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March 2019

21 Mar

Posted at 08:35h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

A little while ago we showed the Canon twin-flash for macro workers. A TTL solution for illuminating the tiniest of worlds. Well, today here is a suitable lens for it - the new 35mm Macro IS STM for the RF system. A very tempting piece of glass. The 35mm focal length is somewhat ideal for both small and full-frame cameras - a normal field of view for the former and not too wide for the latter. Of course, there is some debate as to what a normal field of view might be when you move to 1:1 macro - but you can decide for yourself by raising your spectacles and peering closely at something a couple of inches away from your nose. Get to the point where your focusing ability just about runs out and before you lose the ability to set the stereo images together in your head. That's how wide you can see, so that's the standard for you. Those of you who have markedly different abilities in either eye - one working better than the other at certain distances...

20 Mar

Posted at 08:58h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

The title of this essay didn't start out to be psychological - I think I was on the way to typing something else and the kettle boiled or the cat yowled to be let out. It just got those two letters and stopped. I've no idea what it was originally going to be...

19 Mar

Posted at 16:48h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

The next two weeks are going to be a pleasant ones for Nikon users - there is a drop in Nikon prices going on right now and there's even special bonuses to do with new products that you can pre-order. The main price reductions involve DSLR and mirrorless Nikon bodies  but there are a couple three instances where a lens is also involved. Here's the DSLR body only section: Nikon D750 - Was $ 2449 - Now $ 2099 - Save $ 350 Nikon D850 - Was $ 4799 - Now $ 4349 - Save $ 450 Nikon D7500 - Was $ 1748 - Now $ 1398 - Save $ 350   If you're looking for a lens with that D7500 to start you out - and to start you out well, consider adding the Nikkor AF-S DX 18-140mm f:3.5-5.6G ED VR to the purchase Nikon D7500 + 18-140mm kit  - Was $ 2048 - Now $ 1748 - Save $ 300   Okay, that's the full-frame and APS-C DSLRs tidied up - now for the new Nikon Z7 mirrorless camera and the lens and FTZ accessory adapter: Nikon Z7...

18 Mar

Posted at 08:27h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

A lot of manufacturers say that they are dedicated to the small world of macro photography - and they point to one lens in their range with that word on the barrel. Or to a small flower symbol somewhere in their digital menu. Mount the lens or press the icon and all will be tiny and in perfect focus...

15 Mar

Posted at 08:54h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

The preparation of the new Nikon Z-series mirror-less camera systems must have been a time of furious activity in the Nikon organisation. Leaving aside the marketing questions and the business strategies - forced or otherwise - the idea of a new Nikon lens mount as well as a new type of Nikon camera would have had all departments designing like madmen. How much paper, how many pencils, and how much midnight ( whale ) oil must have been expended is anyone's guess. The chance to start afresh with something like this would have been relished by the lens designers. A new mount - bigger and less complex than the previous F-mount - would have relieved them of a lot of the pressure that they were under in their earlier digital age. The fact that they are now firing their light rays into a larger sensor means exit paths need to spread - but all the years of the 24 x 36 film capture will have been a good experience. Ah, but now there is no mirror box or mirror to stay clear...

14 Mar

Posted at 09:24h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

My first fiddle with a Nikon Z6 mirrorless camera and Nikkor S zoom lens today. Not a shooting fiddle*, but a chance to handle and picture it. And mighty impressed. Forgive yourself for not being able to see at first glance that this is the Z6 rather than the Z7 - they look so alike. There are internal differences, of course, to do with image resolution and size, shooting speed, and focus points, and the targeting of a less-demanding market with the 6 than the 7. But they look and act very similarly. The standard zoom fitted is 24mm to 70mm in the new Z mount - a Nikkor S lens. Note the stowed position, deployed position, and maximum zoom position. The rotation of the zoom collar into the stowed position will trigger a warning in both the LCD and EVF screen to the effect that you'll need to unlock the lens. The office is as neat as Nikon can make it while still preserving the D-pad as well as the joystick. No surprises there though I do commend the designers for...

12 Mar

Posted at 07:36h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

Picture taking can be pursued by many different people by many different means - but it is sometimes forgotten that it need not be done at 2000psi with lightning bolts shooting out of the equipment nor blood spurting out of the photographer. There are smaller and calmer circumstances. The lovely blue camera seen in the heading image - the Nikon Coolpix W100 - would be suitable for just this sort of quieter time. It must be said, however, that this camera can indeed stand a great deal - the W in the title indicates that it is to a great extent waterproof. The 13.2 megapixel resolution on a small sensor and the 3X zoom are modest by today's tech standards, as is the HD video capture, but the sealed ease of use found with this camera is the real secret to its success. There's three buttons on the top; off/on, still shot, and video start/stop. Hold it steady and just press and you'll get a picture - you can safely hand it to the children of the family and get it back...

11 Mar

Posted at 06:45h in Blog, Dick's Rant by [social_share]

Stan Davies recently wrote us an article for this column that was headed with a wonderful street photography image taken in Norway. You can pop back in the history and look at it - it's worth the read. To get this sort of success he engaged in Stanthinking, and I want to recommend it to the readers - it really is a key to success: a. Stan Thought #1. " I'm going to Norway. This is a long bus ride from Perth and they are going to be fussy about the amount of baggage you carry with you. I need to travel light. But...