New Nikon PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm and 85mm f/2.8D ED

Now these look like some nice expensive toys! Save some money and don't get the new D700... purchase on of these! Time to start saving up.

PC-E Micro NIKKOR 45mm f/2.8D ED and PC-E Micro NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D lenses


Nikon recently introduced a couple of other Tilt-shift lenses (Perspective Control Lenses) as they call them. The PC-E NIKKOR 24mm f/3.5D ED and the previous PC Micro- NIKKOR 85mm f/2.8D

More on what perspective correction lenses can do can be found here

Enjoy
John

Nikon D700 is here! PC-E and new SB900 Flash too

Well the rumor mill has finally come partially true.... the Nikon D700 is here. Here are some links to it. $2900 for a full frame 12Mp. I don't think I will go for it. I love the D300 and an extra $1400 for lower noise and having to toss out my DX lenses is just not worth it.

Differences here from Gizmodo:

•No rear info panel (now on main LCD)
•95 percent coverage, 0.72x viewfinder (to D3's 100 percent, 0.7x)
•Smaller battery, plus uses D300's MB-D10 battery pack
•Expanded Function button options (macro for any camera menu item)
•Less robust shutter (150,000 cycles, like D300)
•Single CF slot
•Minor menu and control differences


Enjoy!
John

Dear Apple... I want a Mac Pro Lite or a Mac Mini Pro

Dear Apple,

How come we can't get a cheap ole' Quad Core Intel Mac system like Dell has?!??! I just got yet another 'bargain list' email showing the Dell Quad Core system for $499. Why can't I have a similar Apple system for even $1000?! I would like a Mac Pro Lite, Mac Mini Pro or a Mac Mini Plus!

http://configure.us.dell.com/dellstore/config.aspx?cs=19&dgvcode=ss&c=US&l=EN&vw=list&oc=DDDADGX&dgc=CJ&cid=7420&lid=0

Intel Core 2 Quad Processor Q6600 (8MB L2 cache,2.4GHz,1066FSB) [Included in Price]

Yes, I know the Dell system isn't a mac. I know it is a POS ugly box. BUT, why do a need to spend $2000 for the cheapest comparable system from apple?!

I don't want a hackintosh, I don't want a Dell. I don't want an iMac with built in monitor. I don't want tiny little portable components squeezed into my desktop.
I want a fast system that can be opened and upgraded and put in lots of disks. (the mac mini today can't do that). Quad-Core, bays for user added hard drives, Firewire, USB II, 2Gb memory upgradeable to 4 or 6Gig. High-end video card. Let me plug in my ncie Apple Cinema Display or any other DVI monitor.

Similar folks have been asking for it. See Wired's blog

here and here

I don't need the case to be beautiful or have the standard fantastic innards of a Mac Pro.

Please release this ASAP!

Final week photo exhibit at Filoli and the "S Gallery"

Looks like two great showings will be coming to an end soon. Next Sunday will be the last days for showings for the exhibit at Filoli and also the "S Gallery" in downtown Palo Alto. I will miss them both!

Not to worry... I have a few pieces that will be shown at the Pacific Art League in Palo Alto, including my "Nature's Firefall" (you know, the one that looks like the old Yosemite Fire Fall where they push a burning fire off of Glacier point). Look for that for the month of July.

Enjoy!
John

Great books to checkout...

A couple of people have recently asked for for good books to look at now that they have gotten their first DSLRs. Two books come to mind. The first is a field guide from Dennis Curtin. It is a spiral bound book that is tailored specifically to the camera and what you are actually trying to do with it. There are model specific books for the Nikon Folks and the Canon Folks . There is more info including the chapters, etc from the website: http://www.shortcourses.com/store/


The other books are the "digital field guide books." There are different authors for this series of books. Nikon Guide Books and Canon Guide Books There are both good Nikon and Canon ones available.

The main thing that sets both of these books apart is they actually show you WHAT settings to put YOUR camera on to get a specific type of shot. They also walk you through some of the weird menus and dials to get shots setup.
Good luck and happy shooting!

Incredible performance art photography

I was listening to a few week old podcast from Diggnation and came across this story. This is some pretty wild performance art. I am not quite sure how they get those pictures. Pretty incredible.

Performance Art Photography story



Enjoy
john

Solo Photography Exhibit at the S Gallery on University Avenue in Palo Alto

One of my latest photography exhibits is a small solo exhibit at the "S Gallery" on University Avenue in Downtown Palo Alto. Ok, so this is actually the Starbucks on University Avenue (corner of Bryant), but it is darn nice real estate and I have 6 large photographs hanging! Drop in a get your favorite coffee drink and see a few of my latest. I took my wife, Mary, by there for our date night last week and showed her the display

Enjoy!
John

Wrapup for "Come meet the Artist" at Filoli with the "California Dreaming" photography exhibit

I just finished up the artist reception and the "come meet the artists day" at Filoli Gardens in Woodside for the "California Dreaming" photography exhibit! Fantastic turnout. Thanks so much for everyone that stopped in! The support and encouragement continues to be wonderful!

About 16 artists where there and I had about 30 pieces matted pieces that I was showing. My "Last Images of the Grant Road Farm" is part of the exhibit. It is here in my portfolio selection:

http://www.jharrisonphoto.com/gallery/2747559_ghkMc/1/196146963_AjFxm/Medium

It is essentially one of the last farms in Silicon Valley and Mountain View. The Grant Road Farm was known for the pumpkin patch at Halloween and Christmas Tree sales and the train during Christmas. A group around Mountain View tried to make a last ditch effort to save at least a portion of the farm to be a teaching farm. But... it is destined to become houses. Currently there is only a dirt field and the barn in the middle. The mustard was mowed down as soon as it started popping up this year.

I am at least fortunate enough to have captured a good last image of the farm. I have some additional images in this gallery:

http://www.jharrisonphoto.com/gallery/2748739_7CvCb

Thanks again for everyone that stopped by!