Nikon D5000

This past Friday I wandered into my local Best Buy store (no endorsement) and took a quick look at the new Nikon D5000. In a word, I was impressed. The in-store display layout allowed me to compare it to the D40, which it, frankly, blows away. The D5000 is very small and light, even when compared with the D40. I could almost envision slipping it into a large coat pocket. The ergonomics are typical Nikon, superb (in my opinion). The D5000 easily bests the D40 in this respect alone. It is a big step up in the lower end of the line.
The D5000’s most prominent feature is its large (2.7”) articulating rear display. This screen is gorgeous. I was very pleasantly surprised coming from a D700. It flips down and rotates 360 degrees. This is a big advantage for low-level photography or composing landscapes. I hope that Nikon continues in this direction. The viewfinder, on the other hand, is somewhat smallish, especially coming from a full frame camera. That said it was clear and bright and easy to manually focus.

The main thing to keep in mind when evaluating the D5000 is this: the D5000 has the guts of a D300/D90 shoved into a better body than the D40. I suspect this will be under the Christmas tree later this year. In the meantime, if you are looking for a second, lightweight body, you could do far worse.

Pentax K-7

After weeks of speculation amongst Pentaxians, Pentax this morning announced the K-7 DSLR. The K-7 will be available in July for $1299.95. Pentax also released two new weather sealed kit lenses shown below. Read all about the new K-7 in articles written by people who have actually used it at Digital Photography Review and The Online Photographer.

I Feel A Change Comin’ On

When I started this journal I tried to write daily or at least every few days. I also wanted this to be an outlet for my writing and original thinking. You will note, however, that it has been quite some time since my last post. It may be some time since my next post. Here is why.

First, I have decided to narrow the scope of this blog to those subjects that truly interest me. Frankly, it’s hard for me to get excited by the latest work of many photographers, both old and new. What I do like is nature, landscape and sports photography and astrophotography. I also like new equipment and techniques. Second, I do not plan to write just to put some words out here. I will write if and when I have something to say. I want to be original and not just a regurgitation of Michael Reichmann or my friend Mike Johnston. That said, since I do this on a very limited basis and with a very limited budget, I cannot "cover the waterfront" so to speak . Therefore, I have to rely on others for some of my material, especially if it excites me.
Now that I have that out of the way, I have two things to pass along. One comes by way of The Online Photographer and the other is an original. First, this past Sunday, Mike published this item about French astrophotographer Thierry Legault. Recently, Monsieur Legault released the above "transit" photograph using a Canon 5D Mark II mounted to a Takahashi TOA-130 refractor telescope. Due to the speed of the Shuttle the transit itself lasted only eight-tenths of a second. You can find more of his work, as well as an un-cropped original, at his website here. His last book is New Atlas of the Moon. Astrophotography like this leaves me breathless and humbled.

Second, the New York Times has announced the launch of its new photoblog entitled Lens. It’s brand new so there isn’t much there yet, but keep up with the current postings here.

For Originals

To celebrate Hahnemühle’s 425th Anniversary they have announced the Hahnemühle 425th Anniversary Photo Award. This is an open, international competition with the theme "For Originals". Present a unique vision of people, objects and moods from the most "original" perspective possible. The company will be awarding non-cash prizes and winning entries will also become part of the Hahnemühle Anniversary Collection, a traveling exhibition is scheduled for hanging in the major photo capitals around the world. Enter before June 30, 2009.