BAND PROMO PHOTOGRAPHY

My Photography Gear 6 - NIKON D7000 | NIKON D3100

During the past ‘My Photography Gear’ series, featured on this blog, I have introduced you to my gear, mainly lenses.  I guess, now it is the time to let you all know which are the machines that I use to match the formerly featured lenses.  

First of all, I am a Nikon shooter.  Personally, I have nothing against other brands.  Some time ago I was simply introduced to the Nikon brand and it was fantastic.  Being a very conservative guy, I tend to stick by what makes me feel comfortable and by what is absolutely practical.  Nikon meets such criteria.

I own two DSLR camera bodies.  In fact my main body is the Nikon D7000 whereas my backup body is the Nikon D3100.  They are both fantastic camera bodies which are up to optimal performance.

Nikon D7000

The Nikon D7000’s feel is awesome.  It is considerably formidable, thanks to a magnesium alloy body shell and slightly thicker rubber coating on the hand grip and rear of the camera. At 16.2Mp the D7000 boasts of the second highest resolution of any Nikon DSLR. All of these pixels are packed onto a newly developed CMOS sensor. As well as extra resolution, the new sensor offers a great variety of ISO, ranging from 100-6400, expandable up to the equivalent of ISO 25,600.

The D7000's AF and metering systems are also new, and feature a significant upgrade to earlier Nikon camera bodies. The new camera boasts a 39-point AF array with 9 cross-type AF points. It also has an upgraded movie specification, up to 'full HD' - 1920x1080 resolution at 24fps. The D7000 can also maintain AF during live view and movie shooting.

Here are some key features:

• 16.2MP CMOS sensor
• 1080p HD video recording with mic jack for external microphone
• ISO 100-6400 (plus H1 and H2 equivalent to ISO 12,800/25,600)
• 39-point AF system with 3D tracking
• New 2016 pixel metering sensor
• Scene Recognition System (see 2016 pixel sensor, above) aids WB/metering + focus accuracy
• Twin SD card slots
• 3.0 inch 921k dot LCD screen
• New Live View/movie shooting switch
• Full-time AF in Live View/movie modes
• Up to 6fps continuous shooting
• Lockable drive mode dial
• Built-in intervalometer
• Electronic virtual horizon
• Shutter tested to 150K actuations

Nikon D3100

My backup and travelling camera body is the Nikon D3100.  It is considered to be Nikon's entry-level model. It is also the first Nikon DSLR to offer 1920x1080 movie recording in its range. 

The Nikon D3100 offers very good image quality together with straightforward handling. Overall, the D3100 is an excellent DSLR.  It has some limitations but one has to keep in mind that this body is aimed to instil the passion of photography and not to amuse the professionals.

Here are some key features:

• 14.2 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor
• 3.0" LCD monitor (230,000 dots)
• Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
• 11 AF points (with 3D tracking)
• IS0 100-3200 range (12,800 expanded)
• HD movies (1080p, 720p or WVGA)

Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP) Malta 2011 October Convention

The Malta Institute of Professional Photographers (MIPP) in collaboration with the Society Representing Professional Image Makers (SWPP) proudly announces the Malta 2011 October Convention.  The three-day international convention is another event on the Malta Institute of Professional Photography’s (MIPP) agenda to highlight the institute’s fifteenth anniversary.

Prolific foreign and local guest speakers will address the audience on the 14th, 15th and 16th of October 2011. The convention is open to all professional photographers and photography enthusiasts and it will be held at the Corinthia San Gorg, hotel.  Throughout the three-day convention guest speakers Faye and Trevor Yerbury, Barrie & Bev Downie, Podge Kelly & Tom Lee, Sergio Muscat, Darrin Zammit Lupi, Ronnie Muscat, Dp Attard, Joe Zammit Lucia, Lino Arrigo Azzopardi and Phil Jones will hold a number of lectures and workshops. Bookings are open on secretary.general@mipp-malta.com.

For more information regarding the Malta Institute of Professional Photography (MIPP) activity and events, please visit: www.mipp-malta.com.

My Photography Gear 5 - Tamrac Expedition 6x

In this week’s blog I am going to feature my Tamrac Expedition 6x backpack.  This is an awful backpack which currently holds all my equipment during photo-shoots and other daily tasks. Originally, I owned a Lowepro 202AW but as time passed by, I kept constantly evolving, equipment wise, that I had to look for an alternative. 

After some time of research I decided to get hold of this Tamrac Expedition 6x backpack.  This bag really suits my needs.  The Tamrac Expedition 6x is a middle-sized backpack, forming part of a range of 6 backpacks, specifically design for photographers and branded by Tamrac as the ‘Expedition’ series.

Here are some technical details:

• The Expedition 6x is perfect for a wide range of photo equipment. The main compartment is foam padded with foam-padded dividers to protect SLRs with lenses attached, 5-6 extra lenses, and a flash. A foam-padded front pocket holds most 14.1" laptops.
• Two "wing" accessory pockets with water-resistant zippers organize and provide quick access to important accessories without disturbing the photo gear.
• A tripod is carried between these pockets with Tamrac's QuickClip tripod attachment system.
• An SLR with lens attached is held on 2 vertical, foam-padded dividers. A Dual-Hinge Divider System lets a 2nd SLR be carried with a lens attached. Two Windowpane-Mesh pockets organize filters and accessories.
• The state-of-the-art harness system with Dual-Density Comfort Pads provides maximum carrying comfort while Air Flow Channels help keep you cool and dry during extended use.

I have used this backpack for a couple of months.  Since the first time I have put it on, I find it extremely comfortable and I can fit most of my photographic equipment. The equipment is easily accessible and the weight is nicely distributed for ease of carrying. I highly recommend this backpack!