You sir, are a traitor!

I was playing with some new gear we got for work [Nikon D7000] and I'm really impressed. For a Canon guy, I could see myself owning that camera. Video is really cool on it and I haven't taken a bad picture yet.

Stepping back from the brand issues for a moment, I have to analyze it and say, "what is different with this kit from my camera gear?" I think I'd have to say that it would be glass. I have taken the "third party" route when I was buying lenses when I got started. But, I wasn't making a decent income with it at the time, so the really good glass was hard to justify. And it's worked "reasonably well" so I haven't really been compelled to replace it.

I'm now at the point where my main lenses are seeing some wear... My speedlites are several generations old and my tech isn't really relevant anymore.

Does it sound like I'm considering switching camera camps?

It's hard to say. When I invested in Canon, it was because it was the current tech. Nikon was playing catch up then. Now the field is a bit more even. If I had my choice, I'd probably elect for a Canon 5D MkIII (Yes, I'm aware that it doesn't exist yet... that we are aware of. And the best rumors place that at fall.) Either way, when I do an upgrade, I'm probably looking at some new glass as well. Something more durable, with better quality lenses in it.

I think that might be the biggest thing I've become so impressed with this Nikon D7000. It's a better grade lens then the model I'm currently using. Maybe I just need a new lens to make my old 5D Mk I feel new again. (but I really love DSLR video now. lol.) 

LX-5 With Off Camera Flash

I was playing around with the new portable camera and I'm really loving having something portable with me at all times. Playing is fun. I got the idea to stick my Radio Poppers on the hot shoe and see what it can do and I learned something really interesting that bears more testing. I started cranking down the shutter speed and I learned that the flash was syncing with the exposure. The power was dropping, but I need to try boosting the flash output. But, I'm finding... that because the LX-5 lacks a physical shutter (much like the micro 4/3rds cameras like the GF-1) that you don't get the half exposed image. Looking forward to playing more with this effect in more situations, but if anyone has experience with this or if I'm completely off base, drop me a comment.

In the meantime, here's a playing around pic.

New Camera - LX-5

I'm very excited to have a new "go everywhere" camera. I love my Canon 5D but it's a bit unwieldy to take with me to work every day (even though I've done it.) Aside from that, I don’t take it with me either when I go mountain biking or running and I find myself in many situations where I wish I had a good camera with me. It might be just to capture a cool creative shot that I see to share online or a print. While I have loved having the iPhone for those situations sometimes you just want a little more control of your aperture or shutter speed.

Another factor that I have been keeping in mind is the camera bag factor. Often times, just taking your camera with you isn’t enough. The camera bag can be a barrier to the “spur of the moment” shot that is gone before you’d ever get the zipper opened.

So, after much research and debate, I purchased a Panasonic LX-5. I had been debating about going this route or to go with a micro four-thirds camera like the Panasonic GF-1. The GF-1 would have given me images easily acceptable for istock and with the pancake 20mm lens it would be compact, but I would be stuck with a 20mm (50mm equivalent) lens. I know I could have bought their zoom, but that was less compact and I know I could get other pancake prime lenses, but then I’m investing in a new system and I’m back to a camera bag for different focal lengths.

The LX-5 gives me a built-in Leica 24-90mm (eq.) lens with an f2 aperture. The even more compact size, zoom lens with 24mm on the wide end (I love wide angle drama) and not to mention that it was about $300 less than the GF-1, won me over in the end.

I’ve been shooting with it for a few days, but I’m loving it already. I love that I feel like “playing” with photography a little more. I still love my Canon 5D with battery grip and all, but when I pick that up, I feel like I “need to be working”. I’m excited that this new little cam might be an interesting addition to my life that will continue to juice my creativity and expand my personal stock collection of ideas and locations.

Keyword Usage (personal gripe)

A potential usage of an image should never be used as a keyword.

When people are keywording images, it's important to realize that the keywords should describe an image to somebody viewing the photo should use. Don't attach postcard to shots of a beautiful sunset. Don't use greeting card for a picture of a birthday cake.

If you are using these as a personal keyword, consider using a "collection" or "Set" in your image management application instead. That would be a much better usage. This way images don't get "Tagged" with poor keywords.

Interviewed for AdoramaTV

I'd like to thank Mark Wallace of Snapfactory for the opportunity to be interviewed for his show "How'd They Do That?" on AdoramaTV. Thankfully, Mark edited me good enough so I don't look like a bumbling idiot. :-)  

Watch the interview here and subscribe to the show on iTunes.

And don't forget to check out Rob Sylvan's book: