Tangents

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review: Nikon 85mm f/1.4G

October 22, 2010 Neil vN 52 Comments

review: Nikon AF-S 85mm f/1.4 G

Itching to try out the Nikon 85mm f1.4G (B&H /Amazon) during a photo session, I had Jessica model for me. During this short photo session, I used the new 85mm f1.4G and the classic 85mm f1.4D side-by-side. As you can see in the photo above,  the lens' extremely shallow depth of field and superb bokeh, give backgrounds that just melt away. My first impression already is that lens is even better than I anticipated ...  Read more inside...

review: Nikon 24mm f/1.4G

August 16, 2010 Neil vN 27 Comments

review: Nikon 24mm f/1.4 G AF-S

For a long time the only wide-angle auto-focus prime lens that Nikon had available, was the remarkable 28mm f1.4D ... which caused the lens to reach astronomical prices eventually on the used market when it was discontinued.  I sold my copy of the 28mm f1.4 a few years ago - a move I still regret - but I couldn't pull the trigger on a $4000.00 wide-angle prime lens when Nikon's wide-angle zooms were so incredible.  The Nikon 14-24mm f2.8 AF-S (B&H), for example, set a new standard for how good a wide-angle zoom can be, surpassing pretty much ever  Read more inside...

my take on Nikon’s flash settings – TTL vs TTL BL

February 22, 2010 Neil vN 23 Comments

Nikon flash system - TTL vs TTL BL

Nikon’s TTL flash system is generally accepted as being quite exceptional.  The camera and speedlight working together according to various algorithms to control the flash exposure.  The TTL flash exposure will depend on various factors - the tonality of the subject and scene; the brightness of the scene;  and how the camera interprets the sections of the metering pattern.  The other factors quite possibly also includes data from the lens. How these factors inter-relate, we can only guess at.  We can make educated guesses; and many photographers  Read more inside...

review: Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S VR II

February 7, 2010 Neil vN 44 Comments

review: Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S VR II

I've been very happy with the older 70-200mm f2.8 VR telephoto zoom.  Even even though the edges are softer than the center, it never bothered me.  With weddings, I am mostly only interested in the center portions of the image being super-crisp.  Similarly, the vignetting didn't bother me.  I usually add more vignetting in post-processing anyway. Still, I ordered the new Nikon 70-200mm f2.8 AF-S VR II (affiliate). My first impression - it is a beautiful lens! Doing a few test shots around the house, and was immediately  Read more inside...

review: Nikon D5000

August 12, 2009 Neil vN 34 Comments

In testing cameras these days, they are rated not just for specification, but for their primary qualities in helping you take great photographs.  And for that, judging the camera according to handling, image quality and auto-focus speed and accuracy, becomes even more important than just the list of specs.

Nikon D5000 hands-on review

So with that in mind, when I recently got my hands on a brand-new Nikon D5000, (B&H), I thought I'd hit the streets and see how it performs.  I took it for a late-night stroll around Times Square in New York, armed only with a Nikon 50mm f1.4G AF-S,  Read more inside...

common wisdom – Canon’s TTL flash vs Nikon’s TTL flash

March 25, 2009 Neil vN 63 Comments

Canon's TTL flash vs Nikon's TTL flash

One of the frequent topics on the various forums is the Canon vs Nikon debate ... and one of the usual replies is that Nikon is better in certain ways, and Canon is better in other ways.  And the common wisdom that Nikon's flash system is superior to Canon.  And this seems to be accepted as one of those general truths. Now, having shot primarily Nikon for a few years (D100 / D2H / D2x), and then Canon (mk2 / mk2N / 5D / mk3), and now Nikon again (D3) ... I have this observation about Canon's flash system vs Nikon's flash system ... they are  Read more inside...

more subtle fill-flash with your Nikon speedlight

March 25, 2009 Neil vN 23 Comments

In blending flash with available light, I am often after that delicate balance where the flash is just barely perceptible.  This can be with flash as an equal partner to the available light, or with flash as a subtle fill-flash. But what I've found with my Nikon D3 bodies, when used with the SB-900,  that the fill-flash flash is still too much, even when turned down -3EV on the flash exposure compensation.  I've found similar with the various Nikon D300 and Nikon D700 bodies that attendees to my workshops use.  In other words, this isn't just my cameras - this is repeatable with other  Read more inside...

NYC photo session with Nikon 200mm f2 AF-S VR

February 12, 2009 Neil vN 25 Comments

NYC photo session with Nikon 200mm f2 AF-S VR

I recently allowed myself a vanity purchase ... the Nikon 200mm f2 AF-S VR lens (B&H). Last year some time, after seeing another photographer's results with the Canon 200mm f2 IS, I was curious enough to rent one, check it out, and then lust after one. I posted a write-up and some images at the time. What got to me was how insanely sharp the lens was at f2 .. and of course the incredible dream-like bokeh at f2 imparting an impressionistic appearance to the background. With me reverting to Nikon recently, I picked up a used copy  Read more inside...

camera settings: Nikon D3

December 31, 2008 Neil vN 7 Comments

Nikon D3 camera settings - custom settings

The Nikon D3 brought incredible image quality to the usual reliability of their cameras and unbeatable optical quality of their lenses.  The multitude of settings make the D3 a high-precision camera that can be configured in a personal way, depending on shooting style. When my D3 first arrived, it was with huge excitement that I unpacked it, fired off a few frames just for the thrill of hearing the shutter whir by in continuous high-speed drive ... and then proceeded to change the settings to my preferences with Nikon cameras.  So here  Read more inside...

camera settings: Nikon D700 custom settings

December 31, 2008 Neil vN 46 Comments

Nikon D700 camera settings - custom settings

The Nikon D700 has the same remarkable image quality that the Nikon D3 has, but in a smaller more affordable camera.  This makes sit an excellent alternative to the top-rated Nikon D3.  And of course the multitude of camera settings and custom settings make the D700 a camera which can be configured in a highly personal way, depending on your shooting style and needs. Here is an overview of my preferences for the D700, and the settings that I changed immediately upon getting the camera out of the box.  Read more inside...

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