Thoughts 11 May 2008 11:43 am
Cameras
I upgraded my camera the other day. I went from a Nikon D70 that’s 6 years old or so, to a Nikon D300.
I was going to go with the D200 because it will do anything I’m likely to need, but the price difference for a new unit was minimal and I’d have had to order it online.
The D300 was being offered as a special with an 18-200 vr lens and an instant rebate of $300 applied to the lens.
Since I already own a 24-120 VR and a 70-300 I let the salesman talk me into forgoing the special and buying a Sigma 12-24.
I also own an SB-800 flash unit. — All this makes for a fairly heavy camera bag.
My intention is to get my overfed ass out from behind my computer and outside. — You know, that place with sunshine.
For outdoor work I’ll probably leave the flash unit home, but I may purchase a macro flash. I will definitely need to include a bipod and water bottle.
Because of the weight, this combination may have to change, but for now I’ll just try a vest or backpack.
I’m certain that what I carry a few months from now will be much different from all the stuff I currently think I might need.
Here are two shots taken from the roof of Pioneerloan and one from the inside that demonstrates the problem of being close to your subject with a wide angle lens.
(Clicking on either of the wide images should take you to a much larger image.)
12mm
24mm
12mm
I focused on the bottom shelf of the case directly in front of me intending to include the walls in the shot as well.
I had not expected the “special effects” to be quite so noticeable.
For my next trick I’m going to read the owners manual. The bloody camera will sing, dance and make coffee. But only if you know where to look in the menus and what dial to spin.
I used to shoot film with my Nikon F2as or my TLR.
Those cameras would take beautiful pictures, but it was mostly because I had studied and practiced until I didn’t have to think about what I was doing.
Now I not only need to learn how to use a camera that is smarter than I am, I need to buckle down and spend some serious study time with Photoshop.