Misuse of Nikon or NPS name

© dzignous

Recently there has been a few cases of irresponsible individuals, coupon sites, companies misusing the term: NPS (Nikon Professional Services), Nikon Photographer etc in their web promoting tactics thus misleading consumers into believing that they are endorsed by Nikon (in which many cases are not true).

Nikon Singapore has however issued an official letter to all regarding about these incidents. Hope all can take a serious look into this.

Collection

Sharing some of my collections over the years:

2012 © dzignous

NIKON: 

Left:
D1
D2X
D200 + MB-D200
D300 + MB-D10
D70

Center:
F5
F80S + MB-16
F80D + MB-16
F75D + MB-18
F60QD
F65
F65D

Right:
F90X + MB10
F801s
F601QD
F401X
F501
EM

2012 © dzignous

NIKKOR: 

AFS 70-200mm f2.8 G VR
AFS 17-55mm f2.8 G DX
AFS 18-70mm f3.5-4.5 G DX
AF 50mm f1.8 D x 2
AF 28-70mm f3.5-4.5 D
AF 35-70mm f3.3-4.5
AF 28-100mm f3.5-5.6 G
MF 50mm f1.8E

2012 © dzignous

CANON:

D30
10D + BG-ED3
EF 50mm f1.8 II

2012 © dzignous

OLYMPUS:

E3 + HLD-4
E450
Zuiko ED 12-60mm f2.8-4.0 SWD
Zuiko 14-42mm f3.5-5.6 ED
FL-56R

2012 © dzignous

SEAGULL/ZORKI:

Seagull 4B-1
Zorki 4K
Industar-22

iPhone Photography (Street)

Just wanted to share a video by Richard Koci Hernandez who has done a very good job with the all-popular iPhonegraphy.

iPhone shooting techniques

iPhone Photography, from Shooting to Storytelling | by Richard Koci Hernandez

View this entire course and more in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.

DSLR Speaker?

Couldn't resist the temptation when I came across this on eBay and bought it straight away. This is basically a 1:1 Canon 7D + 24-105mm replica speaker model that can be paired up with any mobile phones (including iPhone/iPod!) or mp3 devices with the included standard 3.5mm jack plug.

Original packaging

SD/USB/mini USU/3.5mm jack/DC

Got a remote control too!

Runs on 4 x AAs

Cover cap for the body when lens is removed

Alternate view (left)

Alternate view (right)

Various standard playback/pause/rewind/forward buttons

Lens (speaker) detached

Frontal view

Along side by side with an Olympus E3 + 12-60mm

Sound quality wasn't that great but it sure looks a whole lot better and more unique than any other mp3 speakers!

Canon Lens Code

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8 USM II © dzignous

Canon have an unique way of documenting their lens manufacturing dates. Looking at the back (mount) of the lenses is a six-digit code, which indicates where and when the specific lens was manufactured.
E.g. - "UY1112"

The first letter 'U' represents the factory that made the lens:

1. U = Utsunomiya
2. F = Fukushima
3. O = Ōita

The second letter 'Y' represent the year of manufacture:

    •    A = 1986, 1960
    •    B = 1987, 1961
    •    C = 1988, 1962
    •    D = 1989, 1963
    •    E = 1990, 1964
    •    F = 1991, 1965
    •    G = 1992, 1966
    •    H = 1993, 1967
    •    I = 1994, 1968
    •    J = 1995, 1969
    •    K = 1996, 1970
    •    L = 1997, 1971
    •    M = 1998, 1972
    •    N = 1999, 1973
    •    O = 2000, 1974
    •    P = 2001, 1975
    •    Q = 2002, 1976
    •    R = 2003, 1977
    •    S = 2004, 1978
    •    T = 2005, 1979
    •    U = 2006, 1980
    •    V = 2007, 1981
    •    W = 2008, 1982
    •    X = 2009, 1983
    •    Y = 2010, 1984
    •    Z = 2011, 1985

The next two digits represent the month of the lens is manufactured. The last two digits are for internal Canon use. Thus the 16-35mm f2.8 L USM II (UX0903) shown was made in Utsunomiya, Japan factory in Sep 2009.

So the next time when you like to know how "old" is the 2nd hand Canon lenses that you are going to buy, take a look here for some general reference.

[PS] Carbon Fiber DSLR

Since film time to recent digital age , all top camera/lens models are make of either magnesium alloy/titanium or polycarbonate for entry-level models.

Nikon D3X

Canon 5D Mark II

Olympus E3

Sony A900

However, in terms of looks and durability, carbon fiber might seem to be a good choice too. Some enthusiastic (including me... hee...) had already used carbon fiber vinyl decals to gaffer their prized collection and the final result looks really good.

3M Carbon Fiber Vinyl

© dzignous

If only there is a real carbon-fiber DSLR/lens and I believe it will look damn fantastic! Agree?

© dzignous

© dzignous

[Vid] Photo stolen. Pay me!

Something all photographers that can relate to...

Photoshop or not?

Some might think that an image which had undergo photoshop (PS) treatment is not a "real" photograph. And there's even a small portion which will say that film is the only true and "non-processed" image. However they forgot that from developing of negative to print out, certain degree of touch-up (lightness/contrast/saturation) had already being applied during the process. B/W developing involving dodging and burning which are also part of "processing". Same goes for digital jpeg images.

Photoshop-ing is more essential for digital images as CCD/CMOS sensor does not have the same dynamic range as silver halide prints yet (newer full-frame DSLR have better DR).

One best solution will be to shoot RAW as that will ensure all information to be intact and can be further tweak to own liking. What matters most is to present one very own interpretation of their final piece be it whether the image had undergone PS treatment or not.

Digital processing is also part of photography fun and I totally dig it!

Hong Kong © dzignous

Hong Kong © dzignous

Players in DSLR market

Major players in the market now consist of Canon, Nikon, Sony, Samsung, Panasonic, Olympus, Pentax and maybe Leica (niche market).

However, Canon, Sony, Panasonic and Samsung have the biggest advantage among all as they have the CCD/CMOS sensor-making technology.

© Canon

Canon -
With more than 70 years of experiences, Canon held the biggest pie with their ultra-successful EOS cameras and tons of superior EF/EFS lenses. They were once the ONLY brand with the highest megapixel full-frame DSLR system (1Ds -11mp, 1Ds Mark 2 -16mp, 1Ds Mark 3 -21mp) after Contax and Kodak dropped from the market, but was de-throned by Sony in 2008 after they introduced A900 (24.6mp) and subsequently the Nikon D3X (24.5mp).

© Sony

Sony - 
Supplier of sensors for many brands (including Nikon!), Sony is fast catching up after the merging with the failing Konica/Minolta camera division along their anti-shake (the FIRST in-camera anti-shake system in a DSLR) technology. From the very first APS-C A100 to full-frame A900/A850, the recent NEX/SLT cameras also helps Sony grabbing more shares than ever.

© Nikon

Nikon -
The world's no. 2 player had one of the longest history and famed for its legacy F-mount (you can even use a 1950s lens for your D7000!). Although they were late in entering the full-frame market with the legendary D3 in 2008, lots were re-written in history.

• First ever camera to hit ISO 12800
• Noise-less ISO 6400 images
• The only full-frame camera to be able to use both FX and DX lenses
• First 3 inch VGA LCD with 307,000 pixels (922,000 dots)
• Camera grip and body style designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and lots more
  
  

© Panasonic

Panasonic -
Panasonic enters the market with their Lumix 4/3 system,  DMC-L1 and follow up with newer micro 4/3 cameras such as G, GH and GF series. 

© Olympus

Olympus - 
Designed from ground up, Olympus and Kodak pioneered the open-format Four Thirds system and the very first E1 was introduced in Nov 2003. Their initial marketing concept was to have smaller sensor size so as to make possible smaller, lighter camera bodies and lenses. However small sensors suffered from various problems like lower dynamic range, noise, limited shallow DOF etc.

The size and weight of their flagship camera bodies (E1, E3, E5) were not having obvious advantages over other brands. Thus in 2008, Olympus and Panasonic finally introduced the Micro Four Thirds system (MFT), reliving their very first aim of creating a small, light system with the benefits of having interchangeable lens and easy controls for point-and-shoot users to upgrade from their compact cams.

Following the success with the EP/EPL/G/GH/GF series, both manufacturers began to chunk out newer MFT models and lenses. Four-third system looks set to RIP soon.

© Sony

Nevertheless, Sony NEX, Samsung NX series (mirror-less cams), both using APS-C sensors (bigger than MFT) and the rumored Canon/Nikon similar concept cameras look set to be a tough competitors to the MFT as the bigger sensors still have the obvious advantages. 


Not long in the future, we should be able to see more similar small mirror-less cameras in the market and probably one that comes with a full-frame sensor.

Design of Nikon D3

Some interesting facts about Nikon DSLR body design:

The 12mp D3 sparks a new era as it marks the very first full-frame DSLR in Nikon's history.

Designed by Giorgetto Giugiar, (Italian automobile designer) who is also responsible for the F3, F4, F5, F6 and D2H/D2X. 

© Nikon

The above image (which was also featured in Nikon D3 product brochure) shows various prototypes that influenced the final D3 design. 

© Nikon

Upon a closer look, "D2H" was the initial designation for this new body design. This probably shows that Nikon had already planned for a full-frame body since 2003!

Another side note, the "red swoosh" below the mode dial and red vertical line on grip (previous models) was Giorgetto's "signature" on Nikon cameras. According to him, the rational behind the "red swoosh"  is just for aesthetic purposes.

© Nikon

© Nikon

 Below is a brief interview of Giorgetto Giugiar on the development of Nikon D3 design:

Enjoy!

Photography is getting easier

© dzignous

Photography is getting easier. 
No more worries about:

• Camera shake: There's IS/VR even for pathetic short focal length
  (18-55mm??)
  
• Low-light situation: With astronomical ISO values up to 51200
  (able to shoot at 1/125 in pitch-dark places)
  
• Price: DSLR pricing on-par with compact cams
  (less than S$800 for body+lens)
  
• Storage space: Memory cards with up to 64gb space
  (and cheap too with 133x 8gb CF/SD card that cost only S$30)
  
• Capturing action: Scary up to 10fps fast frames capture
  (even up to 30fps in bridge cameras)
  
• Poster size print-out: APS-C DSLR hitting 20mp, Full-frame reaching 30mp
  (CMOS having low-noise and lower power consumption than CCD)
  
• Still and videos: Full HD video function in almost every cameras
  (1920 x 1080 @30/24/fps)
  
• Accessories: Tons of on-line/shops selling everything you need
  (From eyecup, straps, batteries and even vertical grip)

So what's hard about photography?

• Knowing and applying the basic: ISO? Aperture? Shutter speed?
  
  
  

Photography Acronyms

© dzignous

DOF, AFS, ETTL, APS-C/H, FX/DX etc etc... Wondering what the hell are those? Photography got lots in common with Singapore too (also acronyms-crazy, think PAP, ERP, HDB, PUB, CBD, COE...)

With some help from my fave Google, a list (not comprehensive) below to help you understand a tiny bit more...

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A-DEP: Automatic depth of field
AdobeRGB: Color space with a wider color gamut than sRGB
(Suitable for print)
AE: Automatic exposure


AEB: Automatic exposure bracketing 

AEL: Auto-exposure lock


AF: Auto focus 

AF-I: Nikon's lenses with the focusing motor built into the lens barrel itself


AF-S: Nikon's silent-wave focusing motors, similar to Canon's USM motors


AI: Aperture indexing – Nikon's lenses which communicate lens aperture to camera body via mechanical coupling


AI-S: Nikon's AI lenses which also transmit linear aperture information
APS-C: Advance-Photo-System, Type-C, either 1.5x crop sensor in Nikon/Sony/Pentax or 1.6x in Canon
APS-H: 1.3x crop sensor used in Canon 1D series (with high fps shooting)


ASA: American Standards Association - now known as ISO  (See ISO)


ATX: Advanced Technology-Extra (lens technology by Tokina


Av: Aperture Priority exposure mode  (same as A mode)

AWB: Automatic white balance 

B: Bulb mode – allows for the shutter to be open as long as the shutter button is pressed


BMP: Bitmap – a type of image format


CA: Chromatic aberration - Color fringing seen at high contrast areas


CCD: Charged coupled device (Type of sensor usually found in DSLR and medium format cameras)


CF: Compact Flash - Common type of memory card physically larger than SD


CMOS: Complimentary Metal Oxide Semiconductor  (Type of digital sensor typically used in Canon/Nikon hi-end cameras)


CMYK: Cyan-magenta-yellow-black (printing)

CPL: Circular polarizer


CRW: Canon Raw format


CR2: Canon Raw format



DF: Sigma's dual focus system

DG: Sigma lenses with special coatings to help minimize reflections from digital sensors


Di: Tamron lenses with optics designed to combat the increased reflectivity of digital sensors


Di-II: Tamron's lenses for small-sensor digital cameras



DNG: Digital Negative (Adobe's open Raw format)



DOF: Depth of Field - The range of sharp focus in a picture


DPI: Dots per square inch - A measure of printing resolution



DSLR: Digital Single Lens Reflex camera

DX: Lens designed for use in cropped sensor cameras



ED: Extra-low Dispersion glass elements (helps correcting chromatic aberrations)


EF: Electronic Focusing ( Canon's autofocus lens mount)


EF-s: Electronic Focus Short Backfocus (Canon l.6x crop DSLR lenses)


EOS: Canon's electronic optical system


E-TTL: Canon's evaluative through-the-lens flash metering


E-TTL II: Canon's second generation through-the-lens flash metering technology


EV: Exposure value
EX: Excellence (Sigma's high-end lenses
) 

EXIF: Exchangeable image file format 

F-stop: Aperture


FD: Canon's older lens mount system


FE: Fisheye lens
FEB: Flash exposure bracketing


FEC: Flash exposure compensation


FEL: Flash exposure lock


FF/FX: Full frame - 24mm x 36mm DSLR sensor size,  the size of 35mm film



F-mount: Nikon's lens mount

FPS: Frames per second - how many pictures per second the camera can capture

G: Nikon's electronically controlled lenses which lack aperture rings on the lens barrel


GB: Gigabyte – 1,000 Megabytes



GND: Graduated neutral density filter
GPS: Global positioning system 

HDR: High dynamic range


HSM: Sigma's quiet, fast focusing motor (similar to Canon's USM/Nikon's AFS)

ICC: International Color Consortium - Color reproduction abilities of devices, often used to calibrate monitors and printers


IR: Infrared - Light below the visible spectrum when photographed


IF: Internal focusing lenses


IS: Canon's Image Stabilization lenses


ISO: International Standards Organization

JPEG/JPG: Joint Photographic Experts Group - Most commonly used image format

K: Kelvin - Scale used to measure color temperature


K-mount: Pentax lens mount

LCD: Liquid crystal display 


LED: Light emitting diode


Li-ion: Lithium ion - Type of rechargeable battery with no memory effect, slow loss of charge when not in use

M: Manual exposure - the user manually selects both the aperture and shutter speed 



MF: Medium format


MF: Manual focus

MUP: Mirror lock-up - A technique to flip up the SLR mirror before exposure and minimize vibrations due to mirror slap


MP: Megapixel
MTF: Modulation transfer function - Measuring lens sharpness

ND: Neutral density filter - Dark filter which blocks light and allows for slower shutter speeds


NEF: Nikon Electronic File - Nikon's proprietary Raw format


OIS: Sigma's Optical Image Stabilization lenses

P: Program mode - Automatic exposure mode where the camera selects both the aperture and shutter speed


P&S: Point & Shoot camera 

PC: Perspective control - Lenses which have the ability to tilt, shift, rise


PNG: Portable network graphics - A non-proprietary lossless image format

PPI: Pixels per inch


ProPhoto RGB: Large color space featuring a color gamut larger than that of sRGB and AdobeRGB


PS: Adobe Photoshop


PSD: Photoshop Document - Adobe Photoshop's native file format

RAW: Unprocessed data, allowing for large amounts of control and high quality images

RGB: Red-green-blue - Three primary colors in additive color theory

SD: Secure Digital - Memory card physically smaller than compact flash


SDHC: Secure Digital High Capacity - A new standard allowing SD cards > 2 GB


SLR: Single lens reflex (Cameras with mirror-box, TTL metering)


TIFF/TIF: Tagged image file format - Uncompressed image file format (bigger file size than RAW)


TLR: Twin-lens reflex - A type of camera in which the viewfinder lens and the taking lens are separate optical systems
TTL: Through the lens - Metering system which works through the lens for ambient or flash

Tv: Shutter priority exposure mode

UD: Ultra-low dispersion glass - used to correct chromatic aberration


USM: UltraSonic Motor - Canon's fast and quiet focusing motor 
UV Filter: Ultraviolet filter
UWA: Ultra-wide angle - Usually a lens with an angle of view greater than 90°

VR: Nikon's Vibration Reduction lenses

WA: Wide-angle lens - Focal length shorter than a 50mm lens with wider view


WB: White balance


X-sync: Flash sync speed indicating the fastest shutter speed that can be used with a flash

Camera Shutter Life

D2X Sensor

Nowadays DSLR rarely fails but if it does, main major repair needed will be failed/roasted sensor (which can amount to a price of a new cam) and next will be replacing shutter (most probably a few hundreds replacement cost).

D3 Shutter Unit

To check how long cam shutter can last, check out here. If your model is not listed there, then a quick Google search should provide you with an answer very quickly.

However, one shouldn't get too anal about shutter life. e.g. Nikon D300 has an estimated 150,000 shutter life which ≤ to:

100 shots/day
3000 shots/mth
36,500 shots/yr x 4yrs = 146,000 shots

A whopping 4 whole years to even hit that amount and I bet by that time you would have gotten a new one! Start shooting and stop worrying!!!