Nikon labelled sexist after asking 32 male photographers to promote its new camera - but no women

'We had not put enough of a focus on this area,' admits camera giant

Nikon's new flagship DSLR, the D850 (Nikon)

Camera manufacturer Nikon has suffered a storm of criticism after identifying 32 "creative individuals" to test and promote its new flagship camera without a single woman among them.

The nearly three dozen photographers were drawn from some of the world's most populous areas by Nikon's Asia division to promote the new D850 DSLR.

They were due to "embark on an experience with the latest FX-format D850 in their respective genres of wedding, nature, commercial and sports," the company said on its website.

But the composition of the group attracted the ire of social media users who pointed out there were no women involved.

One said: "Nikon, I think you just shot yourself in the foot." Another added: "Please do better ... there's are tons of capable female photogs out there".

A third said: "When does the female version of the D850 come out? Will it be pink?"

And yet another tweeted: "Got my D850 yesterday & there was a female photographer in the store who was also getting her D850 showed me this !! It's really sad".

The 32 male photographers hailed from Asia, the Middle East and Africa.

The 32 photographers Nikon listed were all men (Nikon Asia)

Nikon Asia said in a statement on Twitter: "Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us. Appreciate the support from our photography community to see better participation from female photographers as well.

"Our photographers' meet was organised to share our latest innovation with our community, whom we truly value and respect.

"Unfortunately, the female photographers we had invited for this meet were unable to attend, and we acknowledge that we had not put enough of a focus on this area.

"We want to thank the community for raising this and challenging us to do more to support the creative talent of our female photographer community."

Nikon Europe told The Independent in a further statement: "At Nikon we champion female photographers, here in the UK, across Europe and globally, and we look to praise and elevate unique female talent whenever and wherever possible.

"The all-male line up of the road test of the D850 in Asia was an isolated occasion due to circumstance and not design.

"At a global level, Nikon has invited four photographers to act as ambassadors for the launch of the D850, one of which is Italian photographer Rosita Lipari.

"We take pride in celebrating female talent and include many brilliant female photographers in our Ambassador line-ups globally and will continue to do so."