Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
Check out astronaut Don Pettit and his big collection of Nikon DSLRs and lenses. NASA has been big on Nikon for several years, ordering 11 Nikon D3s bodies a couple of years ago and 76 Nikon D2Xs bodies before that.
The cameras are modified to withstand the rigors of photography in space – including capturing extravehicular activities with the Nikon D2Xs based on the last word we had from Nikon.
I wonder when they will get the new D4 or D800 on board the International Space Station?
Universe Today has selected a great highlight reel of images from space shuttle Discovery’s final mission. As you can see from the EXIF details below, NASA is making good use of all those Nikon D2Xs and D3s cameras that it purchased.
[NASA via Universe Today – image credit: NASA]
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Seriously:
The NASA order specifically comprises of 76 D2XS digital SLR cameras, 39 NIKKOR Lenses (in two types), 64 Speedlight flashes, batteries and other accessories which will support both flight and training requirements. Except a change to NASA-specified lubricants, the D2XS models to be used for EVA are almost identical to those commercially available on the market. The D2XS models will undergo stringent NASA testing before they are qualified to be manifested for a particular mission. (read more of Nikon’s press release)
Maybe the Nikon D3 isn’t coming anytime soon after all? At $4300, the Nikon D2Xs isn’t exactly cheap (well over $300,000 for 76 of’em). Maybe NASA just didn’t want a D3? Your thoughts?