Nikon Launches the Nikkor AFS 85mm f/1.8 G

Woke up this morning to some great news.  Nikon announced yesterday three new products for 2012 but what I am most excited about is the new Nikkor AFS 85mm f/1.8G.  It is an updated version of its popular moderate telephoto prime lens that also works perfectly for portraiture.  Here's the official press release of the product from Nikon.com.

A fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format

TOKYO - Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the release of the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G, a fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format.

The AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is the new addition to the FX-format lens lineup. It utilizes an all new optical design allowing users to enjoy shooting portraits with pleasing blur characteristics only possible through fixed focal length lenses. Even with a fast maximum aperture of f/1.8, the AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G is very lightweight at roughly 350 g, allowing users to easily carry their camera around with this lens mounted. The Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures not only quiet autofocus operations, but also makes autofocus shooting possible when the lens is used with entry-level Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras such as the D5100 and D3100, which are not equipped with an autofocus drive motor.

Nikon has long had the support of professional, advanced amateur and entry-level photographers for its consistent development of innovative products that respond to the demands of customers and are equipped with the optical technologies Nikon has spent years cultivating as a manufacturer of optical devices. Nikon intends to continue to expand and strengthen the NIKKOR lineup as well as improve customer convenience with the steady release of new, high-performance lenses that offer advanced functions.

AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G Primary Features

• A fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens with a focal length of 85 mm and a maximum aperture of f/1.8 compatible with the Nikon FX-format
• An all new optical design that enables maximum utilization of digital-SLR camera capabilities in shooting high quality images
• Enables shooting of portraits with pleasing background blur characteristics only possible with a fast, medium-telephoto fixed focal length lens
• Very lightweight at approximately 350 g, even with the large aperture
• Equipped with a Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for extremely quiet autofocusing. Autofocus shooting is also possible when the lens is used with entry-level Nikon DX-format digital-SLR cameras such as the D5100 and D3100, which are not equipped with an autofocus drive motor.
• Equipped with two focus modes, M/A (autofocus with manual override) and M (manual)

And here are some sample shots from the same website.

from nikon.com

love that bokeh!
from nikon.com

from nikon.com

Evanescence in Manila! Ticket Prices

You may now reserve your tickets online for the Evanescence concert through ticketnet.com.ph.  For those who have been asking for the ticket and sear prices, please refer to the table below:

Seat and Price:

Seat Location Price PATRON(103&101) STANDING (Reserved Seating) 5810 PATRON SEATED (Reserved Seating) 5810 LOWER BOX(200 & 201) (Reserved Seating) 4755 LOWER BOX(202 - 215) (Reserved Seating) 3700 UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) 2640 UPPER BOX B 1585 GENERAL ADMISSION from ticketnet.com.ph 530

Merry Christmas!

Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.
~Oren Arnold

Merry Christmas everyone!

Thanks for following my blog.

Evanescence in Manila!

Evanescence is coming to Manila for a one night concert on February 19, 2012 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City.  The gig will also feature the band Bush.  Tickets are not yet available though.

2012 Philippine Holidays Announced

Time to set your calendars! Malacanang has announced the holidays for next year. There will be 16 non-working days in 2012 per Proclamation 95 signed by the President recently.  These include 10 regular holidays, five special non-working holidays and one special holiday.

Mark these days on your calendars:

Regular Holidays
New Year’s Day: January 1 (Sunday)
Maundy Thursday: April 5
Good Friday: April 6
Araw ng Kagitingan: April 9 (Monday)

Labor Day: May 1 (Tuesday)
Independence Day: June 12 (Tuesday)
National Heroes Day: August 27 (Last Monday of August)
Bonifacio Day: November 30 (Friday)
Christmas Day: December 25 (Tuesday)

Rizal Day: December 30 (Sunday)

Special (Non-Working) Days
Chinese New Year: January 23 (Monday)
Ninoy Aquino Day: August 21 (Tuesday)
All Saints Day: November 1 (Thursday)
Additional special (non-working) day: November 2 (Friday)
Last Day of the Year: December 31 (Monday

Special Holiday (for all schools)
EDSA Revolution Anniversary: February 25 (Saturday)

As you can see on the list, November 2 has been declared a special non working day.  This is, according to the proclamation,“to give full opportunity to our people to properly observe All Saints’ Day with all its religious fervor which invariably requires them to travel to and from different regions in the country.” Usually, only November 1 (All Saints’ Day) is declared a holiday.

The observance of Eid’l Fitr and Eid’l Adha will be declared as national holiday in separate proclamations once determined in accordance with the Islamic calendar.