Scout Images

Although Samsung is not the first brand that we think of when we think camera they have given us the first APS-C sensor EVIL (Electronic Viewfinder Interchangeable Lens) camera. Whilst at work today I had the pleasure of handling one under the watchful eye of the Samsung rep.

I have been following this camera quietly since it first broke news as a announcement at CES 2009, now that I have played with a pre-production prototype (with production firmware) I am impressed enough to admit that Micro 4/3rds has something to worry about.

Small and lightweight, but at the same time very comfortable to grip the NX10 will definitely appeal to those who want something smaller than a SLR but with the same performance. The NX10 delivers most of the benefits of an entry DSLR with its APS-C sized 14MP CMOS, although not focusing quite as fast. The combination of a 3″ AMOLED and a high resolution EVF works well. The ability to shoot 720p HD video at 30fps  in 25min clips means the NX10 can challenge the EP-1/EP-2 and the GH1/GF1.

Initially only 3 lenses will be available. A pancake lens (30mm f/2), a standard zoom (18-55mm OIS) and a telephoto zoom (55-200mm OIS). I handled the first two of this trio and did not find anything amiss with these Samsung designed/built lenses. However proper testing is needed.

I was also lucky enough to play with Samsung’s K-mount adaptor, which employs an aperture ring compatibility is maximised. Novoflex has also promised EOS and Nikon F adaptors, so if you want to use your precious Canon and Nikon glass you can.

I only had a short play with this camera, but I am sufficiently impressed by it to consider further examination in the future. Maybe it can replace my D60, or be a candidate for IR conversion.

How much?

NX10 + 30mm f/2 Pancake – expected rrp AUD899.

NX10 + 18-55mm OIS – expected rrp AUD849.

I was recently up in the Blue Mountains, with a few intentions. To get away from reality, to get out there and take in some of the beautiful landscapes that are so close to us here in Sydney, and to try to re-shoot some of my lost photos (refer here).

So what does one bring on a trip like this? I didnt actually think too hard but settled for a quality over convenience kit, which in many ways I probably regret (the weight made me not so happy whilst we were hiking).

• Nikon D300
• AF-S Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8
• AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR
• AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8
• Tokina AT-X 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 Fisheye
• Nikon SB-400
• Phottix Geo One
• Phottix Duo Cable
• Cokin P-Series ND4
• Cokin P-Series ND8
• Lowepro Fastpack 350

Some Panorama action (Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 + Cokin ND4 + Cokin ND8)

Some HDR action (Tokina 10-17mm, 7 frames)

I came into work today and was surprised that we received a copy of the AF-S Nikkor 16-35mm F/4 VR. Now being me I could not resist giving this lens a once over.

So, mounted on a D3000 (first camera I grabbed) I had a peek.

Thoughts?

-SHARP – great in the centre all the way to the edges, a bit soft at edges at F4, but very good by F/5,6

-DISTORTION – noticeable, but not bad barrel distortion at 16mm, only seen because I shot some tiles

-CHROMATIC ABBERATION – present at the edges, but very small amounts and not something you would notice in usage.

I WANT ONE!!!

So if you were thinking about this instead of the 14-24mm do have a look.

PS. Build is very solid, rubber seal is present, both zoom and focus rings are nice…very 24-70mm like, but the lens feels like it is made from plastic rather than metal.

I have been very quiet on the photographic front lately, so I thought I would share some of the images I have snapped in my day to day wanderings. Nothing special.

Mamak is a Malaysian restaurant in Sydney that I really love (for more information please visit their website), fast paced food that is simple yet delicious. Here are some pictures taken using my Fuji F100fd.

More recently, I had some fisheye fun in the Queen Victoria Building. My Nikon D60 + Tokina AT-X 10-17mm. These were taken more for myself than for anything else, and experiment with zooming whilst shooting, often used with other lenses.

This morning I met up with some of the members of DSLRusers.com for one of our 2×2 meets. Today’s meet was a walk from Bondi through to Coogee, and the weather was not really on our side with intermittent rain that varied from light drizzle through to moderate showers. On the plus side the overcast skies allowed for great lighting.

Gear wise, I chose to bring along my trusty (and weather sealed) Nikon D300 along with the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8 and the Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8VR all inside my Lowepro Vertex 200AW. This gave me a weather resistant solution that would cover many needs even in demanding light. Also in the bag was my Tokina 10-17 fisheye and SB-800 flash, neither saw any service.

I spent the day with a friend trying our hand at capturing smoke trails, finally settling on the combination of off camera flash (thanks Phottix Duo Cable + SB-400, my friend has a D60 so CLS was not really going to be useful for him) and a candle+match.

I used my Nikon D300 and Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 for these photos with some photo editing done in Photoshop CS2 and Capture NX2.

I had a bit of fun today with the images of the Peugoet 206 GTX that I shot last night (refer here). More for my own amusement I changed some colours around.

Taken with my Nikon D300, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8, NEF processed through Capture NX2 and then editing done in Photoshop CS2.

The original image as shot, minor retouch to clean up ground

Lightened up

Blue GT stripes…because red doesnt agree with everyone

Black GT stripes….just for fun

I had an interesting day photographically. This morning I headed over to a friends place to have my widened by the many different coffee’s available. Being an occasional coffee drinker, I knew there were different types of coffees but didnt realise how different they are.

Much later this evening I shot my friends car. This car has been his pride and joy for the last 18months slowly being converted from a stock standard Peugeot 206 to a mean little show car with a bark and a bite that he has dubbed the “GTX”. However he is moving on and will be selling the car to finance something a bit larger and more practical to his changing needs. For these photos I used a variety of lenses (AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8, AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye) on my Nikon D300. Lighting was provided by my trusty Wolfeyes Defender 260 and my SB-800 and SB-600 speedlights.

It has been a while since I have uploaded anything (well 9 days in fact) so I thought I would share some of the adventures that I have been up to.

Yesterday, I headed to the Australian Museum to see the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, which included an interactive photo studio component this year. Armed with my Nikon D60, Nikkor AF-S 35mm f/1.8 and Sigma 180mm f/3.5 Macro I headed in. A prime kit? Between these two lenses I have everything I want, from close focus ability to candid captures, throw in the SB-400 and the Phottix Duo Cable I am ready to take on anything.

That evening I attended the DSLRusers/ex-SURCAS/current SURCAS fire night, an event that I had organised with the help of my friends from SURCAS. Although I was officially there as part of the photographic party, I was too tempted with the thoughts of playing with fire and spent a fair bit of time with the staff in hand. My D300 spent most of the night in the company of the Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 and my Manfrotto 055 Pro B/322RC2 combo. The Tokina 10-17 fisheye and Nikkor AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8 VR also made appearances.

I have been waiting for this addition to my kit bag for a few weeks now. Since buying my Nikon D60 (refer here) I have been looking for a good lens to match this camera. My predicament was my lack of small, lightweight AF-S lenses (my only AF-S or equivalent lenses being the 24-70mm f/2.8, 70-200mm f/2.8 VR, 180mm f/3.5 macro) leading me on a search for an inexpensive AF-S lens to match the D60, the AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G being high up on my list of lenses in consideration. A good friend of mine headed over the USA just after Christmas, and sure enough, just before new years I was awoken by a phone call from New York, asking for lens advice. In the end my friend offered to pick up a copy of this lens for me (they were at B H Photo Video and were going to buy a copy for themselves), so I became the owner of Nikon’s standard DX prime. My friend arrived back in Sydney yesterday and we caught up today.

The AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

We had lunch then had a stroll through the city centre.