Nikon D3100

Why do I like Kelly Brook, well simple answer is right stuff at right place and bonus now is right price. I personally never believed in D3000 or D60 as a matter of fact (after D40). But I happened to be in store and saw D3100 and bingo, I touched this camera and like it right away. The controls, specification, grip, screen, video and quality. The first thing I did was to come back and read its extensive reviews available all over the web. Now I don't hesitate to recommend this fine piece to my close friends. Anyone looking for better quality than point and shoot camera, this is the best camera to move on.

But when you look for such camera, which lens is best? Well it comes with 18-55mm lens kit. This is a fine lens however its reach is very limited. The least I recommend is 18-105mm VR. But no matter which zoom lens you buy: here is my personal advice:

- If possible buy body only.
- If possible, go for 18-105mm lens atleast.
- 18-55 mm lens is very nice lens except for its reach. If you buy this one, you have all the reasons to be happy except for one.
- Don't forget to buy 35mm F1.8 (almost $190). This is best lens for low light or indoor pictures at low cost with this camera.
- SB400 will make a fine pair with this camera.
- Don't forget to buy a bag which is small enough to carry all this, lowpro is my favorite.
- Good speed SD cards are highly recommended. Go for San Disk.

I am not writing detailed review because I don't own this camera and its available with few fine sites like www.dpreview.com

Star Rating; * * * * * (4.5 star) for this category in 2010.

Punch: Don't wait, precious life is passing by 24 hours every day :)

[Updated: Nov 2010] Nikon is getting better at shots

2 new cameras for this season (few more but 2 worth mention). D90 replacement D7000 and P6000 replacement or Canon G11 competition P7000).

Nikon D7000: A very (very) impressive camera with following points nailed:

- Base ISO 100.
- Weather sealed body.
- Lots of buttons. (much better than D90).
- Auto Focus on Full HD movie with different frame rates.
- 39 point auto focus.
- Expeed 2 processing engine.
- 16 MP, picture quality reviews will come in some time.
- 100% penta prizm view finder coverage.
- Plus Everything D90 good at.
- Base price of 1K.
- Better shutter count and dual memory card slots.

I am wondering what will the D300s replacement do next year :)
Update [Nov 2010]: I am liking this camera more and more, I own it now as well.

Nikon P7000 (quite similar name):

- Small point and shoot with all manual capabilities.
- Better sensor and low light capacity.
- Rugged and Expeed 2 processing engine.
- Nice screen and HD video capacity.
- Lots of buttons and view finder too.
- External flash shoe and very good lens range.

BUT no swirl screen (Canon G12 is already in today).

Nikon SB-700 Speedlight Misses it by a pinch.

Nikon just announced a new speedlight designed to complement the flagship SB-900. The Nikon SB-700 Speedlight will cost $329.95, and includes some mouth-watering features. But they have excluded a key feature that will make you wanna pull your hair out. Any guesses? In Sync 2.5 sec recycle w/NiMH (3 w/alkaline) SB-900 control interface (knobs and switches) FX/DX chip size recognition for on-camera beam spread Can be a Master and Remote flash for CLS users (but only controls two groups)  Beam shaping, like the SB-900 Auto FX and DX detection, good zoom and wide range. Exposure point set from point to full frame. Lots of buttons (I like buttons and don't like menu digging). Comes with all light bouncer, diffuser, color gel hold and colored set. Quick Wireless Mode lets you dial in A:B ratios. Kinda Canon-ish, IMO. Out of Sync No PC jack that I can see anywhere. Costly. Bag seems to be bulky. But overall I am happy to see this flash with few nimble changes making a good deal of differences.

New iPod Touch

Okay so you will read/see a lot about it but its my first take as it is launched just 15 mins back and I don't have it in my hands (i may not have it for few days or not have it at all). So lets start:

Apart from every other feature, I was interested in photographer's point of view. hence the features I was looking forward to are:
- Camera (both side is plus), we don't carry slr's everywhere.
- Video Camera (facetime is plus).
- Good display - to carry best shots from me (helps people convince :)
- Emails (with wifi it helps checking emails everywhere anywhere).
- 64 GB with good price.

Other features I was looking forward to are:
- Foremost FM Radio (radio dvr is plus, like nano).
- GPS capabilities (I don't want to have more gadgets for my trips).
- Bluetooth audio (streaming songs over air).
- Better compatibility with my home network and TV.
- Good battery life will be plus.
- Scratch free surface will keep it beautiful.
- Better gaming capabilities.

I did get pretty much everything (Both side camera, HD video, games, bluetooth, 40 hours battary, nike) in this generation but Radio and GPS is still missing. So I am waiting for nice reviews to appear on it and tell me if I can play radio anywhere. 90% I am going for it but 10% can become 0 or 100 :)

!!Caution!! Rear Camera is not even 1 MP, iPhone has 5 MP.

Happy touching.

Review Gear Series: Tripod Manfrotto 785

I love this tripod, it has everything i need (with a little twist).

Good:
- Very compact (ideal for travel).
- Very light and rigid.
- Easy clamps and very good head.
- It stands tall for me enough (5feet and 10 inches).
- Its had also has video and camera mode. In video mode the only moments allowed is horizontal & vertical, nothing in btw.
- $60 on amazon.com
- I use it for 3 kg gear.

But what is the twist here. Its head is not good to hold heavy camera. So twist is to open the head and place a plastic sheet on the rubbing surface to make it more resistant. Bingo. I used the packing cover it came with to make a small piece of plastic slit.

I use this for Nikon D300s + Nikon 80-200 mm F2.8. and NIkon SB 600 Flash. Just to give you idea. we are looking at 1 kg of camera, 1.4 kg of lens and app .3 kg of flash without any problem here.

Bad: You will need more sturdy tripods at some point of time.
Ugly:
Be careful for jerks when this baby is fully stretched, Your body or even wind can give you heart beat spike. Its very light.
A word of caution: Never leave camera on tripod (any tripod).

HAPPY SHOOTING.

Review Gear Series: Nikon D300s

On popular demand, I am posting my reading of this new Nikon D300s. This is a excellent camera and better than D300. All reviews apply on D300 apply here (I would recommend www.bythom.com for D300 Review) with extra tweak in performance. Apart from the obvious review items of what has changed or what has been introduced (widely available on lots websites), my focus is on my readings. Video feature has some work pending, however over a course of time it should get corrected. I have nothing but 5 star for this hardware. But... 

Bad:
- No camera control software to connect with PC (optional), Canon has it free.
- It comes with ViewNX but that can't crop the pictures. hence you will have to convert RAW (NEF) pictures to JPEG to crop in third party software. This is pity feature which must have been in the software.
- In camera video editing is basic (poor than Canon).
- Nikon should have a Video for every new camera as option to read its thick manual.
- No cheap remote for this camera from Nikon.
- No screen brightness adjustment based on ambient light.
- No auto rotate in live view mode.
- No way to take picture while video is ON.
- No way to pause the video in recording mode.
- Charger still has an extra cable.
- No button for picture control.
- No Auto mode.
- Wireless trigger of flash is on in built flash only.
- ISO performance is not better than D90

Good:
- Sturdy, strong, weather sealed. (I have personally observed its advantages).
- Live view, movie mode, user friendly buttons, quiet mode and best of all, mirror delay mode which reduces vibrations.
- Amazing fast, 51 point focus, exposure accuracy and fine tuning of 48 parameters.
- Sticky handling, wireless flash trigger and dedicated button for Exposure mode is best for me.
- Good screen, 1 button zoom, picture control features and very nice menu system I like the most.
- Best of class battery life. I have tested this for 1100 pictures without recharge.

Ugly:
- Where is my Nikon D400????