Nikon has announced firmware version 5.10 for its flagship mirrorless camera, the Nikon Z9, launched in December 2021. This update introduces advanced features tailored for professional video recording, enhancing flexibility and usability.
A notable addition is the new Shutter Mode, enabling users to set the shutter angle in 15 steps between 5.6° and 360° when shooting in [M] mode. This feature simplifies achieving optimal motion blur by eliminating the need to manually adjust shutter speed when changing frame rates.
Further improvements include customizable options for video exposure aids. Users can now alter the color of the zebra pattern display and adjust the size, transparency, and position of brightness indicators like histograms and wave-form monitors. These updates ensure precise exposure control while accommodating individual preferences or specific shooting scenarios.
Nikon reaffirmed its commitment to supporting photographers and videographers by continuously enhancing its products through firmware updates.
For more details on the firmware update and Nikon’s full product lineup, visit Nikon India.
IIT Hyderabad and Nikon India, recently inaugurated its first “Centre of Excellence” (CoE) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad. This first-of-its-kind CoE aims to offer advanced imaging technologies to trainees, visiting scholars, and collaborators across the country, fostering impactful collaborations between IIT Hyderabad researchers and Nikon teams. As a hub for innovation, the centre will empower researchers to explore biological systems across scales – from single cells to human tissues – advancing research breakthroughs in high-resolution imaging.
Equipped with state-of-the-art imaging technologies, the Centre of Excellence offers a Confocal Microscope System AX R with NSPARC and TIRF. It also houses a Nikon Inverted Microscope System ECLIPSE Ti2-E for fluorescence imaging, a Nikon ECLIPSE Ts2-FL Inverted Routine Microscope, and a Nikon SMZ800N with a fluorescence attachment for macro imaging. Drawing upon its resources, technical expertise, and experienced staff, the centre will address critical challenges in cell biology and other research areas, facilitating innovative studies across various scientific fields.
Speaking on the launch, Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director of Nikon India, said, “We are thrilled to bring state-of-the-art microscopy systems to the greater scientific community in Hyderabad. This Centre of Excellence equipped with our most up-to-date imaging technologies, will not only drive scientific research but also empower researchers and students with the means to push the boundaries across various scientific disciplines. Our goal is to foster an innovative learning environment that will encourage further developments and benefit the community at large.
“Nikon’s dedication to advancing science is reflected by this first of its kind “Centre of Excellence”. By partnering with IIT Hyderabad, we are confident that we can make a substantial impact on India’s research landscape, equipping scientists with advanced high-resolution imaging tools that will drive innovation and discovery,”.
Prof. B. S. Murty, Director of IIT Hyderabad, added, “It gives us great pleasure to work with Nikon India to establish this Centre of Excellence. This initiative aligns perfectly with our goal of fostering innovative research and diverse learning opportunities. In various academic and research domains, the Centre will serve as a catalyst, inspiring our researchers and students to push the boundaries of what is possible”.
The Nikon Centre of Excellence at IIT Hyderabad marks a significant step in bridging industry and academia, offering a vital platform for collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and skill development. With advanced imaging resources, the centre will drive discoveries across diverse research fields and build a strong community of future scientists. By providing practical experience aligned with global advancements in microscopy, this partnership underscores Nikon’s commitment to advancing research and education, benefitting both the scientific community and the wider region.
Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. recently announced the release of the APS-C size Nikon Z50II mirrorless camera especially targeted towards content creators across genre, vloggers, and streamers of all skill levels.
On this occasion, Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director of Nikon India said “At Nikon, we are committed to innovation and delivering advanced imaging solutions that meet the evolving demands of our customers. With the launch of the Nikon Z50II, we are excited to redefine creative possibilities and provide a product tailored to the needs of today’s creators. This versatile camera stands out in its segment, especially for content creators across all genres, featuring 4K video capture from 5.6K oversampling and AI-powered portrait enhancements. We are proud to introduce Z50II that empowers creators to bring their unique visions to life, ushering in a new era of creative expression.”
The EXPEED 7 image-processing engine, inherited from the Nikon flagship mirrorless camera Z9, supports high video resolution of 4K from 5.6K oversampling. It also supports the recording of N-Log video with RED LUTS available for free download for subtle and rich tonal gradation, enabling high-quality video recording.
The Z50II also offers advanced AI-driven features such as Skin Softening and Portrait Impression Balance, which intelligently refine portraits. These features help achieve professional-quality results with minimal post-production, making it perfect for fast turnaround times and ready-to-share social media content.
Furthermore, the Z50II is the first Z Series camera to feature product review mode that focusses on objects in the foreground. As well as a video self-timer function that allows the user to specify an interval of 2s or 10s before recording begins after the record button is pressed. In addition, support for USB streaming (UVC/UAC) allows users to easily deliver clear images for online meetings and live video streaming by simply connecting the camera to a computer or smartphone.
The Z50II comes packed with advanced autofocusing system, the same 9-type subject detection as that of the flagship model Z9. The Z50II also inherits the Pre-Release Capture function, which enables the camera to buffer images up to one second before the shutter-release button is fully pressed, ensuring you never miss critical moments. This feature is available exclusively in High-Speed Frame Capture mode, supporting continuous shooting at 30 frames per second.
The EVF built into the Z50II is the brightest in its segment. It allows easy checking of focus and details at the edges of the frame, even in bright surroundings, such as outdoors on a sunny day. Reducing the difference in brightness between the viewfinder display and that visible with the naked eye makes it easier to achieve the desired images.
The Nikon Z50II is the first APS-C camera to support both Imaging Recipe and Picture Control, offering users exciting ways to explore and create unique visual styles with the Nikon Imaging Cloud. With these features, users can save their personalised adjustments to colour, brightness, contrast, and more as custom recipes. Additionally, they can download colour presets curated by renowned professionals directly to their Z50II, storing them as Cloud Picture Controls for seamless use in their workflow.
Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. also announced the release of MC-DC3 Remote Cord, a remote cord compatible with the Z50II. From starry skies and nighttime scenes, or commercial (product) photography. It can also be used for remote photography to release the shutter at a distance from the camera. The shutter-release button can be locked in a fully-pressed position for long exposures (bulb shooting) or held down for continuous shooting. It can also be held halfway down for shooting with less release time-lag.
The Nikon Z50II body and MC-DC3 Remote Cord will be available by the End of November 2024 at ₹77,995 (body only) across India at Nikon outlets. Furthermore, it would be available in following kit combinations — Z50II + NIKKOR 16-50MM at ₹91,645; Z50II + NIKKOR 16-50MM + 50-250MM VR at ₹1,12,645 and Z50II + NIKKOR Z DX 18-140MM F/3.5-6.3 VR at ₹1,15,795.
Nikon India announces the fourth edition of its prestigious Wedding Film Awards (WFA). This annual competition aims to recognize and celebrate the artistry of wedding videographers and cinematographers across India, providing a platform for both seasoned professionals and emerging talents to showcase their skills.
This year’s theme, “Magical Memories,” encourages participants to capture the special moments that make weddings unique. The contest offers a chance to win prizes valued at over ₹6 lakhs, including the Nikon Z6III. The WFA not only highlights creative talent but also gives videographers an opportunity to gain widespread recognition and become part of a growing community dedicated to wedding cinematography.
A Platform for Growth and Creativity
Running over three months, from October 2024 to January 8, 2025, the Wedding Film Awards provide a valuable opportunity for videographers to refine their craft and gain visibility in a competitive industry. The contest serves as a gateway for young creators to hone their skills while promoting Nikon as the go-to brand for wedding videography tools.
Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director of Nikon India, expressed his excitement about this year’s competition. “Following the tremendous success of the previous seasons, we are delighted to announce the fourth season of the Wedding Film Awards. Nikon has continuously supported the creative community in India, and this platform allows us to honor the unique artistic visions of wedding videographers. Our cameras are more than just tools; they empower creators to capture love, tradition, and emotions in ways never imagined before.”
Elite Jury and Submission Details
Participants will have their entries evaluated by an expert panel of Nikon Creators, including some of India’s leading wedding cinematographers and photographers. The jury features well-known names such as Raj Rj (Founder of The Yellow Draft), Kirandeep (renowned wedding photographer), Snehal Patel (Founder of Spectrum Pixels), and Sazid Ansari (Founder of The Royal Diaries).
To participate, videographers are required to submit a 60-second video shot using Nikon cameras and lenses, along with a 100-word caption describing how their video uniquely captures the essence of the wedding. Entries can be submitted via the Nikon India website or through Instagram by tagging @NikonIndiaOfficial and using hashtags #WFAMagicalMemories and #WFAS4.
Exciting Prizes Await
The top winner of the Wedding Film Awards will receive Nikon’s cutting-edge Z6III camera, along with a Nikkor Z 50mm f/1.4 lens. Runners-up will also receive Nikon’s best-selling models, including the Nikon Zf and Z50 cameras.
With the Wedding Film Awards, Nikon India continues to support and nurture the growing community of videographers, offering them recognition, exposure, and the tools to excel in their craft. For more information on how to enter, visit the official Nikon India website.
Nikon India Pvt. Ltd. introduces the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4, a full-frame, FX-format compatible Z mount lens with a 55 mm diameter mount that provides abundant light and great flexibility of expression. Weighing 420 g and with a minimum focus distance of 0.37 m, it is designed for users who wish to expand their range of expression while wanting a lens compact enough to remain mobile on a budget.
“At Nikon India, we are committed to offering innovative solutions that empower photographers and videographers to push their creative boundaries. The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 is a stellar new addition to our expanding NIKKOR Z line-up, offering a perfect blend of portability and performance. With its outstanding sharpness for both stills and video, along with the ability to produce beautifully smooth background blur, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 opens up new possibilities for capturing stunning imagery, whether you’re shooting stills or video, ensuring that every shot reflects the brilliance and precision unique to Nikon’s Z series,” said Mr. Sajjan Kumar, Managing Director of Nikon India Pvt. Ltd.
With a maximum aperture of f/1.4 and a minimum focus distance of 0.37 m, the NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 is perfect for capturing flowers and decorations indoors with bright and beautiful large bokeh to further emphasize subjects. This lens enables users to capture stills with outstanding three-dimensional rendering and large bokeh, offering soft, ethereal expressions. This rendering is achieved by taking advantage of the lens’s shallow depth of field. The lens is also reliable for shooting indoors or in low-light environments. Increasing shutter speeds reduces blurriness, letting users easily obtain cleaner images at low ISO sensitivity.
This len’s angle of view allows you to narrow the aperture, step back, and capture breathtaking landscapes and portraits. The lens accurately depicts depth, helping capture subjects with a striking presence. Meanwhile, the lens’ maximum aperture allows impressive capture of subjects with soft rendering and shallow depth of field.
The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 is is designed to suppress focus breathing, providing a natural-looking image with a constant angle of view even while adjusting focus. Adopting a stepping motor (STM) enables fast and quiet AF operations, even while recording in quiet environments. This is ideal for shooting on a gimbal, maintaining balance with minimal shifting to the centre of gravity. While recording, the focus moves consistently relative to the focus or control ring’s speed, ensuring precision in focus.
This is the second non-S-Line NIKKOR lens to adopt the metal filter ring cover, delivering high quality and a sophisticated texture; Different knurling shapes for focus and control rings, helping users easily distinguish focus and control even while looking through the viewfinder; Designed to widen gradually from base to tip for stable camera holding during shooting; Superior dust and drip resistant performance, with sealing on various portions, including movable parts of the lens barrel, to effectively prevent dust or water droplets from entering the lens.
The NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.4 will be available by last week of September 2024 at MRP. ₹79,995 across India at Nikon outlets.
Nikon India Private Limited has unveiled the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4, a new addition to its lens lineup aimed at enhancing creative possibilities for photography and videography enthusiasts. Positioned as a versatile wide-angle prime lens, the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 features a fast aperture of f/1.4, promising excellent low-light performance and the ability to create soft, appealing background blur.
Designed with videography in mind, the lens incorporates features such as a stepping motor for smooth and silent autofocus operation, minimizing operational noise during quiet shooting environments. It maintains a consistent angle of view while focusing, delivering natural-looking images without noticeable focus breathing. This makes it suitable for capturing cinematic moments with enhanced clarity and depth.
The lens also boasts a compact and portable design, measuring approximately 74.5 x 86.5 mm and weighing about 415 g, making it convenient for extended shooting sessions and well-suited for use with gimbals. It includes dust and drip resistance features, safeguarding it against environmental elements during outdoor use.
Expected to be available by the third week of July 2024, the NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.4 will be priced at ₹89,995 across Nikon outlets in India, expanding options for photographers and videographers seeking advanced optical performance and creative flexibility in their imaging pursuits.
In an exciting partnership, Nikon India and the Worldwide Fund for Nature-India (WWF-India) have launched the first-ever ‘Wonders of the Wild’ photography and videography contest. This initiative seeks to showcase the stunning biodiversity of India by inviting wildlife enthusiasts across the nation to capture its natural beauty through their lenses.
Open until March 3, 2024, the contest is designed to highlight the creativity and storytelling capabilities of individuals dedicated to wildlife, encouraging them to share the vibrancy of Indian wildlife through their work. It represents a significant opportunity for budding talents to exhibit their skills and emphasizes the vital message of conservation.
A distinguished jury, including renowned wildlife videographers and photographers Shaaz Jung, Latika Nath, and Kallol Mukherjee, will evaluate the entries. Participants are welcome to submit their work via the Nikon India website or Instagram, with the contest offering a range of exciting prizes.
Prizes include a Nikon Z 8 mirrorless camera, valued at INR 3,43,995, for the grand prize winner. The first runner-up will receive a NIKKOR Z 400mm f/4.5 VR S lens worth INR 2,93,995, and the second runner-up will be awarded a NIKKOR Z 180-600mm f/5.6-6.3 VR lens valued at INR 1,69,995. Additionally, the top 10 entries will receive merchandise from the WWF-India Nature Store.
