So What Does The New D3100 Do To The D90?

Well folks, you've been hearing about upcoming releases from Nikon for the past few months, but they are finally meeting the expectations... With the release of some amazing point & shoots on Tuesday, the D3100 has been confirmed and released to the public. If you are like me, you are always asking how the latest events apply to the D90... So what does the D3100 do to the D90? Think the meteor that killed the dinosaur. That's what it does. The D90 is now behind the curve, and unless you really really want that drive motor, get the D3100.

So what's better about the D3100? Seriously? Just about everything. Starting with a 14.2 MP sensor, then introducing the first Nikon with 1080p video, auto-focus in Live View, boosted ISO, (to 12800!) and then to finish it off with a fancy new processor, the EXPEED2, and even more editing capabilities, including movie editing.

If you're like me, you are probably thinking to yourself, "man, I should have waited for this guy to come out..." So what is the point of even having a D90 anymore, other than the fact that you don't have enough money to upgrade? Well, personally, I like several features which kinda even out the playing field. 1) That nice info screen on top... Sure, it takes some getting used too if you came from a D40, 60, 3000, or 5000, but we all love that screen. It is immensely useful. 2) The little drive motor on the front. Seriously, this opens up auto-focus on how many more lenses? Life for me would be miserable if I didn't have auto-focus on my 50mm... and 3) the D90 isn't targeted for new parents looking for a vacation toy. Remember, you own perhaps the defining camera in photography history, the first SLR to have video, not to mention perhaps the best collection of camera components for under a thousand dollars.

So don't feel too bad about it... If one of your friends starts bragging about his/her new D3100, and how it is so much better than your dinky D90, just remind them about that second screen, the battery grip, those couple hundred lenses that you have auto-focus on, all those little features that separate a professional from the amateur. You don't have to worry about going extinct for another month... (The Photokina event coming up... Rumor says the D95, the replacement for the D90 is supposed to be replaced... Don't worry though, you still own one of the best cameras in town, regardless of price.)

So while all the action and coverage has been going to the cameras, with some amazing compact replacements, (check out the projector camera replacement... the S1100pj - http://www.dpreview.com/news/1008/10081709nikons1100pjs5100.asp) many people have been overlooking some of the new lenses Nikon released... Here they are, in a real quick list:

- 85mm f/1.4G prime lens

- 24-120mm F4G ED VR zoom lens

- 55-300mm F4.5-5.6 G ED VR telephoto zoom

- 28-300mm F3.5-5.6 G ED VR ultra-zoom

(all of these except the 55-300 are full-frame for those of you with anything D700 and above)

The lens y'all can get excited about is that 55-300 VR... If you are like me, you might have skipped the predecessor to this lens, the 70-300, and gotten the 55-200 instead, so you wouldn't lose the 55-70 range... Well, now you can have just two lenses, the 18-55 and 55-300. With all the latest technology, SWM, ED, VR II, all that, Nikon was able to top everything, and include a little something they call HRI, or High Refractive Index. This helps in harsh lighting environments, and I am sure it is well worth the money. Speaking of money, does anyone know what the price is for this one? Probably around $450. That's cheaper than the old 70-300!

So that's a little update on how the latest Nikon releases affect the D90... I'll most likely do a post on how the D95 is better, worse and the same as the D90... As much as it seems you are behind the curve, and you feel like the D90 is outdated, don't feel that way. It still produces excellent pictures, it has everything any photographer could ask for, and you shouldn't even begin to think about replacing it until you hit at least 75,000 shots... :P

New Tamron AF 70-300mm f/4.0-5.6 SP Di VC USD XLD for the Nikon D90!

Looks like a nice new super zoom lens is coming out for from Tamron...And the price is great. I'm curious to see how it performs compared to the Nikon 70-300mm VR which is one lens I love and will always keep in my bag. Tamron is boasting sharper contrast and greater descriptive performance than all others in its class. Humm.

Update: Winner EISA Best Product 2010-2011 Zoom Lens

Best-in-Class Optical Performance

High resolution thru use of XLD glass

New USD (Ultra Silent Drive) motor for fast and quiet AF

VC anti-shake mechanism for steady shooting

Dual format Di design for use on fullframe and smaller sensor cameras

In the pursuit to achieve the most outstanding image resolution in the 70-300mm class, Tamron�s Anniversary lens - the SP AF70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD - utilizes an advanced optical design that features an LD (Low Dispersion) and an XLD (Extra Low Dispersion) lens element made from specialized materials that prevent chromatic aberration. As a result, the SP AF70-300mm F4-5.6 Di VC USD (Model A005) boasts sharper contrast and greater descriptive performance than all others in its class.


In addition, it is the first Tamron lens sporting a USD (Ultra Silent Drive), Tamron�s very own auto-focus drive mechanism This USD mechanism delivers fast, making it a perfect telephoto zoom choice for photographing sports, racing, or other fast-moving subjects. The lens also boasts Tamron�s proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) image stabilization to assist in handheld photography, not only at long focal length ranges where blurring is common, but also under low-lit conditions, dramatically enhancing photographic freedom. This combination of best in class image resolution, Ultra Silent Drive and Vibration Compensation is a new achievement of Tamron technology culminating in the production of a premium 70-300mm lens.

Only $399 after Rebate, Plus free shipping!

Check it out Here

New Team Member for D90 Blog

Many of you don't know me, in fact, most likely all of you don't know me. On a whim, I approached the owner of this blog, and asked if he would be interested in adding a team member to the blog. To my surprise, he responded in the affirmative, so from now on, all of the loyal readers will be receiving updates from both of us.

My first official action on this blog is to inform y'all to what gear I have, what I like, and what I don't like. I have listed them below in chronological order of buying them.

- D40 - What I started with. If you can find one, get it! It is cheaper than the D3000, and virtually identical in almost all respects.

- 18-55mm - This is the kit lens that comes with the D40. It is a great first lens, and is very versatile, not to mention cheap.

- 55-200mm VR - This stayed on my camera most of the time until I got my latest lens. It is with every bit of $50 to get the VR.

- SB-600 - This flash will do everything you need and more. I wouldn't get the SB-400, because you can't bounce it in portrait mode, and the SB-900 still has problems, not to mention the larger price.

- D90 - My current flagship. I use this 95% of the time, and I don't have any complaints with it.

- MB-D80 - If you don't have one of these, but you do a lot of shooting, it is well worth it! It works seamlessly with the D90, (although I did have to bend the contacts a bit...) and it allows for days, sometimes even weeks of continuous shooting.

- 50mm f/1.8 - Perhaps the greatest budget lens ever. If you don't have one, get one! They are cheap, they have a great construction, amazing bokeh, and some of the best focusing ever!

- Tamrac 8x Velocity - If you like moving, and don't like sitting down to change equipment, get one of these! They have every size you need, and when you pull the strap tight, your movements aren't hampered at all!

- Sandisk Extreme III 8GB - This is extremely fast, plus it is practically built for the D90. I have heard that it supports over-clocking for up to 30MB/s, and as far as I know, the D90 is one of the few, if not the only camera that offers over-clocking features.

- Gary Fong Puffer - If you can't afford a flash to bounce the light, this is the next best thing. It attaches to the hotshoe, and diffuses the built-in flash very well!

- Zeikos Close-up Filters - I got these because I wanted to get into macro photography without the cost. The only downside is it shortens the depth of field quite a bit, and you have to get right up on your subject. Overall, worth the $20 I had to pay for a set of 4.

That's a quick rundown of all my equipment. I am a Nikon junkie, and really try not to buy anything non-Nikon if I can help it. Obviously, some things you need to stray from the golden path, but for all the main camera equipment, stick with Nikon, and you can't go wrong. They engineer their products so well, and they will last you possibly for the rest of your life.

Another recommendation I have if you are a risk-taker like me, is buy the expensive stuff from Ritz Camera. By doing this, you can buy their insurance, which covers everything except theft and fire. Take it from me, if you are about to get a flash, get insurance on it! The idea of charging something up, and letting it go repeatedly is a bad bet, and I am about to take my flash in for the second time this year to get repaired/replaced. Not a bad bet, as the price of another flash is just about the same as every bit of insurance I have bought within the past two years. So while some people take care of equipment, and might not need to worry about insurance, I think it is better to err on the side of caution, plus it allows me to let my friends use my equipment without having to worry about it constantly.

So now you know a little bit more about me. I am looking forward to keeping y'all updated on the latest goings-on in the Nikon world, and specifically with anything related to the D90.

~unclejoe

Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM Lens for the Nikon D90!

Sigma has a new 17-50mm lens with Optical Stabilization made for APS-C camera's like our Nikon D90! Now available!

Update: Winner EISA Best Product 2010-2011 Lens

Ultra compact, large-aperture, standard zoom packs OS functionality and new, FLD glass

This large-aperture, standard-zoom lens, which was first introduced in February at Photo Marketing Association International, is designed for small chip, APS-C digital cameras and incorporates Sigma�s Optical Stabilization (OS) functionality and new, FLD glass. The 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM is an ultra compact lens with an overall length of just 3.6 inches.

The 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM covers a focal length from a 17mm wide angle, has a minimum focusing distance of 11 inches throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5. The lens is currently available in Canon mounts at all authorized Sigma dealers for the MSRP of $980, and it will be available in Nikon, Sigma, Sony and Pentax mounts in the coming weeks.

The OS function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. Only Sigma has made it possible for Pentax and Sony shooters to utilize an anti-shake system in either the lens or the camera body. The compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder for all mounts, which makes accurate focusing fast and easy.

�This lens is a must-have for any photo opportunity,� said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, general manager of Sigma Corporation of America. �The fast aperture allows for shooting in low, existing light or at maximum range with a flash. This is an ideal, all-purpose lens for everyday shooting.�

Sigma�s FLD glass, which is used in the new lens, has an extremely high light transmission and anomalous dispersion, making it the top level of low dispersion glass available. With a performance equal to fluorite glass, this optical glass has a low refractive index and low dispersion compared to current optical glass. These characteristics offer excellent correction for residual chromatic aberration (secondary spectrum), which cannot be corrected by ordinary optical glass and ensures high-definition and high-contrast images.

In addition, the 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM also offers one hybrid aspherical lens and two glass mold elements for excellent correction of distortion and astigmatism. It has Super Multi-Layer Coating to reduce flare and ghosting with superior peripheral brightness and Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to provide quiet and high-speed auto focus. The lens� rounded, seven-blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to out-of-focus areas and its inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for use with the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarizing filters.

Check it out and read customer reviews here

New Sigma 8-16mm Ultra Wide Angle Lens for the D90!

The NEW Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM is the only one of its kind. This is the first ultra wide zoom lens with a minimum focal length of 8mm, designed specifically for APS-C size image sensors. It has an equivalent angle of view of a 12-24mm lens when used on digital camera with an APS-C size image sensor. Sigma�s new FLD glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, compensate for color aberration. One hybrid aspherical lens and two glass mold elements give excellent correction for distortion and astigmatism. An inner focusing system produces high definition images throughout the entire zoom range and the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting while superior peripheral brightness ensures high contrast images throughout the entire zoom range. HSM ensures quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus capability. It has a minimum focusing distance of 9.4 inches throughout the entire zoom range which allows photographers to emphasize the subject by creating exaggerated perspectives. This lens has a compact construction with an overall length of 4.2 inches and a maximum diameter of 2.9 inches and is perfect for shooting landscape photography, architecture, building interiors, photojournalism, wedding photography, group pictures and more. New from Sigma, the pioneer of ultra wide-angle lenses.

Check it out Here

Best Wide Angle Lens For the Nikon D90?

Recently I�ve been very intrigued by purchasing a true wide angle lens for my D90. When I say true wide angle I�m talking about anything under 18mm. I see there are a lot of choices out there but after researching a ton of information online it�s definitely apparent you or I will want to get a wide angle lens made specifically for our cameras APS-C type sensor. I read this from Tom Atkins over at Photo.net he said �One of the disadvantages of small sensor APS-C Digital SLR cameras is that the 1.6x multiplier/crop factor makes all your existing 35mm wide-angle lenses into "not so wide" angle lenses.� Our Nikon D90 camera is slightly better, with a 1.5x multiplier/crop, but still basically suffers from the same problem. So here are all the wide angle lenses that are made for our D90 APS-C sensor! If this is not correct please someone let me know, Thanks! I'm personally leaning toward the Tokina 11-16 2.8 right now.

Click a lens to read the user reviews!

1. Nikon 12-24mm f/4G ED IF Autofocus DX Nikkor Zoom Lens

2. Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX for Nikon AF

3. Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX for Nikon AF

4. Tamron SP AF11-18mm F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical [IF]

5. Tamron SP AF10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di-II LD Aspherical [IF]

6. Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens for Nikon

7. New Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM

Hope this helps a little in your quest for an ultra wide angle lens for your D90!

New Nikon 85mm VR Macro Lens for the D90!

AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR
Medium-telephoto Micro lens with VR enhances the enjoyment of macro photography

Nikon Corporation is pleased to announce the new AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR, a DX-format, medium-telephoto micro lens with built-in Vibration Reduction (VR II) and Silent Wave Motor (SWM). With a focal length of 85mm, this compact and lightweight lens is recommended for users of Nikon DX-format digital SLRs such as the D5000 and D90. The18�50�picture angle is equivalent to a focal length of 127.5mm in Nikon FX- and 35mm-format cameras)

The AF-S DX Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/3.5G ED VR can be used in a wide range of applications. While users can enjoy the natural perspective and beautiful blur that a medium-telephoto lens can offer in landscapes and portraits, this micro lens is especially expected to promote the enjoyment of macro photography for taking insects, small animals and flowers. High resolving power is realized throughout the entire shooting range from infinity to the closest focusing distance (1:1 life size) to reproduce even the fine texture of flower petals.

Only $529.95

Check it out here!

New Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 VC For your Nikon D90!

I'm looking forward to getting this new lens, The New Tamron SP AF 17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di II VC LD Aspherical IF Model B005. This new tammy is super fast at 2.8 at all focal lenghts plus VC image stablization!

I own the old Tamron 17-50mm 2.8 and love it. This lens is on my D90 90% of the time and only really comes off when I'm using my Nikon 70-300 VR for sports. This pro lens from Tamron is one of their best lenses so the new one should be even better. I'll let you all know how it is as soon as i can get one. O'yeah this is a great compliment to the 70-300vr which with both lenses in your bag covers the whole range from 17mm-300mm minus the 51-69mm range!

Update 2/14/2010 - Well I never did end up buying this but i'm still very interested. I thought the reviews would be just a bit better!

Check out more info!

Order Here!

Voigtlander Super-Wide Heliar 15mm f/4.5 Aspherical Manual Focus Lens with Viewfinder

Cosina is a general optic manufacturer with unique development skills, which are demonstrated by its attested technology. Discover a new world of images together with Cosina lenses.

Sigma 10-20mm

Sigma 10-20mm, originally uploaded by alohadave.

Tamron AF 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical Lens & AF 75-300mm f/4-5.6 LD with Hood Lens Set Sony Alpha DSLR A700, A350, A300, A200, A100 SLR Digital Camer

Shipping Weight: 3 pounds

The Tamron Autofocus 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 ia a standard zoom lens from a wide 28mm to a medium telephoto range of 80mm. The use of aspherical elements in the front group reduces the number of elements required, and the use of strong engineering plastic in the barrel makes the body a light 237g. Consequently, it is easy to carry. The Tamron AF 75-300 f/4-5.6 extended-range zoom lens offers true telephoto capability ideal for a variety of applications including sports and wildlife shooting. The lens also features the capability to provide beautifully blurred background to high light the main subject in portraiture, or "compression effects" that make the most of the telephoto lens. Also included, is a Tamron Black Canvas Shoulder/Gadget Bag, a soft, versatile and stylish black canvas camera bag that is ideal for: 1 SLR or rangefinder camera, 1 or 2 lenses, filters, film and accessories. Can be carried by the adjustable shoulder strap, or used with a belt to convert to an instant waist pack. Ideal for on the go!

Lens speed

The lens speed is depend on a size of aperture (f number or f/value) by f/value can calculate from ratio of focal length and aperture's dimension. For example, aperture size is 35mm and focal length is 50 so the f/value is 50/35 = 1.4 and the lens speed is 1.4 also.
The lens speed will show on the font of lens as:

High dimension of aperture this make f/value is smaller and more light go inside the lens so it is higher lens speed. Compare between f=1.2 and f=2.8 we can said that f =1.2 is more speed than f =2.8

Lens type: Reflex lens

This can be considered as one kind of telephoto lens by it has 2 times of light reflex in inside the lens tube so the focal length is increase even if the length of lens is shorter.
The diagram shows the light reflex in reflex lens.

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Lens type: Zoom lens

Zoom lens brand: Pentax

This type of lens is very popular because it can change the focal length so it is very comfortible for users. This lens need a very complex designed for focusing point in every focal length. Generally this lens will have the 2 values of widest aperture between lowest focal length and highest length due to the light is decrease when we zoom from low length to high length. However, It can produce the zoom lens that can give the constantly aperture in each focal length but it will be very expensive because of it need the special equipment and special technique for contrast and color editing. Besides, the way to change the focal length of lens can be done by twist the ring of lens or by pull out/in.

The problem of zoom lens is can not have very wide aperture so it needs to use the low speed of shutter also this hard for hold the camera by ourselves. In the zoom lens which is can give a wide aperture as single lens will have a very high cost.

The zoom lens can give the magic of picture , let�s try to change the focal length while press the
shutter, do not forget to set the low speed shutter at 1 ,2, etc.

Lens type: Telephoto lens

This type of lens will have the angle view only 2-28 degree and very low depth of field but can show picture of object as closer even it is placed in long distance.

The focal length of these type of lens will count from the normal lens such as 85mm, 100mm, 135mm, 180mm. If it has very long focal length we will call �Super telephoto lens� such as 600mm, 800mm, 1200mm, etc. This type of lens is very suitable for the photographer who can not closely access to the objects for example, take the photo of wild animal or sport.
Telephoto can give the outstanding of your object in the picture because it can reduce the perspective of the image. Some people tell that should use this lens for candid picture with empty background.
The suggestion of using telephoto is do not use the lower speed of shutter than 1/focal length for example, if you use lens 135mm , you should use speed of shutter equal or higher than 1/125 however, if it need to use the lower speed you should use the tripod.

In general we use the telephoto lens for take picture with give more perspective and less distortion.

If you use wide lens take the picture in close distance will give more distortion as:

Lens type: Fisheye lens

One type of wide angle lens that have the angle can be 180 degree and also give very distortion of the picture. Below is the picture from fisheye lens as you see it give very distortion but funny!

Lens type: Wide lens

The wide lens or the short focal length lens will increase the perspective of the image and give the wider angle view such as lens 18 mm. can have 94 degree of angle. The wider angle lens can make the more distortion by the vertical line (90 degree) will slightly bend into the centre of the picture. However the high quality of wide lens can reduce the problem of distortion and also the more quality the more price. We should use the wide lens with the view picture because it give the more depth of field. Also we can take the macro by the wide lens but it will give the wider background.

The new style of these type of lens will be designed in INVERTED TELEPHOTO that make the higher distance from lens to image sensor/film but it still can give the same focal length. Besides, it has the Shift lens or Perspective Control Lens that designed for architecture use so it can solve the problem of distortion (the vertical line (90 degree) will not slightly bend into the centre of the picture). Here is picture of shift lens: And here is compare between normal and shift lens:

Left: from Shift lens and right: from normal lens

Lens type: Standard/Normal lens

Standard lens can be called Normal lens. It can give the image closest with the image which human�s eyes given so its name is Normal lens. The focal length of this lens are 50-55 mm. can be used for general photography and give the average depth of field. Normally, this type of lens will be the kit lens (sold with the camera).

Lens: 3 things about lens:

1. components of lens
The photography lens tube has the cylinder form and inside it includes many pieces of lens and a aperture. Besides, the outside of its tube will have the ring for control the aperture and focal length (meters, feet). The more piece of lens the more expensive.

2. Lens and angle receivable
The SLR digital camera can switch its lens. The difference brand of camera may have the difference type of mount of lens however many difference brands of camera can use the same lens. So should be carefully when buying new lens. Besides, nowadays there are many independent brands which can produce the many type of lens in the lower price which can support many brand cameras.
Below is the focal length compare with the degree of the view receivable:


3. The focal length of lens

• Starting from a image sensor/ film until the first piece of lens. The higher focal length will give the narrow view image but the shorter will give the wider view image Also the higher focal length lens can zoom in more than the short focal length lens.

For the aperture in each lens are difference depending on the type of lens specially if you want to take the portrait picture of human , you may need the very high aperture to blur the background of your object.

Introduction to Lens

• Lens is the eyes of the camera because what you will see from a camera is depend on what is the lens see. :)
• Lens is the very important of your camera. It is a transparent which is made from glass or plastic, it used to a tool for creating the image on film or image sensor. Lens can be made of a single lens or set of lens so we can apply them in many styles.
  All the glass that makes for lens are very detailed a good lens will can speed up for light reflex and give a good quality of contrast, color and distortion. Besides, lens is coated by a special liquid that can reduce the reflection of external light so can produce the satisfied image.

Many of the lenses used for photography are created on specifications that are almost identical to the prescription lenses that are used in glasses. These specifications are normally instilled in lenses that are totally separate from the camera that they will be attached to but the specifications will have to take into account the lenses that are on the camera too.

There are a variety of lenses that an amateur photographer can use to learn the basics of photography, and there are various styles to camera lenses that would typically be chosen by a professional photographer to use during the course of a business day. The professional photographer will have several cameras in his arsenal that are pre-set for the photographic poses that he will use in his photographs while he is at work.

There are various environments that will affect the quality of the photographs taken, and the lenses chosen for inside a photo studio will be dramatically different from those chosen for a photo shoot in bright sunshine, or in the dark recesses of a photo opportunity that might present itself at the entrance to a nightclub or other nightspot frequented by celebrities.

Most often, a professional photographer will consider zoom lenses used for photography at a football game but the photographer will have to make a choice on whether they want to use a camera with a wide-zoom lens to capture all of the action on the field, or if the photographer needs to concentrate on the up close and personal shots that tourist are very fond of that show the facial features of the person in a whole new light.

Some scientists consider the telephoto lenses used for photography of images that are millions of miles away. The lens mounted on a telescope might weigh more than 3,000 pounds but that lens is also capable of capturing images that might come from the surface of the moon or the newly downgraded planet called Pluto. The scientific uses for zoom lenses may also help space explorers to view damage that has occurred outside one of the space vehicles while in outer space.

Many of the cameras that are used for recreational photographs will typically have zoom lenses installed, but offer no opportunity to adjust the setting on the lenses to gain a better view of the intended subject. Many of these camera lenses will feature an automatic focus and offer the amateur photographer a photographic tool that is easy to maintain and affordable at the same time.

Some professional photographers will chose a different lens for the photographs that will be developed for portraits. Other lenses in his arsenal might allow the professional photographer to apply a color enhancement to the skin of a subject or to add brightness and clarity to landscape backgrounds that are most commonly found in a photographer's studio. Every camera lens will allow the professional photographer to approach his work with a different perspective.

Reference: James Brown From Article Explosion