Monthly Archives: November 2012

Winter Wonderland with Nikon D3100

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It’s quite obvious isn’t it? That I have not chosen a weekend destination this time round while in China. It will probably be burned for work but with a few pockets of time to dwell in the city of Shenyang itself.

In a city populating with over 20 million souls, there’s bound to be some actions I previously missed. Or perhaps, a revisit to a few familiar places that I have been previously. In all, I want to put my smallest DSLR to the test of sub zero winter up there in northern China – Nikon D3100.

To the contrary from those whom believe that I only shoot with the very best gear available, I beg to differ this time round for portability sake. Yes, it will be used in conjunction with the ultra-sharp Nikkor 35mm F/1.8G.

The Nikon P7000 will cover anything else the DSLR cannot adequately cover.

Sweet.

The Fascination of Medium Format – Revisited

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Though some shooter (non-Nikon folks) friends occasionally coin me as a medium-format wannabe for the fact I own the Nikon D800, I consider that statement as an invalid remark entirely. For the reason that a 36 MP DSLR is and will never be able to churn out anything resembling a true medium format camera.

My fascination began sometime last year with the Mamiya 645, then to Mamiya 7, but only very recently with the Hassy. Some say medium format still lives in film and I am still inclined to that philosophy today (for budget and unique film characteristic reasons). In that context, I yearn for a DSLR form factor which only Mamiya has, and hence the current bias in the brand.

The Bokeh is just…more flattering; the dynamic range…much wider from the monstrous medium format, a fact that no DSLR can provide today as-is. But again, no gain comes without its price and its the massive footprint and minute film cartridges are perhaps the biggest push to actually adopt one.

Lens Focus – 1 Nikkor 10mm F/2.8

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A petite glass that’s currently holding the crown of being the smallest, most compact 1 Nikkor lenses; and perhaps one of the most effective lens in my Nikon glass collection – Nikkor 10mm F/2.8.

Fully constructed in metal with her sweet spot marked at F/4, this little girl blends seamlessly into tight streets with the Nikon 1 V1, making photo-adverse people subjects a non-issue. The best of it all, it also takes a 40.5mm filter and comes with a rather unusual metal hood – HN-N101, which significantly enhances image contrast.

Avoid shooting it at F/11 and stay within F/4 to F/5.6 for optimal image resolution.