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January 13, 2017
2017 marks 100th Anniversary for Nikon
We congratulate our favorite camera, lens and accessory manufacturer on reaching the 100th Anniversary milestone.
Nikon Corporation President Kazuo Ushida will celebrate the 100th anniversary of its establishment on July 25th of this year.
Since its establishment (as Nippon Kogaku K.K.) in 1917, Nikon has provided the world with unique value based on opto-electronics and precision technologies.
Our member are currently discussing this anniversary and we encourage you to join the discussion.
Nikon has established a 100th Anniversary website describing 100-year milestones, starting with the official "birth" of the company:
Nikon began as Nippon Kogaku K.K. (Japan Optical Industries Co., Ltd.) on July 25, 1917, at 120 Haramachi, Koishikawa-ku (present-day Hakusan 4-chome, Bunkyo-ku) in Tokyo, starting domestic production of optical instruments such as rangefinders and microscopes.
It was many years later (late 30's-early 40's before a Nikon camera surfaced from this new company, and for you trivia buffs, have a look at this historical site which tells us that the first rangefinder camera out of Japan was actually a Canon Hansa, bearing a Nikkor lens.
The historic Nikon 1 didn't debut until ten years later (going in production in 1948) and the first Single-Lens Reflex (SLR) camera from Nikon followed another ten years later (the Nikon F in 1959).
Nikon's long history in the world of photography is rich with stunning images captured on Earth and the Moon.
The 1968 Nikon Photomic FTN was the framework for Nikon's entry into space photography when the company entered into an agreement with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to support the Apollo Program in the early 70s.
Nikon's 100th Anniversary website includes a short video (less than six minutes) leading off with a nod to their space cameras.
Posted by flashdeadline at 8:39 AM
January 6, 2017
Kodak Ektachrome returns
We have members of our community discussing the return of a favorite film.
That's right.
Film.
Specifically, Kodak Ektachrome positive film.
To understand the excitement, we need a quick history lesson.
How many of our community members recall the Kodak DCS 100?
It was a Nikon F3 camera with no need for film, thanks to Kodak's entry into digital media.
In 1991 this camera debuted commercially at a price tag of close to $20,000 (USD). Some variations soared past $25,000.
It featured an amazing 1.3 megapixels and is recognized as one of the first true digital single lens reflex (DSLR) cameras.
Many DCS models emerged from that milestone camera, including version by Canon and Hasselblad (to name a few).
The good news was it led to the mainstreaming of digital photography. The sad news was it led to the virtual demise of mainstream film photography.
Kodak, known for nearly a century as the industry leader in film technology, had helped make their bread and butter film business dwindle.
Of course we still have many photographers embracing film technology, and new fans of the analog method emerging every year.
Now, we see the results of that new trend.
Kodak Alaris has announced the reintroduction of the iconic KODAK Ektachrome Film for professional and enthusiast photographers later this year.
The new Ektachrome film will support 135-36x camera formats and be available in fourth quarter 2017.
If you are already dusting off your film cameras, join the discussion here.
Posted by flashdeadline at 3:46 PM
January 5, 2017
Nikon takes D5600 global
Nikon has (again) announced the newest addition to their D5000 DSLR series.
This is the second announcement of the Nikon D5600.
At that time (November 2016) the camera was only available in a limited market, and the official suggested retail price had yet to be made public.
The Nikon D5600 features Nikon SnapBridge, which allows users to automatically transfer images directly from their camera to a compatible smart device.
The Nikon D5600 also features:
• 24.2-megapixel CMOS sensor
• Continuous shooting at 5 frames-per-second (fps)
• 39-point autofocus system
• 3.2-inch 1.037k-dot touchscreen Vari-angle LCD
• 100-25,600 ISO range
• full manual controls
The Nikon D5600 should be available this month, in a variety of kit configurations as well as body only. The body only suggested retail price will be $699.95 (USD).
Our members are discussing news of the recent announcement here.
The Nikon Product Page for the D5600 is here.
Posted by flashdeadline at 7:19 AM
January 3, 2017
Congrats November Contest winners
Nikonians Contest Coordinator David Summers (dm1dave) has posted the results of the November contests. Congratulations to our winners!
Specials congratulations go to Geoff Baylis (GBaylis), who took top honors in two categories for the month of November.
Our member driven contests are unique in many ways. Unlike most other photo contests the workings of our contests are transparent. Our members choose the monthly themes, all entries are visible to the entire community as they are posted and you are the judges not an invisible behind the scenes "expert."
Check our winning images legend below and scroll down for the names of the winners.
1. -- Wildlife - "Raptors - Big and Small." theme winner Koos Erasmus (Rassie) from Ontario Canada with his image titled Gliding Snowy.
2. -- Landscape - "Fall
Colors" theme winner Thomas
Sprunger (Melman59) from Indiana, USA with his image titled Church
in Cade's Cove.
3. -- Macro - "Food"
theme winner Tom Jacob (sevendayimages) from Spain with his image titled Garlic
Food Pin-up.
4. -- Travel - "Off the Beaten Track" theme winner Gary
Paige (JazzDoc) from New York, USA with his image titled Brown
Bear Family; Katmai NP
5. -- Digital
Artistry - "My Favorites" theme winner Geoff Baylis (GBaylis) from
England, The United Kingdom with his image titled Tender
Moment.
6. -- Assignment - "Abstract Body" theme winner Geoff Baylis (GBaylis)
from England, The United Kingdom with his image titled Eye'm
Watching You!
On the blog, each photo title serves as a link, which will lead you to explanations behind some of the photographs and an overall look at the competition.
Interested in submitting your photos?
If you want to participate, please be sure to enter one
of the monthly competitions listed in David
Summers' contest guide.
The Online Photo Assignments category is coordinated by Rob Migliaccio (rmigliaccio) from Rhode Island, USA. You can check his recap of past winners here.
The current (January) assignment is "Fluffy" - and this one has zero input at the current publication time. Here is Rob's description:
"What more can
I say - let's start the new year with a fun assignment - submit images where
the subject is fluffy. Have fun with this assignment, but make sure the image
is wall worthy."
Posted by flashdeadline at 2:41 PM