David Sunfellow Photography

Sunday, August 31, 2008

Before I began working as a professional photographer, I worked as a professional videographer. Nikon's new D90 has me drooling. Why? Nikon describes its "wow" features like this:

"A new idea for D-SLRs, the D90 offers a movie function, allowing you to shoot movies in three different motion JPEG formats: 320 x 216 pixels, 640 x 424 pixels and 1,280 x 720 pixels. Now you can capture life’s moving moments with added drama by using many of Nikon’s NIKKOR lenses, including the AF DX Fisheye 10.5mm f/2.8G ED and the Micro-NIKKOR lenses. The shallow depth of field can give your movies a more creative and emotional impact. An additional benefit is the D90 image sensor, which is much larger than a typical camcorder for higher image quality and exceptional high ISO performance during low-light shooting."

While these features sound glorious, the D80 has some serious weaknesses:

• Autofocus is not available when recording movies.

• Matrix metering is used regardless of the metering method selected.

• There is apparently no input for external microphones, meaning the sound captured by the D90 will be very limited, at best. It also records in mono, not stereo.

• The camera reportedly only allows 5 minutes of shooting time in the 1,280 x 720 pixel mode because the sensor has to cool down (it is supposed to get 20 minutes when shooting at lower resolutions).

Bottomline: When it comes to video, this camera may have enormous appeal to people who want to use it for short, creative shooting -- and who want to have a camera in their bag that can shoot quick videos. I can imagine using it to capture unexpected moments, especially in low light situations where most video cameras are largely useless without lights, and perhaps making short video clips for posting on the Net.

Nikon has posted a few sample videos that were shot on this camera. Click here to see what the D90 can do.

Saturday, August 30, 2008

Nikon's New D90

Nikon's D90 Web Page

DPReview On D90

Ken Rockwell On D90

GigaPan Systems Imager Beta

GigaPan robotic imager system enables ultra-high resolution panoramic digital photographs. The system includes software for stitching together multiple images, and for uploading gigapans to Gigapan Web servers which enables viewing by internet visitors.

Purchase A GigaPan Imager

See Samples of Gigapan Images

Sunday, August 17, 2008

Monsoon Clouds Over Cathedral Rock

Every summer, Sedona experiences several weeks of monsoon weather. Typically, the days begin with blue skies and hot temperatures. Late afternoon, dark clouds begin to form, and there will be rolling rain storms -- sometimes producing torrential downpours and flash floods. The storms typically last for 30 minutes to an hour. Then the skies clear up and the cycle repeats the next day. This year (and last) the rains have been arriving around 6PM. In earlier years, the rains usually touched down around 3PM. Early or late, the rains are very welcome in Sedona. The local vegetation, animals, aquifers, even Sedona's famous red rocks come alive when the rains come. I shot this photo yesterday, from the rooftop of my house at about 7PM local time.

Visit my Sedona SmugMug gallery to see more images of Sedona.

Noah Takes A Photo Of Himself Every Day For 6 Years

Great Photographers: Chase Jarvis

Chase Jarvis Website
Chase Jarvis Blog
Chase Jarvis On YouTube

Chase Jarvis: Seattle Flickr Roundup Redux

Photographer Chase Jarvis treats Seattle's erupting underground photography scene to an evening where they get free access to a 30,000 sq foot studio, dozens of models, stylists, breakdance crews, action sports athletes, and more professional photography equipment than most amateurs have ever seen in a lifetime, let alone been able to use. This video grabs highlights from the event, including Chase's demonstration shoot with renown Fraggle Rock Crew.

Chase Jarvis: Hasselblad Masters

This is an uncut series of Chase Jarvis still photographs created in 5 days for personal work and for promoting the 2007 Hasselblad Masters. It is likely that only 6 to 10 of the 2000 images herein will ever have a commercial or fine-art life.

Chase Jarvis: Packing Photography Gear (Basic)

Award winning photographer Chase Jarvis shows us the ins and outs of how he packs his photo gear for shoots on locations around the world, as well as just down the street. Whether you're an established pro or and aspiring amateur, you'll pick up some great tips from Chase, including what gear he travels with, what bags/packs he uses, and how he navigates the airlines and freight companies with his photo equipment in tow.

Chase Jarvis: Photo Shoot In 180 Seconds

Watch as award-winning photographer Chase Jarvis spells out all the steps of a commercial photo shoot from concept and contracts to delivery of final images. Check out the tech specs of his equipment, lighting diagrams, and all the details you need to nail a shoot of your own.

Scott Kelby On Nikon D700

Excerpt:

Things I Really Liked:

* Besides the really obvious stuff (like High ISO and Full Frame, and the inclusion of a pop-up flash for triggering wireless flash), I really like how you access the memory cards -- there’s no annoying memory card door button to push first -- it’s just a simple slide of a panel (more like you have on some Canon models)...

* I like that you can use the same batteries as the D300...

What I Didn’t Like:

* I could only come up with one thing that I didn’t like about the D700, but to me, it’s pretty significant. I don’t like the feel of the shutter. To me, it feels soft and kind of mushy (compared to either the D3 or the D300)...

* There is one more issue, but it’s not a D700 issue; it’s a full-frame issue. The problem with the D700 is the same problem as with the D3; to really experience the full frame sensor advantage, you really have to have lenses that were made to take advantage of the full-frame sensor. If not, and you put DX format lenses on the D700, you get a 1.5x cropped image that’s only around 5 megapixels. If you have a lens like Nikon’s 70-200mm f/2.8 VR lens, then you’re in luck -- it works great with full frame, and doesn’t do the “DX Crop” thing. However, if you have the popular 18-200mm f/3.5 - f/5.6 VR lens, then your image will be cropped down to 5-megapixels. Hey, better you hear it from me, than learn it the hard way. I guess what I’m trying to tell you is this; you’re probably going to need more than just the D700 body. You’re probably going to need to buy a lens (or two) to make it worth your investment. If you shoot portraits, the incredibly crisp new 24-70 f/2.8 FX lens runs around $1,700. If you shoot landscapes, Nikon’s fabulous 14-24mm f/2.8 FX lens costs around $1,550. In short; you’re going to need the money you save from not buying a D3.

The Bottomline:

The D700 just takes a better looking photograph than the D300... The new sensor, the autofocus, the low noise -- it all adds up to photos that just beat the D300...

Then, who should buy a D700? It’s for anyone who wants to shoot handheld in low light (at higher ISOs than you would ever consider with a D300, like 6400 ISO). It’s for anyone who really wants the advantage of shooting with a 35mm-sized full-frame sensor, and it’s for anyone who just wants better looking images than they’re getting now with a D300 or lower...

Read Scott's complete review here.

Quarter Million Dollars Of Digital Photo Gear In A Single Photo

Excerpt from gizmodo.com:

"...the Beijing Olympics: dozens of photographers firing the most expensive digital photography gear available on the planet at full speed... How much does this all cost?

"In this image alone I can count 23 cameras. I can see loads of Canon L-Series EF and Nikkor AF-S 500mm super telephoto lenses—each around $5,800 a pop, a few 400mm, 600mm, 700mm, 800mm here and there. Let's assume a conservative average of $6,000 per telephoto lense. That's $138,000 total just on lenses. Most of them are probably using the biggest and baddest Canon and Nikon cameras, so we can assume an average $5,000 price tag per camera, which brings the grand total to about a quarter of a million dollars.

"Now, there are 1,100 accredited photographers at the Beijing Olympics, which we can assume will have more than just one set of lenses and, at least, one secondary camera, just in case the first one breaks or they want to have two different set of lenses ready to shoot at any time. A good low-estimate per photographer would be $20,000 minimum, which brings the grand total to $22 million in professional digital photography equipment at the Olympics."

Monday, August 11, 2008

Nikon Digital SLR Comparison Guide

Nikon Digital SLR Comparison Guide (pdf)

Moose Peterson: Nikon D3 Versus D700

Moose Peterson Writes:

"The D3 or the D700? Since both use the same sensor (as in exactly the same), it is a very good question.

"...the D700 isn’t really that much smaller than the D3. Attach the MB-D10, it’s the same height. The D3 weighs in at 3.16lbs and the D700 at 2.62lbs (battery included). So just going by size and weight, not a huge difference. The fps of the D3 is 8, the D700 is 5 and goes to 7-8 with the addition of the MB-D10 (depending on battery) so there is a little difference there. Stock D3 & D700 have the same buffer size but now with the buffer upgrade, the D3 doubles that of the D700 (and adding $500 to the cost). So looking at just the specs it’s real easy to see why folks are wondering which way to turn.

"That’s until you look at the price. Yeah, the D700 saves you bucks and in this day, that is an important factor. Do you loose something by spending less? You do lose the dual CF slot, you do loose the faster fps going with the D700 but you gain the sensor vibration which so many seem hooked on. You can read the Nikon DSLR comparison brochure or the D700 IB which might help with your decision making.

"My answer for most folks is, go with the D700 as dual CF and fps isn't mission critical for most photographers..."

Read complete article.

Sunday, August 10, 2008

Hands-On Review: Nikon SB-900 Speedlight

Stroblist review on Nikon's new SB-900 Speedlight versus the SB-800. Read it here.

Mini Multi-Battery Tester

Product Description: The ZTS Mini Multi-Battery Tester (Mini-MBT) provides a comprehensive means of testing more than 15 battery types. The Mini-MBT's microprocessor-based design makes battery testing simple -- using a patented, high accuracy pulse load test. After a fully automatic test cycle, percentage of remaining battery capacity is indicated on the LED bar display. Battery types are clearly labeled next to appropriate contacts. There are no settings, and test results are easy to understand. Its small size makes it ideal for the gadget bag, toolbox, or home utility drawer. Negative test lead/probe conveniently stores in seam at side. Tests 1.5v alkaline (AA, AAA, C, D, N), 1.2v NiMH/NiCd, 3v photo lithium, and 9v alkaline. Uses 4 AAA batteries (not included). Advantage of Pulse Load Technology. Battery performance is very important in today's electronic devices. The Mini-MBT computes the battery's actual remaining power capacity using a 2-second pulse load test. This pulse load simulates the real power demand that batteries experience in a high drain electronic device. So battery performance is measured, not just voltage. The load is automatically disconnected, so testing will not harm or drain the battery.

Read Ken Rockwell's Review (includes links to Adorama and Amazon for purchasing full-size and mini versions)

Beijing 2008 In Google Earth 3D

Take a virtual tour through Beijing as you follow the 2008 Summer Games.

Lightroom 2.0 is finally available. An already amazing program is now even more amazing, especially with a new feature called "The Adjustment Brush"! You can find out more about this new version of Lightroom by visiting the links below:

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Home Page

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Learning Center

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Killer Tips

Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0 FAQ

Kelby Training: Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 2.0

Monday, July 28, 2008

National Geographic: Visions Of The Earth

Here are a few photos currently featured in National Geographic's "Visions Of The Earth" gallery. Click here to see photo credits and a description for each of these fabulous photos.