Confused as to what to look for when buying your first set of studio lights?
One Brief Moment
"A photograph is a stop in time for just one brief moment." – Charles Dobbs PhotographyArchive
Category: Equipment
This is an AWESOME bag! That is…if you’re into camera bags.
When you first got a tripod, you probably thought it was pretty simple: just extend the legs, put the camera on top, and voila! It’s ready to go! So, although the tripod seems like a simple piece of equipment, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re setting it up to ensure you get the sharpest image possible:
via How to use Your Tripod (it’s not as simple as you think!).
Nikon will release an updated version of its venerable 200-400mm f/4 VR at the end of next month. The AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II adds four-stop VR II image stabilization, Nano Crystal Coat lens coating for reduced ghosting and flaring and a new A/M position on the lens' mode switch (this option limits accidental switching to manual focus), plus minor cosmetic changes.
The overall appearance, size, weight and optical formulation of the new AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II is nearly identical to the lens it replaces. There are no stated changes to Silent Wave autofocusing, either the motor or the algorithm that controls it, which suggests that focus speed is to be the same as the earlier model too.
The AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II is to ship in late-May 2010 at an expected street price of US$6999.95 in the U.S. This price is US$700 higher than Nikon USA's current expected street price for the existing (and already scarce) 200-400mm.
Nikon USA's Steve Heiner discusses the new lens as well as other recent additions to the Nikkor lineup in a podcast.
via Rob Galbraith DPI: Nikon to release updated 200-400mm f/4 in late May.
40 Reasons why you don’t need 18mp
In February 2010, Canon released the EOS 550D with an 18 megapixel sensor, HD video and a $900 price tag. Will Canon tell the folks lining up to buy this camera how much extra work it will add to their simple lives? And how much pain it will bring to their photo hobby? Not likely.
If you’re just learning photography and you feel that learning to use your DSLR camera on manual is too daunting, here’s a little tip I used when learning to think for my camera: let the auto settings guide you. By auto settings, I mean the ones where the settings are set for certain situations and you don’t have to do anything else. These include portrait, macro, sports, landscape, etc.
via Using Auto to Learn Manual – A Great First Step for Beginners.
As on any journey, the next step depends on where you start. If you’re a pro shooter, you won’t be reading this because you’ll know what you need or want. If you’re a serious amateur, you’ll also have an idea of what camera you want next but you may still be looking for some clues. If you own a Point & Shoot you bought 2 – 3 years ago and now want something more serious, you’ll find this useful too.
It’s a question I hear a lot from new photographers: “what lenses should I buy?”
And while there are a lot of different types of lenses appropriate for many different situations and needs, time and time again I find myself primarily relying on three lenses in my bag: a fast general purpose zoom (18-50mm), a macro lens and a telephoto zoom (70-200mm). These three lenses will give you enough versatility to shoot in almost any conditions. Also, these three lenses are available for just about every camera system and lens mount on the market.
I have decided that my next piece of glass will be this little…well…not so little beauty. It seems all the research I have done, most photographers have said this is their FAVORITE lens. I have been looking at the 24-70mm f/2.8, but I think this is the next step I need to make. It will be a very versatile addition to my camera bag.
