A man stands in an open field, a soft breeze rustling long strands of green grass around him. He gazes out at the landscape.
Though that scene might seem like a perfect opener for a gritty, independent film or a self-reflective novel, it's actually the beginning of Nikon's new teaser ad. Viewers watch a mysterious man, clad in a beige trench coat, as he adjusts something unseen with a couple of clicks. Right when he lifts what we know to be a camera to his face, the scene changes back to him in the midst of the gloomy landscape.
See also: 10 Unusual Vintage Cameras You Forgot About
That teaser doesn't show the camera but it includes a very important sound that excited many camera fiends online — the distinct click of an old-school shutter. That small clue paired with one line of dialogue at the end — "It's in my hands again" — seem to hint that Nikon will release a retro-styled DSLR camera.
Little else is known beyond hearsay, with Nikon Rumors conjecturing that the full-frame camera will be called the Nikon DF, for "digital fusion." The post also claims the camera will include the same autofocus system found in the D610 and that it will offer settings for aspect ratios of 1:1, 3:2 and 16:9.
On its official site, Nikon explains the short video as the first in a series called Pure Photography. The videos follow a photographer traveling through Scotland as he "reunites with his creative self during this uniquely ambitious trip."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
Image: YouTube, Nikon Asia
BONUS: 5 Fun DIY Camera Kits
This camera is a twin-lens reflex (TLR) with a twist -- it takes standard 35mm film. All you need is a small Philips screwdriver and you can build your own TLR.
The collapsible viewfinder hood and adjustable focus allow you to really consider composition in a way that you probably don't with a digital point-and-shoot. It's the perfect kit for anyone looking to enjoy vintage-style photography, but with the convenience of modern film.
Price: $14.95
Lomography's Konstruktor kit gives you a fully-working 35mm plastic SLR camera that you can build from scratch. You can learn all about camera mechanics as you make the device, and when you're done, have loads of fun by taking pictures with your own single-lens reflex camera. Features include a top-down viewfinder, multiple exposure function and bulb setting for long exposures.
Price: $35
The Bigshot camera is a DIY digital snapper primarily aimed at the education market. It promises to teach "fundamental concepts in optics, mechanics, electromagnetism, electronics and image processing."
With different lenses, including a 3D option, and a hand crank to generate power to take shots, it's a digicam with a difference for those that want to make their own.
Price: $89
SuperHeadz is offering you the chance to "swim against the tide" of digital and smartphone photography with its "super analog camera." The world's first DIY film camera that comes complete with interchangeable lens, the Last Camera offers 45mm standard and 22mm wide options, while the interchangeable camera backs give you a choice of normal or light leaking.
If those bundled options aren't creative enough for you, there's the ability, once built, to customize your Last Camera further with additional parts and modifications.
Price: Approximately $50, available as a Japanese import
Finally, if you want to go all the way back to the very basics, Photojojo offers a Pinhole Camera Kit that provides all the materials to make a fully functional camera. The "old timey experiment in aperture" takes 35mm film (a film barrel is included) so you can get creative while learning about the fundamental principles of image making.
Cost: $25 (with "Sunprint Kit" included)