Jordy Smith arrived armed with a board and his crew at JBay after seeing promise of big waves developing, the kind that make competing at JBay so thrilling. The group was disappointed when the expected big wave failed to make its appearance, but that didn’t stop the boys hitting the water and showing off their moves in waters, although not exhilaration, the waves provide some good surfing. Jeffreys Bay is not one the best surfing spots for nothing. With its Kitchen Windows, Surfers Point and Supertubes, it’s worth the effort – big surf or not.

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Johannesburg, South Africa, Nikon today announces the launch of the D4, its new flagship D-SLR for photographers who need the ultimate in photography.

Made to shatter limits and realise every shooting opportunity, this professional FX-format camera brings new levels of image quality, speed and precision to both still photography and video.
Equipped with a 16.2-megapixel FX-format sensor, phenomenally high ISO and Nikon’s powerful EXPEED3 image processing engine, it offers uncompromised performance and unrivalled versatility in extreme lighting and environmental conditions.

“With the Nikon D4, we’ve launched the ultimate in photography,” says Romi Jacobs, Chief Brand Officer for Nikon in South Africa. “If you’re a photographer at the top of your game, then you need a camera that won’t ever let you down – and that’s the Nikon D4. It’s been built to push limits – just as the photographers that will use it push limits every day in their work.”

Uncompromised Image quality—Exceptional speed
Engineered to deliver remarkable image integrity in the most diverse lighting conditions, the D4 offers blisteringly fast fps performance and sets a new benchmark in low-noise performance. The 16.2 megapixel FX-format (full-frame) CMOS sensor with fast channel readout delivers up to 11 fps—faster than any other Nikon camera.

Images of remarkable quality with low noise and wide dynamic range can be realized even at high ISO sensitivities thanks to the optimized noise reduction design and 14-bit A/D signal processing built into the sensor. The phenomenal ISO range sets a new benchmark of ISO12800 and extends the range one EV further to make ISO 100 a standard. For more challenging conditions, equivalent ISO 50 and ISO 204,800 sensitivities make the D4 the camera of choice for photographers who typically face extreme lighting challenges.

Super-charged EXPEED3 image processing engine
Thanks to Nikon’s next-generation EXPEED3 image-processing engine, the D4 makes light work of multiple data-rich tasks without sacrificing the speed and quality that pros are accustomed to. High-speed 16-bit image processing follows the 14-bit A/D conversion to deliver submission-ready JPEGs straight out of the camera. Performance is never compromised, even when undertaking the most data-intensive tasks. Images boast faithful, well-saturated colour and natural depth. Even when shooting in dim lighting at high ISO sensitivities, the camera’s intelligent, performance-proven noise reduction lowers noise without degrading image sharpness.

Broadcast quality video
For professionals whose workflow demands video, the D4 offers all the flexibility required for a wide variety of movie applications. It’s large format movie shooting at its best, with a comprehensive variety of frame rates.

Frame rates: Full HD (1080p) movies can be recorded in 30p, 25p and 24p, with 60p, 50p, 30p and 25p options at 720p. Movie clips can be close to 30 minutes long (approx. 29.59 min).

Multi-area mode: Full HD (1080p) recording is possible in both FX and DX based formats as well as in native Full HD (1920×1080) crop.

High-fidelity audio control: responding to feedback from the industry, the D4 introduces new possibilities for D-SLR audio recording that enable your movies to sound as good as they look. Aside from the external stereo microphone input, an audio out for external headphones lets you fine tune audio for movie recording in isolation.

Uncompressed HDMI output: for those who need the purest video output for professional quality editing, the D4 offers the possibility to output the uncompressed live view to external recorders and monitors. The first time this has been possible in an SLR camera, data is output at 1080i (Full HD) at the designated image size and frame rate. Data output can be scaled down if necessary and is clean of the information overlay that can be simultaneously displayed on the camera’s TFT monitor.

Convenient custom controls: live view operation is enhanced thanks to convenient custom controls. Instead of rotating the command dial, power aperture enables smoother aperture control via assigned buttons on the front of the camera. Index marking enables important frames to be tagged in the timeline during movie recording, which makes for easy location during editing.

New levels of speed and accuracy
When it comes to nailing decisive moments, the D4’s enhanced auto operation gives photographers a clear advantage.

Advanced scene recognition with 91K-pixel RGB sensor: Nikon’s revolutionary Advanced Scene Recognition System now incorporates the newly designed 91,000-pixel RGB sensor, that meticulously analyses each scene for outstanding accuracy.

3D-subject tracking is particularly improved when shooting and tracking smaller subjects. Human faces are detected with startling exactness even when working with the optical viewfinder only. This level of detailed scene analysis is also utilized to support more accurate autofocus and auto exposure, even under the most challenging lighting conditions.

Advanced Multi-CAM3500FX AF Sensor Module: Nikon’s highly acclaimed Multi-CAM 3500FX AF system —with individually selectable or configurable 9-, 21- and 51-point coverage settings — has been re-engineered for faster subject detection.

The autofocus sensor module and algorithms significantly improve low light acquisition sensitivity capabilities down to -2 EV (ISO 100, 20°C/68°F). All 51 AF sensors, of which 15 are cross-type sensors, are fully responsive with any AF NIKKOR lens f/5.6 and—for the first time—this superb performance does not end at f/5.6 apertures.

Powerful AF sensors compatible up to f/8: the D4 maintains the power of the 11 central AF sensors, even if the combined open aperture value is f/8. A big plus for shooting sports and wildlife, this delivers a new level of detection potential when combining, for example, a 600mm f/4 AF-NIKKOR lens with a NIKKOR 2.0x teleconverter. If the combined aperture value is between f/5.6 and f/8, you even have the power of fifteen central AF sensors available, of which nine are cross type sensors.

Faster total workflow speed
The D4’s speed runs across its entire workflow.

Newly developed Kevlar/carbon fiber-composite shutter unit: the new, highly durable shutter unit offers a standard life cycle rating of 400,000 releases, with a maximum shutter speed of 1/8000 to 30s and flash synchronization at up to 1/250 sec. An intelligent self-diagnostic shutter monitor and a drive unit reduce the demand on power when the shutter is raised for extended periods during movie shooting.

Fast response: start-up is approx. 0.12 seconds¹, release time lag is minimized to approx. 0.042² seconds (equivalent to that of the D3S), with approx. up to 11 fps capability in FX-format and all crop modes.

Storage media: the D4 offers two card slots. One for high-speed CF (UDMA 7) cards and one for high-speed, high-capacity XQD card slots.

Connectivity: a powerful data communication and control system makes both wired and wireless LAN file transfer faster and easier than ever. Wireless LAN support is available via the compact, newly designed WT-5 Wireless Transmitter, which features HTTP and FTP connection modes and also allows for the simultaneous release of several cameras equipped with WT-5. For the first time, a wired LAN connection is integrated into the camera body.

Always up to the job
Every millisecond can count, and the D4’s improved operability helps photographers respond quickly to changing situations.

Intuitive horizontal and vertical control: each orientation has identically laid-out controls, conveniently placed so that the camera may quickly become an extension of your hand whether you shoot in landscape or portrait.

Simplified AF and AF-area mode selection: now possible without taking your eye away from the viewfinder.

Precision 8-cm (3.2-in.), approx. 921k-dot, wide-viewing-angle LCD monitor with automatic brightness control. The monitor delivers bright, crisp image playback with a much wider colour reproduction capacity. LCD brightness is automatically adjusted according to the viewing environment and images can be magnified up to 46x during playback, which can be a big help for spot focus confirmation.

Glass prism optical viewfinder: offers approximately 100% frame coverage and 0.7x magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, -1.0m-1). The high eyepoint design of Nikon’s viewfinders is renowned for minimizing visual fatigue when using the camera for extended periods of time.

Dual-axis electronic virtual horizon: offers accurate confirmation of level shooting by letting you check the LCD monitor, or the viewfinder, for both the camera’s position in relation to the horizontal plane and its pitch (forward or rear rotation).

Direct access to Picture Controls: via a dedicated button, rather than the menu. Picture Controls let you customize the look of your stills and videos by fine-tuning parameters such as sharpness, saturation, and hue.

Complete control over workflow
The D4 is built for speed, but not for speed alone. Readiness and versatility go hand in hand with control options that can deliver a real advantage when time is of the essence.

Time-lapse movies: the D4 extends the popular time-lapse photography function by saving images as a movie file in the camera. With playback rates from 24 to 36,000 times faster than normal.

HDR (High Dynamic Range): shoots one overexposed and one underexposed frame in a single shutter release. The range can be widened by up to 3 EV for different looks, full of saturation and tonal gradation. The smoothness of the edge where the two exposures meet can be adjusted for a more natural look.

Refined colour temperature control: enables minute control over white balance. The monitor hue of live view and the resulting image’s white balance can be adjusted so that the two are aligned. Colour temperature can be manually set in 10-Kelvin increments, or in mired units.

Four image area options: you can choose from a variety of image crop modes, all visually masked in the viewfinder. 5:4 (30.0 x 24.0 mm), 1.2x (30.0 x 19.9 mm), and DX-format (23.4 x 15.6 mm).

In-camera editing: captured images and movies can be altered and edited in camera and on the fly if required. Retouch menus include an array of useful features such as NEF (RAW) processing, resize, distortion and perspective control just to name some of them. On top of that it has the ability to designate the start and end point of movie clips all at once, in order to save them more efficiently.

Accessories
Compact WT-5 Wireless Transmitter (optional): attaches to the camera’s designated interface connector and is powered by the camera body. It features HTTP and FTP connection modes and allows for the simultaneous release of several cameras equipped with WT-5.

GP-1 GPS unit (optional): records location information such as latitude, longitude, altitude and time (UTC) as ‘geotags’ in the image data (Exif) and allows simultaneous operation together with the WT-5.
Compact Stereo Microphone ME-1 (optional): records clear sound while significantly reducing mechanical noise.

Nikon SB-910 (optional)—Unparalleled lighting performance: offers versatile i-TTL for on-camera or wireless flash control, refined operability and a powerful guide number of 34/112 (ISO 100, m/ft, STD, FX format, zoom 35mm). Menus and controls have been improved for more operational ease. Hard-type incandescent and fluorescent colour filters are included, which can adjust your D4’s white balance instantly.

Capture NX 2 (optional)—Fast, powerful and creative image processing: to accommodate the imaging power of the D4, Capture NX 2 is faster than before and boasts full 64-bit compatibility.

Camera Control Pro 2 (optional)—Versatile remote camera controls: aside from controlling exposure mode, shutter speed, and aperture, this software now offers numerous improvements to make the D4’s live view operation exceptionally smooth. New creative controls include remote start and stop for movie shooting and the option to switch quickly between stills and movies in live view.

ViewNX 2 (supplied)—Browse, edit, share and more: bundled, all-in-one software implements an easy-to-use interface and an array of editing functions, including basic editing of RAW files and D-Movies. Seamlessly integrates with my Picturetown, Nikon’s photo sharing and storage service

¹ Based on CIPA Standards
² When used together with batteries other than EN-EL15

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It’s a journey, not a race – Words by Jazz Kuschke

“I was depleted in every way,” said Salomon runner Linda Doke after winning the women’s race of the Salomon Skyrun presented by Thule, this past weekend. And there’s no better way to describe what it took to complete the high-altitude endurance run over an unmarked route through the Drakensberg of the north-Eastern Cape.

ULTIMATE ATTRITION

Athletes had to pass through nine checkpoints and be totally self-sufficient. Most runners took over 27 hours to complete the route and of the 139 starters only 77 finished.

Bruce Arnett won for an unprecedented 12th time (two titles were shared), crossing the line at Wartrail Country club at 21:45pm Saturday night, some 16 hours and 39 minutes after leaving Lady Grey. Isaac Mazibuko finished second, nearly two hours later, with Salomon brand ambassador Lance Chapman and Nico Schoeman, crossing the line together for a tied third place.

Doke – the first woman home – finished fifth overall and was followed 30-miutes later by Su Don Wauchope in a time of 21h25min. Don Wauchope also finished in the top ten overall.

YET THEY KEEP COMING BACK

“That was like five Comrades,” said Gerhard Beukes, who crossed the line with Don Wauchope. “That was my second Skyrun and right now I don’t know if there will be more,” he said after a cold Red Bull (giving wiings to all runners on route and at the finish), warm shower and meal at Wartrail Country Club. “But in a week’s time all I’ll remember is the good times and the spectacular scenery. So of course I’ll be back.” He said.

Echoing his sentiments and epitomising the personal journey of completing this challenge was Matthew De Haast, “I had a full-on fight with myself coming down Balloch Wall (the most iconic obstacle in the race, some 65-kilometres in),” he said. “Total little temper-tantrum, but then I put some music on my iPod and pushed on.” De Haast was lying in top ten before a navigational error sent him way off-course after midnight. He eventually trudged into Wartrail at 06:15 on Sunday in 18th place. Not bad for a 20-year-old.

Ryan Sandes, on his way back from altitude training at Afriski for Racing The Planet, Nepal set the runners off on their way. Sandes spent a few days scouting the route for an assault on the title next year.

For more, check out Salomon South Africa’s Facebook page.

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I spent a day with JM shooting this video for Red Bull, shot this clip with a Nikon D7000, 50mm prime and a 16mm fisheye as well as the slider. We also strapped a GoPro to the bottom of the board and came out with some great footage.

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I have been shooting surfing for a long time now, all the traveling, and all the missions is all made worth while when you get the cover of a surf mag. This is my first cover with Zag…yes first, it only took over 10 years to get one. But this is the Photo Annual and super stoked to have it.

This shot was taken in the Maldives, I traveled there with Jords on a “relaxed” surf trip. John John Florence joined us thinking it would be a chilled surf trip because Jordy had his lady with but ended up surfing almost 7 hours a day and ended up needing a holiday from his holiday.

This shot was from the first session we had the day we landed.

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