New Nikon Nikkor 10-24mm DX Lens!

From the release:

…the new AF-S DX-NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED lens, giving photographers the opportunity to capture a unique perspective in a variety of shooting environments. Compact and lightweight, the new 2.4x zoom DX-NIKKOR lens offers a focal length of 10 to 24mm,(FX-format equivalent of 15-36mm) creating a picture angle ranging from 109-degrees to 61-degrees making it ideal for a variety of applications including restrictive interiors, architecture and sweeping landscapes…

…The AF-S DX-NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED will be available at Nikon authorized dealers beginning May 2009 at an estimated selling price of $899.95…

Rumor: Next Nikon SLR is DX Format- D400? D350?sd

A great NIkon listserv posting by a reputable person who very well could know says that the next Nikon SLR will not be a full-frame body, but will be DX format. If you’re interested in the list, please mail me.

What’re the specs, when, what price? All unknown at this point.

I’m going to place a bet on an upgraded body like the D300 with something inexpensive added on maybe better flash, integrated GPS, better LCD, wifi?

Nikon 35mm f/1.8 AF-S DX Lens Announced

In news that will thrill 10’s of people around the globe- Nikon has announced the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX.

That little “DX” addendum means that you won’t want to use in on a full-frame camera (D3, D3x, D700) unless you want to be stuck in crap crop-mode.

But, if you’ve got a D60 and the angle of view was too little for you with the 50mm, then you’ve now got a cheap way to get your 50mm perspective back.

Your first reaction is probably something like, “Wtf are they spending lens-development resources on the amateurs who buy $300 lenses when the higher-end guys have been asking for a lens like this too?”

But it does make sense, having a 50mm AF-S f/2.8G allows the DX guys to have their near-85mm equivalent and giving them a 35mm gives them a near-50mm equivalent.

Now if Nikon would stop making any new DX lenses, they would be free to concentrate on the fullframe guys.

Otoh- these lenses are relatively cheap and putting them out in a down market makes sense- since they’re probably also made in China or Thailand- the strong Yen actually makes them even more profitable.