December 2015

I cannot remember where I read the earnest fashion advice that told me never to wear brown. It wasn't just directed to me alone - it was broadcast to the whole world. You were urged ( ordered is perhaps a little strong...

If you own a Nikon D750 camera and some Nikon lenses you will have spent the last year taking superb digital images. Now Nikon have released new firmware improvements that will permit you to take superb images. The download from Nikon is at:http://downloadcenter.nikonimglib.com/en/download/fw/157.htmlAllow me to make a comment on that at the end of this column, but for now here is the Nikon press release information about the update. The main improvements are:An external recording option has been added to the HDMI in the set-up menu of the camera.Some help text has been changed.Optimal vibration reduction now available with VR lenses.In addition there have been some issues fixed:Brightness of LV display previously not changing when a command dial was rotated to adjust exposure compensation with On(Auto reset) selected for b Metering/exposure>b3Easy exposure compensation>Easy exposure compensation in the CUSTOM SETTING MENU.Maximum aperture indicator previously not appearing in the monitor although the preview button was stoping the lens down to maximum aperture when assigned to the Preview role.Shutter previously not being released when the user attempted to take photographs in movie live...

Now that I am able to use more backdrops in the studio to illustrate shop goods I can choose more colours. Sometimes I choose wisely. Sometimes. In the case of the f-stop Lotus bag I think I should have picked another one...

Well, it's sort of pleasant angst, after all.I own a number of Fujifilm X-series cameras and not surprisingly, a number of Fujinon XF lenses to go on them. I have tried to select the ones that have the correct focal length for the work I do and up until now I have never considered the actual look of the lenses - just their optical characteristics. Then Fujifilm threw me a curve ball - they introduced a lens that looks gorgeous.It is the new Fujinon 35mm XF f:2 WR lens...

I hesitate to bring this topic up in this column - a new camera bag intended for the female photographer. Any man who would essay to tell a woman what handbag to carry is more hero or more fool than I. Nevertheless, here is the news, and if it please thee, ladies, come to the shop and browse.ONA are a firm who have taken to the camera bag market with a philosophy of heavy-duty construction and a decided level of style - it is a natural style, one might add - there is little of the artificial plastic material that features in other maker's offerings. Do not take that as a negative - there are times and places for everything.The bag featured in the heading image is the ONA Capri in Antique Cognac colour. It is constructed of leather - well tanned and characterised by the natural creases inherent to animal skin. It seems well chosen, though. There are no wire marks on this bag.It is in the satchel style with long loop handles to go over the arm. There...