D700 Firmware Update

If you noticed some errant underexposed images when using your D700, it may not have been due to your settings. Nikon has released a firmware update that corrects the issue. The aberration for the severely underexposed images is rare but can occur.

It is not difficult to implement a firmware update to your camera’s inherent processing software. The instructions can be downloaded along with the update. You do need a card reader, but you should be using one anyway. It’s always wise to implement firmware updates from the manufacturer. In this case, I’m surprised that this fix hasn’t been offered sooner. The D700 has been out for almost 4 years!

Here’s the link: D700 Firmware Update

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The Long Overdue Nikon D800

Three and one-half years… but not quite four. Nikon had a few surprises up their sleeve after all. The D800/800E (no anti aliasing in the E version) is somewhat of the successor to the D700 but to me, it’s a beast of a different color. Nikon Rumors did predict that Nikon would fill the gap between 12.1 MP to 36.3 MP in one fell swoop. Does this guarantee that they will win the megapixel race in the pro circuit at a certain price point? I’m sure that is not the intended goal. At least not without a few tradeoffs. Plunk down your $3,000 if you’re the type who likes to be first. That’s still a good price considering what a D3X costs.

The fps is slower at 4 fps in FX, 6 fps in DX mode  but the level of detail is OMG. Count eyelashes. I’m not so sure that the average Jane is going to want to put herself in front of the D800 without making sure her makeup is picture perfect. All flaws will be magnified. I also believe that the D800 will not take the crown for low light shooting from the D4 or from the D700 for that matter. ISO is 100-6400. This doesn’t seem to be the camera you grab to shoot candids. It seems that it’s more targeted to studio and wildlife shooting.

D800 with grip

What is nice is that the D800 encompasses the dual card slots feature found on many of the other Nikon predecessors. One CF card and one SD card.

1080/30p HD video is a D800 feature that was missing from the D700. This will pair up nicely with the better lenses. Video has been on all Canon bodies for a long time. Even most of the Nikon lineup after the D90 sported video. The D700 seemed lonely without it.

The buzz is still buzzing a couple of weeks later. Preorders have been stopped with the 3 year pent up demand. You can expect the first shipments mid- to end March. Make sure you also budget for more storage space since the output is three times the D700 resolution. That means more hard drives and perhaps more processing power if you don’t already possess it.

All in all, this is a beautiful camera body with some advanced features. I am positive that once it gets into the hands of those who preordered it that we will see what it can do in real use.

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Nikon Adds the all new D4

I couldn’t allow the time to slip away without mentioning Nikon’s announcement of their new D4 body last week.  It’s a beauty. Finally, a larger sensor format at 16.2 megapixels with that venerable high ISO performance in Nikon’s lineup.

Here’s the link to Nikon’s official press release on the bells and whistles. New sensor, new color matrix meter—may mean that Nikon is going to lay claim to being the low light champ with increased MP size at the top of the heap. Considering how difficult it is to a have larger capture size being noise free without making other sacrifices, I marvel at their efforts.

Some of the pundits were confused by the timing of the release, but I’m not. It makes perfect sense that Nikon would release this for pros in time for the Winter Olympics. I was concerned that the earthquake/tsunami in 2011 would really set back some of their FX body releases. This is a very positive sign that Nikon is not asleep with just repurposed goods like that “new” SB-910 speedlight.

This doesn’t mean that I’m ready to plop down $6,000 USD to order mine in advance (they should begin shipping in Feb.) It’s too large for my needs which is why I passed on the initial release of the D3 when it came out and was happy when the D700 popped a year later. What it does mean is that we can now all freely begin to speculate on an eventual D800 body release with greater certainty that Nikon has finally figured out how to break that 12MP noise ceiling for performance. I hope the lighted buttons feature filters down to the D800. It’s been 3 years and counting since the D700 release. What’s another year?

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Body Lust Bust

I’ve been waiting for a D700 successor for over three years. There are always rumors about the arrival of new camera bodies and what they are prepared to do for your photography. Take it to the next level? I don’t think that any equipment should bear that responsibility. It takes more than just gear acquisition to make a good photograph. Beyond the technical knowledge, there’s always the harder-to-be-taught subjects like composition and “intent” of the photo. But, hardware is hardware and it looks bleak for new releases at this time.

Nikon Rumors is such a popular site for speculation about what’s in the pipeline and its release date. There was heavy spec that Oct. 26, 2011 would bear the successor to the D700. Unfortunately, it’s rumor. The latest developments are being discussed over at Nikonians in good detail so drop in and read more about it.

Mother Nature has had a heavy hand in squelching Nikon’s manufacturing process. First the earthquake in Japan in March 2011 and now the  Oct. flooding in Thailand. Both locations factor predominately in producing for Nikon. It will take months to recover the cogs in the wheel. Even if the bulk of manufacturing was not affected at both locations, there’s still the smaller components being made by 3rd parties in Thailand that have been hurt/disabled.

The best camera is the one that is in your hands at present. I am glad that my gear envy has been tempered through the years. Looks like my wait for a D800 is going to lengthen into 2012.

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Nikon Rebates are On

‘Tis the season. Nikon Instant Rebates are on. Here’s a view of them at B&H.

Nikon Rebates 2010

I do see bodies and a lot of kit bundles, but the only lenses are Tammy’s (Tamron) if purchased standalone. Make sure you note the dates on specific purchases. Some are only until 11/27 and others are 12/31.

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Capture NX2 update

I’ve been working in Lightroom so much that I’ve neglected to update my CNX 2 software. I was working on a headshot and forgotten how much truer skin tones are in the rendering of Nikon RAW NEF files.

It’s not uncommon for Nikon to update their software when new bodies are released such as the D7000.

Nikon has updated Capture NX2 to version 2.2.6.

Here

If you’re reading this and have already updated, you may want to check out Nikon’s list of their current software versions.

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D700 Firmware update

There is a D700 firmware update out.  It’s version A/B 1.0.2 If you haven’t updated your firmware in your camera body, it’s fairly easy. Just follow the instructions carefully. Check the menu button on your camera body and select Firmware Version from the setup menu to see the current installed version. Nikon requires that you use a card reader (you should be using one anyway) and not a USB connected body. It was previously more complicated when they had you insert/format the CF card twice to update in two steps. It’s been rolled into one so much easier now. Make sure you have a fully charged battery installed.

Firmware update D700 A/B 1.0.2 HERE

Auto white balance has been improved, and I’m happy to see that they fixed the focus point selection when you use the AF-ON button. They also fixed viewing the focus point after shooting continuous burst mode in playback mode. I use the AF-ON button for auto focus instead of the shutter press when shooting and often shoot in Continuous Mode. Glad to see this fix. I’m not running out to buy 64GB CF cards but that support is also included in this update. I’m curious to see the Auto White Balance tweak.

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DSLR Camera Remote— Nikon

The DSLR Camera Remote for Nikon is coming out in version 1.1 as stated on the 1on1 (Mike Wong) blog. This is an application that enables you to control your DSLR camera with an iPhone or iPod Touch. The discount offer of $9.99 has ended and now the application is selling for full price of $19.99 in the iTunes store.

DSLR Camera Remote

Functionality for Nikon will not happen until version 1.1. I don’t think that any Nikon users purchased the 1.0 version since it was only for Canon. I know that I wouldn’t buy an application in advance that wouldn’t allow me to use it with my present equipment. Particularly since no release date for Nikon was mentioned when the Canon version came out. Please listen to your potential user base, OnOne. This is a great technological advancement and worthy application you’ve got. Don’t make Nikon shooters take a back seat. It looks like version 1.1 is about a month away.

A one day window to buy version 1.0 for a free update to 1.1 for the Nikon version was announced by Mike on the One onOne blog on 6/11/09 before the discount ended on 6/12/09. A one day notice isn’t particularly generous to those Nikon shooters anxiously waiting for the release that will work with their camera bodies.

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Less than Perfect

In reviewing many of my images from the motorcycle shoot, I had decisions to make. I’m positive that many a photographer goes through the same process. You can’t break the rules if you don’t know what they are. Here are three images that I’ve selected that I’ve tweaked in post processing.

I chuckle when the “straight up” types ask why would you choose to cut off heads?

In this case, I like the rhythm or multiplicity without personae being shown. It’s asymmetrical with the negative space on left forming a triangle that opposes the content balance with the bikers on the upper right triangle. There’s a strong diagonal across the frame.

This one does follow the Rule of Thirds and has leading lines in it, but I’ve skewed the tonal range to plug up the blacks quite a bit. It’s an obvious distortion in color for the skin tones as well. If you plan on messing, I feel it should have an obvious flair to it. You’re not covering up a mistake. It doesn’t make a bad image good, but a good image better. You should use a good image to begin the process. Not a sow’s ear to turn into a silk purse. Poorly exposed images fall apart in post processing.

Oh no! A subject centered right in the middle of the frame. Bad, bad, bad. However, there’s also rhythm in the slight arc of the headlights of the bikes despite me blowing them out with the use of shallow depth of field to isolate the primary subject. There’s also that triangle dynamic (I don’t use the Rule of Thirds, btw) that I favor in most of my compositions. It’s accentuated by a vignette.

There’s good reason to strive to get images technically right and distort later. It’s not just what the photographer saw but how they viewed and presented it to the audience. Less than perfect? Maybe, but that relies on your interpretation.

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Nikon Capture NX 2.2 vs. Lightroom touch up tool

After upgrading to Nikon Capture NX 2.2 and preliminarily scooting around, I’m happy to report that the Auto Retouch brush in NX 2.2 is better than Lightroom’s Spot Removal tool function for removing spots and blemishes. This is important if you are working non-destructively on a RAW file or a file that you plan to export out of either application and don’t need to bring it into Photoshop for further processing.

The new tool in NX 2.2 functions very similarly to Photoshop CS-(X)’s Spot Healing brush tool. You pick up the brush and just touch your area once where you want to remove the spot. It blends by using the surrounding pixels/area. I find the clone tool in Lightroom 2.3 very clumsy to use. It’s more of a two step/two thought process where you select the area you want to fix and then move the brush to a clean area to pick up and blend. The 2nd circle goes berserk all on its own in suggesting the source if you don’t hint the direction first.

You can change your edits in both applications. LR allows you to change size, location, opacity or delete. NX 2.2 lets you toggle the Step visibility or delete. I’m talking about simple spotting like you would on a negative with a brush on film. If I wanted true cloning and major edits, I’m taking it into Photoshop.

So far, so good for this update on Capture NX 2.2. The refresh rate for the screen is faster too. Now if they could only get the working window to appear in front of the browser when you initially open it.

Here’s where both tools live:

Nikon Capture Retouch Brush

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