Scout Images

It has been a slow weekend for me, mainly roaming around Sydney with my camera. However I did attend the Photographer’s Rally organised by Arts Freedom Australia. It was good to see a decent turn out but disappointing not to see many younger photographers present. Most interesting to note was the prevalence of Lowepro camera bags and an approximate 50:50 Nikon to Canon split (I’d even say there were a few more Nikon’s present – NPS members made their presence known!).

At the beginning of July I posted my thoughts on the upcoming release cycle for Nikon. However the arrival of the D3100 means a few things have changed.

With a new (to Nikon) 14.2MP CMOS, most likely a variant of that used in Sony’s A550, A560, A33, NEX-3 and NEX-5 cameras, we are seeing Nikon break a long term trend. The D3100 also fits between the D3000 and D5000, but is in some ways better specified than even the D90 and D300s. The arrival of the Sony A580 and A55 with a 16.2MP EXMOR CMOS may provide us with a sensor that is more likely to appear in the D400 and D95/D8000. This may mean a few things, but we do know:

• The D3000 stays for now
• The D5000 stays for now
• The D90 may still be upgraded in Q310/Q410
• The D700S and/or D700X may still arrive Q310/Q410
• The D3100 officially should slot in between the D3000 and D5000
• The D400 should still get a new sensor, not the 14.2MP unit but possibly the 16.2MP unit
• The D95/D8000 should still get a sensor derived from that of the the D400

For a full breakdown and explanation read the full article.

Nikon DSLR Map August 2010

It has been a little while since I have posted images, but this is not because I have been not shooting, but rather I have been busy trying to make each shot count. Over the last few weeks I have been indulging in some shooting some film. It has been a while since I have shot colour negative, but I was convinced to try Kodak Ektar 100, and to tell you the truth I am glad to say that I do like it.

When I shoot film I am even more cautious about what I expend it on. The reason for this? Unlike digital every shot is money. When the roll of 36 will set you back $12-25 and processing is another $10-15 you realise that each time you fire the shutter it is costing you $1+. With my F80D out of action, and my new F80 out on loan (it was purchased for loaning to friends) I had the extra joy of using my treasured FM2N, but this meant I had a very lean choice of lenses (G-type lenses don’t work).

I dont usually share my film work, but I thought it would be nice to post a few up. Enough talk, here are some images, along with some taken with my D300.

Just added some of the Honl Photo range. What exactly?

• Honl SpeedStraps x2
• Honl 8″ White Snoot
• Honl 8″ Gold/Silver Snoot
• Honl Filter Sampler Kit
• Honl Filter Roll

This system is both simple to use and rapidly expands your creative options when using your speedlights. Combined with my other new toys (here and here), Phottix P200, Phottix Varos and Phottix Strato, I now have a very lightweight and flexible portable lighting solution.

I can now reveal the contents of that second package….the Phottix Strato (Nikon N8 version naturally). I have been playing with these amazing triggers for a few days now and they really delivers on the promise, and even delivers some nice extras that weren’t promised.

Phottix Strato

• Triggers flash – CHECK
  • Triggers flash via hot shoe – CHECK
  • Triggers flash via PC Sync – CHECK
  • Triggers Canon (non-Nikon) flash via hot shoe – CHECK
  • Triggers Canon (non-Nikon) flash via PC Sync – CHECK
• Sync up to 1/250 sec – CHECK (1/200 with D60)
• Wake up strobes in Standby – CHECK
• TTL pass through – CHECK
  • AF assist on TTL pass through – CHECK
  • Nikon Creative Lighting System via TTL pass through – CHECK
• Wireless shutter release – CHECK
  • Wireless shutter release via Phottix Geo One – CHECK
• Wired shutter release – CHECK
  • Wired shutter release via Phottix Geo One – CHECK

Build quality is superb, the units feel nice and solid in the hand. High quality plastic has been used along with large buttons and switches with clear labelling to make usage both easy and intuitive. I managed to work out how to get things working almost instantly even though I didn’t have a manual to refer back to.

I would have no problems recommending this remarkable device to anyone who was after any of the following:

• remote shutter release
• radio frequency flash trigger

Get your Strato triggers HERE and support this site.

I arrived home from work tonight to be greeted by not one package (that I was expecting) but two packages. It was like all my Christmas’s had come at once. Where did these come from? Why was I so anxious to crack them open?

The answer for both of these questions arise from the source of the packages. My good friends at Phottix. The first package (the expected one) I can safely divulge the contents; a pair each of the newly announced, Phottix Varos umbrella swivels, Phottix P200 light stands and a pair of 33″ umbreallas. These form the core of my new “Strobist” kit.

My first thoughts? Many of us have looked at the Manfrotto 5001B Nano stand as being the holy grail of the Strobist world, but the Phottix P200 is a much more affordable alternative. However there are a few difference, alloy fittings instead of brass fittings and plastic clips in place of alloy clips. Despite this, the stand feels like it will take plenty of use and abuse.

The Varos umbrella swivels are a nice all alloy construction, with an alloy spigot on the bottom but a brass spigot on the top to combat wear and tear. Holding it in the hands gives me a very confident feel that it will stand up to plenty of use.

Your all probably wondering what the second package contained. Unfortunately it did not contain the Phottix Atlas, but a Phottix product that will be released in the new future. I have been asked not to divulge the contents of this package until the time is right….but I will say that it does everything it promises to do and is built wonderfully.

Ever wondered what to look for when buying a camera bag? Want to find out what others are using? Does the perfect bag exist?

It is often the small things that we forget about when we buy our nice new cameras. I have seen to too often that people have spent a lot of money on their new DSLR and lens that they have had to leave the all important bag for another day. Why is the bag important? What to look for?

The camera bag is the home that our treasured toy resides, its purpose is to store and protect our cameras and lenses. It is the home of all our accessories, it is the cause of frustration when we cant fit that new addition in. Whatever shape or size the humble camera bag is important. This leads to the second question, what to look for in a good camera bag?

The single word answer is COMPROMISE. What? Compromise? Unfortunately camera bags are not perfect (if you find this holy grail then please let me know!). There are in fact three things to balance out with any camera bag…..read on

It has been a long time since I added this simple optic, so simple in fact it has not glass, into my kit. However I have never really utilised this optic. I recently mentioned that I owned a pinhole lens to some friends and they wanted to see some results, so I thought I would share some pics here.

A pinhole lens has a really unique look to it, but in order to hand hold a pinhole lens you will find yourself using extreme ISO (Hi 1 or 3200 on my D60) which does not help in capturing fine detail.

I was up well before dawn this morning, chasing the sunrise. This took me to Long Reef on the Northern Beaches where I joined a small gathering of photographers out on the rocks amongst the waves. What does one take on an expedition like this?

Clothing wise, dress for warmth. I go with layers, and lots of them, thermals, cotton T-shirt, jumper and then a waterproof jacket.  Footwear wise I went with my battered Nike Free runners, but I really should invest in some surf boots as these would keep my feet much warmer.

Why am I talking about clothing when your all probably more interested in the photographic gear used? In short, you want to be mobile so therefore you will need only the bare essentials. In my case it is the Nikon D300 + Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, tripod and Grad ND filters. I chose to use my Lowepro Inverse200AW so I didnt have to take off my bag to get to my gear. My Tokina 10-17, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 and Tamron 70-300mm also came for the trip but weren’t used.

Over the last few months I have acquired a few new lenses and have not really bothered to purchase filters for them. With the need for some more UV filters and a sudden realisation that my preferred Marumi DHG filters are no longer as easy to obtain due changes in my photographic suppliers I was forced to consider some alternatives.

In filters I look for a few things:

• high quality glass
• thin rings to reduce vignetting
• high quality multi-coating

This lead me to the B+W MRC XS-Pro UV Haze, Nikon NC, Rodenstock HR Digital and Tiffen Digital HT. All of these filters are premium grade filters with immense reputations, and most importantly, reasonably available to me. However the solid brass rings and Schott glass combined with the UNCONDITIONAL LIFETIME WARRANTY (offered by the Australian Importer/Distributor) of the B+W filter won me over. I ordered a selection of sizes, 77mm (possibly to replace the Marumi on my 24-70, but mostly as a spare), 67mm (so I could move my Hoya HMC to my new 16-85VR and have the B+W on my Tamron 17-50), 62mm (for my 60mm Micro) and a 52mm (for my 35mm f/1.8 DX).

The 77mm and 67mm filters arrived today and it is amazing how these filters simply ooze quality. Having used and handled Marumi DHG, Marumi Super DHG filters, Hoya Pro 1D, Hoya HMC and Nikon NC filters I didnt expect a German made filter to be much different. Somehow they have a very different feel, must be that brass! I cant wait until my other filters arrive.

However it is still to be seen how they wear, but then again so many other people cant be wrong, right?