Oct 26, 2009 | Field Reports
I’m just amazed how many emails I receive asking where were the jump photos of Stephanie from our MI DLWS event. We actually did just one set up which you see here. It was our normal FP flash with a shutter speed of 1/6000 and single SB-900 flash zoomed to 200mm.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3350b.swf, 585, 444, [/swf]
We had a number of technical issues this time which prevented us from doing what we first set out to do. The biggest one being Stephanie strained her back a couple of days earlier (all that work her mean bossman piles on her). Next we couldn’t get the height from the get go for Stephanie to leap from, we did have her on the hood of a car at one point. Lastly, we simply didn’t have the time. So it all added up to just a couple of leaps and we called it a wrap. While Stephanie wasn’t further injured by her couple of leaps, I have to report that sadly, a pair of pants died in the production of this shot.
Photo captured by D3x, 24-70AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 23, 2009 | Field Reports
Yep, this one leaf that so caught my eye just wouldn’t let me make the image I was seeing come to life in the viewfinder. Seriously! As you can see, its red is pretty intense and it just was hanging out there screaming to be photographed before it fell to the forest floor and lost to the winter snow.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3475.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I went to the 200f2 at first and then added the 1.7x. That didn’t help. Narrowing down the angle of view I think was the start down the path of no success.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3487.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
Moved closer but as I did, the background changed because I started to shoot up more. That didn’t help. Joe being curious what I was seeing came over and looked through the lens. After looking through the viewfinder he looked at me and I made a funny face and said, “too busy.”
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3511b.swf, 444, 585 [/swf]
So then I moved closer, didn’t help. I was getting frustrated because the original image that I saw is now getting further away and not closer to coming to life in the viewfinder.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP3518.swf, 444, 585 [/swf]
Moved closer again, still no help. I never got the photo I first saw and wanted. Back engineering my woes, I think I should have stayed where I first spied the leaf and then gone up higher and to the 200-400. I neither had a ladder or the lens so that’s that and it’s how it goes sometimes when you’re out shooting. Lesson to learn, and a memory to cherish.
Photos captured by D3x, 200f2 on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 20, 2009 | Field Reports
Hey… I wanted to pass along the word that Lexar has come out with their new series of cards. Been shooting the 16GB 600x cards and using their new Express Reader and can tell you they scream. What I can’t do is bring you stats and pretty pictured, simply not in the position to do so. Not to fear, that brilliant guy Rob Galbraith has done all the testing, taken the pics and published the info so head here to read why you NEED to own these cards, they put more time into your photography!
Oct 13, 2009 | Field Reports
Yeap, the D3s has been announced. Cutting to the chase, it has higher, better ISO performance and 1280×720 HD Motion-Jpeg video. Using a new CCD that includes vibration cleaning, the new D3s still retains the same pixel count as the D3. I’ve received plenty of email already asking my thoughts on video in the DSLR. To me, it makes no sense and diverts engineers from giving us really cool things that still photographers could really run with. You can read more right here. Here is the micro site.
Here are the main features:
- ISO performance: ISO 12800 as standard, expandable to ISO equivalent of 102400 (Hi 3)
- Nikon FX-format CMOS image sensor with 12.1 effective megapixels
- Improved D-Movie function including High-Sensitivity Movie mode and flicker reduction function
- Nikon’s Integrated Dust Reduction System including Image Sensor Cleaning function
- Incorporates Nikon’s original EXPEED digital image processing
- Active D-Lighting with bracketing for up to 5 frames
- Picture Control: Standard, Vivid, Neutral and Monochrome (Landscape and Portrait can be downloaded from Nikon website)
- Quick response with approx. 0.12 seconds start-up time and approx. 0.04 seconds shutter-release time lag
- 9-frames-per-second shooting rate in FX format, 11 fps in DX crop (CIPA Guidelines)
- Nikon’s original Scene Recognition System, utilizing 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, for more accurate autofocus, auto exposure, i-TTL flash control and auto white balance
- Multi-CAM 3500FX AF sensor module featuring 51 AF points
- Viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.7x magnification in FX format
- Durable shutter unit proven by 300,000 cycles of testing on fully assembled camera
- Intelligent power management that lets you shoot up to approx. 4,200 frames per charge (based on CIPA Standards)
- Easy-to-access Live View modes with dedicated button
- Quiet Shutter-release mode for nonintrusive shooting
- High-definition (approx. 921k-dot), 170˚ viewing angle, 3-in. VGA LCD monitor with tempered glass
New 85f3.5VR AFS Micro also introduced.
- Medium-telephoto 85mm Micro lens (picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in FX/35mm format)
- Closest focusing distance of 0.286 m/0.9 ft. (1:1 life size)
- The optical system featuring an ED (Extra-low Dispersion) glass element is optimized for DX-format digital SLRs
- Vibration Reduction (VR II) enables sharper pictures while shooting at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible
- Silent Wave Motor (SWM) ensures fast, quiet AF operation
- Two focus modes available — M/A and M
- IF (Internal Focusing) enables focusing without changing the length of lens barrel
- The nine-blade rounded diaphragm opening gives out-of-focus elements a more natural appearance
You might be saying I don’t seem that excited about this new D3s (street price $5200?). Video in the camera just doesn’t solve any problems I have, neither does high ISO, 1.2 crop or new buttons on the back. The D3 / D3x already in my bag rock and since I’ve not seen nor shot with the D3s, just going by specs, I’m not wowed by the news. Now the 85micro, that does have my attention. I WANT new glass and not video! I do hope though that now the rumor mungors who have been so far off the mark will have even less credibility and I’ll have to spend less time saying I have no comment.
Oct 12, 2009 | Field Reports
Our Sunday morning shoot was at one of my favorites, Alabama Hills. Any western movie buff or any kind of movie buff at all knows how many films have been filmed in the rocks of the Hills. One of the most recent of note is Ironman. Well, this past weekend was Movie Festival Weekend and one of the things they do is put out all these signs where certain scenes of certain movies were filmed.
[swf]http://www.moosepeterson.com/swf_imgs/_BMP2157.swf, 585, 444 [/swf]
I have to admit, it was pretty hard to think about photography with all this illustrated history around. It was kinda like an easter egg hunt because every turn of a rock was a new sign and a little bit more of Hollywood history.
I’ve gotten all the images edited and I’m down to 57 images to finish. No, I’m not going to blog all of those but a number of them. I had a couple of cool new insights into my own photography during our Eastern Adventure so I’m excited to get all this to you. Stay tuned.
Photo captured by D3x, 24PC-E on Lexar UDMA digital film
Oct 3, 2009 | Field Reports
There are many different honors that come from moderate success in photography. There is the better percentage of keeper images. There are the slightly higher pay checks. There is being asked to participant in cool events. Better are the fans who think enough of you and your efforts to come to hear what you have to say and then thank you for it. All of you who came and listened and stopped to say thanks, I want to say thanks back. But one of the honors I hold most dear are those friends in this business who make it so special. I consider it quite an honor to call this incredibly passionate, creative and down right hilarious guy my friend, Scott Kelby. I don’t even get to spend enough time with him, but the time I do is always special. We had a few moments today at the closing ceremony where one moment he is passionately watching the show and the next, he turns around with one of those great one liners (which I never come up with) that just cracks me up. It’s from his heart and mind that the community known as NAPP sprung and thrives. It’s one helluva an honor to be included in it!
PSW is over, most are now heading home. Will all too soon gather in Orlando for the next PSW and I can’t wait to do it all over again!
Photo captured by P6000 on Lexar UDMA digital film
