Why Not a Blog 9

[stmv]

I add to Blogs until about 20 entries.. So,, here is the Start of Blog 9

As the cameras image size keeps getting larger, then the upload speed becomes more of an issue.

I use my camera connection, and D800 supports USB 3 protocol, I am not sure about the
D600,, I tend to upload by directly connecting to the camera, and not keep handeling the cards/slot of the camera.

I upgraded my notebook with the D800 to gain a USB 3 port, On my computer, the USB 3.0 port is a blue port, you might have to check your computer to see its color code, or if it has a 3.0 port(s).

Once you connect up to the USB3 port, then uploading the D800 is just about as fast as the D700 load, so,, by keeping up with the computer, the larger file sizes do not severly impact the work speed.

Same goes with the photo editing speed, now with the I4 or faster, I have not seen no impacts with the D800 file size.

Notebooks prices have dropped so much, that I have seen fairly powerful notebooks at 400 dollar or so range.

If one spends 2-3K on a new high megapixel camera, then an extra 400 dollars for a PC upgrade might be in order if your box is more than 2 years old.

 

[stmv]

Good to see the link on the quality of Video,, I keep forgetting this function.. Totally,,

Here is this amazing function built into my camera, and I never ever use... So,, I'll make a 2013
resolution to start using my video,, at the photo shoots locations. I am sure, I would enjoy some footage
from the grand canyon and or Zion, etc.

I also like the effects when the rate is slowed way way down. I have seen footage of sea birds flying or a man blowing smoke from a cigar, really cool effects.

 

[stmv]

got to love the photomerge software now, even hand held, just by overlapping shots, Adobe Photomerge CS6 does a great job, I used to use PTGUI, but seems like Adobe has it down now.

does lesson the need for wide angle lens, with the merge being so easiy.

 

[stmv]

today,, I walked around with the 80-400 on the D800, yes serious weight, but so well balance, that I had no issues using it as a hand carry. and with that type of range, a whole lot of potential shots open up.

The VR is handy, but in daylight, had the shutter over 1/800th of a second most of the time anyway. The challenge is focus when the object is moving, not too bad, locked into focus of a running dog, but right on the edge. not the fastest autofocus lens. but good enough.

 

[stmv]

Ebay listing going on now,,, selling some lens, to pay for the 5100 18-200 lens, I am not sure if I am going to sell the 5100,, or just keep the camera as a always in Car camera.

So,, many times, I think ,,, if only I had my camera,,, I don't like leaving a high end camera in a car all day, but since I got this 5100 for essentially free (with that amazing best buy deal last week), I can now leave that camera in the car..

The 5100 has a fantastic sensor, and would be able to capture any picture that comes its way.

so,, I am selling stuff raising around the purchase price, so the new gear does not cost much.

Lately, that is what I am doing, the beauty of photo gear, is that eventually you reach close to
steady state where you can sell off gear for new gear, so the upgrade cost is not high... as long
as you don't wait too long. I sold off my spare D700 while the value of the 700 was really high.

Lens are even better, buy used, and essentially the lens holds the same value.

 

[stmv]

1 more day for the ebay listing to end,, selling a 300 F4.5 and my broken 18x20 for parts, No bids so far, but not too worried,,,

The way you can tell if an item is going to sell is by the number of watches, and looks. so far each have 4 watchers, which mean the odds are pretty good for a sell, and even a bid up. I price lens for the mininum that I will be OK (not happy) with parting with the lens, and then a few increases make me into the happy bucket.

I have sold a fair amount of camera gear on ebay, film camera bodies, digital camera bodies, and lens. Most of the time for redundant gear, or... I have updated to higher quality, and just am not using the other.

Normally, I like to hang onto a pure Prime manual, and auto, but with the 300 MM F4, the build and use is so nice, that I just don't see the reason to hang onto the older manual prime versions. They are not like my small primes,, with those, I keep, because they are so easy to throw in a pocket to use, where the 300 mm lens is bulky, and would not causually carry around, If I am going to lug a tank, then might as well carry the newer version.

 

[stmv]

well,, crossing my fingers, 2/3 ebays are up today. I doupt if I clear a lot of money, these old 300 mm 4.5 lens don't clear that much.

I did switch my metal lens cap that I had added back to the plastic ones. I still like the old metal screw on lens caps. not quite as fast, but they stay on, and really protect the glass from damage and dust. Best of all, they don't pop off when I am walking down a trail and you brush it against a branch.

My wife is going to evaluate the D5100 over her D80. It is not cut and dry because the D80 can drive the old lens, and the 5100 can't and she likes to "borrow" some of my lens, but it does fit her hand better, and the image sure is nice. I am trying to sell her on the video too..

I am thinking of converting my old D80 over to a IR camera just for the fun of it.

 

[stmv]

YEA! the 300 4.5 sold,, but only 70 dollars, so somebody got a nice deal.. but, np.. collecting dust on my self.. 4 more lens to sell.

 

[stmv]

if you photo shop, check out the site camelcamelcamel.. I know funny name, but it tracks items on Amazon for price changes and sales, and you can set up an
account,,, and track an item.

Plus, set your own prices.. So,, maybe you are thinking about a camera, but are patient enough for a sale, but don't have time to constantly track prices,, then
you can use Camel.

So,, I have a few watches on for sales for gear.

 

[stmv]

ahhh Friday,, A week until I teach a night Photography class. 18 people already signed up, so a nice crowd.

Most of the people are experienced with about 20% being professional photographers. Funny, how some photograpers fear the night, while other embrace it. I enjoy night photography, not my favorite, but some very nice images are in my portfolio,, a few favorites.

I split the time as 1 hour lecture.. 2 hour shooting, snack/discussion/more shooting,, and then 2-3 weeks
get back together again to see results.

I try to run 4 sessions a year, per season for fun..

 

[stmv]

For follks ramping up their photo experience... I'll stay away from the word hobby.... while you are making plans for this lens or that,,

don't forget almost the other half of the hobby... printing.. I really recommend a decent photo printer, with separate ink for colors and matte black and normal black.

Buy what you can afford as always, but the printers that support 13x19 are not that expensive, and sometimes they go on sell. I purchased a 1900 for only 240 dollars on sell.

I have been running the r1800/R1900 series. 100 year ink, and the results are great. You can go higher in printers, but,, my volume is not that high.

Pictures are more than screen savers, prints on the wall behind glass take a whole new meaning and value to you as the photograper.

And... they make nice gifts! When a relative or very close friend visits for a spell,, well,, notnhing like sending them off with a print. Especially if you
let them make the choice,, and print a fresh copy off the presses.

 

[stmv]

Had a day using the new 18x200 VR lens on the D7000, at first I was a litle worried, even on the camera, the lens is not as sharp as I am typically used to, but,, once at home, and processing, the lens passed the muster. I think you have to trade the convenience for a slight loss of sharpness, but enough pixels now to allow sharpening, and still keep enough pixels for printing.

 

[stmv]

well,, I have decided that 4 DSLRs for me are too much,,, and seriously thinking of selling the 5200.

I purchased the package to gain the 18x200 lens, and thought that my wife would want to upgrade from the d80 to D5200, but the controls of the d80 is more like the 7000, and she is used to the layout,, and loves the vibrancy of the D80 shots (last DX CCD sensor).

I think,, that if I ever upgrade my 7000,, then I'll give her mine.

So,, no rushing selling it,, I mull a bit more on it. 5200 is a nice small package, which has appeal.

 

[stmv]

Well,, going to list 4 more lens on ebay tonight,, this will clear out almost all of my non used lens,, excect for a few sentimental lens that I started out with..

laughs,,, my first Nikkor lens.... why the 43-86 zoom, and I loved it! actually, my copy was the last redesign that fixed the flaws, but by then,, people had labeled the worst zoom ever!

My second zoom was the Series E - 70-210,, actually a very fine lens, but the zoom was very loose, but then again so was my 80-200 F4 - consider one of the sharpest zoom, but the 70-210 was no slouch either.

so,, these first three lens I keep for sentimental, well and my first FM,, and father's Nikkormat (a tank of an SLR).

No every lens in my collection, I used over time (laughs except for that 24 mm Sigma,, but a cool lens with a built in rotating filter).

 

[stmv]

Midweek,, and it is freezing,,, Hope it warm up a bit by Saturday,, I am teaching an Outdoor Night Photography class (full moon), It is not a star shooting exercise (that is another speciality and not mine), but outside objects at night, and the full moon helps with the lighting.

With Modern sensors, it can be fun,, with enough exposure, you can turn nighttime to daytime on full moon nights.

 

[stmv]

as part of photography,, software is now a critical component, like the darkrooms of the yore, CS as taken over.

I confess of not remembering HOT KEYS,, programmers love them.. cntl alt.. m etc ... that magically skips the clicking a menu option.. I keep thinking of needing to learn these, even have some nice hotsheets listing a huge numbers of hot keys,,

but,,, I just get blur vision looking at the card, blah.. and end up still using the icon methods.

Yes,, productivity might be faster,, ummm,, maybe I should dig out that hot key cheat sheet out..

 

[stmv]

Looking forward to a photo class I am teaching tomorrow, Night photography,,, but not city,, but out on a rural setting, Have a full class of 18,, which great.

More energy when you have that number, but I don't expect to get much shooting myself in that case.

I am worried about the cold, since the temp will be zero or below. Lots of Hot choc.

 

[stmv]

Out for a cold night shooting,, So,, bringing a spare battery,, since the cold can sap a battery way faster. I am expecting the temperature to be around 0 degrees,. Crossing my fingers for some break in the clouds. It is a full moon, so should be able to get some really bright shots.

 

[stmv]

we hard a blast, had a solid class, everybody was experienced or a professional shooter. Held a 30 minute lecture, and then 4 hours of freezing temps,, but finnally had
to call them in by 10.. so,, it was a success,,

 

[stmv]

had a chance to try a 14-24 2.8,, ok,, I am sold! really nice balance on my 800, and did not feel nearly as large as I thought it was..

umm.. sell the 18-200 VR lens, sell the 5100,, maybe another lens..