Nikon Sets New Standards for Excellence and Innovation In 35mm and Digital SLR

World's Fastest Professional Digital SLR Camera and World's Lightest 300mm f/2.8 Lens Advance Nikon's Total Imaging System of World-Class Cameras, Lenses and System Accessories
MELVILLE, N.Y., Feb. 5 -- Nikon today unveiled seven revolutionary products designed to meet the needs of all levels of photographers. Recognized for breakthrough technology and innovation in film-based and digital imaging, Nikon is introducing a wide range of solutions that set new standards in professional and consumer photography. Nikon's new film and digital imaging products, which will be on display at the 2001 PMA Show, at the Nikon Booth #1904, include:

• Nikon D1X and D1H professional digital SLR cameras which offer the most advanced image quality, speed, operation and functionality never before available in a professional digital SLR;



• Nikon FM3A manual-focus SLR camera featuring an innovative, new hybrid mechanical/electronic shutter control system;



• AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF II high-performance telephoto lens with new compact and light design has extremely fast operation and crisp optical performance;



• AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G ultra-compact lens, the second lens in a series of Nikkor G-type lenses that are designed for optical excellence, compactness and light weight



• AI-S Nikkor 45mm f/2.8P manual focus lens with a built-in CPU that provides compatibility with the advanced automatic exposure features of Nikon SLRs; and



• Nikon SB-50DX Speedlight which includes features that make creative flash photography easier, while working independently or in conjunction with the built-in speedlights on the Nikon N80 or N65 cameras.

"Nikon's philosophy has always been to design the most advanced imaging products that offer the highest quality, functionality and personal control to enable photographers to make superior images," said Richard LoPinto, vice president, SLR Camera Systems, Nikon Inc. "We understand the needs of the most demanding photographers and are committed to providing them with advanced technology, superior camera design and real-life technical performance for capturing images on film or in a digital format," he added.

The new products enhance Nikon's Total Imaging System of 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories -- a growing system that offers powerfully high performance for virtually every photographers' picture taking needs. The Nikon Total Imaging System has time-proven its durability and performance and includes the most innovative tools that photographers require for creating the world's greatest pictures.

Nikon D1X - Optimized For High Image Sharpness and Nikon D1H - Optimized For Action Photography and Fast Workflow
Nikon's new D1X and the D1H professional digital SLR cameras establish a new benchmark in digital photography. Both models include advanced capabilities for color reproduction, white balance and precision exposure control. The D1X, featuring a 5.47 megapixel CCD and advanced image processing, is optimized for superior image quality and higher resolution, while the D1H is optimized for action photography, with continuous shooting up to five (5) frames per second, making it the fastest and most action-oriented pro digital SLR available today.

The new models evolved from Nikon's highly successful D1 Professional Digital SLR Camera, which since its introduction in June 1999, has set a new standard for image quality, speed, ergonomics and performance in digital imaging.

The D1X features a 5.47 megapixel CCD and powerful algorithm set. Through interpolation it can produce 8-bit 17.7-megabyte TIFF files, and with the next Nikon Capture Version Software it will produce 16-bit 34.4-megabyte TIFF files. The D1X is designed for professionals requiring high image quality for a wide range of applications, including high-tech, scientific, pre-press, advertising, graphic arts, education, commercial and other photography that requires extremely high detail.

The D1H expands the potential for newspaper photographers and other fast-breaking communication industries as well as professional sports photography where speed is an essential component of the workflow process. The camera provides picture-taking speeds up to five (5) frames per second and a buffer that will hold up to 40 pictures from 7.9 megabyte files. With this performance, the D1H becomes the fastest and most action-oriented pro digital SLR on the market (as of February 2001). Using Nikon's 2.74-megapixels CCD and the camera's newly advanced image-processing algorithms, the D1H's high-quality action capability will clearly establish new standards of performance. The camera's IEEE-1394 image transfer system provides faster image processing and data transfer to Compact Flash Card media.

Nikon FM3A Manual Focus SLR Camera Offers Manual Operation With Option of Electronic Shutter Speed Control
Nikon's new manual focus, auto-exposure SLR camera, the FM3A, features an innovative hybrid shutter control system enabling a full range of mechanical and electronically controlled shutter speeds. Designed as the successor to the popular Nikon FM2(TM), the FM3A inherits many of the FM2's features, including a durable die-cast metal body construction; center-weighted, TTL (Through-the-Lens) full-aperture exposure metering with exposure compensation of -2 to +2 EV; and a top shutter speed of 1/4000 second, plus bulb. The FM3A also features TTL flash control with a maximum sync speed of 1/250 second, DX-coded film speed settings and new bright view focusing screens. Using the optional MD-12 Motor Drive, film advance at 3.2 frames per second is possible.

AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF II Sets a New Standard in Optical Performance and Autofocus Operation
The AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF II is a high-performance telephoto lens that offers superior optical performance and fast autofocus operation. Weighing only 5.6 pounds, it is one pound lighter than its predecessor, making it the lightest 300mm f/2.8 lens available (as of February 2001). Further, its minimum focusing distance of 7.5 feet is 2.5 feet closer than the AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D ED-IF. The lens' extremely fast autofocus, small size and light weight make it ideal for fast-action and sports photography, photojournalism and nature photography.

AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G Designed for Enthusiast Photographers
The ultra compact AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-80mm f/3.3-5.6G lens is the second in Nikon's new series of G-type Nikkor lenses, which are designed for use on Nikon SLR models that feature aperture control from the camera's Command Dial. In aperture priority automatic and manual exposure modes, the aperture is set using the camera body's Command Dial.

Nikkor 45mm F/2.8P Lens Complements FM3A 35mm SLR
The Nikkor 45mm f/2.8P is a compact, manual focus lens that features a built-in CPU (Central Processing Unit) to accommodate the advanced automatic exposure features of Nikon 35mm SLR cameras. The 45mm f/2.8P lens is compatible with all exposure modes of current Nikon SLRs, including the F5(R), F100(TM), N80, N65 and new FM3A.

Creative Lighting Made Easy With SB-50DX Speedlight
The SB-50DX Speedlight is an innovative high-performance, compact and lightweight speedlight that offers photographers enhanced creative flash performance that's easy. The SB-50DX Speedlight is designed to expand the creative picture-taking capabilities for users of Nikon 35mm SLR and professional digital SLR cameras using new design ideas that simplify otherwise complex processes.

When the SB-50DX Speedlight is used with a Nikon N80 and N65 35mm SLR, it provides a variety of new features that complement the camera's built-in speedlight. It can serve as a bounce flash, an extra-wide flash using its adaptor for 14mm wide-angle coverage, TTL wireless slave flash, as an infrared remote commander to trigger off camera wireless TTL or manually controlled speedlights, and for close up shooting, as well.

For full detailed product information, product availability and pricing, visit Nikon's website at www.nikonusa.com .

About Nikon
Nikon Inc., the world leader in precision optics, 35mm and digital imaging technology, is recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance in consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes the Nikon Total Imaging System of consumer and professional 35mm film and digital SLR cameras, Nikkor optics, Speedlights and System Accessories; Advanced Photo System cameras; 35mm compact cameras; Coolpix(R) compact digital cameras; Coolscan(R) digital film scanners; Nikonos(R) underwater photographic systems; and Nikon sports and recreational optics. The company plays an active role in supporting aspiring and advanced photographers through a variety of organizations, educational programs, events and workshops. For product information, contact Nikon at (800) NIKON-US or visit www.nikonusa.com , which links all levels of photographers to the web's most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

SOURCE Nikon Inc.

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