TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce that total production of NIKKOR lenses*<sup>1</sup> for Nikon interchangeable lens cameras reached ninety-five million in the middle of July, 2015.</p>
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<p>In 1959, Nikon (then Nippon Kogaku K.K.) released the Nikon F, as well as its first NIKKOR lenses for Nikon SLR cameras, including the NIKKOR-S Auto 5cm f/2. The NIKKOR tradition has continued over the many years since those first lenses were released.</p>
<p>Nikon actively releases new NIKKOR lenses that utilize the superior optical technologies it has cultivated over its long history as well as a variety of technologies developed exclusively by Nikon, including its anti-reflection coating, Nano Crystal Coat, PF (Phase Fresnel) lens elements with superior chromatic aberration compensation capability that makes lenses smaller and lighter, fluorite lens elements that offer superior chromatic aberration compensation and make telephoto lenses more compact, and fluorine coat, which effectively repels a variety of contaminants, such as dust and dirt, water, oils, and grease.</p>
<p>Nikon continues its steady success, reaching total lens production—including those produced with expansion of its lineup of interchangeable lenses for Nikon 1, Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lenses, the first of which was released in October, 2011—of ninety million at the end of October, 2014.</p>
<p>One of Nikon’s lenses released this year is the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR, released in January, 2015. This fixed focal length telephoto lens, compatible with Nikon FX-format digital SLR cameras, was the first NIKKOR lens for which a PF lens element was adopted. Adoption of the PF lens element made the AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/4E PF ED VR the world’s lightest lens in its class*<sup>2</sup>. This makes the lens very portable and easy to handle with hand-held shooting, despite the fact that it is a fixed focal length telephoto lens, expanding possibilities for new forms of photographic expression. What’s more, Nikon has recently released the AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR and AF-S, NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR, two FX-format compatible super-telephoto lenses with a maximum aperture of f/4 and for which two fluorite lens elements were adopted to significantly reduce their weight, making them the lightest lenses in their respective classes*<sup>3</sup>, as well as the AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR, a high-performance 5x normal zoom lens compatible with the Nikon DX format. Naturally, the latest optical design technologies and Nikon’s exclusive and highly durable fluorine coat were also adopted for these lenses.</p>
<p><em><span class="marker">*1 </span>Interchangeable lenses for Nikon SLR cameras and Nikon 1 Advanced Camera with Interchangeable Lenses</em>

<em><span class="marker">*2 </span>Among 300mm fixed focal length (prime) autofocus lenses compatible with FX-format digital SLR cameras and available as of announcement in Jan 6, 2015. Statement based on Nikon research.</em>

<em><span class="marker">*3 </span>AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4E FL ED VR : Among 500mm fixed focal length (prime) autofocus lenses with a maximum aperture of f/4 compatible with digital SLR cameras equipped with a full-size image sensor and available as of announcement in July 2, 2015.</em></p>
<p>AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4E FL ED VR : Among 600mm fixed focal length (prime) autofocus lenses compatible with digital SLR cameras equipped with a full-size image sensor and available as of announcement in, July 2, 2015. Both statements based on Nikon research.</p>
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<p>Little bits of information about the upcoming EOS-1D X Mark II continue to come in, though nothing that shows a completed product has arrived in our inbox.</p>
<p>We’re told that the EOS-1D X Mark II will sport a 24mp sensor and shoot “faster than 12fps”, though the exact framerate was unknown.</p>
<p>We’ll pass on more information as soon as we receive it.</p>

We’re told that Zeiss will announce a new wide angle Otus in September of this year.</p>
<p>While we assumed a 35mm Otus lens would be announced, we’re told it’s actually going to be wider and likely 24mm, but could be announced as a “25mm” lens. The exact speed of the lens was unknown, but the previous two Otus lenses, the 55mm and 85mm are both f/1.4.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>
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FROM REUTERS:</p>
<p>Japan’s Canon Inc cut its earnings outlook for the full year and reported a 16 percent fall in quarterly profit as consumers, increasingly in the habit of taking photos with their smartphones, bought fewer compact digital cameras.</p>
<p>The world’s largest camera maker said on Monday its second-quarter net profit fell to 68 billion yen ($552 million) compared with 81 billion yen a year earlier. Analysts on average expected 65 billion yen, according to Thomson Reuters data.</p>
<p><a href="http://uk.reuters.com/article/2015/07/27/us-canon-results-idUKKCN0Q10FD20150727" target="_blank">Read more at Reuters</a></p>

<p>A few patents showing optical formulas for a 200-500mm lens from Nikon have appeared.</p>
<p>Nikon Rumors reports that Nikon will indeed announce such a lens, though at present, the speed of the lens is unknown.</p>
<p>Canon is also <a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/2015/05/canon-developing-a-new-slower-supertelephoto-lens-cr2/" target="_blank">rumored to be developing a supertelephoto lens</a> with an aperture slower than f/4, it’s unknown if the development includes a zoom.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>

We’re told that Sigma will announce at least one more ART series lens in 2015. It’s expected we’re going to see an 85mm f/1.4 ART at some point, as well as an ultra wide ART zoom.</p>
<p>Availability may not come until 2016, but Sigma will continue down their aggressive product development cycle.</p>
<p>Their most recent lens, the 24-35mm f/2 ART has been met with a mix of feelings, but all the early reviews say it is continuing the ART series level of performance.</p>
<p>More to come…</p>
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