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Nikon announces ‘The Revisit’: a collaboration with legendary rock and roll photographer, Mick Rock (15.04.2014)
The Man Who Shot The Seventies updates his most iconic images with the new Nikon Df.
Nikon unveils The Revisit, a collaboration with legendary rock and roll photographer, and lifelong Nikon user, Mick Rock, in a project which sees both revisit their back catalogues. Nikon borrows from the best of its archive by injecting its new Nikon Df camera with the same classic design of its seventies FM-series, while updating it with the latest technology, of which Mick Rock makes full use to add a fresh new twist to some of his most iconic images, including shots of Debbie Harry and Queen.
Mick has spent a life behind the lens and shot most of the memorable images of David Bowie as Ziggy Stardust after meeting the relative unknown in 1972. From there he went on to photograph a who's-who of glam, rock, punk, and pop (and even rap) in a career unparalleled in music photography, including Lou Reed, Syd Barrett, Blondie, Queen, Iggy Pop, the Sex Pistols, The Ramones the Yeah Yeah Yeahs, the Killers, Lady Gaga, Janelle Monae, Snoop Dogg and many more.
In his early career in the sixties and seventies, Mick used the popular Nikkormat and the F series cameras, and in this latest project he takes up the new Nikon Df which reflects the designs of those classic Nikon 35mm film SLRs while updating with the latest cutting-edge features. Specifically, the Nikon Df brings vintage lenses back to the forefront, as it’s compatible even with non-AI NIKKOR lenses.
An exclusive video shows Mick taking a walk around New York City, revisiting the people and places that inspired his early work, including the ‘house of sin for punks’ that was the notorious CBGBs club and popular music venue in East Village, Niagara where Mick recently shot The Black Keys and Brandon Flowers. He talks about how he fed off the unique charisma of his most famous subjects, and the techniques he has picked up since to invoke the same in the new rockers and popular musicians.
In The Revisit, Mick resurrects some of his favourite old lenses, such as the 28mm lens that captured his most famous Syd Barrett shot, and offers his expertise to new rising stars to produce contemporary versions of some of his iconic images. His most famous Debbie Harry shot (which he calls ‘Blue Debbie’) is reconstructed with up-and-coming artist, Danielle Parente, while her four piece band step into the roles of the Queen stars in a revamp of the eponymous Queen II album cover, which was recreated for the Bohemian Rhapsody music video.
Rock says of his collaboration with Nikon: “The greatest contemporary art will always feed off the most vibrant eras of the past, but will add new elements, and that’s why I couldn’t resist The Revisit project with Nikon. The new Df camera made it the perfect time to do it – having my old lenses on such a beautifully crafted object with such great new technology has been a brilliant experience.
The beauty of the Df is that it is totally suited to my approach to shooting. It’s flexible and adjustable: it’s the first digital camera to satisfy my constantly hungry needs. I’m always on the move; I’m always looking for different angles. I shoot fast and furious. This is the perfect photographic beast for me, and it also reminds me of my trusty camera from the old days. It makes me feel young again. Irresistible!!”
Dirk Jasper, Manager, Professional Products, Nikon Europe, says: “Photographers like Mick using the original F-mount NIKKOR lenses broke boundaries, and it’s only now that those same well-loved lenses can be used easily with a modern D-SLR. It’s been fantastic to see how Mick Rock has made use of the new Nikon Df camera. Not only does the look of the camera – an homage to photographers from another era – suit Mick perfectly, but he has exactly the same blend of the best of the old with the best of the new.”
You can see more about The Revisit project here.
The Df expresses a passion for photography in both form and function. Sitting proudly in a class of its own, this retro-style camera paints a unique picture against the uniformity of modern-day D-SLRs. Equipped with the same image sensor as Nikon’s flagship D4, it offers uncompromised dynamic range and phenomenal light sensitivity: The Nikon Df is the lightest of Nikon’s current FX-format models, yet features the durable build and reliable operation that you’d expect from a high-end Nikon camera. Perfect for camera purists and design aficionados alike, the Nikon Df is set to capture the hearts and minds of photographers who are as passionate about their camera as they are about their art.
Mick Rock is a music photographer best known for his iconic shots of 1970s glam rock icons such as Queen, David Bowie, Mick Ronson, Lou Reed, Kevin Ayers, Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Sex Pistols, The Ramones and Blondie. He is best known as ‘The Man who shot the Seventies’ and has spent a life behind the lens. He is credible in the world of photography, fashion and style, and recently released photography book ‘Transformer’ with the late Lou Reed.
