First off it was off to Ku Ring Gai Chase National Park for a day of light hiking. Having just written a post about going back to basics I was feeling a bit guilty about that poor D300 sitting around not doing too much so I lugged that and a few lenses for the day. Also in the bag for the day was my reliable Tamron SP 17-50mm f /2.8 as well as a few other lenses. Most importantly I decided to grab my Cokin filter set (ND Grads). We did two hikes, neither being very long, but the most rewarding photographically was the short 1km walk down the America Bay, where we were treated to a spectacular view that is not typical Australia.

The next day, instead of sleeping in and resting we headed out to La Perouse, to explore Bare Island and then headed onto the Henry Head Scenic Walk. I am less happy with the photos from the day, but it was still great to get out there and take pictures. I took the D60 and the 16-85mm VR with the Cokin filters (which I didn’t end up using) and didnt actually feel like I was restricted at all. In many ways I feel that I am now more in tune with the D60 than I am with the D300.

By this point in time, any sane person would be headed home to rest before having to go to work the next day, but not me. I got a call from a friend who had not been able to get out to Vivid Sydney, and it was the last night of the festival, so I could not refuse the invitation. Now I have mentioned Vivid Sydney a few times, but have yet to share photos. In short I have been collecting my photos from the festival until the end before bombarding you with a few of my favourites. As a whole I have to admit that the festival was not as good as it was last year, but it did have some highlights for me. Over the last year I have managed to accumulate a few lenses that and skills that I didn’t have last year so the pictures are not at a loss. That Tokina AT-X DX 10-17mm Fisheye certainly has proved its worth.

Taken with my Nikon D300 + MB-D10 with my trusty Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 and the ever useful Tamron 70-300mm.

This lens is clearly designed to compete with the Nikkor AF-S 70-300mm f/4-5.6 VR and the Canon EF 70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM, featuring the same focal range, image stabilisation (VC) and fast silent focus. (What does the alphabet soup mean?)

I know I will be keeping a close eye on this lens as a possible replacement for my Tamron 70-300mm (1:2 Macro).

Full press release available here.

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.

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.

These were taken with my Nikon D60 and the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8. Some of the photos in this gallery used the Phottix Duo Cord + Nikon SB-400 combination as well.

On another note, my venerable Nikon F80D is out on loan again, this time accompanied by my Tamron SP 28-205mm f/2.8 and my Nikkor AF-D 28-80mm. This means my current gear status is….

I have done an evaluation of my current arsenal (details here, locations here) and am quite pleased to say that despite the foul luck I have had over this year, I have come into the holiday period with few casualties. My Nikon D300 comes into this period in pretty good shape having just been serviced, finally fixing the LCD issue, save for a damaged viewfinder eyecup (DK-23) for which a replacement has been ordered.  The only other stand out’s are my Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 (Model A16N) which is still awaiting the arrival of a replacement DA09 lenshood, to replace my damaged one.

Sadly, my Fujifilm FinePix F100fd is now listed as MIA (Missing In Action) as its current location is uncertain. I really hope it is found soon, otherwise I will be tracking down another to replace it (to keep my WP-FXF100 useful otherwise I will be out for another underwater casing).

Finally, I thought I would share some of my recent images taken whilst out with some friends at night.

Firstly, I headed off to Kanangra Boyd National Park (beyond the Blue Mountains and Jenolan Caves) with members of my old lab group from USYD. This was not a photographic expedition, but rather a scientific field trip to collect lizards to continue the work on the evolution of viviparity (live birth) – yes this was the broad subject for my honours year. As it was not a photographic trip, I restricted myself to bringing only my Fuji S5 Pro (the D300 was still with Nikon Australia), Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8 and Phottix Geo One.

Soon afterwards (literally a two day break) I headed off to Kiama with some friends for an overnight getaway. However, the weather was not quite smiling down upon me so I did not get a lot of good photos. With me on this trip I brought along my Nikon D60, Nikon F80 (shooting Velvia 50), SB-400, Phottix Duo Cord, Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 as well as the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye.

Then after a single day at home, I headed down to Hobart for a four day trip. This trip was meant to be pretty photo intensive, so between myself and my younger sister we had the entire kitchen sink bringing the, Fuji S5 Pro + Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Sigma 180mm Macro, Nikon D60, Nikon F80 (shooting Velvia 50 and Superia 200), Nikkor 24-70mm f/2.8, Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8VR, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8, Tokina 10-17mm fisheye, as well as the Phottix Duo Cord, Phottix Geo One and my trusty Nikon SB-400. This four day trip can be roughly split between four events:

Mt Wellington – standing behind Hobart, this landmark provides some great views of the city and surrounds

Cascade Brewery – Australia’s oldest continuously operating brewery, a great tour and some great drinks, I really enjoyed their Mercury Cider and the Cascade Lager (only available in TAS).

Bruny Island – untouched wilderness, some animal encounters and a hell of a ride in a 1400Bhp, 14m boat.

Salamanca Markets – a must see, a mix of craft and food and a great way to spend a day

I have only posted digital images taken with the D60 (as my younger sister was using the S5 Pro) with film images from the Superia 200 and the Velvia 50 to come if I have time.

Lastly, I thought I would share a few images from today’s bittersweet adventure where I welcomed back my trusty D300 but my good friend lost her D80.

• 75cm x 75cm x 75cm light tent (sorry I have to iron the backgrounds but couldnt be bothered this morning)
• SB-800 and SB-600 (at 45 deg to light the light tent, controlled using CLS)
• Sigma 180mm macro, Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8, Tamron SP 17-50mm f/2.8

I got carried away and did some more images of my other lenses as well.