More Nikon Digital Products

: Nikon has made a number of additional product announcements in the lead-in to the PMA 2004 Trade Show in February.
Among them is a clarification of the specifications and pricing of the D70, which is expected to be released locally in March at a price of ‘under-$2000 for the body’.

It seems the new DSLR is not fitted with Nikon’s LBCAST sensor but has a CCD chip similar to that on the D100. Released concurrently with the D70 will be a new AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens, which has been developed to match the Nikon DX format sensor used in all Nikon DSLRs. The D70 boasts 25 custom functions plus seven new automated Digital Vari-Program selections, which are accessed from the new Mode Dial. Other features include fast start-up and shut-down times, negligible shutter lag and burst capture of up to 12 Fine/Large JPEG images at 3 fps. Shutter speeds range from 30-1/8000 second and flash synch is at 1/500 sec.
Scheduled for local release in May is a Nikon’s new Speedlight SB-600, a compact flash unit that supports Nikon’s Creative Lighting System when used in combination with Nikon D70 or D2H digital SLRs. This allows it to be used a remote Speedlight that can be positioned as one of multiple remote flashes, significantly extending creative possibilities. Two Ready lights on the left and right of the front can be easily seen from a distance and can emit an audible alert. Auto FP High-Speed Sync allows it to be used for fill-flash in bright daylight, even with wide aperture settings and flash colour information from the SB-600 can be used by the white balance control. The Nikon Speedlight SB-600 comes complete with a Speedlight stand

and soft case. Two flash cables (the SC-29 and SC-28) and the Colour Filter Set (SJ-1) are available as options.
Nikon’s new PictureProject software has been designed as a replacement for Nikon View and will be bundled with all new Nikon digital cameras from this Autumn. It supports automatic transfer of images from camera to PC plus a single window browsing system for controlling all operations. Other features include an intuitive interface that provides quick access to functions such as Mail, Slideshow and Auto Enhance plus drag-and-drop image organisation and a range of design templates for emailing or printing images. Slideshows can be created easily and can include background music and a pop-up messaging service delivers software update notifications, and provides access for technical tips and other information.
Details of all Nikon products are available from www.maxwell.com.au.