By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Consultant This Blog post will be continually updated throughout the night leading up to the announcement of the Nikon D3100 and Four Nikkor Lenses. As always feedback is appreciated and I will be availible all night to answer any questions related to this annoucnement or other Nikon products.
**The Products have been officially announced, all information is after the page break. (Click read more to see the entire post)**
UPDATES
1:51 AM: Goodnight everyone it's been a blast. I will continue to update this page during the day with some more information if I receive any. In the mean time, please let me know which products you are most interested in being reviewed first. Eventually I would like to write a review on all of them, but let's see which ones people would like to see first!
12:20 AM: Here is the link to Nikon's Official Press Release on the lenses.
Thought everyone might find this part interesting, so I added the prices to the lenses. According to Nikon, the lenses will start shipping in September.
12:11 AM: Ok only a minute later here are the new lenses
12:10 AM: Wow that exploded like an Earthquake. Although there has been no Press Release for the lenses, here is a picture of the Nikon D3100 and the new DX NIKKOR 55-300 f/4.5-5.6G VR
12:00 AM: This is the post many people have been waiting for. It is a pleasure to report that Nikon has made an official announcement of the D3100 DSLR camera
Here is the New Nikon D3100
PRESS RELEASE FROM NIKON: (CLICK FOR FULL VERSION)
MELVILLE, NY (August 19, 2010) – The new Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera speaks to the growing ranks of enthusiastic D-SLR users and aspiring photographers by providing an easy-to-use and affordable entrance to the world of Nikon D-SLR’s. The 14.2-megapixel D3100 has powerful features, such as the enhanced Guide Mode that makes it easy to unleash creative potential and capture memories with still images and full HD video. Like having a personal photo tutor at your fingertips, this unique feature provides a simple graphical interface on the camera’s LCD that guides users by suggesting and/or adjusting camera settings to achieve the desired end result images. The D3100 is also the world’s first D-SLR to introduce full time auto focus (AF) in Live View and D-Movie mode to effortlessly achieve the critical focus needed when shooting Full HD 1080p video.
Packed into the compact and lightweight body of the D3100 camera is a host of advanced Nikon technologies, such as the new EXPEED 2TM image processing engine. EXPEED 2TM in conjunction with Nikon’s new 14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor is the driving force behind the enhanced performance and rich image quality. Ready to go wherever life leads, the D3100 features split-second shutter response and a blazing fast 11-point AF system to help ensure tack-sharp images. For shooting in challenging lighting conditions, ISO 3200 (expandable to 12,800) enables versatility in environments such as indoors or in the evening hours.
“People are stepping up to digital SLR cameras – consumers are embracing the enhanced performance, amazing image quality and options for lenses and accessories that only a D-SLR can provide,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of marketing at Nikon Inc. “The D3100 is a camera that makes it easy to take beautiful pictures and will grow with the user, unlocking their potential and assisting in creating lasting memories or amazing art.“
11:51 PM: Tick tock...
11:33 PM: I don't expect anything else until midnight. As the products are announced I will post all information about them and pictures right here.
11:05 PM: Heading into the home stretch now... I spoke with the Admin of Nikonrumors.com and he mentioned that he thinks Nikon now instantly updates their sites without having to take them down first. It used to always be an indication that new products were coming when Nikon's website would be down for an extended period of time.
10:50 PM: Some interesting last minute news on the D3100 on Nikonrumors.com. In previous posts, there was a leaked D3100 spy shot. The camera looked similar to current and older Nikon DSLRs with the exception of the microphone. However there was also a "mystery switch" by the mode dial (see picture bellow) According to Nikon Rumors, the switch is for changing between single, continuous, self-time, and quiet shooting modes. Addtionally there will be a dedicated lever on the back of a camera for live view shooting. The level will also double as a pushable button for instant video recording.
Thought everyone might find this part interesting, so I added the prices to the lenses. According to Nikon, the lenses will start shipping in September.
12:11 AM: Ok only a minute later here are the new lenses
 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G estimated selling price of $1699.95 |
 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR estimated selling price of $1049.95 |
 |
| AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR estimated selling price of $1299.95 |
 |
| AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR estimated selling price of $399.95 |
12:10 AM: Wow that exploded like an Earthquake. Although there has been no Press Release for the lenses, here is a picture of the Nikon D3100 and the new DX NIKKOR 55-300 f/4.5-5.6G VR
 |
| The D3100 with DX 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens and the new DX 55-300 f/4.5-5.6G VR telephoto lens |
12:00 AM: This is the post many people have been waiting for. It is a pleasure to report that Nikon has made an official announcement of the D3100 DSLR camera
Here is the New Nikon D3100
 |
| D3100 Front View with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G VR kit lens. Estimated price of $699.95 |
 |
| This looks like a new form factor, it has more "sleek" curves and rounded edges |
 |
| Back of the D3100, again the ergonomics look more sleek and there is the mentioned Live View Lever |
 |
| Top of the D3100 and the burst mode selector |
PRESS RELEASE FROM NIKON: (CLICK FOR FULL VERSION)
MELVILLE, NY (August 19, 2010) – The new Nikon D3100 digital SLR camera speaks to the growing ranks of enthusiastic D-SLR users and aspiring photographers by providing an easy-to-use and affordable entrance to the world of Nikon D-SLR’s. The 14.2-megapixel D3100 has powerful features, such as the enhanced Guide Mode that makes it easy to unleash creative potential and capture memories with still images and full HD video. Like having a personal photo tutor at your fingertips, this unique feature provides a simple graphical interface on the camera’s LCD that guides users by suggesting and/or adjusting camera settings to achieve the desired end result images. The D3100 is also the world’s first D-SLR to introduce full time auto focus (AF) in Live View and D-Movie mode to effortlessly achieve the critical focus needed when shooting Full HD 1080p video.
Packed into the compact and lightweight body of the D3100 camera is a host of advanced Nikon technologies, such as the new EXPEED 2TM image processing engine. EXPEED 2TM in conjunction with Nikon’s new 14.2-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor is the driving force behind the enhanced performance and rich image quality. Ready to go wherever life leads, the D3100 features split-second shutter response and a blazing fast 11-point AF system to help ensure tack-sharp images. For shooting in challenging lighting conditions, ISO 3200 (expandable to 12,800) enables versatility in environments such as indoors or in the evening hours.
“People are stepping up to digital SLR cameras – consumers are embracing the enhanced performance, amazing image quality and options for lenses and accessories that only a D-SLR can provide,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of marketing at Nikon Inc. “The D3100 is a camera that makes it easy to take beautiful pictures and will grow with the user, unlocking their potential and assisting in creating lasting memories or amazing art.“
11:51 PM: Tick tock...
11:33 PM: I don't expect anything else until midnight. As the products are announced I will post all information about them and pictures right here.
11:05 PM: Heading into the home stretch now... I spoke with the Admin of Nikonrumors.com and he mentioned that he thinks Nikon now instantly updates their sites without having to take them down first. It used to always be an indication that new products were coming when Nikon's website would be down for an extended period of time.
10:50 PM: Some interesting last minute news on the D3100 on Nikonrumors.com. In previous posts, there was a leaked D3100 spy shot. The camera looked similar to current and older Nikon DSLRs with the exception of the microphone. However there was also a "mystery switch" by the mode dial (see picture bellow) According to Nikon Rumors, the switch is for changing between single, continuous, self-time, and quiet shooting modes. Addtionally there will be a dedicated lever on the back of a camera for live view shooting. The level will also double as a pushable button for instant video recording.
10:30 PM: After doing some research, it appears the 80-200 f/2.8D may have been discontinued in Europe a while ago, but it still doesn't explain the oddity of the NEW label on the Nikon Japan site. According to Danish website zoom.dk, they will be attending a press conference at 10AM local time (4AM NYC EST time). Sometimes this stuff is announced online first before. Nikonrumors.com mentioned this today and I agree it will be at 12AM. At least I'm hoping so, so I don't have to stay up until 4AM!
10:04 PM: Another weird oddity revolving around the old 80-200mm f/2.8D... It is no longer listed on Nikon UK's website. Here is a direct link.
9:36 PM: Just noticed something weird on Nikon Japan's FX Zoom Lens Page. The old 80-200mm f/2.8D lens is listed as NEW... Here is a screen shot (Click to enlarge) and a direct link...
9:15 PM: Nothing new yet, just had a thought about the new AF-S 85mm f/1.4G N lens. Will the old, but still capable 85mm f1/.4D still be around. Nikon has two versions of it's 50mm lens, but in the past we have seen older versions discontinued. The same is true of the 60mm f/2.8 macro, both AF-S/N and AF-D versions exisist. Maybe the older 85 will be phased out over time. Not sure if the price will fall too much, as the new AF-S 85mm f/1.4G N will already have a higher price tag than it's older brother.
8:15 PM: Phew I am home and Nikon didn't announce yet, that's good. It's expected to be around midnight. Right now I am following and refreshing Nikonrumors.com and Nikonusa's DSLR page. Usually the page goes down right before a big update.
7:31 PM: Some interesting news that further confirms rumors about the lenses being announced tonight on Nikon Rumors. Still nothing new on the announcement. I am about to drive home and if Nikon really wanted to stick it to me they will announce everything in the next 20 minutes.
7:05 PM: Nothing new as of right now. Here is the latest news on tonight's announcements and our earlier predictions leading up to tonight. I am excited, is anyone else?
2 comments:
OOhhh...now I know what I want from Santa this year...that 24-120mm lens would be such a sweet treat under the tree!
i have pre ordered this baby from Amazon, can't wait to get it.
It will for sure work nicely for my led lights which is hard for most cameras.
Post a Comment