World Record !

DSC_1172, originally uploaded by gugs.

This is Merritt, just after his new 110m hurdles world record in Brussels during the Van Damme Memorial. This picture has been shot with a Nikon D800 and a Sigma 120-300mm 2.8 OS lens;

Sky on fire

Sky on fire, originally uploaded by gugs.

A panorama assembled with Hugins (a wonderful freeware) on an iMac. The picture consists of 8 35MP shots taken with a Nikon D800 with the recent 50 1.8 AFS G lens, resulting in a totally unnecessary 133MP full resolution picture. I just like the colors, this is a view from the restaurant terrace in my hotel during my recent holiday in the French Alps.

Nikon D4: first impressions

I posted my first impressions about the recent Nikon D4 professional camera on the photography wiki: more details here: 
http://www.techniphoto.com/wiki/index.php?title=D4_Nikon

The short version: the D4 is not a revolution compared to the previous D3 generation, more of an evolution: almost everything is better but the D4 is not a real game changer to photographers unlike the D3.
*higher resolution
*improved AF (yes it is possible !)
*improved UI/handling
*improved ISO performance (vs D3, less impressive vs D3s)
*much better video specification than other Nikon cameras (couldn't check this YET)

As a conclusion: probably the best DSLR as of today for reporters, events and action photographers.

This new flagship is not without flaws, however: this is not really Nikon's problem, but because of the Japanese government, they had to introduce a new battery/power system, meaning a new charger, new batteries and a seriously decreased battery life -> you need more (expensive) spares. Another thing is the new XQD card format: as of today, only Sony can provide them, and the D4 is the one and only device in the world using them. This is seriously increasing the cost of ownership (readers, cards) and I am not convinced at all by the added value. The buffer is big enough, and the extra speed is not a real need for "normal" shooter. The last CF cards were fast enough, as far as I am concerned.

Final conclusion: highly recommended to recommended depending on the usage.

XQD card format

BE2_9946, originally uploaded by gugs.

A new incompatible card format, somewhere between SD and CF. The good news: very fast. The bad news: expensive, there is no need for this, only Sony supports it, and the Nikon D4 6000EUR camera is the only device to use it...
More info on the wiki: http://www.techniphoto.com/wiki/index.php?title=XQD

iPad post prod

iPad post prod, originally uploaded by gugs.

An old look given to a "normal" picture I took a few years ago in Scotland with a D3 with the Tamron 28-75mm 2.8 lens @75mm. This is an example of what can be easily achieved with simple tools on the iPad. The tools I have used are Snapseed, an excellent picture editing program for the iPad (there are now versions for "classical" computers), developed by Nik Software, a company known for their excellent post processing filters. I then added some scratches using another tool: Film Roll on the iPad again. Even if the possibilities are not on a par with what typical editing tools offer, the ease of use and the speed make those iPad apps very attractive to try out special effects.

New York City

nyc-74 post processed, originally uploaded by gugs.

A post processed shot. This picture has been taken in Manhattan, I added an old fashioned look with Flare. I like this picture because you wouldn't think it has been taken in New York City if you don't know the place.

Moonshot with the Nikon 1

Moonshot with the Nikon 1, originally uploaded by gugs.

A 'simple' shot: I put the compact Nikon J1 on the huge 200-400VR with a 1.7 teleconverter on the FT1 adapter, the whole thing resulting in an equivalent 1836mm focal length !!! This is what you need if you want to frame the moon like this. The whole setup has been mounted on a sturdy tripod with a gimbal head (the only practical head to support such a huge and heavy lens). The camera has been used in full manual mode, f8, 1/160 sec ISO400. The amazing thing is that autofocus was still working perfectly, in fact even better than on high end DSLR cameras. The Nikon One combined with professional glass is really astonishing !

Nikon One by night

nikon1night-20, originally uploaded by gugs.

A simple picture shot in my home town, hand held with the Nikon compact hybrid camera with a Nikon 35mm 1.8 AF-S used fully open (equivalent 90mm focal length). ISO 3200, no post processing, Jpeg out of camera.

New review on the wiki: the Nikon ONE system

This camera is more than just a camera. It is a disruptive innovation (other recently introduced cameras as well, like the new Sony NEX-7), because for the first time, we have a compact size mirrorless camera, with professional level (even improved) autofocus, a 2.7 crop factor giving previously impossible possibilities to wildlife photographers. I am really curious about the future evolution but I really think this camera will be remembered in a few years from now as the deal breaker of the DSLR industry. To be followed...

http://www.techniphoto.com/wiki/index.php?title=Nikon_One