What I learned in week 36
In this video US photographer Tony Northrup does a great job of telling why he wants to switch from Canon to Nikon but can't.
In a simple row of very sober arguments and conclusions about the availability and specifications of his key lenses, he simply demotes Nikon as not being able to deliver what he needs in spite of having a body he really wants, the D810.
In the flurry of Nikon-is-better-than-Canon, Nikon-is-loosing-it and Canon-is-lagging-behind hysteria, it is liberating to get an objective analysis based on facts.
Well done Northrup!
PS: I still prefer Nikon
I love Sigma lenses and have never been first brand fanboy, but been very open to third party lenses and accessories.
I already own a lot of glass from Sigma and have more on the wish list, such as the new 35mm f/1.4 Art.
It's not like I need lenses, but man these Sigmas are nice!
Just look at what people are writing about the 50mm f/1.4, also from the Art series. With the rumors talking about a 24mm f/1.4 and an 85mm f/1.4 – and even a 60mm f/2.8 macro - there's enough to add to my list. There's a pretty good chance that these new lenses will surpass most of what's on offer from Nikon and Canon in quality - and sell at lower prices too.
I shoot a lot of tabletop style images where I set up a single flash, an umbrella, ringlight or softbox and shoot a whole series of images.
These shoots often last most of a day because I need to shoot a bunch of almost identical images of products or other small items.
My flashes are SB 800's using AA batteries, and even though I use fairly good rechargeable cells, they do drain when the flash is turned on and used a whole day. In comes an external battery. I have two Godox PB-820 boxes with lots of power, and hooking one of them up to and SB 800 gives me almost endless power for a ton of shots. No drained batteries, no flashes going into standby, no flashes that aren't charged and ready.
Warmly recommended.