!!!PRESSRELEASE!!!A few days ago, we featured Nikon's Coolpix S9. And just when you were so ready to step out of the door to buy one, we might as well up the ante and give you more options! I mean, isn't that what consumerism entails? Having the power to choose? Well, now. Alongside the Coolpix S9, Nikon has also released four other camera models (clockwise from top-left): L6, L5, S7c and S10.

First we have the L6: It's looks like the least exciting in the batch, but what this camera has to boast (aside from your usual basic functions: 6 megapixel, 2.5-inch display) is that it can take 1000 shots with just two AA lithium Energizers.

The L5 is your typical point-and-click digicam and has all the regular features you could expect. Don't be misled with the name of the camera. It's not 5 megapixels, but 7! It's named so because it has a 5x optical zoom. That's where the "5" comes from. There's a 2.5-inch LCD screen and it allows VGA recording.

Then we have the S10. As with the L5, don't be misled by the "10". It's not 10 megapixels but has a 10x optical zoom. The screen is 2.5 inches, and has a maximum ISO of 800. This became possible due to the unique design of swivel of lenses from other Nikon camera models.

And finally, Coolpix S7c. And this time, as the name suggests, it's 7 megapixels (7.1, to be exact). It has a 3-inch LCD screen and, as with the Coolpix P3, also has WiFi capabilities. Yes, that allows you to send up your pics to the net, or even through email. This camera also has a 30fps VGA camera that records with sound.

Nikon Europe has announced the arrival of its latest addition to its COOLPIX S Series, the COOLPIX S9. Branded as the most affordable of the S-Series digital cameras at a suggested price of $250, this camera does not, in any way, compromise the quality that is the trademark of Nikon products.

At 3.6 x 2.3 x 0.8", this pocket-friendly compact camera features a prism-folded Nikkor ED-branded 3x optical zoom lens with a six megapixel image sensor, a 2.5" LCD display with 153,000 pixels, and 15 beginner-friendly modes. An added innovation is the "right-angled" design of the lens that allows it to operate throughout its entire focal range without ever protruding from the camera's slim body.

For that best possible portrait image, the S9 has packaged a One-Touch Portrait button, which combines "D-Lighting" exposure connection technology from Apical Ltd., face-priority autofocus from Identix, and an in-camera red-eye fix function. Its Stop-motion movie function also makes it easier for users to create their very own stop-motion animated films by taking a shot of the models they wish to animate, move the models, then shoot again. The Best Shot Selector Mode, which automatically chooses the sharpest from a series of images is also in this cool package, as well as an AE-Best Shot Selector mode that chooses the best-exposed image from a series.

Images are stored on Secure Digital cards, or in 24MB of internal memory. It also comes with a USB and video output technology. Completing the line-up is Nikon's unique PictureProject software, which offers a broad range of powerful features for image editing, organising and sharing and compatibility with a range of plug-ins.

Weighing 115g without its rechargeable Li-ion battery (EN-EL8), the COOLPIX S9 comes in silver, blue, and magenta, this September.

The D80 is the latest high-performance interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera from Nikon. It has a handsome black casing that boasts of sleek, ergonomical design and a large new 2.5-inch 230,000-dot high-resolution LCD. It also has an RGB display, which helps in assessing exposures with greater precision. The layout of all buttons and controls ensures efficiency both in handling and operations.

And we're just getting started.

Its i-TTL flash control is incorporated in the system for greater precision in flash exposure evaluation to better attain automatic flash balance. This flash control also has a Repeating flash function, which greatly aids in the assessment of overall lighting and shadow conditions even before the shot is taken.

The versatility of the D80 is made even more captivating by the superb technology nestled within its sophisticated design. One of the primary highlights is the new Multiple Exposure shooting option that creates a single image within the camera from up to three (3) consecutive exposures, producing an effect automatically that resembles multiple exposure techniques used with film.

The camera also guarantees immediate response and fast performance. Its power-up is in a near-instant 0.18 seconds, which allows photographers to not miss any shutter opportunities. And with shutter speeds ranging from 1/4,000 to 30 seconds or bulb setting, full creative control is accorded to the artist behind the lens.

For image editing and effects, the new Retouch menu makes it possible to enhance the picture even without having to connect to a computer. Under this menu, features such as D-Lighting, Red-Eye Correction, Monochrome and Filter Effects can be found to aid the photographer in enhancing details, treating those red-eye effects caused by flash and color modes and balance.

With all these features, the Nikon D80 is bound to hold captive the attention of photographers who are set on capturing those moments.

Nikon WT-3 just got an approval from FCC; thus, hopefully ending the long wait for Nikon's much anticipated accessory for digital cameras. WT-3 provides a fast Ethernet port at 100 Mbps in addition to its wireless support. The Ethernet is a very cool feature, so we would prefer the Ethernet cabling from the USB port since it can make much longer runs and its unshielded cables are easier to work with.

WT-3 also allows users to remotely control the camera from a computer and transfer photos to an FTP server or printer. It supports a Transfer mode, which allows you to upload new or existing photos to the host; a PC mode. which allows you to control the camera from a computer; a computer Print mode, which allows you to print JPEG photos on a printer connected to the network; and a Print mode on a PD-10 wireless printer adapter, which allows you to print JPEG photos on PictBridge printer connected to PD-10 wireless printer adapter.

The FCC approved the WT-3 last August 4 so it looks like they're getting close to releasing it. Based from recent rumblings, WT3 won't be available until at least the fall...so until then, we still have to patiently wait some more.

Nikon Corporation upgrades its D2X professional digital SLR camera, with the unveiling of D2Xs. The camera maintains all the good stuff that D2X is known for but also offers an impressive range of refinements that is sure to improve overall camera performance.

Just like its predecessor, the D2Xs offers Nikon's acclaimed DX-format CMOS image sensor capturing an impressive 12.4 million pixels per image. That's a great way to produce high resolution images for demanding professional assignments. Most of the revised features of the D2Xs center on making the operation significantly more responsive: a refined viewfinder performance when shooting in High-Speed Crop mode; a new 2.5 inch LCD with a 170-degree wide viewing angle; significantly increased battery life to support up to 3,800 images; and a range of firmware enhancements.

The D2Xs features:

• Electronic viewfinder masking when using High Speed Crop
• Colour Matrix Metering II adapted for use in High Speed Crop
• New wide angle TFT monitor
• New longer life battery
• New Black and White mode
• Adobe RGB Colour space available in all three Colour Modes
• Additional Custom Curve options
• Extra 1/3 step ISO boost settings
• Refinements to Auto focus performance
• New in camera Trim function
• Modified Auto ISO control
• Extra options for the Function Button
• Extended continuous shooting
• New Menu GUI color scheme
• Image Comment, number of characters increased
• Save/Load settings between multiple D2Xs cameras, additional settings in EXIF
• Simplified settings management
• Image Authentication system compatible
• Battery warning during Mirror Up
• Additional GPS information
• Modified USB portwith new USB Cable Clip included

Thanks to schoash for the tip.

Wow, what a great idea!  Rent lenses by mail through RentGlass.com.  Right now they only offer Canon lenses, but Nikon lenses should be available anytime now - or 'Spring 2006', as the site says.  It looks like lenses start as low as $17 for a single week and $51 is the highest.  Obviously, higher end lenses cost more than the cheaper lenses.  And if you rent for 2 or 3 weeks, the per week cost is slightly discounted.

The renter pays the shipping each way - which is automatically insured - on top of the rental cost.  While lens bodies are said to show typical wear, the optics are guaranteed to be flawless.  Currently the site is all first come, first served, so there's no way to really schedule a specific time period to secure a lens.  I don't have anything to compare it against, so I can't say if the costs and setup are good or not, but it all sounds fair enough.  A great way to try before you buy, if you ask me.  I've got my eye on a couple I'd like to try out before I shell out big bucks for new glass.

The Nikon Coolpix P3, released in February of this year, is one of only a handful of cameras available that integrate 802.11 standard WiFi for simple and fast transfer of photo's between devices. Along with a handful of "exclusive" features such as, of course, the wifi, vibration reduction, auto lighting adjustment, face focus mode and more.

The P3 gets a plus for the fantastic LCD, it's 8.1 megapixels, good noise and vibration removal system and a few other aspects of the camera, but has a poor battery life and poorly located flash.

The P3 is available now and retails for around $450.


You can read the in-depth review below.

Nikon COOLPIX S6 is the latest model from the "COOLPIX S" slim series which was released this spring. It is equipped with 3-inch LCD monitor, wireless LAN and slideshow making function "PictoMotion". S6 is similar with the sister model "COOLPIX S5" which doesn't have WLAN capability.

The basic specifications of this model are: 1/2.5-inch CCD with 6 million effective pixels, 3x Zoom nickel ED lens. Focus 5.8-17.4mm, F3 - 5.4.

The normal photograph distance of this camera ranges from 30cm to infinite. It is also possible to take photos only 4cm from the object. The ISO sensibility can be up to 400. The shutter speed can be as fast as 1/500sec. The 3-inch LCD monitor has a wide view angle. It has around 230K pixels, with the brightness adjustable. Grid display function is also available, however the line is a bit too thick. The built-in memory is about 20MB. The camera supports SD memory card as external storage as well. You can even copy data between the internal and external memory.

The battery is Lithium-Ion rechargeable battery "EN-EL8". You can charge it through the cradle with the enclosed AC power adapter. You can take up to 200 shots with a fully charged battery, as the CIPA test result suggested. However the WLan transmission would drain the battery faster than normal usage. The unit itself weights at 140, and will grow to 160g with battery installed.

Nikon has released a firmware update for its digital SLR camera D2H to fix a focusing issue when using the optional lens "AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 G (IF)".


The focus-failure issue would occur when you have focused on a object at ∞ on the wide end of zooming, and then switch to AF to try focusing on a nearby object. This problem affects a part of Nikon's D2H, D70, D100, FinePix S2 Pro and FinePix S3 Pro. On March 16, Nikon has announced that a patch would be released soon.

There is firmware A and B in D2H. You can fix the issue by updating the firmware A to version 2.02. This update cannot be applied from the CF card. You have to go to "Firmware Version" in the setup menu to start the update process. You can also send your camera to the service center to get it updated.

"AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor ED 18-200mm F3.5-5.6 G (IF)" is a high magnification zoom lens released back in December of 2005. This product is famous of its "VR II" 4-level hand shake filter, thus has been lack of stock since its release last year.

Download: [D2H Firmware A v2.02 for Windows]
Download: [D2H Firmware A v2.02 for MacOS]

Photo Competition that is.  The Nikon Small World Photo Comp is for the beyond-macro enthusiasts amongst us.  When I first heard about the competition, I was excited, expecting to see some very cool macro-style shots.  But it goes far beyond that, looking for microscopic type photographs.  I'm not very familiar with this genre, but it surely sounds interesting.

The Nikon Competition is centered around photomicrographers, who take their pictures through light microscopes.  It's origins in are scientifically-grounded, but does not limit this international competition to any subject-matter or micro-photography techniques. 

If you're into this scene, post some links to great work you've found in the comments below.  I'd love to see what this stuff is all about.  If you're interested in entering, you've got just about a month before the April 28th deadline hits.