G2 – Gear & Gadgets

Archive

April 1, 2019 by landm

Birds and the Nikon Coolpix P1000

Male Anna’s Hummingbird #1
Male Anna’s Hummingbird #1, Downtown Waterfront, Nanaimo, B.C., Nikon Coolpix P1000, 1/80sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400, 2,200mm focal length (sides cropped to create square format), handheld. ©Mark Degner

Back in the fall of 2015, when I was doing Gear Reviews for Outdoor Photography Canada magazine, one of the products that I reviewed was the Nikon Coolpix P900 camera that had a 24-2000mm built in lens.  Before I had a chance to try it, I thought that it was more of a gimmick camera, but after using it for a while I was quite impressed with it.  It had its limitations, but overall the image quality was good up to about 1500mm.  In fact I was so impressed with it, that in April 2018 I finally broke down and purchased one to take with me on a trip to the Amazon rain forest in Ecuador to use for some of the wildlife that I encountered.  I also used the P900 as my ‘carry around’ hiking and birding camera whenever I am hiking without my main camera system.

When Nikon introduced the Coolpix P1000 later in 2018 with a 24-3000mm lens, improved image stabilization, and RAW capability, I was interested in it, but then decided I could make due with my relatively new P900.  However, that changed when I actually had the opportunity to try the P1000 in early 2019.  I was really impressed with the extra 1000mm reach that it had (it is still a little soft at 3000mm but pretty sharp at 2600mm) and the improved image stabilization. Needless to say, the P1000 has become my new ‘carry around’ hiking and birding camera.

At the beginning of March, while I was in the Vancouver, B.C area and over in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island I had the P1000 with me and was able to photograph a number of birds while Leslie and I were out on walks.  Below are a few of my favourite bird images taken with the P1000. What still impresses me about the P1000 is how sharp the images are considering that they were all handheld. – Mark

Male Anna’s Hummingbird #2
Male Anna’s Hummingbird #2, Downtown Waterfront, Nanaimo, B.C., Nikon Coolpix P1000, 1/60sec @ f/7.1, ISO 400, 2,600mm focal length (sides cropped to create square format), handheld, ©Mark Degner
Glaucous-winged Gull, Neck Point Park, Nanaimo, B.C.,
Glaucous-winged Gull, Neck Point Park, Nanaimo, B.C., Nikon Coolpix P1000, 1/100sec @ f/6.3, ISO 400, 1,700mm focal length (slightly cropped), handheld, ©Mark Degner
Male Red-winged Blackbird
Male Red-winged Blackbird, G.C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C., Nikon CoolPix P1000, 1/320sec @ f/5.0, ISO 100, focal length 568mm (slightly cropped), handheld, ©Mark Degner
Male Wood Duck
Male Wood Duck, G.C. Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Delta, B.C., Nikon CoolPix P1000, 1/250sec @ f/5.6, ISO 400, focal length 800mm (slight crop on left side), handheld, ©Mark Degner

Archive

December 28, 2015 by landm

Nikon COOLPIX P900

In the Fall/Winter 2015 Issue (#35) of Outdoor Photography Canada magazine Leslie and I reviewed the Nikon COOLPIX P900 digital camera and we thought we would show some of the images we took with the camera. Overall we were impressed with the performance of the Nikon P900, especially its 24-2000mm super telephoto lens (equivalent 35mm focal length). If you are interested in reading our full review of the P900 you can click on the following link (OPC Nikon P900 Review) or go to Outdoor Photography Canada Magazine’s web site and look it up under Gear. – Mark

Bunchberry, Nikon Coolpix P900,

Bunchberry, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent 24mm macro setting, ©Leslie Degner

Common Loon, Nikon Coolpix P900,

Common Loon, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent 1500 mm, ©Mark Degner

False Asphodel, Nikon Coolpix P900,

False Asphodel, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent 105mm macro setting, ©Leslie Degner

Rose blossom, Nikon Coolpix P900,

Rose blossom, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent 95mm macro setting, ©Leslie Degner

Grebe on Astotin Lake, EINP, Nikon Coolpix P900

Grebe on Astotin Lake, EINP, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent is 24mm, ©Mark Degner

Grebe on Astotin Lake 2, EINP, Nikon Coolpix P900

Zoomed in on Grebe on Astotin Lake, EINP, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent is 1800 mm, ©Mark Degner

Full Moon uncropped, Nikon Coolpix P900

Full Moon uncropped, filling the frame, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent is 2000 mm, ©Mark Degner

Roses at the fence, Nikon Coolpix P900

Roses at the fence, Nikon Coolpix P900, 35mm equivalent is 85mm, ©Leslie Degner

Archive

July 28, 2015 by landm

Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100

Recently Mark and I reviewed the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX100 and thought we would show some of the images taken with the camera. If you are interested in reading the review it is in the Spring/Summer issue #34 of Outdoor Photography Canada magazine currently on store shelves, or you can go to Outdoor Photography Canada’s web site and look it up under Gear. – Leslie

Another rainy day, Panasonic DMC-LX100

Another rainy day, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/2.8, 1/20 sec., ISO 800, ©Leslie Degner

Strips of bark, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

Strips of bark, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/2.7, 1/4 sec., ISO 200, ©Leslie Degner

Bend in the grass, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

Bend in the grass, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/5.6, 1/500 sec., ISO 200, ©Mark Degner

Down the block, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

Down the block, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/2.8, 1/80 sec., ISO 12800, ©Leslie Degner

Shadow cast, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

Shadow cast, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/2.1, 1/40 sec., ISO 25600, ©Leslie Degner

The puddle surface, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

The puddle surface, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/5.6, 1/160 sec., ISO 3200, ©Leslie Degner

Grass stalk, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

Grass stalk, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/5.6, 1/400 sec., ISO 200, ©Mark Degner

Piling at rivers edge, Panasonic DMC-LX100,

Piling at rivers edge, Panasonic DMC-LX100, f/5.6, 1/125 sec., ISO 800, ©Leslie Degner

Archive

December 16, 2014 by landm

Photographing an Edmonton Eskimos Football Game

I am a big fan of the Canadian Football League and my home town Edmonton Eskimos, so when I was invited by Raneeta, the Sony Rep. for Northern Alberta to join her and the Sony Northern Alberta Photography Meetup Group to photograph from the sidelines at an Edmonton Eskimos verses the Montreal Alouettes game in September I didn’t hesitate. Not only did it allow us access to field level, but we also got to take part in the Endzone Party. Raneeta has been organizing this event for the past few years and she also organizes other outings, workshops and seminars for Sony camera users in the Northern Alberta area. I had the privilege to lead one of their outings to Elk Island National Park in June this past year and had lots of fun.

Raneeta also brought along a ton (no exaggeration) of Sony cameras and lens, including a number of just released cameras, for the participants to try out. One of the more popular lenses that a lot of the photographers who attended tried out was the Sony 500mm f/4 Super Telephoto lens, a wonderful lens but also expensive. I didn’t use it during the football game as I had the opportunity to give it a try (and carry it around a lot – its not light) on the Elk Island National Park outing. Raneeta was kind enough to let me use the new Sony SLT-A77 II DSLR body and the Sony 70-400mm F4.5-5.6G SSM II lens (Sony A-mount) for the entire game. The A77 II is a 24 MP APS-C DSLR camera with an electronic viewfinder and it is capable of shooting 12 FPS and has in-camera image stabilization making it ideal for shooting sports, like the football game, and wildlife. Since this A77 II is an APS-C sized sensor, adding the Sony 70-400mm F4.5-5.6G SSM II lens made it equivalent to a 105-600mm lens that is lightweight enough to easily handhold, although I used a monopod for most of my shots.

I took about 580 RAW images, most with a high 1600 ISO, and I was pleased with the results.   The A77 II and the 70-400mm F4.5-5.6 lens combination preformed very well and I am sure that I would have even gotten more consistent results if I had more time to fine tune the camera’s setting and get use to using it since I only got it just before the start of the game. For photographing sports and wildlife the A77 II and the 70-400mm F4.5-5.6 lens is a great combination.

The game was enjoyable, the weather was cool but nice and the Eskimos ended up winning the game 33 to 16, so overall it was a very good evening. Here are a few of my favourite images from the game. – Mark

Edmonton Eskimo's 1, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 1, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 2, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 2, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 3, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 3, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 4, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 4, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 5, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 5, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 6, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 6, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 7, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 7, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo's 8, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Edmonton Eskimo’s 8, Sony A-77 II, Sony 70-400 F4-5.6 G SSM II, ©Mark Degner

Archive

August 12, 2013 by landm

G2 – Gear & Gadgets: Mirrorless Mover 30i Camera Shoulder Bag by Think Tank Photo

I have been keeping my eyes open for a shoulder type camera bag for my mirrorless Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera, its lenses and various accessories. What I have been looking for was a shoulder bag that was compact, yet roomy enough for all my mirrorless gear, durable and rugged, but still looked stylish. By consequence, Think Tank Photo had just released a new line of camera shoulder bags, the Mirrorless Mover series, designed to carry mirrorless type cameras. Mark and I have several of Think Tank Photo’s camera backpacks and other products and have always been exceptionally happy with their functionality, quality and durability, so I thought that I should have a look at what these new bags have to offer. Thanks to the good people at Think Tank Photo I was able to get my hands on the Mirrorless Mover 30i to try out. I have used it extensively for the over a month, and think that it is just wonderful.

The Mirrorless Mover 30i (MM 30i) is the largest of the four bags in the series, but still relatively compact (28 cm W x 15.5 cm H x 14.5 cm D / 11” W x 8.9” H x 5.7” D), just slightly larger than an average sized purse. Although it is lightweight, (0.5 kg or 1.0 lbs) Think Tank didn’t scrimp on quality as it is made with high quality fabrics, metal hardware and YKK zippers. Its classic smooth exterior design combined with a pleasing matte black and charcoal colour gives it a very stylish appearance without looking overall like a camera bag. It is rugged enough to withstand use in the backwoods while still looking great on downtown streets.

Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 30i

©Mark Degner – Leslie carrying the Think Tank Photo Mirrorless Mover 30i

At first glance one would think that you would access the main compartment by lifting up the covering flap, however, that isn’t the case as the flap just covers the outer front pocket. Instead, to get at the main compartment, the MM 30i has an innovated design where there is a zipper that runs along the back and sides of the bag and opens away from your body. This is a really great feature that allows easy and quick access to your gear.

Think Tank Photo's MM30i open top

©Mark Degner – Think Tank Photo’s MM30i easy access top opening

In the main compartment there are two movable dividers that allow you to customize the interior to best accommodate your gear. I can fit my Olympus OM-D E-M5 camera, with a lens attached, two additional lenses, and numerous accessories including a cable release, dedicated Olympus flash unit and a pair of gloves for cooler mornings. One of the two dividers is designed as a padded smart phone slot. However, as I don’t have a smart phone, I instead use the slot to hold my Singh-Ray Cokin P-sized polarizing filter, which allows me quick access to it. When traveling I like to be able to have room for my iPad, the MM 30i has a separate tablet pocket in the main compartment just for that. In the top of the main compartment there is a pocket that I use to hold a lens cleaning cloth and my spare camera batteries in a Think Tank DSLR Battery Holder 2.

Think Tank MM30i in the bag

©Mark Degner – Think Tank Photo’s MM30i and what Leslie keeps in it

A large flap covers the front of the MM 30i and creates the sleek, stylish appearance that I find so appealing and conceals the zippered outer front pocket. In the outer front pocket I carry my GEPE Card Safe Extreme with four extra SD cards, an x-rite photo ColorChecker Passport, an Allen wrench, step-up ring and my Olympus BCL 15mm f/8 Body Cap Lens. Also in the front pocket is where I store the included rain cover. There is a magnetic closure that keeps the front cover in place while still allowing quick access to the front pocket. The MM30i has a small pocket on each of its ends that are large enough to hold my Cokin P filter holders and spare lens caps. The shoulder strap is comfortable with its wide, adjustable shoulder pad. There is also a waist-belt slot so you could use the MM30i as a belt pack, although I haven’t used it that way yet.

The only issue that I have with the MM30i is that I wish the back of the bag was a bit stiffer. When I am not carrying my iPad with me I found that the back of the bag, which is where the tablet pocket is located, tends to bend inward at the centre, thus causing the top zipper to not slide as easily. My solution to this has been to slide a piece of reinforced cardboard, the size of my iPad, into the tablet pocket to help stiffen the back.

Walking with the Think Tank Photo's MM30i and K'san

©Mark Degner – Leslie walking in the Alberta Badlands with Think Tank Photo’s MM30i and K’san

I am really impressed with Think Tank Photo’s Mirrorless Mover 30i and use it to carry all my Olympus mirrorless camera system when I am out and about in my travels and it still has a little room to spare for a few future accessories. In my opinion Think Tank Photo has created another excellent product and I look forward to many years of use with it! – Leslie

Leslie using the Think Tank Photo MM30i

©Mark Degner – Leslie using the Think Tank Photo MM30i