Move over Bacon........

D3 & D300

Nikon Swings for the Bleachers

with a new Sensor FX-CMOS & EXPEED digital image processor
and 2 new Uber-Cameras

The wait is over and Nikon has not disappointed with its entry into the full frame SLR market.

Expected to be available by Fall 2007 here are the key features:

Nikon's original FX-format CMOS image sensor with 36.0 (H) x 23.9 (V) mm image size; 12.1 effective megapixels.
Compatible with three image-sensor formats – FX format (36 x 24), 5:4 (30 x 24) and DX format (24 x 16).

Sensitivity range ISO 200 to 6400
at normal setting for exceptionally high quality images; can be set to ISO-equivalent 25,600.

Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED
digital image processing concept.

Nikon's original Scene Recognition System, utilizing the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance.

New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6.

High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 9 frames per second [FX format (36 x 24)/5:4 (30 x 24)]/approx. 11 fps [DX format (24 x 16)] *1.

Newly employed Picture Control System enables creation of desired picture with preferred tones.

Accurate focal-plane contrast AF*2 available with built-in Liveview mode.

Wireless Transmitter WT-4*3 (optional) realizes wireless connection of cameras with a PC, enabling thumbnail display of images taken with up to five of them, and downloading of images selected.

CF card double slot accepts two CF cards.

Quick response with approx. 0.12 sec. startup time and 37 ms shutter release time lag.

Viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.7x magnification in FX format.

High-definition (920,000 dots), 170° viewing angle, 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with tempered glass.

Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights.

WOW!!!!!

Bottom Line: Nikon has raised the bar quite high with the announcement of these new models. These features will please just about everyone in the Nikon community for now. Now that Nikon has thrown down the gauntlet we wait to see if they can put their money where their mouth is. Nikon's previous trouble with its distribution times and even Canon's latest woes with original firmware issues are still looming challenges for Nikon. If they can pull this one off they will have once again not just hit a home run, but hit it far outside the park.

The best SLR never-made...

The Nikon D3
coming soon....
Maybe

Another day has gone by and Nikon has not yet made an official announcement regarding their latest flagship professional digital camera the long anticipated D3. Nikon has reportedly come close to releasing the camera at least twice, but has pulled it back for "re-tuning minor items" or perhaps a major overhaul.

The latest word is we can expect an official announcement sometime during summer 2007. A re-tuning might be a good sign that Nikon wants to do things right with this camera, especially considering the trouble Canon is in with some who feel they released the EOS 1D Mark III with autofocus issues. ( The latest report on 1D Mark III AF issues)

The current Nikon D3 is expected to be of modular design very similar to the F and F2 system cameras that made Nikon famous and beloved by pros. The Nikon partnership/merger with Sinar that was talked about in 2006 seems to have gone nowhere since it was announced although it is possible Nikon is holding back on releasing any big news until the D3 is ready.

When that will occur is anyones guess, however current predictions suggest a big announcement to coincide with Nikon's celebration of 90 years of making camera equipment on July 25th.

As for those of us anxiously awaiting news of the mythical Nikon D3 we can track the announcements, leaks and outright rumors reguarding the history of the D3 on the Photography Bay Blog, A History of the Nikon D3

Current hinted at specks for the Nikon D3...

• Modular body (interchangeable finder, back, and storage modules); the body is the host camera brains and control system, power source, lens mount, mirror box, shutter, and support system while everything else gets added on:
• 10-12mp APS High Speed Back (10 fps DX crop, 12 fps HS crop)
• 24mm FF Low Speed Back (3 fps FF, 5 fps DX crop)
• 12mp Black and White Back
• Prism finder with real time displays (e.g. histograms)
• Card storage module (2x CompactFlash or 2x SecureDigital)
• Drive storage module (40, 80, 120GB hard drive)
• Wireless module (1x CompactFlash for backup, WiFi)

Nikon-ography

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Cameras for Combat....

Do you want your gear to outlive you?

There are quite a few folks from Combat Photogs to Hunters to just the Accident Prone who have found ingenious ways to protect and adapt their cameras to their environment. Camera Armor is makes Body Armor for your DSLR.


The ad states " Your camera is most likely to be damaged when it is being used. Camera Armor is the only full time protection for your camera. We shield while you shoot. Camera Armor is always on your camera protecting from scratches, dirt and drops, while leaving you in full control of the creative process. All controls are accessible and you can take great pictures with the peace of mind that our protection brings."

Alright it may look a bit odd, but with the price of todays high end DSLR's this may be a smart investment when you head into an environment prone to shock and impacts.

Current DLSR's supported include; Canon 5D, Canon 30D, Canon 400D/Rebel XTI, Nikon D70 and D70S, Nikon D80, Nikon D200, Sony Alpha A100, Nikon D40, and Canon 1Ds, Mark II.

Currently on sale for $14 to $34 at Amazon.com



After you have your body armor now you need to make your gear a little less conspicuous. For the DIY inclined airbrushing your gear not only is simple but also looks quite cool and serious. Here is a tutorial on camera camouflage that will completely transform your gear A REAL camoflage camera/lens cover

Finally for those of us who don't want a permanent camera camo solution, neoprene lens covers and camera skins are available. LensCoat makes a complete line for Canon Nikon & Sigma telephoto lenses, offering protection from bumps, jars and nicks, with a camouflage-pattern fabric cover. Lens Covers also provide a thermal barrier, protecting your hands from cold lenses in lower temperatures. They are easy to install and remove, leaving no residue on the lens. And LensCoat lens covers are waterproof!

All this should provide the maximum protection to photographers in the harshest conditions, like Weddings!

Free Lens Hoods...

Printable PDF documents to make your own lens hoods, Calculate your own hood in the field! & Plastic Bottle hoods too!

Lets face it many of us go without lens hoods when in fact they are one of the most important ways we can go about improving our photographs. The purpose of a lens hood is to prevent flare, which can seriously degrade the image quality of photographic lenses. This being said it is often the case that we do not get a lens hood when we purchase the lens, or often in my particular case, the size of the lens hood means it often gets left at home rather than on the camera.

Cut along the dotted line...

The folks at www.lenshoods.co.uk have completly and utterly obliterated any more lame excuses why the rest of us don't use a lens hood. First off they offer them for free! You hear that Canon & Nikon, and anyone else who charges upwards of $100 for a piece of round plastic. Second they are made from paper so size is no longer an issue, they will simply fold right up. These guys provide hoods in Adobe PDF files for most major manufactures (Canon, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax) and third party lens companies (Sigma, Tamron, Tokina) too. They also provide a service that lets you design your own. These guys even go farther than your manafactur often does, and offer conventional round hoods as well as tulip petal-shaped lens hoods with curved cutout notches. This tulip petal design maximizes the amount of hood coverage for the minimum amount of weight and hood area. Tulip-shaped hoods cannot be used on lenses with rotating ends though, because perfect hoods must be aligned to the sensor frame dimensions.

RegularJen blogged about how she was able to use the PDF lenshoods as templates to cut ones from black art foam: lens hoods on the cheap with bonus conversation.

Don't forget to Recycle...

Another great source for lens hoods is found in every day items around the house, namely plastic bottles.

About all it takes is some time and care and careful, slow going to cut the material appropriately and such that it fits properly. In this instance, the 40.5mm diameter of a typical Russky normal lens did not translate out perfectly to the diameter of the plastic bottle, and thus it was necessary to make the cut such that its slightly concave (as seen in the accompanying photo).

When fitted onto the lens, the plastic flexes slightly and exerts a bit more holding pressure than would naturally occur in a straightforward ‘press on’ fitting.

The now finished hood is painted a flat or matte black, and the job is complete. I consider this the “perfect” lens hood for one main reason: it didn’t cost anything but the few minutes work it took to make it.

To really finish it off you could use your PDF printout of a tulip petal-shaped hood to trim the front of the plastic bottle hood.

You do the math...

Finally thanks to The Great Pyramids, Igor Yefremov, and a little math, we can now easily make our own lens hoods from scratch, on the go and in the field. Read his article How to make a simple lens hood, Recalling ancient pyramids.

One of the most important ways we can go about improving our photographs...

So still not convinced a lens hood is the thing for you? Then you must read Lens Hoods, over at vanwalree.com. It is an expert text on lens flare and the effects of different style hoods to combat it. It is simple to read and has lots of good visuals, don't miss it.

If you are still in the mood for some photographic arts and crafts try these:

The Domokon Cardboard SLR
&
The Dirkon Paper Camera

Another shot in the ever raging Canon Vs. Nikon battle...

Canon vs. Nikon

A humorous perspective from thatsmymonkey.com

Part of the That's My Monkey conversation series. Your opportunity to sit in on a casual conversation between two photographers (and brothers) as they share thoughts from their sometimes very different perspectives. Bruce Snell is a wedding and portrait photographer — his brother, Michael, is a travel and landscape photographer.