Nikon mount adapter FT1 firmware update

The Nikon Mount Adapter FT1 allows the use of Nikon DSLR lenses in combination with Nikon 1 mirror-less cameras. If you own one of the new Nikon 1 J4 or Nikon 1 V3 cameras, the new L 1.20 firmware update should be applied as it enables autofocus with these cameras (this is also the only fix in this firmware update).

The update can be downloaded from the Nikon support sites: EU / USA

New: 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 lens for Nikon 1 mirrorless cameras

Nikon just announced a new lens for their Nikon 1 mirrorless system cameras: The 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2.
With a 35mm format equivalent of ±86mm, this ultra wide max aperture lens could be the ideal portrait lens (for the Nikon 1 system), able to provide a very shallow depth of field.

The 1 Nikkor 32mm f/1.2 will be available in June in black and silver, and will cost around $896/€859

New Nikon 1 series cameras and lenses

Nikon is seriously expanding their Nikon 1 system line (perhaps not surprising as the Nikon 1 system is top seller in mirrorless system cameras). They just announced two new cameras and lenses as well as a new waterproof housing for the system.

Of the two new cameras the Nikon 1 J3 is the more advanced and boasts 14.2 effective mega pixels and a 920,000 pixel LCD screen. The new S1, on the other hand “only” has 10.1 mega pixels (effective) and a lower resolution LCD screen. Both cameras shoot 12-bit raw (compressed) and are compatible with Nikon 1 lenses.

Apart from lower weight and higher pixel count (14.2 instead of 10.1), an interesting improvement of the J3 over the J2 is the much faster shooting rate: 15fps with autofocus (!) at full resolution (30 and 60 FPS are available too, but then focus is locked on the first frame). Moreover, this same ultra fast frame rate is also available on the new S1!

Two new lenses also saw the light: the 1 NIKKOR 10-100mm f/4.0-5.6 VR all in one zoom lens and the 1 NIKKOR 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 VR wide angle zoom lens. Both these lenses have Vibration Reduction built in, allowing for steady shots, even at slower shutter speeds.

To top off the system, Nikon also introduces a new underwater housing for the J3 and S1. This WP-N2 Waterproof Housing, just like the WP-N1 for the J1 and J2 allows you to go as deep as 40 meters (130 feet).

Suggested Retail Prices:

• Nikon 1 J3 with 10-30mm lens: $599.95 (available in White, Black, Silver, Red, and Beige)
• Nikon 1 S1 with 11-27mm lens: $499.95 (available in White, Black, Red, Pink, and Khaki)
• 1 NIKKOR 10-100 f/4.0-5.6 VR: $549.95 (available in White, Black, Silver, Red, and Beige)
• 1 NIKKOR 6.7-13mm f/3.5-5.6 VR: $499.95 (available in Black and Silver)
• WP-N2 Waterproof Housing: $732.96 (available in White)

Availability of these products should be somewhere next month.

New Nikon 1 mirrorless camera: Nikon 1 V2

In addition to the new 70-200 f/4 lens, Nikon also announced a new camera in their Nikon 1 series of mirrorless cameras. The new Nikon 1 V2 is an update of the current Nikon 1 V1 camera.

Improvements to the V1 are, amongst others:

• a new 14.2MP sensor,
• 15fps continuous shooting speed with full AF (!),
• a built-in flash,
• a new better grip, and
• the addition of a “command mode dial” to provide easy access to features and controls.

The Nikon 1 V2 camera (with 10-30mm lens) will be available in late November 2012 for the suggested retail price of $899.95.

Firmware v1.20 update for Nikon 1 J1 and V1

Apart from the new Nikon 1 camera and accessories, Nikon also posted an update for the Nikon 1 J1 and V1 mirror-less system cameras.

According to the release notes, the following fixes and enhancements have been made:

• The exposure control program used with shooting in Smart Photo Selector mode, or still image shooting mode with Exposure mode set to P Programmed auto or Scene auto selector, has been revised for faster shutter speeds to prevent blurred subjects.
• Auto white balance performance has been increased.
• Exposure accuracy with ISO sensitivity set to Auto 100–3200, Auto 100–800, or Auto 100–400 has been increased with shooting using the built-in flash to photograph subjects at close distances..
• The following issues have been resolved.
• An error message was sometimes displayed during interval timer shooting, preventing capture of the specified number of shots.
• When the camera was turned on by releasing the retractable lens barrel lock on applicable lenses, there was sometimes a slight delay before the shutter could be released.

You can find the firmware updates on the support sites:

• Nikon J1 – Europe / USA
• Nikon V1 – Europa / USA

(Or, go to you own country's support site)

Applying the fix is easy:

• Download the firmware update (Mac or Win file)
• Put the firmware update bin file in the root directory of a memory card
• Insert the memory card in your camera
• Turn the camera on
• Select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu and follow the instructions shown for updating the firmware
• After update has completed, turn the camera off and remove the memory card

To verify you have the latest version of the firmware active, simply select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu. Firmware A and B should both be version 1.20.

Nikon announces new Nikon 1 J2 camera, 11-27.5mm lens, and waterproof housing

Nikon today announced some great new products in their Nikon 1 compact system camera line-up: a new J2 camera, a new 11-27.5mm lens as well as an all new waterproof housing to take your Nikon 1 J1 or the new J2 underwater.

Nikon 1 J2

Specification highlights:

• 10.1 Mega Pixels
• CX format sensor (2.7x lens crop factor when compared to 35mm format)
• 3”, 920,000 dot LCD monitor(double the pixels of the J1)
• ISO 100–3200 (6400 in HI)
• JPG and RAW (12 bit NEF) file support
• SD, SDHC, and SDXC memory card support
• 1/16,000 – 30s shutter speed
• Up to 60 frames per second at a burst of 12 shots
• Up to 135 points hybrid Auto Focus system, currently providing the fastest AF available with the most hybrid points (73).
• Full HD video (up to 1080i/60) with built-in stereo microphone
• Built in Flash
• Available in 6 colours

More information on the Nikon website.

1 NIKKOR 11-27.5mm f/3.5-5.6

Specification highlights:

• CX-format
• 11-27.5 mm focal-length range (angle of view is equivalent to focal-length range of 30-74 mm lens in 35mm format)
• f/3.5-5.6 aperture
• One ED glass element and one Aspherical lens element
• Zoom ring operation turns the camera power on/off (power off: not available with J1/V1)
• Compared to the 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6, it is ±32 g (±28%) lighter and ±11 mm (±26%) shorter.
• Retractable lens mechanism improves portability
• Available in 6 colours

More information on the Nikon website.

Waterproof Case WP-N1

Specification highlights:

• Usable down to 40 meters under water
• Lightweight (790g without camera)
• Does not float up when let go under water
• Zoom lenses are usable
• Placement of buttons allows for easy switching of between video recording and taking pictures
• Compatible with underwater speedlight YS-D1 by SEA&SEA SUNPACK Co., Ltd
• Compatible with the Nikon 1 J1 and the new Nikon 1 J2 cameras

More information on the Nikon website.

Nikon firmware update for J1 and V1 cameras

Nikon has posted an update for the Nikon 1 J1 and V1 mirror-less system cameras.

According to the release notes, the only fix in this update is for the issue that caused some frames to be duplicated in slow-motion movies recorded at a frame rate setting of 1200 fps.

You can find the firmware updates on the support sites:

• Nikon J1 – Europe / USA
• Nikon V1 – Europa / USA

(Or, go to you own country's support site)

Applying the fix is easy:

• Download the firmware update (Mac or Win file)
• Put the firmware update bin file in the root directory of a memory card
• Insert the memory card in your camera
• Turn the camera on
• Select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu and follow the instructions shown for updating the firmware
• After update has completed, turn the camera off and remove the memory card

To verify you have the latest version of the firmware active, simply select “Firmware version” from the camera's setup menu. Firmware A should be version 1.12, and Firmware B should be version 1.10.