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April 18, 2017

Six reasons to stick with your DSLR

DSLR-vs-Mirrorless_SQ_110.jpgHere are some of the topics and news items we're tracking for our community this week:
 
DSLR photography is not a dinosaur, a tour of the Nikon Museum in Tokyo, ghostbusting - PLUS more....


1- Six reasons to stick with your DSLR
Gold member Wayne Lorimer (wjlorimer) from New Zealand ventured into the world of mirrorless system photography for two years. It had many benefits. So, why has he returned to the DSLR realm?

The introduction to his recent article explains:
Mirrorless camera systems are all the rage, while sales of traditional DSLR's are in decline. 

Many refer to DSLR technology as a "dinosaur". If you want to keep up with photography, then you should ditch all your DSLR gear and make the switch to mirrorless - right? 

Hang-on. Not so fast.

Are these new mirrorless cameras all that they're cracked up to be? Or can the DSLR still give them a run for their money? Should you seriously consider a mirrorless camera as your next upgrade? 

Or is it just overblown marketing hype designed to sell more cameras?

Follow Wayne as he explores his own journey from DSLR, to Micro Four Thirds, and back again

 

2- Do you plan to buy the Nikon D7500?
Last week we covered the unveiling of the new Nikon D7500. This week, with the help of post by Silver member Mark Virgil Stephan (Mark37814) from Tennessee, USA we're following our member's reactions and their intentions

Some sample (and randomly selected) comments:
• I for one plan to buy the D7500, my D7100 will become a backup body. It's at a price point that I can afford and judging by the specs it has a lot of D500 DNA which makes it more attractive. The tiltable rear LCD screen was the feature I've been looking for in a prosumer Nikon dSLR. Is a 20.9 MP camera a deal breaker? No, it isn't. In addition to my Nikon's I shoot with 20.1mp Canon 6D and 70D.
• I was excited, thinking I would upgrade from my D7000, until I saw no vertical grip support. I shoot a lot of high school basketball and a vertical grip is essential. D500 or D750 for me at this time.
• I would consider it as I have the D7000, and it would be an upgrade. I have never bought a vertical grip for my D7000, 2nd card slot is nice but not sure it is a deal breaker. My only concern is I think they priced it a bit high.
• No, I would miss the second SD card slot and definitely miss the vertical grip. Unfortunately, Nikon choose not to include these important features. I was due to upgrade with this model, maybe next model.

Do you plan on buying this new camera in the D7000 series? Join the discussion.

 

3- Need new gear? Limited budget? Think "trade-in"
Do you want that new Nikon D7500? Berger Bros Camera is offering great trade-ins or outright purchase for your used Nikon or any brand photo gear.

They see many people trading in older heavy DSLR gear toward new Fuji, Sony or Olympus Mirrorless cameras.
They now have in stock new fabulous Olympus EM1 MKII Sony A6500, Sony A7R II cameras as well as Fuji XT2 and coming soon Fuji GFX50S medium format 50mp.

They also have spectacular deals on Nikon D810 and you can put your order in now for the new Nikon D7500.
Great Personal service: Brad Berger 516-816-4921 or Brad@Berger-Bros.com. or BradBerger@mac.com.

 

4- 100 years- and counting
Our thanks to new member Richard Haw (ricoBaby) from Japan, who happens to be in a very enviable geographical location for those of us celebrating Nikon's 100th Anniversary this year.  Richard went to the Nikon Museum in Tokyo and he shares a great series of images and background information.

Richard links us to his blog:
On the first installment on this series, I will be presenting you a report of the current exhibit currently being held at the Nikon Museum. I take it that there will be more that's coming after this so please follow this blog to get updates on those.

The current exhibit showcases the prototype cameras of Nikon from the post-war years up till the late '80s. The exhibit is presented like an engineer's diary/memoir with words accompanying each surviving prototype. I take it that this exhibit was made possible by people with great passion for Nikon because collecting all of these prototypes is not easy because these were usually destroyed according to Nikon's company protocol. It is with much appreciation that I am writing this blog post in honor of the people who worked with these prototypes and to the people who archived them.

Check out his link and make sure you encourage him to give us more... a lot more.  

 

5- What's your ghostbuster?
Are you plagued by the challenges of shooting through a fence at sporting events?

Moderating Team member Diane L. Simmons (coolmom42) from Tennessee, USA has been looking for a solution to the inevitable "ghost lines" resulting from these "Out of Focus" (OOF) obstructions. 

Diane asks:
Is there any way to get rid of the almost transparent streaks from the OOF fence, in this image? (and others from a ball park.)

It's most conspicuous at the bottom of the image, but shows up as hazy streaks across the backs of the uniforms, as well.
I have LR6 for PP software.
No seats up above the fence at this level of play, unfortunately.

Suggestions lean towards Photoshop cloning, but perhaps a bit of "healing" may be the answer.  

If you have conquered this pesky problem, make sure you share your solution with us.

 

6- How silent can you get?
Silver member Harry Cowan (DougieCowan) from Texas, USA is trying to get a clear understanding of the motors inside certain Nikkor lenses.  Which is best for video and what's the actual difference?

Harry asks:
I've been happy with the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) motors on AF-S lenses but Nikon has brought out the pulse motor on the AF-P lenses now.
Nikon, of course, states that each is great so I'm wondering what gives?

Nikon's official explanation says:
AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon's Silent Wave Motor (SWM). This technology converts "traveling waves" into rotational energy to focus the optics. This enables high-speed autofocusing that's extremely accurate and super quiet.

AF-P lenses use a "Pulse" motor or "Stepping" autofocus motor and are even quieter and smoother to autofocus than an AF-S lens, making these lenses ideal when shooting video with a DSLR.

Check our responses to Harry's question and let us know if you have been using an AF-S lens for video with good results.

 

7-Foreground subject lost in the dark?
Silver member Ralph Magin (Fezant) from Arizona, USA is dealing with poor results when faced with subjects surrounded by bright backlighting. How do you resolve this problem?

Here is the original question:
I am new to photography and would like to take photographs of subjects in the shade with a bright background without a fill-in flash. What can you do so that the subject is not silhouetted? Thanks, Fezant

Of course, a number of responses are suggesting Ralph should reconsider his thoughts on fill-in flash. But,
When that flash is totally not an option, we have some responses point towards metering choices:
• You can use Spot Metering on your subject to determine the correct exposure.
• I select Center Weighted Metering Mode and move in closer to have the subject occupy a larger portion in the frame. When it is very bright and the subject is not too large in the frame I go for Spot metering.:
• If it were me in the field, I'd use the spot meter if assuming no flash.

What's your advice? Join the discussion.

 

8- Sky / area is light to dark?
Gold member Karl Lalemand (slalemand) from Maine, USA wants to get a better grip on the various lighting situations that crop up while doing panoramas. What do you do when the sky changes while capturing the image?

Karl asks:
Not sure if the title helps much, but what is or are the secrets to doing pano's when the sky / area goes from light to dark?
This seems to cause me the most problems, that and the fact I don't know what I'm doing.

Karl posted examples and he's already getting some solid advice. If you have been struggling with similar lighting challenges, this discussion is a must read.

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That's it for this week. Make sure you grab your favorite camera and capture some images to share with family and friends (especially us at Nikonians). -- Tom Boné (flashdeadline)

Posted by flashdeadline at April 18, 2017 7:35 PM