June 10, 2013 Donald Scarinci

The Big Three Nikon Lenses for Vacation Travel   When photography is not the main purpose of a trip, lenses compete for space in carry on luggage with other essential items like books, food, a laptop and spare clothes in case the packed luggage gets lost in flight. Just as there is a “big three” for professional photographers who use Nikon FX cameras—Nikkor 14-24 f./2.8; Nikkor 24-70 f./2.8; and the Nikkor 70-200 f./2.8 VR, there should be a “big three’ for travel photographers who want good pictures with their FX Nikon as well as a happy family vacation.  For me,…

May 27, 2013 Donald Scarinci

Choosing the Best Microphone for Your Nikon All new Nikon cameras can shoot video and come with a built in microphone.  While the quality of the microphone is quite good, its location in the camera picks up the focus clicking sound.  There is no way to avoid that unless you could somehow detach the microphone from the camera. The Nikon solution to the detachable microphone is the ME-1.  This is an excellent device that can be used on all Nikon models that shoot video.  At about $120 retail, it is an outstanding value for photographers who don’t shoot video very…

August 27, 2012 Donald Scarinci

I love my Nikkor 70-200 f./2.8 VR2 but let’s face it, the lens takes up a lot of weight and space in the carry-on luggage when you are traveling.  On trips when photography is not the main objective or when traveling with a carry-on only, there is room for the camera with one lens attached and maybe a flash.  In those situations, the Nikkor 18-300 f./3.5-5.6 VR2 is the lens. I tested this lens under extreme conditions on a sailboat.  I could only take one lens because of packing considerations and because changing lenses at sea always involves risk to…