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Lightroom 2
Beta - Working
with two monitors to speed up the workflow.
Sometimes the solution is so
simple that
it takes forever to find
it. If you have been reading my recent posts you know that I have been
looking for a way to illustrate the second monitor in this blog. I have
been using a number of different screen grabbing utilities for so many
years now and none of them will let me grab the second monitor.
It of course never occurred
to me
that
there could a really simple
solution, the built in Apple OS X solution of simply using the keyboard
command - Command/Shift/3. Could it be any simpler? The only problem
with this solution is that it creates a full resolution PNG file (which
Lightroom can not read), but the problem was easily solved by using
Photoshop CS3 to reduce the size and save the image as a JPEG file.
For
more information go to ..........
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Using
Nikon Camera Control Pro 2 software with the Nikon D300
Connecting a computer to
the Nikon D300 with either a USB cable or the
Nikon Wireless Transmitter WT-4 allows for the remote control of most
of the D300 functions and the preview of images before they are
transfered to the computer. Liveview functions and the Picture Control
System are fully supported and the images can be transfered directly
into a Capture NX or View NX workflow.
For
more information go to .......... |
George
Mann's Pocket Guide to the new Nikon
D300
 Even the most knowledgeable
photographer often finds himself wondering,
"what does this button do again?" or "how do I change to that mode?" It
is nothing to be embarrassed about and George Mann's Pocket Guide to
the
Nikon D300 can help you find the answers quickly.
The Nikon D300 Pocket Guide is
comprised of
eight laminated pages, packed with
information on the functions and locations of the camera's external
buttons, dials and switches. It also explains all the read-outs of the
Control Panel, the Viewfinder, the Custom Menu Settings, and provides a
brief overview of the modes and controls available for the Internal
Flash system.
The handy size of
approximately 4.5 by 6.5 inches,
folds flat to fit into any jacket or camera bag pocket and the high
quality lamination keeps it protected from the elements.
The George Mann's Pocket Guide to the Nikon D300 digital SLR camera is
now available exclusively from thenikonphotographer.com.
Available for only US$ 9.95
Get more
information here .............
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Nikon
D300 Optional Picture Controls - D2X Mode (1, 2 and 3)
 Shortly after the Nikon D300 was released, it became obvious
that aside from new digital SLR users and people upgrading from the
D200 (D80, D70, etc.), a lot of D2X users were also buying the D300 to
use alongside their D2X. The D2X users very quickly noticed that the
default image coming out of the D300 was not the same as what they were
used to getting from their D2X bodies. Nikon has come to the rescue
with a set of downloadable files, that will add Optional Picture
Controls to the D300, which emulate Mode 1, 2
and 3 on the D2X.
"D2X Mode" Picture Control option for D300 - Macintosh
D2XMODE1 - This optional Picture Control simulates color
reproduction at a
D2X/D2Xs Color Mode setting of I. Skin Tones and gradations are
reproduced naturally with rich reproduction of tones.
D2XMODE2 - This optional Picture Control simulates color
reproduction at a
D2X/D2Xs Color Mode setting of This optional Picture Control is suited
to images that will be extensively processed or retouched.
D2XMODE3 - This optional Picture Control simulates color
reproduction at a
D2X/D2Xs Color Mode setting of III. Choose for nature or landscape
shots. Greens and Blues are vividly reproduced.
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Bayon
Temple - Angkor Thom, Cambodia
 Thousands of tourists pose in front of this giant face
every week, which probably makes it one of the
most
photographed faces in the world.
I have visted this temple quite a few times over the years, but never
get
tired of trying (once again) to get some better shots. This particular
image was taken at 7:30 AM on the 21st of January, 2008.
Camera: Nikon D300, using a 17-55mm f/2.8 Nikkor DX lens. The lens was
set at 35mm, ISO 400, exposure 1/640 at f/2.8, bias set at -1/3 EV.
Photo: George Mann
Link: More Bayon
images.
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Photo-Adventure
Tours - Indochina and Thailand
currently featuring the
Temples of Angkor, Cambodia
For individuals and small groups, in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, etc.
On the road from
Bangkok, Thailand
to Angkor, Cambodia |
My two
favorite Nikkor DX lenses:
The 17-55mm f/2.8 and the 12-24mm f/4
 What if you could take only two lenses with you on a trip
around the
world (or down to the local zoo). What lenses would you take?
I think that most photo journalists, travel and wedding photographers
would agree that their current number one lens is the AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED,
which was first released in 2004. The higher speed of f/2.8 across the
entire zoom range is of course a big advantage over the slower normal
zoom range DX lenses, but the extremely good image quality and weather
proofing also contributes to the lense's unbeatable reputation.
This kind of quality does not come cheaply though, the DX Nikkor
17-55mm f/2.8 sells for around US$ 1,500. retail.
The second most important lens (to me and I assume a few other
photographers) is the AF-S DX
Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED. With a 35mm equivalent zoom
range of 18-36mm and better image quality than almost any prime lens in
that range, this is a lens that has to be in your camera bag for all
those occasions where wide angle is either absolutely necessary or
enhances the scene in some other fashion.
Like the 17-55mm f2.8 lens above the 12-24mm f/4 is not inexpensive,
but it is well worth the average street price of US$ 1,000.
Nikon
17-55mm f/2.8G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens...
Nikon
12-24mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens...
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1000 year old Angkor Wat swimming pool
 This image is currently featured at the oobject.com website
of
unusual gadgets from around the world.
oobject.com
link
And here is the link to the Angkor wat page on this website.
dpmac
Angkor Wat link
Photo - George Mann |
Nikon D300
and the AF Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8
 A great thing about using (higher end) Nikon
SLR cameras (both digital and film) has always been the ability to use
almost all older Nikon mount lenses on the newest camera bodies.
There are of course some exceptions but basically this means that even
the newest digital SLR cameras, such as the new Nikon D300 and D3, can
make use of almost all the lenses that you bought over the years for
previous model Nikon SLRs.
It also means that photographers who are budget minded, but still want
to aquire the highest quality lenses available, can take advantage of
the lower prices available on used Nikkor lenses. For example I
recently purchased the (used but in brand new condition) AF Micro
Nikkor 60mm f/2.8, for about half the retail price of the newly
announced AFS Micro Nikkor 60mm f/2.8 ED (expected to sell for about
US$ 750 retail, starting in April 2008).
The lens I bought was less than a year old and in brand new condition,
so if you are less demanding and don't mind some signs of wear, you
should be able to find an even better deal.
Main Features:
• Close-up to approx. 0.22m/0.6 ft.
• Close-Range Correction (CRC) system provides high performance at both
near and far focusing distances
• Nikon Super Integrated Coating for minimized flare and ghost,
providing good color balance
• 90.4mm working distance
Nikon
60mm f/2.8D AF Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digit...
Buy New: $395.95
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Pre-order new AF-S version of the 60mm Micro Nikkor lens for
April 08 delivery:
Nikon
60mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Micro-Nikkor Lens for Nikon ... Buy
New: $669.00
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Adobe
Photoshop
Lightroom
2 Beta
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George
Mann's Blog
O'REILLY
digitalmedia
Inside Adobe Lightroom
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Nikon Digital SLR Photography
facebook group |
Nikon
D300 - 12.3MP
Digital SLR
I am actually so in love with this
camera that I will probably end up getting two of them, so I do not
have to switch to something else if it breaks down.Nikon
D300 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera
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The Nikon
D80 Digital SLR
camera is aimed at aspiring photographers
With
a full feature set including a 10 megapixel CCD, borrowed from the
Nikon D200, yet retaining the simplicity and ease of use of the lower
end Nikon DSLRs.
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Nikon
D40 - extremely lightweight and inexpensive
Why I think this a really hot camera and why I bought one for
myself ....
Turning the new low
cost Nikon D40 Digital
SLR into a powerful one lens, wide angle to telephoto, 11x super-zoom
camera.
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The Nikon D200 DSLR is
still my choice for the best Pro-Am Digital SLR
camera.
The D200 has the look and feel of a professional camera, but it is
scaled down enough in size and weight to make it easier to handle for
every day use.
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AF-S DX VR Zoom-Nikkor
18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED (11.1x)
- Equivalent to
27-300mm focal length on 35mm. 11x zoom coverage offers a perfect
compact and lightweight, one lens solution.
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Canon
Digital SLR Cameras
Canon EOS 400D
-
consumer level DSLR
Canon EOS 40D
mid range digital SLR
Canon
EOS-1Ds MarkIII
21 megapixel full frame high end professional digital SLR
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Apple Macintosh
Computers
Apple
iMac - desktop computer
Apple MacBook
-
inexpensive portable Mac
Apple
MacBook
Pro
- expensive portable Mac
Apple Mac Pro
-
high
end desktop workstation
Apple
Displays
-
some of the best displays made
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Nikon
releases a middle of the road winner,
the 10.2 million pixel Nikon D80 Digital SLR.
Targeted in
between the Nikon D70s and the Nikon D200 in price, the new Nikon D80
(camera body only) sells for just under one thousand dollars in the US.
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Nikon D200
DSLR combined with the 18-200mm DX Nikkor Super-Zoom - The
absolute best
Digital SLR camera and lens combination of the year.
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Mac
Digital
Photography Software - Aperture
(professional image management software).
Adobe
Photoshop Family Software -
Photoshop
CS3,
Photoshop
Lightroom
Photoshop
Lightroom - eBook
Other
third
party software - Capture NX,
Photo
Mechanic, etc.
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Artificial Intelligence 15 & 17 - A
really great (and very thin) laptop bag from Think Tank.
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