This monster, that looks like it’s at least a foot across, can be yours for the low price of $35,370 USD! Check out the photos on the eBay Germany listing.
Thanks to Seth O for the heads up!
Tag: nikon
Nikon D3 shutter release in super slow motion
Check out this video of a Nikon D3 shutter release in super slow motion at Jeffrey Fried’s blog!
Via GRINZ
New Zeiss 28mm f/2 Distagon lens in Nikon F & Pentax K mounts
The title pretty much says it all! More info: Web page, PDF data sheet, and PDF user manual.
Immense shitload of new Zeiss F, M, and CF lenses
Zeiss are blasting out a huge range of new manual focus lenses:
Leica M mount
- Distagon T* 18mm f/4
- C Biogon T* 21mm f/4.5
Nikon F mount
- ZF Distagon T* 35mm f/2
- ZF Makro-Planar 50mm f/2
- ZF Makro-Planar 100mm f/2
- ZF Distagon T* 25mm f/2.8
Hasselblad CF mount (appear to be vintage-look versions of the currently available equivalents)
- Makro-Planar T* 120mm f/4
- Distagon T* 50mm f/4
- Sonnar T* 180mm f/4
Check out Photos and commentary at The Online Photographer or Zeiss’ rundown (minus the Hasselblads).
Zeiss Ikon SW superwide 35mm viewfinder camera
Carl Zeiss AG Press Release:
Oberkochen, August 15, 2006. The Zeiss Ikon SW is the 35mm precision camera for uncompromising superwide photographers. Its lens mount takes any lens with M bayonet, in particular the ZEISS high performance superwide-angle lenses Distagon T* 2,8/15mm ZM and the Biogon T* types from the ZEISS ZM range. An accessory shoe directly above the lens takes the corresponding superwide Viewfinder. A second shoe is built in to take a flash, a bubble level or other accessory. The electronically controlled metal focal plane shutter offers speeds ranging from 1/2000 sec. – 8 sec. in automatic mode (AE-lock is available) and 1/2000 – 1 sec. + B in manual mode. Fastest flash synchro speed is 1/125 sec.
The Zeiss Ikon SW offers the same extremely high image quality as the known Zeiss Ikon rangefinder camera: far above today’s digital cameras. It is fully integrated into the Zeiss Ikon system. The Zeiss Ikon SW comes without the complex rangefinder and is therefore considerably more affordable than the rangefinder camera.
The Zeiss Ikon SW will be available as of October 2006. List price is 799,00 € (without VAT)
Technical Data
Camera type: 35mm camera with focal plane shutter and TTL light metering.
Film format: 24 x 36mm on 35mm film
Lenses: Intended to be used with short focal length types of the Carl Zeiss T* ZM-mount lens family in combination with an external viewfinder. Other M-mount lenses, including M39 screw mount lenses with an M – mount adapter can be used.
Exposure metering: TTL center-weighted metering at working aperture.
Metering range at ISO 100 and f/2: EV0-EV19 (f/2-4 sec., f/16-1/2000 sec.)
Film speed range: ISO 25-3200 manually set in 1/3 f-stop increments.
Exposure modes: AE with aperture priority or manual; AE lock option for a single exposure or for a sequence of exposures; exposure compensation +/-2 f-stops in 1/3 stops set at shutter speed dial.
LED display: Combination of 3 LED indicates shutter speed setting situation.
Shutter and shutter speed: Vertical-travel metal focal-plane shutter with electronically controlled speeds accurate to 1/12 f-stop.Range in Automatic mode: 8 sec. to 1/2000 sec.
Range in Manual mode: 1 sec. to 1/2000 sec. in 1-stop increments; B.
Flash synch: Synchronization at 1/125 sec. and longer shutter speeds
Film transport: Rapid-wind manual advance lever, with ratcheted partial advance
Camera body: One-piece aluminum base structure, external magnesium covers, tripod thread 1/4 inch in base, two accessory shoes for external viewfinder and flash
Batteries: One CR 1/3 Lithium or two 1.5 V cells type LR44 or SR44
Dimensions: 138mm W x 72.5mm H x 32mm D (5.4†W x 2.9†H x 1.3†D).
Weight: 395g (13.9 oz.)
Carl Zeiss is a leading international group of companies operating worldwide in the optical and opto-electronic industry. Carl Zeiss AG is headquartered in Oberkochen, Germany. The business groups, which each operate with sole responsibility, are generally ranked first or second in the strategic markets of biosciences and medical technology, system solutions for industry and optical consumer goods. They offer products and services for biomedical research and medical technology, system solutions for the semiconductor, automotive and mechanical engineering industries, as well as high-quality consumer goods such as camera lenses and binoculars. In fiscal year 2004/05 (ended 30 September) the Carl Zeiss Group generated sales totaling EUR 2,222 million. Carl Zeiss has 11,500 members of staff, including 3,300 outside Germany. The Carl Zeiss Group is directly represented in more than 30 countries and operates production facilities in Europe, America and Asia.
The eyeglass business now operates as Carl Zeiss Vision International GmbH and is the number two eyeglass provider in the world. This company is owned 50:50 by Carl Zeiss AG and a private equity company.
Via PhotographyBLOG
Zeiss ZF lenses: test results and pricing announced
Some updates on the new ZF Nikon F mount SLR lenses from issue 24 of Zeiss Camera Lens News, released today:
"The best we had ever achieved before with any SLR lenses was 250 lp/mm.
"The new Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF achieved that same resolution at f/5.6, and even down to f/2.
"The new Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF went even further: It reached 320 lp/mm in the aperture range from f/5.6 to f/2.8, and 250 lp/mm at f/2…"
Continue reading "The Sharpest SLR Lenses we’ve ever Tested"
Pricing was also announced for the first two models (excl. VAT):
Planar T* 1.4/50 ZF: 499.00 EUR
Planar T* 1.4/85 ZF: 999.00 EUR
The lenses will be available for ordering from Zeiss’ Web site starting 1 April, 2006.
Nikon announce AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens
From Nikon’s press release:
"Nikon Corporation has launched the AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED, the world’s first macro lens equipped with Nikon Silent Wave Motor (SWM) and Vibration Reduction (VR) systems.
"The new lens offers a host of Nikon’s advanced optical features and technologies such as Nano Crystal Coat, Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass and Internal Focusing (IF) . The AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED is engineered for use with both Nikon DX format digital and 35mm film SLR cameras."
Specs
Focal length: 105mm (Picture angle, when used with Nikon DX format digital SLRs is equivalent to a 157.5mm on a 35mm format SLR)
Maximum aperture: f/2.8
Minimum aperture: f/32
Lens construction: 14 elements in 12 groups (with 1 ED glass element and 1 Nano Crystal Coat-deposited lens element)
Picture angle: 23 degrees 20′ [15 degrees 20′ with Nikon DX format]
Attachment size: 62mm
Dimensions: (approx.) 83 x 116mm (3.3 x 4.5 in.)
Weight: (approx.) 790g (27.9 oz.)
Included accessories: 62mm Snap-on front lens cap (LC-62), Rear lens cap (LF-1), Bayonet hood (HB-38), Flexible lens pouch (CL-1020)
More poop here at Nikon Digital (sorry, you have to select the lens with their Flash thingie).
It will be available in March 2006 for "estimated selling price of approximately
US$799.00".
About frikkin’ time somebody came out with a macro lens with a stabiliser!
Twenty questions about new Zeiss ZF/ZS SLR lenses
Rob Galbraith asked 20 questions of Kornelius J. Mueller, Marketing Manager of Zeiss’ camera lens division, about the new ZF (Nikon F mount) and ZS (M42 screw mount) SLR lenses.
New Zeiss lenses announced: ZF (Nikon F mount) and ZS (M42 mount)
Zeiss announced their new range of ZF lenses a day early in issue 23/Jan 2006 of Camera Lens News.
Highlights:
- As previously hinted, they will indeed be in Nikon F mounts. They will all be primes.
- Announced are a 50mm Planar T* (7 elements in 6 groups) and an 85mm T* Planar (6 elements in 5 groups). Both are f/1.4 – f/16, click-stopped in half-stop increments. There’s a technical data sheet here. They’re expected to be available in early summer 2006.
- They will have "round" irises but the number of blades wasn’t mentioned.
- As a surprise, the same lenses will be issued in parallel as the ZS range with identical optics but with M42 mounts, with the idea that they be used with adpater rings, which will make this range useable on, among other systems, Canon EOS and FD bodies as well. I didn’t see any mention about whether the lenses will be shorter to compensate for the thickness of the adapter ring or not, so infinity focussing ability for the ZS range is currently unknown [to me].
- The lenses will be made by Cosina.
- Zeiss will be setting up a new distribution network to replace? in addition to? their normal distributors. Details will be announced at www.zeiss.com/photo
There’s also a Q&A about the range with Dr. Winfried Scherle, VP & General Manager, Camera Lens Division and Kornelius Mueller, Marketing Manager of Zeiss.
Nikon discontinue manufacture of most film equipment
According to this press release from Nikon UK, Nikon are discontinuing production of most film equipment, including their range of large format lenses.
The flagship pro SLR F6 and the manual SLR FM10 stay, as well as the following manual lenses:
Nikkor 20mm f/2.8
Nikkor 24mm f/2.8
Nikkor 28mm f/2.8
Nikkor 35mm f/1.4
Nikkor 50mm f/1.2
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4
Micro-Nikkor 55mm f/2.8
Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8
PC Micro-Nikkor 85mm f/2.8D
Everything else is gone in favor of digital.
I wonder if Zeiss knew about this as they appear to be launching a range of Nikon F-mount lenses (see previous post). I suppose the implications could go either way for Zeiss… there are an awful lot of Nikon bodies out there.