Nikon has announced the next generation in their mirrorless One series. The J5 is on its way.

They know their customers and have continued to deliver a camera that does just what they want.
This series has proven to be a star performer in the Asian market but has been a little slower going in the US.
Not quite sure why.
With a simplicity of operation, and a small footprint, this camera is the perfect performer to capture a families lives, without the sometimes perceived complexity of a DSLR. Even at the beginner level of DSLRs I have hear too many folks say that it is too much camera for them, and they retreat to a smartphone. The things they’ll miss is a shame

This J5 camera has a shooting frame rate that will get that incredible moment in the young athletes life, for instance. When she throws that blazing fastball, you’ll be covered. 20 frames a second should get that precise moment. And it’s 20.8 MP 1″ sensor should get the quality you want. Or switch to video mode.
You want to shoot the important moments no matter where you are. Or what the light is like.
Nikon’s famous for their low light capability in all of the product line, and that experience is in this camera with an ISO range from 160-12,800.
With NFC and built in Wi-Fi via Nikon’s Snapbridge, you can share the magic, pretty darn fast. Get your instagram game stronger than ever.

OK, you’ve seen way too many selfie sticks, right? The LCD on this camera flips up 180º.
Small size, interchangable lenses, wi-fi, and the rest?
Look like the right choice for the family camera. And with that pocket size, and solid optics could it be a discrete street shooter?

and the official word : Continue Reading »

We are lucky to have some of the photographic masters still with us. I say      that, because photography is still a relatively young medium, and it’s    prevalence in our lives came to be within the last century.
One if the finest photojournalists and war photographers is David Douglas  Duncan, and at age 99, has put together his final book, My 20th Century  Here is an interview with him, on the occasion of the publication.

While filled with his iconic images of World War II and Vietnam, most recently I was re-aquainted with his work with Picasso.

By knocking on this door, he forged a relationship with the artist and his companion, Jacqueline.

This past fall, there was an encompassing exhibit called  Picasso and Jacqueline at the PAce Gallery in NYC. TWhen you arrived , the first rooms walls were filled with the images of the couple , made by David Douglas Duncan.

That started a whole new appreciation of the photographer for me.

His intimacy and access with photojournalistic subjects during wartime, was played out in the apparent friendship, and record of a couples life and love for one another.

He now lives in the south of France.

Back to the book.

When I moved from California to NYC, I left about 90 boxes of books in storage, and have a real love for the well made photobook.

There is something happening in the world of photobooks these days, however.

I’m not sure if the advent of tablets and the possibility of looking at images on a retina screen is the way we are going.

What I do know is that I wish the current crop of photobooks were larger. Like this one.

It does give you a taste of this giants work. There are a few too many mages, full bleed, over 2 pages. My pet peeve is photographs that get spread over 2 pages, destroying the intent of the whole image. Either make the image smaller or the book bigger.

You see, this is why I think about the download of a photo book. No photos stuck in the gutter of a book. Better.

This is an important book, especially since it was overseen by the photographer himself. At a cost of $19 at Amazon you can’t go wrong. But I’d do a downloaded version, if available.

VR-(virtual reality): This refers to content created in a 360º environment and viewed using special goggles.
As image makers, we should all be aware of the ways images can be made. This technology is young for acceptance into the culture, so consider this an early adopter look.
At SXSW interactive this year, I figured it would be the chatter and not the conversation. There were numerous panels and presentation on all aspects.
Some basic learning’s:
Continue Reading »

Ludacris @ Stubbs

As we enter the season of music festivals, the shooter on the scene needs to be prepared.
Before we post about the holy trinity of lenses you need, the reason to use a DSLR or Mirrorless, or the best software to get your images out fast, let’s look at some of the other items that should be in you kit.
Simple things.
At SXSW in Austin, there is such a huge range of photo assignment types, that you’ll need to be ready for all: Major speakers in a convention center, bands in tiny dark clubs, red carpets for movie premieres, huge name bands on stages surrounded by dirt, street scenes with brands promoting their wares, and basically, a full range of assignments for any shooter, sans studio work.

So, what should be in your hotel room when you come back to download your full cards and recharge?

A lot of little gear. Small, but mighty.

Speaking of recharging, I took this unit with me for the first time:
The Watson dual charger lets you swap out plates for different cameras, shows percentage of charge, and has a USB input to charge up another item. Was able to charge both Nikon and Fuji in one charger with and easy plates change.

One thing Ive learned in the pit, is that while shooting, using your phone to get that Instagram, posting fast and tagging right, get’s the flow started for your photos, still to come.
But you better be charged.

This Photive has 6 ports that will charge your smartphone and tablet fast!and will know when your tech is full and stop sending current. It knows what kind of power you need ( 2.4 for iPhone, 1.2 for Android) and smart adjusts. Small, and lets you set it up in your room without taking up your USB ports on your computer situation.110-220v so good overseas.

Always in the bag is the PNY 10400, with a cable for my iPhone. With a readout that shows percentages, this fast charger can fill up a phone 5 times! I have used this all over the world, charging off of any USB (see above). Small, powerful, and you can help a buddy out and still have enough juice for your full day and night.about $50.

Then let’s look at some lower tech goodies.
It’s dirty out there. And dusty. This trio of goods are used in daily maintenance of the camera and lenses.
Giottos air blowers, LensPen lens cleaner, and the secret weapon: a USB LED ring light with a magnifying lens. Cost about $8, and lets me see if my lens is really clean. Both sides.

Going back for a second to the Instagrams: I always have some Olloclip lenses in my bag. Always. You need to go telephoto? Wide Angle or Fisheye? This is your secret weapon to post unique images.

Here’s another one. You may think that business cards are old school, but I met more band managers and PR people shooting events, and a distinctive card will stick out in the pile that may have collected. I go for MOO cards. Lots of cool formats to choose from.

If you are going to shoot music, you will need earplugs. Whether you carry the basic foam, shutting out 32db, or a higher quality set like Dubs. For $20, I just used these-Check out some EarLove plugs. And yes, that’s a flashlight– when it’s dark in the club, you want to know what’s in your bag.

The basic workflow is this:

MacBook Pro 13″ ( could be the last year. Squeezed 4 years out of it)
ToughTech Duo 2.5in RAID 750GB
G-Tech Mobile 1Tb drive
Lexar Card Reader – I took a couple of modules from the Workflow tower to cut down on weight and it worked fast.
USB 3.0 bus powered HUB – 4 inputs, and it is a life saver. No need to plug into a wall, since its bus powered.
It’s simple and it works.
Why all of the hard drives? back-up, Back-up, Back-up. Yes, 3x.

And you know what I’m using to take it to the event:ThinkTank Airport International

And what I’m using AT the event:ThinkTank Shape Shifter

Yes, the camera strap of choice is Black Rapid– either the single or the double. You need to get one of these.

I’ll get to the bigger stuff shortly.

After last months announcement about the D810A intended for the Astrophotogrpahy market, the latest news is looking at a more general market. With an update to the D7100, a super zoom point and shoot, and wireless mics, Nikon is listening closely to their audience.

First up is an update to the best selling D7100, surprisingly: D7200.
In the current trend of removing the low pass filter allowing for sharper images, the new DX 24.2 CMOS Sensor, gives you all that. Remember that you are more susceptible to moire with that filter gone.

The D7200 brings you a better shooting experience with an 18 shot RAW buffer, 100 shot jpeg fine buffer,and 6 FPS.
The ISO range is interesting: 100-25,600, which is cool, and 2 higher ISO speeds 51,200-102,600 in BLACK & WHITE only!
Yep, they realized that at the extreme ranges, the grain is truly significant but with B&W, it’s mainly considered grain and acceptable.
Timelapse up to 9999 images, with exposure smoothing.
For videographers, you can now record uncompressed full HD in 1080/30p in this camera. You want that to give you a full size file to work with.That will give you the best opportunity to craft your specific look in a program of your choice (like Magic Bullet, perhaps). Think of it like getting a raw image file, and adding your creativity in the final. And, if you like, you can see your in-camera decisions in Live View, now. Or decide in post.
Built in Wi-Fi and NFC, it uses Dual SD ( time to get the fast cards, now!) And when available, it will sell for about @1200., body only.
Sure, there is a built in stereo mic, but I’d only use it to record a guide track.
Using built in mics is a rookie move on any DSLR, as you will be driven crazy in edit, trying to work around the sound of your hands adjusting the camera, and very likely, the sound of your breathing. Get yourself Plural Eyes, if you record with an external mic.And on that subject….

So now, Nikon is also introducing a wireless mic, ME-W1, so you can mic up your subject, and record up to 164ft away. Takes AA batts, easy to find anywhere, and uses bluetooth. About $250.

Next up is a new super zoom.

The P900 has a 24-2000mm optical zoom! a 16mm camera that may be the first compact that you would want to put on a tripod.
Seriously, when I first saw Nikon’s entries into this categories, I was blown away. Sitting in a booth at CES, they pointed the camera upward and shot one of the ceiling light in the Las Vegas Convention center.
You could read the writing on the light bulb, and this new version looks like it follows suit and then some.
16 megapixel CMOS with 7 frames a sec for getting all of the kids sports events.Go for the burst to guarantee capturing the moment.
The optical VR claims to have a 5 stop increase in shutter speed. when you have that long of a lens through and you have a small camera, you will get camera shake at some point. This camera seems to take every precaution to prevent that.
Sure it’s 2.9-6.8 f/stop, but that is sweet considering the focal length at the longest throw.
There is a birdwatching and MOON mode ( someone at Nikon design loves the stars!)
Variangle LCD screen and built in Wi-Fi, this P900 will run you about $600 when it’s released.
Seems like a perfect camera for the family that wants to get close enough to all the action and don’t want to bother with the hassle and expense of interchangeable lenses.

Think I need to get one of these in my hands and try it out. Nikon? What do you think?