Why shoot with Nikon?

Ok, now is midnight, I packed my things for Bali this noon later. I fully charge my camera batteries and packed everything. Looking for best photo of  Bali. Will be posting in blog once I got chance to do so. Anyway, ya "Why shoot with Nikon" well... here is a link to get you think why. http://www.liquidinplastic.com Check out Dan Newton's Blog. 

A new way of photography

Recently I just got my new Nikon D5000 and all I can say is, photography will be in a new way for me now. I start to do both still image and video. I understand video is always been connected to stills images as video is made of hundreds or thousands of still images in sequence. It just that, It came with a sound. I find it video now a day is a very good way to spread stories where you can upload it to youtube or vimeo. From now on you will start to see some video will be posted here in my blog. But of coz, still images is still on the top of my interest.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR discontinued?

Rumors all over the web says the Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR is already discontinued and dealers also says that they can't buy this lens anymore from Nikon. Most lightly that there will be a new 70-200 going to take place. It will most likely with Nano coating with VR2. All what we can do now is just wait for the announcement from Nikon which we still don't have any idea when.

D300s Rumors

Everyone expected that the D400 will be the next after D300 but instead a rumors from tipster that Nikon will just going to come out with D300s. The main difference will be HD movie, dual SD and CF slots.

Nikon D300s
Type Single-lens reflex digital camera
Lens mount Nikon F mount (with AF coupling and AF contacts)
Effective picture angle Approx. 1.5 x conversion factor (Nikon DX format)

Effective pixels
Effective pixels 12.3 million

Image sensor
Image sensor 23.6 x 15.8 mm CMOS sensor
Total pixels 13.1 million
Dust-reduction system Image Sensor Cleaning, Image Dust Off reference data (requires optional Capture NX 2 software)

Storage
Image size (pixels) 4,288 x 2,848 [L], 3,216 x 2,136 [M], 2,144 x 1,424 [S]
File format NEF (RAW): 12 or 14 bit, lossless compressed, compressed, or uncompressed
TIFF (RGB)
JPEG: JPEG-Baseline compliant with fine (approx. 1:4), normal (approx. 1:8) or basic (approx. 1:16) compression (Size priority); Optimal quality compression available
NEF (RAW) + JPEG: Single photograph recorded in both NEF (RAW) and JPEG formats
Picture Control System Can be selected from Standard, Neutral, Vivid, Monochrome; storage for up to nine custom Picture Controls
Media Type I CompactFlash memory cards (UDMA compliant); SD memory cards, SDHC compliant
Dual card slots Either card can be used as the primary card; secondary card can be used for overflow or backup storage, or for separate storage of NEF (RAW) and JPEG images; images can be copied between cards
File system DCF (Design Rule for Camera File System) 2.0, DPOF (Digital Print Order Format), Exif 2.21 (Exchangeable Image File Format for Digital Still Cameras), PictBridge

Viewfinder
Viewfinder Eye-level pentaprism single-lens reflex viewfinder
Frame coverage Approx. 100% horizontal and 100% vertical
Magnification Approx. 0.94 x (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity; -1.0 m-1)
Eyepoint 19.5 mm (-1.0 m-1)
Diopter adjustment -2 to +1 m-1
Focusing screen Type B BriteView Clear Matte screen Mark II screen with AF area brackets (framing grid can be displayed)
Reflex mirror Quick return
Depth-of-field preview When depth-of-field preview button is pressed, lens aperture is stopped down to value selected by user (A and M modes) or by camera (P and S modes)
Lens aperture Instant return, electronically controlled

Lens
Compatible lenses DX NIKKOR: All functions supported
Type G or D AF NIKKOR: All functions supported (PC Micro-NIKKOR does not support some functions); IX NIKKOR lenses not supported
Other AF NIKKOR: All functions supported except 3D color matrix metering II; lenses for F3AF not supported
AI-P NIKKOR: All functions supported except 3D color matrix metering II
Non-CPU: Can be used in exposure modes A and M; color matrix metering and aperture value display supported if user provides lens data (AI lenses only)
Electronic rangefinder can be used if maximum aperture is f/5.6 or faster

Shutter
Type Electronically-controlled vertical-travel focal-plane shutter
Speed 1/8,000 to 30 s in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV, bulb, X250
Flash sync speed X = 1/250 s; synchronizes with shutter at 1/320 s or slower (flash range drops at speeds between 1/250 and 1/320 s)

Release
Release mode S (single frame), CL (continuous low speed), CH (continuous high speed), Q (quiet shutter-release), mark (self-timer), MUP (mirror up)
Frame advance rate With Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e: Approx. 1 to 7 fps (CL), Approx. 7 fps (CH)
With optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 and Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a: Approx. 1 to 7 (CL), Approx. 8 fps (CH)*
Self-timer Can be selected from 2, 5, 10 and 20 s duration

Exposure
Metering TTL exposure metering using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor
Metering method Matrix: 3D color matrix metering II (type G and D lenses); color matrix metering II (other CPU lenses); color matrix metering available with non-CPU lenses if user provides lens data
Center-weighted: Weight of 75% given to 8-mm circle in center of frame. Diameter of circle can be changed to 6, 10 or 13-mm, or weighting can be based on average of entire frame (fixed at 8 mm when non-CPU lens is used)
Spot: Meters 3-mm circle (about 2% of frame) centered on selected focus point (on center focus point when non-CPU lens is used)
Range (ISO 100 equivalent, f/1.4 lens, 20°C/68°F)
Matrix or center-weighted metering: 0-20 EV
Spot metering: 2-20 EV
Exposure meter coupling Combined CPU and AI
Exposure modes Programmed auto with flexible program (P); shutter-priority auto (S); aperture priority auto (A); manual (M)
Exposure compensation -5 to +5 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Exposure bracketing 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Exposure lock Luminosity locked at detected value with AE-L/AF-L button
ISO sensitivity (Recommended Exposure Index)
ISO 200 to 3200 in steps of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV; can also be set to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 100 equivalent) below ISO 200 or to approx. 0.3, 0.5, 0.7 or 1 EV (ISO 6400 equivalent) above ISO 3200
Active D-Lighting Can be selected from auto, extra high, high, normal, low or off
ADL bracketing 2 to 5 frames with strength levels varying according to number of frames chosen; for 2 frames, off and a chosen level are applied

Focus
Autofocus Nikon Multi-CAM 3500DX autofocus sensor module with TTL phase detection, fine-tuning, 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors) and AF-assist illuminator (range approx. 0.5 to 3 m/1 ft. 8 in. to 9 ft. 10 in.)
Detection range -1 to +19 EV (ISO 100 equivalent, 20°C /68°F)
Lens servo Autofocus: Single-servo AF (S); continuous-servo AF (C); predictive focus tracking automatically activated according to subject status in single- and continuous-servo AF
Manual (M): Electronic rangefinder supported
Focus point Can be selected from 51 or 11 focus points
AF-area mode Single-point AF, dynamic-area AF, auto-area AF
Focus lock Focus can be locked by pressing shutter-release button halfway (Single-servo AF) or by pressing AE-L/AF-L button

Flash
Built-in flash Manual pop-up with button release and a Guide Number of 17/56 (m/ft., ISO 200, 20 °C/68 °F; GN at ISO 100 equivalent is 12/39)
Flash control TTL: i-TTL balanced fill-flash and standard i-TTL flash for digital SLR using 1,005-pixel RGB sensor are available with built-in flash, Speedlight SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-400
Auto aperture: Available with Speedlight SB-900 or SB-800 and CPU lens
Non-TTL auto: Supported flash units include Speedlight SB-900, SB-800, SB-28, SB-27 and SB-22S
Range-priority manual: Available with Speedlight SB-900 and SB-800
Flash modes Front curtain sync, slow sync, rear-curtain sync, red-eye reduction, red-eye reduction with slow sync
Flash compensation -3 to +1 EV in increments of 1/3, 1/2 or 1 EV
Flash bracketing 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1/3, 1/2, 2/3 or 1 EV
Flash-ready indicator Lights when built-in flash or flash unit such as Speedlight SB-900, SB-800, SB-600, SB-400, SB-80DX, SB-28DX or SB-50DX is fully charged; blinks after flash is fired at full output
Accessory shoe ISO 518 hot-shoe with sync and data contacts and safety lock
Nikon Creative Lighting System (CLS)
Advanced Wireless Lighting supported with built-in flash, Speedlight SB-900, SB-800 or SU-800 as commander and SB-900, SB-800, SB-600 or SB-R200 as remotes; Auto FP High-Speed Sync and modeling illumination supported with all CLS-compatible flash units except SB-400; Flash Color Information Communication and FV lock supported with all CLS-compatible flash units
Sync terminal ISO 519 sync terminal with locking thread

White balance
White balance Auto (TTL white-balance with main image sensor and 1,005-pixel RGB sensor), Incandescent, Fluorescent (7 options), Direct Sunlight, Flash, Cloudy, Shade, preset manual (able to store up to 5 values) and color temperature setting (2,500K to 10,000K); fine-tuning available for all options
White balance bracketing 2 to 9 frames in steps of 1, 2 or 3

Live View
Modes Tripod, Hand-held,
Autofocus Tripod: Contrast-detect AF anywhere in frame
Hand-held: Phase-detection AF with 51 focus points (including 15 cross-type sensors)

Movie
Frame size (pixels) 1,280 x 720/24 fps, 640 x 424/24 fps, 320 x 216/24 fps
File format AVI
Compression format Motion-JPEG
Autofocus Contrast-detect AF on a desired point within a frame is possible (Tripod mode)
Audio Sound can be recorded via built-in or optional external microphone; sensitivity can be adjusted
Maximum length 5 min (1,280 x 720 pixels), 20 min (640 x 424, 320 x 216 pixels)

Monitor
LCD monitor 3-in., approx. 920k-dot (VGA), low-temperature polysilicon TFT LCD with 170° viewing angle, approx. 100% frame coverage, and brightness adjustment

Playback
Playback function Full-frame and thumbnail (4, 9 or 72 images) playback with playback zoom, movie playback, slide show, histogram display, highlights, auto image rotation, and image comment (up to 36 characters)

Interface
USB Hi-Speed USB
Audio video output Can be selected from NTSC and PAL
HDMI output Type C HDMI connector; camera monitor turns off when HDMI cable is connected
Audio input Stereo mini-pin jack (3.5mm diameter)
10-pin remote terminal Can be used to connect optional remote control, GPS Unit GP-1 or GPS device compliant with NMEA0183 version 2.01 or 3.01 (requires optional GPS Cable MC-35 and cable with D-sub 9-pin connector)

Supported languages
Supported languages Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish

Power source
Battery One Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e
Battery pack Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 with one Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 or eight R6/AA-size alkaline, Ni-MH, lithium or nickel-manganese batteries; Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EN-EL4 and R6/AA-size batteries available separately; Battery Chamber Cover BL-3 (available separately) required when using Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a/EN-EL4
AC adapter AC Adapter EH-5a/EH-5 (available separately)

Tripod socket
Tripod socket 1/4 in. (ISO 1222)

Dimensions/Weight
Dimensions (W x H x D) Approx. 147 x 114 x 74 mm/5.8 x 4.5 x 2.9 in.
Weight Approx. 840 g/1 lb. 14 oz. without battery, memory card, body cap or monitor cover

Operating environment
Temperature 0-40°C/32-104°F
Humidity Less than 85% (no condensation)

Accessories
Supplied accessories (may differ by country or area)
Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL3e, Quick Charger MH-18a, Eyepiece Cap DK-5, Rubber Eyecup DK-23, USB Cable UC-E4, Audio Video Cable EG-D2, Camera Strap AN-DC4, LCD Monitor Cover BM-8, Body Cap BF-1A, Accessory Shoe Cover BS-1, Software Suite CD-ROM

* With a battery other than Rechargeable Li-ion Battery EN-EL4a, the continuous shooting speed may be slower than 8 fps in continuous high speed mode.

Nikon D5000

Nikon came out again with a new D-slr that has the 12.3mp Cmos sensor exactly the same with the one in D90 and D300. D-movie feature HD (720p) video at 24 frames per second.

The new cool feature is the flip twist LCD, enable you to shoot at variable angle using live view. So cool!

if you want to read more about this cool new prosumer D-slr you can visit to
http://press.nikonusa.com/2009/04/nikons_d5000_digital_slr_camer.php

Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 test shots.

Recently I tried the Tamron 70-200mm f2.8 macro lens with my Nikon D300. The lens was own by Jack Lim. I find the lens is quite good, sharp and fast focusing. But the Nikon 70-200 f2.8 still above the Tamron in my opinion for zoom. The good thing was it has a macro.

Here are the shots I made with this lens.

1/1600 f6.3 ISO200



1/1600 f3.2 ISO200



1/4000 f3.2 ISO200

Nikon D300 New Firmware Update 1.10

I've just change my D300 new firmware from 1.02 to 1.10 . There are several changes on the menu of the camera. The coolest thing is, they added a copyright information in the setup menu. Great! Some of you might want to update your firmware. So here is the link.

Firmware 1.10 window

Firmware 1.10 Macintosh

Guide on how to update firmware.

Here you go, hope this helps my other fellow D300 users.


Here an update:

After I update firmware to 1.10 , something else change. When shot continuous with jpeg, it stop and buffer after 30 shots. Before that, it can do up to 100 shots in one continuous shot. I hope Nikon fix that one soon.

Bee At Kinabalu Park

This image was taken by using ISO1000. I was try to freeze the bee during overcast weather, in order to do this I need to have a shutter speed 1/1000 or more. Using a continuous shot enable me to get several shots of the bee and choose the best one. The D300 are truly amazing in getting this kind of shot using high iso without getting so much noise. Fantastic!

32GB Extreme III Sandisk

Recently announce of the new 32Gb Extreme III memory card. This is very big space for a camera. If you are shooting RAW, there are alot you can put in there. This is also very nice to have with the new introduce D90 which has the D-movie feature. But at its only has the CF card at the moment, I'm not sure about SD card. So D90 owner have to wait a bit.

In my opinion, I much prefer to have several 2GB or 4GB when shooting. You will never know when your memory card going to fail and when its happen to be fail on the 32GB card. You might loose all your works. This is only good for video shooters. And again this is still good. The technology is improving.

D70 for sell!

Note:Not the camera, just sample picture

My friend is trying to sell his Nikon D70 camera includes 18-70mm Dx and 70-300mm not VR. two battery and charger plus battery pack.Its still in good conditions. Just anyone interested he selling it for Rm1800. Its a complete set for anyone who want to start or may be as a second back up body. Plus a tripod!

if never herd of D70 you can check the specs here

Kindly contact Alvin @ hp 0168267966

Nikon D90 its Official!

The World's first D-slr that has a movie mode. That is what D90 was built in with. It is an improved version of the Nikon D80 with 12.3mp. Further more read about this you go to
Chase Jarvis blog(Beta Tester D90)
Kenrockwell
or
here

Updated:
Listen to the shutter sound of the D90 here.

Nikon D300 Another Few New Shots

You might have been waiting for the result shots of my new Nikon D300. I've been shooting with the new D300 this few days and still trying to get used of the camera setting. Still working it but will get it soon. These are one of the shots I took, you might see the different color of the photos its because I shoot that with different setting. You'll be the judge of this....Let me know.

End of day, Tanjung Aru


Rushing Waves, Tanjung Aru


Bee-eater


Hovering Bee-eater


Oriental Honey Buzzard

My New Nikon D300 Images

I just Got my new Nikon D300 today and went to try it. This two images was shoot in jpeg with no editing. I'm still try to get use to the setting of the D300, very different with the D80. I will try to post more D300 images soon.

Blue And White Flycatcher

The RAW images produce by the Nikon D300 can't be read by the older version of the Capture NX. Nikon has given a newer version or the updated version of the capture NX which come bundle with the Nikon D300, can process the D300 Raw images. I tried to open the Raw file with Photoshop CS3 as well but can't read it. May be I need to reinstall the photoshop CS3 after already installed the updated version of the Capture NX.

D80 Sold!

My camera Nikon D80 already sold. So no camera at the moment. I feel weird without having one with me. Coz normally every time I go for my tour or wherever I go, I always have my camera with me but now not having any...hmmm. oh well.. bye bye D80(in memories). Closed shop.

My Beloved Nikon F55

Its been a while since my last shooting with my Nikon F55 35mm film camera. It never failed my so far. This camera had a good review from Ken Rockwell and few others camera site. Don't believe? here is the link http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/n55.htm

and here some more http://www.reviewcentre.com/review159113.html . the good thing about this camera is that it rolled out the negative first then each time when you shot the film rolled in, so it safe like that.

Here is some of my sample photo shot with the Nikon F55.

Now I have the Nikon F55 as a back up body in any of my photography work. Well of coz there are some pros and cons of this camera. I'll be going on a trip again starting tomorrow until on the 18th dis, so gonna be a lots of shooting. Anyway..there will be no post till I come back to where there is an internet connection.

Time Lapse Photography

Have you ever thought your DSLR can do this. If your DSLR have the time lapse setting, you can do this. Nikon D200, D2x, Canon 20D and 1Ds Mak II can do this.

Nikon D300 Pre-Order From Amazon.com Available

Click Image

The new Nikon D300 now is available for pre-order from amazon.com. Once the item is release by Nikon then Amazon.com will ship it to the buyers who already done the pre-order. Check it out HERE

D3 & D300 Officially Announced Today

Nikon D300 finally announced today

Main Features

________________________________

• All-new 12.3 effective megapixel Nikon DX-format CMOS image sensor with integrated A/D converter and the increased bit precision of selectable 14-bit NEF (RAW) output
  
• Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED digital image processing concept
  
• Nikon's original Scene Recognition System greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
  
• New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
  
• Viewfinder with approx.100% frame coverage and large approx.0.94 magnification (50mm f/1.4 lens at infinity, –1.0 m^-1)
  
• Rapid 8 fps^{*1 (Using Battery pack)} or 6 fps^{*2(Using Li-ion rechargeble)} continuous shooting for up to 100 shots^*3*4
  
• New Picture Control System for image finishing optimized to match individual preferences
  
• Quick response of 0.13 sec. power-up and 0.045 sec. shutter release time lag^*5
  
• Two liveview modes enable shooting while confirming subjects in the LCD monitor
  
• Magnesium alloy body for light weight and rugged durability
  
• 3-inch LCD with 920,000-dot (VGA) resolution and a 170° ultra-wide viewing angle
  
• Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights
  
• Shutter speeds ranging from 1/8,000 to 30 s for full creative control
  
• Optional Multi-Power Battery Pack MB-D10 extends shooting capability, enhances stability, and provides the further shooting potential of added controls
  
• Built-in Speedlight with i-TTL flash control and full support for Nikon's Creative Lighting System
  
• Support for the Wireless Transmitter WT-4 (optional) enables direct cable-free image transfer to a compatible computer
  
• Includes Nikon’s Software Suite software for easy control over image adjustment and management
  
• Supported by Nikon Capture NX software (optional), to explore the extensive potential of NEF (Nikon Electronic Format)

________________________________

Nikon D3

Main Features

__________________________________

• Nikon's original FX-format CMOS image sensor with 36.0 (H) x 23.9 (V) mm image size; 12.1 effective megapixels
• Compatible with three image-sensor formats – FX format (36 x 24), 5:4 (30 x 24) and DX format (24 x 16)
  
• Sensitivity range ISO 200 to 6400 at normal setting for exceptionally high-quality images; can be set to ISO-equivalent 25,600
• Incorporates Nikon's original EXPEED digital image processing concept
• Nikon's original Scene Recognition system, utilizing the 1,005-pixel RGB sensor, greatly improves autofocus, auto exposure and auto white balance performance
  
• New 51-point autofocus system features 15 cross-type sensors that maximize the potential of lenses with apertures as small as f/5.6
• High-speed continuous shooting at approx. 9 frames per second [FX format (36 x 24)/5:4 (30 x 24)]/approx. 11 fps [DX format (24 x 16)] ^*1
• Newly employed Picture Control System enables creation of desired picture with preferred tones
• Accurate focal-plane contrast AF^*2 available with built-in Liveview mode
• Wireless Transmitter WT-4^*3 (optional) realizes wireless connection of cameras with a PC, enabling thumbnail display of images taken with up to five of them, and downloading of images selected
• CF card double slot accepts two CF cards
• Quick response with approx. 0.12 sec. startup time and 37 ms Shutter-release time lag
  
• Viewfinder with approx. 100% frame coverage and approx. 0.7x magnification in FX format
• High-definition (920,000 dots), 170˚ viewing angle, 3-inch VGA LCD monitor with tempered glass
• Active D-Lighting optimizes tone reproduction in both shadows and highlights

Read More from Nikon Imaging at http://nikonimaging.com/global/

Nikon D3 Announced

www.dpreview.com
Check it out Guys, its really rocks!!

Nikon New D?x ?

I almost cannot believe but could it be the one ?
Nikon has already let some photographers to try
their new camera and lens before they do the
official launching.
Who is he/she? Unknown

Rival of the 1D MarkIII

18.9 MP 135 almost full frame.


Rumors forecast ?

Updated: Rumors from Ken Rock Well
site, New Nikon at 15 September.