What Have We Here? A Nikon D610 on Steroid?

Not quite, at least from the specification’s perspective. So, the million-dollar question as to Nikon’s rationale to further confuse the enthusiasts continues…who is Nikon D750’s targeted audience?

We all know who the Nikon Df is meant for, folks who reminiscence the age that’s long past but still seek to embrace the best imagery in their wrinkled fingers, basically people whose pension is half drawn and seek not to look silly lugging a Nikon D4 across their shoulder.

The Nikon D610 is the blatant, defiant response (until the law caught up with them) of the maker to the technically flawed Nikon D600 to bring full frame photography in an affordable price point that most find owning a Nikon D800 scandalous. And then, we have the Nikon D750 which is neither affordable (like the Nikon D610) nor fast (like the Nikon D700 with MB-D10). I would squarely put 8fps as a minimal if Nikon would ever dare to coin a DSLR an “Action” camera.

But I am led to believe, despite the above remarks, that the Nikon D750 would be a perfect video tool. Its uncompressed video output, special video effects, lighter weight, FX bokehs and 60fps FHD may just fit the bill for short film, cash-strapped Director wannabes.

I sure hope that’s the true intent and target audience for the Nikon D750, as it sure ain’t any better or faster than the Nikon D610 for image quality and speed.

Ender’s Game

Ever recall the last conversation your friend had about camera gears with you? It is believed such topic goes in and out of what we call trends, and it seems the buzz seemed to have just came to an abrupt pause, and so it seems…

Sadly, no matter how much we talk about photography, that effort alone will never improve your eyes and deeper appreciation to want and able to capture better images. I guess that’s pretty much applicable to any discipline you set your mind onto. Its of late that I have focused on a new discipline in competitive road cycling and I bring along the same approach to meet a totally different challenge.

But the point in writing hope to paint that plain vanilla simple analogy – that there must be set end goal to every discipline you set your mind onto, in order to excel in that field. The end game for me in photography is to upkeep a real-time (and hopefully interesting for the 400 strong small community in Tumblr and more elsewhere) visual timeline of how interesting a world we are living in, as I travel around the world for both work and play.

If that end game is established for you too, you will naturally establish an almost natural instinct to systematically excel and enjoy the recognition ladder as your work gets known. Getting a Nikon NPS membership is never my end game but a by-product in my pursuit of the above mentioned end game. Neither that over a million Facebook likes (before I switched my domain). That’s a by-product too to me.

So, what’s your end game in photography?

America Work Trip Details Trickling In…

Don’t recall ever taking any interesting pictures in Washington DC, nor New England, and am hoping to pay this region a visit with a domestic deviation from Seattle while there…

But I think its going to be as interesting as my last visit to Europe!

Stay tune…while I clear the backlog of Europe for all to enjoy!

Why Nikon Studio Chose the Sony RX10 over Nikon 1 V3

Being fairly identical in certain ways, like being equipped with a one-inch sensor, similar price point, built-in flash, EVF, DSLR-like grip etc., it was an informed decision that I decided to go with the Sony RX10 as my next one-inch sensor camera for 2014.

Moreover, the Nikon 1 V3 was not made available in Singapore this time round, probably due to her cold reception received here of the V2. So, getting one with a local warranty is not exactly possible at my preferred price point. Besides, the USA variant is bundling the Nikon FT-1 adapter with it (which I already have one), making an online purchase kinda excessive.

I am sure all of us by now have too, read about the many good reviews of the Sony RX10 that screams for my attention, and all of its design philosophy squarely meet and fit all my new criteria for an ideal travel camera –  of both not costing too much while having a decent image quality in a smaller footprint body(than my DSLR).

Weather sealing body, constant F/2.8 aperture from 24-200mm, Score of 69 on DxO Mark, one-inch sensor IQ, EVF, silent electronic shutter, superb video quality (without line skipping recordings), you name it. The Sony RX10 delivers.

Check out Sony Studio for some test shots I did and enjoy!

Nikkor Lenses Regular Maintenance Performed

Well, I guess its more of a personal preference, that I keep my lenses at their best both aesthetically and optically, and that usually mean regular replacement of all hardened focus and zoom grip, not forgetting even the ass rubber gasket if possible.

Two years sounds about right to do this (for me).

Anyway, both the Nikkor 50mm F/1.8G and Nikkor 24-70mm F/2.8G are due and promptly maintained this time round. And yes, you can always request a strip down of the entire lens assembly to remove any stubborn dust particles residing on the lens elements if necessary (recommended only for pro glasses).

Nikon D7000 Goes Under the Knife

I must have clocked over 30K actuation on this camera under many of the harsh elements of nature  – tropical rain, arctic winter cold and snow, and searing heat. And this tough camera continues to deliver that crisp pixel sharp images.

Nevertheless, I now have a very stiff ON/OFF switch that makes using the camera a chore, to the extent I have decided to replace the entire magnesium alloy top assembly of the camera today – As the shutter release mechanism is somewhat intrinsically linked to the top assembly.

I guess its one special model of Nikon that I would like to keep and hopefully use for a while longer…or at least till Nikon D8000 is released.