It’ been a while since I last posted here.
Too busy to maintain blogs (http://nomadphotography.com.au/blog) and website (http://www.nomadmodels.com.au) but also with wedding album design and photo shoots, I barely had time to do anything else.
Anyway, time to get back to the keyboard for some typing and posting.

To start with, I’ll have a bit of an insight regarding gears as I have been shooting with some new toys for the last couple months now.
In the bag I have:
- Canon 5D Mark II
- Canon 7D
- Canon 1D Mark IV

While the first two cameras are not the hottest cameras at the moment, I confess that I haven’t touched my 7D since I had the Canon 1D Mark IV.
I can shoot a whole wedding with this camera and the Canon EF 24-70 f/2.8 L.
When I can see the reason why Canon maintains its x1.3 crop sensor I tend to use less and less the full frame of my Canon 5D Mark IIs (I have two of them)

Having the Nikon D700 and the exciting Nikon D3s, I found in the new release Nikkor 16-35 f/4 VR an exciting piece of glass but I didn’t feel the need to buy it.
Why did Nikon build this lens? Is it to compete with teh Canon 16-35 f/2.8 L II or is it just to have one?

As mentioned above, putting the 16-35 f/2.8 L II on my Canon 5D Mark II body and the 24-70 f/2.8 L on the Canon 1D Mark IV, I have virtually no gap in my focal range from 16mm to 94mm FF equivalent.
Not that Nikon doesn’t have a crop sensor in its range of D-SLR but because they have the excellent 14-24 f/2.8 to complement the 24-70 f/2.8 and the 70-200 f/2.8.
Having these 3 awesome lenses with my two Nikon bodies, there is no need for me to buy that Nikkor 16-35 even if it has VR. Note also that at this focal range and on full frame bodies, you almost never need VR anyway.

below are a few images from recent shoots with the above discussed cameras.

Related posts:

• New Firmware for Canon 5D Mark II
• NASA Orders D3s Digital SLR Cameras and Interchangeable Lenses from Nikon
• Nikon D3s Hands on Teaser
• Canon 7D and Canon TS-E 24 mm f/3.5 L II
• Landscape with the Canon 7D

As a partner with the Aliance Francaise Canberra (www.afcanberra.com.au) Nomad Photography (www.nomadphotography.com.au) has covered the event.

Check out the photo taken at ISO 12800 here: http://nomadphotography.com.au/blog/2010/03/french-film-festival-2010/

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Nikon keeps announcing their new products at a very slow and in a very restricted manner.

Being the first, at least before Canon, to announce their 50 millionth lens sold, Nikon is catching up with canon in term of pro level lenses.

Yesterday, Tuesday 9th February, Nikon announced the 24mm f/1.4 G ED and the 16-35 f/4 G ED VR.

When the wide aperture prime lens has been an “exclusive” product from Canon for years, it is now available for both Canon and Nikon shooters.

The second lens announced, the constant aperture 16-35 f/4 G ED VR, has the advantage over the Canon version in that it has Vibration Reduction built in.

f/4 for a pro level lens is not that much an issue as Nikon has released a very respected Hi-ISO capabilities in their latest high spec D-SLR, the D3s.

In my opinion, VR for this range of field of view is pure luxury and not a must, especially, once again, when paired with the D3s or the next replacement of the D700.

From personal experience, I found that the 16-56 f/2.8 L II has a double benefit of being an “extreme” wide angle and at the same time covers the gap over the 24-70 f/2.8 L when mounted on an APS-H camera (like the Canon 1D Mark III or 1D Mark IV).

I use intensively my combo Canon 5D Mark II + 16-35 f/2.8 L II and Canon 1D Mark III/IV + 24-70 f/2.8 L and the range that covers is more than enough for sessions of the bride getting ready, detail shots of rings and bouquet …

My preferred set up for the same situation with my Nikon system is Nikon D700 + 14-24 f/2.8 G ED and Nikon D3s + 24-70 f/2.8 G ED. It has a “shorter” range than my Canon set up but offers full frame all the way.

It all comes down to personal preference and the requirements of the job.

Anyway, check out the press release of the two new Nikon lenses here, on DPReview.com:

- Nikon 16-35mm f/4 G ED VR: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10020902nikon16mm35mm.asp

- Nikon 24mm f/1.4 G ED: http://www.dpreview.com/news/1002/10020901nikon24mmf14.asp

Check out Nijkon press release here: http://www.robgalbraith.com/bins/content_page.asp?cid=7-10048-10488

Image courtesy of Rob Galbraith (www.robgalbraith.com)

After the announcements and release of Nikons’ zoom lenses, I was expecting the same from Canon.

As expected Canon just announced the relooking of their best seller 70-200 f/2.8 L IS USM in to the 70-200 f/208L IS II USM lens.

On the list of the lifting there are some improvement in the design (same look as the 100 f/2.8 L Macro at the filter end) and some additional low dispersion lens to avoid CA.

Better IS and faster AF.

Canon’s Press Release:

LAKE SUCCESS, N.Y., January 5, 2010 – Canon U.S.A., Inc., a leader in digital imaging, introduces the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens. Arguably the most popular focal range in Canon’s telephoto arsenal and a staple lens for any professional photographer, the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens provides the focal length, maximum aperture and zoom power for capturing everything from fast-action sports to studio portraits. Built for the professional, the body structure of the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens has been enhanced to provide better durability and strength without a significant increase in weight. Canon has improved optical performance on the new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens by redesigning the internal elements, incorporating a fluorite element and a fifth UD element. The use of the fluorite element and five UD elements helps to minimize secondary chromatic aberrations and produce better image quality with improved contrast and resolution through the entire zoom range; the end result is an optically precise lens worthy of becoming the leader of Canon’s L-series lenses.

Along with its redesigned optical elements, the new lens design features improved AF speed due to a new focusing algorithm and has reduced the minimum focusing distance to 3.9 feet (1.2 meters) through the entire zoom range, allowing photographers to capture tighter portraiture shots in a small studio space. The previous lens model’s minimum focusing distance was 4.6 feet (1.4 meters), whereas now photographers can stand nearly 8 inches closer to their subject and achieve sharp focus and tight crops. Canon has also enhanced the Image Stabilization allowing it to compensate for shutter speeds up to four steps slower than 1/focal length, a one step improvement over the previous lens model.

“Canon’s core has always been our optics, and we are constantly challenging ourselves to produce better and more advanced optical systems for our customers. The new EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens incorporates the best advancements in Canon lens technology from the past few years and packages it into what we believe will be the most popular lens for professionals and advanced photographers,” stated Yuichi Ishizuka, senior vice president and general manager, Consumer Imaging Group, Canon U.S.A.

The enhanced magnesium alloy barrel design of the EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens features added strength with a minimal 20-gram increase in weight compared with the previous model (1490g vs. 1470g) and retains Canon’s protective seals and fittings providing dust and water resistance for those photographers working in adverse conditions. A new bayonet mount on the front of the lens includes a locking mechanism to ensure the supplied lens hood remains securely in place. Other noticeable improvements include a wider focusing ring, and sleeker design by reducing the thickness of any protruding elements such as the switch panel. The new lens is also compatible with Canon’s existing EF1.4X II and EF2X II Extenders as well as EF Extension Tubes and the 77mm Close-Up Lens 500D.

Pricing and Availability
The Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is supplied with a detachable tripod collar, a reversible bayonet mount lens hood and a lens pouch. The new lens is scheduled to be delivered to U.S. dealers in April, price to be determined.

Canon Digital Learning Center
Online visitors and Web surfers are encouraged to browse the Canon Digital Learning Center and take advantage of the various educational resources that Canon has to offer for novices and advanced photographers alike. The Canon Digital Learning Center provides a schedule for a wide variety of Live Learning classes across the country with renowned photographers as well as online resources and tips. The site also features online tutorials for beginners and professionals to learn their way around a digital SLR camera and inkjet printer and unlock the full creative control of digital photography. To learn more about each program and register, please visit: www.usa.canon.com/canonlivelearning

About Canon U.S.A., Inc.
Canon U.S.A., Inc., is a leading provider of consumer, business-to-business, and industrial digital imaging solutions. Its parent company, Canon Inc. (NYSE:CAJ), a top patent holder of technology, ranked third overall in the U.S. in 2008†, with global revenues of US $45 billion, is listed as number four in the computer industry on Fortune Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies 2009 list, and is on the 2009 BusinessWeek list of “100 Best Global Brands.” Canon U.S.A. is committed to the highest levels of customer satisfaction and loyalty, providing 100 percent U.S.-based consumer service and support for all of the products it distributes. At Canon, we care because caring is essential to living together in harmony. Founded upon a corporate philosophy of Kyosei – “all people, regardless of race, religion or culture, harmoniously living and working together into the future” – Canon U.S.A. supports a number of social, youth, educational and other programs, including environmental and recycling initiatives. Additional information about these programs can be found at www.usa.canon.com/kyosei. To keep apprised of the latest news from Canon U.S.A., sign up for the Company’s RSS news feed by visiting www.usa.canon.com/rss.

†Based on weekly patent counts issued by United States Patent and Trademark Office.

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