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Rocky Nook’s newest publication, The Nikon D200 Dbook, is the ideal companion for anyone who wants to get the most from their Nikon camera. With 580 digital pages in Acrobat format, you will discover the fundamentals on all aspects of the digital image creation process: digital photography basics, taking pictures, image optimization, lenses, accessories, and much more.

Rocky Nook Dbooks go well beyond the Nikon camera manuals and are well organized, beautifully illustrated introductions to digital photography with the Nikon system.

This predictions have come true with the introduction of the ‘FX format’ (new moniker created by Nikon) D3 which features a 36 x 23.9 mm 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor as well as a vast array of new features which absolutely raise it another notch above previous single digit Nikon DSLRs. Important headline improvements include high sensitivity support by default, up to ISO 6400 with 25600 available as a boost option, 14-bit A/D conversion, a new standard image processor, a new shutter, new auto focus sensor, focus tracking by color, nine frames per second continuous, dual compact flash support, DX lens support (albeit at lower resolution) and a 3.0” 922,000 pixel LCD monitor (which it has to be said is lovely).

All in all, the experience of using the D40x is very pleasant. The camera is light and easy to hold, with a sensibly laid out control system that quickly becomes intuitive. Despite its relatively low cost and plastic body it feels very solid and well made, and every inch a Nikon. It’s easy to see the resemblance to the more professional models such as the D80 or D200. It performs quickly and quietly, and even a first-time user should have no trouble producing first-class results.

The D40x in this regard reflects the increasingly schizoid personality of all the so-called entry-level DSLRs: Designed to be non-threatening to the SLR newcomer, they have as few external control switches as possible. At the same time, cameras in this class have added more and more sophisticated functions, which end up hidden under layers of menus. The D40x has nearly the capability of the Nikon D80, but throws some tricky curves when you want to get beyond all-auto shooting.

Nikon Inc. (www.nikondigital.com) today introduced the new 55-200mm f/4-5.6G IF-ED AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor lens – a new compact telephoto zoom Nikkor lens that offers Nikon’s exclusive Vibration Reduction technology in a high-powered 3.6x zoom lens. Engineered exclusively for use with Nikon’s DX format digital SLR cameras, including the D80, D40 and recently announced D40x, this new lens approximates the picture angle characteristics of an 82.5-300mm lens on a 35mm film SLR camera. It incorporates many of Nikon’s most advanced lens design attributes such as Extra Low Dispersion (ED) glass, Silent Wave Motor technology (SWM) and Vibration Reduction (VR), delivering outstanding optical performance at a remarkably affordable price. This new lens is ideal for sports, action, wildlife, travel, and portrait photography, among many other telephoto applications.

Nikon today introduced the new D40x digital SLR camera that is designed to allow users take spectacular photographs with very high-resolution at the touch of a button. The D40x maintains the same compact size, portability and ease-of-use as its already successful sister camera, the D40, and adds features like higher 10.2 megapixel resolution, faster continuous shooting capability and wider ISO sensitivity. Digital SLR cameras are the tool of choice among the majority of professional photographers but some people have found them to be complex or bulky.