Nikon D200 Vs 4 x 5″ Film
Ken Rockwell has posted the result of his latest test with the new Nikon D200. This time he’s comparing the new Nikon D200 DSLR camera with 4×5″ Film. Here’s some of the reasons why 4×5″ film is better:
“The D200 has nowhere near as many pixels as the film scan. When enlarged similar amounts the D200, or any digital camera or back, can’t keep up.
As time goes on scanners get better. You always can scan your film again in 10 or 20 years. I have 30 year old Kodachromes and 15 year old Velvias that look identical to when they were new. You’re stuck with whatever you got from your D200, presuming you can even find software to read the raw files if you didn’t save or shoot them as JPGs.”
Nikon D200 & Nikon D70 Noise Test
Ken Rockwell has done some noise performance test on his Nikon D200 and Nikon D70, He writes:
“I compared it to my D70. It’s difficult to compare two cameras with different resolutions. I shot my D70 at Large FINE JPG (also 2.5 MB files) and then upsampled them to match the D200. Specifically, for each D70 image I changed Image Size to 3,885 x 2,583 via Bicubic Sharper. The aspect ratios aren’t identical between the D200 and D70 which explains my weird choice of pixel size. These give the same pixel counts. I see more noise in the D70, but also more texture. I’ll call it a draw. “
ZEISS Lenses are Available for Nikon F Mount
Carl Zeiss have announced a new range of interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, both analog and digital. The first ZF lens will be the Planar T* 1,4/50 ZF, which, in its Contax RTS version. The second one will be Planar T* 1,4/85 ZF, which in its Contax RTS version became known as a great portrait lens. Both lenses will be available in Spring 2006
PRESS RELEASE
Nikon Coolpix S3 - Review @ Steve’s Digicams
Steve’s Digicams has recently posted their review on Nikon Coolpix S3, 6-megapixel camera with 2.5″ LCD screen and 3x optical zoom (35-105mm in 35mm equivalent) . In conclusion they write:
“The internal Zoom-Nikkor 3x optical zoom lens produced sharp results throughout its range, with moderate amounts of barrel distortion at wide angle and pin cushioning at the telephoto end. The lens moves smoothly and quietly, but not continuously; I counted 7 steps between wide angle and telephoto, adequate for most shots but you may need to zoom a bit with your feet when you need precise composition. Its 35 - 105mm (equivalent) zoom range is typical for a camera in this class, offering a sufficient field of view for most interior and landscape shots, and a telephoto range useful for portraits and to bring your distant subjects closer.
I was pleased with the overall image quality when using 6-Megapixel Fine mode. Outdoor images showed good overall exposure, with colors being nicely saturated. Noise levels were very low at sensitivity settings of ISO 50 and 100. Shadow noise is present at ISO 200, and noise is evident throughout the image at ISO 400. Chromatic aberration, aka “purple fringing”, was present only in small amounts around highlights. The only problem I had outdoors was with back-lit flash portraits; the S3’s limited flash output was not sufficient to illuminate the faces adequately. “
Nikon D200 - Review by Bjørn Rørslett
Bjørn Rørslett has recently posted impressive review on the new Nikon D200, a 10.2 MP DSLR with 2.5″ LCD screen, and wrote:
“My conclusion is that you will get image quality from D200 to satisfy even the most critical needs, for any application to which 35 mm systems can be used. While the D2X might just yield a trifle higher image quality, we are truly nit-picking in order to place one of these cameras before the other.”
He also commented about the banding issues on Nikon D200:
Stay Away From Sensor Brush by Visible Dust
We’ve been receiving some e-mails lately complaining about the Sensor Brush, a CCD/CMOS cleaning product by Visible Dust. It’s reported that the brush is too large for the sensor and therefore the brush smeared the sensor with grease from the mirror box.
Here’s one of emails from our readers sent to us about a week ago:
Nikon D200 - Hands on Review at PopPhoto Magazine
Michael J. McNamara had his hands on the new Nikon D200 and wrote a review at Popular Photography Magazine. In conclusion he wrote:
“At nearly one-third the price, the D200 will attract pro shooters who don’t need all the bells and whistles found on the D2x, and D2x owners will treasure it as a lighterweight backup body. If the D200’s image quality and advanced features live up to expectations in our tests, we think the extra $400 this DSLR will cost over the Canon EOS 20D is well worth it. The $3,200 EOS 5D maintains a full-frame advantage over the D200, but wide-angle shooters can choose from several ultrawide-angle DX series lenses available from Nikon at a considerable savings. The game goes on!”
Sigma Lenses Exposure Problems
Service notice has once again been issued by Sigma. This time is regarding their exposure problems with some of their lenses when used with the new Nikon D200 DLSR
Sigma Service Notice:
Notice to end-users using Sigma’s Nikon fitting lenses with D200 camera
To our valued customers,
Combination of new Nikon 200 digital SLR camera with our following products can cause improper exposure. To overcome this we will be supplying a free upgrade to our customers. We deeply apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused to our customers.
List of lenses require update for D200 camera:
Nikon ceasing production of film-based cameras and lenses
PRESS RELEASE: Nikon prepares to strengthen digital line-up for 2006
Wednesday January 11, 2006
Following the success of our digital line-up over the last seven years, which has resulted in more than 95% of Nikon’s UK business being within the digital area, Nikon Corporation has made the decision to focus management resources on digital cameras in place of film cameras. This decision will allow Nikon to continue to develop products that match the demands of an increasingly competitive market place.
Despite this growing competition Nikon Corporation has continued to outperform the market, and has recently reported positive financial results which saw group net profit climb by 20% in the fiscal first half which ended in September. Group sales also increased by 9.8% to 342.85 billion yen in the same period. Sales of high end digital SLR cameras and the success of products like the D70s and D50 have helped contribute to these positive figures.
Nikon D200 Banding Issues
Last Update (12.02.05): Nikon USA and Europe has officially responded to this issue. Go to Nikon D200 banding issue FAQs
Many users of Nikon D200 have reported some banding issues on their images. Here’s a sample of Nikon D200 banding in real life shot:
Click on the image to enlarge
Ken Rockwell has responded to Nikon D200 banding issue by saying:
“It’s such a non-issue I’d never have found it if I hadn’t tried to repeat it out of curiosity. I’ve made over 3,000 shots with my D200 and have never seen this except for when I tried to reproduce it.
