Saturday, January 24, 2009

Lenses Used for NikonSniper Photos

As I mentioned in the post on NikonSniper Cameras, I am currently using (4) Nikon D90's. Here are the lenses that I have attached to these cameras. They are not cheap but they are not their most expensive alternatives either. I also mentioned that I do not change lens on cameras ... I switch cameras to get the lens I want to use. It's way faster and doesn't allow dust to become a horrible problem.

Lens 1: AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED
Purpose 4 Me: Landscapes, Sports, Wildlife ... Everyday Lens, All Situations
This is my everyday lens that I carry with me when I take only 1 camera. Biggest UPSIDE: It has a wide range from 18mm to 200mm so it handles most situations fast. Biggest DOWNSIDE: For me it's the 18-22mm end of the zoom range. It's a great range but the 18mm (wide angle) end bends the photos more than I like. Example: If you shoot tall buildings ... the tops of the buildings converge in a little too much. You can also notice that when shooting landscapes at 18mm the outer edges of a horizon line can bend up. Sometimes have to straighten these problems out with a PhotoShop program. But overall it's a great lens for all situations. This is the only lens that I can guarantee is with me all the time.




Lens 2: AF-S VR Zoom-NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Purpose 4 Me: Indoor & Outdoor Sports, Wildlife and Low Light Situations
This an excelent lens for indoor sports. I purchased this to have the ability to shoot wrestling in lower light situations. It is great for all sports! No DOWNSIDE except the price but it is not the most expensive option either.



Lens 3: AF VR Zoom-NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 ED
Purpose 4 Me: Outdoor Sports Up Close, Wildlife Up Close, General Sniping!
This has a great zoom range that brings the game & wildlife a whole lot closer. The only DOWNSIDES are the price but again it isn't wildly expensive either. There is another thing that should be said. You need practice with this lens when you shoot at the 400mm end of the zoom. The lens has vibration reduction but you still need to be as stable as possible to shoot lower shutter speeds. It was not a problem for me because I have had years of practice with my breathing when I shoot. Perhaps I just feel this needs to be said because I am not as steady as I was when I was a young crazy buck. Mmmmm. Medications!



Lens 4: AF-S DX Zoom-NIKKOR 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED
Purpose 4 Me: Wide Angle Landscapes, Weddings (2nd Gun), Portraits
This lens does NOT completely eliminate the problem described in Lens 1. This is an ideal lens for doing wedding and portrait photography as I often will do as a favor for friends. But the real reason for my interest in this lens is due to my love of landscape photgraphy.



Lens 5: AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G AF-S VR IF-EG
Purpose 4 Me: High Power, High Speed Wild Life, Sport, Birds
I do not own this lens at the moment but hope to have this in my tool box one day. I have just been waiting for the right time ... and now isn't the right time.
An ideal lens for many far away tasks. More speed than the 80-400mm.




Lens 6: AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED
Purpose 4 Me: Lanscapes
I do not own this lens at the moment but hope to have this in my tool box one day. I have just been waiting for the right time ... and now isn't the right time.
I want to return to the Horseshoe Bend someday with this lens to capture the whole thing.

Sometimes I am just completely blown away by what God has allowed me to see in my life time. The beauty of His earth is still very prominent everywhere I travel. Nothing gives me greater joy than to bring those images to you in NikonSniper. I have often sat on location just looking at the beauty around me and thanking God for it before even thinking about shooting. Photography is a great way to communicate … but it is still very limited. I thank God for what He has allowed my eyes to capture ... first and foremost!, then I thank Him for what my camera can grab of what I have been able to see.

No matter where you are, no matter what kind of equipment you have ... keep shooting! Only you can photgraph your world for the generations that follow you.

All the best.
NikonSniper Steve

Friday, January 23, 2009

Cameras Used for NikonSniper Photos

Over the years, I have compiled hundreds (yes, hundreds!) of thousands of digital photos. This IS a backup nightmare if you aren't careful. Thank goodness that hard drives continue to get cheaper (per gig) because I have all files double backed up. I am often asked what equipment I am using. First, let me say, I continually upgrade my cameras. Here is a list of the cameras I have used for the photos produced on NikonSniper in the order they were purchased: (1) Sony F717, (2) Nikon D70's, (2) Nikon D80's, (1) Canon SD850 IS, (4) Nikon D90's, and (1) Nikon D7000.

Several years ago I discovered the hassle of dust in the cameras and the cleanup process. I decided that I would not open cameras up to switch lenses. This has been an expensive decision because each lens I use requires its own camera body. I don't switch lenses ... I switch cameras. When I switch cameras ... I want the systems to work exactly the same. If I get into a serious run and shoot situation I don't want to be thinking about 3 different brands of Nikon cameras. They all have subtle differences and I dont want to miss a shot because I am using a D70 when I am thinking D90 in my head and made a wrong adjustment on the fly. This is why I am currently using (4) Nikon D90's and the D7000.

PLEASE NOTE: The last time I posted this information I got a few really nasty replies from people who were angry at me because they thought I was boasting the ability to own three cameras. PLEASE understand some other things about my life. I don't own a television! I only have 1 car! There are many things that people have and take for granted that I don't own. I am not some rich guy braggin'. I do have decent photography equipment but believe me, ... Nikon and Canon and many other manufacturers produce far better cameras than I own. I don't own the best of them because I can't afford 3 of them. I am sorry but I need to have good (not the best) equipment. So, please don't chew me out. Can you tell I am ducking from shoes being thrown at me in this paragraph?

I sorta expect a comment from Braff Zackton about spending his college tuition on cameras. If he does say something like that ... get him to tell you about the checks I had to write because he decided to hit baseballs through winshields (plural) at Bates Park. Uh, ... Dad, the police would like to talk to ya!


Nikon D7000


Nikon D90


Nikon D80


Nikon D70


Canon SD850 IS


Sony F717