Nikon V1

The Nikon V1 has had two price drops since the V2 came out. I bought at the first price drop. You can buy it now after the 2nd price drop. A great Camera. Do the research, go out and get one if it meets your needs.
See my update to the 09-5-12 post for more info.
Link: http://www.amazon.com/Nikon-Digital-Camera-System-10-30mm/dp/B005OGR3DM

Microsoft Camera Codec

In your windows folders you have pictures, and the pictures that are from various cameras in their raw format are shown as a generic icon - you can't see the picture itself. Often don't know what the picture is until you open it in an application. I found this the other day and was shocked that I didn't know about it before. Microsoft has a camera codec pack that will show those pictures in the icon state in the Windows folders. This is a real time saver and removes yet one more thorn from your side.

Here is the link (at the date of this writing):

http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=26829

Happy shooting.

Camera sensor physical size. Does size matter?

     Cameras come in all shapes and sizes..... of sensors, the digital sensor that captures the image as a computer file. Point and Shoot cameras have sensors the size of your pinky fingernail and smaller. Many Single Lens Refllex (SLR) Cameras have an APS-C size sensor that is smaller than the 35mm film frame these sensors have replaced. Then there are" Micro 4/3rds" cameras that have sensors in between. More recently cameras have come out with a "Full Size" sensor, meaning it is the same size as that 35mm film.  Medium format sensors are bigger yet. So whats the deal with these and does it matter what size you get? Here's the basic rundown:

     In general the image quality, low light performance, and ability to attain shallow depth of field increase as the sensor size goes up.

     Point and Shoot size sensors typically have less quality of image and less dynamic range (how many shades between the darkest dark and the lightest light in the photo), and poor low light performance. They have a large depth of field (how much is in focus) due to the science of the lens/sensor size relationship. That's why you can't get a shallow depth of field on a phone camera.

Micro 4/3rds Sensors have improved image performance but still allow cameras to stay smaller in size.

     APS-C Cameras can have yet again better image quality and better low light performance and are common in most consumer targeted SLR's.

     Full Frame Cameras have improved image quality and another step of improved low light performance (Bingo). Also the ability to achieve shallow depth of field is improved per the sensor size. Another "Bingo".

     Medium format sensors have amazing image quality and larger number of Pixels for better large reproduction quality. They have the ability to achieve amazingly shallow depth of field. It's important to note that the low light performance is usually less than full frame sensor cameras. I expect this is because these cameras are intended for studio or more controlled light situations, and they trade low light performance for other performance features.

     The main thing is to know that your point and shoot camera can come away with nice pictures, as long as there is enough light. The more you spend (sensor size) the more performance you get. And improvements are being made every year. Until three years ago, all digital cameras had poor low light performance.

Still Waiting for my Mirrorless Camera

Fuji X100

Fuji X-Pro 1

Canon EOS M

Olympus OM-D

I love the old rangefinder cameras. It's a visual thing I guess, simple, symmetrical, clean. Plus you don't look so obvious when you carry one around. More timid, or less confident subjects get even more so when a big SLR with a big lens made bigger with a hood, is pointed at them.
     I had a Mamiya 6. What a great camera. If  I was a heavy landscape shooter, may still have it. But digital has overcome any desire to shoot film. Now we have rangefinder looking cameras coming out, and it's the look and feel that I like.
     Was excited when the Fuji X100 came out, but no, slow focusing and, uh, slow focusing, and one lens. Then the Fuji X-Pro 1, but slow focusing again. Darn. The Canon EOS M. No Viewfinder. What?. I want, no, need a viewfinder. Holding a camera out like a stinky diaper is just not right. Olympus now has the OM-D, which I hear is nice. But it looks like an SLR (Why, no mirror?), and It's too small. The Sony NEX-7 is also too small, and the lenses are comparatively too big, and it's missing that classic look. I need a pro level camera that I can get a grip on and still have room for my face when I look through the viewfinder. So, here I am, still waiting.

Update 9-7-12:  Fuji has just released the X-E1. This could be it. Claimed faster focusing. At the same time, a firmware update for the X-Pro 1, claiming faster focus performance. My wait may soon be over (?)

Update 12-20-12: Was about to pull the trigger on the Fuji X-Pro 1 system when a friend says to me "Why not just use your Nikon D700?" Long pause and I say Cause-I-Want-One? Hearing myself, I took a couple days to think it over. I don't need one. It's a lot of money. Bad idea. So, I asked myself "what do I need?". Answer: A good quality point and shoot, OK maybe a good small camera one step better than a point and shoot that I will be willing to take everywhere I go. So I bought the Nikon V1 system for wayyyyy less money. I take it everywhere. Was a good choice. And there was a price drop after the V2 came out.  Yay!

Sony NEX-7

Fuji X-E1

A few words about Waterproof point and shoots

Waterproof point and shoot cameras are great. Sorta. The water/dust/shock-proofing are swell. What's not been so great are two things. Image quality has been not, and no lens cover. I suppose the lack of a lens cover is for anti-shock performance. My problem is the glass over the lens is constantly smudged or dirty.

I have many what would have been great photographs but for the flare from light catching the finger smudge. I shoot a Pentax W90 which has been great but for these two complaints. Olympus has just released the TG-1. Still no lens protection from my fingers. Web reports are saying this one finally has good image quality. Tempted. I guess I need to practice cleaning the lens each time I pull it out, building a habit for consistent clear pictures.

Changing the scope of this blog

Hello,
After a year off from this blog, I'm back with a scope change. Rather than talk specifically about my photography,  I'm going to talk about photography in general. So here's a start.  I've been needing more grids for my lights. Some of the grids I have are too large. I want tighter grids to better protect from lens flare. But grids are expensive, I've been searching the web for DIY ideas. Most were heavy or cumbersome. I did find a Gaffers tape idea, but it was not what I expected, again, kinda heavy, kinda complicated to make (The instructions were not real clear). So In a matter of minutes I set out on my own idea with Gaffers tape. The obvious one I expect, someone must have done this before, but I didn't find it. So here it is. Quick and dirty.

Snow in the Mountain West

Here on the front range of the Rocky Mountains we awoke to falling snow, all - day - long. Only the second significant snowfall this winter. Shoot, two weeks ago I was on a motorcycle ride into the foothills with a few of my riding buddies.
What do we love to do in a snow storm? Head out for groceries. While everyone else is at home watching Law and Order reruns, blankets and snuggies engaged, my wife and I glove and boot it to the local market. One lane open, no waiting. The snow plow guys were out in force happy to finally make some dough and pay the mortgage. AND -  we really needed to get to Wendy's to cash in our Eagles Hockey tickets for the 6 goal - one gets you three from the value menu. You could hear the crowd heckling the Mudbugs goalie to give up one more for our free Wendy's. Three movies from the Redbox, burger wrappers crunched up on the coffee table, and we had a nice afternoon. Wife and kids are rooting for a snow day tomorrow. We'll see,  the grinning plow drivers may dash our hopes.