Why Not a Blog 8

[stmv]

newest entry at bottom... of the stream

was thinking of the what if ......

Nikon came out with a new FX camera

Translucent mirror (so no mirror shake)
shutterless (no mechnical parts)
FX sensor (for dof)
single lens from 15mm to 200 (with a 2x optical add on if needed)
variable dynamic range (beyond the human eye, but variable down to current sensors (for artistic control)
Fstop of 1.2 to 32
light weight, say little smaller than the current 3100
water proof, dust proof, shock proof
wireless of course
no distortion in the lens


mm,, then all my old gear would become dust collectors.

I know that this is asking for a lot, but look how technology keeps improving,
and essentially becomes a Point and Shoot.

 

[Mike150]

Don't forget... The lenses must be statically charged so that any speck of dust is eradicated as soon as it gets close to the lens. Much like a fly on a bug zapper.

 

[stmv]

ah,,, cool idea, and a built in laser, to zap any objects cluttering up the composition.

 

[stmv]

brr,,, winter is setting in, I hike to get a solstice sunrise, but it was cloudy! but at least the world is here for another day. I'll keep an eye out, and go back up for another sunrise picture. Not as hard this time of year, since the sun comes up so early, same thing for catching the nice end of day light,

I sometimes wonder with the low angle of the sun, is the light nicer in the winter overall anyway.

 

[stmv]

Darn,, by the time I got the Email for the cleaned up 85 1.4, the store was closed, and won't be open now until after xmas, It cost 115 dollars to remove the mold and to lubicate and return to new the lens.

So, my investment is 435 dollars. Which is still on the low end of what should be a fantastic lens.

of my manual lens, my favorites are:

20 mm 3.5 (just because it is so small, and takes better pictures than my 20 mm 2.8 ED lens.

50 mm 1.2 (not the sharpest, but produces creamy images)

55 3.5 micro ,, super sharp, and the focus allows total control.

100mm 2.8 (again so tiny, that it almost gets lost in the pocke, but sharp sharp sharp! love it) I damaged one due to some rain, I got the moisture out, could have cleaned it up but, gave it to a friend, and got replacement never used on (brand new!) , for 150 dollars..

105 mm 2.8 micro - awesome micro

200 mm 4 - darn this lens is small, I challenge Nikon to match this size again in G and sharpness,,,


I suspect the 85 will make this list, time will tell.


I like my other manual lens, but the list above is my favorite (well current, the favorite list changes).

 

[stmv]

Merry xmas and happy Holidays!

 

[stmv]

The Fourth day after the Winter Solstice,, a reminder that the days are getting longer, and time to reflect of the past year
and the coming new year.

I like enjoying these days visiting, and eating perhaps a bit too much,, darn those home made xmas cookies are good.

 

[stmv]

Picked up the cleaned up 85 mm, the glass came out beautiful, all fungus gone, and not a speck of dust or scratch on the glass.

I can tell it was a well used lens, the focus ring is not quite as silky smooth as I am used to for most of my lens, still turns fine, but a
hint of rougness, I suspect that this lens was a real workhorse.

I took some quick test shots with my D700, Aok,

I kinda like my D700 as the classic old lens camera. I am not convinced one needs the resolution of the D800 for this type of glass. Especially not the 50 mm 1.2, it not
as razor sharp as say the 50 mm 1.4 or definetly not the 50 mm 1.8 (super sharp, super cheap, but cheaply made too).

but, perhaps there is an essense of a lens. some quality that is unique to the lens that shows up in a picture.

 

[stmv]

Large snow storm! nice, I'll be going back downtown,, to get some snow shots with the xmas lights downtown.

Got to remember to bring a rag and some lens cloth, not the easiest conditions to keep the gear dry.

 

[stmv]

yesterday, I used the 80-400 VR lens as a walk around lens, no tripod, and it was great. I attached an after market Kirk tripod colar which provides an handy
handle,

The balance with the D800 was perfect, and I like getting my hand off the camera, and just adusting the controls, I shot for about an hour and noticed no
fatique,

This lens might just become one of my favorite lens.

 

[stmv]

I sometimes wonder if there is more than one technique for sharper reduction. I use the Bicubic sharper option, but I wonder if this is the best results
possible. Definitely a research area.

 

[stmv]

I decided to try my 28 mm old PC lens, which actually took a sharp focus, but I found that the lens rotated or slid out when you were
trying to focus or change the fstop, so,, actually a hard lens to actually use. Really is a speciality lens, for when you want to add some
height and width without changine perspective, which is pretty cool.

I vow to try this lens more this coming year, I think it has some potential for capturing some photos beyond the 28 mm window.
of course, you might ask, wny not use say a 20 mm or even the 15 mm,, well,, one word,, distortion,

the 28 PC lens allows multiple images from the same angle (on tripod of course), with its shift and Rotate function.

This is the older design prior to the now added feature of tilt (still have not tried this lens, but I read you can't shift and tilt at the same time?). I am
going to rent a shift and tilt lens before committing any investment in that lens.

 

[stmv]

Happy New Year, may your photography be joyous, and productive with a dash of inspiration!

 

[stmv]

Yesterday was a harvest photos day, from a year ago folder.

I recommend re-visiting folders a year or even two years later. Your photo editing skills will be improved,
or you might have passed by a gem earlier, or even your perspective on what makes a fine photo might have shifted.

Sometimes, you just re-edit and old favorite. I do not use scripted processes, but instead treat each edit
uniquely, which has a results, that slight variations of the final results will exists even with the same
photo. So, I might like one edit over the other. My workflow is fairly consistant, but I might decide to add an edit, or perhaps edit less.

 

[stmv]

I was thinking of the all around walk around lens for the FX sensor. DX sensor owners have the pleasure of the 18-200, a really popular lens and now another version with the 18-300. Not the best lens, but pretty decent and for lots of people, the only lens that needs to be on the camera.

so,, Nikon did make the 28-200 which I do not have a copy of. The lens has a good reputation and is not that large. Currently, the widest walkaround lens I have is the 28-105 for the FX. Typically, I use the 35-70 as my walkaround, and throw in a light weight 75-150 manual zoom for when I want more reach, but I have been thinking of those days, when I just want a single lens. and the 28-200 really makes sense.

Nikon,, please return us to high quality SMALL zooms please.

 

[stmv]

I was looking at a site of a local pro photographer, and how does he chase light, beautiful light. The old, get up before sunrise, and or get the sunset light. This time of year, fairly easy to get the light since it sunrise is so late, ad sunset is so late.

but, I was impressed with his landscapes, and 70% was the wonderful light.

 

[stmv]

Just physics that light colors travel at slightly different speed and such in the sprectrum of light. So, when pixels are small, they are more sensitive to this separation.

A parallel world is the making of semiconductor chips. When the transistors were not that small, the glass masks were simple, and could draw
nice straight defined lines, but as the devices got smaller and smaller, then the light wavelengths start to separate, causing well fuzzy lines
and soft edges, so many many tricks are done to re-align each wavelength to make nice clean lines again.

So those optics wizards and technology wizards in camera have the same challenges, and I am sure some cool designs will be needed
including I suspect in camera software to improve the resolution much further then 40 Meg.. at 35 mm, just gotten so small that
light is now a pain to align.

 

[stmv]

one thing about winter, the cold night air sure makes stars come out, and if you take the shot just and hour past dust, you can get both the stars and the amazing still some color in the clouds. Our eyes cannot see it, but the sensor sure can.

If you look at my pictures, I'll post one from last night showing the effect. I set the ISO to around 1000, that allows 30 seconds to pick up enough details.

Early evening with some color - Nikonites Gallery

 

[stmv]

sometimes it is hard to separate out the hype from the facts for lens quality.. so for example,, take the new 50 mm G 1.8 versus the old 50 mm D 1.8.

The old D is known for super sharpness, and for the price, unbelievable deal, but.. the 3100 or some cameras lacking the focus moter, cannot autofocus, hence the G set of lens.

The new G lens is getting now this reputation of being so much better,, but is it? take a look at the following link:

Nikon Nikkor Lens Comparison 50mm f/1.4D vs. 50mm f/1.4G

this guy takes side by side photos, and to my eyes, the D actually holds the edge over the G, besides being cheaper and smaller.

If you are a 3100 user, or any other camera that lacks the autofocus,,, then sure,,, the G is the best choice,

for other cameras, I am not so sure.

 

[stmv]

Lately, I have been carrying my D800 for just about every shoot, and also my 4 year old D700, and my backup D7000 has been collecting dust.

At first, I really like having a lighter weight D7000, but after a few carries with the heavier D800, you kinda forget about the weight issue. The D300/D700/D800(e) bodies just are so nicely balanced, and not too small. Sometimes it is harder to use the features when the cameras shrink too much.

Just had an unexpected Car repair (hate those),, thinking,,, do I sell the D7000 to raise some cash....
have to think about it.. do like the option of a high quality lighter camera.

I guess I'll scrub out some lens.. to raise some dough.