

Choose one or two sports to specialise in, preferably those you have some personal experience with and feel passionate about.
Try to get a different angle from the other photographers at an event. There might be a good reason why they’re all hovering at one end of the field, but try to get away from the cluster so that you can get a shot no one else will. Also try for the less obvious shot – perhaps an emotional reaction from a team member or a fan.
However, remember that your pictures need to be not only aesthetically pleasing, but marketable too. An artistic shot of a football whizzing down the field may look good, but if none of the players are recognisable, you won’t be able to sell it to a newspaper.
Study the work of others. Take time to look through sport magazines or newspapers, and look at the photographs.

Take note of what you like and don’t like. If your favourite sports photographer has a blog, keep checking for updates that may give you good tips. Be willing to keep learning and improving, and you could one day find yourself covering the World Cup or the Olympics.

To find out more about digital photography, consider the part-time University of Cape Town Digital Photography short course, which is presented online throughout South Africa. Contact Amy-Jane on 021 447 7565 or visit www.getsmarter.co.za  for more information.

Nikon P150

Introducing the COOLPIX P510 and COOLPIX L810

Amsterdam, the Netherlands, 1st Feb 2012 – Nikon Europe today announces two new super-zoom cameras. The COOLPIX P510, successor to the hugely popular COOLPIX P500, offers an astounding 42x optical NIKKOR zoom lens that reaches a powerful 1000mm super-telephone focal length, down to a 24mm wide-angle. It also packs a 16-megapixel back-illuminated CMOS sensor and advanced lens-shift vibration reduction. The 16-megapixel L810, successor to the COOLPIX L120, gets closer to the action than ever, thanks to a 26x extreme wide-angle optical zoom lens.

“With its record-breaking focal length of 1000mm, the P510 is able to capture detail that would be too far to reach with any other camera. Steady shots are ensured in any situation, thanks to advanced lens-shift vibration reduction,” comments Nicolas Gillet, Product Manager for Consumer Products at Nikon Europe. “Meanwhile, the L810 is an easy-to-use super-zoom model, now with a greater focal range and a more detailed 16-megapixel image sensor than its predecessor, the COOLPIX L120.”

Nikon P150

Zooming beyond expectations: the high performance COOLPIX P510
An excellent performer with unparalleled range, the compact COOLPIX P510 boasts a 42x zoom, a tiltable high resolution 921K-dot LCD monitor and Full HD (1080p) movie recording with stereo sound.

For everything from wide-angle shots of a group of friends to long-reaching frames of dolphins out at sea, the astonishingly powerful wide-angle to super-telephoto range of the COOLPIX P510 covers all circumstances. Its 16-megapixel backlit CMOS sensor and advanced lens-shift vibration reduction ensure sharp shooting in any light, so that even at longer focal lengths, frames remain steady and subjects are pin-sharp.

One-touch access to movie mode means you can switch easily from taking stills to filming in Full HD

(1080p) with stereo sound. Optical zoom and autofocus functions are still available when filming, and the COOLPIX P510 can record in slow or fast motion using speeds of up to 120 fps (VGA). Movies can be shot in iFrame format and a built-in HDMI connector lets you connect the camera directly to an HDTV, to view photos and films straight away with family and friends.

The tiltable high resolution LCD monitor will help you discover your creative side, making it easy to take shots from above or below to get a different perspective. Built-in GPS records the exact location where a picture was taken as a geotag in the image data.

The COOLPIX P510 comes in three colours: Black, red and dark grey.

Nikon-L810

Affordable performance that is built for life: the COOLPIX L810
With a super-zoom lens and 720p movie recording, the COOLPIX L810 offers great technology that is easy-to-use, to make sure memorable moments are reliably captured. Easy Auto mode optimizes all settings according to the light you are in, making shooting effortless.

The NIKKOR 26x extreme wide-angle optical zoom lens with 22.5–585mm range will cover everything from sweeping vistas to distant action. Meanwhile, an innovative side control lever ensures smooth, steady zooming throughout the entire focal range whether filming or shooting still images, and Lens shift VR (vibration reduction) counters the effects of camera shake. Meanwhile, a 16-megapixel CCD image sensor and four different automatic anti-blur functions ensure sharp images every time.

All this is powered by convenient AA batteries so you don’t have to worry about running out of power– whether you’re at home or travelling abroad.

The COOLPIX L810 comes in four colours: Black, red, blue and warm grey.

P510: Additional Features

• Auto HDR mode: capture images with impressive tonal detail in any situation when you shoot in HDR mode. The camera combines two shots taken at different exposures during a single shutter release to create an image with wide dynamic range and rich colour gradation.
• Easy Panorama 360/180: pan vertically or horizontally to create dynamic panoramas.
• 3D shooting mode: create a 3D image of any still subject to be played back on 3D-capable TVs and computers. The camera combines two images taken from different positions; the second shot is taken automatically when the camera detects that you are in the right position.
• High-speed continuous shooting: shoot up to 5 full-resolution shots at 6 fps, or up to 30 full-resolution shots at 1 fps.
• Mode dial with manual exposure modes (P/S/A/M) and User mode, where you can recall your preferred camera settings instantly.
• Wireless transfer: compatible with Eye-Fi X2 (or later) cards. Transmit your digital photos (in JPEG format) directly to your phone or personal computer, and then connect to the Internet to take advantage of Nikon’s photo sharing service, my Picturetown.
• Retouch menu: enhance your photos in-camera with a range of filter effects. Includes options such as Selective Colour, which converts your image to monochrome then adds a splash of colour to an area of your choice, and Cross Screen, which lends a starry effect to bright objects.

L810: Additional Features

• Crisp 720p video recording: record life in motion with ease. A dedicated movie-record button makes it easy to begin recording, and you can use the optical zoom with autofocus while filming.
• Anti-blur: Lens shift VR (vibration reduction) counters the effects of camera shake. High ISO (up to 1600) light sensitivity for sharper images in low light. Motion detection compensates for camera and subject movement. Best shot selector (BSS) selects the sharpest of up to ten sequential shots.
• 3D shooting mode: create a 3D image that can be played back on 3D-capable TVs and computers.
• Easy sharing: connect directly to an HDTV via the camera’s built-in HDMI connector.
• Smart portrait system: snap perfect portraits every time. Smile timer takes the shot when your subject smiles. Blink proof alerts you when someone’s eyes were closed. Skin softening adjusts uneven skin tones for smoother-looking skin. Red-eye Fix corrects false eye colour due to the flash.
• Wireless transfer: compatible with Eye-Fi X2 (or later) cards. Transmit your digital photos (in JPEG format) directly to your phone or personal computer, and then connect to the Internet to take advantage of Nikon’s photo sharing service, my Picturetown.

ViewNX 2
ViewNX 2 is an all-in-one software package that enables users to quickly and easily import, browse, edit and share still images and movies. Building upon the highly successful ViewNX software, ViewNX 2 is a user-friendly suite that offers a huge range of features, going well beyond those supplied as part of a PC’s operating system. Newly-incorporated movie-editing functions have been taken directly from Nikon’s award-winning DSLR range, enabling users to create stunning movie footage. ViewNX 2 is included with all Nikon digital cameras and is also available as a free download.

EXPEED C2
The original EXPEED image processing system incorporated all of the accumulated expertise and technologies developed throughout Nikon’s long history. Now, the latest evolution of Nikon’s renowned system, EXPEED C2, expands the possibilities of photography even further, with enhanced movie recording, high-sensitivity performance and maximum image quality. EXPEED C2 maximizes sensor performance for clear, life-like images that exhibit vivid colors, reduced noise and smooth tonal gradations for outstanding photos and movies.

Nikon my Picturetown
You can now back-up your images safely and securely using my Picturetown (www.mypicturetown.com), the free online digital photo storage and sharing service brought to you by Nikon. Easily share photo memories with friends and organise precious memories into online collections. You get 2GB of space free to use for storing thousands of memories and you can upgrade your membership to Gold Account at any time if you need to store more pictures.

UCT Digital Photography course
Learn everything you need to know to operate your digital SLR camera with ease and finesse. Learn how to take photos like a professional in manual mode, and discover practical and artistic techniques to take your photography to the next level.
Click here for more details

UCT (CFMS) Photoshop course
Learn all the basic skills and principles you need to operate Photoshop, the industry-leading image manipulation software. Expand your portfolio of digital skills and learn to perform your own image retouching, design and other editing tricks.
Click here for more details

To claim your R500 discount, quote “Photography Blog” as the promo code when registering for the course by 17 February 2012.

For more information, contact Amy-Jane on 021 447 7565 or amyjane@getsmarter.co.za.  Alternatively, visit www.GetSmarter.co.za.

There’s no doubt that wedding photography can be an amazing and fulfilling job. Wedding photographers work with people on some of the happiest days of their lives. They get to shoot people at their best, dressed up in beautiful outfits, in stunning locations in and outdoors. They create poignant and lasting memories of joyful occasions. In addition, well-known wedding photographers can earn very respectable rates for their work.

However, there is a flipside to all this. Since weddings are so emotionally charged, making a mistake or missing special moments can cause a lot of disappointment for the clients. Weddings usually take place on evenings and weekends, meaning odd working hours and sacrificing personal family time.

The work is both physically and emotionally draining – long hours carrying heavy equipment, managing people, fitting into the whims of the clients and pushing yourself not to miss anything important. In practical terms, wedding photographers need a lot of expensive equipment (including backups), and the competition in the field is steep, which means having to market aggressively and lowering rates.
If you feel passionate enough about wedding photography to take the plunge, here is what you will need.

• Naturally, you will need a good quality camera, a versatile lens (ideally, you will have a few different ones), a flash and other lighting tools (like professional lights, diffusion boards and so on) and several large memory chips. It’s also vital that you have a backup for each of these vital tools.
• Many photographers shoot with an assistant, who helps to fill in extra shots or captures separate events happening somewhere else. Consider finding a helper for larger weddings.
• Since the bulk of digital photography work happens after the event, you will need a good computer and the necessary photo manipulation software. These element can get quite expensive, so be sure to calculate the costs in.
• It should go without saying that wedding photographers need to have excellent photography skills. Weddings cannot be repeated and moments cannot be paused while you prepare yourself. You need to be able to produce perfect shots under pressure. A wedding is not the place to test out new equipment or techniques.
• It should also be evident that you need to have good people skills and enjoy working with diverse and emotional people. Wedding participants can be nervous, overwhelmed, confused, elated and impatient, and getting them to pose in the correct ways can be tricky. If you don’t enjoy working with people, you may find the job very stressful.
• Finally, being a professional wedding photographer means that you are running your own business, and so you need the business skills to manage your schedules, clients, finances and marketing effectively. While the job is not all about money, make sure you price your services to reflect the quality and hard work you put in.

The University of Cape Town Digital Photography course starts on 27 February 2012. For more information contact Amy-Jane on 021 685 4775 or amyjane@getsmarter.co.za or visit www.getsmarter.co.za.

AF-S-NIKKOR-85mm

Boasting a stellar combination of classic focal length and large (f/1.8) aperture, as well as a re-designed optical system that meets the requirements of today’s D-SLRs, it delivers superb image quality and offers photographers an affordable way to take advantage of Nikon’s rich legacy of renowned 85mm NIKKOR optics.

Romi Jacobs, Chief Brand Officer for Nikon in South Africa, says: “this lens is perfect for anyone who loves to shoot portraits. It’s a great way for photographers to experience the advantage that a fast medium-telephoto lens can bring, either in the studio or when making the most of natural light.”

Classic character

The classic 85 mm focal length allows for tight head and shoulder shots with extreme detail.

The fast f/1.8 aperture perfectly balances sharpness so you can single out subjects beautifully, and it provides a bright viewfinder image that makes it easier to compose your shots. An excellent choice when shooting in low light, the fast aperture also helps you shoot with available light and still capture striking, sharp images.

New optical design

A portrait lens perfectly suited to the digital era, its all-new optical design is optimized to meet the requirements of today’s D-SLRs. Compromising 9 elements in 9 groups, it offers superb image quality and makes an attractive choice for videographers. The dedicated Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures discreet but accurate autofocus.

Ergonomics

Weighing in at only 350 grams, this weather-sealed compact new 85mm lens is lighter than its predecessors. Compatible with Nikon FX-format D-SLRs, it offers a 127.5mm (equivalent) focal length when used with Nikon DX-format D-SLRs, and is fully compatible with entry level D-SLRs that do not have a built in autofocus motor.

The lens is supplied with a lens hood HB-62, and a soft pouch CL-1015.

AF-S-NIKKOR-85mm

Nikon D4

On 6 Jan 2012 Nikon in South Africa announced the launch of the D4 , its new flagship D-SLR for photographers who need the ultimate in photography.

Made to shatter limits and realise every shooting opportunity, this professional FX-format camera brings new levels of image quality, speed and precision to both still photography and video.

Equipped with a 16.2-megapixel FX-format sensor, phenomenally high ISO and Nikon’s powerful EXPEED3 image processing engine, it offers uncompromised performance and unrivalled versatility in extreme lighting and environmental conditions.

“With the Nikon D4, we’ve launched the ultimate in photography,” says Romi Jacobs, Chief Brand Officer for Nikon in South Africa. “If you’re a photographer at the top of your game, then you need a camera that won’t ever let you down – and that’s the Nikon D4. It’s been built to push limits – just as the photographers that will use it push limits every day in their work.”

Uncompromised Image quality—Exceptional speed

Engineered to deliver remarkable image integrity in the most diverse lighting conditions, the D4 offers blisteringly fast fps performance and sets a new benchmark in low-noise performance. The 16.2 megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor with fast channel readout delivers up to 11 fps—faster than any other Nikon camera.

Images of remarkable quality with low noise and wide dynamic range can be realized even at high ISO sensitivities thanks to the optimized noise reduction design and 14-bit A/D signal processing built into the sensor. The phenomenal ISO range sets a new benchmark of ISO12800 and extends the range one EV further to make ISO 100 a standard. For more challenging conditions, equivalent ISO 50 and ISO 204,800 sensitivities make the D4 the camera of choice for photographers who typically face extreme lighting challenges.

Super-charged EXPEED3 image processing engine

Thanks to Nikon’s next-generation EXPEED3 image-processing engine, the D4 makes light work of multiple data-rich tasks without sacrificing the speed and quality that pros are accustomed to. High-speed 16-bit image processing follows the 14-bit A/D conversion to deliver submission-ready JPEGs straight out of the camera. Performance is never compromised, even when undertaking the most data-intensive tasks. Images boast faithful, well-saturated colour and natural depth. Even when shooting in dim lighting at high ISO sensitivities, the camera’s intelligent, performance-proven noise reduction lowers noise without degrading image sharpness.

Broadcast quality video

For professionals whose workflow demands video, the D4 offers all the flexibility required for a wide variety of movie applications. It’s large format movie shooting at its best, with a comprehensive variety of frame rates.

Frame rates: Full HD (1080p) movies can be recorded in 30p, 25p and 24p, with 60p, 50p, 30p and 25p options at 720p. Movie clips can be close to 30 minutes long (approx. 29.59 min).

Multi-area mode: Full HD (1080p) recording is possible in both FX and DX based formats as well as in native Full HD (1920×1080) crop.

High-fidelity audio control: responding to feedback from the industry, the D4 introduces new possibilities for D-SLR audio recording that enable your movies to sound as good as they look. Aside from the external stereo microphone input, an audio out for external headphones lets you fine tune audio for movie recording in isolation.

Uncompressed HDMI output: for those who need the purest video output for professional quality editing, the D4 offers the possibility to output the uncompressed live view to external recorders and monitors. The first time this has been possible in an SLR camera, data is output at 1080i (Full HD) at the designated image size and frame rate. Data output can be scaled down if necessary and is clean of the information overlay that can be simultaneously displayed on the camera’s TFT monitor.

Convenient custom controls: live view operation is enhanced thanks to convenient custom controls. Instead of rotating the command dial, power aperture enables smoother aperture control via assigned buttons on the front of the camera. Index marking enables important frames to be tagged in the timeline during movie recording, which makes for easy location during editing.

New levels of speed and accuracy

When it comes to nailing decisive moments, the D4’s enhanced auto operation gives photographers a clear advantage.

Advanced scene recognition with 91K-pixel RGB sensor: Nikon’s revolutionary Advanced Scene Recognition System now incorporates the newly designed 91,000-pixel RGB sensor, that meticulously analyses each scene for outstanding accuracy.

3D-subject tracking is particularly improved when shooting and tracking smaller subjects. Human faces are detected with startling exactness even when working with the optical viewfinder only. This level of detailed scene analysis is also utilized to support more accurate autofocus and auto exposure, even under the most challenging lighting conditions.

Advanced Multi-CAM3500FX AF Sensor Module: Nikon’s highly acclaimed Multi-CAM 3500FX AF system —with individually selectable or configurable 9-, 21- and 51-point coverage settings — has been re-engineered for faster subject detection.

The autofocus sensor module and algorithms significantly improve low light acquisition sensitivity capabilities down to -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F). All 51 AF sensors, of which 15 are cross-type sensors, are fully responsive with any AF NIKKOR lens f/5.6 and—for the first time—this superb performance does not end at f/5.6 apertures.

Powerful AF sensors compatible up to f/8: the D4 maintains the power of the 11 central AF sensors, even if the combined open aperture value is f/8. A big plus for shooting sports and wildlife, this delivers a new level of detection potential when combining, for example, a 600mm f/4 AF-NIKKOR lens with a NIKKOR 2.0x teleconverter. If the combined aperture value is between f/5.6 and f/8, you even have the power of fifteen central AF sensors available, of which nine are cross type sensors.

Faster total workflow speed

The D4’s speed runs across its entire workflow.

Newly developed Kevlar/carbon fiber-composite shutter unit: the new, highly durable shutter unit offers a standard life cycle rating of 400,000 releases, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 to 30s and flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec. An intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor and a drive unit reduce the demand on power when the shutter is raised for extended periods during movie shooting.

Fast response: start-up is approx. 0.12 seconds¹, release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.042² seconds (equivalent to that of the D3S), with approx. up to 11 fps capability in FX-format and all crop modes.

Storage media: the D4 offers two card slots. One for high-speed CF (UDMA 7) cards and one for high-speed, high-capacity XQD card slots.

Connectivity: a powerful data communication and control system makes both wired and wireless LAN file transfer faster and easier than ever. Wireless LAN support is available via the compact, newly designed WT-5 Wireless Transmitter, which features HTTP and FTP connection modes and also allows for the simultaneous release of several cameras equipped with WT-5. For the first time, a wired LAN connection is integrated into the camera body.

Always up to the job

Every millisecond can count, and the D4’s improved operability helps photographers respond quickly to changing situations.

Intuitive horizontal and vertical control: each orientation has identically laid-out controls, conveniently placed so that the camera may quickly become an extension of your hand whether you shoot in landscape or portrait.

Simplified AF and AF-area mode selection: now possible without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.

Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic brightness control. The monitor delivers bright, crisp image playback with a much wider colour reproduction capacity. LCD brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment and images can be magnified up to 46x during playback, which can be a big help for spot focus confirmation.

Glass prism optical viewfinder: offers approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1). The high eyepoint design of Nikon’s viewfinders is renowned for minimizing visual fatigue when using the camera for extended periods of time.

Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon: offers accurate confirmation of level shooting by letting you check the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder, for both the camera’s position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation).

Direct access to Picture Controls: via a dedicated button, rather than the menu. Picture Controls let you customize the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue.

Complete control over workflow

The D4 is built for speed, but not for speed alone. Readiness and versatility go hand in hand with control options that can deliver a real advantage when time is of the essence.

Time-lapse movies: the D4 extends the popular time-lapse photography function by saving images as a movie file in the camera. With playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): shoots one overexposed and one underexposed frame in a single shutter release. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, full of saturation and tonal gradation. The smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural look.

Refined colour temperature control: enables minute control over white balance. The monitor hue of live view and the resulting image’s white balance can be adjusted so that the two are aligned. Colour temperature can be manually set in 10-Kelvin increments, or in mired units.

Four image area options: you can choose from a variety of image crop modes, all visually masked in the viewfinder. 5:4 (30.0 x 24.0 mm), 1.2x (30.0 x 19.9 mm), and DX-format (23.4 x 15.6 mm).

In-camera editing: captured images and movies can be altered and edited in camera and on the fly if required. Retouch menus include an array of useful features such as NEF (RAW) processing, resize, distortion and perspective control just to name some of them. On top of that it has the ability to designate the start and end point of movie clips all at once, in order to save them more efficiently.

Accessories

Compact WT-5 Wireless Transmitter (optional): attaches to the camera’s designated interface connector and is powered by the camera body. It features HTTP and FTP connection modes and allows for the simultaneous release of several cameras equipped with WT-5.

GP-1 GPS unit (optional): records location information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and time (UTC) as ‘geotags’ in the image data (Exif) and allows simultaneous operation together with the WT-5.

Compact Stereo Microphone ME-1 (optional): records clear sound while significantly reducing mechanical noise.

Nikon SB-910 (optional)—Unparalleled lighting performance: offers versatile i-TTL for on-camera or wireless flash control, refined operability and a powerful guide number of 34/112 (ISO 100, m/ft, STD, FX format, zoom 35mm). Menus and controls have been improved for more operational ease. Hard-type incandescent and fluorescent colour filters are included, which can adjust your D4’s white balance instantly.

Capture NX 2 (optional)—Fast, powerful and creative image processing: to accommodate the imaging power of the D4, Capture NX 2 is faster than before and boasts full 64-bit compatibility.

Camera Control Pro 2 (optional)—Versatile remote camera controls: aside from controlling exposure mode, shutter speed, and aperture, this software now offers numerous improvements to make the D4’s live view operation exceptionally smooth. New creative controls include remote start and stop for movie shooting and the option to switch quickly between stills and movies in live view.

ViewNX 2 (supplied)—Browse, edit, share and more: bundled, all-in-one software implements an easy-to-use interface and an array of editing functions, including basic editing of RAW files and D-Movies. Seamlessly integrates with my Picturetown, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage service

¹ Based on CIPA Standards

² When used together with batteries other than EN-EL15

The New Nikon D4

Nikon - SB 910

Johannesburg, South Africa, 30 November 2011 – Nikon in South Africa today introduced a brand-new flagship i-TTL (intelligent TTL) Speedlight – the Nikon SB-910 – that replaces the highly regarded SB-900.

Fast, versatile and powerful, with re-designed menus and controls, the SB-910 offers extensive opportunities for on-camera or wireless flash photography. A powerful tool for professionals who demand studio quality lighting, it combines enhanced operation with an extended zoom range of 17-200mm and three illumination patterns for total control over flash coverage.

“The SB-900 cemented its position as a class-leading flash”, says Romi Jacobs, Chief Brand Officer for Nikon in South Africa. She goes on: “and now the new SB-910 is set to continue this legacy, while taking operability to the next level with improved ergonomics and more intuitive control.”..

Light Control

The SB-910 is a powerful portable light source that delivers precise flash exposures and seamless fill-flash performance—even in challenging lighting situations. Perfect for professionals seeking complete control over the quality of light, it offers Centre-weighted, Even and Standard illumination patterns to accommodate any shooting environment and can cover a zoom range of 17-200mm while maintaining an even light distribution. Bounce flash capability is provided through a head that can be tilted up to 90º, down to 7º and rotated horizontally through 180º to the right and to the left. The thermal protection system has been improved allowing more optimal heat detection and recycling time management.

Smooth Operator

The SB-910 boasts refined ergonomics and re-designed menus for more intuitive control, while offering the same reliability as its predecessor. Menus are clearer and the selector dial incorporates a groove so you can feel when you change settings. Illuminated buttons offer better visibility in the dark and the SB-910 includes hard cover (plastic) color filters that are more durable and easier to attach.

Part of the acclaimed Nikon Creative Lighting System, the SB-910 is easily incorporated into multiple-flash lighting set-ups.

Major Features

• Professional i-TTL (intelligent TTL) Speedlight: compatible with FX- and DX-format SLR cameras. Part of the Nikon Creative Lighting System, it offers total control over flash coverage.
• Guide number: 34 (STD)/39 (CW)/31 (EVEN) (FX-format, ISO 100, m, at 35 mm)
  Maximum guide number: 54.5 (CW, FX-format, ISO 100, m, at 135 mm)
• Centre-weighted, Even and Standard illumination patterns: Centre-weighted mode concentrates illumination to the centre of the frame, useful when using a telephoto lens. Even mode diffuses light evenly across the frame, useful when taking group shots. Standard mode offers a standard balance of power and light distribution. Multi-step auto zoom covers wide 17-200mm zoom range.
• Refined ergonomics for intuitive operation. Boasts a large LCD screen, clear menu systems, conveniently placed controls and illuminated buttons that offer more comfortable operation in low light.
• Automatic detection of sensor format: automatically recognizes FX- or DX-format cameras.
• High-speed recycling time of 2.3 seconds when using LR6 NiMH batteries.
• AF-Assist illumination: compatible with Multi-CAM 3500 FX/DX AF sensor module.
• Bounce capability: rotates 180º horizontally to the right and to the left; tilts up to 90º and down to 7º.
• Thermal protection system: warns of excessive heat build up during high intensity firing.
• Hard-type incandescent and fluorescent color filters included.
• Automatic filter detection: Speedlight automatically adjusts the attached camera’s color temperature settings according to the color of the filter being used.
• Firmware can be upgraded via the storage media in the attached camera.

Nikon SB-910

Nikon SB-910

Jordi Brinkman, Product Manager for Nikon Europe, says: “We are really proud to add the EISA award to the accolades already given to the D7000. For our advanced D-SLR users, we always strive to offer cutting-edge technology that will appeal to passionate photographers looking for the next step in creativity.”…

Brinkman continued “That a mid-range D-SLR has won the Advanced category is testament to the fact that we’ve put more high-performance features into the D7000 than you might expect, considering its price point. From its new 16.2 megapixel CMOS image sensor, AF system and metering sensor, to the much more compact, magnesium alloy body, we have had very positive feedback on the features and the massive benefits in ease-of-use and creativity that these bring to the photographer.”

Each year, the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA) nominate the best equipment from different categories of audiovisual products released in Europe during the preceding 12 months. It recognises those products that will be appreciated by an enthusiast and professional audience who want high quality and creative features. The awards are chosen by panels representing over 50 prominent photo, video, audio, home theatre and mobile electronics magazines from up to 20 European countries.

European Advanced SLR Camera of the Year 2011-2012: the NIKON D7000

The EISA judges said: “At the head of Nikon’s semi-professional line of cameras, the D7000 is packed with the high-end features it inherited from the company’s D300 and D300S models. The solid body offers high-speed autofocus, a bright 3-inch LCD, dust control, dual SDXC card slots and Full HD Video. An exceptionally good noise-control system means the 16.2-million-pixel-sensor can be used at ISO 3200 and still produce high quality, clean images – even at ISO 12800 noise is not much of an issue. This is a camera that can give amateur photographers professional-looking images.”

BirdlifeSA

BirdLife South Africa is calling for photos for the Save Our Seabirds Festival “Oceans of Life” competition.

Photos can be of cetaceans, fish, coastal species and any marine life as well as seabirds.

The grand prize is a Canon EOS 5D Mark II camera and a 100-400mm L IS USM Lens- worth R42 000!

Visit their website for details http://www.birdlife.org.za/