Updated: 17:06

Thanks Eugene for the heads up on this bit of news. I was out at lunch earlier only to find this very interesting bit of news sitting in my comments column in my last post.

Good to know that Nikon has finally launched the Nikon D700 and its as good as the rumours claimed it to be. Awesome stuff this new FX camera which sports the Nikon D3's CMOS full frame sensor. To top it off, Dpreview mentioned that it sports a sensor cleaner, something which Nikon's flagship D3 did not have.


Image source: DPreview.com

As I previously posted, the Nikon D700 is indeed a camera to behold, fits nicely within the price ranges of the previous D300 and the high-end D3. At USD$2999, I would expect the camera to be priced at RM9k and any lower than that would be a good bonus.

I think it might just be the right time to retire my D200 and head towards greener pastures or perhaps, larger pastures. With this already available, I would say that all of my remaining lens purchases should revolve around FX type lenses and no longer should I look at DX lenses unless to be used with the D300.

Available at the end of July, we should expect the camera to hit our Malaysian shores in September and hopefully by then we can see samples of the D700 in action at ISO6400. Very curious to see if this baby can keep images clean at ISO6400.


D700 next to a D300 - Image Source: Rob Galbraith

Update:

Pre-orders for both the Nikon D700 and SB-900 is already available at Shashinki. Check them out here.

	Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Body Only (FX Full Frame 12MP CMOS, Live View, Image Sensor Cleaning) (Japan Import) Date Added: Tuesday 01 July, 2008 Manufacturer: Nikon Price: RM10,300.00
	Nikon SB-900 Speedlight i-TTL Shoe Mount Flash (Guide No. 34/111.5 (ISO 100, m/ft)) Date Added: Tuesday 01 July, 2008 Manufacturer: Nikon Price: RM1,995.00

Sources:

• DPreview.com - Hands On Review
  


• Rob Galbraith - Nikon unveils D700 full-frame digital SLR


• Nikon D700 24 page brochure


• Nikon USA - D700 page


• Nikon USA - SB-900 page
  

My first ever DSLR was the Nikon D40 which I purchased in January. Since then, I started my interest in the area of photography. Being a relatively middle income earner and knowing the exorbitant prices that revolves around this new hobby of mine, I faced a problem.

The Nikon D40 didn't have the autofocus motor built in the body. I guess this was Nikon's way of reducing costs but it came as a problem for D40/D40x owners, they had to buy either Nikon's AF-S type lenses or perhaps a cheaper alternative would be the Sigma HSM type lens.

But, I am not here to talk about the D40 shortcomings.

Tamron, another 3rd party lens maker has finally decided to jump onto that bandwagon to manufacture a lens capable of having the autofocus function with the Nikon D40. In any sense, this is a good business move by Tamron because they are catering for a large market (the D40 has a huge market because of its price worldwide) of consumers.

AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di II

"The AF18-250mm F/3.5-6.3 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) Macro is the ultimate high power zoom lens boasting the world’s greatest zoom ratio(*1) of 13.9X, a milestone that Tamron, the pioneer of high power zoom lenses, has achieved by commanding its technologies to further expand the capabilities of high power zoom lenses."

With this in mind, I think Tamron has a winner provided that the price of this lens is priced well as it is definitely a good travel lens. It gives a nice wide 18mm as well as a long telephoto (compared against the usual 18-200mm lenses). Let's see how this will fare against Sigma's travel lenses.

Back on the other spectrum of the price range would be something which many people have been waiting for, the Nikon D3. The first full frame DSLR for Nikon, the D3 marks an important milestone for Nikon and I am sure many people would be more than happy to jump on the new bandwagon.

Well, if you are still clueless about the Nikon D3, don't fret. Head over here to see how the D3 would look unboxed!

Related links:

• Engadget


• Tamron Press Release


• ShutterAsia's Nikon D40/D40x supported lenses


• Nikon D300 high ISO performance at ShutterAsia