Lightroom 2: The Missing Manual

The other night I was working on some images in Lightroom 2 and needed some guidance. I soon realized that I had no documentation for this version. I knew there had to be something out there, but I just could not find it. Today I managed to stumble across the link I was looking for. If you need LR 2 documentation, go here and download the .pdf.

Catching Up With Chuck

I first stumbled across the work on one of my favorite photographers, Chuck Kimmerle, a little over a year ago. Chuck makes gorgeous black and white images of a supposedly boring subject, the Northern plains of the Dakotas and Minnesota. He is one of those rare photographers that can make a bleak landscape dramatic and alive. His work has a texture and tonality that I have rarely seen. His clouds are something very special.

In an email exchange with me, Chuck reports that he is now using a Nikon D3. He shoots RAW and converts the images to black and white Photoshop. Insofar as more megapixels are concerned, Chuck believes (as do I) that we need better pixels not more. You can see some of his new work at his website here. Enjoy, as they say in the waiting business.

What Hath photokina Wrought?

Like a lot of folks I had high hopes that photokina 2008 would see the introduction of a lot of breakthrough products, maybe even that elusive DMD. Now that some of the dust is settling on photokina 2008 let’s take a look at what we really got out of the show of shows.

Two vaporcams (Panasonic DMC-G1 and Olympus Mock-Up) based on the Micro Four Thirds system. MFT looks promising, but at this rate it will be two or more years before it shows any real promise.

A plus size DSLR (Leica S2) that no one can afford.

A full frame DSLR (Sony ά900) that everyone has known about for a year.

Several new entry level or “tweener” DSLRs (Olympus SP-570UZ and SP-565UZ, Nikon d90, Pentax K2000).

A slew of new compacts, but no true DMD (although I am reserving judgement on the Leica D-Lux 4).

Two flawed updates of very good cameras (Canon EOS 5D Mark II and Powershot G10).

An over-priced update of a flawed camera that never should have been released in the first place (Leica M8.2).

Our annual installment of the photoshop-tax (Photoshop CS 4/Elements 7). You have to pay if you want to play (with RAW).

A normal lens (Nikon AFS Nikkor 50 mm f/1.4) that is five years overdue and won’t ship until Christmas (Thanks Santa).

Well, PMA 2009 is only 157 days away. I hear that Nikon may introduce a full frame rangefinder. Now THAT sounds interesting.

Son Of M8

In the plethora of pre-photokina announcements, I may have missed a new product that has the potential to be very interesting. While I love my Nikon D700, it is a bit cumbersome for long periods of street or travel photography. Like many folks, I have been looking for a compact with professional features as my grab and go anywhere camera. I tried a Canon Powershot G9 for a few days and was not very impressed for the reasons cited below. In addition, any accessories were third party add-ons. I also had high hopes for the Sigma DP-1 until DP Review panned it. The Micro Four Thirds cameras that I have seen show promise, but are hardly pocketable. So we wait. Well, maybe not.

Prior to photokina, Leica announced several new products. In addition to the S2, M8.2 and several new lenses, Leica also announced two new compacts, the C-Lux 3 and the D-Lux 4. While the C-Lux 3 is of only passing interest, the D-Lux 4 is a different matter altogether. Leica is billing it as “the son of M8” and its specs are exciting. First and foremost, it boasts a very fast f/2-2.8 Leica DC Vario-Summicron ASPH lens. The lens design consists of eight elements, four of which are aspherical. The focal length is a true 24-60 mm. Very nice and a good start.

The 10.1 megapixel CCD sensor is 1/1.63", large for a compact. Interestingly, Leica did not try to cram too many pixels into it. The 3" LCD monitor has a resolution of 460,000 pixels. The D-Lux shoots RAW at 2.4 fps (up to three images, more in other formats). ISOs range from 80-3200. Leica must feel pretty confident about noise, a problem in earlier compacts. The controls look very well laid out and ergonomic.

Best of all perhaps, the Leica D-Lux 4 is the first digital compact camera that can be used with an extensive range of accessories – a true system camera. The hot shoe will take either a new electronic flash unit with a guide number of 22 or a high-aperture attachable viewfinder with a 24-mm LED display. There is also a hand grip and a couple of leather cases. I know this sounds like a Leica ad, but this is a very interesting addition to Leica’s line. But how does it stack up against the other new high-end compacts introduced at photokina. Below is a chart I prepared comparing the D-Lux 4 to the DP2 and G10. See what you think.

Willkommen Zum photokina!

UPDATED 9/23 6:12 CDT

The world’s largest photographic trade show begins today and runs through Sunday in Cologne, Germany. Held every two years, photokina is traditionally where manufacturers bring their latest and greatest to market and this year has been no exception. The best show reports can be found at DP Review here. Yesterday we saw several announcements.

Panasonic/Olympus
Panasonic introduced a Micro Four Thirds prototype HD video camera. This is the company’s second Micro Four Thirds offering. Not to be outdone, Olympus announced a new “tweener” Four Thirds DSLR and is now showing a mock up of its Micro Four Thirds camera.

Pentax
Pentax announced a new entry level DSLR, the K2000 and five new lenses. For those of you who like to scuba dive with your K20Ds, please note that the new 15 mm f/4 is a DA lens NOT a DA* lens.

Nikon
Finally we Nikon owners will be getting a new AF-S Nikkor 50mm f/1.4G lens. The new standard prime lens has a built-in Silent Wave Motor and a brand-new optical system with 8 elements in 7 groups for improved image quality, a circular aperture diaphragm for more attractive background blur and a barrel design which does not change length on focusing.

Leica
In addition to the M8.2 and the two new compacts announced previously, Leica had one more rabbit up their sleeve. That rabbit would be the Leica S2, a brand new auto focus DSLR system with 56% larger sensor than full frame. The S-system uses new dual shutter and features a 37.5 megapixel CCD sensor in a weatherproof body. Lenses available are a 24 mm ultra wide, 30 mm tilt-and-shift, 35 mm wide, 70 mm standard, 30-90mm standard zoom, 100 mm, 120 mm macro, 180 mm telephoto and 350 mm telephoto. As you can see above the camera is beautiful and like all beautiful things it will cost you big, big bucks. Oh well.

Sigma

For those of us with normal bank accounts Sigma would like us to look at their new stuff. They have three items to tempt us. First is the SD15 DSLR which uses a 14 megapixel Foveon X3 sensor. Second is a new HSM version of its popular 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG lens. Last, but not least, we have the DP2, a large sensor compact companion to the DP1. It comes with a 41 mm f/2.8 lens. The company promises improved processing speed, performance and operation. We shall see.

Adobe
Adobe has unveiled Photoshop CS4. According to the press release:

Content-Aware Scaling enables users to intelligently size and scale images with a simple drag of the mouse. New Auto-align and Auto-blend modes generate composites based on extended depth of field and 360 degree panoramas now with seamless tones and colors. Finding, previewing and managing images is improved with Adobe Bridge CS4, which features fast start-up performance and speedy transfer of images to Photoshop CS4. The software offers a smooth pan and zoom experience that allows users to easily edit images at the highest magnification while maintaining clarity. The new Canvas Rotation tool makes it simple to rotate and work on an image from any angle. Photoshop CS4 helps keep work areas clutter-free with a new unified application frame, tab-based interface and self-adjusting panels that make it easy to quickly access advanced tools, and provide a more fluid way to interact with the application.

Deconstructing Canon’s New Offerings

Yesterday I wrote about Canon’s new products. I said that Canon shooters had reason to be excited. That was before I delved into the specifications of the new Canon products. Frankly, if I was into Canon, I’d be a bit disappointed. Here’s why.

5D Mark II
A close reading to the spec sheet indicates that all Canon did was take the old 5D body and add the 1Ds Mark III sensor plus 1080P video. The body is still poorly designed from the ergonomic perspective and nothing was done to that idiotic power switch on the back. In addition, the body is still not fully weather sealed. At 3.9 fps the continuous drive is average, at best. The auto focus was not upgraded and remains at 9 AF points. The new sensor dust reduction and expanded ISO range are nothing special either. Neither is the viewfinder. The new 5D still does not allow users to employ EF-S lenses. I could go on, but why bother. You’ll figure it out. Can I please have my D700 back now?

Power Shot G10
I test drove a G9 a while ago and wound up returning it. I found it too small and poorly designed to hold steady. In any event, I like a real viewfinder, not a pinhole. The body had too many buttons and wheels for something so small. The G10 does nothing to correct these flaws. As Mike Johnston observed:

“Canon seems to have taken the original Gx concept about as far as it can go—or possibly just a little further. . . the G10 crams every imaginable feature around an overstuffed, overly small sensor that still has inherent limitations despite its admittedly high degree of technical refinement and optimization. The camera sure does tick off all the boxes in terms of features, though. It has so many modes (26!) and capabilities that it really requires quite a sophisticated photographer even to understand it all (leading to an idle and somewhat snarky question—wonder how many G10 buyers will actually master this camera in all its subtle capabilities? And how many buyers will use it through an entire ownership period without ever really knowing everything it can do, and how to do it?).”

My biggest problem with the G10, however, is the increase to 14.7 megapixels. Thom Hogan deconstructs a G9 image here. By trying to cram an ever larger number of pixels on a small sensor we are given the unpalatable choice of either underexposing and producing obvious and undesirable noise or exposing correctly and risking photo site well saturation. Sensors with big photo sites don’t have either problem

Thom notes:

“Put another way, the very small photo sites of the current compact cameras have bookend problems: noise at the low end, blowouts at the high end. Getting a great image out of them thus becomes a balancing act that sometimes requires absolute compromise at one end.”

I can’t see how going from 12.1 mega pixels to 14.7 can do anything other than make this problem worse. Not my ideal hiking camera.

24mm f/1.4 L II USM Lens
Perhaps the best news from the Canon camp yesterday was the introduction of a new 24mm f/1.4 L II USM fast aperture wide angle prime. To my way of thinking this shows Canon’s commitment to continue to be a leader in the production of professional grade primes. I can only hope Nikon will catch on. What is the good of having professional grade bodies without professional grade lenses to go with them?

Canon Finally Fights Back

Speaking of Canon (and we were), today they announced several new products, including the successor to the 5D, the 5D Mark II. The Mark II features a new 21 megapixel CMOS sensor, an ISO range of 50-25,600 and many improvements and new features including 1080p HD movie recording, Live View, a 3 inch LCD, DIGIC IV processor, increased battery capacity and sensor dust reduction. Selling for $2,699 it is $200 less than Nikon’s D700. By anybody’s standard that is a lot of bang for the buck.

In addition to the Mark II, Canon also introduced a 24 mm f/1.4 L II USM lens and two super zoom compacts. Other than the Mark II, the really big news is the announcement of the successor to the popular G9, the Power Shot G10. The G10 boasts a new 14.7 megapixel CCD sensor and 28-140 mm wide zoom, increased screen resolution, a DIGIC IV processor and an improved grip.

Canon shooters have got to be excited today. If you happen to be one, read more about these exciting new products here and here.

Canon Owners Get Their Zeiss On

German lens Carl Zeiss has revealed that the new ZE mount is equipped with the Canon EF mount. Initially Zeiss will make its Planar T* 50 mm and 85 mm f/1.4 manual focus lenses available. Check it out here and here.

Leica M8.2

In advance of photokina, German camera and lens maker Leica announced an update to its M8 digital rangefinder and four (!) new lenses, including the world’s fastest asphercial lens, the NOCTILUX-M 50 mm f/0.95 ASPH.

Although this may seem like a yawner, I find this announcement very interesting. First, Leica also announced the D-Lux 4 and C-Lux 3 digital compact cameras. Taken together these two moves lead me to believe that Leica will not be embracing Micro Four Thirds anytime soon. Second, Leica is clearly committed to the M8 system. Third, lenses are not an afterthought with Leica as they seem to be with other firms.

Before you run out to place your order, be aware that – although no US pricing was announced – it could come in at around $7,000. Too bad. If you are still interested read all about it here and here.

Micro Four Thirds Est Arrivee!

In what may the most exciting photographic news in years, Panasonic has announced the first Micro Four Thirds camera, the Panasonic Lumix G1. At the same time Panasonic also announced two MFT lenses; a LUMIX G VARIO 14-45mm/F3.5-5.6 and a LUMIX G VARIO 45-200mm/F4.0-5.6. While weighing in at just a pound (card and battery included), the G1 boasts a 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor, a 3 inch tilt and swivel display, dust reduction and a live view finder. Each of the lenses is outfitted with Panasonic’s Mega O.I.S. optical image stabilizer. From what I have seen the lenses are diminutive compared to a DSLR lens. Taking it all into consideration, this could be (with the emphasis on “could”) the system many of us have been waiting patiently for. Now if Leica would only release their version. In any event, judge for yourself by following the links below.

DR Review Hands On

The Online Photographer

Imaging Resource Hands On

Lumi-Gnosis

In today’s The Online Photographer, Mike Johnston introduces us to the work of photographer Mike Mitchell. His website is entitled Lumi-Gnosis and can be found here. His work is so special that posting a sample would be an injustice. I don’t know what he is doing or how he is doing it, just look and be amazed. I am ashamed to call myself a photographer (but I will anyway).

Home Page Improvement

I have been doing the Tim The Tool Man Taylor thing lately and have made some changes to the blog. First, on the right you will now find a list of my current gear as well as a list of the cameras I have owned in the past. In addition, I have uploaded several new images to my flickr gallery and fixed the EXIF data viewer.

Travis

While checking out the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fall color website, I stumbled across the photography of Travis Novitsky. Travis is a resident of one of my favorite places, Grand Portage, which is in far northern Minnesota. He has a blog here and a very nice website here. If you like excellent landscapes and wildlife you must take a look at his work.

The Calm Before The Storm

No not Hanna, Ike or Josephine. The calm before photokina 2008. Arguably the biggest camera show in the world, photokina will run from September 23rd through the 28th. DP Review already has their photokina site up here. They are an excellent source of show news. I will try my best to cover the show from long distance as well. I am particularly excited by the prospect of compact cameras using the Micro Four Thirds system. I will give that subject lots of space.

In the meantime while we are waiting for the latest and greatest that photographic technology has to offer, The Online Photographer and Ken Rockwell have been revisiting the past. Mike Johnston is running a series entitled “Forgotten Camera” wherein readers submit images made with long forgotten cameras. Meanwhile, Ken has published a review of Nikon’s Amateur Photo System camera, the Pronea S . To be frank, I don’t really understand the fascination with taking pictures with outdated or second rate technology. I thought the new stuff was supposed to be an improvement. That said, some of the images are very nice.