Nikon releases "Retro" new camera.

Nikon Df

This is the new yet old looking Nikon Df. A digital FX (Full frame) camera that looks like a old 35mm film camera. This in itself is not a new concept. Fujifilm has done it, Leica's all look retro even Olympus has a retro styled camera. However the Df has the sensor of Nikon's flagship camera the D4.

Nikon says the "f" in Df stands for Fusion so Df means Digital Fusion...

Anyway, i'm not going to write a review on the camera, mainly because i don't actually have one to review but also because the internet is awash with reviews and previews and opinions. I just like the look of the camera. I love the aluminium dials.

The rear kind of looks like a hybrid film and digital camera "Explains the fusion name"

It has the autofocus system from the D610 and takes a single SD memory card for storage.

The Nikon Df has no video capabilities but i don't really think that will be a problem for the intended market. This camera is retailing in the US at around $2 750 so it's not going to be for anyone new to photography. I see this as a professionals personal carry around camera or for a serious enthusiast that use to shoot in the film days and just enjoys the feel of retro camera design.

In conclusion  I think this a beautiful camera, expensive but not intended for your mainstream photographer. Powerful but not good value for money. But then again Ferrari's and Porsche's are not good value for money either, but there is something to be said for beautiful design and this camera may well take you back to a time where you had to know your camera intimately to get the most out of it.

2013 Nikon photomicrography competition winner announced

The Nikon Photomicrography competition dates back to 1974 and since then has invited scientist with a passion for photography or photographers with a passion for science, to showcase their amazing images from under the microscope.

Here are the winners and a few of the images that were submitted for 2013.

1st place: Wim van Egmond

This image magnified 250x shows a colonial plankton organism.

2nd place: Dr Joseph Corbo

Chrysemys picta (painted turtle) magnified 400x

3rd place: Dr Alvaro Migotto

Image of a Marine worm 20x magnified

Below are some more images that were entered.

4x image of a worker ant

A 40X view of abdominal segments of Diptera Blephariceridae larvae

Visit Nikon's small world site for more

Photographer highlight: Karina Kiel

Karina Kiel, Russian based photographer that takes children photography to new artistic levels.

She gives masterclasses in the art of children photography in her home city of Sochi.

See more of her work on her website.

Nikon's latest prime lens!

Nikkor 58mm f/1.4G

Nikon announced this new 58mm prime lens earlier this month, and it has a lot of photographers scratching their heads. Wondering, why a 58mm prime?

Most photographers will be very familiar with the good old "nifty fifty" the 50mm f/1.4 and 1.8. No professional or serious amateur photographers bag should be without one. Great value great quality.

So with this understanding among most photographers and the popularity of the 50mm prime, why then a 58mm? It's only 8mm more reach and that would hardly give you a different perspective at that focal length. So what can we make of this lens release? Why was it even released and who is it intended for?

I have a theory and i'm not alone on this. Nikon has over the last 2 years realigned their camera lineup, and introduced a tightly packed DX sensor range. They introduced what was at the time the smallest full sensor (FX) camera the D600. A sort of affordable FX camera for the serious enthusiast photographer. Nikon knows that if you are a D7000 or D7100 owner that you may very well aspire to a FX camera like the D600 or it's latest incarnation the D610. Now on a DX camera 50mm is equivalent to about 75mm and that is very close to a great focal length for portraits, generally accepted as 85mm or there about. 50mm on a FX camera is close to what your normal eye perspective is of the world. Basically it seems Nikon made a good FX prime lens that would work great as a DX portrait lens. See the connection here... I believe that Nikon is targeting this lens at DX owners that may want to upgrade to FX soon or to those who already have. Or the FX owner that has a DX backup body and would love to own a good portrait lens for their DX while still have a normal good prime for their FX camera.

The way I see it is that Nikon is covering a new segment of DX \ FX camera owners that swop between both sensor sizes but would like 1 good lens between both. It's not the most amazing idea bit I think this shows Nikon is paying attention to the serious enthusiast market.

Photo of the day

Photo by David Mckee. See more of his work here.
The death of the king of Cambodia. Monks gathered from all Cambodian provinces to morn his passing.

Photo of the day

See more of Tom Ryaboi's work on his website

Photo of the day

Photo by Andrew Cooney. See more of his work on his website