{"id":6506,"date":"2012-09-25T15:26:01","date_gmt":"2012-09-25T15:26:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=6506"},"modified":"2012-09-26T01:05:00","modified_gmt":"2012-09-26T01:05:00","slug":"features-i-cant-live-without","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/?p=6506","title":{"rendered":"Features I can’t live without!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

We have been beating one subject to death, which camera and why, but in the shower this morning I came up with a new approach to that question! \u00a0After exhaustive tests, I’ve \u00a0come to the conclusion that just about any of the top cameras I’ve tested and used can give spectacular results if used properly!! \u00a0So how to make a decision about which camera isa best for you? \u00a0What features does a camera have to have for \u00a0me to be comfortable working with it day after day? \u00a0 (You have to make your own list, but hopefully this will help you to start thinking about it)1 \u00a0Why I thought of this in the shower is beyond me, but here are some of my most desired and needed features;<\/p>\n

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1. Being able to check sharpness by magnifying the image with the multi-selector center button on the camera<\/strong><\/span>. \u00a0This is a custom function available on the D700, D800, D3s, and D4. \u00a0It is not available on the D600, and D7000. \u00a0I use t his feature all the time to check focus and sharpness and I find I feel crippled without it! \u00a0Is it \u00a0deal breaker? \u00a0 No, but close, I really miss it on the bodies \u00a0that don’t offer it!!!!!<\/p>\n

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2. \u00a0Ability to cycle through menus and images with command dials.<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0This is another custom function that is available on all the cameras above. \u00a0Any feature that helps you work faster and more smoothly will really make the shooting process more enjoyable, this is a great feature! \u00a0All these cameras have it.<\/p>\n

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3. Bracketing of .3, .7, 1, 3, 5,7 9 shots by at least 1 f stop, preferably more.<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0For very serious HDR work you simply need this ability, now having said that, I do wonderful HDRs with my D7000 which only offers a 1 stop difference over 3 shots, but it’s not ideal. \u00a0The D4, D3s, D800 and D700 all offer this minimum, the D4 much more. \u00a0The D600 offers up to a 3 stop difference (.3, .7, 1, 2, 3 stops) in 3 shots, and the D7000 is limited to a maximum of 1 stop spread over three shots.<\/p>\n

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4. \u00a0A dedicated, easy to find, Bracketing button for changing those settings.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0It’s best on the top left control area of the D4, D3s, and D800, the button is less easy to find on the D600 and D7000. \u00a0Not a deal breaker, but does not make me smile as much as a big dedicated BKT button!<\/p>\n

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5. \u00a0Cropped area grayed out in crop modes<\/span><\/strong>. \u00a0Some cameras gray out the area not imaging in crop modes, the D4, D3s, D800 and D600 have this feature, the D700 and D7000 do not. \u00a0It makes composing easier than looking for a thin black line in the frame, and in movement situations you can see where the subject is right outside the frame!<\/p>\n

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6. \u00a0The softest most predictable release teamed up with the quietest shutter and mirror.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0The winner is D7000, followed very closely by the D600, then in third place D800, tied for fourth place D4\/D3s, dead last place D700 (which today compared to the newest cameras, sounds like a screen door slamming!!!!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

7. \u00a0The more mega pixels, the better!!!<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0 Firsts place, D800, Second place, D600, Third place D7000, (it’s 16 megapixels has a relative pixel density of 24), Fourth, D4, tied for 5th D700 and D3s, though the D3s is a better 12 megapixels in terms of quality. \u00a0Three reasons why! \u00a0(1)<\/span> Even though I shoot for the final images, being able to crop and maintain lots of resolution is very valuable! \u00a0(2)<\/span> You can never have too much detail and gradation of tones, (3)<\/span> When noise appears at very high ISOs the ability to smooth it with post processing and give up a little sharpness from a file that has twice the sharpness of anything else on the market is golden!<\/p>\n

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8. \u00a0Mirror Lockup<\/span><\/strong>. \u00a0All have it!<\/p>\n

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9. \u00a0Ability to use a convient to use wireless remote.<\/strong><\/span> \u00a0The D7000 and D600 use the ML-L3 remote which I love! The D4\/D3s, D700 and D800 all take the ten pin remotes or can use the Nikon Modulite infrared remote or some of the third party radio remotes, they all work but are bulky and involve cords. \u00a0I sure wish the D800 used the ML-L3 remote!!!!!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

10. \u00a0Feeling of substance without being too heavy, (admittedly this is purely subjective, but I will share my thoughts).<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0For me the D700 and D800 have the near perfect feeling of rugged build, enough weight to steady the camera in hand holding, and a medium size form factor that just works for me. \u00a0 The D4 and D3s are just to heavy for me to carry all day over my shoulder. \u00a0The D7000 is the lightest, but still feels well made and rugged, and is perfect when I simply want to carry the lightest camera in my DSLR inventory (like travel photography).<\/p>\n

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11. \u00a0Depth-of-field preview button.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0All \u00a0have it.<\/p>\n

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12. \u00a0Great Live View features<\/strong><\/span>. \u00a0D4, D800, and D600 lead this parade, the D4 and D800 are almost the same, and the best.<\/p>\n

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So using my own criteria how do the cameras score for me?<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

First place: \u00a0D800<\/span><\/p>\n

Second Place: \u00a0D600<\/span><\/p>\n

Third Place: \u00a0D7000<\/span><\/p>\n

Tied in fourth place: \u00a0D4\/D3s \u00a0(remember I’m not a sports shooter anymore!!!)<\/span><\/p>\n

Last place: \u00a0D700 \u00a0(Still a great camera!!)<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What does this mean? \u00a0Well, pending any new cameras coming any time soon, to further muddy the waters, For me it’s a D800, a D600, and D7000.<\/span><\/strong> \u00a0This would fulfill my belief that you need an FX and DX body, and keeping in mind, you could by all three new, in the box, for about the same money as a single D4.<\/p>\n

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Perspective: \u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\n

Luke 12:15-21<\/span><\/h3>\n

New Living Translation (NLT)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n

15\u00a0<\/sup>Then he said, \u201cBeware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

16\u00a0<\/sup>Then he told them a story: \u201cA rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. 17\u00a0<\/sup>He said to himself, \u2018What should I do? I don\u2019t have room for all my crops.\u2019 18\u00a0<\/sup>Then he said, \u2018I know! I\u2019ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I\u2019ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. 19\u00a0<\/sup>And I\u2019ll sit back and say to myself, \u201cMy friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!\u201d\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

20\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cBut God said to him, \u2018You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

21\u00a0<\/sup>\u201cYes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

I love camera gear, lenses, and all the accessories, but we must be careful not to make them our gods. \u00a0They are tools and careful thought should go into spending our resources, but at some point, enough is enough!<\/p>\n

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In Him,<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

the \u00a0pilgrim<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Photo Note: \u00a0Even if it’s not the camera for me, the image at the top was made with the D4 and it proves that any camera listed is capable of wonderful imaging!<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Yesterday’s photo quiz!! \u00a0Top shot D800, 2nd down, \u00a0D600, last two, point and shoot camera!!<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

We have been beating one subject to death, which camera and why, but in the shower this morning I came up with a new approach to that question! \u00a0After exhaustive tests, I’ve \u00a0come to the conclusion that just about any of the top cameras I’ve tested and used can give spectacular results if used properly!! […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-6506","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-chronicles","category-learning"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6506","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=6506"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6506\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6514,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6506\/revisions\/6514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=6506"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=6506"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/billfortney.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=6506"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}