Initial thoughts about the Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Lens

Out for a Picture Shoot 

I finally got out a bit for some shooting with my new AF-S Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 ED VR lens. (I'm writing this on 3/29/2015 and notice that the sale on the lens is over - it's back up to $1,399.95 from the $1,199.95 I paid.)

I spent a night at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument in southern Arizona. It's about 3 hours from Phoenix (2-1/2 hours from my home).

I had just visited the park a week or so before I received my new lens and hadn't been particularly happy with the shots I got at that visit, as I mentioned in my 2/26/2015 post. A lot of that was due to the time of day I shot pictures there, but I also felt it was due to my composition.

My Composition Issues

A fellow "Stunning Digital Photography" group member (actually, more than one) suggested using a longer focal length to help isolate a subject. I had shot most, if not all, of my pictures on my previous visit using my 16-35mm wide angle. After thinking about their advice along with the books by David duChemin that I enjoy, I really wanted to return to the park and try the new lens.


One aspect of producing better images, in my opinion, and that I read someone else state and I like their vision, is creating pictures that make viewers stop and look at the image when they're leafing through tons of other pictures online or in any other fashion. With the proliferation of images now, such as on Facebook where almost every post has at least one image, you can see people just zipping past one post after another, stopping on interesting or eye-catching images.

What does it take to get an image that will make someone stop and consider it? That's been my quest (at least a quest for understanding even if the results don't meet the goals). David's books are geared towards just that, trying to MAKE interesting or compelling images, not just TAKING images.

That means paying deliberate attention to what is inside the frame and what isn't, the perspective, lighting, etc. And the aspect I'm working on the most is including/excluding items in the frame. With a wide angle lens it's hard to exclude anything. I think my problem is still NOT getting close enough to the subject. Doing that helps force other items to appear less significant compared to the subject. 

Another way to help isolate a subject is to decrease the lens "Angle of View" (check out this cool page from Nikon to see how focal length relates to the angle of view: http://imaging.nikon.com/lineup/lens/simulator/ ). That implies my new 70-200mm should help me compose better shots.

The End Results

I was not disappointed. I liked how the lens felt and the auto focus (although I do quite a bit of manual focus). I'm not going to say these are the best pictures ever, but I like these. I like the color and the reduced angle of view so it make it easier for your eye (and mine) to see a main subject. 

In the Sonoran Desert it's not easy to shoot a landscape image and NOT get a lot of cactus or other shrubbery in the image, but I think that the image at left really causes you to first focus on the Organ Pipe cactus, then perhaps look around at the other elements such as the ocotillio. And, getting this shot at sunset with the vivid sky and clouds doesn't hurt at all (which was, again, my major complaint about the shots I got in my previous visit). In fact I think there is a lot of color here that makes this image stand out on a page with other images. And yes, this is taken with the new lens.

I'm not great at capturing wildlife. There were quite a few birds around the campground but this is the only one I was able to capture (I missed a quail maybe 20 feet away but the camera was on my tripod and the quail was running fast. No, it wasn't a road runner - I didn't see any road runners this visit). This was at sunset, taken at 18mm, f/13, 1/40sec, ISO 400 (I don't often shoot at that ISO but there was wind so I was trying to get quicker shutter speeds). This was hand held with vibration reduction enabled. I think it's good especially since my hands shake uncontrollably quite a bit (which is why I'm not a surgeon).

I've included some additional shots below, all using the Nikon D610 and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4 lens. I did use my Nikon D3200 and kit 18-55mm lens a bit during the trip too, and have to say I do NOT enjoy the feel of that zoom action compared to the more expensive 16-35mm or 70-200mm zooms. Yes, they both cost over $1,000 each, so there should be some difference. I'd just never noticed it before. The expensive lenses just feel good.

In post production, in either Nikon Capture NX2 or Lightroom, I don't notice aberration but then I haven't much with even my cheap lenses. Between the D610 full frame sensor, using low ISO, and using these good lenses (along with my good but cheap 50mm f/1.8D) I don't think about quality issues. I am able to just think, and try to improve, composition issues. 

A Close Call with my Manfrotto 055XPROB Tripod

Manfrotto 055XPROB

I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod. I did a good amount of research and chose this tripod purposefully. It met my needs at an acceptable price point. I find it to be very solid, in part because of its aluminum construction instead of carbon fiber. I was not seeking light weight for transporting but instead wanted more weight for added stability in wind. And I've had that aspect pay off already - it's been windy up on Mt. Lemmon north of Tucson, AZ, as well as yesterday out by the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, AZ.

I wanted a three section leg instead of four or more because the leg walls are thicker and therefore more robust. I wanted a tall tripod and this one is taller than a lot even though I could still use it a bit taller. I don't want to have the center column extended unless I absolutely have to. The other tripod I considered was a Gitzo Mountaineer without a center column at all, but ended up with the Manfrotto because of the center column.

I have used the center column in the horizontal position a few times, and if I didn't have it, I wouldn't have been able to do the shots the same way. Once was when shooting over the railing of a bridge over Oak Creek at Slide Rock State Park in Arizona. I wanted to shoot with a long exposure and with the center column extended over the railing of the bridge I was able to use a long exposure with the camera securely held (it was windy that day too, but since the legs of the tripod were behind the railing I didn't have problems with stability).

The biggest complaint I have about this tripod is the center column. Most of the time I don't have it extended. Most of the time I shoot I want the tripod low to the ground. You can't do that with this tripod unless you put the center column in the horizontal position and that is a pain to do with a heavy camera and lens attached. Consequently I tend to just get the tripod as low as possible without switching the center column around, and therefore settle for what I can shoot from that position. In other words, I get lazy.

Manfrotto used to sell a short center column for the tripod but they don't any longer. I've written to them about the column and received no reply, but you can't find the short column available.
A couple of weeks ago I tried a different solution from Adorama, a short column designed for a different tripod. One reviewer said it worked on the 055XPROB with reservations.

I took it out to shoot with a few weeks ago and came up with my own reservations. As one or more reviewers pointed out, it tightens down quite a bit but still feels loose.

I had my Nikon D610 and new Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G lens on it which is a fairly heavy combination. That's right at $3,000 for the camera and lens. I had shot a couple of pictures and without thinking much about it, picked the tripod up with the camera and lens mounted.

I'm not sure how or why, but I was holding the camera and tripod with one hand each. That's when the camera fell off of the tripod - the short column came right out of the legs. If I hadn't been holding on to the camera too it would have hit the ground. Bye bye to my camera and lens!

Needless to say, I re-installed the correct center column and threw the little one away. That near miss points out how important the tripod is - you don't want it falling over or collapsing or falling apart. It's probably a good idea to check it every now and then to ensure the ball head is securely fastened to the column. And, while it's very enjoyable to get this level of camera and lens, it took some convincing of both myself and my wife, and it took a bit of financial wizardry. I don't want to loose it due to a stupid move like using the wrong adapters for a tripod!

LowePro Inverse 200 AW

LowePro Inverse 200 AW

I'm still waiting to get my foot fixed and can't walk far or much on it (I've got a neuroma - an inflammation of a nerve). I'm down for another weekend, and if I can't actually take pictures I can at least think and write about it.




I mentioned in my last blog that I picked up a new camera bag to accommodate my new Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G lens. I could no longer fit my full frame kit in my previous LowePro Inverse 100 AW bag - the new lens is too long.

I looked at a lot of different bags online but the ones that I thought might work had listed measurements that sounded a bit too snug or didn't hang the same as my  LowePro Inverse 100. However, the measurements for the LowePro Inverse 200 also sounded snug. But, I decided to try it with the plan that if it didn't fit I'd return it.

I got it from Amazon, with free next day shipping (can't beat that!), and everything fits and I'm happy again! And that is everyones goal - keeping me happy!

I really have enjoyed the hip/waist bag. The LowePro Inverse bags have a waist and shoulder strap, along with a small handle right on the bag. These three items make it very easy to put the bag on.

I can hold the bag with the short handle, put the shoulder strap on, then fasten the waist strap. It's a logical process, works well thanks to the little handle, and at no time do I worry about the bag getting away from me so that I drop over $4,000 worth of camera gear packed inside.


I have my Nikon D610 full frame body, Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G inside the bag along with some cleaning gear. In the pocket with the LowePro logo I carry goodies like a spare battery, infra-red remote, small flashlight, leash for my eyeglasses. Between that pocket and the main body I have a small tablet and pen. On the back of the pack I have my GPS and I've attached my filter pouch to the straps. I've got everything I need in there. By the way, I use that little pouch on the front to slip lens covers in while shooting. It's convenient and I always know where the cover is.


It's not easy to see, but at this point I store the gear without any lens attached to the body. I could  leave the 16-35mm or 50mm lens attached with the camera in the bag but I will start out with no lens attached because it always seems like when I get someplace I want to switch from the attached lens to a different one anyway. If that's the case then why leave one attached?

I had to leave the 16-35mm attached in the Inverse 100 - I couldn't store it in the bag with the camera unless it was attached.

Although I haven't actually got out to shoot with this rig yet, I shot for a year or more with the smaller Inverse 100 so I know I really like the bag. This version is basically the same except bigger, allowing me to take my upgraded equipment.

I like how this type of bag is on may waist so that I can get to things without having to take it off (unlike my backpack which you're always taking on and off to get to anything - at least I couldn't reach anything in it when it was on my back). Carrying a backpack with just one strap over your shoulder made me uneasy and unbalanced.

I carry my somewhat large Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod on a strap on my back too, which interferes with a backpack. With the waist bag there's no problem carrying both.

I like that when I sit on the ground, which I do quite a bit in order to get a lower perspective shot, the bag is securely off to my side. When I stand up it doesn't throw off my balance as much as a bag on my back does, which was another reason to take the backpack off frequently.


I can't wait to get my foot repaired and get back out shooting! At present I'm hoping to return to the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument - if it's not too hot next weekend. I have plans to go down next Saturday and spend the night at the campground so that I can get better lighting. Until then, keep shooting!

Downtime Musings

I got my new Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G lens a week ago today. I still haven't gone out to take pictures with it and it is bugging me. I even had a plan to go out with a couple of local fellow photographers I met online through the "Stunning Digital Photographers" group on Facebook. Unfortunately I had to cancel due to health issues. I've got a neuroma flaring up in my left foot and it is too painful to walk very far. What a drag! I've got an appointment next week to get an injection and hopefully I'll get back out somewhere that weekend.

I did receive a new camera bag last Friday, to hold my new and much larger lens. I got the LowePro Inverse 200 AW, an upgrade from the LowePro Inverse 100 AW. The bags are almost identical except for the size. The new bag holds my Nikon D610, Nikkor 16-35mm f/4G, Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, and Nikkor 70-200mm f/4G plus cleaning gear, spare battery, remote, GPS, and filters (although they're attached to the bag's straps).

The most I've accomplished since then was to try an experiment on the bag. I do (or have done) a bit of shooting at night using the LowePro bag. One thing I don't like is trying to find the black zipper pulls on a black bag in the middle of a black night. On my Inverse 100 I had wrapped the zipper pulls with yellow electrical tape. It provided visibility but the tape separated from the pulls and feels and appears sloppy.

On my new bag I decided to try applying some bright finger nail polish to the pulls. I've applied it but haven't tried it out in the field yet. It looks okay and feels okay. I hope it lasts and doesn't flake off. If it does I'm going to try some model or other paint. I think I'd like glow in the dark paint eventually but I didn't see any finger nail polish that glowed in the dark so for now I'm trying a bright yellow.

I did a review of the bag on Amazon and that was one of the things I mentioned as a drawback for me. On the positive side, it does have a light gray interior which is great for helping you see little camera accessories in the bottom of the bag. My Amazon Basics camera bag is black inside, which is the same color as most camera parts. If you drop the hot shoe cover in that bag you need some light to find it.

I've been reading a lot of Thom Hogan's editorials at his site (http://bythom.com/) and enjoying them. I really appreciate his writing style even though there are some typos here and there. He does actual research to develop or substantiate his opinions which seems rare, especially for a web site. I know I don't do much of it here!

Thom has been involved in photography for many years and had a relationship with Galen Rowell (http://bythom.com/chasing.htm) who was a prominent photographer. Thom was part of the original Osborne "portable" computer company. Thom has worked with both file and digital cameras. He has great insight on what to carry in your camera bag and why. I highly recommend following him if you're into photography (which most people reading this are likely to be).

I've also been noticing that my page views are increasing on my blog here. I really think that is cool, that more people are finding out about my little blog and reading it. I am not trying to sell anything here, and don't have the advertising turned on so there are ads which slow the page from loading and which irritate me on almost ever site I visit. Thanks for reading my blog and please feel free to leave comments.

It’s Sunrise Time

It’s approaching the time of year where in Arizona the sun rises due east. Last fall I shot some pictures at Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza near the Arizona State Capital in Phoenix and I plan to try some again this spring.

The plaza is centered on Washington Street which runs east-west through downtown Phoenix. Washington Street literally splits at the east end of the park, providing a vantage point looking down the middle of Washington Street. Twice each year the sun rises at the end of the street, providing an opportunity for a shot with a rising sun and sun stars between the city buildings.

Sunrise on Washington Street

My shots last fall weren’t great and I want to try it again. I’ve been waiting for this time of year. The previous shots had some traffic cones in them and I actually waited too long to get the shot (I was a day late). According to The Photographer’s Ephemeris (http://photoephemeris.com/), it looks like March 19th is the day to start trying to shoot. The 20th has the sun rising a bit north of the street and it is likely going to be the better shot.

I believe that the 20th will be the better shot because of my experience last fall. Even though the angle of the sun looks like it’s coming up due east and at the end of Washington Street, the Ephemeris doesn’t take in to consideration that the Superstition Mountains are visible at the end of the street and that the elevation of the mountains means that even though the angle of the sun is correct, the sunrise is BELOW the level of the mountains.

The sun actually rose above the level of the mountains when it was partially hidden by the buildings. What that means is that I should have been there a day or two earlier so that the sun would be as low as possible, but still above the level of the mountains when it is centered between the buildings. In fall, the sunrise location is moving south each morning and I didn’t have another good shot.
In spring the sunrise location is moving north each morning so if I go early and don’t get a good shot because the sun is too far south when it breaches the mountains, I know the next day will be better.

Lesson learned.

It also looks like I may be able to get a shot of the sun coming through the main arch at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument on March 22nd. This shot offers up a lesson – when I took pictures of the arch in February I wish that I’d noted the bearing to the arch from where I took the picture. When I look at the satellite image on the Ephemeris I can’t tell for sure where the arch is. If I had noted the direction from where I took the shot I might be able to tell for sure where the arch is located.

I Think I have GAS

As much as I am spending on this foto stuff I am wondering if I suffer from GAS. That is:

Gear Acquisition Syndrome

With my latest lens purchase I've officially spent over $8,000 ($8,303.31 to be exact) on photography equipment and related items. And that's NOT counting some things I've picked up that I wouldn't have if I wasn't doing photography, such as a Casio watch with compass, altimeter, thermometer (about $100), a Garmin GPS (about another $130 including the mounts), camping gear (dunno, maybe another $400 - 2 cots, 2 tents because the cots wouldn't fit in the first tent, other stuff to cook with, etc.), park fees and memberships, and I'm sure there's more.

I'm just glad I don't ever plan to retire. I'll enjoy working in my 80's as long as I can remember what I spent potential retirement funds for! And as long as the photography equipment doesn't get ignored like the thousands of dollars I've spent on music equipment (10 guitars, full Marshall amplifier stack, recording gear and microphones, drum set, on and on) or wood working equipment (2 table saws, drill press, router table, jointer, planer, on and on again).

I know my wife hates it when I tell her lately that I want a new hobby. It makes her go spend time with her horse!

I keep thinking there's nothing more I need. And I keep telling my wife that too, partially in hopes of convincing myself. That's why today I've only ordered a new camera bag from Amazon - the LowePro Inverse 200 AW. I only put the new filters I am sure I need (Tiffen 77mm circular polarizer, ND set, and 67mm to 77mm step up ring) on my wish list on B&H and Adorama. The additional 8-pack of Eneloop AA batteries will have to wait but I'll probably get them before replacing my 50mm f/1.8D with a 50mm f/1.8G.

I feel the GAS coming again. Gotta go...

My AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/4G ED VR Has Arrived

Nikkor 70-200 f/4G on Nikon D610

My newest lens arrived and after taking pictures of the un-boxing, once I held it in my hands I realized just what a beast this thing is. The lens is 3.1 inches (78mm) in diameter and 7.0 inches (178.5mm) long. It weighs about 30 ounces (850g), just shy of 2 pounds. The weight is due, in part, to the 20 lens elements it contains along with the auto-focus motor, vibration reduction assembly, and everything else.

I thought my AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR was big, and it is, a bit wider at 3.2 inches (82.5mm) by 4.9 inches (125mm), and weighing in at 24.0 ounces (680g) – a pound and a half.

Too Big for My Own Bag

 

Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D, 70-210mm f/4-5.6, 16-35mm f/4,
70-200 f/4 on Nikon D610

Between the two of the f/4  lenses I can no longer use my LowePro Inverse 100 waist bag. And I like that bag and haven’t seen any I think I’d like better. I think I can use the larger version (Inverse 200) and have ordered one to find out with the intent that if it doesn’t fit I’ll return it.

 

LowePro claims you can fit the camera with a medium zoom attached along with two additional lenses in the bag. By a medium lens they use the AF-S Nikkor 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED VR which is 3.1 inches (78mm) wide by 3.2 inches (82mm) long. That’s probably close enough to the 16-35mm so I should be able to have it attached to the camera in the bag and still fit the new lens plus my Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D in there as well. I hope so…

Note that the D610 by itself weighs in at about 26.8 ounces (760g), about 1-2/3 pounds. Add the new lens and you’re at 56.8 ounces (1,610g) or 3.6 pounds! My Gibson Les Paul weighs about 5 pounds so the camera is still less than that.

Nice and Blurry

Bokeh example from the Nikkor 70-200mm f/4



Besides the size and weight, I haven’t shot much through it yet, it being less than 24 hours in my possession. I shot a couple of pics in the dim garage and what I already like is the bokeh. I think it’s the best of any lens I’ve got.

The black object on the right side of the image is my Nikon D3200 on a tripod. I looks like it just melts into fuzziness!