Review: AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

This FX-format lens is my go-to lens for portrait and macro work in the DX format. It combines ultra-fast speed with incredible sharpness in an autofocus lens that is manual-focus friendly.

First Impressions: AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G

I was surprised to learn that the AF-S 50mm f/1.4 is not that much larger that the AF-S DX 35mm. It is however heavier, weighing in at 9.8 oz., minus caps and hood. The 35mm is a mere 7.0 oz. by comparison. The large, recessed objective lens gives the AF-S 50mm a serious, intimidating appearance.

Review: AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

The traditional 50mm f/1.8 “normal” lens is the standard in SLR photography. It provides the most natural perspective, simulating what the human eye sees, and is fast enough for most existing light applications. With the introduction of the DX format with its 1.5x crop factor, a new standard had to be developed, which the AF-S 35mm satisfies.

Review: AF-S DX Nikkor 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G

I poo-pooed this lens until my partner got hers, bundled with her new D3100. Since then I’ve been kicking myself for not buying my D-90 body with its kit lens.

Review: Nikon F3

As I have chosen Nikon as my primary camera “platform”, it only makes sense to have some film bodies to use with my growing collection of F-Mount lenses. While my N80 is a great film body, it doesn’t meter with non-chipped, manual focus lenses. And shooting with it is more like shooting with a full-frame digital than with a traditional manual-focus film body. So when a pre-owned F3HP came my way, I welcomed the opportunity to add it to my trove of working collectibles.

First Look: Nikon Coolpix P7700

Nikon Coolpix P7700 Compact Digital Camera. Rangefinder look and feel, sans viewfinder.

Nikon’s latest P-series camera has the look and feel of a classic rangefinder, minus the viewfinder. For those who prefer a more traditional control layout and don’t require a viewfinder, it’s an exciting new addition to Nikon’s lineup.

Coming soon: the long-awaited Nikon D800

Here at Last: the Nikon D800 Full-Frame DSLR

Way, WAY overdue, the successor to the long-lived, entry-level full frame Nikon D700 is on the way. Will it be worth the wait? So far the prognosis looks good.

First Impressions: Nikon D50 DSLR

Nikon D50: The Ideal Choice for Infrared Photography

Introduced in 2005, the Nikon D50 was a more affordable and easier to use version of the D70. Although some of the features were omitted, there were significant performance enhancements, most notably in its autofocus operation which then offered motion tracking. Also, the LCD display size increased from 1.8" to 2", metering had been upgraded to second generation 3D Matrix Metering, USB had been upgraded to version 2.0, and it now accepts Secure Digital cards instead of Compact Flash.

In its heyday, the D50 was an all-around good, basic camera. Pretty much everything you needed was there, but with improved highlight rendition over the D70, and a new autofocus mode that automatically switched between single and continuous. But what the D50 didn’t improve upon is just as important; IR Filtering.

The unique thing about the D50 is that it’s the ideal balance between quality, compatibility, infrared sensitivity and IR convertibility, which is why it’s one of the most popular cameras for infrared photography. This was confirmed with a few test shots; indeed, out of the box, the D50 is much more sensitive to IR than the D90; so sensitive in fact, that the built-in flash can be used when existing light is insufficient. With enough natural light, it was possible to create a preset white balance by metering off green foliage or a white card, something that I didn’t find possible with the D90. With the proper white balance, infrared images emerged that require little or no post processing, unlike those taken with the D90.

The viewfinder is considerably smaller than the D90, and the tiny 2", 130,000 pixel LCD not nearly as refined, but otherwise the camera is just as enjoyable to use. The fact that its resolution is 6.1MP (3008 x 2000) is of no consequence to me; The D90’s 12.3MP is only 1.425x higher, and as such the image quality between the two is quite similar.

With the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G mounted, the camera had no problem focusing through a Hoya R72 infrared filter under normal to bright lighting conditions. In fact, the IR performance is so good, I may decide not to convert it permanently by replacing the hot filter. However, if I do I will most likely do the conversion myself, since the D50 is one of the easiest cameras to convert.

Some more nice things about the D50 are its compatibility with my existing D90 accessories, such as the DR-6 Right Angle Viewfinder, SB-900 Speedlight, ML-L3 IR remote release and SD cards. I can even swap batteries with the D90, since the EN-EL3a and EN-EL3e are interchangeable. Speaking of the SB-900 speedlight, it’s now entirely feasible to do infrared flash photography, or to use it as fill-flash with existing light exposures.

There are a few down sides. No live view to stand in for the blacked-out finder. However, an external shoe-mounted finder would solve that problem.

A Kelvin WB setting would also have been nice, but it’s not a deal-breaker.

It only accepts standard SD cards, which top out at 2GB.

The image quality is excellent; surprisingly good at ISO 1600. I can easily see myself reaching for this in a pinch due to its light weight and pleasing ergonomics.

New Arrival: Nikon D50 DSLR

I’ve been toying with the idea of purchasing a used Nikon DSLR to use as a dedicate IR shooter. While many cameras can be converted for IR, the D50 is one of the most popular, and was a logical choice for me. And today, I received mine from Amazon.

Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.8G Available for Pre-Order

The new AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G

This new lens may be 2/3 stop slower than its f/1.4 cousin but it’s also $1,200.00 cheaper!

Nikon Boldy Takes Two Steps Back…

Nikon’s first new system camera since 1959 features a 13.2mm x 8.8mm sensor with a 2.7x crop factor. Huh?

Nikon had the opportunity to develop a new camera system with the first new lens mount since 1959, and what did they do?…

Camera Update: Nikon Coolpix P7100

Nikon Coolpix P7100

Coming in September, the Nikon Coolpix P7100 updates the venerable P7000. It apparently improves on it’s predecessor with snappier performance, and an improved software interface. It succumbs to peer pressure with an articulated LCD display and front command dial. Subtle cosmetic changes alter its appearance only slightly.

Camera Update: Nikon Adds All-Weather AW100 to their Coolpix Lineup

The Nikon Coolpix AW100 is Nikon’s first ruggedized compact digital camera

Able to weather the extremes of moisture, shock and temperature, Nikon’s latest addition to the Coolpix line features GPS in-camera mapping and an electronic compass. With an aperture range of f/3.9-4.8 and a top shutter speed of 1/1500 sec. it has modest performance, but really delivers with a capture rate of 7.1 fps for a total of three frames; enough to get the shot under challenging conditions.

Review: Nikon 28mm f/2.8 Series E

Nikon’s smallest, lightest 28mm AI-S lens offers impressive image quality at a modest price. Fine color rendition and contrast, no distortion and surprising sharpness make this manual-focus lens a true find on the second market.

It Feels Like a New Camera

I must say, I’ve really been enjoying the AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8. It’s given new life to my D90, and is helping me work through my “Rangefinder” phase. I’m still not out of the woods yet, though.

Cherry Blossom Festival

Yesterday was the Cherry Blossom Festival in Branch Brook Park, Newark. It’s always a photofest, and the perfect opportunity to put my AF NIKKOR 20mm 2.8D through its paces.

Museum Day

Yesterday I visited the Stieglitz, Steichen, Strand exhibit at the Met, and took along the D90 so I could get a feel for the AF-S DX NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G.

First Impressions: AF-S DX Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G

This superb little lens was so popular this holiday season, that it sold out completely and was no where to be found. So you can imagine my amazement when I found one quite by accident at my local Best Buy store.

First Impressions: Nikon SB-28DX Speedlight

I was in the market for a speedlight for my N80, but it’s not as simple as just ordering the current model. Film bodies require D-TTL, the original through-the-lens flash technology released in the mid 8o’s, and with the discontinuation of the SB-600, Nikon no longer supports D-TTL.

The NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8 in Action

My daughter’s school was having a concert at a local mall today, where she played violin. Naturally my wife and I were there to take pictures, her with her new D3100, and me with my D90. Since she had everything covered with the mighty AF-S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 zoom, I decided to take along the AF NIKKOR 20mm f/2.8D.