How are you liking your new drone? Or perhaps you’re considering either upgrading your current drone or getting into drones as a beginner. Whichever describes your situation, you will need to know the FAA rules for drones as well as how to fly a drone safely. We have some drone photography tips explaining some of what you need to know to stay within regulations and restrictions concerning FAA rules for drones. What Is Required?Photo by Harry Cunningham on Unsplash The FAA requires that drones should be registered and also that they are operated within certain restrictions and guidelines. This is true regardless of whether you will be using your drone for profit or not. Recreational fliers are registered under the guidelines covered by what was formerly called Section 336 and is for fliers now labeled Recreational Flyers and Modeler Community-Based Organizations. A separate registration is called Part 107 and is required for anyone making money off of their drone use. These users are labeled Certified Remote Pilots, including Commercial Operators. There are some very important distinctions between these two types of users. To make sure you operating legally, be sure to know what type of registration applies to your drone flying. How To Register DronesPhoto by Helloquence on Unsplash hear two questions come up most frequently about the FAA and drones. One is “do I have to register my drone?” The answer for that query is yes. You can cause yourself all sorts of problems if you decide to skip this step. The next question is about how to register my drone with the FAA. There are two ways to register. You may submit a paper application or you can choose to register online. If you are filing under Part 107, you will also have to pass a test administered by the FAA. There will soon be basic testing for recreational users as well according to the FAA website about drones. Besides the initial testing and registration, there will be periodic renewing of certificates and perhaps more training and testing required. Flying a drone has all these guidelines and requirements because of the hazards involved and because of the potential for abuse. What Drones Need Registration?Any drone that is over 0.55 pounds but less than 55 pounds and are flown recreationally or for certain commercial activities must be registered. It’s a good idea to keep up to date with government rules, nationally and locally, so you are within the bounds of what is acceptable. As a drone photography tip, let’s look at two different drones you may have in mind and see which registration, if any, applies to them. The DJI Mavic 2 Zoom drone (shown above) is a full featured but relatively lightweight drone with a zoom lens and video recording built in. It weighs in at just a few grams under 2 pounds. That makes it over 0.55 pounds but nowhere near 55 pounds. Does it need to be registered? Absolutely yes. Another DJI drone, the DJI Mavic 2 Pro (shown above), is marketed towards advanced users and professional photographers and videographers. It has a Hasselblad camera and lens for ultra high resolution imaging and video. It weighs about 2 pounds too, so it definitely needs to be registered. So, which registration applies? Does the DJI Mavic 2 Pro have to be filed under Part 107 since it’s considered a pro camera drone? Should my new DJI Mavic 2 Zoom be listed under former Section 336 since it’s not labeled a pro tool? Well, both of those questions are actually misleading. It isn’t the drone that determines what type of registration it’s the intended use of the drone. If you are using your Mavic 2 Pro merely for your own personal enjoyment, it would be a recreational license. If you use your Mavic 2 Zoom to create B-roll video for a project that makes you money, it’s a commercial license. If you get confused over the distinctions, check the FAA drone website. Basic rule of thumb is if it makes you money or you intend for it make you money, file as a commercial operator. How To Fly a Drone SafelyPhoto by Kaleb Kendall on Unsplash There are a lot of do’s and don’ts concerning safety and privacy with drone operation. Check our other drone articles listed under the Learn More heading for some specifics. The main thing is, operate your drone safely and within the law. If you do that, you have a greater chance of having a pleasant outing and getting nice photos and videos! This blog post about "Drone Photography Tip: Understanding FAA Rules and Regulations" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/drone-photography-tip-understanding-faa-rules-and-regulations from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/drone-photography-tip-understanding-faa.html
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Yesterday, we published an article that outlines how Congress passed a bill that allows authorities to shoot down private drones if they pose a "credible threat." In that article, we also discussed how DJI and a number of other drone companies now have easier access to controlled airspace for conducting drone flights.
It seems to me that these two acts of Congress aren't quite on the same page, given that one allows authorities to shoot down drones and the other that allows more drones in areas where they pose more of a threat.
That notwithstanding, given that there have been a number of close calls between drones and airplanes in recent years, and though it might seem that a tiny drone couldn't do much damage to a huge airliner's wing, that assumption would be false... In the video above, researchers at the University of Dayton Research Institute simulated a mid-air collision between a DJI Phantom 2 drone and the wing of a Mooney M20 airplane. Launched toward the wing at 238 miles per hour, the drone does significant damage to the leading edge of the wing. In a post on the University of Dayton website, Kevin Poormon, group leader for impact physics at UDRI, explained that "While the quadcopter broke apart, its energy and mass hung together to create significant damage to the wing." The purpose of these kinds of tests is to illustrate the dangers that even the smallest drones present to aircraft "before a significant event occurs," said Poormon, referring to a mid-air collision between a drone and a manned aircraft. Other tests are planned at UDRI, including those in which larger drones are used in scenarios in which the collision occurs with an aircraft engine or windscreen. Now that it's easier for some drone companies to manage flights in controlled airspace, I think it's safe to say that UDRI's research on this matter is more important than ever. This article about the topic "See What Happens When a Drone Hits an Airplane's Wing" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8897-see-what-happens-when-a-drone-hits-an-airplane-s-wing from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/see-what-happens-when-drone-hits.html If you have the DJI Mavic Mini, you know why everyone loves them so much. The DJI Mavic Mini is a (relatively) cheap way to start exploring aerial photography. But, since the DJI Mavic Mini is supposed to act as a cheaper, smaller version of a camera drone, you are missing out on the experience of shooting with something larger. But, a lot of this experience can be replicated if you only purchase the right DJI Mavic Mini accessories to compliment your drone. DJI Mavic Air is also a great option, its considered one of the best drones for photography. To help you out, I’ve put a small list of some of the DJI Mavic Mini accessories that I think are absolutely necessary to get you started. DJI Mavic Mini BatteriesNow, obviously your DJI Mavic Mini came with a battery. But one battery is never enough, as many photographers know. The DJI Mavic Mini battery is currently available on Amazon for $45, and compared to a lot of DSLR batteries, I’d call it a steal. DJI Mavic Mini Charging BaseThe DJI Mavic Mini charging base is a super fun accessory. It’s a great way to show off your drone while charging it. But, I use it for more practical purposes. It just helps me to stay organized. Every time I come home from a shoot, I head straight for the charging base on my desk so I can be assured that it’ll be good to go the next time I’m ready to head out for a shoot. The one disappointing thing about the DJI Mavic Mini charging base is that it can only charge one battery at a time, which means you’ll need to switch out your additional battery when the first one is done charging. You can pick up this charging base for $43 on Amazon right now. DJI Mavic Mini Two-Way Charging HubThis two-way charging hub is DJI’s response to my exact complaint above. While this charging hub definitely doesn’t look as cool as the case above does, it does a more efficient job of charging multiple batteries at once. And, for just $46, it essentially won’t cost you any more than the charging base above. DJI Mavic Mini PropellersI fought with myself for years after I purchased my first drone before I ultimately settled with buying additional mini propellers every time I buy a new drone. The thing is, no matter how excellent of a drone operator you are, accidents happen, and unless you want to wait a few weeks before you can take your DJI Mavic Mini back out again, it’s best to have back up propellers on deck. Plus, since you can buy a set of 8 of them for $15 on Amazon, you really don’t have any excuse. DJI Mavic Mini Landing PadThe DJI Mavic Mini is actually incredibly small, so if you are trying to land it on anything other than a smooth sidewalk or dirt patch, you risk jarring the gimbal everytime you land it. Landing pads for your DJI Mavic Mini are $22 on Amazon, which is a lot cheaper than buying a new drone. HEX Ranger Mini Sling BagWhile all of these accessories for DJI Mavic Mini are important, I really struggled learning how to carry my DJI Mavic Mini around with me when I first purchased it. A lot of the drone bags are, frankly, really uncomfortable. Plus, searching Amazon for a DJI Mavic Mini bag just turned up a bunch of really cheap, and ugly, products. Thankfully, one of my favorite bag manufacturers came out with a mini sling bag that works perfectly for my DJI Mavic Mini. The HEX Ranger Mini Sling Bag is priced reasonably for a mini drone bag at $65, which is my favorite part about it. But, it also fits so much more gear than you would originally think it could looking at a photo of it. All of the interior walls are fleece-lined and collapsible, so you can carry your small camera when you aren’t carrying your drone around and you know it’s going to be protected. It weighs barely anything at just .8 lbs, which makes it comfortable to carry around all day, too If you try your Ranger Mini and don’t like it, you can return it, but I promise it will be the best $65 you’ve ever spent! This blog post about "Must-Have Accessories for the DJI Mavic Mini" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/must-have-accessories-for-the-dji-mavic-mini from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/must-have-accessories-for-dji-mavic-mini.html Well, truth be told, you missed nothing with today's announcement from DJI regarding their rumored Mavic 2 drone. That's because DJI postponed their big July 18, 2018 "Bigger Picture" event indefinitely, so there was no big announcement today. We're getting tons of questions about what's going on, so here's the scoop thus far... First of all, today's event was postponed back on July 5th when DJI made the following announcement to people that had RSVP'd to their event (via DroneDJ):
So, according to DJI, the reason for the postponement was a desire to "deliver according to our standard of innovation." But not everyone is buying it... Over at WeTalkUAV, the theory is that DJI postponed the event on purpose in order to drum up tons of press coverage and increase anticipation. They discuss this angle in the video above. While I'm no conspiracy theorist, the WeTalkUAV folks make a solid point - it's not like DJI waits until the final minute to test everything in their products:
After floating the possibility on Twitter that DJI postponed the event due to a massive failure of the Mavic 2's gimbal, Twitter user OsitaLV posted this message, apparently straight from DJI HQ: It is definitely hard to believe that DJI discovered an issue in the waning weeks before their big announcement, but things do happen and the delay could be totally nefarious as DJI says. Image Credit: Kanzhaji Oddly, just one day after DJI delayed their presser, a photo of what many believed to be the subject of the event - the DJI Mavic 2 - was leaked online. In the image above, you can see the familiar DJI-looking drone with "Mavic 2" emblazoned on the side. This image, posted online by Kanzhaji.com, shows, among other things, a "dual-size sensor PTZ camera...larger wheelbase, four-way obstacle avoidance equipment," and more new goodies that DJI fans can't wait to see for themselves. Unfortunately, we'll all have to wait an undetermined amount of time to see the Mavic 2 (assuming it is, in fact, what DJI's original announcement was supposed to be about). DJI has given no indication how long the delay will be. Stay tuned for more details! Update: DJI has released the Mavic 2 Pro and Mavic 2 Zoom. The former is available for $1,499 and the latter will cost you $1,249. Via Kanzhaji.com, WeTalkUAV, and DroneDJ This blog post about the topic "DJI Mavic 2 Announcement: Here's What You Missed" was published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/8697-dji-mavic-2-announcement-here-s-what-you-missed from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/dji-mavic-2-announcement-heres-what-you.html There are many options for digital photography hobbyists and enthusiasts that are ready to buy their first DSLR camera. The Nikon D3100 is certainly is one of them, now that the company has made a significant step forward from its earlier entry-level DSLRs, the D40X, D60 and D3000. As noted in Part 1 of this PhotographyTalk.com article, the primary improvement is a 14.2 megapixel CMOS sensor. Plus, the Nikon D3100 is the first Nikon at this price point with live view and full-HD video, and capable of recording 1920x1080 movies. Part 2 of this article will delve a bit deeper into the D3100’s various features that are making it a winner in the marketplace. Read real customer reviews of the Nikon D3100 here. Exterior Design Although the Nikon D3100 looks very similar to the D3000, the body had to be modified for live view and video. These changes are most evident in the additional buttons and controls. For example, the “+” and “i” functions must now be separate buttons, so they’re accessible during live view. The drive mode switch on the top of the camera is also new. Look under the bigger rubber door to the left and you’ll find two new connectors: HDMI for movie playback and a combined GPS/remote release socket. There is always a trade-off, however; so to accommodate these connectors, the IR remote receiver was removed. The sound-recording microphone for video and the playback speaker are cleverly placed behind grill plates on the front and back of the body. Probably, the only downside of the D3100’s exterior is giving the “info” button, which has minor value, a better position (next to the shutter release) than the Fn button on the side of the camera. This button controls ISO, so it deserves a more prominent position. In addition, the flash button sits near the Fn button, which can be confusing when you reach for it with your left thumb. Camera Operations One of the similarities of the Nikon D3100 and its buyers’ previous point-and-shoot cameras is the operation of auto mode and scene mode. They essentially work independent of the photographer that only has control of focus and flash modes. Of course, many compact-camera users decide to buy their first DSLR to learn photo techniques, allowing them to be more creative. That’s why the D3100’s Guide mode is such an asset. The Guide’s downside is that it is not interfaced with live view, so you don’t know how sudden changes in the photographic environment may affect your images. Sony (NEX series) and Panasonic (GF2) have a competitive advantage here, with their cameras’ constant live-view capability. The D3100 is still in the fight, however, with the mechanism that directs the PASM mode (Program, Aperture priority, Shutter priority and Manual modes). The ease of use and position of the rear thumbwheel is superior to other manufacturers’ comparable models; and it’s combined with the exposure compensation button. Both are strategically placed behind the shutter release (as they are on all Nikons), putting them within a comfortable reach of an index finger. Another operational winner for the D3100 is the four-position controller, which sets the focus point manually. This function is paired with the 11-point AF system. It eliminates the need to focus and recompose images when subjects are not in the center of the frame. Other Feature Details Continuous shooting is a respectable 3 fps (frames per second); but that’s significantly less than the Pentax K-x at approximately 5 fps and the 7 fps of the mirror-less Sony NEX-3 and -5. The most important improvement in the D3100 compared to the D3000 is that Active D-Lighting doesn’t have much effect on the number of frames you can capture before the buffer is filled. Entry-level DSLRs don’t typically have an in-body auto-focus motor, and neither does the D3100. This is critical to the buying decision, as third-party and non-AF-S Nikkor lenses without a built-in motor can’t be focused with the D3100. Nonetheless, there are still a large number of lenses to pair with the D3100, so this shouldn’t affect many photographers. When it comes to the auto-focus function, the Nikon D3100 follows the patterns of most DSLRs, with “phase-detect AF” for normal eye-level shooting and “contrast-detect AF” for live view. Third-party testing establishes the phase-detect AF as measurably faster. Plus, those photographers upgrading from a compact to their first DSLR will like that face detection, for example, is very similar to those compacts. What does make the D3100’s auto-focus unique among its competitors is that 3D-tracking works quite well with subject movement. Read Part 3 of this PhotographyTalk.com article for information about the Nikon D3100’s Live View feature. This article about the topic "Digital Photography Equipment Review—The Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera, Part 2" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/1442-photography-equipment-reviewthe-nikon-d3100-dslr-camera-part-2 from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/digital-photography-equipment-reviewthe_29.html You’re someone that is eager to capture all the fun and activities of your life in pictures, so you can share them with family, friends and the whole world. The camera that defines your kind of digital photography enthusiasm is the Nikon Coolpix P310 Compact. Here’s the camera that has all the features, sleek look and Nikon’s reputation for quality to be your life-recording companion. Also check review of Nikon Coolpix P1000 camera done by PhotodraphyTalk.com. Read real customer reviews of the Nikon Coolpix P310 here. The Coolpix P310’s understated design reflects your style for substance over flashy pretentiousness. This camera is meant to function as a superior digital shooter, and not a fashion accessory. Nikon has cleverly added two vertical rubber strips on the front and back of the camera body. No bulky, molded handgrip swathed in thick rubber was necessary. The unobtrusive strips on the P310 provide such a sure grip that you can grab this camera and shoot without fear of it slipping from your hand; and you can point-and-shoot with one hand. The Nikon Coolpix P310 is also an extremely convenient picture taker. With dimensions of just 2.3 x 4 x 1.3” (58 x 103 x 32mm) and a weight of 6.9 oz. (194g), it fits in a pocket, purse, bag or pack. It’s always there and ready to shoot, but it’s never a burden or bother. For its price point, the Coolpix P310 is one of the smallest and lightest, but powerful, compact cameras. The two primary visual tools used to take photos make it easy to shoot whenever, wherever and whomever. The Coolpix P310 is equipped with a 4.2x wide-angle optical zoom NIKKOR glass lens, which translates to a focal range of 24–100mm. This is perfect for your kind of subject matter. Select the wide end of the focal range for stunning landscapes and fun distortions of your family, friends and happy times. You and your digital photos will benefit from the rather astounding maximum aperture of f/1.8 at the wide angle. Then, move toward the other end of the focal range and use the best focal lengths for casual portraits, 70–100mm. Nikon has made it easy to capture rock-solid, sharp images with the zoom lens by adding its Vibration Reduction (VR) image stabilization technology to this camera. It compensates for camera shake, so you can shoot with the slower shutter speeds that may be required in low light and still bring home clear, crisp photos. Independent tests reveal that VR operates very smoothly; in fact, you won’t perceive it working, except in the quality of your pictures. A major upgrade of the P310 from its predecessor, the P300, is a new Function button on the front of the camera body. Designate one of seven primary shooting settings to this button, depending on the subject matter, the place and the lighting. Another new point of control on the P310 is the U option, or User Settings. From this dial on the top of the camera, you’ll immediately switch between the current configuration of settings to any that you created and saved in the menu. You’re the kind of digital photographer that wants automation! You expect the camera to do the work, so you can enjoy the fun and activities your photographing. The Nikon P310 includes a long list of Scene Modes that match with many of the “likes” in your life. Back Light, Beach, Close Up, Copy, Dusk/Dawn, Easy Panorama, Fireworks Shows, Food, Landscape, Museum, Night Portrait, Panorama Assist, Party/Indoor, Pet Portrait, Portrait, Snow, Sports, Sunset and 3D Photographer make for a full life and the P310 will help you capture it all. The Nikon Coolpix P310 also features a 16.1-megapixel CMOS sensor; 3-inch, 920,000-dot LCD screen; and 1080p Full-HD video at 30 fps. Audio is recorded in stereo and the zoom lens is fully operational. The video system has the versatility to offer a High Speed mode, so you can shoot movies for slow-mo or fast-mo playback. You can speed past the footage that you don’t want others to see! from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/the-nikon-coolpix-p310-compact-camera.html Late summer 2011 saw the release of six new Nikon Coolpix cameras, including the P7100, which is an obvious attempt to take advantage of the success of the earlier Coolpix P7000. As smart companies will do, Nikon listened to what P7000 users had to say about the deficiencies of that model, and then gave consumers what they wanted in the P7100. There was nothing wrong with the previous model’s image quality, but the slow speed that received so many comments was improved in the P7100 by adding an EXPEED C2 processor that is typically found in Nikon DSLRs. Other slow operational issues were addressed to create less shutter lag and faster power-on time and focusing. Read review of Nikon Coolpix P1000 done by PhotographyTalk.com. Read real customer reviews of the Nikon Coolpix P7100 here. The Coolpix P7100 targets digital photographers that want more than a compact, or point-and-shoot, camera, but not the size, weight and price of a true DSLR. Yet, it is a substantial piece of equipment in your hands; and a close inspection reveals its design and manufacturing integrity. That’s what the P7100 delivers: Clean, exterior lines and a lens and optical viewfinder that might suggest a basic camera, but the insides are packed with many of the features and capabilities of a DSLR. These include a 10.1-megapixel, 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor; the aforementioned EXPEED C2 processor; 7.1x (28–200mm) optical zoom through a NIKKOR ED lens; three-inch tilting screen; RAW shooting; twin control dials; and plenty of buttons to access the camera’s various functions. Nikon’s design team was able to configure the dials and buttons, so they appear neat and tidy. The challenge for many photographers moving from a compact is that they will be confronted with all these controls. If they choose to make this transition, however, then they should be prepared for the necessary learning curve. The P7100 is a far-more serious camera than most compacts, so it simply needs more points of control because it functions more like a DSLR. Plus, photographers new to a DSLR-type camera will only become confused and frustrated if they must scroll through various menus to operate the camera. If buyers of this camera are initially overwhelmed, then they can switch to the auto mode. Eventually, however, they’ll shoot better pictures and enjoy the experience more when they learn how to use the dials and buttons. Nikon also listened when P7000 users thought it wasn’t quite as comparable as the Canon G series, especially the screen. The Canon series is a more established line, but Nikon’s P7000 was its first dog in this fight; and it seems to be ready to continue the battle with the P7100. That’s why it sports a three-inch tilting screen that can be manipulated 90 degrees above the plane and 45 degrees below. Although it doesn’t turn 180 degrees for self-portraits, a face-detection self-timer is a very workable alternative. Another improvement evident in the P7100’s screen is that the image is easily seen even in bright light. Of course, the P7100’s optical viewfinder doesn’t compare to a full-fledged DSLR, but it still makes it more like a DSLR than a compact. There have only been a few opportunities to test the Nikon Coolpix P7100, as it wasn’t yet released at the time of this review; however, those that have put it through its paces report the picture quality is well above average, digital noise is kept to a minimum with the larger sensor and it does operate faster than the P7000. There is every reason to think that photographers familiar with DSLR features and capabilities will seriously consider buying this camera. Some of those advancing from a compact for the first time may find it’s too big of a bite all at once, including the projected price of approximately $500. This may be the Nikon Coolpix P7100’s biggest downside: It costs as much as many first-time DSLRs, but doesn’t quite match their functionality and quality. Some consumers may react negatively to being asked to spend DSLR-level money for a camera that has been designed and is being marketed as something a bit less.
This blog post about "The Nikon Coolpix P7100 Camera Review" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/1541-digital-photography-equipment-reviewthe-nikon-coolpix-p7100-camera
from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/digital-photography-equipment-reviewthe_28.html If you’re a digital photographer who prefer Nikon cameras or are contemplating the purchase of your first Nikon DSLR, then take heart and maintain your patience. With each passing day, you (and the digital photography world) come closer to having an added choice, the Nikon D600 DSLR. Long rumored, the D600 was previewed (albeit sketchy) in a PhotographyTalk article of late April 2012. Now, the picture is becoming clearer; in fact, at least one Internet source is displaying a picture of the new DSLR. It’s only speculation, but Nikon may have been waiting for Canon’s announcement of the new EOS Rebel T4i. With this new Canon DSLR at the top of its entry-level line of Rebel digital cameras, Nikon may be aiming for a competitive challenge. The D600 will reportedly be an entry-level full-frame, or FX, DSLR and priced as low as $1,500, which puts it in the range of the Rebel T4i that is definitely priced at $849.00 for the body only. In that previous PhotographyTalk article, the only details of features and specs of the Nikon D600 were “an Auto DX crop mode, dual SD card slots, a built-in time-lapse function, in-camera RAW editing, new external battery grip and, possibly, GPS.” During early May 2012, one Internet source estimated that these details and a few new specs were approximately 60 percent accurate.
Additional reports during early May 2012 suggested other details of the Nikon D600 DSLR. A number of them contradicted earlier rumors, which then became “facts” more recently. It is now an 80 percent certainty that Nikon will announce the D600 prior to Photokina, which will take place during September. Of course, an announcement is not a release; and there is no information yet, as to when you could actually buy a D600. Another juicy tidbit is that during the D600 announcement, Nikon will unveil possibly more than one f/4 lens, priced for the DSLR entry-level digital photographer. This rumor may have some more teeth, since Nikon has reportedly filed a patent for a 24–70mm f/3.5–4.5 full-frame lens, making it a likely companion for the D600. The Nikon rumor mill’s latest grindings of late May 2012 produced a longer and more detailed spec list for the D600 DSLR, plus an important correction. The April PhotographyTalk article mentioned the possibility of a GPS unit. Now, supposedly, it won’t have GPS functionality. Plus, the 39 AF points, with an option of 11 AF points listed above has been further identified to include 9 cross-type AF points.
This article about the topic "Details of Rumored Nikon D600 DSLR Becoming Clearer" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-equipment-reviews/2470-details-of-rumored-nikon-d600-dslr-becoming-clearer from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/details-of-rumored-nikon-d600-dslr.html Even the major camera manufacturers, with all their design and marketing research, are not always able to identify the direction of the digital camera market; especially since smartphone photography has influenced a large segment of it. Budget-priced point-and-shoots don’t generate the sales or the profit margins as they previously did before the advent of the smartphone. This market may not be dead…yet…but eventually buying a point-and-shoot for a few hundred dollars and a smartphone just won’t make much sense for casual photographers. For professionals cameras like Nikon Coolpix P1000 are far better than smartphone cameras. This development has led most camera manufacturers to seek profits among more serious DSLR photographers, even professionals, who want a second camera for casually shooting. Cameras, like Nikon’s new Coolpix A, are also targeted at enthusiast photographers who want more than a point-and-shoot’s limited image quality, features and points of control, but are not yet…or may never be…ready for a DSLR. The strength of the mirrorless camera market proves these buyers are available and are willing to pay more than point-and-shoot prices for more camera and better photos. They must be prepared to pay a much higher price, however, if they want what the Nikon Coolpix A has to offer, but it appears their money would be well invested. Announced during March 2013, the Nikon Coolpix A is both compact in size, but packs a wallop with a 16.2-MP DX-format CMOS sensor that has been used in Nikon DSLR models and a 28mm equivalent f/2.8 fixed lens. Make no mistake, the Coolpix A is small enough to fit in a coat pocket, at 4.37” x 2.52” x 1.57” (111mm x 64mm x 40mm) and 10.55 oz. (299 g). At this size, the wide-angle lens must be mounted rather close to the sensor; however, Nikon engineers reworked the sensor’s micro-lenses, so there would be little or no corner shading. Other body features that clearly indicate the higher price point of the Coolpix A start with the construction. Aluminum alloy has been selected for the front and rear panels and the top plate is magnesium alloy. Despite its size and the lack of a true hand grip, the Coolpix A will feel secure in your hands with a small rubber surface on the top right of the back plate for your thumb and an elevated, well-textured rubber pad on the front right of the body for your fingers. Any photographer that already owns a Nikon DSLR will find the user interface to be very familiar. Access the settings by pressing the [i] button, use the arrow keys to move across the screen, press the “OK” button twice: first to select a setting and then to confirm your choice. Of course, for professionals to flock to the Nikon Coolpix A, as a second camera, requires that it delivers equally high-end image quality. Preliminary third party tests seem to conclude that both RAW and JPEG images are sharp, crisp and with excellent detail rendition at the lowest ISO setting of 100. For RAW images, ISO 1,600 still provides good, sharp images with very little appreciable noise. Jump to ISO 6,400 and the noise is rather evident. For JPEGs, the results are very similar; with noise having little or no effect at ISO 800 and just a bit noticeable at ISO 1,600. Even bumping ISO to 3,200 doesn’t render JPEGs unusable, especially if you keep print sizes small to medium. From ISO 6,400 and higher, noise has quite an effect on image quality. Essential Features of the Nikon Coolpix A Compact Camera
Appealing to the smaller markets of enthusiasts and serious DSLR owners with the Nikon Coolpix A and comparable models from Fujifilm, Sony and Sigma will make for a very competitive environment. There are simply not as many buyers for this kind of camera as compared to the “Golden Age” of point-and-shoots, which passed in a blink of an eye. Nonetheless, the Coolpix A appears to be a worthy investment for those photographers who have the skills and experience to utilize all its features, capabilities and benefits. This blog post about the topic "Nikon Coolpix A Digital Camera: A First-Class Choice in a Second Camera" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-equipment-reviews/3195-nikon-coolpix-a-digital-camera-a-first-class-choice-in-a-second-camera from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/nikon-coolpix-digital-camera-first.html For years, Nikon enthusiasts have been sitting and waiting patiently for the arrival of the newest replacement in Nikon's top of the line DX format DSLR like Nikon D4s. In August 2007, the Nikon D300 was released, taking the flagship position from the D200 in the DX lineup. A few years later, when rumors about the D400 started to spread through the web, the D300S was released. Unshaken, Nikonians still awaited their D400 to appear in the near future. But Nikon surprised their fans with the release of the D7000 which created a new line of DX cameras in between that of the D90 and the D300. Two and a half more years passed, and the rumors started rising to the surface once again. Yet, the D7100 was the new camera released in early 2013. So where is the Nikon D400? When is it coming and what will it be like? Gathered here are some of the rumors and whispers of the internet as to the speculated specs and release of the much anticipated Nikon D400: A 24 MP SensorWhile at one time this may have been very exciting, the fact that Nikon now has three 24 megapixel cameras dilutes the thrill of yet another. The fact that Nikon already has three cameras of the same megapixel count could possibly mean that the D400 will be different. If not by megapixel count, then perhaps by a new type of sensor. While having more megapixels is generally good, squishing too many on a DX sensor could affect the low light performance of the camera, in which case the D400 may actually have a lower megapixel count with better ISO performance and other enhanced features. Better Low-Light/High ISO PerformanceThe rumored ISO range of the D400 is 100 to 6400. But isn't it about time that we broke that 6400 barrier? All of the current Nikon DX lineup has a standard ISO range of 100-6400. Of course, you can boost it to higher levels, though it may not look so good. In the D400 we want to see cleaner images at the standard ISO range and the ability to use higher ISO settings with useable results. Full HD 1080p Video CapabilitiesVideo recording has become standard on DSLRs now, so Nikon's new flagship camera should not only include these capabilities but improve on them to make it a camera worth its title. HD video has been implemented in several cameras, but the quality and control has not always been great. The D400 should have better control over exposure, focusing, and panning quality. Release Delayed Due to Flooding in ThailandIn late 2011, a devastating flood overtook much of Thailand. In its wake, it damaged a very important Nikon facility which housed many of the DX camera components. This could be the reason why we haven't seen the D400 yet. Obviously, Nikon needed to catch up on the DX products that were currently in production meaning the D400 could have been shelved until a later date. Release Delayed Due to D7100The D7100 was a big hit, and to release another DX camera with better specs would only hurt its sales. So Nikon may be simply giving time for the D7100 to shine and let consumers grab up as many of them as they can before they release a new flagship camera. The 7000 Line and 300 Line Could MergeIt's been speculated that these two lines of cameras could merge. The 7000 line is just below the 300 and to further improve on the D7100 would be putting it awfully close to the soon-to-be-outdated D300S. This merger could produce a D400 or D8000, but either way it would be the new top of the line DX format camera. Nikon Could be Waiting on CanonCanonites have their own anticipations resting on the release of the rumored 7D Mark II. This DSLR would certainly be a rival to the D400. So perhaps Nikon is playing a waiting game. But are they waiting to release it at the same time to try to compete against Canon toe-to-toe? Or are they waiting for the release and hype of the 7D Mark II to die down before unveiling their own masterpiece? D400 May Not Even ExistIn the most disappointing speculation, the D400 may not even be coming. Perhaps Nikon has decided to make the 7000 line their new top line and keep the D600 as a bridge to full-frame cameras. Since very little actual evidence has been given to prove the existence of the camera even being developed, this is a sad, but real, possibility.
This article about "Top 8 Rumors Surrounding the Elusive Nikon D400" was first published on our website here https://www.photographytalk.com/photography-articles/3292-top-8-rumors-surrounding-the-elusive-nikon-d400
from https://photographytalkcom.blogspot.com/2020/09/top-8-rumors-surrounding-elusive-nikon.html |
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