Art of the Image

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

D3100... the Perfect Prime Camera?

So, I'm looking over the specs on the recently announced Nikon D3100 for about the 6th or 7th time, and I'm thinking... hmmm... the Perfect Prime Camera?

Put the Nikon 50mm f1.4G on the D3100, and you've got a light, FAST combo. At 14 megapixels, there's plenty of resolution, and with a top ISO of 12,800 combined with f1.4, you're seeing in the dark.

Don't get me wrong... I'm sure it won't compare to the D3s at those settings, but then what will?

The thing is, if the new sensor in the D3100 is everything I expect, it's gonna be VERY usable at 6400 ISO at f1.4.

For the record, I expect both the D3100 and the D90 replacement (the D7000 for my money) to be a stop to two stops better than the D90 at high ISO. Considering the D90 is the current reigning DX DSLR champ at high ISO, the D3100 and D700 will be beautiful if they're a stop or two better.

So, I'm thinking a D3100 with the Nikon 50mm f1.4G will be a new fixture in my bag. At the low price of the D3100, I could buy one for every prime I have and shoot nothin' but primes. :-)

At 445g / 160z, the D3100 weighs next to nothing. The Nikon 50mm f1.4G is only 280g / 9.9 oz, so that's about a pound and half combined weight. Sweet!

Figure that the 1.5x crop of the D3100 DX sensor makes the 50mm about a 75mm perspective, and you've got a perfect portrait combo.

So, the lowest DSLR in the Nikon line-up may just be the Perfect Prime Camera.

Monday, August 23, 2010

Nikon D700x, D800, D900... Where Is It?

Rumors have been flying around the internet for some time now about an up-grade to the Nikon D700. Many of us thought it would have been out by now. I certainly did.

And yet... no D700x, D800, D900 or whatever Nikon decides to name the D700 replacement.

Thom Hogan says he doesn't think there will be a D700 replacement until next year. I'm thinking he may be right.

The big question will be how Nikon structures the levels of the Nikon DSLR line-up. Most people have been thinking of the coming update as a replacement to the D700 having a much higher megapixel sensor.

It's possible the replacement may be a D700s, following in the footsteps of the D3s upgrade. This would see the D700s getting the D3s sensor.

If this was the case, then that leaves the door open for a D700x with something like the D3X sensor. Nikon probably didn't want to do this while the D3X was relatively new, but if a D700x was timed to be introduced just before the D4X comes out, then I could see them having no problem using the D3X 24 megapixel sensor.

This would give Nikon a rock solid DSLR line-up covering all bases.

A D700s at 12 megapixels for super high ISO use for those that prefer a compact pro body.

A D700x at 24 megapixels for super megapixel goodness for those that prefer a compact pro body.

A D4s at 16 megapixels for super high ISO use for those that prefer a full size pro body. I anticipate the D4s to be about a stop better at high ISO than the already incredible D3s.

A D4x at 32 megapixels for super megapixel goodness for those that prefer a full size pro body.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Photo Contest - Tell Us What The Subject Should Be!

It's been in the works for a while now, and we're finally ready to get going on it. Art of the Image is launching it's first photo contest, and we need your help.

Tell us what you think the subject matter should be. Post your idea(s) in the comments section below, and let us know what you think.

Peter Gregg has generously agreed to provide one of his awesome A Better Bounce Cards as the winning prize, and Art of the Image will be adding your choice of any DSLR battery we carry to sweeten the pot!

That's right folks! Top prize to the winner will be a A Better Bounce Card and your choice of any DSLR battery we carry!

The contest will be open to everyone, and there is no fee to enter. We'll post the full details as soon as we've chosen the subject. We're aiming for the contest to start September 1st and run to the end of September.

So let us know your ideas for the subject the first Art of the Image Photo Contest! Post them in the comments below.

Friday, August 20, 2010

Nikon D3100 Gamechanger

Nikon made the rumored D3100 official, and we have a gamechanger folks!

With 14 megapixels of DX CMOS goodness, full 1080HD video, a 3" monitor, 11 point AF for fast and precise focusing, the new AF-F continuous focus video mode, an HDMI port to connect straight into your HD tv, and high ISO up t0 12,800, the little D3100 is a force to be reckoned with!

The Nikon D3000, while a good little DSLR, was getting long in the tooth, especially in technology terms.

The Nikon D3100 changes everything. It looks like Nikon has rocketed to the top again with the best entry level DSLR on the market.

I'm really excited to get my hands on one of these puppies and run it through it's paces. I'll be putting it up against my Nikon D90 to see how the D3100 compares.

The D3100 also gives me great cause to be even more excited about the coming D90 replacement. Considering the rumors about the D3100 were pretty much right on the nose, I think we can expect the D90 replacement to be everything we're hoping for!

I can't wait to do a shoot-out with the D3100, the D90 replacement, the D90, and my Canon Rebel T2i!

FOOTNOTE: As excited as I am about the new Nikon DSLR's, it's important to remember that you can improve your photos a LOT more by improving your lighting skills than by buying a new DSLR.

Even the lowliest of digital cameras can shine in the hands of a photographer who knows how to light a subject properly. Remember... Lighting IS Everything!

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

T2i Surprise

About 2 months ago, I was in need of more serious video than my Nikon D90 could deliver. I wanted 1080HD and the ability to plug in an external mic, and the D90 doesn't offer either of these.

After much research, I picked up a Canon Rebel T2i and a few lenses from my local camera shop. Reviews had been good, so I was hoping the T2i would serve my video needs well.

I was in for a BIG surprise.

The T2i is a VERY capable video camera. Basically, it does everything its big brother, the Canon 7D, does. Even the 5D MkII doesn't have all the video goodness of the Rebel T2i.

The video out of the T2i is just soooo nice. There is simply no comparison between it and my Canon HF200 HD video camcorder. And while many have said the sound quality isn't great, I'm finding it to be more than adequate for most things.

I’ve added a Rode Shotgun Mic and a set of Sony Lavalier Mics to my arsenal, and I’m very impressed with the sound quality I’m getting out of the T2i. A lot of VSLR users are buying a portable digital recorder like the Zoom H4N 4 Track Recorder, and I was prepared to go this route myself. So far though, I haven’t seen the need for it. I may end up getting an H4N or something similar once I move forward with some up-coming video projects, but for now, the T2i is doing all I need.

So far I’m using the Rode Shotgun Mic almost 100% of the time. It works great with the T2i, and the sound quality is excellent. I will be using the lavaliers more as my upcoming video projects require, but I am very impressed with the Rode.

Overall, the T2i is a fantastic VSLR. The video quality is first rate, simply unbelievable when you consider how cheap the T2i is to purchase. With the T2i and a few fast primes, you can have a Hollywood quality set-up for less than $2,000.00… simply unheard of even a year ago.

The other pleasant surprise with the T2i is how much I’m enjoying it as a stills camera. I wasn’t planning on using it for stills at all, as my Nikon D700 and Nikon D90 are my main cameras for stills. Funnily enough though, I find I pick up the T2i for photos quite a bit. It’s just so light and compact and a real pleasure to shoot with.

The T2i image quality is excellent. Combined with Lightroom 3, the files out of my T2i are stunning. My favourite combo is the T2i and the Canon 50mm f1.8. Together, these two make for a KILLER combination.

All in all, the T2i has been a VERY nice surprise. I’m more than happy with my T2i for video, and I’ve been surprised at how much I like it for stills. I would have to say that the T2i is one of the best cameras Canon has ever made, and certainly the best value Canon has ever had when it comes to DSLR’s.

Stay tuned for more on my T2i adventures…

Monday, August 16, 2010

Nikon D90 Replacement by Mid-September

The good folks over at NikonRumors.com have recently posted what they deem to be pretty rock solid info... we're gonna hear the official Nikon D90 replacement announcement by Mid-September.

It's no secret I'm a big fan of the Nikon D90, especially if you've read my article The Nikon D90 - The Perfect DSLR For Just About Anyone, so it should come as no surprise that I'm EAGERLY awaiting the D90 replacement.

The D90 was revolutionary when it was announced... the first DSLR to have video! I remember when I got mine. I quickly preferred it to my D300 bodies for almost every situation. Nimble and quick, light and responsive, the D90 is an all around fantastic camera, and it was very reasonably priced when it came out (and is even more reasonably priced now!).

I still love my D90. It's just a super sweet camera in every respect. I often find myself grabbing my D90 with the Nikon 18-105 VR over my D700 with Nikon 28-70 f2.8. The D90 is smaller and lighter and that alone makes for a BIG advantage in my books these days.

For some reason, I've been finding smaller and lighter much more appealing lately. Don't get me wrong... I love the solid heft of my beautiful Nikon D700, and I love the D700's gorgeous files even more, but the D90 performs like a champ. My D90 with my Nikon 50mm f1.8 is one of my favourite camera/lens combinations.

Yes, the D90 can't compare to the incredible D700 sensor, but neither can most DSLR's. The D90 has the BEST file of any DX camera on the market at this time. Just check out the rankings over at DXO Mark.

So you can see why I'm so excited to see the D90 replacement. Hey, I'll be excited to see the official announcement from Nikon!

The rumor is that the D90 replacement will be called the D95 or the D7000. Personally, I like D7000, but regardless of what it's called, it sounds like it's going to be awesome!

The D90 replacement is rumored to have the new 16 Megapixel Sony sensor, and it's said to have at least a stop better high ISO than the D90. This in itself is enough to make me stand in line at 4am outside my local camera store like a MAC fan the morning a new iPad is released. Luckily, I know the manager and don't have to. :-)

And then there's the video... 1080 HD with a full range of settings including 24fps, 25fps, and 30fps. I fully expect it will have an external mic input, and full manual exposure control, two things sorely lacking on my D90 (but let's remember the D90 was the first kid on the block to do video and is 2 years old now).

The other BIG video feature is Nikon's new game changer... continous video AF. Nobody else has it, and Nikon is leading the pack once again. I can't wait to get my hands on my D90 replacement and try this new continous video AF feature out. While some seem to protest video in a DSLR, I'm loving it and using it more and more every day.

And let's not forget the rumored new 39 point AF system. While the D90 AF works great, and I have no complaints, I'm always up for AF improvements. My D700 and my D300 both have the Nikon flagship AF system, and it sounds like the D90 replacement may be inching closer to their level.

All in all, the Nikon D90 replacement is poised to be a truly incredible DSLR, especially considering the expected MSRP of $1195.00. I'm excited to get one, and I'm already thinking about an update to my original article. Maybe I'll just call it... The Nikon D95 - The Perfect DSLR For Just About Anyone.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Speedlite Softbox Special Purchase Offer!

We just received a new shipment of Art of the Image Speedlite Softboxes so we're offering a Special Purchase... buy TWO and get FREE SHIPPING!

(to USA and Canada... for shipping to other countries, email us for shipping costs and we'll give you $25 off!)

If you're like me, you'll love your first one so much you'll want a 2nd one!

Buy one for a friend! Buy two with a friend and save on shipping!

Just need one... no problem! You can still purchase them at our regular price here.