Destin of Smarter Every Day wanted to show how a DSLR shutter works, so he pointed a Phantom high speed camera at a Canon 60D and made this slow motion video showing the magic that happens every time you press the shutter.

This is what the new Nikon D4 looks like when stripped down to its rugged magnesium alloy frame.

(via Nikon Rumors)

After nearly a year of rumors, speculation, and leaks, Nikon has finally announced its new flagship D4 DSLR. The specs were already leaked, but here they are: 16.2MP, ISO that expands to 204,800, 10fps stills (11 if AE and AF locked), 51 AF points, a new full frame sensor, 1080/30p video recording, a 91K pixel meter (up from 1,005 pixels in the D3S), backlit controls, a 3.2-inch LCD with an ambient light sensor, a 0.12s startup time, and dual card slots (CF+XQD). It’ll cost $6,000 when it hits store shelves in late February.

Nikon has also announced a new AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G FX-format lens, which will ship starting in March for $500.

French magazine Réponses Photo has spilled the beans on the Nikon D4, one day ahead of its official announcement. A two-page scan from the magazine leaked onto the Internet, revealing photos of the camera and confirming the specs that we shared yesterday and last December. Some confirmed details: 16 megapixels, ISO 100-12800 (expandable to 50-204800), 51 autofocus points, 100% viewfinder coverage, 10-12fps, 91000 point metering system, 1080p video recording, CF/XQD card slots, 1.34kg weight, and a price of €5,800.

Update: A press release about the camera was also leaked onto the web on Wells Fargo’s website. It’s offline now, but here’s a screenshot that we managed to snag.

Thanks for the tip, broxibear!

Nikon will reportedly announce its new D4 DSLR at a press event this Friday, but new details beyond previously leaked specs are emerging. The 16.2MP camera will be available starting next month for $6,000. Its ISO goes up to 102,400, but can be expanded to 204,800. There’s also a heavy emphasis on video: it’ll have a dedicated video button, H.264 B frame compression, contrast detect AF during recording, a low pass filter, and a smooth aperture change feature.

(via Nikon Rumors)

What you see above is reportedly what the upcoming Nikon D800 will look like from the side. The leaked photo, published by Nikon Rumors, appears to match the front and rear views that were leaked last month.

(via Nikon Rumors)

Hyperspectral cameras are capable of collecting and processing information across the electromagnetic spectrum and beyond what the human eye can see. The technology ordinarily costs a fortune to get a hold of, but scientists at the Vienna University of Technology have figured out how to create a hyperspectral camera using an ordinary DSLR (the Canon 5D) and an adapter made of off-the-shelf parts (PVC pipes, a gel filter, and three camera lenses). The camera still has a ways to go in many areas — it requires several seconds to exposes images rather than milliseconds — but it’s a big step towards showing what’s possible with consumer camera technology.

(via Vienna University of Technology via The Verge)

Nikonian DSLR shooters will soon be able to use their existing F-mount lenses with Nikon’s 1 System line of mirrorless cameras. The FT1 adapter launches next week in Japan on December 22nd for ¥23,310, or roughly $300. Most lenses in the mount system will be compatible, and AF-S lenses will have the added advantage of being able to utilize the cameras’ autofocus systems. Be prepared for massive crop though — the tiny sensor on the cameras mean that your lenses will have a crazy 2.7x crop factor. A 50mm normal lens will turn into a 135mm telephoto lens.

FT1-mount adapter (via The Verge)

Nikon has more than just a 36-megapixel D800 up its sleeve. The company is also planning to launch a Nikon D4 DSLR to rival the Canon 1DX, and specs of the camera were leaked this past weekend by Nikon Rumors. The camera will reportedly offer 16.2MP, 11fps, ISO 102400 (expandable to 204800), support for the new XQD memory card format in addition to CF, integrated ethernet, 51 AF points, face detection/recognition, and improved video capabilities (e.g. uncompressed video output and buttons for smooth aperture control during recording). The camera may be officially announced early next year alongside the D800.

(via Nikon Rumors)

Photographer Tim Allen spotted this sign outside the Aldwych tube station, an abandoned London Underground station that recently opened up for tours. While photography bans are pretty common, the station has decided to only ban DSLRs due to “their combination of high quality sensor and high resolution”. Other cameras are allowed in, as long as they don’t look “big” enough to shoot amazing photos.

(via Amateur Photographer via Megapixel)

Update: Apparently the ban was because DSLR users take longer to shoot photos, and they didn’t want the tours to be delayed. That makes sense. Wait…

Image credit: Photograph by Tim Allen and used with permission