Nikon Pronea 6i Advanced Photo System single lens reflex (SLR) camera
Nikon Pronea 6i APS SLR Camera
(c) Nikon
Nikon introduces the new Pronea 6i, Nikon's first Advanced Photo System single lens reflex (SLR) camera. The Pronea 6i combines Nikon's renowned SLR quality and innovation with the advantages of the Advanced Photo System. It features a comprehensive selection of Nikon SLR technological advances such as 3D Matrix Metering, Focus Tracking with Lock On™ and a built-in wide-angle coverage speedlight with automatic balanced fill-flash control.
"Customers appreciate the simple operation that is associated with Advanced Photo System cameras such as Nuvis by Nikon. Features such as drop-in film loading, all-auto operation, print aspect ratio (PAR) and picture quality improvement (PQI) have quickly become popular features," said Richard LoPinto, Nikon's vice president, photo marketing division. "In the Pronea 6i, the advantages of Advanced Photo System are combined with Nikon's formidable high-performance SLR design. The result is that any photographer can make better pictures, not just through simple operation, but through the synergy of the Advanced Photo System features with the Pronea 6i's high-performance, " said LoPinto.
Pronea - Nikon's New Advanced Photo System SLR System
The name PRONEA was chosen to indicate the beginning of a newly advanced system. PRO - for forward, advanced thinking, and NEA - for the beginning of a new opportunity for photographers. PRONEA will symbolize Nikon's Advanced Photo System Single Lens Reflex system development.
A key component for Nikon designers was to ensure that the new Pronea 6i would appeal to owners of AF Nikkor optics. To accomplish this, the advanced Nikon F Lens mount was employed; this is the same lens mount that is used for Nikon's advanced 35mm SLR cameras. The result is that photographers can use all AF Nikkor lenses, including AF Nikkor optics together with a selection of Nikon's 35mm SLRs and the new Pronea 6i. In addition to the expansive AF Nikkor lens system, Nikon will also introduce a selection of three new IX-Nikkor lenses, designed exclusively for the Pronea 6i (see related release).
Great Handling
The Nikon Pronea 6i is sleek and stylish, with a new shape for easy handling. Its light weight, combined with very quiet operation, is expected to be an appealing combination for today's photographers. Added versatility comes from its extra-large, illuminated, very-easy-to-see LCD panel positioned on the camera's back. The Pronea 6i is ergonomically proportioned, making it easy to grip and comfortable to use. Operating buttons, Command Dial controls and related displays are located conveniently close to each other, and the camera's vertical neck strap connectors enhances balance when the photographer carries the camera with a strap.
A bright, easy-to-see viewfinder complements the Nikon Pronea 6i. Because the viewfinder is made with an optical glass prism, picture composition will be easy to accomplish, even under dim-light conditions. And for precise composition, what photographers see in the viewfinder corresponds virtually 100% with what appears on pictures printed at a Certified Advanced Photo System Processing Lab.
The shutter has a 4-blade front and rear curtain. Its fast flash sync speed is 1/180 second, and its complete shutter speed range is from 30 sec. to 1/4000 sec. in 1/2 EV steps.
"With the new Pronea 6i, it is easy to take the power the camera has and apply it in a creative and exciting way," said LoPinto. "The camera takes the Advanced Photo System's benefits of ease of use and picture quality improvement, and gives them a whole new meaning to make even greater pictures."
Nikon Pronea 6i Features and Performance Light Meters
The Pronea 6i features Nikon's exclusive 3D matrix metering system, which controls exposure for nuances of brightness and contrast, making it perfect for photography in quick-changing light conditions, or whenever the photographer doesn't want to (or can't take the time to) adjust exposure controls manually.
As soon as the shutter release is pressed, the meter's sensors read the scene's light pattern and evaluate it for brightness and contrast. When used with an IX-Nikkor or a D-type AF Nikkor lens, the meter incorporates exposure control information with subject-distance information for more precise exposure calculations.
The camera also includes center-weighted and spot metering for creative photographers who want more personal control. Originally developed by Nikon, center-weighted metering offers 65% center-weighted concentration of meter sensitivity to shoot backlighted portraits or large groups. Spot metering concentrates nearly 100% of the meter's sensitivity into a 2.5mm circle at the viewfinder's center. Used primarily for manual exposure control, spot metering allows photographers to make exposure readings from tiny areas of light. Exposure Control
The Nikon Pronea 6i offers a comprehensive selection of exposure control features: Vari-Program, Program, Shutter Priority, Aperture Priority and Manual exposure control. Exposure compensation with a range of +/- 5 EV in 1/2 step increments, built-in exposure/flash bracketing and built-in flash exposure compensation for use with automatic balanced fill-flash ensure a versatile range of creative control for the advancing photographer. Autofocus and Manual Focusing
The Nikon Pronea 6i's high speed, high sensitivity autofocus system features extra wide-area focus detection -- covering a 7mm horizontal and 3mm vertical area of the finder. Wide-area coverage facilitates keeping the focus detection area on moving subjects, and makes composition of off-center subjects easier to accomplish. The wide-area sensor also includes a cross-sensor at its mid-point. The entire wide-area, cross-type AF sensor operates with all AF Nikkor lenses, even those with an aperture as small as f/5.6. Subjects in light as dim as EV 0 (at ISO 200) are easily detected.
The Nikon Pronea 6i's autofocus system offers wide-area and spot autofocus, as well as Focus Tracking with Lock-On at motor speeds up to 3.3 frames per second (fps). With manual (or preset) focus, film advance speed increases to 3.5 fps. Autofocus with Focus Tracking and Lock-On assure consistently sharp focus, even in difficult changing situations. Manual focus is clearly confirmed with the built-in Electronic Rangefinder. When manual focusing is accomplished, an in-focus signal appears in the viewfinder.
Built-in Flash
The Nikon Pronea 6i's built-in speedlight incorporates many of Nikon's advanced flash and fill-flash technologies. Ultra-wide flash coverage will handle all IX-Nikkor optics, and AF-Nikkor lenses to a focal length of 20mm. The advanced built-in speedlight also enables 3D Matrix balanced fill-flash, rear-curtain sync, slow synch, red eye reduction, flash output level compensation and flash exposure bracketing.
The Nikon Pronea 6i also includes an ISO type hot-shoe which accepts compatible Nikon TTL controlled speedlights such as the advanced SB-26 and SB-27. The extra versatility and power provided by these Nikon speedlights expands the Pronea 6i's picture taking potential.
Nikon Pronea 6i's Advanced Photo System Features Magnetic Information Exchange
The Pronea 6i incorporates the Advanced Photo System's Magnetic Information Exchange (IX). This feature uses the magnetic coating on IX240 film to record specific exposure information for each picture taken. The recorded data can then be read by the photofinisher's processing equipment, enabling improvements in picture quality printing. The Pronea 6i accepts all ISO film speeds from 6-10,000. Film loading, film advance and rewind are automatically activated. Mid-roll Film Change
Nikon Pronea 6i incorporates a mid-roll film change feature. Mid-roll film change enables photographers to change IX240 film cartridges in the middle of a roll. This versatile feature enables switching to a film with different ISO to match the lighting conditions, or to dedicate a roll of film to a specific subject, switching film as the subject changes. Using the mid-roll film change feature is handled automatically by the Pronea 6i.. Basic and Advanced Modes
The Nikon Pronea 6i offers both a Basic and an Advanced mode, with each mode's functions indicated in the LCD panel. Basic Mode includes six program exposure control modes - portrait, sport, hyperfocal, silhouette, landscape and close-up. Also included in basic mode operation are print aspect ratio (PAR) selection, and print quantity -- a feature that allows users to indicate different quantities of prints to be made from the indicated negative -- auto exposure lock, self-timer and title/language selector.
With the Nikon Pronea 6i's Advanced Mode, all the basic features are available, plus the Advanced Mode features of multiple exposure; exposure compensation, for experimenting with more complex lighting variations; and exposure/flash bracketing, for creating a different "feel" with various exposures of the same scene. The Pronea 6i Advanced Mode also includes an Aperture Priority Auto Mode and Manual Exposure control mode.
Date Imprint
To help photographers remember details about their pictures, date and time can be printed on the front of the picture with the Pronea 6i PRINT function. Date and time are always printed on the back of the picture using the Advanced Photo System's IX System. Depending on the services offered by each photofinisher, other data that can be printed on the back includes lens aperture, film speed, shutter speed used, exposure metering mode, focal length and title (i.e. -- Christmas, birthday, wedding, vacation, etc.). Titles can be printed in different languages, including English, Spanish, French, Italian, German, Japanese and more. A maximum of 80 characters can be printed on the back of the photo, and the language designation can be changed at any time. PQI and PAR
In addition to data imprint, the Nikon Pronea 6i also offers the advantages of the Advanced Photo System's picture quality improvement (PQI) and print aspect ratio (PAR). Please refer to the accompanying press information for additional details about picture quality improvement, print aspect ratio, Certified Processing Labs and more. Lens Compatibility
Among Advanced Photo System SLR cameras, the Pronea 6i offers a remarkable selection of interchangeable lenses. Nikon's AF Nikkor, AF-I Nikkor and AF-S Nikkor lenses provide exceptionally versatile optical performance. The new IX-Nikkor optics are particularly appealing with their extra-compact size and light weight.
Since Pronea 6i uses a 16.7 x 23.4mm format, it will use only a center portion of the image available from an AF Nikkor lens; this will modify the effective focal length of the AF Nikkor for use with the Advanced Photo System format. When using an AF Nikkor lens, multiply the AF Nikkor's focal length by 1.25 to determine its effective focal length used with the Pronea 6i. For example, if using an AF Nikkor 50mm lens, the effective focal length with the Pronea 6i will be 62.5mm. With a 60mm Micro lens, the effective focal length will be 75mm.
Extra-Large, Illuminated Liquid Crystal Display and Viewfinder Information Display
The Nikon Pronea 6i incorporates an extra large back panel LCD. This comprehensive, easy to read LCD displays all appropriate settings for Basic and Advanced Mode shooting. Information includes: metering modes, shooting modes, focus area (wide or sport), focus modes (Single or Continuous), multiple exposure selection, all speedlight functions, a choice of three print aspect ratios (Classic, Panorama, and H-type full-frame shots) and many other important camera settings. Pronea 6i's use of a neck strap hinge is designed so the photographer can view the extra large LCD comfortably with a neck strap attached. The LCD display can be illuminated under low light conditions and will turn off automatically after a picture is taken.
The viewfinder information display is easy to see and understand. Frame lines on Nikon's BrightView focusing screen enable photographers to compose for their selection among the Picture Aspect Ratios. For low light composition, red LEDs are used around the perimeter of the screen to highlight the PAR which has been selected. Also included in the viewfinder are: metering modes, shutter speed and aperture, an analog display for manual metering, flash ready light, and exposure compensation indicators.
Quick Recall Function
The Pronea 6i incorporates Nikon's popular QR (Quick Recall) function. Photographers can easily set their favorite combinations of modes and controls. With QR the photographer can instantly recall their choice of three pre-selected combinations of favorite camera settings. For example, if a photographer enjoys low light flash photography with special motion effects, the appropriate settings can be stored into Quick Recall. QR operation is quick, easy and intuitive.
Command Dial Control
There are two command dials on Nikon Pronea 6i for convenient camera control. The Main Command Dial is easily accessed with the photographer's thumb, and is used to control selection of shutter speeds, Flexible Program and other exposure settings. The Sub-Command Dial is operated with the photographers index finger, and is used to control the aperture, print quantity order, language codes and other functions. Along with the two command dials, there are clearly identified buttons for frequently used functions which facilitate Pronea 6i's ease of use.
Additional Features
Pronea 6i can be used with Nikon's standard AR-3 (ISO Type) Cable Release which is essential for slow shutter speed or remote operation. Pronea 6i also features a ten second self timer -- great for letting the photographer get in the picture.
Batteries and Film Capacity
The Nikon Pronea 6i is powered by two (2) 123A type 3 volt batteries. Fresh batteries should power approximately 16 rolls of 40 exposure IX240 film with 50% flash pictures. Results can vary, depending on the percentage of flash pictures taken. Fewer flash pictures will result in a significant increase in battery life.
Delivery Schedule: The Nikon Pronea 6i is scheduled for delivery during December 1996.
NIKON USA
www.nikonusa.com
