Nikon D3100 adds 1080p to 14MP for $699 with Lens

Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 08/19/2010 - 05:33

Nikon has pushed the entry level "convergence" D-SLR bar up yet again with the D3100, more than just a minor update to the popular D3000. Now supporting a 14.2MP sensor the new camera offers the much requested 1080p video format for "true HD" along with some nice interface simplifications that will make it easier to get started with video and to have the Auto-Focus always active. They've also beefed up the Guide Mode and Scene Selection options which will will be particularly appealing to beginners. For $699 (expected in September) with 18-55 kit lens it's hard to go wrong. We do want to note though that the continuous AF with video is the mediocre "contrast AF" which is still no match for the snappy AF used in still mode. The camera also features a native ISO of up to 3200, amazing for an entry level model.

Pre-order the Nikon D3100 with 18-55mm Lens for $699 from B&H

Full press release follows...

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Full-frame Ultra-Wide Zoom Lens Face-off: Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 versus the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G Lens

Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 07/29/2010 - 10:41

I really enjoyed shooting with the Nikon 14-24mm AF-S f/2.8G ED lens which was released as part of Nikon’s foray into full-frame cameras along with the D3. It takes incredible images and was a pleasure to use. But for most of us it has several drawbacks which make it a difficult acquisition. First is price. At $1800 for the US version it is a large investment for a lens that typically gets used a lot less than a mid-range zoom. Second, it is large and heavy. If you lug your gear with you the 2.2 lb. weight and 4”x5” size create quite an impact on your photo pack. Finally the “domed” front makes it difficult and expensive to use filters with it (an expensive add-on adapter is needed).

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Breakthrough Teleconverter for Consumer Lenses: Kenko Teleplus Pro 300 DGX 1.4x

Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 07/08/2010 - 16:02

Few questions from safari participants make me cringe as much as the one about using a Teleconverter with their consumer or prosumer lenses. Both Nikon and Canon have worked hard on excellent Teleconverters for their high-end pro Telephoto lenses, but for some good reasons have orphaned their other lenses in that regard. Solutions were all ugly, involving a loss of Auto-Focus and often physical modifications to lenses. But now all that has changed with the introduction of the …

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Are You Checkpoint Ready? Checkpoint Friendly Bag & Insider Travel Tips

Submitted by David Cardinal on Mon, 05/10/2010 - 13:34

For every two steps back we take in lost travel convenience due to the latest new security regulations sometimes we can take a step forward. The newly arrived “Checkpoint Friendly” laptop briefcases are an example of that. I’ve been using the Skooba/Tenba Checkthrough Laptop Roller Case and it is definitely a stress reliever when going through crowded checkpoints with my vitally important (to me at least) laptop. Read on for our review and some of my favorite “insider” travel tips…

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Nikon brings VR to its Wide-Angle Zooms with a new 16-35mm f/4 AF-S VR, also new ultra-fast 24mm f/1.4

Submitted by David Cardinal on Tue, 02/09/2010 - 09:50

One missing link in Nikon's Pro lens line has been the lack of VR on the mid-range and wide-angle zoom lenses. Certainly VR is not as important on these lenses as on longer focal lengths, but there are many conditions where hand-holding is the only option and a low shutter speed is the best option. Now with the new 16-35mm f/4 AF-S VR Nikon has addressed the shortcoming... Read more »

Sigma 24-70, Another "Pro Value" Champ from Sigma

Sigma continues to impress me with their updated versions of pro and semi-pro lense for D-SLRs. They provide excellent value with pricing below the Nikon and Canon versions while not sacrificing image quality. Their new 24-70mm f/2.8 full frame HSM (same as USM or AF-S) is no exception...

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GearGuide: Camera Lenses for Bird Photography

Even more important to excellent bird photography than having the right camera is having the right lens. There is no point in purchasing that dream camera body and crippling yourself with a cheap lens. In the 8 years I've been leading digital photo safaris I've had the chance to use or at least see used just about every likely lens made for Nikon and Canon camera bodies and have plenty of hopefully useful thoughts to share with you:

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Nikon Updates Excellent 300mm f/2.8 lens and TC-20E

Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 12/10/2009 - 09:42

Nikon has updated the already excellent 300mm f/2.8 AF-S lens with VR II (enhanced VR) and a Nano Crystal coat for reduced glare, and the least favored sibling of the Nikon TC family the TC-20E III... Read more »

The Coolest Headlamp Ever? The Petzl Zipka 2 Plus

Submitted by David Cardinal on Sun, 10/25/2009 - 15:59

Image of Petzl E98 PM Zipka Plus 2 Headlamp, Mystic Gray
Whether it is pre-dawn, after sunset or a nighttime project every photographer eventually finds themselves having to work with their gear in the dark. Many of us have become headlamp junkies as a result. There is no substitute for a small and convenient light source that aims where you look. But the choice of headlamp has been a tradeoff between power, long battery life, size and functionality--until now. Petzl has just released what may be the coolest headlamp ever. Read on for my full review of the Petzl Zipka 2 Plus headlamp...
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The Ultimate Raw File Tweaker: Colorchecker Passport

As raw files become the common currency of high-end photographry a widening array of tools is arriving to help photographers get the most from them. I've been using SpyderCube from Datacolor/Colorvision for awhile to help set white and black points along with white balance for color critical situations. But recently I've added a new tool to my tweakers arsenal--Colorchecker Passport from X-Rite. Read on to learn about it... Read more »

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