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

Read Full Post »

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.

Read Full Post »

Nikon D700 instant rebate

The current rebate for the Nikon D700 body only is an instant rebate of $300. Good until June 27, 2009.

Both B&H and Calumet are offering this. Check for other online retailers.

MSRP: $2999.95

$2699.95 with instant rebate

Hmmmm, D700x in the wings? 🙂

Read Full Post »

Motion in the Rain

There’s nothing like standing in the rain taking photos of moving targets like motorcyclists on a less than stellar weather day. I put the Aqua Tech raincoat on the D700 and stood there to face 1300 motorcycles bearing down on me because there was no rain date set and the Ride must go on. I also shot my D300 with a different lens. A fundraiser for the military and Marine Law Enforcement organizations. The Freedom Ride 2009.

The D700 was up to the task to stop the motion cold. Most of the images were taken at shutter speeds of 1000 and up at ISO 800 on the D700. I used ISO 400 on the D300. There was no sun in sight so flat with little contrast. I was more concerned about timing and making sure that all was in focus and no blur. Nikon’s recent releases of their D300, D3, D700 and D3x all sport the new Multi-CAM 3500DX 51 point autofocus system.

I did shoot in continuous burst mode but rarely fired off the 7 frames per second with the grip on the D700. I used dead on capture and also panned for some shots. The predictive autofocus mode is not present in Nikon’s newer cameras as a mode, it’s actually part of the new autofocus system. This was used for when a subject was moving toward you to predict where the focus point would need to be. Panning laterally is something different.

All I can say is that it works if you use it correctly. If you shoot motion, the higher ISOs for clean shots at the higher shutter speeds and newer autofocus system is a real winning combination.

Read Full Post »

Nikon D-Town 100 percent magnification

Let’s zoom in to another freebie. 🙂

Scott Kelby and Matt Kloskowski of KelbyTraining.com have a new TV series! If you love shooting Nikon, this is very specific to Nikon users. Manuals only go so far. Episodes are 10-12 minutes so if you have a short attention span, you’ll still be able to digest content. I like both these two as trainers. I’ve read Scott’s books. He’s also used one of my stock images in one of his books. Dang! I hadn’t bought that one.

It’s Nikon D-Town

Brought to you by
NAPP National Association of Photoshop Professionals I’m a member of NAPP and there’s a wealth of benefits to it,  but Nikon D-Town is free.

They’ve detailed some really great stuff.
Digital begets chimping. We don’t just shoot without checking what we’re shooting. I like to see if things are sharp and in focus, and I’ll bet you do too. How many button pushes will get you to 100% magnification? Roughly, six. Six pushes? Yikes.
Supported by the D300, D700, D3 and D3x. D200 is different. Slightly different to set up in the controls menu.

One touch zooms right in. Get to 100% fast when you’re reviewing your images. Secret’s in the Custom Settings menu. I won’t get into details about it, you’ll need to watch it for yourself.
It’s in Episode 2. Set it up and you won’t look back.

This is a weekly show. It’s full of useful tips. Not textbook, but real working type tips. Not only that, but it’s portable. You can subscribe to them as iTunes podcasts. I’ve downloaded the episodes to my iPod Touch. I can watch them at my leisure. Joe McNally stands in too for some live demos with Nikon speedlights. Speedlights—yum! Thanks, guys.

Read Full Post »

New New New

Yo!
You’ll find some of my tips here on photography, design, stock, speedlight shooting, Nikon and myriad thoughts. It’s the musings of observation. Maybe a mild rant or pet peeve. Shoots and discussion too. I apologize in advance for lack of photos. I’m presently figuring out how WordPress works. In no stretch of the imagination will I attempt to reverse engineer hardware. I think that Russ Macdonald does a much better job than I could ever dream about.

SB900 Firmware update
Nikon has released a firmware update for the SB900 speedlight. This particular speedlight is very different in that it allows for firmware upgrades to the hardware. It’s the first of its kind. Firmware upgrades are made through the camera body. D3, D700, D300 and D90 and a CF card. A card reader is also required.

I believe that Nikon has improved their auto white balance and suggested that it be used with the newer bodies. Speedlights in particular. Looks like color temperatures have been tweaked.

I switch off between using the SU800 commander and SB900 to control multiple speedlights. Using the SB900 is nice because it allows you 4 groups (Master is in use as a 4th). I like using a Master as fill off camera.  I’m still getting used to the interface buttons of SB900 and was faster on SB800’s since I use 4 of them. Still, easier to use Remote and Master functions as a button. Double pushes of buttons for adjustments OR option to use the spin dial is nice. Menu set easier to get to without double pressing and holding (as on SB800s). I’ve not had time to play with the supplied gels. The cover to set them in place is more clever than a rubber band. Maybe it will prolong their shelf life.

The SB900 is larger than an SB800. If you’re used to using a Lightsphere on your SB800’s, you’ll need to get a new one to fit the SB900. The Guide Numbers are close, so I wouldn’t say that an SB900 is dishing out more light than an SB800. Ah, but you have the ability for coverage to 200mm! The SB800 was limited to 105mm. Bring on the beams with your tele!  The prices have come down on the original MSRP of SB900’s by a lot. Best Buy actually had a 1 day fire sale on the SB800’s when they wanted to clear out inventory to make room for the newer SB900. I’m not so sure that Nikon isn’t missing the boat here if they plan on retiring the SB800. It had a very long technological life span since it’s original release in 2003. They need something in the mid range price point beyond the SB600.

Depending on need, when I only want to take one speedlight out with me, it’s the SB900. If space or weight is a concern, I pop an SB800 into the bag. So… is the SB900 better? Not in terms of more light. Use and control of the light is the improvement.

New Book on Nikon’s Creative Lighting System
A new book on Nikon’s CLS is available for preorder through Amazon! Nikonians Press.
The Nikon Creative Lighting System by Mike Hagan. This is great news. There hasn’t been much in documentation for Nikon speedlight shooting. It remains a mystery to many.

Nikon D700 books
It’s all about documentation. Nikon previously had some very difficult to understand manuals. Obtuse with a dozen cross references that sent you to the cross references. No wonder people were recalcitrant to read the manuals. Forum posters everywhere were constantly shouting RTFM!  Nikon’s latest releases of manuals are much better. I had the feeling that the original manuals were translated from Japanese to English/other languages.  The latest manuals appear to have been written from scratch in English. Kudos.

Still though, it’s wise to dig into the other materials available. There’s secrets to be learned. Not like Easter Eggs in software, but sheer usability things that Nikon built right into their equipment.

Thom Hogan has a new eBook (CD release) out on the Nikon D700. You’ll get a printed handy reference guide with it. It’s very comprehensive.

J. Dennis Thomas also has a Nikon D700 Digital Field Guide coming. I’m supposed to get a prerelease copy to review. Thanks, Dennis! Great guy that you are. Preorder it on Amazon.

Read Full Post »