DDoD (Daily Dose of Decadence) July 2008

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqmejG6xgDs&feature=related

 

Regular:



HDR photograph:

 

Wow Yukio,

That looks incredible, I really love all the effects you achieve with the HDR....Amazing

 

Thank you. I suspect what you like in this photo is not the HDR effect but the mercury look of the flowing water which is the result of a long exposure.

Edit : here's the regular, non HDR version of the photograph.

 

The trees, foilage and texture of the rocks are just awesome in the HDR version too! Looks like something out of a fairytale!

 

Yes, I do like the long exposure and the molten fluid water, but the foliage and the texturing and lighting the HDR provides is really nice.....

HDR photograph:

 

So......
no one indulged on the 4th ???
Puh-leeze




Caught a little nap after work yesterday and then spent the rest of the day / night at the pool.
30 of our closest friends brought all kinds of goodies and we had quite a good time.

Hamburgers
Hot Dogs
Assorted beverages: Cokes, waters....Beers
Chips, dips
Fruit Salads
Patriotic cupcakes

 

Yesterday was:
Paella made by my friend’s Spanish father
Pear and praline tart
Vanilla ice with meringue and caramel
Green Spot Irish Whisky

Right now:
Absinthe Kallnacher
Dunhill Nightcap in my Perterson Spigot

I forgot my memory card at my friend’s house, I can’t take any photo. That is frustrating.

 

Old Gowrie in my Vauen. Rick, I'll never thank you enough for making me discover Rattray's.

Listening to Final Fantasy VII OST. Goose bumps.

 

Its the least I can do for all the great scenery you provide us
Thanks to you, my friend.

 

Vauen Jubilaümsedition in my Peterson Silver Cap.

Ehem, my four year-old computer with its glorious Ahtlon XP 2600+ has some problems dealing with Photoshop and 20MB image files. I'll have to upgrade that machine soon…

 

Hey, Yukio...thinking about a D80 and an 18-200 Nikkor. Any reason I should reconsider?

 

The image quality of the D80 won’t be better than that of a D60, but I like the ergonomics better (it’s bigger and it has the front wheel). However, the D60 being newer, you get some advantages:
– Active D-lighting (it means it can compensate overblown highlights which is nice if you’re a beginner and don’t want to fiddle with PS)
– Dust removal
– New processor
However:
– Poorer AF system (3 points VS 11 points for the D80)
– Smaller body (may be an advantage for some)
– Not compatible with older lenses with no AF (which I suppose won’t matter to you)

It all depends on what you want to do with your SLR.

 

Well, there's the D40, 60, 80, 200, 300 and the D3. I haven't read anything bad about any of them, don't want to spend the $$$ for anything more than the D80. I should settle for the D40, but probably won't.

I'm more interested in your thoughts on the 18-200. I can't afford to buy a bunch of prime lenses so was looking for a one-lens-does-it-all solution. Or maybe the kit lenses; 18-55 and 55-200. None are less than f3.5 though...unless I go with prime$!

It's all so confusing!!!

 

Great questions Michael, I have been thinking about some new Nikon gear as well......I sold my N90s years ago and never bought a replacement for it....

 

Michael, if you want a polyvalent lens, the 18-200 is a no-brainer. As for the cameras, here’s a recapitulation of Nikon’s range of DSLR.

High-end - FX/Full Frame sensor

* Nikon D3, August 23, 2007 => $4500
* Nikon D700, July 1, 2008 => $3000

High-end - DX sensor, high resolution

* Nikon D1, June 15, 1999 => dead
* Nikon D1X, February 5, 2001 => dead
* Nikon D2X, September 16, 2004 => dead
* Nikon D2Xs, June 1, 2006 => dead

High-end - DX sensor, high speed

* Nikon D1H, February 5, 2001 => dead
* Nikon D2H, July 22, 2003 => dead
* Nikon D2Hs, February 16, 2005 => dead

High-end - DX sensor

* Nikon D100, 21 February 2002 => dead
* Nikon D200, 1 November 2005 => remaining stock
* Nikon D300, 23 August 2007 => $1500

Midrange - DX sensor

* Nikon D70, 28 January 2004 => dead
* Nikon D70s, 20 April 2005 => dead
* Nikon D80, 9 August 2006 => probably remaining stock, may or may not be replaced soon.

Entry-level - DX sensor

* Nikon D50, 20 April 2005 => dead
* Nikon D40, 16 November 2006 => should be dead
* Nikon D40x, 6 March 2007 => should be dead
* Nikon D60, 29 January 2008 => $600

 

at home:




on the way home:











in my Castello Rusticated Sea Rock Cutty

 

What's that got to do with cameras?

 

Yukio, thanks very much for taking the time to put this together! I appreciate it!!