A week with the Nikon Z7

Nikon Z7 ReviewI’ve owned this camera for a week now, supplied with excellent customer care by www.fixationuk.com  While I’ve no claim to be a super user nor have any overly technical insight, I do have a week’s worth of getting to know this new camera in situations that are common to most landscape photographers working in our typical wet, windy conditions. (I’m also keen to point out that I’m not trying to demonstrate mastery nor make any statements about my own competence. I’m simply trying to share experience in the hope that someone else may gain from it.)  A little background perhaps. From the day I bought a Fuji X-Pro, I’d wished Nikon had made a Mirrorless camera . From the moment, I first heard about the current model, I’d assumed it would fit in and complement my D810. I’d seen it as a lightweight alternative. However during the time it took Nikon to produce the Z7, the world changed. I’m not convinced even they knew the route they were following and suspect that the camera ended up higher in their catalogue than was originally intended. Life with the Z7 has been a mixture of close to perfect and  irritatingly  bad. Image quality, build quality and ergonomics are excellent which to be honest is 95% of the camera. The devil however is, as they say, in the detail. As a tool it feels good in the hand, solid without being too heavy. Compact without being miniaturised. I suspect use is easier if already a Nikon user but each control feels exactly right and seem to follow a largely logical layout. This is a very, very fine camera indeed, my D810 is gathering dust and my old  Fuji X-T2 is not being missed in the slightest. Given that the image output is essentially much the same as a D850 the key decisions as users are three fold:

• Does the weight and size saving justify the size for me?

• Does it matter that the DSLR line now has a limited and defined life? Would I rather invest in technology that is developing rather than being abandoned?

• Does the EVF offer enough advantages to justify the pain of the camera purchase and then subsequent lens purchases.

Nikon z7 Review Virtual Horizon level

Nikon Z7 Review cable release

Nikon Z7 Review with 85mm f1.8 AF-S G Sycamore Leaves

For me, the answers were straightforward, this is getting closer and closer to an almost perfect camera. The first and most important step to take is to fully read the manuals especially those parts that relate to customising the functions attached to the various buttons. This at least allows some of the more glaring oddities to be corrected. ViewfinderThis EVF is perfect, I’ve no idea how it could be improved upon. It's like looking through a straight optical path but better. It’s so good, you just forget all about it. Even allowing for the fact that at heart Nikon is an optical company rather than an electronic one, there is some magic at work. ShutterI’m an advocate of quiet photography, working along, taking time and spending some quiet time in the place that you are making photographs. There are times when even the sound of the shutter and mirror of a DSLR can grate and spoil the moment. The Z7 is delightfully quiet and can even be used in silent mode.PlaybackI like to review images through the viewfinder. In standard form this means removing my left hand from supporting the camera and pressing the Play button. This is, in my opinion, much better achieved by configuring either of the Fn buttons to playback Review can then be achieved without moving the camera from the eye.During review, the + button can be used to zoom in on the image and the edges of the command pad used to navigate. Pressing the centre of the command pad immediately zooms in to 100% This would be much better if Nikon adopted the Fuji method. Use one command dial to zoom, one to scroll to next image. GridWhy not provide a choice of grid line arrangements? At least a thirds grid.LevelI wish Nikon would provide a more subtle level indicator that can be viewed while composing. The fighter pilot sight one is just about OK if you are working from a tripod but you need to be able to see the level and the full composition screen if you are handholding. Silly example of poor design and the tiny indicators at the edges of the D810 finder are much, much better. ConfigurationI’d like Nikon to take away as many restrictions as possible when assigning functions to buttons, let the user customise their camera. Fully customise menus and features also. Let me remove menu items completely. The iMenu is a good start but more could be done.Cards /Card SlotsI had two corrupt files on the first time one card was used. Since then nothing, it’s a worry but provided there is no repeat, I can live with it. I’ve been mulling over the whole aspect and am generally OK with a single card slot. I’m not clear about the technological hurdles but a direct Wi-Fi link to an external hard Disk like the WD MyNotebook would be a great alternative. It may be simply too demanding on battery power. FTZ AdapterYou wonder whether anyone in the Nikon design team actually use their cameras? If so do any of them every use an Arca plate? Every plate I own, even the smallest almost square one, fouls the camera if fitted to the FTZ, meaning you’d have to fit and remove it every time you wanted to fit or remove the adapter. I’ve ordered what I hope is an even tinier one, designed for compact cameras, I'll see if it works out. AdobeACR opens the lossless compressed files but doesn't seem to open uncompressed. I’ve always used the lossless compressed so not an issue here. There is  a lens profile included for the 24-7mm f4, as with the Fuji’s, the profile is applied automatically. It looks as though the Adobe support is in an interim version so I suspect import settings will evolve over time. . Long exposuresGiven that Nikon had time to learn from Fuji, I am surprised that the longest shutter speed they give us is 30s. It took nearly 6 years before Fuji finally gave in and added longer exposures in manual but now the wait begins again. If Nikon gave us 1/2/4 minutes, it would make a huge difference to normal use. If we could see those in manual and auto settings life would be better. One of the benefits I’ve appreciated over the years from mirrorless is being able to ‘see’ though heavy ND filters and I can confirm that it is possible to see well enough to compose and focus on at least easy subjects through a 10 stop filter. It’d be an improvement if there was a timer visible on the rear screen during B/T exposures. Interestingly LE NR is now switched off by default, first recent Nikon I’ve noticed that with. Use with 24mm F2.8 PC-e lensThis works like a dream, no fouling of controls and the focus peaking is life changing. Works like a dream. One can almost ‘see’ the inclined plane of focus and where vertical objects intersect it causing the peaking to show. No personal information on 45/85mm but presume same applies. Use with manual Focus lensesIn addition to my Tilt Shift lens, I also have a set of old AI Nikkors. We get two benefits with these. Firstly we have focus peaking which is especially useful with the large aperture lenses such as the 50mm f1.2. Secondly we get image stabilisation even with 40 yr old lenses. Nikon quote 3 stops with adapted lenses and while having no way of measuring, such a figure feels about right. That really is backwards compatibility. For anyone (shame on you) who hadn’t realised the joy of older Nikkors, ‘tis is definitely the time to investigate. There are some peaches (and a few lemons), more of that in the next instalment. Remote CableThis continues to irritate. The best I’ve managed so far is with a Meike Cable via Ebay that has a 90 degree plug so helps keep things bit more compact and also much less prone to being hit in passing.  I can’t believe Nikon offer this setup as a real life solution, it takes a high end product and makes it low rent. When combined with the PromediaGear L bracket it is functional but the end plate from the bracket has to be removed to attach or detach the cable. Currently PMG are the only vendors of a bracket that will work. They, RRS, Kirk, 3Lt and others have L brackets on the way but we’ll see if any of them work well or not. Battery LifeThe battery lasts less well than a D810/D850. I used to carry 5 spare batteries with the Fuji but I’ve not had to change more than one so far in a day with the Z7. This is to be expected as it is doing more work with the same battery. It’s still OK however, for me.AutofocusDespite the entire world telling photographers that they must use manual settings, I tend to use autofocus and Aperture priority whenever possible. The use of autofocus obviously requires the focus point to be placed exactly where you need it. The combination of the tiny spot focus point on the Z7 together with the ability to place it ANYWHERE in the frame makes this process perfect. FilesGiven that one of the major drivers in moving from Fuji was to produce files with which I felt more comfortable, the outcome has been completely successful. The files produced by the Z7 are beautiful and seem to be able to absorb any amount of manipulation without complaint. The level of detail is exceptional and ‘grain’ size and structure are both exactly to my taste.BandingAnother Nikon, another banding panic. I’m no expert here but it does ‘seem’ that, in some cases at least, those who are experiencing patterns are generally trying to extract impossible amounts of detail from impossibly deep shadows. Looking at some of the files circulating the writers need to ask whether the shadows might just be too dark and whether any other camera would do better. I’m a great believer in letting shadows be the dark places they are meant to be. In day to day use, where I’m trying to get exposure right, there are no nasty patterns of any sort. I’ve loved using the Z7 this week and am looking forward to getting to know it more depth over the coming months and years. I’m wishing for a healthy development through firmware updates but not holding my breath. Nikon will have to learn some new skills of listening to users and responding for that to happen. In the final part of this Blog, to be published next week, I’m going to share a few thoughts on lenses old and new that might be found on the front of this fine camera. For a variety of reasons the list is highly unlikely to mirror the established hierarchy as purveyed by DxO and the like.

Nikon Z7 First Impressions

I hate being an early adopter. I never buy stuff on the first day. I resent being an unpaid beta tester. I’d much rather wait until the teething problems have been sorted. Until now….My Nikon Z7 arrived this morning. Without wishing to rehash my leaving Fuji post, I’ve just sold all my Fuji kit and invested in Nikon’s brand new full frame mirrorless offering. I’m looking forward to getting to know this camera. There are already issues of course, as I realised there would be from the very outset. Jumping early always involves some pain, my intent is to get that pain out of the way as quickly as possible. It’s worth bearing a few of points in mind:

• I didn’t buy this camera to make my photographs better and I remain very pleased with the output of my D810 in every way. I’m not looking for dramatic obvious improvements.

• The initial rationale for this purchase was to replace the Fuji with another lightweight camera for longer walks, higher fells. The fact that Nikon have produced such a well specified camera opens the probability that it will replace rather than complement the D810.

• I’m a pony with a limited number of tricks. I’m not trying to review this camera, just share how it works for me. I’m not interested in superfast autofocusing, ultra high ISO use or overall speed of use. I work slowly and methodically and don't photography people, animals, stars, pets, sports, weddings etc.

First ImpressionsThis is a lovely camera that feels just right in the hand. Start up time is plenty quick enough for me. The EVF is the best I’ve seen and a step up even from the more than decent Fuji X series. Part of my reason for the move was to leave optical and use an EVF both to make viewing though ND filters easier and to include a Histogram in the viewfinder while composing. I also like being able to review through the viewfinder as it avoids the need to use glasses or a loupe. As a long term Nikon user, pretty much everything falls straight to hand and the interface is self explanatory by and large. The camera is small and light without stepping into insubstantial or ‘fine for small hands’ territory. There are so far, no hidden surprises and the cameras been a pleasure to use out in the field today. It feels small but solid and resilient. Image quality seems as one would expect and the 24-70mm lens seems to be very good though perhaps not as  outstanding as has been suggested. Much more remains to be seen on that front. Specific ObservationsUnboxingI’m unable to get excited over the whole ‘unboxing’ phenomenon however the departure from the Nikon Gold boxes is a shame. Slightly more of a shame is the extremely ‘low rent’ box and packaging. You may have just spent £4K on a camera but you wouldn’t know it from the boxes. Remote CableNikon have abandoned their proprietary 10 pin round (pro) connector for their own equally proprietary push in (consumer) rectangular plug. Although over priced, Nikon’s MC remotes have always been well made. They currently offer no replacement for the MC-36A and so any wish for a remote with a timer built in has to go to the aftermarket suppliers. Not a problem in itself but choice is restricted. This also has a knock on effect with the use of L brackets. I assume this is part of a planned move to leave wired connection behind and perhaps we’re not at fruition yet. I’d hoped that SnapBridge might provide a solution of sorts but it seems there is currently no way to set a timed exposure of say 2mins/3 min etc. We may of course see some aftermarket activity in this sector. I tried using SnapBridge as a remote this afternoon, but abandoned to re-visit the manual as it seems a long winded process. I tried it because the remote cable provision is awful. Even without an L bracket the straight plug cable sticks out a long way and is very prone to getting knocked. I can see the socket being equally prone to damage. With the L bracket, although the cable just about fits, it’s not a happy fit and again I can see damage resulting. There are two aftermarket remotes currently doing the rounds on Ebay etc which have right angle plugs. This is an infinitely better design except that the plugs bend the wrong way and make the cable foul the bracket. I’m currently working on modifying one to see if an improvement can be made. Most of the problem could have been avoided if they’d used a micro USB. This,  for me, is the only really disappointing aspect of the camera.L Bracket useSeeing Arca fit  L brackets in use so often by landscape photographers probably gives rise to a view that they are a commonly used accessory.This clearly isn’t the case or manufacturers might be more helpful in the placement of remote connections. I’m an L bracket addict and find it hard to work without one.Two problems emerge using one with the Z (as they did with the Fuji X-T1/2). The upright part of some brackets foul the cable access points for remotes. If you find a bracket that allows access, the exiting cable prevents the attachment of the L bracket to Arca fit tripod head in the portrait orientation. I solved this for the Fuji by using a ProMedia gear universal bracket which allows the vertical section to be moved away from the side of the camera by two sliding rails. This will also work for the Z. However for this workaround  solution to work really well requires a cable with a right angle connector. The L bracket I have used is the Promedia Gear PLX3xhttps://www.promediagear.com/PLX3x-L-Bracket-Universal-3-inch-Arca-Swiss-Type-L-Plate-Designed-for-DSLR-without-Grip-or-Short-Bodies_p_134.htmlThere are already well documented issues with L brackets and Arca plates fouling the tripod mount on the FTZ adapter, preventing fitting and removal. This PromediaGear L bracket does NOT impede the FTZ in any way. It also leaves the rear screen free to move. I’ve not come across any other L bracket that currently works. Battery LifeI suspect the days of getting an entire day’s shooting from one battery may have gone. I hope I’m being pessimistic but certainly the use of the EVF must draw more than the DSLR’s draw. Opinions seems mixed from the early hands on reports so fingers crossed. I shot on and off for four hours this afternoon and had plenty of juice left by the end. I am going to disable the rear monitor screen as I prefer using the viewfinder. This should also save battery power. Use with FTZWhile Nikon’s own online chat support weren’t able to help, this one item where a read of the instruction book is a good idea. There is a weight limit on using lenses with the FTZ. If using a lens that weighs over 1300g, you are advised to support the lens or use the tripod mount on the adapter if on tripod. If the lens has its own tripod mount that is first choice. The instructions suggest you add lens and adapter in two operations rather than leaving the adapter attached to the lens. I used the FTZ today with the 70-300mm AF-P and the 85mm f1.8 AF-s and both performed flawlessly. AF Fine TuneI’m still confused as to why a mirrorless camera still has an AF Fine tune setting since the focusing is managed right on the sensor. Suggestions gratefully received.Use with Ais lensesThe use with AIs lenses seems to work very well, I’d assumed that the camera would default straight to manual focus (I’d chosen to enable focus peaking) but it seems that I have to manually choose manual focus from the menu. I might be missing something there. Exposure is bang on and focusing very good. There’s no indication of aperture in the viewfinder however.  Viewfinder levelSo far I can't find a quick way to enable this. I’d hoped to tie it to one of the Fn buttons but that doesn’t seem to be an option. The old, more subtle and better level indications at the top, bottom and edges of the screen that were so useful on the D810 have gone. There now seems to be only the huge virtual horizon indicator that looks like a aircraft head up display. This is a pity in my opinion. Viewfinder RotationI’d hoped that having seen the Fuji implementation, that Nikon would have given us a rotating display for portrait orientation. Sadly not,  but one for the firmware Wishlist.Image size displayOne of the reasons I’d wanted an EVF was to achieve an exact viewfinder blackout surrounding different image aspect ratios. For the first time ever, I can now see 5:4 perfectly represented in the viewfinder. NEF FilesI was slightly surprised to see that Adobe ACR, recognised and opened the NFE files without a hitch. I was expecting to have to wait for an update. Another review suggested the lens profiles wasn't there but it shows on my version and is applied automatically rather than having to check the boxInitial perceptions after 8 hours of ownershipI really like this camera, and am looking forward to using it tomorrow. The files look great, the handling is excellent and it is a pleasure to use. The remote cable is less good and the lack of a subtle level indicator is a pity. I’d ask for that in a firmware update along with a rotation of the display in the viewfinder when in portrait mode. I’ll add to these early thoughts and correct any errors in a second instalment in a day or so.

Little by little

Today was  another day devoted mainly to the 24mm PC-e lens. I set off for one of my very favourite places, Deepdale. This is a lonely valley accessed from the road to Patterdale. Despite easy access, very few people make their way there in comparison with the standard Lakes honey pots. In 7 hours I only saw one walker heading up the valley. This provided an interruption and distraction free time in which to develop greater experience with this challenging lens. I understand the general principles of Tilting and have read all that I could find in terms of practical usage advice. I was also helped enormously by Andy Phillips who generously shared with me his precise step by step process.I felt that the only way to develop was simply to use it a lot until some of the thinking was replaced by feeling. That's what I've been doing since buying it. Not all situations lend themselves to a T&S lens or indeed to 24mm however and I havent tried to 'force the issue'. Today was the first day in which I have felt the balance shift towards a majority of success rather than failures. Today I made progress in a number of aspects. I think I am beginning to get a 'feel' for the tilt and refocus process; when things look right, they are increasingly right. I also chose use the viewfinder more than live view in the initial setup. I had also been focussing on the nearest point before tilting for the distance but today I've been focusing on a point a little further out and the number of iterations seems to have decreased.Probably the key gain today is that I felt the lens was working with me and not against me. I was enjoying using it and not fighting it. Perhaps the peace and tranquility of the location helped, perhaps it is just another inevitable step. The attached image was made with the 24mm f3.5 PC-E, 30s at f11 with a Lee Polariser and 3 stop ND.

Nikon 24mm f3.5 PC-e Tutorials

There are only a small number of articles that genuinely give solid advice on using this lens. There is a common view that there is 'nothing out there'. After much searching I've found a few links and these are added below. If you know of a link I've missed, do get in touch and it can be added for the benefit of all.http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/tilt-shift-lenses2.htmhttps://luminous-landscape.com/focusing-tilt-shift-lenses/http://www.davidsummerhayes.com/Focusing%20the%20tilt-shift%20lens.pdf http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/using-lens-tilt-on-your-digital-slr/http://www.northlight-images.co.uk/what-tilt-and-shift-lenses-do/https://www.schneideroptics.com/pdfs/photo/PC-TS%20Anleitung%201-12%20en.PDFShift onlyhttps://petapixel.com/2015/04/06/a-quick-introduction-to-shooting-with-a-tilt-shift-lens/http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/tilt-shift-lenses1.htmhttp://www.oopoomoo.com/2012/0 3/seven-advantages-of-using-ti lt-shift-lenses/

http://www.redbubble.com/peopl e/peterh111/journal/5713153-an -introduction-to-tilt-shift-ph otography

https://www.redbubble.com/peop le/peterh111/journal/7077801-h ow-to-take-a-tilt-shift-photog raphThis ebook is exceptionally good.http://www.oopoomoo.com/ebook/the-tilt-shift-lens/A fine article by Tim Parkin at InLandscape, worth the subscription alone.https://www.onlandscape.co.uk/2015/03/focussing-tilt-lenses/For a practical guide to using a Tilt and Shift lens there can be no better place to go than to Aspect2i. They regularly run workshops dedicated to these lenses.http://www.aspect2i.co.uk/findWorkshop.php?workshopType=3&abilityLevel=findWorkshopAn excellent article, also published in Luminous Landscape by David Summerhayes.Focusing a Tilt and Shift lens. It also includes some useful tables to provide ad starting point for the amount of tilt required for near to far sharpness in Landscapes.

First frames with new camera

Just back from the Isle of Tiree with the results from my new Nikon D800 camera. All the 'objective' evidence suggests that not only is the additional quality not visible on the web but the huge files produced cause more trouble than they are worth. I love it!

The 36MP output is a delight allowing cropping of course but to my eye also producing images that are somehow 'smoother'. Maybe that's the result of an unconscious need to justify, who knows. It is a superbly made camera, good in the hand, efficient and enabling for the photographer. It is the first camera for 30 years that I have bought brand new, I've been a second-hand aficionado of habit but this particular camera was so plagued with manufacturing defects when launched that I wanted an item that I could process under warranty if need be.

As it happens there is no sign of the infamous left focusing issues and the supposedly green cast to the LCD is not present or not visible to my eye.

Running a Core i7 processor and 8 Mb of RAM I see a significant hit on speed and have already had to change my way of working to reduce the number of images open in Photoshop and to reboot on a more frequent basis.

Many have identified hard disk space as an issue and I suppose if one is firing off bursts at 6 frames per second over a sports event I can see how the storage requirements would become unsustainable. However my way of working is such that I may only take a dozen pictures in a day, so far storage has not been an issue.

Much has been written about the demands of this sensor on technique and lenses. Again my conservative use of lenses and almost unbroken use of a tripod seem to ensure that images are of high quality. I'm not asking any of the equipment to preform outside its optimum conditions. I suspect that a less steady tripod, more reliance on hand holding or use of lenses at less than optimum apertures may reveal more flaws.

So far the camera is a joy to use and the results beyond my ability or judgement to find flaw.

Buttermere Dash

Yesterday I tried to maintain my new year's resolution of seizing opportunities. Having been at a meeting in Penrith all afternoon I rushed straight off at the end and headed for Buttermere. At the top of Honister Pass I changed from work suit to outdoor clothes and set about finding somewhere to park. The road from Gatesgarth to Buttermere village is desperately short of parking spots and I ended up with a very dubious piece of parking. The afternoon had been wild with sun and huge showers sweeping through but by the time I got there the dram had been replaced by tranquillity. Looking for foreground interest while trying to beat the fading light brought me to this washed up log. I was tempted to add to the composition by moving it but settled for higher moral ground. The long exposure was slightly compromised by the fact that the log was able to shift slightly as the waters lapped around it leading to a loss of critical sharpness. I made both colour and black and white versions but much prefer the colour one in this case. I was glad as ever to have worn my Hunter wellies as the entire evening's picture taking was made standing in water about a foot deep.  It was a beautiful and tranquil evening at the end of a very busy day. the peace and quiet were medicinal and even the long drive home and late evening meal could not take the shine off a wonderful experience.

Tiree #4

A second image from Salum. This time with a much simpler composition. Fewer clouds and trying to eliminate as much as possible expect the three bits of land above the sea. The right hand is sadly attached, I think the whole image would have worked better if it had been three separate distinct islands, but you have what you have.

North Berwick tidal pool

This image was made yesterday during a brief visit to North Berwick. I've been trying to capture this picture for ages and finally got the combination of my availability, weather, light and tide all together at one point. I waited three hours on the beach and this was the very last exposure I made. It was taken on a Nikon D700 with a 50mm F1.8 lens. 4 minutes at f11 with Lee 0.6 ND Hard Grad and Lee Big Stopper. The structure is a children's paddling pool which in itself is not of any photographic significance. However the tight composition serves to remove most extraneous detail and the long exposure reduces the detail in the water to a flat shape. The result is simplified to the geometric shapes. The icing on the cake is of course the Bass Rock in the far distance. This is a fantastic part of Scotland for coastal photography. This location was first brought to me by Colin Homes, the Edinburgh based landscape photographer.

Refining the process

This image was made three weeks ago. The revised workflow that I came back with has begun to change the nature of the output. The combination of CS5 and Silver Efex Pro has begun to allow me to produce the image that I had in my head.The initial RAW file came out of a Nikon D700, Nikon 16-35mm VR and Lee Big Stopper. 

Time and Tide

Time and tide, as they say, wait for no man. I’ve just made the effort to check times, got up early, made my way down to the sea to work on a particular image only to find I’ve made a mistake. Not only was the tide not high but it was virtually out and getting lower. I was there last night but ended up coming home after  a very frustrating hour. The cold was so intense that the pain in my hands became unbearable. On top of this the wind was so strong that it was lifting the tripod (+D700, lens and bag hooked on below) to the extent that I had to hold on during the 2m45s exposures. One of those times when maybe the ultra thin, lightweight carbon fibre legs might have been better made of cast iron.There is a danger in pre-visualisation as today when I couldn’t make the image I had in  my mind, nothing else would come and there was no flow.

Beauty in the hand of the beholder

I’ve often wondered about adding one of the current crop of mirror-less cameras to my kit. I do have a theory that for many of us (perhaps of a certain age) when we see the offerings from Panasonic, Olympus, Nikon and Fuji etc we subconsciously see the Leica we can’t afford. Compact quiet body, minimal controls, small interchangeable lenses, high image quality it all harks back to that M3 we always wondered about. On the face of it a compact camera with high quality output and small interchangeable lenses offer the dream ticket for many scenarios. In many cases, particularly the newest Fuji offering this holds a real appeal. Being somewhat ‘brand loyal’ I was intrigued to see what Nikon would come up with. In the back of my mind I think I had something like a digital S3 . Naming it after a famous weapon of mass destruction was an early indicator that trouble lay ahead but nothing quite prepared me for the launch. There is one and only one word that describes the image to the left. UGLY. I know ugly cameras take just as good photographs as the more aesthetically pleasing but really. Since I don’t have to make my living from my camera why should I subject myself to picking up something quite so hideous? Its just awful, it looks like a Y1 design student made out of balsa wood before being advised to drop the course. Brand loyalty and technical proficiency only go so far. I want to enjoy using, holding and engaging with my camera not hate it. I expect it will sell well-ish but come on Nikon make something more appealing.

New Arrival

Thanks to exceptionally speedy dispatch and distribution from Park Cameras my new lens arrived this week. It had been part of the plan to partner the D700 with one of these. Have taken all expected photos of living room and back garden and now looking forward to taking it out to play for real.

Time for a change

The new body arrived today from Ffordes (www.ffordes.com). A nearly new (2900 actuations) Nikon D700 full frame camera body to replace the D300 that I sold recently. As always, it arrived well packed by Ffordes and in exactly the described condition. A full review will follow. Some would say it is an odd time to invest as the replacement model will be out soon. I’m going right out on a limb with a suggestion that when the new model hits the shops this one will still make just as good photographs…