Getting out there and getting used to the new camera and lenses. So far very happy with my choice.
Friday Night at the Kirkland Marina
Kerry Park Sunday
First signs of Spring
Monday, March 31, 2014
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Nikon D7100
When you research a camera or when you get your new camera, you have to go all over the place to find out all sorts of information. I will try here to gather some important things about the Nikon D7100 from different sources.
First video i found useful was by FroKnowsPhoto's Jared Polin. It's lengthy but it reviews the camera in situations that you and I would use it.
This is Matt Grangers quick set video. This will help you understand features and placement of buttons and also a great video to visit when you get your camera and you are trying to play with it.
For me the Nikon menu is a PITA to use. So this video does a great job explaining what the options are and what they do.
This was helpful for me coming from a Canon to Nikon. Going from Canon's 9 Focus Point system to the 51 point focus system that Nikon provides. It's a big difference. This video does a great job explaining this.
Cool Little tips and trick on your D7100.
Stay tuned. More information will be added to the collection.
First video i found useful was by FroKnowsPhoto's Jared Polin. It's lengthy but it reviews the camera in situations that you and I would use it.
This is Matt Grangers quick set video. This will help you understand features and placement of buttons and also a great video to visit when you get your camera and you are trying to play with it.
For me the Nikon menu is a PITA to use. So this video does a great job explaining what the options are and what they do.
This was helpful for me coming from a Canon to Nikon. Going from Canon's 9 Focus Point system to the 51 point focus system that Nikon provides. It's a big difference. This video does a great job explaining this.
Cool Little tips and trick on your D7100.
Stay tuned. More information will be added to the collection.
Wednesday, March 26, 2014
First shots from Nikon D7100
After 4 years of shooting nothing but Canon entry level ( Rebel TXi, Rebel T2i, EOS 60D and EOS M) I took a big leap and joined the dark side. On March 2014 I decided to sell my kit lens that came with the 60D. My copy of the 18-200mm was terrible. I have tried all possible thing to get sharp in focus photos, and no luck. It wasn't the camera, the camera did fine with the other lenses that I had. The Tokina and Tamron were amazing. So I had listed the 18-200 lens on CraigsList. A month later no inquiries. So I decided to sell the whole kit. I figured i can sell the camera with the lens and afterwards pick up a new camera body and i'm good. While i was doing so i was contemplating upgrading. 70D, 7D or the 6D
All of the cameras I was looking at were fantastic. The 70D is amazing and so is the 6D. The 7D is a little outdated and there are rumors of the 7D MK 2 being on the horizon. What to do, what to do.
After talking to lots of folks, everyone was encouraging me to look at different brands. Some recommended the SONY a7, Fuji, others were suggesting i would try Nikon. Almost everyone i knew had a Nikon. Granted most of them don't know what any of the letters on the dial mean. Anyway I had used a D80 before and a D3100 and even though i had a hard time finding my way around the dials, the photos I was able to get with those cameras were amazing. The image quality impressed me. And the shutter sound. :)
One other thing that got me seriously looking at nikon was the 51 focus points. It's nice to be able to move the focus point where you want it. But anyway I have said too much. For now i will leave you with some recent photos taken with my new D7100.
It seems that when i uploaded these photo google has messed with the brightness. :( I don't know how to undo this. To see the images as intended check out the facebook post at: https://www.facebook.com/monkifoto
All of the cameras I was looking at were fantastic. The 70D is amazing and so is the 6D. The 7D is a little outdated and there are rumors of the 7D MK 2 being on the horizon. What to do, what to do.
After talking to lots of folks, everyone was encouraging me to look at different brands. Some recommended the SONY a7, Fuji, others were suggesting i would try Nikon. Almost everyone i knew had a Nikon. Granted most of them don't know what any of the letters on the dial mean. Anyway I had used a D80 before and a D3100 and even though i had a hard time finding my way around the dials, the photos I was able to get with those cameras were amazing. The image quality impressed me. And the shutter sound. :)
One other thing that got me seriously looking at nikon was the 51 focus points. It's nice to be able to move the focus point where you want it. But anyway I have said too much. For now i will leave you with some recent photos taken with my new D7100.
Wall on 3rd in Queen Anne Seattle
It seems that when i uploaded these photo google has messed with the brightness. :( I don't know how to undo this. To see the images as intended check out the facebook post at: https://www.facebook.com/monkifoto
Friday, March 21, 2014
D7100 Manual Focus and Live View Magnification
One of the things I had a hard time doing with my canon is getting sharp photos. This can partially be blamed on my technique. Manual focus was quite difficult for me. And the other part was the Autofocus system which i always thought it was lacking. My Canon 60D had only 9 Focus points and 1 cross type.
One technique to improve your manual focus is using the live view. You switch to live view and zoom in to 100% and then you adjust your focus.
Here are 2 examples on how to do this.
Here is a tutorial at Digital Photography School that uses a Canon camera.
Below is a youtube video showing how to do this on a Nikon D800. This should be very similar on the other models as well. The video is not just about the Live view but some of the issues that the D800 has. You can just ignore that part.
One technique to improve your manual focus is using the live view. You switch to live view and zoom in to 100% and then you adjust your focus.
Here are 2 examples on how to do this.
Here is a tutorial at Digital Photography School that uses a Canon camera.
Below is a youtube video showing how to do this on a Nikon D800. This should be very similar on the other models as well. The video is not just about the Live view but some of the issues that the D800 has. You can just ignore that part.
Thursday, March 6, 2014
Nikon D7100
Well I'm half was down the rabbit hole. I just pulled the trigger on:
Nikon D7100 DX-format 24.1MP DSLR Camera
Kit with
18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Filter size is 67
55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Filter Size is 58
WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter,
32GB Class 10 SD Card,
Pictures in 5 Minutes DVD,
D-SLR Pro Messenger Bag 1, - Don't Need
Nikon ML-L3 IR Remote Control Transmitter
Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone - Won't need
$1,546.95 from Adorama
I know these lenses are not the best but if i were to buy the body itself it would have been $1149
I think that that $400 difference for those 2 lenses is not a bad deal. I think i should be able to turn around and sell them and and get more than $400 for them. For example the 18-140mm sells for $350 and the 55-300mm also goes for about $300. So technically assuming I can sell these for a combined $600 bucks, it would mean that my camera was $950. and that would give me some cash to buy some better glass.
The list of lenses i want to get:
Nikon D7100 DX-format 24.1MP DSLR Camera
Kit with
18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Filter size is 67
55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens Filter Size is 58
WU-1a Wireless Mobile Adapter,
32GB Class 10 SD Card,
Pictures in 5 Minutes DVD,
D-SLR Pro Messenger Bag 1, - Don't Need
Nikon ML-L3 IR Remote Control Transmitter
Nikon ME-1 Stereo Microphone - Won't need
$1,546.95 from Adorama
I know these lenses are not the best but if i were to buy the body itself it would have been $1149
I think that that $400 difference for those 2 lenses is not a bad deal. I think i should be able to turn around and sell them and and get more than $400 for them. For example the 18-140mm sells for $350 and the 55-300mm also goes for about $300. So technically assuming I can sell these for a combined $600 bucks, it would mean that my camera was $950. and that would give me some cash to buy some better glass.
The list of lenses i want to get:
- Tokina AT-X 116 PRO DX-II 11-16mm f2.8 B&H - Adorama
Optional - Tokina 16-28mm F/2.8 ATX Pro FX B&H - Adorama - Tokina 28-70mm f/2.8 AT-X AF if i can find one.
- Nikon 35mm f/1.8G AF-S DX - $196 could get one for ~130
- Nikon 85mm f/1.8G AF-S FX. - $496
More later. Research Continues.
Tuesday, March 4, 2014
Decisions decisions
So I have decided to switch to Nikon. I know, shocker. Last week I sold my Canon 60D with the 18-200mm kit lens. Initially i just wanted to get rid of the lens since i have already bought a few lenses to replace it. I had purchased the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX Ultra Wide Angle, the Tamron AF 28-75mm f/2.8 SP XR Di LD Aspherical (IF), Rokinon 8mm Fish EYE and Canon 50mm f/1.8.
However the number of autofocus points and the image quality of the new-er Nikons have got me stuck in the middle.
What to do what to do. I have been doing research for the past few days on Canon vs Nikon.... and a little cost analysis and for now I'm still stuck.
First I had looked at Canon 6D and if you click the link B&H Photo has a great deal on it. Canon 6D with 24-105mm f/4 L for $2100. But for $200 more I could have the Nikon D610 With 24-85mm lens which is supposed to be just as sharp.
Here are the things that intrest me about the cameras.
However the number of autofocus points and the image quality of the new-er Nikons have got me stuck in the middle.
What to do what to do. I have been doing research for the past few days on Canon vs Nikon.... and a little cost analysis and for now I'm still stuck.
First I had looked at Canon 6D and if you click the link B&H Photo has a great deal on it. Canon 6D with 24-105mm f/4 L for $2100. But for $200 more I could have the Nikon D610 With 24-85mm lens which is supposed to be just as sharp.
Here are the things that intrest me about the cameras.
| Canon 6D | Nikon 610 | Canon 70D | Nikon 7100 | ||
| Full Frame VS APS-C | FF | FF | APS-C | APS-C | |
| Auto Focus Points | 11 | 39 | |||
| Cross Type Focus | 1 | 9 | 19 | 15 | |
| Image Quality | 82 | 94 | 68 | 83 | |
| Mega Pixels | 20.9 | 24 | 20 | 24 | |
| Built In Flash | NO | YES | YES | YES | |
| Body Only | $1,700 | $1,900 | $1,099 | $1,150.00 | |
| Comes with | 24-105 f/4 L | 24-85mm | 18-55mm | 18-140mm | |
| Best Price | 2100 + Tax B&H | 2300 + Tax B&H | 1250 + Tax BB | 1300 + Tax BB |
The problem I have right now is, I can't really justify going full frame. It's so much money. I could use that 1500 difference of what ever it is to invest in better glass.
Here is a good read from Ken Rockwell about lens sharpness. And an other great article by the same Ken Rockwell about how to Fix Unsharp Images. Check out his website he has lots of great stuff. More on this subject soon.
Till then i will leave you with a few shots that i have taken Sat night with my EOS M. Enjoy. And don't forget to check out my Facebook Page.
Here is a good read from Ken Rockwell about lens sharpness. And an other great article by the same Ken Rockwell about how to Fix Unsharp Images. Check out his website he has lots of great stuff. More on this subject soon.
Till then i will leave you with a few shots that i have taken Sat night with my EOS M. Enjoy. And don't forget to check out my Facebook Page.
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