Nikon introduced four new SLR bodies in 2008. That’s quite remarkable considering there were only three launches last year and one of them was the D40x small update. RIght now, the only model that hasn’t been updated in 2008 is the D300. Expect news on this next year – I expect some new updates to the D300 but nothing like it going to use the FX sensor or anything that earth shattering. Maybe only the addition of video capabilities like the D90.

Nikon D60 – Jan 29, 2008
Nikon D700 – Jul 1, 2008
Nikon D90 – Aug 27, 2008
Nikon D3X – Dec 1, 2008

After a series of leaks last week, Nikon just made official the new Nikon D3x – their new top-of-the-line digital SLR camera. The D3x is a D3 with a new sensor featuring a 24.5 MP full frame picture size. Full details are available at Nikon USA. Various blogs also are carrying info: DPReview and Ken Rockwell. And yes, if you have to ask, you cannot afford it ($7995 USA MSRP).

A lot of my friends want to buy digital SLR’s. Many of them want to become more serious about photography and they think that one of the first things to do is to spend $600-700 and get a SLR instead of a compact camera.

While I agree that an SLR has the capability of producing better pictures, for most people to get what they want out of them, they’re going to need far more equipment than just the SLR body and the kit lens. The kit lenses usually barely allow for much improvement than a good compact camera. A good prime lens and a TTL flash are requirements for most people that want to get the most out of an SLR, and thus begins the slippery slope of needing more equipment than just the base camera kit.

Photography has a lot to do with lighting and composition. Admittedly, my composition is horrible and I have an expensive SLR camera (and prime lenses and TTL flashes) – this results in horrible pictures! Some people have naturally good composition like my friend Andrew who tagged along on a model shoot and got one of the best shots with a Canon SD200 or something like that. It was just a natural pose with existing lighting but it worked.

Good pictures cannot be taken when you don’t bring your camera. An SLR can be unweidly at times. Even when I’m a tourist sometimes i don’t want to lug my SLR and big lens around the city and recently I just left it on the hotel and went out. A compact camera usually can fit in your pocket!

There are some fine compact cameras like the Canon S5 and Canon G9 that have more features than a normal compact but still retain a fairly useable size. THe S5 is a “superzoom” and features a very long zoom and Image Stabilization. It also has a flash hotshoe like an SLR. The G9 loses some of the zoom length but is a much more compact package. In it’s most recent version, the lens retracts completely into the body for easier carry.

So while an SLR has many features and benefits that provide the ability to take great pictures, don’t underestimate the advantages of having a good compact. When your skills take you to the level where you begin to hit the limits of a compact, then you can consider trading up and be assured you’re getting some value for spending over $1000 on camera equipment.

The new Nikon D700 is essentially a D300 body with the sensor from the D3. It’s smaller, lighter and cheaper than the D3 but it lacks some of the D3′s faster shutter. The D700 also includes some features not on the D3: Image Sensor cleaning (‘sensor shake’), more flexible ‘hard button’ programming, virtual horizon in Live View and different DX mode indication on the focusing screen.

Here are some reviews from my favorite camera sites:
Dpreview
Ken Rockwell

With it being priced over $3000 CDN, it’s unlikely that this will become my next Nikon. I’ll probably wait for the Live-View update of the D80 (possibly called the D90) later this year.

Source: Nikon

I was wondering how my current (and discontinued) DSLR stacked up with the newest and greatest prosumer camera that Nikon offers when it comes to ISO Noise. It’s a tough comparison since the D50 is such and old camera and is only 5MP. the D300 has a 12MP sensor.

ISO 200

ISO 400

ISO 800

Photos are from Digital Photography Review

When Vista was released from Microsoft, it was up to digital imaging providers like Nikon and Canon to write their own codecs so that their image files could be viewed by their users. Unfortunately, relying on Camera manufacturers, usually foreign, and without good ties to Microsoft Developers has led to some complications.

Most noteably, anyone using the 64-bit version of Windows has not been able to view their raw files (.NEF) since Vista was released. Nikon provides a codec for XP and 32-bit Vista only.

Enter Ardfry Imaging. They created a beta version of the NEF codec for Vista x64. I’ve installed it and it works!