New Nikon Z6 AstroKit

Primalucelab announced the first Z6 AstroKit:

Nikon Z6 is the mirrorless camera with a full frame sensor (24x36mm) that, thanks to our astrophotography adapter kit, is perfect for telescopes! The 24x36mm 24MP sensor, with large 6 micron pixels, is positioned only 16mm from the bayonet and allows you to reach the focus more easily with different telescopes. The new Nikon Z bayonet offers a wide 55mm free opening to avoid vignetting even with fast focal ratios. Our AstroKit includes a special converter from Nikon Z bayonet to M48 thread to connect the camera to the telescopes with a connection for 50.8mm (2”) diameter filters, perfect for use with light pollution reduction filters. Our Giotto optional filter drawer also allows you to change the filter without disassembling the camera and integrates an off-axis guider: all with a thickness of 55mm, the value required by most correctors and reducers for astrophotography with telescopes.

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Imaging Resource shows us how the Nikon Z is made in the Nikon Sendai factory

Imaging Resource posted a report from the Nikon Sendai factory to show how the new Nikon Z is made. This is their summary:

While the severe restrictions resulting from proprietary concerns meant that I can’t show you photos of some of the most interesting parts of the operation, I greatly appreciate the rare opportunity to see one of Nikon’s production facilities up close like this. As I mentioned at the outset, it was especially interesting to me to see how much had changed from when I last saw this factory, producing D3 bodies back in 2007. While automation has taken over many previously human-performed tasks, watching the current workers at their tasks served to show me how far automation has yet to go, in order to replace many of these high-skill operations. An awful lot still depends on human vision, adaptability and dexterity; it’s hard to imagine how some of the fine operations currently being done could be automated, even in 10 years or more time.

Two things were clear, namely that Nikon is both already producing substantial numbers of Z7 bodies, and has the space and capability to expand production in the future. (Although the availability of the aforementioned skilled workers may represent something of a pacing item.) 

Canon and Panasonic are entering the Full Frame Mirrorless market too

Canon will announce the new EOS-R on September 5 while Panasonic will announce their first FF mirrorless on September 25. Sony is no more the sole player in the field!