Nikkon D7000 Review with Holga Lens

Nikkon released a new body, the D7000 last fall to compete with the Pentax K-5 which had people at some of the fora trembling in their clown boots. I decided to review that body but not with the usual lens. Since I am on a tight budget and the prices of Stout have gone up recently, I decided to purchase a used D70s. The Holga lens wasn't a problem since they cost an average of $20. That makes them arguably the best value not only for the Nikkon crowd but the Cannon crowd as well. Who needs L glass when such artist's glass (err plastic) is available. To simulate sensor stains on the D70s, I took a paint brush and dabbed on 3 tiny spots of Vaseline. Then I drank another Stout. I then attached the Holga and did some test shots at the beach. The results were very artsy despite the sensor stain problems. In fact, when used with the Holga, it doesn't really matter if the sensor stains are there or not. If they are problematic, just keep drinking Stout and they should go away. I would post results of this test, but everyone already knows what lomography style shots look like and would be a waist of bandwidth. By the way, if you found this D7000 & Holga review helpful, please make a donation to the Stout fund.

Stay tuned for the upcoming review and sneak peak of the new Nikkon camera. It is thought to be an attempt to compete with the rainbow array of magnificent cameras that Japanese company that made the slr mainstream.

MPE 65mm lens review

So, what would I say? Optically, the 65mm macro lens could be nice, only when it is stopped down or when it is wide opened but focus properly. The most unfortunate thing is that for such a fast, luxury and expensive lens, its AF is particularly problematic and actually no camera body I have ever used can cope with its auto-focus being so slow. Another annoying issue is with the infinity focus, it won't focus to infinity and the support people say I don't know what I'm doing. As for the focusing errors, most of the resolution of this supposed to be high resolution lens is wasted when it arises, unless you use LiveView to do the AF and/or to do MF with some kinds of aids. On a positive note, it is an expensive lens and has plenty of bling. Just don't expect any good portrait from this lens.

These people had better success than me. Perhaps they had more stout.
Dedicated Macro Review Did I mention I take donations for Stout?

Recommended Cameras for Normal People

Resolution and ISO are silly numbers used to try to sell you more expensive cameras. You should just pony up and purchase the most expensive thing in the store since you don't know much about the specs and that way you know up front that you have the best gear out there. Plus you won't take as much of a loss on it when you sell it to buy the next great gear that comes on the market.

Remember, real SLR cameras like the CX62500 are a zillion times better in the dark than newest point-and shoots, and are superb for use at night without flash.

Don't buy a camera because a salesman tries to smoke you with gibberish like MP or ISO. They have nothing more to do with a camera's quality because it the price and newness that truly matters. After all, you don't want that sister/brother-in-law or sibling of the significant other to show up at the next family get together with a better kit. Spend $3K or more on a kit and taken low light images like the one above will be so easy a caveman that drank 6 stouts can do it. Even if you can't, people will assume you do because you spent so much money.

I just realized that I'm running out of Guinness so any donations will be greatly appreciated and no proceeds will go to raise a family.

Shooting Video with a Nikkon Digital Camera

O.k. so I don't actually own a late model Nikkon dSLR or P & S camera. But I did sleep at a Holiday Inn Express last night. Besides if a famous blog that reviews Pentax can do it without actually touching the merchandise but possibly more than 5 minutes in a shop, it must be so easy a cave man can do it. I just substituted my 9 year old Nikkon hybrid instead.



Now just imagine how much better the tech is after 9 years of improvements. So go out and by the most expensive piece of gear on the shelf to make sure you get the best tool out there. And remember that if it doesn't of 2 k's in the name (Nikkon) or go boom (Cannon) you are not going to be shooting to your potential.

This camera takes incredible still images as well. Check out these tack sharp portraits.

If you have found this post helpful, please consider making a donation. I don't have a family to raise, but I do like drinking Guinness. I find it improves my shooting skills as exemplified in the 2 images above. I recommend about 5 or 6 stouts before looking at them though. Did I mention I take donations?

Normally I restrict my advise to Cannon and Nikkon but the main stream media has been picking up a story an a new Sony Release. Apparently it is a P.O.S. and doesn't work the way it is supposed to do.

Go here for the full story and video Sony's New Release