The colours of Kutch in Gujarat are simply spectacular - here are some photographs from the villages in Kutch.
Showing posts with label Pop Photo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Pop Photo. Show all posts
Kutch | Some Photographs
The colours of Kutch in Gujarat are simply spectacular - here are some photographs from the villages in Kutch.
Nepal Himalaya A Journey Through Time | Book Launch Kolkata
The third book launch of Nepal Himalaya | A Journey Through Time - Photographs by Sujoy Das, Text by Lisa Choegyal, Drawings by Paula Sengupta and Foreword by Reinhold Messner will be launched in Kolkata at The Harrington Street Arts Centre on Saturday 7th January 2017 at 6.30 pm. The book will be launched by Mr Meher H Mehta, former Vice President of the Himalayan Club and a senior member of the mountaineering fraternity. The launch will be preceded by a photographic presentation on the lost kingdom of Mustang.
All are welcome for this launch.
Some photographs from the book are below:
The book is available both at Amazon.com and Amazon.in.
The Indian distributors for the book are
Apple Iphone 7 and 7plus | New Camera
One of the most interesting feature for photographers is the introduction of two cameras on the new Iphone 7 plus launched last evening.
Other than the standard camera with the 28 mm F 1.8 wide angle lens, Apple has also introduced a second camera with a short telephoto lens 56 mm which would be useful for portraits, throwing the background out of focus etc.
Despite the fact that phone cameras would usually lag behind their larger counterparts there is a lot to recommend in Apple's new offerings.
The sensor is now 12 MP with an intelligent image processor - there is also RAW capability using Adobe's DNG format which can be processed in Lightroom. The camera is also capable of 4K video recording.
Other plus points are extended battery life which has always been an issue with Iphones as compared to the competition.
It would be interesting to see how many users upgrade to the 7plus - I am sure many photographers will be interested.
For more details and pricing do visit -
http://indianexpress.com/article/technology/iphone-7/apple-iphone-7-plus-iphone-7-dual-camera-specifications-price-india-launch-3020185/
Nikon 105 F1.4 AF- S ED
Nikon has just announced the introduction of a super fast full frame telephoto lens the 105 F 1.4 AFS ED weighing a hefty 985 grams ( just less than a kilo!) and priced at US 2199.95 $ . The Nikon USA web site (www.nikonusa.com) gives the details as below:
Meet the new standard by which all short telephoto lenses will be measured against, the world's first full-frame 105mm with an f/1.4 aperture. A marvel of optical precision, distortion correction and craftsmanship. It's fast maximum aperture make this an ideal optic for available light—recommended for portraiture or indoor sports. This short telephoto lens can defocus backgrounds with painterly finesse and isolate subjects with three-dimensional fidelity. For those seeking the ultimate in image quality in photography or videography, there's no close second.
Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism
An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel provides highly accurate electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control when using auto exposure during continuous shooting. With conventional D/G type lenses, the diaphragm blades are operated by mechanical linkage levers.
ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass
An optical glass developed by Nikon that is used with normal optical glass in telephoto lenses to obtain optimum correction of chromatic aberrations.
IF Lens
A NIKKOR lens in which only the internal lens group shifts during focusing. Thus, IF NIKKORS do not change in size during AF operation, allowing for compact, lightweight lenses capable of closer focusing distances. These lenses will be designated with the abbreviation IF on the lens barrel.
M/A
Select NIKKOR lenses have a focusing mode which allows switching from automatic to manual focusing with virtually no lag time by simply turning the focusing ring on the lens. This makes it possible to seamlessly switch to fine manual focusing while looking through the viewfinder.
Nano Crystal Coating
An anti-reflective coating developed by Nikon that virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths. Nano Crystal Coat solves ghost effects caused by red light and effectively reduces ghost and flare caused by light entering the lens diagonally.
Silent Wave Motor
AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which represents a significant advance in AF lens technology. SWM uses ultrasonic vibrations—rather than a gear system—to focus the lens, providing incredibly smooth, silent and precise autofocus operation.
LCD, Video and Photo Gallery images are for illustrative purposes only.
What about the earlier Nikon 105s?
We still have the following lenses many of which are available second hand (www.keh.com):
105 F2 DC This is the only autofocus lens for 105 mm prior to the new release.
105 F2.5 AIS manual focus
The was a legendary lens in it's time and is still coveted. Used by photo journalists the world over it was renowed for it' high speed, superb sharpness. It is still available second hand for around $150-300 depending on condition. Prior to this Nikon also had a number of 105 F2.5 lenses - K, AI, non AI etc.
105 F1.8 AIS manual focus
This was the fastest 105 before the introduction of this new lens. It is still available for around $350-400 used but somehow always ran second to the F2.5 above
Pros and Cons of the New 105
Pros
Electromagnetic Diaphragm Mechanism
An electromagnetic diaphragm mechanism in the lens barrel provides highly accurate electronic diaphragm or aperture blade control when using auto exposure during continuous shooting. With conventional D/G type lenses, the diaphragm blades are operated by mechanical linkage levers.
ED (Extra-Low Dispersion) Glass
An optical glass developed by Nikon that is used with normal optical glass in telephoto lenses to obtain optimum correction of chromatic aberrations.
IF Lens
A NIKKOR lens in which only the internal lens group shifts during focusing. Thus, IF NIKKORS do not change in size during AF operation, allowing for compact, lightweight lenses capable of closer focusing distances. These lenses will be designated with the abbreviation IF on the lens barrel.
M/A
Select NIKKOR lenses have a focusing mode which allows switching from automatic to manual focusing with virtually no lag time by simply turning the focusing ring on the lens. This makes it possible to seamlessly switch to fine manual focusing while looking through the viewfinder.
Nano Crystal Coating
An anti-reflective coating developed by Nikon that virtually eliminates internal lens element reflections across a wide range of wavelengths. Nano Crystal Coat solves ghost effects caused by red light and effectively reduces ghost and flare caused by light entering the lens diagonally.
Silent Wave Motor
AF-S NIKKOR lenses feature Nikon’s Silent Wave Motor (SWM), which represents a significant advance in AF lens technology. SWM uses ultrasonic vibrations—rather than a gear system—to focus the lens, providing incredibly smooth, silent and precise autofocus operation.
LCD, Video and Photo Gallery images are for illustrative purposes only.
What about the earlier Nikon 105s?
We still have the following lenses many of which are available second hand (www.keh.com):
105 F2 DC This is the only autofocus lens for 105 mm prior to the new release.
105 F2.5 AIS manual focus
The was a legendary lens in it's time and is still coveted. Used by photo journalists the world over it was renowed for it' high speed, superb sharpness. It is still available second hand for around $150-300 depending on condition. Prior to this Nikon also had a number of 105 F2.5 lenses - K, AI, non AI etc.
105 F1.8 AIS manual focus
This was the fastest 105 before the introduction of this new lens. It is still available for around $350-400 used but somehow always ran second to the F2.5 above
Pros and Cons of the New 105
Pros
- Super fast 1.4 aperture
- Excellent bokeh
- Supern sharpness
- Heavy lens almost a kilo in weight!
- Price - at more than $2000 it would appeal to specialist and professional photographers
Links
Nikon 200-500 F5.6E VR Zoom
Nikon 200-500 F5.6E VR Weight : 2300 gms
Last autumn, Nikon introduced the 200 -500 zoom at a very attractive price point. Nikon has a professional model 200-400 F4 lens which sells at around $7000 so this lens is an attractive proposition for wild life and sports shooters. It gives up one stop as compared to the pro lens but is much lighter and costs a great deal less. The competition in this range comes from Tamron and Sigma both of whom have lenses going upto 600 mm with a 6.3 aperture and are a shade lighter. On a DX body the lens becomes a super tele going upto 750mm without a tele convertor. Photographers considering this lens should also look at the combination of the new 300 F4 E VR with TC 1.4 which would be excellent for mammals but a little short for birds.
The Sports is designed to offer a higher level of optical precision and contains 24 elements in 16 groups, with two FLD and three SLD elements to control aberrations and distortions. It has a minimum aperture of f/22, minimum focusing distance of 8.5', and maximum magnification ratio of 1:5. The lens measures 4.8 x 11.4", and weighs 6.3 lb.
Contemporary version contains 20 elements in 14 groups, with one FLD element and three SLD elements. It has a minimum aperture of f/22, minimum focus distance of 9.2', and maximum magnification ratio of 1:5 and shaves some dimensions off the Sports version to measure 4.1 x 10.2".
The pros and cons of the Nikon as compared to the Sigma and Tamron zooms of similar range are:
Cons
The Tamron and Sigma have a greater zoom range 150-600 compared to the Nikon 200-500
Both the Tamron and the Sigma C lens are cheaper by around 20% as compared to the Nikon
The Tamron is the shortest in length of the three 258mm compared to 268mm of the other two lenses though the difference is not significant
The Nikon has a 2.5 x zoom
Pros
The Nikon has a fixed 5.6 aperture as compared to the F5-6.3 of the other two lenses
The Nikon focuses closer 2.2 m against 2.7m and 2.8m of the Tamron and Sigma respectively
The Nikon has weather sealing
The Nikon performs well with full frame cameras even wide open i.e. f 5.6
However, despite the pros and cons if you are a long term Nikon user and looking for wildlife and sports lens without breaking the bank then this may well be the lens for you!
Street Prices
Sigma 150-600 C $989
Sigma 150-600 S $1799
Tamron 150-600 $1069
Nikon 200-500 $1397
Resources
http://froknowsphoto.com/nikon-200-500-vs-sigma-150-600-sport-real-world-review/
http://www.cameralabs.com/reviews/Nikon_Nikkor_AF-S_200-500mm_f5-6E_ED_VR/
http://www.cardinalphoto.com/content/super-telephoto-zoom-shoot-out-nikon-200-500mm-f56-versus-sigma-150-600mm-sports
Nikon D500 Announced
Nikon sprung a major surprise by announcing the launch of the New Nikon D500 DX format top of the line DSLR. For years photographers have debated whether the D300 would be upgraded or this was the end of the so called Pro DX line. The new D500 fulfills most of the expectations of DX shooters with top of the line features some of the more important ones are covered below:
- 20.9MP DX format CMOS sensor and EXPEED 5 image processor - This is a new sensor for the D500 and promises to be very good
- Multi-CAM 20K Autofocus sensor with 153/99 AF points - 153 AF points gives it a superb autofocus system
- ISO range of 100-51,200 expandable to Lo 1 and Hi 5 (50 – 1,640,000 equivalent) - Possibility of pushing higher ISOs with reduced noise
- Share images instanly with built-in SnapBridge (Wi-Fi® + Bluetooth) capabilities
- Shoot cinematic 4K UHD video
- Dual card slots - XQD and SD media
The feature list is impressive and I am quite sure sports and wildlife photographers who are looking to upgrade from D200/D300/D300s will look no further.
The list price of the body is US $ 1999/- the street price should be lower.
For a comparison between the D500 and D300s take a look at this link
Press Release
Here is the official press release from Nikon:
LAS VEGAS, NV (January 5, 2016) – Today, Nikon Inc. announced the D500, a DX-format DSLR with pro-level features that gives photographers nimble handling, speed and extreme processing power in a compact and lightweight body. With amazing imaging capability, robust build quality and lightning fast performance, the D500 is sure to satisfy as the highly sought-after successor to the venerable D300S. Like its sibling the D5, the D500 benefits from Nikon’s latest technological innovations such as the totally new, blazing-fast Multi-CAM 20K 153-point AF system and 4K UHD video capture, yet adds a fun new way to share photos with Nikon SnapBridge built-in.
“Nikon has answered the call from photographers to once again re-invent this camera category and offer an unmatched combination of performance and value that is hard for any photographer to resist,” said Masahiro Horie, Director of Marketing and Planning, Nikon Inc. “When paired with the amazing imaging capabilities of legendary NIKKOR optics, photographers can capture intimate portraits, mind-blowing macros or action from extreme distances– the possibilities are endless.”
Pro-Level Image Quality, DX-Format Versatility
The D500 imagines the best of both worlds, offering advanced enthusiasts and pro photographers all the benefits of DX-format, such as smaller form-factor and lens crop, combined with many of the same advanced pro features found in the new Nikon D5. The new Nikon D500 features an all-new 20.9-megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor that renders images with outstanding colors and gorgeous tonality. This new sensor is coupled with Nikon’s new EXPEED 5 image processing engine, affording low noise and maximum processing power with a surprisingly small footprint and superbly balanced body.
The benefits of the DX-format are evident for long-distance applications like wildlife and sports photography, where telephoto ability is at a premium and weight reduction is welcome. With Nikon’s legendary FX or smaller-sized DX-format NIKKOR lenses, the sleek D500 is the ideal companion for wanderlust. When mated with the new AF-S NIKKOR 200-500mm f/5.6E ED VR lens, the D500 offers a remarkable 350-750mm equivalent focal range for a lightweight, yet super-telephoto duo.
Because amazing images can happen even when the sun goes down, the D500 is capable of excellent low-light performance, with an ISO range of 100-51,200, expandable to 50-1,640,000 equivalent. From low-light cityscapes to action sports under the lights, the D500 is ready to tackle any imaging challenge.
Performance Meets Portability
Within the streamlined body of the D500 is a formidable processing powerhouse. Whether photographing sideline sports for the home team or animals in exotic destinations, a super-fast 10 frames-per-second (fps) burst speed with full AF and AE will help nail nearly any shot. This extreme speed lets users capture every fleeting moment in exceptional clarity, while a generous buffer allows for up to 79 shots (14-bit, uncompressed RAW/NEF) to be captured, so the moment won’t be missed.
To keep pace with the action, the D500 is fitted with the same AF system as the Nikon D5, the Multi-CAM 20K AF sensor module, with a separate dedicated processor for AF function. On the D500’s DX format sensor, the 153-point AF array fills the frame from side to side, letting users flawlessly track and lock-onto subjects from the edges of the viewfinder. Like the D5, the D500 utilizes the new 180K RGB Metering system and Advanced Scene Recognition System to help ensure balanced exposures and fantastic color rendition in nearly any shooting situation.
Controls and Rugged Construction Worthy of a Flagship
The D500 features an enhanced level of robust build quality, offering the same amount of rugged weather sealing as the Nikon D810. The durable body is a monocoque structure composed of magnesium alloy for the top and rear, while the front is reinforced with lightweight carbon fiber. The shutter mechanism has been tested for 200K actuations, helping to ensure maximum endurance. For further durability, the D500 excludes a pop-up flash, yet is compatible with Nikon’s newest radio frequency capable flash, the SB-5000 Speedlight (with optional WR-R10 & WR-A10)1.
It’s easy to compose and view images on the D500’s bright 3.2-inch, high resolution (2359K-dot) touchscreen LCD, which lets users interact with photos in playback, control the camera and operate menus. When mounted on a tripod or shooting from creative angles, landscape and event shooters will appreciate the reinforced tilting LCD screen, similar to that of the Nikon D750. Additionally, images are rapidly written to either a fast XQD card slot or to the additional SD card slot for maximum workflow efficiency.
Constant Connectivity with the New Nikon SnapBridge
The D500 marshals in a new way to share photos wirelessly with the new Nikon SnapBridge, making the camera’s built-in connectivity easier to use than ever before. SnapBridge allows for Bluetooth2 supported connection between your camera and compatible smart device, thus making automatic upload of your images possible. Once enabled, the camera stays connected to the smart device and transfers photos, eliminating the need to re-connect devices. Those looking to share images from their travels or from the field can also tag images for transfer in camera and can password protect their connection for added security. As an added benefit, the D500’s built-in Near Field Communication (NFC)3 capability easily connects the camera to a compatible smart device with just a tap, while built-in Wi-Fi3 capability allows for faster wireless image transfer.
For those looking for an even faster transfer solution, the D500 is also compatible with the new optional WT-7A Wireless Transmitter, enabling wired or wireless transmission of files to an FTP server or computer at faster speeds.
Advanced Video Features
Just like the D5, the D500 has the ability to capture striking 4K UHD video at up to 30p (3840×2160), as well as Full HD (1080p) video at a variety of frame rates. Ready for any production, the camera sports a host of pro video features derived from the D810, including uncompressed HDMI output and Picture Controls, but adds even more great features. These pro-level creative video features include the ability to create 4K time-lapse movies in-camera, Auto ISO smoothing to provide fluid transitions in exposure during recording, and the capability to record 4K UHD video to the card and output to HDMI simultaneously. When capturing 1080p Full HD content, the camera also has a new 3-axis electronic VR feature that can be activated regardless of the lens being used. Challenging video exposures are no problem for the D500, as it also adds in Active D-Lighting to Full HD video to balance exposure values within a scene to help prevent blown-out highlights
Price and Availability
The new Nikon D500 DSLR will be available in March 2016 for a suggested retail price (SRP) of $1,999.95* for the body-only configuration. A kit will also be available, bundled with the versatile AF-S DX NIKKOR 16-80mm f/2.8-4E ED VR lens, for the SRP of $3,069.95*. The MB-D17-battery pack will also be available in March 2016 for the SRP of $449.95* and will add extended battery life and facilitate vertical shooting. The WT-7A Wireless Transmitter will be available in March 2016, for the SRP of $934.95*. For more information on these new Nikon products, please visit www.nikonusa.com.
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