michaelwjones.com

Nikon D3 - First Impressions

michael — Mon, 19 May 2008 21:00:29 +0000

I made a huge leap in my photography commitment and a huge dent in my photography budget last month when I purchased the newest Nikon professional SLR the D3.Â I have some reasons (or maybe someÂ rationalizations) for making the jump and I don’t regret it.Â

This camera is quite amazing in its ability to capture usable images from the most challenging lighting conditions.Â Team it up with the Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8G VR lens or the Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8G lens and you have a great combo for virtually any scenario that I will shoot.Â Â (more…)

Nikkor 18-200 VR Lens

michael — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:09:31 +0000

In May of 2007, I ordered my first upgrade lens for my Nikon D80.Â The press and hype around the Nikkor 18-200 f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR lens along with my intended use led me pick this lens.Â At the time, it seemed like the perfect choice for what I needed.Â And that was, a good general purpose lens that could do many things fairly well.Â Granted it doesn’t really overachieve at any of them; but it does a good job of clear wide angle shots in the 18-24mm range.Â The Vibration Reduction II (VR II) system works well and allows you to shoot 3-4 stops lower.Â I have gotten usable wildlifeÂ images shooting handheld at 200mm, 1/40sec, and f/5.6.

IÂ have taken several wide angle shots including this night shot of downtown Nashville (18mm, 15sec, f/14,Â ISO200)Â .Â I also used this lens to shoot a wedding last year.Â Though it is probably not my preferred portrait lens; its power and flexibility emerged when taking the wide variety of candid shots that are so popular today.Â And, not having to change lenses was also a big plus.Â (more…)

Southeast Underdogs?

michael — Thu, 11 Jan 2007 05:03:37 +0000

Two nights ago I settled in to watch the BCS championship game.Â For those of you outside the circle of American college football, I will spare you the detailed lunacy of the BCS system.Â Â Let’s just say that it involves computer models, voting, taro cards, and possibly the Farmerâ€™s Almanac.Â However silly the system is, this year it did pick two teams to play for the National Championship that many (at least many outside of Michigan and Idaho) felt were theÂ right two: Ohio State University and the University of Florida.Â (more…)