Five new NIKKOR lenses are also launched today.

They include a ground-breaking extreme wide-angle zoom lens, the AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED and a slim line standard zoom, the AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED.

Nikon has also launched three all-new super telephoto lenses with VR (Vibration Reduction), the AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR, AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR and AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR.

Website : Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED Lens Specification

Website : Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED Lens Specification

Website : Nikkor AF-S 400mm f/2.8G ED VR Lens Specification

Website : Nikkor AF-S 500mm f/4G ED VR Lens Specification

Website : Nikkor AF-S 600mm f/4G ED VR Lens Specification

NASA/JSC ( NASA/Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center in Houston Teax) will purchase a big lot of DSLR digital cameras and camera peripherals from Nikon. NASA has a requirement for 48 Nikon D2XS SLR Digital Cameras. The cameras must be lubricated with Braycote lubricating grease which is approved for spaceflight during the manufacturing process. NASA has a requirement for 28 Nikon D2XS Digital SLR Camera Sets (the Strap Eyelets must be removed without compromising the integrity of the camera encasement, 225 Nikon EN-EL4A Rechargable Batteries, 20 Nikon EH-6 AC ADAPTER, 33 Nikon SB800 W/ BRAYCOTE LUBRICANT (EVA)and 31 Nikon SB-800 AF TTL SPEEDLIGHT. Here’re the lens that NASA needs from Nikon:

• 27 Nikon 12-24MM F4G ED-IF AF-S DX ZOOM-NIKKOR
• 12 Nikon 10.5MM F2.8G ED-IF AF DX FISH-EYE NIKKOR

NASA/JSC intends to purchase the items from Nikon, Inc. NASA requires all cameras and camera peripherals be manufactured from the same lot. The required delivery date for these items is August 31, 2007. Attempts to compete similar efforts have been unsuccessful due to the camera equipment having to be manufactured from the same lot and items requiring Braycote lubricant grease having to be lubricated during the manufacturing and assembly process.

Website : NASA purchases 76 Nikon D2XS DSLR cameras

Website : NASA Digital Camera Procurement list (in Excel)

Sigma has introduced new versions of two of its macro zoom lenses that are compatible with all Nikon digital SLRs. The 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM and 18-50mm F2.8 EX DC Macro HSM are identical to two existing Sigma lenses, with the addition of a built-in hypersonic motor (HSM). HSM makes the lenses fully compatible with Nikon cameras that do not use body-driven autofocus motors, such as the D40 and D40x digital SLRs. The lenses are designed to be used with those cameras and other models that use APS-C-size sensors. The 17-70mm lens incorporates a Special Low Dispersion element and an aspherical element to minimize optical distortions. It offers a 79.7-22.9-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 25.5-105mm lens on a 35mm camera) and a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches. Its maximum magnification is 1:2.3. The 17.3-ounce lens takes a 72mm filter.

The 18-50mm incorporates Special Low Dispersion, Extraordinary Low Dispersion, and aspherical elements, as well as Sigma’s Super Multi Layer Coating for reducing flare and ghosting. It provides a 76.5-31.7-degree angle of view (equivalent to a 27-75mm lens on a 35mm camera) and a minimum focusing distance of 7.9 inches. Its maximum magnification is 1:3. The 18.9-ounce lens takes a 72mm filter.

The MSRP price of 17-70mm F2.8-4.5 DC Macro HSM lens is $590.

Website :  Sigma Introduces Macro Lenses for Nikon Cameras

Sigma has updated its 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 and 55-200mm f/4-5.6 zoom lenses to include Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) functionality when used with Nikon DSLRs.

The inclusion of HSM capability into the Nikon D-mount optics is intended to allow ‘quite and high-speed auto focusing’, according to Sigma.  Designed to ’suit the characteristics of digital SLRs’ the 18-50mm f/3.5-5.6 DC HSM boasts a minimum focusing distance of 25cm and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.5. Priced £119.99 it includes aspherical lenses to help reduce aberrations.

Meanwhile, exclusively for use with digital SLRs, is the 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC HSM (pictured) which is billed as a ‘compact telephoto’ and priced £159.99. The newcomer weighs 310g and has an overall length of 84.6mm. Sigma points out that vignetting will occur if this lens is used on cameras with image sensors larger than APS-C or on 35mm film SLRs.

Sigma first introduced the 18-50mm and 55-200mm lenses in November 2003.

Tamron’s lens rebate starting from May 1 to August 31, 2007. Here’re the lens that’s in this summer promotion for rebate:

• SP AF90mm F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro lens $ 90
• SP AF11-18 F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LDAspherical (IF) $ 50
• SP AF17-50 F/2.8 Di-II LDAspherical (IF) $ 10
• SP AF17-35 F/2.8-4 Di LDAspherical (IF) $ 10
• SP AF24-135 F/3.5-5.6 ADAspherical (IF) Macro $100
• SP AF28-75 F/2.8 Di LDAspherical (IF) Macro $ 10
• SP AF200-500 F/5-6.3 Di LD (IF) $ 30
• SP AF14 F/2.8 Aspherical (IF) $100
• SP AF90 F/2.8 Di 1:1 Macro $ 90
• SP AF180 F/3.5 Di LD (IF) 1:1 Macro $ 50

Download : Tamron Summer Rebate Form

This is a 28-388mm equivalent lens, adding 50mm to the tele end and does so at no cost of weight, dimension, or optical performance over the older Tamron’s 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 lens. Only the price is higher: at $499 (street), vs. $390 for the shorter lens. Here’s a quick summary:
“Compact and light, it’s about the same size as the 18-200mm. Attractively finished in a satiny matte black, with ribbed and rubberized zoom and focusing rings (the former large, the latter on the small side), the lens sports the bright gold Di II band that distinguishes all Tamron digital-only lenses.

We found its zoom action slightly uneven, somewhat stiff and overdamped, which rendered the zoom lock unnecessary. AF action was fast and quiet. On the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, with the lens barrel fully extended, it cast no shadow when used with built-in flash.”

Website :  Lens Test: Tamron 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 Di II Macro

Linda Knapp from the Seattle Times recently wrote an article titled “Nikon’s D80 wins over one more shutterbug” that compares the 70-300mm lens on the Nikon D80 camera with her previously owned D70. Here’re some interesting comments from the article:

“The D80 has 10.2 megapixels, compared with the 6.1 megapixels on my D70s. That’s a significant difference, and it enables the newer camera to gather a lot more image information when capturing the shot. That’s good. But. … All those extra megapixels take up significantly more space on a hard drive.

…Again, I’m successful shooting in low light because I shoot in RAW, which enables me to increase the exposure later, in Photoshop, without adding noise.”
Website :  Nikon’s D80 wins over one more shutterbug from Seattle Times

According to the latest Reuters News, Nikon, which mainly competes with Canon Inc., is riding on the success of models such as the D80, that are geared for consumers who want to take photos like professionals, which also have fatter profit margins than simpler compact devices.