2017commuter

It's interesting how people go about selecting lenses based on recommendations, either from the classical interpretation of what has been used by famous photographers or personal anecdotes. However, while most lens recommendations fit the average photographer, there are some of us that don't have the standard focal view point. An example is the selection of the "normal lens". Some choose the standard 50mm or 35mm. Some prefer 24mm, 28mm or even 85 mm. There is no right or wrong, but it can be costly if you buy based on recommendation only.

So here is my tip for the day. Choose the lens that fits your view point based on actual use. We all have some sort of kit zoom lens or 2 that cover the typical wide to telephoto lens range, especially as beginners when they buy a DSLR with a standard 2 kit lens bundle. Before considering another lens purchase, such as prime lenses, spend a month or 2 or even a year taking photos with your zoom kit lenses. Then download the freeware program, Exposure Plot 1.16 at www.Vandel.nl and analyze your results.

This program can be directed to search all your photo files and plot on a graph visually, what focal lengths you have been using. By analyzing your data, you can determine your favorite focal length(s). The program can also tell you graphically what aperture, shutter speed, and ISO you've been using.

By no means am I suggesting you buy another lens just using this data, but it does help you make a better informed decision.

Ed.

I was looking for GPS solutions for my D750. Of course, Nikon has the GP-1A which is pricey and looks like a cumbersome add-on, much like the other third-party add-on GPS devices for DSLRs which uses your hot shoe as a mount. The drain on battery life is another factor to consiider, which is probably why the only Nikon DSLR with built-in GPS is the D5300.

I discovered a cheap alternative that uses the iPhone GPS. There is an app called GPS Stone GPX Trip tracking & recorder, which is available for a nominal fee. It creates a GPX file that you can email to yourself. If you have Lightroom, you can use the Map function to download the GPX file and Lightroom will associate the GPS data to your photos. The association of GPS data and the images is based on the time stamp from the image when it was taken.

This is what you do.

1. Ensure that the time on your phone is synchronized with the time on your camera.

2. Before you start your photo session for the day, turn on your app and begin recording GPS data. The app will record even if you close the app or when your phone is on standby.

3. Go ahead a shoot photos as you normally would.

4. When the day of photo shooting is over, go into the GPS Stone app and stop recording. A GPX data file will be created which you will email to yourself.

5. Download your images to Lightroom and use the Map function to download the GPX file. Lightroom will add the GPS data to the photos you took during the day.

Granted, you don't get instantaneous GPS data in you image files if you used a GPS add-on but it is cheap, doesn't drain your camera battery and less cumbersome equipment wise, at least in my humble opinion.

Ed.

Alternatively, if you have an Apple or Android tablet, you can download Nikon's Manual Viewer 2 from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for free. Within this app you can download and store on your tablet all of Nikon's digital camera, flash, and accessory manuals, including the View NX 2 Reference Manual.

Ed.

You can mount your series E 50mm lens and any manual focus Ai/AiS Nikon lens on either the D80 or D3100. However, you will only be able to manual meter and focus with these lenses on these cameras.

For the Nikon 1, Nikon makes a F-mount adapter called the Nikon FT-1: it is pricey but allows full functionality with the latest Nikon AF lenses. Recognize that you will get a 2.7X increase in focal length on a Nikon 1 camera. With the older manual Nikon lenses, you can again, only manual meter and focus on your Nikon 1 camera. There are cheaper third party lens adapters you can buy if you're fine with the manual options.

Ed.

Just joined. Have been a Nikon user since 1975 when I bought my first Nikon - Nikkormat FT2. Have reinvigorated my passion for photography when my wife bought me a Nikon D750 kit for Christmas.

Looking forward to contributing to this Nikon Forum site.

Thanks,

Ed.