Category : The Learning Center

 

There has been, understandably, a great deal of interest in the D600 and it was made even more exciting when DXO released their test of the new camera’s sensor.  After my test yesterday I was not shocked to see that it was rated in third place of all sensors tested, right after the D800 and D800E!!!  I have added a link for you here:

 

p://www.dxomark.com/index.php/Publications/DxOMark-Reviews/Nikon-D600-sets-high-bar-for-sensor-image-quality

 

 

After yesterday’s test, I’ve shot a good deal more and have some additional thoughts!

 

(1.)  The D600 is very similar to the D7000 in one important way, the shutter release is very soft and predictable, and the D600 is, along with the D7000 very quiet.  Every time I’ve used the D7000 over the last few years, I’ve really enjoyed it’s handling, and I’m convinced that the same tactile pleasure will exist with the D600.

 

(2.)  The Bracketing function is a little different but still very usable, three shots at .3, .7, 1, 2, or 3 stop differences.  So three shots at  a 2 stop increments would be a 5 stop range, I will run some tests, but I feel it will be good for most HDR applications.  I hand held a three shot HDR in terrible light and I was thrilled with the results, admittedly not a great shot but the camera handled it  well!  Below that shot is a very close crop on the license plate, shows just how much this sensor resolves!

 

 

That is a 100% crop out of a handheld HDR shot!!!  Pretty amazing….

 

(3.)  If you’ve ever carried a pro camera body you know how heavy it an be at the end of the day, the D600 will be a lot easier to carry all day!

 

(4.)  The menu options have been very enhanced in the new model, with lots of cool features that will make the camera easy to use in the field.  The U1 and U2 settings let you set up special camera settings for different kinds of photographic situations that can now be selected at the turn of the dial!  In addition the Auto ISO works very well and can be set up for your style of shooting.

 

(5.)  While the D800 certainly has more resolution, images from the new D600 are both very clean, and exceptionally sharp, rivaling the D800.

 

It is not my policy to tell my friends and readers what they should buy, but I feel confident that those that need a full frame camera will definitely want to give a D600 a spin before deciding, I’ll give it the highest praise I can give a product, I’ll be spending my own money for one….

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

 

The most common question I get as a tech rep is should I buy,  fill in the blank, or fill in the blank!!  It’s not an easy question to answer, because the variables are all over the place.  How much can you afford, what do you shoot, is speed important, how rugged does your camera need to be, do you want a lighter camera, what size enlargements do you make, do you need to shoot in very low light?  Do you want a FX or DX sensor camera?

 

Get the point?  There is no way I could tell you what to buy, but I could tell you some of the advantages of various models of cameras!  Above are four current Nikon DSLRs, from left to right, the D800, the D600, the D7000 and the D4.  When the D600 arrived today I was anxious to test it, and I figured if I was going to do that, I might as well shoot the same test with the same subject, light, and lens with all four!  I shot the row of books in my office with each camera and a 60mmm Micro Nikkor lens, all shot at f8 and tripod mounted in Aperture Priority mode.  I used a cable release for each shot and then shot the same scene with each camera @ ISO 100 – 200 – 400- 800 – 1600 – 3200 – 6400.  I then blew up the central portion of each file to 100% crop and compared sharpness and noise at each ISO.

 

I’m not going to put you through posting all the examples since on the internet you could barely see the difference, but I’ve studied them thoroughly, and will be happy to share with you my conclusions!

 

First:  These are all great cameras and the results in the test are not as different as you might think!!! The D4 is clearly the winner on low noise at the highest ISOs, but then you knew that already!  The D800 is clearly the resolution winner, with more detail than any of the others, and any other camera made in this form factor!  The D600 is maybe the best all around of the bunch, very reasonable price, and very high resolution, great noise and a very pleasant camera to handle and shoot!  Where does that leave the D7000?  In last place?  Yes, but, If you simply don’t have much in your budget this is the finest camera I’ve ever seen for under $1,000. It might be in last place, but it is still a killer camera capable of serious professional work.  If you don’t believe me, look at Mike Moats close-ups!!!

 

Secondly:  So which to buy???  Let me describe what I think is the perfect user for each model:

 

The D4:  The perfect camera when speed, ruggedness, and exceptionally low noise at astronomical ISOs is the only thing that will do!  Photojournalists, sports shooters,wildlife and aviation photographers will live with this camera!  Serious build quality, and extreme frame rates, plus every customization option you could imagine and some you haven’t thought of!  Yes $6,000. is as high price, but then nothing else will do what this bad boy does……  This camera makes gorgeous images too!

 

The D800:  Is the perfect camera for someone for which exceptional resolution, detail and tonal gradation is what floats there boat!  Landscape, nature, close-up, fine art, travel shooters will all find this D800 simply irresistible.  If you don’t need high frame rates, and you are willing to use the camera with great care, the results it can produce are simply like nothing else in the world! Period!  It’s feature set including a broad range of bracketing options for HDR shooters, drop dead accurate color, and a substantial build quality will all make this choice satisfying for years to come.

 

The D600:  Is the value leader of the pack, a very reasonable price, great resolution, only second to the D800, good frame rate at 5.5 FPS, wonderful color and a very rich feature set, all make for a camera that can do just about anything.  The images are tack sharp, and the noise is very low even at 3200.  The bracketing feature allows up to three shots at 1, 2, or 3 stops apart, and while not as versatile as the D800 and D4 for HDR, it will still allow a great range of exposures which should produce very nice HDR shots indeed!  It is very much like the D7000, it feels great in your hands and the slightly lighter weight is a joy when you have to carry it all day! Only a few years ago I would have found a camera this capable for around $2,100., an impossible thought!!!

 

D7000: Is the perfect camera for almost anyone that wants a great camera for around a thousand dollars. With 16 mega pixels and a frame rate of 6 FPS this little camera really rocks!  The noise is very good up to 1600 and usable above that if you want to do a little  post noise reduction.  I consider this the perfect camera for travel and being a DX sensor it stretches your longer lenses, I use it often with my 70-300 to get the equivalent crop value of a 105-450!!!  The D7000 is one of the quietest of our cameras along with the D600 and both use the great little ML-L3 wireless remote!  When it sold for $1,295. I thought it was a screaming bargain, now that it has dropped to $995. you can imagine what I would call it!

 

What will I be using?  Well, I’ve been working on that one!  As of today, the D800 is my camera of choice for all my serious work, for travel and when I’m wanting to shoot in a more relaxed mode, I think it will be a tough choice between the D600 and D7000, I love them both and can see either as a great second camera. The DX sensor D7000 add the versatility of stretching the longer lenses, and the lenses are smaller and lighter, but then the D600 shares all my FX lenses and makes such a beautiful image!!  To be honest I guess I may end up owning three cameras some day, a D800, a D600 and a D7000!  I can see a relevant use for all three!! What about the D4?  I was once a sports shooter, (for the Washington Redskins), and a photojournalist, but those days are past…….

 

If you want me to muddy the waters a little more, let me share a little story.  A few weeks ago in preparation for the release of the, then rumored, D600 I decided to go into my files and pick out my favorite images, I then I looked at the EXIF data, and guess what, I could not tell hardly any difference between them in terms of quality, and they were made by cameras ranging from D100, D70, D2x, D3, D3s, P7000 and many more!  So what is the conclusion?  It’s the photographer, not the camera!   Maybe a little food for thought…….

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

The much rumored Nikon D600 is finally a reality and a good reality at that.  Keep in mind that only a few years ago a 24 mega pixel DSLR was $8,000.!!!  If the developments that have allowed the D3200, D800 and D4 are incorporated here, and I’m sure they will be, this is going to be a groundbreaking DSLR!   I expect to have mine next week and I will do a thorough test and share my thoughts with you. For now I am very impressed with the decisions we made on this camera!  It is not a stripped down model and includes most of the major feature that I love the most about the D800.  I see it as a great camera for anyone that does not need the 36 mega pixels of a D800 or the speed and ruggedness of a D4.  With a magnesium frame (top, and back), it should hold up to good steady use.  The shutter is a Kevlar blade model that has proven to have great performance as well in previous camera.

 

I can’t really say more now until I shoot it, but dont be shocked if I don’t have glowing comments then!!

 

the pilgrim

 

the pilgrin

 

 

 

I get a lot of emails from folks wanting to know what gear I carry, and how I carry it.  Since I’m sitting in a Courtyard getting ready to fly to Reno at O:Dark thirty, and I have my travel bag and system with me, let’s dig into it right now!

This is my favorite rolling bag when I need to take a substantial amount of stuff, the Think Tank Airport Security 2.0.  This is what it holds;

 

1.  Nikon D7000 with strap and L Bracket.

 

2.  Nikon D800 with strap and L Bracket

 

3.  On top in the black Nikon pouch is my Jambox bluetooth speaker.  Below is my Nikon 16-35 AF-s VR f4 lens with a thin polarizer in a Think Tank lens bag.    Also my 4G MiFi and charging cord, for getting a  hot spot almost anywhere!

 

4.  A small SnapR case for a my Point and Shoot (which ever one I’m currently carrying), extra batteries and accessories.

 

5.   Bag with a Point and Shoot charger.

 

6.  Spare En-EL15 batteries for the two bodies and MH-25 charger.

 

7.  Sing Ray 8 Stop Variable ND filter and 77mm 2 element Diopter.   Small card reader from Rocketfish.  Small Sony Digital recorder for taking notes.

 

8. 2 Western Digital 1 TB portable hard drives, below, Maxpedition gear pouch with two Monster cables fro iPhone and iPad, plus Apple wall warts.

 

9. Power cord for Macbook Pro.

 

10.  Cable release in zippered pouch, MC-25 cord and MR-3 release button, below, Manfrotto lens case with Nikon 70-300 AF-S VR f4.5-5.6 lens with shade and polarizer.

 

11. Rocket blower, below, lens pouch with Nikon 24-120 AF-S VR f4 lens, two LED flashlights, and charger.

 

12. Macbook Pro in sleeve.

 

13.  The Think Tank Airport Security 2.0 rolling bag.

 

In the extra pockets are;  Two Think Tank Pocket Rocket Memory card holder for CF and SD cards, business card wallet.  Interior pockets hold; Allen wrenches, Shower Cap (dust and rain protection), standard threaded cable releases, a few dozen Zeiss pre-moistened wipes.   Two bottles of  Visine.  Spare lens caps and two ML-L3 Wireless Remotes for the D7000, I love these little things, buy them by the half dozen!  Everything is protected with a half dozen large micro fiber cloths.  One side exterior pocket has strong bungee cord to allow carrying my backpack on the bag handles.

 

Well there you have it two bodes, lenses from 16mm to 450 (on the DX bodies), poalrizers for every lens, a dioper for the 24-120 for close-up work and all the associated accessories for both the cameras and computer!

 

I never share these posts to suggest that you need to buy all of this or the same stuff, but it does give you and idea how to go into the field on and airplane and have everything you need to work productively!!

 

A tripod?  Of course, it goes in my large checked suitcase, with the ball head removed and in a separate ball head bag.

 

Good travels, and blessings,

 

the pilgrim