PHO5598: Assignment 6

The sixth assignment for my now completed Lighting Techniques course was Night Lighting. We went, as a group, downtown and took shots of the night lights. We started at Nepean Point overlooking the Ottawa River and then walked down to the National Art Gallery and then towards the War Monument. It was a very cold, windy night so our equipment really got a hard test. Unfortunately some people learned that their cameras do not like the cold, one camera even shutdown on its owner. Fortunately for me though, my equipment did beautifully during its harsh test.
These are the two photos I submitted. I have uploaded them to Flickr as well so you can check them out there too.

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Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED

 

 

I recently purchased the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G IF-ED lens. I AM IN LOVE! Below is the first real shot I took with my lens (Colour Palette):

I have been thinking of this lens and planning its purchase for quite some time and I am so happy with how I have spent my year-end bonus. It is a beautiful full frame lens that I will be able to use for the rest of my photographic life. Even though it is a full frame (FX) lens, it is still compatible with my non-full frame (DX) lens. The zoom range on a DX camera is approximately 35-105mm

According to the manufacturer (Nikon):

• Three Extra-low Dispersion (ED) elements and PGM aspherical lenses control chromatic aberrations while enhancing sharpness and contrast, even at the widest aperture settings
• Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM) enables ultra high-speed auto focusing with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation
• Focus as close as 14.9 inches
• M/A focus mode switch enables quick response to changing situations between manual and auto focus operation
• Enhanced optical formulas engineered to produce exceptional sharpness, contrast and color, rendering outstanding image integrity
• Exclusive Nano Crystal Coat further reduces ghosting and flare for even greater image clarity
• Internal Focus (IF) provides fast and quiet auto focusing without changing the length of the lens, retaining subject-working distance through the focus range
• Rugged construction with professional-grade dust and moisture resistance

This lens is one of the sharpest Nikon lenses on the market today, it provides creamy bokeh and the autofocus is remarkably fast. It does have a few drawbacks such as it size, the lens is quite heavy and large as well. Fortunately for me, it still fits in my bag while attached to my camera body. The focus ring and zoom lens are in different locations than I am used to and the latter is quite close to the camera body itself.

Like I said, I am super happy with this lens so far and don’t see that changing anytime soon.

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Tricks for Shooting Glass

Glass can be a little complicated when photographing because it takes on the colour of your background. The easiest way to deal with this is to place reflector of the opposite colour on either side of your object.

For example, if you are shooting on a white background, place black reflectors (or pieces of paper) just outside of your frame. This will make the edges distinguishable from the actual background.

The above photo has a reflector on the left side of the image and above it as well to reduce glare from the soft boxes that are lighting the subject. Another trick that helps is to put something in the glass itself (e.g. water).

The above photo has coloured water in the glasses and black cards on either side of the image.

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Nikon AS-15

I bought this one day before my second PHO5598 course as it is pretty much mandatory for completion of the course. This item itself isn’t essentially, but the ability to plug into the studio lights using a synch cord is and my camera (Nikon d80) doesn’t have that ability without this accessory.
I have however used this before as someone in a previous course had it and let me borrow it for our portrait assignment. The AS-15 is a simple accessory and not too expensive either, only $29.99 (plus taxes) at Henry’s. If you are interested in studio lighting and have an opportunity to use some nice lights, I would suggest picking one up, but check to make sure you need it first (aka make sure you camera doesn’t have this terminal on the camera itself).

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AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G

I decided about a month ago that my birthday present this year from myself (and anyone who gave me money as a gift) would be a new lens – a 50mm lens to be precise. I did some research and learned that the one I likely wanted was the the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G. At $579.99 from Henry’s, it was a pretty big investment as far as a fixed focal length lens goes, but it is something I have had on my list for quite some time now.
I bought it and so far, have been very pleased with my purchase. I have taken a few shots with it, but I won’t be able to truly see how it performs until I get some portraits done with it, as that is the ideal setting for this lens.
At f/1.4, it is the largest aperture lens I own. Until now, I have been dealing with f/3.5-4.6 which severely hindered my low light opportunities. I either had to use some form of flash or increase my ISO resulting in a grainier image, if I was able to take photos at all. This lens will enable me to take some lower light photographs without those aids, though it is a fixed focal length so I will need to deal with that feature for a little while longer.
The photo on the right is the first real photograph I took with the new lens, it is of the box it came in and some of the packaging as well.

A few last things of note about the AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens:
- filter thread = 58mm;
- close focus =1.5’ (0.45m)';
- Diaphragm comprised of 9 rounded blades (this will result in some nice Bokeh);
- stops down to f/16;

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Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1

I have been looking for a new point and shoot camera for quite some time now. My previous one, a Kodak DX7630, is rather old and outdated now and to be quite honest, really beat up. It has done very well over the last 6 years, and I really love many of the photos I have taken with it (some can even stand up to ones taken with my dSLR). I had a really great time using it, but it is time it is retired officially (it went into semi-retirement when I bought the Nikon d80).
The main features I needed in a point and shoot (p&s) camera were the it had fast start-up, high mega-pixels, optical zoom and some ability for manual control. I also wanted the ability to take movies. It would be really convenient if the camera used SD memory cards, as that is what my d80 takes and I therefore already have many of them (and didn't really want to invest in a new collected of say xD cards). I was interested in at least researching some cameras with underwater capabilities, but this wasn't at all necessary and was much less important than a quick start-up time.
I planned on using this camera when I didn't want to take my big, heavy dSLR for the sake of it being so big and heavy or for times when I felt it might get damaged or stolen. I also planned on using it as a backup and quick moments in which I didn't have time to set up the dSLR (I know you can set it to auto, but even that takes time in which I could miss the moment). It was also going to be Dave's form of entertainment when we are out on photo walks and I have to Nikon d80 with me. With all of this in mind, I started researching. I never got very far in my research though, as I would get distracted by lenses and other accessories for my dSLR.
This past weekend, during the Nikon sale at Henry's Dave and I found the perfect p&s camera for us: the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZR1 (ours is black). It is slick and pretty compact and has most of, if not all, the features I wanted.Above is a picture of the camera, and you can plainly see how pretty it is. But, getting past the exterior looks of the camera, it is pretty awesome inside too. It is lightweight (only 5.6 ounces with the battery and memory card), it takes SD cards which is very convenient for my ever increasing library and can take both pictures and movies (HD movies to be precise). The start-up time is one of the fastest on the market as is the shutter press to image capture at just .32 seconds. Shot-to-shot lag is reported to be minimal as well as approximately 2 seconds. It is suprisingly small in size (2.1 x 3.9 x 1 inch - see below image) when you consider its lens specifications (8x, f3.3-5.9, 25-200mm). It uses a lithium-ion battery that charges (from a fully discharged state) in about 130minutes. The LCD is 2.7 inches (diagonal) which makes it really easy to view your images. The only downside with it's screen is that you have to use it - it does not have a viewfinder which is one of the things I hate about p&s camera, but that is the direction they seem to have gone.
I thas customizable white balance and ISO settings as well as Auto settings for these as well. It of course comes with many different scene settings (portrait, landscape, macro, etc) as well as colour modes (natural, vivid, black and white, sepia, etc).
Below is the first published image taken with the new camera (one of the first taken with it in general) and I am quite happy with how it has turned it (it was taken in very dim light settings and hand held).I have high hopes and big plans for this little camera, and I will definitely keep you all in the loop as to how it performs.
(images of the camera itself found through Google)

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Nikon Umbrella Kit

When I took the Small Flash Workshop at Algonquin College I was introduced to a simple umbrella kit, made by Nikon, that was portable and very useful for off-camera flashes. The Nikon 46" umbrella kit was really awesome and was the main thing from that weekend that really caught my eye (in terms of things I wanted to purchase). I have been mulling it over since then as at $189.99, it wasn't something I wanted to purchase without at least some thought. I was planning on purchasing it before Christmas as a early present to myself, and to help with a semi-assignment I have with some family over the holidays, but hadn't gotten around to it just yet. This past weekend there was a large Nikon sale on at Henry's and the price of this decreased to $169.99. I figured there was no better time than a sale to get the item I wanted.
I brought it home and set it up and am very happy with it thus far. The kit includes a 46" umbrella, a sturdy light stand, a light tight fixture and a carrying case.
The umbrella itself can be converted from the black one shown in the image above (found through Google) to a translucent white one you can shoot through.
The light tight fixture is used to secure both the umbrella and your light (or flash unit) in place. You are able to use equipment with different sized screws (or screw holes) with the different connections that come with the kit.
The carrying case is very nice and looks quite durable. It also has some really convenient pockets inside in which you can store any necessary accessories.
I am finding that with a few quick turns of the knobs, you can secure your equipment in place quite nicely and be ready for shooting.

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Gorillapod

I have once again bought new equipment - another tripod to be precise. I bought a Gorillapod SLR Zoom last night from Henry's for $60. Essentially it is a small, highly adaptable tripod. I have a small portable tripod already but it is not able to hold my (d)SLR camera and lens without toppling over and I am always worried it will damage my camera and/or equipment. As you can see from the above image this tripod is incredibly adjustable and can wrap virtually anything and still be sturdy enough to hold my dSLR camera and lens. It has an optional ball head (sold separately) but I didn't get it as I really just need it as a backup and/or travel tripod, you know basically for when I can't use my Slik tripod. I had been looking at this unit for quite some time but never found the need for one until now. Next week I am attending a conference in Chicago and will need to be shooting my latest assignment at the same time. Since it is half night photography, a tripod is essential and I can't exactly lug my Slik tripod all the way down to and around Chicago easily. I am hoping that this Gorillapod does the trick and will help me get some really great shots both while in Chicago and long after.
(image from Google)

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SB 600 Speedlight

I bought my first removable flash yesterday. I got the SB-600 Speedlight from Nikon. I was initially waiting to buy a flash like this one as I don't really know much about flashes, or lighting in general (other than ambient lighting). I wasn't going to buy anything until I had started the lighting course at Algonquin, but as my current instructor also happens to be the instructor for that course, I decided to stay after class on Monday and talk to him about my options. He mentioned the SB-400 but said that if I intend to go anywhere with my photography, the SB-600 would be of more use to me. It has many more options than the 400 but also happens to be a touch more expensive, but still not too pricey. I initially tried to get one from Henry's here in Ottawa, but as they had a giant flash sale a few weeks ago, they are still sold out. I placed an order for one but still went looking elsewhere. Dave and I ended up at Future Shop and I picked up an open box one for nearly $30 less than the Henry's price of $280, so I am pretty pleased with that. Another student in the composition course told me that he had not only the same flash unit, but also the same camera as me and he absolutely loves this flash and uses it all the time. I of course did some research of my own prior to my purchase and have learned that most people really like this unit. It is rather simple to use (as far as flash units go) and can do some pretty creative things. You can use it both on and off camera (in wireless mode) which enables you to really get creative with your lighting. It seems as if it is pretty tough as most people have dropped it at least once and say that even if a plastic bit falls off, it simply clicks back into place and the unit is as good as new. Now comes the task of learning how to use this new piece of equipment.

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