gazette The Periodical for the Nikon Devotee Founded 1992 • Issue no. 70 Mirror, Mirror? A First Look David Douglas Duncan at the Nikon Z Cameras - A Turning Point for Nikon by Becky Danese by Gray Levett Shoot for the Stars AF-S NIKKOR 500mm – Nikon Coolpix P1000 f/5.6E PF ED VR and much more… Nikon in the Movies Hollywood to Brollywood GRAYS OF WESTMINSTER • 40 CHURTON STREET • PIMLICO • LONDON SW1V 2LP • ENGLAND Tel: 020-7828 4925 • [email protected] • www.graysofwestminster.co.uk The Grays of Westminster Gazette 1 from Gray Levett Gray from Welcome News Nikon mirrorless camera, that Nikon had to have released the teaser trailer Travel of Light last their orders year, which itself set off a chain reaction of delivered first. further comments and conjecture. Then I enjoyed the anticipation and receiving very a month later, on 23rd August, Nikon positive feedback from those who are already officially unveiled the highly-anticipated Z using theirs. Series, its first full-frame Nikon FX-format mirrorless cameras Nikon Z 7 and Nikon This is an exciting moment in Nikon’s Z 6, as well as three new NIKKOR Z illustrious history but what is the new elcome to the 70th edition lenses, featuring a new, larger-diameter mirrorless camera really like to use? of the Grays of Westminster mount plus the Mount Adapter FTZ. The The answer to that you will find in our Gazette which was started W three new lenses are the standard zoom esteemed technical advisor and writer in August 1992 after we made the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/4 S, the wide- Becky Danese’s first impressions of the move to become an exclusively angle prime NIKKOR Z 35mm f/1.8 new Z 7 on page 4. Nikon-only dealer. S and the standard prime NIKKOR Z Initially four pages long, and thereafter 50mm f/1.8 S. David Douglas Duncan eight, it contained a wide range of The NIKKOR Z lenses pursue a new intelligent articles on the latest Nikon dimension in optical performance by taking equipment by clients as well as staff. From advantage of the superior design flexibility the very first issue I devoted a full page to made possible by the combination of the the history of Nikon, beginning with the larger Z mount with its inner diameter of formation of Nippon Kogaku K. K. in 55mm and a short flange focal distance of 1917. The name Nikon apparently comes 16mm. These lenses offer sharp resolution from the first letters NIppon KOgaku with both still-image and movie-recording to which the letter capability and are equipped with functions ‘N’ was added and that include compensation for focus Nippon Kogaku K. K. breathing (the shifting of the angle of view means Japan Optical when focus is adjusted), quiet operation, Company. smooth exposure control, a control ring and performance that are all well-suited to The Gazette ran for fifty-nine issues, movie recording. eventually ending its reign and changing its title to the Grays of Westminster News, which Elsewhere in this issue we take a moment Great optical glass always endures. That is was an eight-page colour publication. Due to consider the life of photojournalist David why Nikon cameras from the Nikon F in to public demand The Grays of Westminster Douglas Duncan, a major figure in Nikon’s 1959 all the way to D850 have remained history and the man directly responsible for Gazette returned a few years ago and is now compatible with nearly all F-mount introducing Nikon to the West. a 36-page colour publication. NIKKOR lenses. Thus, in keeping with Nikon’s legacy of compatibility, why would In paying tribute to his extraordinary Mirror, Mirror where for art things be any different with the Nikon Z? life, the Nikon Corporation states, ‘Since The Mount Adapter FTZ lets you keep that initial introduction, David was one thou? A Pivotal Moment in shooting with the lenses you know and love Nikon’s History of Nikon’s most influential ambassadors, while also gaining the benefits of the new using our cameras and NIKKOR lenses Z system. The Mount Adapter FTZ works throughout his career to capture images with approximately 360 lenses in total, 90 (many of them masterpieces) all over the of which are AF-S, AF-P or AF-I type and world. This included portraits of Pablo have full AF/AE capability. Picasso [taken at his home in the South of France] where he spent years with the I have to tell you that after handling an early artist creating a pictorial record of his life.’ pre-production sample I was hooked and wanted one straight away. However, I shall Nikon sums up David Douglas Duncan’s It finally came to pass, after months have to be patient and wait my turn as orders career in these words, ‘His contribution of innumerable hints, rumours and for the Z 7 kit have been pouring into the to photography is immeasurable, and his speculation about the launch of a new shop on a daily basis and these lucky souls support for Nikon, invaluable.’ 2 The Grays of Westminster Gazette Grays of Westminster engaging and responsive service to our awarded a coveted Platinum customers, often with a dash of humour Gold Service for the third and always with discretion. Our team are what makes Grays of Westminster, Grays year in a row of Westminster! Grays of Westminster upon whom you can depend… What is a shop? A mere place to buy things, or a window on the world? Grays of Westminster has always been the Levett Gray from latter, and for over 33 years its front windows have hosted an ever-changing display of breathtaking images taken by News inspired Nikon photographers. A Grays of Westminster window is not there to alert you to reductions in camera prices or to advertise how much you may care to spend Grays of on lenses. Rather it remains defiantly artistic, its aim to inspire and captivate, Westminster® perhaps to invite you to take out your Gazette camera and shoot images for the pure joy of creation and then, if you are so inclined, share those images with others. Grays of Westminster® exclusively…Nikon 40 Churton Street, London On Friday, 8th February, 2019 at We’ve achieved a good few ‘firsts’ over SW1V 2LP England the Bvlgari Hotel, Knightsbridge, the past thirty-three years. We were the Telephone 020 7828 4925 London, in the presence of the cream first-ever Nikon-only store, the first camera E-mail [email protected] of the photographic industry, Grays shop to be granted a Coat of Arms by Her Website www.graysofwestminster.co.uk ® of Westminster added a top accolade Majesty’s College of Arms and the first to its ever-growing collection: Amateur camera shop to write and publish its own Editor Gray Levett Photographer Platinum Good Service Award. Features Editor Gillian Greenwood publication the Grays of Westminster Gazette Technical Editor Becky Danese and Nikon Owner, the Number 1 magazine Design & Art Direction The Good Service Awards were created for the Nikon enthusiast. Jesse Wilson – www.beyondmedia.co to recognise and reward outstanding Contributing Photographers customer service in the UK photo-retail As we breach the uncharted territory of Michael Eleftheriades, Ray Fisher, Tabitha sector. They are presented annually at the Hardy, Tony Hurst, Konstantin Kochkin, our thirty-fourth year we always look at Simon Marsden, Joe McNally, Jun Miki, Amateur Photographer Awards Ceremony, how to improve our service. At our heart Michael Putland, Simon Stafford alongside the product awards, to those beats a timeless passion for the highest Contributing Editors retailers who offer the highest quality of standards. It lies perhaps in our constant Becky Danese, Gray Levett service, and are voted for by AP readers and unstinting endeavour to relate to our Special thanks and retailers’ customers. Robert Rotoloni Nikon Historical Society, customers with the spirit, courtesy and Derek Underwood, Uri Zakay empathetic enthusiasm now so often lost Follow us on Twitter @NikonatGrays Retailers play a crucial role in maintaining to the modern world, to attend to detail Blog graysofwestminster.blogspot.com and developing the hobby of photography because it practically matters, to inform Social Media Mgmt. Fotini Tasiopoulos by offering friendly advice and access to a and advise because we can, and, finally, range of products that customers otherwise @NikonatGrays to afford to each and every one of our facebook.com/graysofwestminster wouldn’t be able to see ‘in the flesh’. customers the same grace, willingness and Increasingly, the bricks and mortar stores good manners that we believe is every Ordering & Payment of the most successful retailers work in customer’s due. tandem with well-designed websites. How to Order Grays of Westminster has built its Telephone 020 7828 4925 To qualify for a Good Service Award, reputation upon the provision of the From outside the UK +44(0)20 7828 4925 a retailer must have exceeded the AP’s finest of Nikon and unparalleled level of E-mail [email protected] The Order Department minimum number of votes, which can be excellence in its service. Post made online or by post. This year Amateur Grays of Westminster 40 Churton Street Photographer gave out ten Good Service We do hope you enjoy your meander London SW1V 2LP England awards, plus a single Platinum award for through this Gazette and reading about the the retailer who received the the most things that matter to us. + How to Pay votes of confidence from its customers. For the third year in a row, the Platinum Grays of Westminster accepts payment by: award was won by Grays of Westminster.