Sunday 23 February 2014

Hermione Security


D300, 70-200 2.8 and Blackrapid Strap


On a walk today I tested my new Blackrapid R4 strap on the D300 with the Nikkor 70-200mm lens - see descriptive video. about this great strap.

Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 190mm f2.8, 1/5000 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 70mm f2.8, 1/5000 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 200mm f2.8, 1/5000 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 200mm f2.8, 1/1000 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 75mm f22, 1/40 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 200mm f8, 1/500 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 160mm f8, 1/60 sec
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Nikon D300 Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 400, 70mm f2.8, 1/5000 sec
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Wednesday 19 February 2014

RØDE VideoMic GO

Most of the good DSLR camera’s have 1080p 30p (frames per second FPS), video, that you can use your lenses with to get broadcast quality, crisp high definition and smooth video, however mostly because of constraints of space, the inbuilt audio sucks. All DSLR brands have poor audio and its really just a reference point for sound. The experts tell me that audio is the makes or breaks great video.
So in order to experiment with video on the Nikon D610 I have purchased a RØDE VideoMic GO. The sound pickup area focuses directly in front of the microphone and reduces other surrounding sounds, ensuring that your subject is isolated from distracting background noise. The VideoMic GO has no switches or settings and is powered by the camera's external microphone input. More to come in later posts . . . 
Nikon D300, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 200, 86mm f2.8, 1/15 sec
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Monday 17 February 2014

Murray River Torumbarry

Murray Cod (Maccullochella peelii) tinny see previous posts here - 
Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f8, 1/30 sec
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Murray River Vista
Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f8, 1/40 sec
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Broken Lagoon Point Camp
Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 116mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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Fishing or Pissing?
Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 160mm f2.8, 1/1250 sec
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Morning Mob
 iPhone Click on photo for larger image view 
Heading downstream from Torrumbarry Weir
See prior posts here
iPhone Click on photo for larger image view 

Monday 10 February 2014

Portland Coast Victoria


On a weekend exploratory trip to the far west coast of Victoria suing out the camping and fishing opportunities last weekend. This was a great way to avoid the 40+ C temperatures of central Victoria for a more pleasant 16 -23 degrees.
Also this gave me a chance to test out my new Ultra Wide Nikkor 20mm 2.8 lens. Also to test the roof top tent and the 200 watt solar panel camping configuration. All good.
Beach Rig
Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f2.8, 1/100 sec
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Storm Clouds Racecourse Bay S.A.

 Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f2.8, 1/160 sec
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Portland looking towards Narrawong Beach
Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f2.8, 1/60 sec
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Grampians from Dunkeld in the Wild Wide West
iPhone Click on photo for larger image view 
Arrarat to Hamilton Road
 iPhone Click on photo for larger image view
Portland Tourist Tram
 iPhone Click on photo for larger image view
Grampians
 Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 90mm f22, 1/30 sec
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Port of Portland
 Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 70mm f22, 1/50 sec
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Part of the wind farm at Cape Nelson
 Nikon D610, Nikkor 70-200  2.8 @ ISO 100, 130mm f22, 1/50 sec
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Cape Nelson towards Portland
  Nikon D610, Nikkor 20mm 2.8 @ ISO 100, 20mm f22, 1/30 sec
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Sunday 2 February 2014

The migration to Full Frame - DX to FX

With the The migration to Full Frame - DX to FX I have had to make some new lens choices. If you want to capture images in more than one style or genre, you need to have the right gear. The first rule of photography is supposed to be that its not the gear, its the artist and their ability to create with a sense of composition, colour, light and timing. All true but the right gear also helps. So lens choice counts when you know what type of images you want to make. You need the optimal focal length and field of capture to suit the style you want. Focal Length and Angle of view of a lens are related, focal length is used to describe a lens.

I have blogged about this before with my D300 DX cropped sensor camera before here - http://wfrblog.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/lens-choices.html

My preference and style have led me to a broad selection of lenses and their general use on an FX camera for me are:

  • 20mm f2.8- Ultra Wide Angle - great for indoor, close up, indoor architecture and landscapes. 94° field of view.
  • 35mm f2 - Wide Angle - portrait, indoor happy snaps and walk around versatile. 62° field of view.
  • 50mm f1.4 - Normal - portrait, indoor happy snaps and walk around versatile. 46° field of view.
  • 105mm f2.8 - Macro prime - close work for insects, product and detailed close up, also a fantastic portrait lens. 23° field of view.
  • 70-200mm f2.8 - zoom - sports and action, great for picking people out at a distance, pro's event and wedding lens. 34 - 12° field of view.


So I have endeavoured to cover all the angle of view or field of view for the amount of a scene that I think i need to be captured by my camera.
This diagram helps describe this. CLICK ON IMAGE FOR A LARGER VIEW

The line up looks like this




Of course on my DX D300 the field of view are different (more compressed):
  • 20mm f2.8- 70° field of view.
  • 35mm f2 - 44° field of view.
  • 50mm f1.4 - 31° field of view.
  • 105mm f2.8 - 15° field of view.
  • 70-200mm f2.8 - 22 - 8° field of view.