September 2011

Extreme Value Nikon D7000 Vertical Grip Now Available (Neewer/Meike Grip, $40!)

Submitted by David Cardinal on Mon, 09/26/2011 - 17:38

_djc0028A big reason I’ve waited so long to buy a Nikon D7000 even after my enthusiasm with my review unit earlier this year was the new format vertical grip. I wasn’t looking forward to carrying two vertical grips since I’d also want my current one for use with my Nikon D700 and Nikon D300s. But I also didn’t want to shell out the cool $219 for the OEM Nikon MB-D11 Vertical Grip (when they are in stock), since I already had one vertical grip. I’d had good luck with Zeikos “knock-off” grips before but at $99 the Zeikos alternative vertical grip didn’t seem like enough of a savings to justify going with a lesser product. Enter the amazingly priced Neewer Vertical Battery Grip for Nikon D7000…


Nikon Unleashes Nikon 1 competitor to Olympus, Panasonic Micro 4/3 Systems–Nikon J1 and Nikon V1 Cameras

Submitted by David Cardinal on Tue, 09/20/2011 - 21:55

BUILT FROM THE GROUND UP: THE NIKON 1 SYSTEM BALANCES SPEED, STYLE AND SIMPLICITY TO CREATIVELY CAPTURE ALL OF LIFE’S SPONTANEOUS MOMENTS


The New Nikon J1 and V1 Cameras as Well as Four New Ultra-Portable Lenses are Engineered for Expressive Living


MELVILLE, N.Y. (Sept 21, 2011) – Nikon Inc. today announced a revolutionary new digital imaging system built from the ground up to empower users with new ways to tell stories through photography, driven by imaginative next-generation technology. The iconic new Nikon 1 system is designed to become one with the user and their lifestyle, providing a unique form of expression with amazing image quality, speed and portability.


B&H New York City–The Ultimate Camera Store And Then Some

Submitted by David Cardinal on Sun, 09/18/2011 - 09:20

The last time I was able to visit B&H’s “superstore” in Manhattan was several years ago so I was excited when I got the “cook’s tour” as part of my presentation on wildlife photography there last week. I was blown away not just by the size and selection (after all we live in a land of large box stores) but by the thoughtful presentation and retailing strategies used. The experience is night and day different—and better—than visiting a Best Buy or Fry’s electronics, or even many local camera stores.

First and foremost no one is on commission. So they are there to help you shop but are happy to suggest less expensive options or leave you alone if you enjoy puttering through the numerous exhibits yourself. And the exhibits are organized more like a contemporary museum of technology than like a typical slap dash retail display. Items are all in working order, clearly labeled, and organized in such a way that you can make intelligent comparisons. The HDTVs for example are all adjusted so that they have a similar viewing angle from eye level and you can actually compare their images. Try doing that at Best Buy or Frys!

Value-priced Super-Zoom: Sigma 18-250mm OS Lens Review and Field Test

Submitted by David Cardinal on Wed, 09/14/2011 - 17:09

Since its introduction the has been one of the most sought after “super-zoom” lenses. Used not only by amateurs but by many pros for its convenience and high quality images the lens was and is best suited as an “all in one” lens especially for travel. But with time the price has continued to creep up so that the current VR II version is now $800 (and out of stock at many retailers), so it is certainly not a bargain anymore.

So for those with limits to their pocketbooks or without the time to wait until the Nikon version returns to the shelves I wanted to field test a couple of the less expensive alternatives. I’d already seen the images from the that my clients Jim were using in Africa and was impressed by its small size and reasonable image quality. So for this comparison I borrowed a . This new version not only has stabilization (OS) but also built-in focusing motors (HSM) although like all the other similar lenses it is designed for use only with APS-C (Nikon DX) format cameras as it vignettes substantially when used full frame—in Sigma parlance it is called a DC lens. [Full frame users can opt for the larger and more expensive as an alternate]

City Canyons: When Perspective Matters

Submitted by David Cardinal on Tue, 09/13/2011 - 12:03

pl_manhattan_0010Photographs taken at extreme angles—particularly up at tall structures—often look awkward and can make the buildings appear as if they are falling over. This is because when we are part of the scene our eyes and brain correct for the odd perspective and “see” the buildings with their natural shape. But once we are looking at a photograph we don’t have that frame of reference and the buildings and other structures simply appear tilted or mis-shapen. Expensive Perspective Control (PC) and Tilt/Shift lenses have been created to help. However, in addition to being large and expensive PC lenses are usually of limited functionality, without zoom capabilities or stabilization in many cases.

Hurricane Irene—Two Weeks Later

Submitted by David Cardinal on Sat, 09/10/2011 - 14:59

We had a chance to spend some time in central New Jersey this week, an area which has suffered heavy flooding due to repeated storms topped off by Hurricane Irene. There were plenty of downed trees still being removed and lots of flood damaged properties but everywhere we went most businesses had been able to re-open. The very high water made for some interesting photographs. This one is the historic Princeton Mill building located on the bank of the Millstone River. I don’t envy the owner the cleanup effort as the high water mark looked fairly far up the walls.


Photo Ethics In The Field: My New Posting on B&H Insights Blog

Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 09/01/2011 - 09:58

There is a lot of discussion about the ethics of altering images in Photoshop. But even more important is how we as photographers act in the field. There are many ethical issues which arise whether you're doing travel, nature or wildlife photography.

Wildlife Photography
Travel Photography
Ta Phrom
News
Nature Photography
Myanmar
Global Heritage Fund
Ethics
Cardinal
Cambodia
Burma
Botswana
B&H
Angkor Wat
Africa