Thursday 21 January 2010

NASA Orders D3S Digital SLR Cameras and Interchangeable Lenses from Nikon



Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has placed an order for eleven D3S digital SLR cameras and seven AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses to be used for photographic documentation.

The D3S digital SLR cameras and AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED lenses ordered by NASA will be carried on the Space Shuttle and used to photograph activities at the International Space Station (ISS) in the future.

No special modifications will be made to these products. They will be the same products available to end-users, confirming the incredible versatility of the D3S. This equipment will be used along with the Nikon D2XS digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR lenses, and Nikon Speedlights already in use at the International Space Station.

Nikon has spent many years contributing to NASA's study of space through the development and manufacture of advanced and extremely durable cameras as well as of NIKKOR lenses that make the most of Nikon's optical technologies, and of which production has recently reached fifty million units. To date, NASA has captured more than 700,000 images using Nikon equipment carried into space. Space, however, is not the only extreme environment in which Nikon equipment is used. Nikon also provides official observation equipment used in exploring the Antarctic. Nikon equipment contributes to observation and research of these little explored regions with durability, reliability and technical capabilities that stand up to even the most severe environments.

Nikon's history with NASA
  • 1971: Nikon Photomic FTn* (NASA specifications) was used on Apollo 15
  • 1980: The "Small Camera", based on the Nikon F3 and equipped with a motor drive, and the F3 "Big Camera", which utilized long film, were delivered to NASA. The "Small Camera" was used aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia launched the following year
  • 1991: The Nikon F4 and F4S were delivered to NASA
  • 1999: The Nikon F5 and AF Nikkor lens were carried aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery to photograph extravehicular activities (EVA)
  • 2008: D2XS digital SLR cameras were delivered to NASA. Six D2XS cameras are used in space to document activities such as inspection and maintenance.
  • In addition, already about 15 types of NIKKOR lenses (more than 35 lenses all together) are kept aboard the International Space Station for intravehicular and extravehicular photography to provide continued support for NASA's space activities.
  • Nikon F equipped with Photomic FTn viewfinder that supports TTL center-weighted metering.
The D3S was released in November 2009 as the latest flagship model for Nikon FX-format digital SLR cameras. This camera is equipped with a new CMOS sensor (36.0 × 23.9 mm) developed by Nikon and supports standard ISO sensitivity settings of 200 to 12800. Sensitivity can also be set as high as Hi 3 (ISO 102400 equivalent) or as low as Lo 1 (ISO 100 equivalent). Image-degrading noise has been minimized to enable shooting at high sensitivities under even extremely dim lighting. In addition, the D3S is equipped with the D-Movie function, enabling HD video capture and includes high-sensitivity movie mode and movie editing functions for trimming start and ending footage or saving selected frames as JPEG stills. Naturally, the camera itself is representative of an all-round flagship model offering basic performance and operation that meet the strict demands (fast, support for high sensitivities, superior image quality) of professional and advanced amateur photographers in a number of fields, including the press, sports and nature photography.

The AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is the world's first ultra wide-angle, zoom lens to offer a focal length of 14mm with a maximum aperture of f/2.8. The performance of this lens has been extremely well received by the camera industry, and recognized by Europe's Technical Image Press Association (TIPA), which awarded it The Best Professional Lens in Europe 2008, and the European Imaging and Sound Association (EISA), which awarded it European Professional Lens 2008-2009.

More Nikon Special Offers from Grays of Westminster



I am pleased to announce new special offers from Grays of Westminster while stocks last.

If you would like to upgrade your Nikon camera equipment or just buy a state of the art Nikon camera or lens, now is the time to do it!

Here are some examples of what is currently available:
  • Nikon D700 body (RRP - £2,248.00) £1,770.00
  • Nikon D3 Digital SLR LAST OF THE BRAND-NEW STOCK. (RRP: £3999.99) £2,899.00
  • Nikon D3s Pro Digital SLR LIMITED STOCK! (RRP - £4,291) £3,599.00
  • Nikon D3000 Digital SLR Camera (RRP - £430.00) £349.00
  • Nikon D3X Pro Digital SLR (NEW RRP - £6,130.00) £4,895.00
  • Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Body (RRP - £620.00) £465.00
  • Nikon D300s body UPGRADED D300 MODEL WITH VIDEO! (RRP - £1,500.00) £1,165.00
  • Nikon D90 Digital SLR body (RRP - £850.00) £619.00
  • 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED AF-S DX Nikkor (RRP - £817.00) £689.00
  • 14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S IF-ED Zoom-Nikkor (RRP - £1,635.00) £1,295.00
  • 17-35mm f/2.8D AF-S IF-ED Zoom-Nikkor LAST OF THE BRAND NEW STOCK! (RRP - £1,839) £1,735.00
  • 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II AF-S Zoom-Nikkor IF ED LATEST VR II ZOOM LENS! (RRP - £746.00) £585.00
  • 24-70mm f/2.8G ED AF-S IF-ED Nikkor (RRP - £1,533.00) £1,199.00
  • 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX Nikkor (RRP - £562.00) £439.00
  • 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II IF-ED Zoom-Nikkor (VERY LIMITED SUPPLY) (RRP £2043.00) £1,749.00
  • 70-300mm f/4-5.6G AF-S IF-ED VR Zoom-Nikkor (RRP: £542.00) £425.00
  • 105mm f/2.8G AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor (RRP - £766.00) £599.00
Please see our website for further information.

Vouchers Available

Vouchers are available on all new current digital SLR cameras, enabling further discount on specific camera body and lens combinations. For example, if you buy the new D3s, the following vouchers are available:

  • 60mm f/2.8 AFS micro Nikkor - £40.00 off
  • 105mm f/2.8 VR - £40.00 off
  • 14-24mm f/2.8 VR - £50.00 off
  • WT4 wireless transmitter - £70.00 off
Please call for more information. (UK and Ireland only): +44 (0)20 7828 4925

Nikon Coolscans

Most Nikon Coolscans have been discontinued. The only Nikon scanner now available is the Coolscan 9000, which we have back in stock at £2675.00 - limited numbers available.

Please don't hesitate to call if you need more information on our Nikon special offers or help with your Nikon camera equipment.

Kindest Regards,

Tabitha

Grays of Westminster - Exclusively... Nikon
40 Churton Street
Pimlico
London SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 020 7828 4925
Fax: +44 020 7976 5783
Website: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/
Blog: http://graysofwestminster.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/nikonatgrays

Monday 11 January 2010

Nikon Owner London "onOne Software Night" by Bob Campbell

.

Mike Eleftheriades is very pleased to invite you to the next Nikon Owner (London Group) meeting, "onOne Software Night" by Bob Campbell (onOne Software EMEA, Far East, Pacific General Manager) which will be held on Friday, January 15th 2010 at the Hellenic Centre Boardroom.




The latest version of the award-winning plug-in suite was released in early December and is designed to solve common problems facing photographers relating to colour correction, enlarging, masking and photographic effects. Plug-in Suite 5 combines full versions of six software tools in one package: FocalPoint 2, PhotoTune 3, PhotoFrame 4.5 Professional Edition, PhotoTools 2.5 Professional Edition, Genuine Fractals 6 Professional Edition, and MaskPro 4.

Venue Details
Hellenic Centre Boardroom, situated on the first floor, from 6.30pm to 9.30pm, on Friday, January 15th 2010.

Address:
The Hellenic Centre
16-18 Paddington Street
Marylebone
London W1U 5AS

Location Information:
Paddington Street runs from Baker Street to Marylebone High Street.

The nearest underground station to The Hellenic Centre is Baker Street (Bakerloo, Circle, Hammersmith and City, Jubilee and Metropolitan Lines).

The closest bus routes are: 2, 13, 30, 74, 82, 113, 139, 159 and 274.

Parking is available at Masterpark in Chiltern Street.

Parking restrictions are in effect until 6.30pm.

Note that the Centre is within the Congestion Zone (ends at 6.00pm).

The last word...
As on previous occasions, we would be grateful for a £5 contribution per person to cover the costs of the room.

Members are welcome to bring samples of their work for discussion, and for those wishing to socialise for longer, there's dinner afterwards at one of the local restaurants.

Members who are also attending the Flash Workshop by Simon Stafford on Saturday, 16th January are welcome to join the London meeting as well as dinner on Friday evening. For those attending both events, a tour of Grays of Westminster is being arranged for Saturday morning. Please contact me, Gillian Greenwood at the Nikon Owner office on +44 (0)20 7828 4925 for details.

We look forward to seeing you on January 15th; please indicate your attendance by replying to the invitation on the Nikon Owner Message Board.

Best regards,

Gillian Greenwood
Nikon Owner

--
Nikon Owner magazine
40 Churton Street
Pimlicohttp://www.ononesoftware.com/
London SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 020 7828 8971
Fax: +44 020 7976 5783
Website: www.nikonownermagazine.com
.

Sunday 10 January 2010

New January Nikon Special Offers - While Stocks Last!


I wanted to let you know that we have some new special offers which may bring some warmth during this cold weather we are experiencing in the U.K. I should point out that they are on a first come, first served basis and available just while stocks last:
  • Nikon D700 - £1,770.00
  • Nikon D700 + 24-70mm f/2.8 Kit - £2,985.00
  • Nikon D700 + 14-24mm f/2.8 Kit - £3,090.00
  • Nikon D700 +14-24mm + 24-70mm Kit - £4,299.00
  • Nikon D700 + MB-D10 grip - £2,045.00
  • 24-70mm f/2.8 G AF-S Nikkor lens - £1,219.00
  • Nikon D3 + 24-70mm f/2.8 G Nikkor Kit - £4,215.00
  • Nikon D3 + 14-24mm f/2.8 Kit - £4,325.00
  • Nikon D3 + 14-24mm + 24-70mm Kit - £5,540.00
  • Nikon D3X + 14-24mm f/2.8 Kit - £6,249.00
  • Nikon D3X + 24-70mm f/2.8 Kit - £6,149.00
  • Nikon D3X + 14-24mm + 24-70mm Kit - £7,449.00
If you do not see anything here to tempt you, there are more special offers that can be seen on our website:
http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/specials.php

Please contact us to find out about vouchers available with the purchase of digital camera bodies.
(for UK and Ireland only).

New Releases

New TC 20 E III

On 29th January, Nikon UK are launching the new AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-20E III, the world's first teleconverter with an aspherical lens element. With a completely new optical design, the compact new teleconverter offers class leading image quality for wildlife and sports photography.

Teleconverters are attached between the camera body and telephoto lens to multiply focal length without affecting closest focusing distance. They are not suitable for all lenses but are perfect for use with the new 70-200mm f/2.8 lens and longer prime lenses such as the 200mm, 300mm, 400mm etc.

The price is £449.00 and if you would like to be added to the waiting list, please call or e-mail at info@graysofwestminster.co.uk

New AF-S 300mm f/2.8 G ED VR II
Also on 29th January, Nikon UK will be releasing a new super telephoto lens, the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f /2.8G ED VR II. This lens features second generation built-in Vibration Reduction (VRII), providing the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower so sharper images can be achieved when using the camera for hand-held shooting. This makes it an ideal choice for serious sports, action and wildlife photographers.

Those who need extreme speed and quiet to capture wildlife, can rely on the autofocus with a built-in silent wave motor to ensure you won't disrupt the action. This lens is also sealed to withstand the affects of dust and moisture, allowing photographers to keep shooting whatever the conditions.

The price is £5,099.00 inc. VAT and again, please contact me if you would like to go on the waiting list.

I hope that, despite the cold weather (for those of you in the UK and possibly parts of Europe ), you have a pleasant week and are able to take advantage of some of the picturesque snowy scenes with your Nikon equipment!

Kindest regards,

Tabitha Hardy

Grays of Westminster - Exclusively... Nikon
40 Churton Street
Pimlico
London SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 020 7828 4925
Fax: +44 020 7976 5783
E-mail: info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
Website: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk
.

Wednesday 6 January 2010

New Nikon Special Offers


We are pleased to announce new special offers on Nikon Equipment

Here are some examples of what is currently available for purchase:
(the full list is on our website http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk/products/specials.php)
  • 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR II IF-ED Zoom-Nikkor BRAND NEW VR II STOCK £1,850.0050mm f/1.4G AF-S - LATEST TYPE (RRP - £360.00) £299.00
  • 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX (RRP - 200.00) £175.00 (RRP - £1,500.00) £1,225.00
  • Nikon D3 Digital SLR LAST OF THE BRAND-NEW STOCK. RRP: £3999.99 £2,999.0
  • Nikon D3s Pro Digital SLR LIMITED STOCK! (RRP - £4,200) £3,799.00
  • Nikon D3X Pro Digital SLR (NEW RRP - £6,000.00) £4,945.00
  • Nikon D5000 Digital SLR Body (RRP - £620.00) £495.00
  • Nikon D300s Digital SLR Body (RRP - £1,500.00) £1,225.00
  • Nikon D90 Digital SLR body (RRP - £850.00) £665.00
We have excellent stock levels on most new equipment. Please call +44 (0)20 7828 4925 or e-mail info@graysofwestminster.co.uk to place an order.

Both the new D3s and 70-200mm VR II have astounded photographers in trials made and comparisons with other camera equipment on the market.

"The new Nikon D3s with both stills and video capability is probably the world's most versaltile digital SLR camera on the market today. The new sensor brings notable improvements over the orignal D3 in terms of image quality and added flexibility, including video capability.

The 70-200mm f2.8 VR II complements the new D3s and is a must for all FX format cameras."
- Simon Stafford

If you are looking to upgrade your equipment for the new decade, please telephone us or visit in person and we can help you work out what you need and can take your old equipment as part-exchange against new.

Money-off Vouchers

When you purchase any new digital SLR camera body, we will be able to offer you money off certain items of Nikon equipment while stocks last.

For example, purchasing a New D90 will give you money-off vouchers as follows:
  • 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S DX £75.00 off
  • 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S DX £50.00 off
  • 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G VR II AF-S DX £50.00 off
  • 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G VR AF-S IF-ED £50.00 off
  • SB-600 Speedlight £50.00 off
With a new D3s you can get the money off the following equipment:
  • 60mm f/2.8G Micro-Nikkor £40.00 off
  • 105mm f/2.8G Micro-Nikkor VR £40.00 off
  • 14-24mm f/2.8G AF-S £50.00 off
  • WT-4B wireless transmitter £70.00 off
Please note that these vouchers are available to UK residents only.

Three-Year Warranty

All subscribers to the Nikon Owner magazine receive a three-year warranty on any new equipment purchased from Grays of Westminster and an eighteen-month warranty on second-hand equipment. Please call the shop to apply for a subscription and to find out about other subscriber benefits (tel: +44 (0)20 7828 4925).

May I take this opportunity to wish you a very Happy and Prosperous New Year from all at Grays of Westminster!

Kindest regards,

Tabitha Hardy
Grays of Westminster - Exclusively... Nikon
40 Churton Street
Pimlico
London SW1V 2LP
Tel: +44 (0)20 7828 4925
Fax: +44 (0)20 7976 5783
E-mail: info@graysofwestminster.co.uk
Website: http://www.graysofwestminster.co.uk
.