MooseNewsBlog

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.

There’s no secret I’m a HUGE Nik fan using their products in every image I process. From NX , Dfine2.0, Color Efex 3.0 to Sharperner Pro 2.0, I use them all. You’d probably wouldn’t be surprised to find out that I’m also involved in the beta testing of all of these products. I mention all of this because it all comes back to help you! Nik, to say thanks for my voicing my two cents worth is offering YOU a heck of a deal for the holidays. Good until 01.31.08, when you head to this page and put in the code MP2008 (wonder what that stands for), YOU receive 10% OFF (offer expires 01.31.08). You’re buying this directly from Nik right from their site. It’s just a real nice way of their saying thanks that benefits you!

Now the photo you see here is a prime example of how I use Color Efex 3.0. With this particular image, I first used the Darken/Lighten Center filter and then I applied the Glamour Glow filter on top of that. The finishing of the photo took no longer than simply clicking on these filters. CF 3.0 is all new with a UI that’s to die for! There are a bunch of new filters, my favorite I’m not telling you about, it’s my secret weapon. But, updated are old favorites such as Classical Soft Focus, Darken/Lighten Center, and Vignette filters with exciting new filters like Film Effects, Glamour Glow, High Key, Tonal Contrast, Bleach Bypass, and more (two of these are demoed here).

Here’s an opportunity to give yourself (or drop the hint) an early Christmas present and save yourself some dough. Thanks Nik!

Photo captured by D3, 24-70AFS on Lexar UDMA digital film

No sooner than the first IP D3 arrived and I needed to clean the CCD. I reached for my favorite tool, the Arctic Butterfly, and realized it was the wrong size. You guessed it, it was for DX and not an FX sensor. So, I contacted my good friends at VisibleDust and asked what they recommended. In a heartbeat Mr Postman delivered the coolest kit I’ve ever seen. The SD 800 kit rocks because it covers ALL the bases. It includes: BriteVue XL Sensor Loupe (my favorite), Arctic Butterfly, 1.6x Sensor Brush, 1.0-1.3x Sensor Brush, Angled Mirror/Focusing Screen Brush (great tool!), and one size fits all adapter.

You’ll be cleaning the sensor of your D3 or D300 the most when it’s new during the lens mount break in period. I strongly recommend you check out our CCD Cleaning pages and buying the right, new brush sizes you need! If you don’t know what’s the right size for your camera, contact the folks at VisibleDust, they are really nice!

I can tell folks have been receiving their D3’s, the emails are flooding in asking what settings to use. While I did publish my D3 settings on our D3 website, and updated the AF page with this important info, I will admit the new AF settings might be a little overwhelming for “right out of the box” shooting. SO….here’s a visual. When you have a subject like this, a wild Mallard Duck, but more to the point, a single subject against an simple background, you might want to use 51 3D. If you want a complete explanation of the D3’s AF (same as the D300) and times to apply which AF mode to what and how, quickly, you’ll simply need to get the upcoming (mailed later this month) BT Journal. Hey, I can’t give it all away for free.

Photo captured by D3, 600f4 AFS II w/TC-17e on Lexar UDMA digital film

Wacom announced today TWO new Cintiqs, the 20WSX and the 12WX (pictured here). Those of you who have been either to a DLWS event or our office (where two 21UX live) know how much I depend on these tools, and just how cool they are. These two new introductions, a wide screen (20WSX) and portable (12WX) model, makes them fit everyone’s needs like a glove! We’re hoping we’ll have the 12WX at our DLWS events (along with the 21UX) in 2008 so folks can test drive and then get hooked on this vital tools for the digital darkroom. I highly recommend you not only check them out, but buy them! Oh, this is going to be a great xmas!