Vintage Style - In Camera

Nikon released a new mirrorless camera model a few weeks back, the Z6III, the upgrade to my current camera, the Z6II. While I'm not particularly drawn to this new camera (faster processor, better autofocus, better video), I discovered the ZF camera with 90% of the features of the Z6III in a retro camera body. That retro styling gets me every time! I had a serious case of FOMO, my thoughts filled with this gorgeous camera with metal shutter, ISO, EV dials on the top of the camera. But time tempers the desires of the flesh and now I'm determined to make the most out of my Z6II.

 

 
I viewed more videos on the Nikon ZF and learned about the gamut of picture controls available, viewable via the EVF and playback. Think of a picture control as a style of colors and saturations, akin to film days, also very similar to a "Filter" on Instagram. There are the standard picture controls like Landscape, Vivid, Portrait and Black and White. Then there are 20+ additional special picture controls like "Dream", "Demin", "Spring" etc. The user selects the picture control style and voila, it is viewable on the camera's EVF and back screen. I learned this feature is available on any Nikon Z camera! When you import into Lightroom, that special picture control is automatically applied. Of course the picture control style can be changed in Lightroom since I shoot in RAW. But seeing it as you shoot it is a nice feature of a mirrorless camera. My default picture control is Vivid but thinking about changing it up to a more vintage version, which I did today while taking this photo of a Coneflower in my front yard - I used the "Dream" picture control. In Lightroom, I cropped in tighter and added a vingette - that's it!

 

 

 

 
I’ve come to the conclusion that the advantage of the ZF over my current model boils down to autofocus capabilities. I do struggle with shooting groups of people - only one person ends up tack sharp with the others kind of soft. Probably my error or due to the full frame sensor and depth of field but maybe I am missing something. More research needed!

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The Transition to Mirrorless - Nikon Z6 II

After nearly nine years, I bought a new camera body and ventured into the world of mirrorless photography. Oh, wait, the second part of that statement is not accurate. I do own an old mirrorless Olympus OMD camera - also purchased nine year ago, but it didn't "take", ie, it sits, very un-used in a camera bag and serves as a stinging reminder for me to be more mindful of my purchases. [So maybe that misguided purchase resulted in this nine year wait and reluctance to switch over to mirrorless.]

 

 
My Nikon D600 still performs beautifully, shows no apparent issues with its mechanical elements with over 28,000 shutter actuations. The D600 gives me all the results I want - great action shots, great low light capability, great portrait photos and the list goes on. I resisted the pull of the new mirrorless cameras due to the EVF (Electronic View Finder) and slow performance based on my experience with the Oly.

 

 
So why convert now? Technology has caught up, especially on the EVF - [a baseline requirement]. I learned that my current lenses could be used on Nikon's latest mirrorless cameras - [important as I have invested in good glass]. The final deciding factor for me is the smaller, lighter camera form factor. I've grown weary of lugging around a heavy, bulky camera bag when my pocketable iPhone can render 70-80% similar images to my D600. But I still need performance of an interchangeable lens camera and the mirrorless fits that need.

 

 
So I purchased a Nikon Z6 II along with the FTZ lens converter which allows me to utilize my existing F-mount lenses on the camera with full functionality.

 

 
With my 24-70mm lens mounted via the FTZ converter:

 

 
Plusses: 

• The EVF performance is amazing - I don't miss my view finder at all 
• Focus points - I can now set focus point anywhere in the photo area. The D600's focus points are clustered in 30% of the center of the photo area and I always felt that handicapped the composition or slowed me down with focus / recomposing action. 
• The form factor and controls - the smaller body is suited for my small hands. Which makes me think it might feel cramped for someone with normal / large hands. 
• The controls feel intuitive and I'm well versed in Nikon camera settings so there hasn't been too steep of a learning curve. 
• Auto focus - it is amazing and includes tech upgrades like subject eye detect for people and animals.

 
Here's a photo of a droopy Louie the Siamese cat as an example.

 
 

• In camera image stabilization coupled with auto focus 
• What you see is what you get with respect to the EVF and exposure control. Want to underexpose? The EVF renders that under exposure. I moved to Manual control and immediately saw the exposure settings were way off in the EVF. 

Cons: 

• The only substantial con I've run into is battery life. Of course the EVF will drain the battery faster than a standard DSLR. 
•  The live view screen on the back is hard for me to use due to ambient light conditions, but honestly, I'm going to use the EVF 95% of the time anyways.

 

 
Yes, I still plan to use the D600, so maybe I will turn into one of those photographers who tote around two cameras at a time to avoid the hassle of switching lenses. Of course that counters my desire to lighten up my camera kit. Maybe just for those portrait sessions!

 

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P365+1 Week 4 - Cats, Horses and Camera Toys

With my knee injury, using my iPhone for my daily photo has been a blessing. I can no longer carry my purse with the DSLR in it - the purse is too heavy and I am worried I would drop it.

I spent last weekend confined to the house, but I still found interesting things to take pictures of [mainly because I was bored out of my mind!].

Saturday morning was super cold and windy, but the sun was shining and the cats basked in its warmth.


I stayed home from church on Sunday and Hannah woke early to peer out the dining room window.


Monday - I had the MRI on my knee and Erica got her braces off, but she wouldn't let me take her picture. Teenagers! Instead, Sam hung out with me, trying to vie for my attention.


Tuesday - I went back to work at the office and got the official word from the doctor's office that I have a torn ACL in my left knee. I have an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon in late February - a long three weeks away - that was the earliest appointment they had! After work, I took the kids to have passport photos taken. I waited until Erica had her braces off because I thought she would appreciate having a non metallic smile for these photos. So much for that plan.....


Wednesday - Look what came in the mail! This is what happens when I'm laid up with a bum knee - I start shopping....

A vintage Kodak Brownie camera. It's in great condition and I plan to buy 120mm film and try it out.

Thursday - A visit to the stable to see Caesar. Because of my knee, I am unable to go into the stable area - the ground is too uneven and today it was super muddy due to heavy rains that passed through the area. I'm relegated to the car and I got some reading done. I'm reading Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand.


Friday - yet more camera toys (I told you I spent too much time online shopping)

The Olloclip attaches to the iPhone and comes with three lenses - macro, wide angle and fisheye.

Here is the first macro shot I took:

The stitching details on Caesar's bridle. We were again at the stable, I was again stuck in the car.

In the stable, Erica took this picture of Caesar with his winter blanket:

Since Caesar's winter coat doesn't come in as thick around his upper body, we bought a blanket for him to wear when the temps dip below 20 degF. We think he looks quite formal with his wrap.

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Nikon Camera Recommendations - Holiday 2011

Normally, I don't use this blog to make recommendations around camera gear, but one of my friends asked me for a suggestion, and I emailed my responses to him. I thought there might be others who would benefit from the information I shared with my friend, especially with the Holiday season upon us.

Note - my recommendations are just that - recommendations, and my sole opinions - there are many, many other sites that provide similar advice and I'll link to those sources at the end of my post.

My friend wants to upgrade the family camera from a point and shoot to a DSLR. He has an old film Rebel and two lenses. Their kids participate in a lot of sports and are very active.

So the initial questions I always consider when choosing a camera:
   Who will use the camera and
   What will they be capturing?

In my friend's case, I gathered that
  He and his wife will be using the camera (casual / beginner camera user)
  They want to capture their children in sports and other activities (action shots).

Another very important question to consider is that of budget -
  How much money do you want to spend?

I wasn't given that information from my friend, so I suggested a range of cameras and lenses for him to consider.

For DSLR's I always recommend either Canon or Nikon systems, as they hold the highest market share for DSLRs. I personally use a Nikon DSLR system and know more about the Nikon DSLRs and lenses. I am less in tune with the Canon line up but know that for any given Nikon camera or lens, there is some Canon equivalent.

My friend already has some Canon gear. Because of this, I recommended he look at Canon instead of Nikon.

But I couldn't just leave things open ended like that, so I gave him the following recommendations for a Nikon system, with the following criteria in mind -
   They will need casual / beginner camera user
    They need to capture fast action

Option 1: Nikon D7000 body, $1200

Source - Amazon.com

Option 2: Nikon D5100 body, $750

Source - Amazon.com

I like the D7000 over the D5100 due to its Auto focus capabilities - features like 3D tracking, 39 focus points and 7fps (frames / second) can really give you more "keepers" when it comes to shooting sports. The D5100 in comparison has 11 focus points, shoots 4 fps and doesn't have the 3D tracking feature.

However, I could almost sense the air sucking into my friend's lungs due to sticker shock. I personally have no problem plunking down four figures for a camera body, but for first time DSLR buyers, it's probably a bit of a shock. Hence, my alternate recommendation of the D5100.

Once you have a camera body, you need at least one lens.
Again, the lens depends upon the requirements of the user. In my friends' case, their kids play baseball, softball, soccer and basketball - a zoom lens of at least 200mm is best. There are several options, but the most versatile in Nikon's line up right now is the Nikon 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR AF-S lens. It is $900.

Source: Amazon.com

A less expensive option - the Nikkor 55-200 f4-5.6G ED AF-S VR DX which is only $150 right now as it is on sale. This could be paired with another lens to cover the wide angle, the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens, which is $200:

Source: Amazon.com

Source: BH Photo Video

As you can tell by the links I've used, I like purchasing my camera gear from B and H Photo Video and Amazon. If given the choice, I purchase from B&H - their customer service is top notch.

Note, I don't participate in any affiliate programs, so I don't benefit in any way from the links I've posted.

An excellent resource to research cameras:
dpreview

So my friend is considering the Canon equivalent of the D5100. Another one of my bloggy friends, Puna, just let me know that she received an early Christmas present - a D7000, which replaces her old D40! What camera gear are you hoping to receive this Holiday Season? I hope you get what you wish for.....

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Canon PowerShot XS40 HS

One of the advantages for being known as the "hobbyist photographer" at work - sometimes the folks at work give you fun photography-centered assignments outside your normal job scope. Case in point - I was asked to spec out a replacement for the facility's aging point and shoot camera. Aging, indeed - the current camera is a circa 2003 Kodak Easy Share model.

The requirements - something that wasn't too small, with a decent zoom and low light capabilities.

I chose the new Canon Powershot XS40 HS with 35x zoom, IS stabilization and sized smaller than a compact DSLR.

They even let me play with it first.



The handling is decent, with an articulating live display screen and an electronic view finder.
In addition to full Auto, there is a command dial, with DSLR modes - P, Av, Tv (Shutter priority in Nikon speak), even Manual Mode and some User Defined modes.
I tried to use some of these modes, but found myself extremely constrained due to the lens capability, especially in Av mode.


But I'm not the main user of this camera - the engineers in the plant are, and they don't care about having shallow depth of field!

They want the zoom and this is where this one shines.

The view of the bookcase in my office, as I stand behind the desk, using the camera's widest setting:


A mid-zoomed view, still standing behind the desk:


Zoomed all the way in:


All photos SOOC, taken in AUTO mode and no flash.

I also tested out the camera's Macro Mode:

Meh, it didn't do much for me - I couldn't zoom in to get the detail I wanted.

So this work assignment was a fun change of pace from my normal every day work duties. I also learned a bit about myself and my camera preferences. See, I've been considering a more compact camera to take with me when I can't take my DSLR. I learned that these pseudo-DSLRs aren't a fit for me.

In summary, the camera is great for those who desire a wide zoom capability, decent low light capability in an easy to use package.

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