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Rick Waller

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  1. Not quite sure why you are asking about an alternative hood. If because you are not fond of the rigid quality of the hood, look at this hood which I have used for years on my 400/2.8. Reason I bought it is because the 2 part hood for the 400 is a grade A pain in the ass to assemble and disassemble and this one is so much easier. It also has the advantage of folding flat and taking up no room in any carry bag I use for the lens. Camera Soft Hood - Large It is rigid enough to stand the lens with a D4 body upright lens to the ground. Edit - there is a medium sized one that might be better suited for the 200-500 that is lower cost. aquatech lens hood | B&H Photo Video
  2. I found this guy's tutorial worth the money. Secrets To The Nikon Autofocus System - Backcountry Gallery this is a condensed freebie on YouTube by him Understanding Nikon AF Modes (updated) - Backcountry Gallery
  3. Sorry to sort of hijack the thread, but copying the contents of the XQD to the SD, while producing a backup in case of XQD failure, does not protect your files if your body is lost, stolen or destroyed. So for backup, I prefer to back up the cards to an external drive daily to protect against all eventualities. My set up is to write raw to the QXD (because it is so fast on the upload/download) and write jpegs to the SD card for easy end of day review and organization. I first determine which are my keepers from the easy to read jpeg and then develop the corresponding raw file when I am in the office.
  4. Agree with Danny. Card is blazingly fast (up and down) and has no pins to bend. My only complaint is that nothing else I own or are likely to own uses XQD cards so I had to invest a fortune in new format cards and accessories for a camera that serves as my wildlife/sports body only. Use the D500 maybe 15% of my shoots, but need to pay for and carry an entirely different set of items every time I pack a bag. Major pain in the ass, not to mention the wallet. This XQD technology reminds me of the old VHS/Betamax videotape wars back 30 yrs ago. Betamax was better quality, but never gained market share and lost to VHS. Apparently Nikon made some sort of deal with Sony (who developed the XQD format) to force the new format on its users, perhaps in exchange for some pricing consideration when Nikon purchases Sony sensors. So unless you have a D500, D4 or D5 or some Sony video cams, you have no use the new format. In fact, the technology is so underused by consumers that Sandisk (and many other major card producers) doesn't even make an XQD card. VERY annoying.
  5. I use this for my TC's. Not sure this is the size that works with the one you are asking about so check dimensions. One of them i perfect for the 2x III OP/TECH USA Snoot Boot Wide Body (Small) 7801162 B&H Photo Video Or this one OP/TECH USA Fold-Over Pouch #251 (Black) 7801022 B&H Photo Video The first one I mentioned has both a drawstring and a clip to hook on to a D ring which is why I like it so much. I have one for each of my TC's. (first one)
  6. I agree with the rave reviews. I prefer FF for most of my work, but I picked up a D500 for use in sports and wildlife photography (wanted the crop factor). The 500 is an amazing camera, especially the high FPS rate and the dazzling AF speed and accuracy. It is also smaller and lighter than any of my FF bodies. Only negative that I can offer is that the hi ISO capabilities of the 500 are not as good and the big boy FF bodies. I find that anything north of say 1600 generally creates the need for some post processing work. Of course my last DX body was the D2X which was useless above ISO 400. I really do love what the D500 can do.
  7. If you want the best Nikon FF with the big MB, buy the D810. This as close to a no-brainer as there is.
  8. by the way - I highly recommend this hotel if you want to stay in the Old Town Krakow (which is definitely where you do want to stay - Old Town that is). https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x47165b0e1ed8e0f9:0xff9b5df874717cb&hl=en-US
  9. I have only been to Krakow, but it is one of my favorite cities in Europe. As others above have mentioned, the architecture is exceptional and was largely spared destruction during WWII, primarily because it was made the "capital" of the pseudo-state that the Nazis set up there under the leadership of Hans Frank. In fact, one of the must see sights in Krakow is Wawel Castel, the home to the Polish kings that was turned into Nazi HQ during the war. Besides being a city of incomparable charm and beauty, the currency is the Polish Zloty and the exchange rates are very favorable We stayed in the best hotel in the old town (right on the corner of the Square) for around $110/night. If you like architecture, you will have a ball in the old town. By the way, Wawel Castle is NOT in the old town, nor is the Jewish Ghetto (Kazimierz). Be sure to visit both of these areas as well as the Old Town. Remember that Shindler (of the list) had his factory in Krakow so when Speilberg shot the film, he donated some serious money toward restoring Kazimierz. The salt mine is worth the short trip out of town and of course Auschwitz is something that is mandatory on any visit to Krakow. You will need to devote a full day to the camp visit and don't do it on your own. There are hundreds of tours organized from the Old Square that include the bus ride to, from and between (there are 2 Auschwitz camps about 20 minutes drive from each other - the main camp and the even more infamous death camp of Birkenau) and a knowledgeable guide to narrate the horror. Be advised that while Auschwitz is a must see destination, it is not a particularly pleasant way to spend a day. The impact on tourists (both Jewish and non-Jewish) is palpable. It can be seen on the bus ride home. It is a draining day that hits most visitors hard. I found that I kept having to remind myself that this place was fully operational a scant 71 years before I was there. One last point about photo ops - I am obviously a photographer, yet I elected not to bring any camera gear to Auschwitz. I came to that decision based on a previous experience visiting Dachau while in Munich years ago. I had my gear with me then and did not shoot a single frame. What was I going to shoot? What image taken in a death camp would I display? So at Auschwitz, I went without the gear and don't regret it for a moment. Many people were shooting constantly, but I failed to see the point. In order to enter Birkenau (Auschwitz 2 - the death camp) you must walk through the infamous gate with the railroad tracks running into the camp. You will recognize the image immediately. Many got down low on the tracks shooting back toward the gate to record the image. I didn't need to do that, nor did I need to photograph the "Arbeit Macht Frei" metal sign over the entrance to Auschwitz proper. What would be the point other than to say 'I was there"? As you may have discerned, I am still emotional when thinking back on that one day of 5 that I spent in Krakow. Loved Krakow itself; profoundly disturbed by Auschwitz, but would suggest that the visit there is not to be missed for any reason.
  10. I use RRS collars plates and feet exclusively. The replaceable collar for the 80-400 is excellent, but very expensive. It was worth the money for me however since it is a vast improvement of the Nikon OEM I have never used the cheap Chinese stuff, but if the Nikon collar is not sufficient, why would you expect a less expensive one to perform better? Of course that begs the question why Nikon cannot produce a foot or collar for their big glass that actually works. Problem 1 is that they flex and problem 2 (in the case of 400,500 and 600mm lenses) is that they are too tall (which of course is part of the reason that they flex). No question that it sucks to have to buy expensive aftermarket products to use the Nikon lens. And while I am on a roll, why does Nikon big pro glass come with a foot that is not AS compatible? With apologies to Manfroto fans, I can't help but think that a huge percentage of shooters using 70-200/2.8, 80-400, and the longer zooms and the 300, 400, 500 and 600mm lenses use the AS system if they are mounting them on a stick or a tripod. Seems that the Nikon foot ought to have the AS dovetails designed in. The bottom of the foot with the built in dovetails can still be drilled just as the current feet are to allow for those not using AS system to mount whatever plate they want or no plate at all.
  11. By the way, while I have never used anything other than Nikon flashes, a lot of folks (including people whose opinion I value) swear by the 3rd party lenses from Nissin and Yongnuo. They are a fraction of the cost of even a used Nikon SB800. https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1247484-REG/yongnuo_yn685_n_yn685_wireless_ttl_speedlite.html https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/765549-REG/Nissin_ND866MKII_N_Di866_Mark_II_Flash.html Once again - I am have never used either of these, but I do own a small Nissin i40 which I use with my Sony mirrorless and it performs very well. The SB800 is built like a tank and I suspect that the build quality on these 3rd party units are not as robust, but you can't beat the price and a lot of folks sing their praises.
  12. I completely agree about the interface on the SB800. It is NOT intuitive. You actually have to read the manual to make changes and pushing the tiny buttons (especially if you are wearing gloves) is a pain. The 900 is far easier to operate when changing on the fly. But other than that point, I prefer the 800 - it is smaller and lighter and every less ounce I carry is important to me. The 900 series doesn't fit in some of my older bags.
  13. <p>Shun - I learn something new every day. Had no idea that I could transfer from XQD to SD. Now I guess I will have to begin using bigger sd cards since I write raw to XQD and jpeg to SD. I typically use 64 XQD cards and 32 SDs in the 500 because I have a bunch of 32 SD cards. If I want to transfer the data, I will need to swap out for the big cards I use in my D810.</p> <p>All of this notwithstanding - I hate that Nikon has foisted this damned technology on its people. Yes I understand that the xQD card is faster and that it doesn't have pins to break, but buying a bunch of cards that will only work in one of my bodies feels like I am getting screwed over. I never had a CF or SD card malfunction. If XQD technology is so good, why is Nikon the only company that uses it (other than some Sony video cameras)? Even Sandisk won't make them. I have always been of the opinion that somewhere back when the D4 was introduced, Sony must have made a deal with Nikon to produce its sensors at a bargain rate if Nikon would commit to XQD to get the format off the ground. It is also not lost on me that our friends at Sony were the ones who tried shoving Betamax down the consumers throat. I wonder if the lack of users of XQD will somehow force Sony to give it up as it did with Betamax vs. VHS. Ok - rant over! </p>
  14. <p>The D7200 is a fine camera, but once you have used the D500, you would never even consider one. The AF system, the frame per second rate the buffer rate and pretty much everything else in the D500 blows away any DX body made. I primarily shoot full frame and I kept a D300 and then a D7200 in my kit for times when I wanted the crop effect of the DX with my 400/2.8 for sports. <br> After trying a buddy's D500 on the sidelines, I promptly sold the 7200 and grabbed a D500. This baby has the D5 AF module and the ability to shoot very fast (frame rate) and not have the body bog down when writing to the card. I only have two minor complaints - first, I had to go out and buy XQD cards since I was shooting with D3S's and it is a pain in the *ss to carry extra cards and different readers and second, the 500 does not have a built in flash. While I never use a built in flash as a light source, I have often used the one in my D810 to trigger remote SB900/800's.<br> Not trying to be cavalier about the money, but for $2k, this thing is a steal. I like it so much that I went out and bought a 16-80 DX lens (excellent) which allows me to use the D500 as a second body to shoot player closeups or bench shots while using the 400 on the D3S. I will mount the 400 on the D3S for times when the 400 plus the crop factor is too close or when shooting in low light (since nothing handles hi-ISO like the D3s.)<br> The DX lens and body is also nice for times I want to carry a lighter weight kit. </p>
  15. Rick Waller

    F4

    <p>Not sure if these guys will ship to UK, but they are a well regarded source of used camera gear.</p> <p>https://www.keh.com/shop/nikon-f5-35mm-camera-body.html</p> <p>F5's in fine shape for < $450 US. Unfortunately, the exchange rate between US$ and GBP are not in your favor lately.</p> <p>By the way - you know there is also an F6, don't you? I have never used one. I was into digital before it was released.</p>
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