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 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.

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?

I was out and about all weekend, but I have only had a chance to look and sort through the photos from Sunday when I accompanied UTS Exposure and USYD PhotoSoc on a trip up to Katoomba. I am more than willing to admit that I have had far better trips into this region, but as a consolation I did manage a few nice photos.

Being roped into helping out on a trip like this meant that I packed fairly light, restricting myself to my Nikon D60, Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 and Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro. This kit was joined by my Phottix Duo Cable and Nikon SB-400, all in my Lowepro Inverse 200AW. As a result I had a lightweight, comfortable and versatile load that let me be both mobile and compact, unlike some of the other attendees.

Interested in when new Nikon DSLRs will arrive? I know I get asked often, so I sat down and had a look to see if I can extrapolate what will arrive when based on the design trends and release patterns that Nikon have used.

In short the soonest we should get:

• D4 – Q311
• D3Xs – Q410
• D4X – Q412
• D700X or D700s or both – Q310
• D800 – Q312
• D400 – Q111
• D90s or D90 replacement – Q310 or Q112
• D5000 replacement – Q410 but this troubles me
• D3000 replacement – Q111

Want to see why? Have a read of the full article to find out.

Nikon DSLR Map, July 2010