art_tyree

<p>Always thot Nikon should not have discontinued the Nikonos.</p>

<p>I suspect this compact FX model will do a lot for Nikon. I hope to get one soon. Saw the DXO report, and some other good reviews. Doesn't have every feature every last photog says he wants, but quite a good package--like a D7000 in FX, and even a bit better.</p>

 

<p>My 180 2.8 has given me some crisp, colorful images. For my work I use it on Manual focus (watch out for infinity if you do; this lens will go "beyond" infinity, or at leas the infinity mark on the scale. The 70-300 looks like a great value in a zoom lens--useful range, sharp in center, OK at margins if stopped down a bit; have considered getting one, as it is light compared to the 80-200 or 70-200.</p><div></div>

<p>You would do very well with the 50mm/f1.8 and a Nikkor 24mm/f2.8. With your 80-200mm you would have a nice kit at moderate expense. You can spend more and make the pixel peepers happy. I find the 24mm 2.8 to be very sharp at middle apertures; it's a favorite lens for me. The Nikkor 50mm/1.8 is a steal--very respectable image quality at not much over 100 buckos.</p>

<p>55mm Micro. My first Nikon lens and still love it. Very sharp, and it serves well as a "normal" lens in addition to macro work (I shoot flowers often).</p>

<p>I too find this an annoyance.<br>

Photodotnetniks: Please rid the site of these wretched ambush-popups and place the ads in the margins where they belong. We do see them there. We are automatically disposed against any merchant who ambushes us with radioactive text popups.</p>

<p>Thanks all for your good information. Would like to look into DXO software; looks like it is useful for optical correction.</p>

<p>I'm interested in using an ultra-wide-angle lens, such as a Nikkor 16-35mm or Rokinon 14mm, both of which have complex ("mustache") barrel distortion at their shortest focal length. What software would you use to correct this effect when it is not desired?<br>

Art</p><div></div>

Thanks for the good responses to my post. I continue to get helpful ideas since I posted it four years ago. Great view of Madison Valley.

What stitching software do the panorama wizards use?

I am interested in shooting some panoramas by shooting multiple

frames overlapped, then scanned and digitally stitched. My concern is

getting the camera dead level throughout the arc of shooting--harder

to do than it looks. Can anyone pass along some ideas about tripod

and head to use, the best spirit level to use, and how to level both

the tripod and camera? would like to try this in both 35mm and medium

format.

John: I am on two tracks on this one. First, I don't apologize for pretty pix if they are done well. Second, I took a lesson from Galen Rowell's article on the four levels of photography (www.mountainlight.com) in which he described level I, which is simply shooting what you see with no management of the subject or the process, on up to level IV, which is making a photograph which would not have been made other than through the creative efforts on one particular photographer, and involves such elements as timing, lighting (natural or other), moving or arranging the subject, and image contrast, etc.

I live in Marin and would like to join you for weekend shoots.

Art Tyree

Dick: This is a truly awesome area that merits some planned shooting and hoofing. Get a map of the area first. You could email the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Association or local hiking clubs. I recommend hiking into Eagle Creek. And there is a "hike-in" waterfall that I think is the easternmost in the series (cant remember the name; check the map). Take your 81A filter as much of the subject matter is in shade. Also ask locally where you can find a lot of trillium (lovely woodland wildflowers). An overlook on the top of the Gorge gives you a grand view at either early morning or late light.

If this is still a live idea, please contact me. I would enjoy going

out to shoot with any accommodating LF shooter. Do not yet have LF

gear but can rent and the experience would help me refine my

decisions about hardware, and would be a whole lot of fun too.

 

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Art

Joe,

I have no experience with the Kiev, but have read write-ups in Shutterbug. Please let us MF Forum readers know how you are doing with your Kiev system from time to time. What lenses do you have?

 

Art