Nikon stops making firearms optics

There has been a lot of talk lately of how Nikon is dying. The recently released financial figures lending power to the rumors. I tend to stay out of such speculation where possible and since I love my Nikon camera I also tend to hope it's not the case.

However, they have just announced that they are ceasing production and exiting from the firearms optics market. Once current stock is sold then that's it, there will be no more riflescopes from Nikon. They will continue to produce other sporting optics such as binoculars, etc.

I can't tell if it's some misguided attempt at showing support for gun control or if it's simply just that they are considering consolidating and that was the one area they were willing to cut. What I do hope though is that the money they were spending on the firearms optics side of things can be re-directed back to the camera side.

They don't seem to be slowing down on the camera side with the recent FF mirrorless releases, a new flagship pro DSLR camera having been announced and rumors of another mirrorless coming up. So let's hope this move is a good thing from Nikon and they will continue to be around for another hundred years or more.

Maybe they will re-direct the funds from the gun optics into making a smart-phone camera in order to get into that market since it seems that gone are the days of using a camera to take photos unless you're a pro or at least an enthusiast. Who needs to carry a camera when your phone takes better photos and allows you to instantly upload so everyone can see it? Ugh. I hope not, but it wouldn't surprise me one bit.

Win a D800 or 5D Mark III camera.

As a photographer, even one that would be considered semi-pro or even a hobby photographer, you have to admit, that the D800 or 5D Mark III are awesome cameras we'd all like to own. I personally, would love the D800. Checkout cameragiveaways.com for a chance to win either a D800 or 5D Mark III.

---

Courtesy of: SnapKnot - Find Local Wedding Photographers

Coming Soon : DIY Dirt Cheap Lightning and Sound Camera Trigger

I've ordered some electronics with the intention of building a DIY lightning and sound trigger unit for my DSLR cameras.

The goal is to make a small unit which can be attached to various cameras easily in order to trigger the shutter if the unit detects lightning or sound.

This will mean that the camera will be able to be set up to attempt to capture lightning bolts, or bullets exiting the barrel of a gun, or balloons popping or even allowing a second camera to shoot the same shot from a different angle by being triggered from the flash from the primary shot.

There are a few possibilities where this device could help capture something that can be tricky to manage otherwise.

My investment so far in less than $25 for the electronics. I still need to look at some materials to make an enclosure for it, but I aim to keep the entire build at well under $50.

When the gear I've ordered has arrived I will be putting together a short series of tutorials on building and testing the unit so anyone else will be able to follow along and build their own. (I'm not listing the materials yet as I am not 100% sure I've got everything I needed yet. They will be revealed soon)

I'm also thinking ahead and planning a stage 2 for this project where I will be adding on to my device an adjustable intervalometer and maybe some other sensors I think might be able to be utilised to help capture some interesting photos.

Stay tuned.