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Word from the rumor mills is that Canon is going to announce a new mirrorless camera at or before Photokina this year. Photokina takes place from September 20th thru the 25th in Cologne, Germany and is one of the biggest photo vendor shows. The current rumors are putting the new Canon Mirrorless, dubbed the “M5” as a direct competitor to the Sony A6000/6300 series of mirrorless cameras. Read more New Canon Mirrorless coming for Photokina?
Great Deals on the Nikon D7100 from Adorama.com Adorama.com. If you have been looking to get a Nikon D7100, here are some great deals on an excellent camera that I highly recommend. I have owned 2 D7100’s. Read more Great Deals on the Nikon D7100 from Adorama
I am hearing rumblings of a Canon 70-300mm replacement lens coming for Photokina later this month (September 20-25) . The rumors that are currently circulating indicate the lens will be a little larger and heavier than the current 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, will feature Canon’s newest Nano USM focusing motor and a digital distance scale. I am intrigued by the digital distance scale as this is a feature that we have seen on some of the newer Zeiss lenses. I would love to see this feature incorporated as long as it can provide more accurate distances than the traditional analog scales, and especially if it finds it’s way into wide angle lenses, indicate Depth of Field scales. This has always been a challenge for zoom lenses, but with a digital display, this could be done. Read more Canon 70-300mm Replacement coming for Photokina 2016?
Tamron has announced a 2nd generation version of their extremely popular 150-600mm ultra telephoto lens. This new version, dubbed “G2”, promises improvements to auto focus tracking, Image Quality, Build Quality and compatibility with their Tap USB console for Firmware and AF Micro Adjustments. Read more Tamron Announces New 150-600mm G2 Lens
Sony has announced a new 50mm Macro lens with 1:1 reproduction for their mirrorless full frame and APS-C cameras. While 50mm is a little short for insects, it is a great option for flowers, stamps, coins, and copy work. Macro lenses are typically some of the sharpest lenses built by camera and lens manufacturers. Read more Sony Announces New FE 50mm f/2.8 Macro Lens for Mirrorless Cameras
Canon has announced the highly anticipated 5D Mark IV. Since the Mark II version, the 5D series cameras have set the standard for stills and video in a full frame DSLR camera and the Mark IV looks to continue that heritage. The big news is the 4K video at 30fps. Read more Canon Announces New 5D Mark IV and 2 Lenses
The new Nikon D3400 has been announced by Nikon. The D3400 is the follow up to the popular D3300 and adds improved connectibility, an easier user guide and better battery life. Read more New Nikon D3400 and 70-300mm lenses Announced
The Brooks Institute in Ventura, California has announced they are closing their doors on October 31, 2016 after 70 years of training aspiring photographers. This is very sad news as the Brooks Institute was highly recognized for their program and instruction quality. Read more Brooks Institute Closing After 70 Years of Training Photographers
The latest Canon 5D Mark IV rumors are that it will be announced just prior to Photokina in September. We could see an announcement as soon as the end of this month (August, 2016). Here are the latest specs that are expected: Read more Canon 5D Mark IV Rumors
Nikon announced a new 105mm f/1.4 lens for FX bodies today. The lens promises to deliver extreme depth of field control as well as low light performance thanks to it’s extremely large f/1.4 aperture.
This lens is quite large, heavy and expensive, being a Gold Ring lens, denoting the professional build and image quality. The lens features dust and weather resistant build, 9 circular aperture blades, and 3 ED elements.
The lens is expected to start shipping in August, 2016 for $2199 (US).
GLAMOROUS GLASS: NIKON CELEBRATES 100 MILLION NIKKOR MILESTONE AND THE INTRODUCTION OF THE AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED LENS
MELVILLE, N.Y. (July 27, 2016 AT 12:01 A.M. EDT) – Today, Nikon Inc. is celebrating a momentous NIKKOR production milestone as well as the announcement of the AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED, a premium lens for the most discerning photographers. This luxurious new medium-telephoto lens is engineered to help create flattering images with gorgeous bokeh, while delivering impressive sharpness and beautiful color rendition. As a testament to a lasting legacy of high-caliber lenses, Nikon has also announced that NIKKOR lens production has reached the landmark achievement of 100 million units produced worldwide.
“Surpassing the 100 million lenses produced milestone is a great honor and a testament to the photographers who both love and rely on NIKKOR glass to get the job done,” said Kosuke Kawaura, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “The AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED represents the embodiment of the NIKKOR line of high-quality lenses, giving photographers a robust, well-balanced lens that provides intense sharpness, astounding image quality and background bokeh that is sure to be a favorite among portrait photographers.”
Captivating Image Quality
The AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is a fast, full-frame (FX-format), medium-telephoto prime lens and is the world’s first1 to strike the impeccable balance of 105mm focal length and large f/1.4 aperture for a truly outstanding optic. This new NIKKOR lens is ideal for professional and advanced enthusiast photographers, especially those capturing portraiture, from in-studio fashion to a golden hour engagement session on the beach. These users will love the precise sharpness from this fantastic glass, which provides a flattering compression to subjects with a sensational, sultry bokeh. Beyond the gorgeous image quality lies stellar resolving power, especially when used with Nikon DSLRs such as D5, D810 or D750.
The 105mm f/1.4E is a fast lens with endearing character, providing stellar optical performance, even in the peripherals. Sharp rendering is attained for shooting distant subjects throughout the aperture range – from maximum aperture to being stopped down by several stops. Gradual alteration from the focal plane helps render subjects in high-fidelity with a natural depth, giving colorful portraits and landscapes that little bit of extra “pop” to help create a truly distinct image. The AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4 is also an excellent choice for low-light photography, as its large maximum aperture allows photographers to shoot at the fastest possible shutter speeds. Additionally, this lens can reproduce point light sources faithfully without sagittal coma flare, even on the edges of the frame.
Masterful Lens Construction
Decades of precision, knowledge and experience are put forth into every NIKKOR lens, and the AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED is an exceptional example of brilliant craftsmanship and Nikon technologies merging. Packed with the latest advanced optical innovations, the 105mm f/1.4 features Nikon’s electromagnetic aperture control technology for consistent exposures, even during high speed continuous shooting.2
On the outside, solid build quality is well-balanced for all-day shooting, while the lens is sealed and gasketed to resist dust and moisture. Additional Fluorine coatings are used on the front and rear elements, so that smudges, dirt or moisture are easily removed. Inside the lens, the optical formula consists of 14 elements in nine groups, which include three ED glass elements. A 9-blade diaphragm further helps to create a circular, pleasing out of focus area. The lens also features Nikon’s Nano Crystal Coat technology to significantly reduce instances of ghosting and flare.
The new AF-S NIKKOR 105mm f/1.4E ED joins other NIKKOR f/1.4 lenses in the Gold Ring Series, which include only premium primes with Nano Crystal Coat and pro-grade build quality. These other lenses include the AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 58mm f/1.4G, AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G.
A Landmark in the NIKKOR Legacy
Nikon is also pleased to announce that the total production of NIKKOR lenses for Nikon interchangeable lens cameras reached the landmark 100 million milestone in mid-July 2016.
With a robust line-up of high-quality lenses for all types of photographers, the NIKKOR name has become synonymous with a rich history of superior lenses. Nikon continues to introduce new NIKKOR lenses that further optical technology, utilizing cutting-edge techniques and knowledge from experience cultivated over its long history. Such revolutionary advancements include Nano Crystal Coat, which acts as a powerful anti-reflection coating, and significantly reduces instances of ghosting and flare. More recently, NIKKOR lens technologies such as the use of Phase Fresnel (PF) and Fluorite elements have helped to create smaller and lighter lenses with superb balance and handling. Many NIKKOR lenses now also feature a Fluorine coat that helps repel a variety of contaminants such as dust, dirt, water, oils and grease. The introduction of an electromagnetic diaphragm has also helped to create lenses that provide consistently crisp exposures, even during high-speed shooting.
Pricing and Availability
The AF-S NIKKOR 105MM f/1.4E ED will be available in late August for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $2,199.953. For more information on Nikon’s latest products including their newest NIKKOR lenses, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
1: Among AF lenses for digital SLRs compatible with FX-format image sensor; as of July 27, 2016; statement based on Nikon research
2: The lens incorporates an electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism. The following cameras are compatible with this lens: D5, D4 series, D3 series, Df, D810, D810A, D800 series, D750, D700, D610, D600, D500, D300 series, D7200, D7100, D7000, D5500, D5300, D5200, D5100, D5000, D3300, D3200, D3100, Nikon 1 J1, J2, J3, J4 with FT-1, Nikon 1 V1, V2, V3 with FT-1, Nikon 1 S1, S2 with FT-1
3: SRP (Suggested Retail Price) listed only as a suggestion. Actual prices are set by dealers and are subject to change at any time.