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Nikon D2X, D2Hs, D200 Digital SLR
New Firmware Coming


June 12th, 2006

Nikon will be releasing new firmware for the Nikon D2X and the Nikon D2Hs professional digital SLR cameras that brings a number of the feature improvements incorporated in the new Nikon D2Xs digital SLR to owners of the D2X and the Nikon D2Hs. There will also be a lesser update provided for the Nikon D200. (Mainly since many of the features that are being added to the D2X and the D2Hs are already found in the Nikon D200).

Support for Nikon's new Image Authentication feature will also be added to the D2X, D2Hs and the D200 with the updates. Will require optional software to authenticate the Nikon D2Xs, D2X, D2H and D200 image files.

The Nikon D200 firmware will also enable the camera to support the Nikon WT-3 Wireless Transmitter due for release later this year. The new Nikon D2X and D2Hs firmware is slated for release this Fall. The Nikon D200 update is expected around the same time.

The proposed enhancements that will be included in the Nikon D2X / D2Hs firmware are:

  • ISO sensitivity can be set between “800” and “HI-1" (“H 0.3": equivalent to ISO 1000; “H 0.5”: equivalent to ISO 1100; “H 0.7”: equivalent to ISO 1250). (D2x only)

  • Black-and-white option will be added to the “Color mode” menu. Take pictures in black-and-white with a wide tone range suited to a wide variety of subjects, from portraits to landscapes. This option is only available when sRGB is selected for Color Space. (D2x only)

  • “Image Authentication” will be added to the setup menu. The optional Nikon Image Authentication Software is required to authenticate the image.

  • Trimming that was previously only available through the use of image editing software will be abled to be performed on a Nikon D2X with the upgrade. When immediate image transfer through a network is required, this function eliminates time taken for software editing and improves work efficiency.

    The Nikon D2X trimming feature will allow you to create a cropped copy of the original image. You can select the size and position of the crop. Cropped copies are saved as FINE-quality JPEG images. Depending on the size of the crop, copies will be 2,540 × 1,920, 1,920 × 1,440, 1,280 × 960, 960 × 720, or 640 × 480 pixels in size.

 

 

 

 



 

    Addition of multiple custom tone curves. A total of three custom tone curves can be downloaded to the Nikon D2xs (the Nikon D2X without the firmware update allows for one custom tone curve).

    Nikon Camera Control Pro software (available separately) can be used to download up to three custom tone curves to the camera.

    Choose Custom in the Nikon D2X menu to select a user defined curve. If no custom curve has been created, this option is equivalent to the Normal setting.

  • A "Save/load settings" feature will be added to the setup menu in the D2X and the D2Hs. With the "Save & Load Camera Settings" function, it is possible to store or load camera settings to or from a memory card. This new feature is particularly useful when multiple Nikon D2X or D2Hs cameras are to be used with the same settings.

  • The ability to lock the mirror in the up position for inspection or cleaning, from the "Mirror lock-up” item in the setup menu, with battery power will be added. The battery level must be 80% or greater to lock the mirror up with battery power.

Nikon D2X Professional Digital SLR

  • The number of options available with the “Lock-On” item in the CSM menu will be increased to 4. Before firmware update: Two options available “On” (default) and “Off”. After firmware update: The four options available are Long, Normal, Short, and Off

  • "Max. sensitivity" and “Min. shutter speed” options will be added to the “ISO auto” item in the Custom menu. The maximum sensitivity applied with "ISO auto" can be set using the "Max. sensitivity" option. The minimum shutter speed for which the sensitivity is automatically adjusted can be selected using the "Min. shutter speed" option.




  • "Maximum shots” in the Custom menu for a single burst of continuous shooting is increased to 60 shots. With the firmware update the maximum number of shots that can be taken in continuous shooting mode has been increased to 60 frames. With the Nikon D2X before update the maximum number of frames is 35. For the Nikon D2Hs it is 50 images.

  • The “FUNC. button” item in the CSM menu will be divided into 2 items. “FUNC. button” and “FUNC. + command”.
  • A “Recent settings” option will be added to the setup menu on the Nikon D2X and the D2Hs. Options displayed when the “Recent settings” menu is displayed will allow you to lock the menu or delete the list.
  • Information displayed in shooting data with single-image playback will be changed to include.
Focus mode (“S”, “C”, or “M”)
Vibration Reduction function on/off. (Only displayed when a VR lens is used.)
  • Information displayed in shooting data with single-image playback will be changed.
Latitude and Longtitude information: Changed to display up to 3 digits* after the decimal point. 3-digit display may not be possible with some GPS devices. Compass bearing: ”Heading” is displayed only if the GPS device is equipped with a digital compass.




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