The Nikon switch

So I finally got my new Nikon system consisting of a D300 and a myriad of “accessories” (I basically matched my 20D, which I will be dispatching soon).

Wasn’t able to play with it much since I was with my GF and we’d probably get into a fight about priorities if I paid too much attention to it.

Today though, in this post, I’ll be discussing the reasons why I personally prefer Nikons now.

The short of it is that both systems (Canon/Nikon) have their strengths and weaknesses; it will just boil down to how a photographer approaches his craft, and which tool maximizes his/her efficiency with his/her personal “workflow.” I have to say with all honesty, as far as my approach is concerned; I’m really really REALLY glad I made the switch.

There’s a good article with minimal bias; the guy’s a Nikon user ultimately so there still is a bias; but the points he raises are very sensible and may shed light into the whole debate without resorting to fanboyism. He goes as far as discussing the history of the two brands and how each leapfrogged each-other at any given time in history.

Another good one would be here. From how I understand it he’s primarily a Canon user nowadays who just invested in the D3 and D300, and intends to use both simultaneously.

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Battery-talk

I was able to get my replacement battery for my powerbook and the replacement battery grip for my 20D today. It all happened at the last-minute. My supplier said the battery was available for pick-up. I thought I should call Canon as well to check if the grip was done as well (since both were in the same area).

Luckily, both were ready. Plus the driver wasn’t doing anything today, which was a godsend. There’s nothng better than not having to think about parking in those parts of Makati.

Also, the bottom case of my powerbook will be replaced as well… I swear, I could start selling this powerbook at a really good price as it practically will be in a refurbished condition. Any takers?

What really counts?

I don’t know why, but I’ve heard this phrase a lot in photography… it literally is a mantra nowadays.

It isn’t the equipment but the photographer that counts.

Now this is an uncontested fact. But It kinda irked me a bit today when I read a thread in a forum of a newbie asking an earnest question:

Which is the better camera model?

While I believe in the mantra, I don’t think using it as an answer to what I conceive as unrelated questions helps at all. Why do I think it’s unrelated?

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I’m glad I ain’t a woman

Being a DIY (Do It Yourself) type of person, I took the cue of following and article describing the process of cleaning your dSLR sensor without having to spend more than $100 (the price of one of the best cleaning kits available for the task).

The gist of the article is that the natural property of Visible Dusts’ famous cleaning kit, the Sensor Brush, can be attained by using a regular, synthetic nylon cosmetics brush.

Suffice to say that the article was convincing enough to make me a believer. Today, I went with my mom to the department store in search of this so called “mask brush.”

And the trouble we had to go through for a brush really made me glad I wasn’t a woman.

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Ramadan #5

“Nono Felipe”

“Canon EOS 20D”

Nono picked me up this morning to accompany him to an ocular inspection – the real reason however was our planned ramadan (Hidalgo trip) that day – wherein he had to get some blank DVD-Rs and MiniDV media.

I, on the other hand, was going to recieve my replacement 20D that same afternoon.

We ended up getting what we wanted… and as a bonus – treated ourselves to 500-peso PCMCIA CF adaptors for our respective laptops. Now we don’t have to rely on our ImageTanks all the time.

Anyhoo, the replacement unit was supposed to have come from a better/refined production batch (I expect no less from the wait I had to endure) and everything seemed to be in order. I’m happy for another ramadan.

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