Nikon has introduced a slew of new products aimed at a variety of different groups of photographer. At the high-end, the Nikon 400mm f/2.8E lens gets a makeover and a price increase to $12,000. The updated Nikon TC-14E III features improved surface coatings and weather proofing (I definitely plan to order one, but check to see whether your lenses are compatible). Nikon has also upped its game in the compact mirrorless market with the new Nikon 1 J4 body – featuring 20 fps shooting with a zillion AF points. You can get it in a kit with the most popular two Nikon 1 zooms for under $900. Read on for details…

Nikon 400mm f/2.8E lens

The Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR Lens is an advanced telephoto lens featuring a bright, fast f/2.8 maximum aperture to benefit its use in difficult lighting conditions. The lens construction incorporates two fluorite elements and two ED (extra-low dispersion) elements, which help to minimize the overall lens weight and significantly reduce chromatic aberrations throughout the aperture range. Also improving image quality, a Nano Crystal Coat has been applied to lens elements to minimize ghosting and lens flare for maintained image contrast, clarity, and color neutrality. Protecting the advanced optical design is a front fluorine-coated meniscus glass element that, when paired with the weather-resistant magnesium alloy barrel, supports working in inclement conditions.
A Silent Wave Motor AF system produces fast, near-silent focusing performance that suits both stills shooting and movie recording which can instantly be manually overridden by simply turning the manual focus ring. Further contributing to photographing in fast-paced situations and difficult lighting, VR (Vibration Reduction) image stabilization compensates for the effects of camera shake by up to four shutter speed steps. Additionally, an electromagnetic aperture mechanism is integrated into the lens design to provide greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with faster continuous shooting rates.

Fast f/2.8 maximum aperture is well-suited to working in difficult lighting conditions and also lends itself to precise focus control for shallow depth of field imagery.

Two fluorite and two ED lens elements work to reduce chromatic aberrations; improve overall image sharpness, clarity, and color fidelity; and help to minimize the overall weight of the lens.

Vibration Reduction image stabilization helps to reduce the appearance of camera shake for up to four shutter speed stops, benefitting this lens' use in low-light conditions. Additionally, a designated Sports and Action VR mode is well-suited to working in fast-paced conditions.

Silent Wave Motor autofocus mechanism provides quick, quiet and precise autofocus performance.

Full-time manual focus override allows instant switching between AF and MF focusing systems by just rotating the focus ring at any time.

Internal focusing design maintains the overall lens length during operation and contributes to a lighter overall weight, as well as a minimum focusing distance of 8.5'.

Specialized electromagnetic aperture mechanism provides greater exposure control stability that is especially beneficial when working with fast continuous shooting rates.

A Nano Crystal Coat, along with a Super Integrated Coating, has been applied to lens elements to minimize surface and internal reflections for a marked reduction in lens flare and ghosting.

Fluorine-coated front meniscus glass element affords protection to the optical system.

Dust- and moisture-resistant magnesium alloy lens barrel benefits the lens' use in inclement conditions.

When used with DX-sized sensors, the 35mm-equivalent focal length will be 600mm.

A removable Monopod Collar is included with the lens for well-balanced support when working from a monopod or tripod.

Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III

The Nikon AF-S Teleconverter TC-14E III is a 1.4x teleconverter used to extend the effective focal length of Nikon F-mount AF-S lenses by 40% while still maintaining full support for autofocus, exposure metering, and VR image stabilization with compatible lenses. The front and rear optical surfaces feature fluorine coatings, which repel water droplets, and the durable lens barrel is also weather-resistant to suit working in inclement conditions.

Features

• 1.4x teleconverter extends the reach of AF-S lenses by 40% with only a one-stop loss in exposure.
• Advanced design maintains the optical quality of NIKKOR lenses as well as fully supports exposure metering and VR image stabilization capabilities.
• Durable, weather-resistant barrel, along with fluorine-coated front and rear elements, support use in harsh conditions.
• Nikon F lens mount supports both FX and DX format AF-S NIKKOR lenses.

UPDATE on lens compatibility:

Thanks to sharp-eyed reader Peter G. for passing along the information on lens compatibility for this new TC from the B&H site. You really need the latest versions of lenses to use it, as follows:

Just reading your blog, and you mentioned the new Nikon TC14E. III

 

Well, unless you have some really new  lenses such as  the absolute latest 300mm f2.8  , 400mm f2.8, 50mm f4, 600mm f4,  the latest TC14 will not work with many older " long lenses "..  that, probably lenses prior to 2010.

 

I have a Nikon 300mm f2.8 AF-S ( 1997 ), and 500mm f4 AF-I ( 1995), and this TC14E is not compatible.

 

Here's the list B&H shows:

Lens Compatibility

    Fully compatible:

 AF-S NIKKOR 200mm f/2G ED VR II
AF-S VR NIKKOR 200mm f/2G IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G ED V II
AF-S VR NIKKOR 300mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8E FL ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 400mm f/2.8G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 500mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 600mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED
AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II
AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED

Compatible, without AF function:
AF-S VR Micro-Nikkor 105mm f/2.8G IF ED

Compatible when attached to f/8-compatible camera body:
AF-S NIKKOR 800mm f/5.6E FL ED VR
AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR

 

Lenses compatible with the TC-14E II, but incompatible with the AF-S TELECONVERTER TC-14E III:

AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 300mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 300mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 400mm f/2.8D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 500mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED II
AF-S Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED
AF-I Nikkor 600mm f/4D IF-ED

 

 

Nikon 1 J4 

The black Nikon 1 J4 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 10-30mm and 30-110mm Lenses from Nikon combines a high speed compact mirrorless camera and a two versatile zoom lenses. Continuing in the footsteps of the 1 J3, the 1 J4 introduces a number of notable improvements over its ancestor. In particular, the CMOS sensor now boasts an 18.4 megapixel native resolution. And the low light has seen a jump as well, with ISO settings up to 12800 now possible thanks in no small part to its EXPEED 4A Image Processor. Both JPEG and 12-bit RAW photo capture are available. In addition, the 1 J4 features Full HD 1080p video at 60 frames per second with stereo sound. Simultaneous capture allows you to shoot stills while recording video and switch back to video at the touch of a button.
A 3.0" TFT color LCD with 1,037k-dot resolution provides composition and playback viewing and with Live Image Control you can see the changes you make to settings right on the LCD before you shoot. Best Moment Capture allows you to view live action in Slow View in order to capture the best moment and Motion Snapshot lets you combine a still photo with slow motion video for complete documentation of a moment.
With an emphasis on stylish design and user-friendly assistive features, the 1 J4 is well suited for any level of photographer. Smart Photo Selector, for example, will shoot 20 frames in a burst and select the best 5 images for display. The 1 J4 also includes a pop-up flash that will automatically add the right amount of light when conditions call for it.
Included with the camera body is the sleek 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM lens, which provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 27-81mm. This wide-angle to short telephoto lens features a Power-Drive zoom mechanism, for quick, smooth control, and VR image stabilization to suppress the effects of camera shake. To further extend the effective focal length range, the 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens is also included, and provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 81-297mm. This lens also incorporates Vibration Reduction to benefits its telephoto reach and utilizes extra-low dispersion glass to minimize chromatic aberrations throughout the zoom range. A Super Integrated Coating further contributes to well-maintained contrast, color neutrality, and overall image clarity.

Speed

Featuring the newly designed EXPEED 4A image processor, the Nikon 1 J4 delivers high speed performance, allowing you to shoot at up to 60 fps with autofocus locked on the first frame.

Quality

Featuring a 18.4MP AF CMOS sensor and a wide ISO range from 160 to 12800, the J4 allows you to capture high quality images, even in low light.

10-30mm and 30-110mm Lenses

Included with the camera body is the versatile 1 NIKKOR VR 10-30mm f/3.5-5.6 PD-ZOOM lens; a wide-angle to portrait-length zoom providing a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 27-81mm. The Power-Drive zoom mechanism affords smooth and precise control over the zoom placement, making it ideal for use when recording videos. Built-in VR image stabilization works to minimize the appearance of camera shake to benefit working with longer shutter speeds. Additionally, the lens' compact form factor is complemented by a built-in lens cover, alleviating the need for a lens cap.
Also included with the camera, and complementing the 10-30mm lens, is the 1 NIKKOR VR 30-110mm f/3.8-5.6 lens. This telephoto zoom lens provides a 35mm-equivalent focal length range of 81-297mm and utilizes Vibration Reduction image stabilization to minimize the appearance of camera shake throughout the zoom range. Extra-low dispersion glass, along with a Super Integrated Coating, help to maintain overall image clarity while also providing marked reduction chromatic aberrations.

Full HD 1080i Video

Shoot video in Full HD 1080 at either 60 frames per second or 30 frames per second. Other resolutions are available as is super slow motion shooting at 1200 frames per second. A number of creative effects can be applied to the video recording; options include Fast Motion, Jump Cut, and 4-second Movie.

3.0" TFT Color LCD

A bright 3.0" TFT Color LCD monitor with 1037k-dot resolution and brightness adjustment is available for composition and playback.

Hybrid Autofocus System

A hybrid autofocus system combines phase-detection and contrast-detect AF for very fast autofocus. There are 105 phase-detection focus points and another 171 contrast-detection points. These focus points are densely packed and positioned over a broad range of the frame to help ensure precise acquisition of moving subjects.

RAW and JPEG Capture

Shoot still photos in 12-bit NEF RAW, in three distinct JPEG image qualities or with simultaneous RAW and JPEG capture.

Simultaneous Photo and Video Capture

Start video recording with the touch of a button and if you see something that would make a great image, simply press the shutter to capture a full resolution still image. Up to 20 images can be captured in video mode.

Active Selection

With Active Selection enabled 20 frames are automatically recorded at high speed shortly before or after the shutter-release button is fully pressed. From these, users can choose the best shots for storage

Improved Interface

Featuring an improved user interface, the 1 J4 allows for simple navigation of all of its shooting modes through the mode dial and function button.

Live Image Control

Adjust certain settings right before capturing an image to make sure that it is perfect. The changes can be seen on the LCD, so you will be sure how your image will look before you take it.

Best Moment Capture

View live action in slow motion and replay it as many times as you need to get the best shot with Slow View. If you would rather the camera do the work, use Smart Photo Selector and have the 1 J4 select the best 5 images out of the 20 it will take with one click of the shutter.

Creative Mode

Creative mode allows you to put more artistic style into your images. Shoot panoramas, miniature effects, highlight specific colors within your image or shoot with total manual control.

Lens Compatibility

The 1 J4 is compatible with all of the 1 NIKKOR lenses to increase versatility and creativity.

Time Settings

World Time Setting is supported as are date, time and daylight savings time settings.

Built-in Wi-Fi

Send your images and videos to your smart phone or device and from there share them with friends and family. In addition, your smart device can be used as a remote with the 1 J4.

Improved Motion Snapshot

In Motion Snapshot mode, simply pressing the shutter-release button records a still image and about 1.6s of slow-motion movie footage before, and depending upon settings after, the user presses the shutter-release button. Ambient sound can also be recorded with Motion Snapshots.