Posts Tagged: nikon

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22
Aug 10

Nikon introduces the D3100 entry level DSLR

(Funny how they spell ‘Nikon’ – being german, I always thought it would be ‘N_eye_kon’…)

Nikon’s latest entry level DSLR looks like a winner to me. I have used the D3000 as a travel camera and liked it a lot, except maybe for the speed and the back display. The images were nearly as good as with my D90, certainly nothing to complain given the sub-$300 price tag.

Even in low light situations image quality was impressive – I have seen images from a dance competition with only stage light at ISO 3200, and they were really really ok. Can’t wait to see ISO 6400 or 12800 sample images from the D3100.

The only thing that seems strange to me is the $699 price tag in the Amazon pre-order page. That would be higher than the D5000, which strangely is no longer available there. Has it been discontinued? Heck, I only paid 669 for my D90 (which is also rumored to get a successor soon)!

Anyway, the D3100 is certainly worth watching – a small body with decent image quality is always nice to have.

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18
Jun 10

Flickr: I don’t need no macro lens

I don't need no macro lens

Shot with my Nikkor 18-200mm and a Hama Macro Lens – amazing what you can do with such simple tools.

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21
Apr 10

Nikon lens positioning map

Nikon has created a nice little tool that will help you build the set of lenses that you need for your kind of shooting:

Nikon lens positioning map

The only thing that’s missing is an integration with your Nikon account (where your current gear can be registered) and a link to a price search engine that lets you look for a good deal for the lens you’re missing. Well done, Nikon!

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3
Jul 09

Timbuk2 Commute XL Mini Review

I’m a sucker for great bags, so I had to get a Timbuk2 one sooner or later. The Commute XL looked like a winner – this Flickr image lured me into thinking I might be able to carry my work stuff and the D40 in it.

Thanks to the nice people at trekking-point.de it got to me quickly, and I could start loading it with all the stuff from my current bag (a TUMI backpack).

Unfortunately it became obvious very quickly that it would hold a lot less than the TUMI, and with much worse accessibility. That came as a surprise, as all the reviews online tout the massive size of the bag (when I unpacked it I checked if it really was the XL version…). Once you start loading the large fron zippered pocket with cables, charges and all the other stuff a roadwarrior needs, the inner compartment visibly shrinks. You can force the D40 in, but then the bag looks really stretched.

Here’s a picture of the bag’s inside. Go to the Flickr page to see my annotations.

Timbuk2 Commute XL

Verdict: It’s going back, with a tear in my eye. The bag looks fantastic, and as a laptop bag only I would be really happy with it. Unfortunately, it falls WAY behind the versatility of the bag it was supposed to replace (granted, the TUMI was more than three times as expensive), so it would just add to the clutter.

What’s your take – do you know of another bag with similar features? I already tried the Crumpler New Delhi 620, but that was way too “fat” for my taste.