As I blogged about Sony replacing their Alpha DSLRs as fast as changing my old stinking socks previously in May 2010, again, just one year and two months, the Alpha  α230 and  α330 will be replaced by  α290 and  α290 respectively.

Nikon D90 was announced in August 2008.  Almost two years, we still have no concrete information about D90 will be replaced anytime soon.

That’s one reason why I never like Sony Alpha.  Sony tends to replace their DSLRs as fast as compact camera, this is eventually make your investment depreciate much faster than any other competitors typically Canon and Nikon.  My first Nikon DSLR in D70 back in January 2004.  After six years, it only went two major revision. and I sold my D70 for RM1000 last year, not bad price for a five years old body, assumed I bought it at RM3,000, it depreciates at most is 66% after five years.  I doubt if I would invest in Sony Alpha, and it will get that high resell value.

Nikon D300 is replaced by D300s since July 2009. The remaining D300 have been snatched as soon as people heard the ridiculous price for D300s. The price was a whooping RM5700, a premium of RM1300 compared with D300. The extra premium (as high as 30%) paid is unjustifiable for the minimum upgrade. Details about the difference between D300s and D300 can be read in “Should you buy Nikon D300s or D300?”

USA and Australia already received the news on price cut for several Nikon DSLR bodies including the D300s, D700, and D3x. Amazon.com, B&H and Adorama is now selling the Nikon D300s at the newly reduced price.

The new revised price I would expect to fall in the range of RM4800 to RM4900 for Malaysia. Compared with the Nikon D300 at the price of RM4400 before EOL, an extra premium of 10% for the minor upgrade, I would say the price is fall into the just right bracket.

If you are upgrading to Nikon D300s, it would be the right price now.

Update :

The new street price I got was RM5300.  RM400 difference (or merely 7.0% dropped) .  It is 10% less than what I expected.  I shall call this as “still highter than reasonable price”.  If you are desperate looking for a new pro body, and don’t mind paying extra RM400+-, then it should be ok to get the D300s; else just stay and wait until it dropped to a more reasonable price which is below RM5000 mark.

It is kind of surprised me that Nikon announces the new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR.   I guess if you can’t afford the premium Nikkor AF-S 105mm VR Macro, well, you still have a second choice by downgrade to DX, 85mm, F/3.5G and pay lesser than the premium.

Here are the features:

Source:
http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2009/1014_nikkor_02.htm

It’s been some time Nikon D3 is out of stock everywhere, and rumours is flying around for the new D3s.

Today Nikon announced new D3s as the replacement model for D3.  As expected, D3s is only a minor touch up improvement over D3.  So don’t get over excited.

Based on the official D3s price tag of US$5,199.95, I would expect it will cost RM16,000 street price (D3 was RM14,000) when it hits Malaysia. It is expected to be available on December 2009 before Christmas.

Here is something new in D3s:
- 720p / 24 fps HD movie mode
- HDMI HD video output

The rest of it are basically minor improvement.

Details of new features:
http://www.dpreview.com/news/0910/09101403NikonD3shandson.asp
http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2009/1014_d3s_01.htm

Sanyo claims that the new Eneloop is able to be recharged approximately 50% more times than the previous version.  In another word, previous version of Eneloop can recharge 1000 times and the new version can recharge 1500 times.

Sano also claims that the new Eneloop is able to remain energy as much as 90% after 6 months, 85% after 1 year, 80% after 2 years, and 75% after 3 years if you leave it unused. More »

Nikon today officially announced the following products:

1. Nikon D300s
Nikon Press Release - http://www.nikon.com/about/news/2009/0730_d300s_01.htm

TOKYO – Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the introduction of its new DX-format digital SLR flagship, the Nikon D300S.

As well as inheriting the finest features of the highly acclaimed D300, the D300S boasts many innovative enhancements and is designed to meet an even broader scope of creative demands from serious photographers.

First and foremost, the D300S possesses the superb product quality required of the flagship of Nikon’s DX-format digital SLR camera line: 7 frames-per-second*1 high-speed continuous shooting, exceptional accuracy thanks to the 51-point AF system and approx. 100% viewfinder coverage, plus dual card slots and the rugged durability that enables the camera to work under extreme conditions. What’s more, an enhanced D-Movie function provides new features, such as an external microphone input for stereo sound recording and AF capability with contrast-detect AF during movie recording. Such outstanding specifications in a trim, responsive, versatile DX-format digital SLR will give any serious photographer an extra measure of agility, for traveling and shooting with greater ease.

On top of this, users can choose from the extraordinary range of more than 60 NIKKOR lenses, and Nikon’s Total Imaging System — benefits that give the D300S a special advantage in terms of creative D-SLR versatility.

More »

The new AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II  is expected to have the following specification compared with current model

More »

The Nikon all-in-one zoom lens AF-S DX Nikkor 18-200mm F/3.5-5.6 ED VR is expected to have a new revision version this coming month.

This is perhaps another early April Fool’s joke?

The current 18-200 F/3.5-5.6 ED VR is still VERY NEW. It was first available in early 2006!  It is only less than 5 years old.

It also has almost everything a new generation lens is required - AFS, VR, IF, G, what else is missing? FX and N perhaps.  Absolutely nothing else.

Come on Nikon, there are tones of Prime Lenses waiting to be updated, but you chose to update a new and average quality lens?

The legendary Nikon mid-range zoom lens AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm F/2.8G ED VR is expected to have a new revision version this coming month.

Regardless the rumours flying around, I am not too convinced this is true, I have a few reasons why:
More »

A new Entry Level DSLR Nikon D3000 is expected to be announced on the Nikon website on 30 July 2009 and the coming Nikon Press Conference.

Nikon D3000 is expected to be even less features than a D5000:
- No Video Recording
Video Recording is not the reason you buy a DSLR for, why pay for the video recording when you don’t need it?

- No Articulating LCD Screen
Articulating LCD Screen usually useful for difficult angle, unlikely you need that.  also it is more practical in video photography which is the LCD is your primary view finder for video photography.   Since video recording is out, it make sense to ditch the Articulating LCD screen together.

I am definitely looking forward to check this out.  I expect Nikon D3000 will arrive the shore of Malaysia with the RM2000 price tag and head to head with Canon EOS 1000D