Moose News Blog

The GPS craze has hit big time, must have been a favorite stocking stuffer this year. That’s cool! I’ve received a number of emails in regards to the di-GPS especially about it just “dangling” when you have something else in the camera’s hot shot. Here’s my solution.

I rarely work with flash on camera, it’s mostly off camera so I’m using an SC cable, either the SC-28 or SC-29. The SC-28 is the cord I use for general photography; the SC-29 I’ve cut down and is used just with the Wimberley F-9 Flash Arm when I’m shooting with the 600f4 on a tripod. I have a number of “hot shoe” receivers lying around in the drawers, so I have attached them to the tops of the SC cable foot that slips into the camera’s hot shoe. You can just Crazy Glue them on, but they tend to snap off. Using Pilot Point drill bits (not pointed tips), I’ve drilled holes into the top of the SC foot and screwed in as well as Crazy glued the hot shoe receiver. They never snap off, but drilling holes into your cords is not for the weak of heart and it most definitely voids the warranty.

What about when I have a SU-800 attached? I’ve not had the nerve to drill into the side of mine yet to attach a hot shoe receiver. That’s where I draw the line. But, I’m still looking for a solution to when it’s attached to the hot shoe. There are times when the SU-800 is in a SC cable and those times, the problem is solved.

One last note. The hot shoe receivers don’t always snuggly hold the di-GPS. I simply used a couple layers of electrical tape in the base of the hot shoe receiver to build it up and hold the di-GPS foot in tight. Hope this helps, have fun!

Nikon has posted the 40pg brochure for the D3. It includes some great images by Joe McNally & Dave Black, two mighty fine photographers!

In addition, you might want to check out this new little comprehensive D3 micro site Nikon has posted. You can see more images from the 3 photographers in the brochure and read a little bit behind their D3 shooting experience. There is also a lot of tech info available at this site.

If things just weren’t interesting enough when you fly these days, TSA is making them even more so starting Jan 1. TSA has a whole new set of regs for lithium batteries, spare batteries in particular that can no longer fly. It’s not all grim, some spare batteries can go as carry-on though not checked (you had plenty of spare room for spare batteries in your carry-on, right?).

TSA uses a unit of measure, grams lithium, which while we might be able to decipher it, I seriously doubt most TSA agents will be able to with some of our unique camera batteries. Especially on the fly as bags go past them with the pressure of time on their shoulders. I contemplated adding my spare Dell batteries to this photo but I didn’t want to totally freak you out with the news. So, I guess I’ll be shipping all my spare batteries in my FedEx Pelican along with lenses and other items that simply can’t be trusted to fly in the belly of the plane.

Update: This explanation of the new regs was just posted. Interesting that the TSA site pictures rechargeable batteries, has it in its text, yet it’s supposed to only cover non-rechargeable batteries as a possible fire risk. Clear as mud!

In case you’re wondering, I use the Pelican 1660 to ship my extra gear to locations. These days, typically this contains the 200-400VR, 200VR, Lastolite panels, SB-800s, Leatherman, litestands, Justin Clamps, binoculars and now, spare batteries.

With a break between storms, it was time to get out shooting. With my good friend Jeff Cable from Lexar in town, we headed out to a part of California’s history to shoot. Benton Hot Springs is an old town that was founded in 1852. Today, the Great Basin sage is its largest resident. What’s left is the famous hot springs, a B&B, a collection of old wagons and a couple of old homes.

All of these photos were finished using my new favorite tool found in the new Nik Color Efex 3.0. Those coming to DLWS in 2008 will find out exactly what that filter is, and a whole lot more.

Photos captured by D3, 24-70AFS (top) & 14-24AFS (bottom 2) on Lexar UDMA digital film

Just in time for the family portraits around the ole xmas tree, Really Right Stuff (RRS) delievered their BD3-L plate. It’s truly a work of art besides being an incredibly important tool!

I’ve received a number of emails from folks asking just how I use / deal with all the body plates. Well, the BD3-L resides the majority of the time off my main D3 body. I attach it to the main body (what is normally attached to the 600f4 AFS II) when I’m heading out to photograph landscapes. I always have the BD3-L with me, just not always on the body. The second D3 body which always has a strap on it and rides mainly on my shoulder, always, always has the RRS BD3 plate attached. The D300 always has attached to it the RRS BD300 . Why do I do it this way?

The L Plate is essential when shooting landscapes, couldn’t make the images without it. It’s not needed when shooting wildlife so why carry the weight? The 2nd body riding on my shoulder is rarely on a tripod, but just in case, it has the BD3. Why not just attach the BD3-L onto it? Why carry the weight? While I might have all the right stuff with me doesn’t mean I need to have it on me all the time, only those times when I need their magic. Hope that helps.