Mike, I notice that the Coolpix cameras only go up to a 3x optical zoom, while Casio and and Sony go up to 8x and 10x optical zooms. While the Casio and Sony are only 1 megapixel cameras, the long zooms seem very useful and convient, as opposed to a screw-on 2x or 3x adapter. Does Nikon consider this a worthwhile area of expansion, and if so when could I look forward to buying my long zoom CoolPix. Thanks TS

-- TS O'Grady (tsogrady@aol.com), March 19, 2000

Answers

We have a 2x and 3x adapters (9x effective!) which are of the highest optical quality-you can add long zooms-but they have to meet the Nikkor standard.

We will continue with 2-3x internal.

Realize that with a Nikon Coolpix you can cover from 8mm-445mm with 4 lenses plus the built in.....no other system even comes close...

8-24 Fisheye 24-72 Wide Converter 38-115 Built-in lens 120mm-230mm with 2x Teleconverter 220mm-445mm with 3x Teleconverter...

Michael

-- Mike Rubin, Product Marketing Manager Nikon (web@imaging-resource.com), March 23, 2000.