06-08-2009, 03:32 PM
This weekend was a spending spree! I purchased a D700 (AGAIN!) as I think that the rattle in my last camera was an anomaly. That camera is too good to not give another chance. I also purchased a Tamron 28-300 VC lens for travel shooting when I don't want to lug out the 105 F/2 lens. The reviews are mixed for this lens, but for $580, I am not expecting the world. Many have said that it works better full frame than cropped sensor, so that is promising. It may not be as sharp as my 50 MM 1.8 or the 105, but until Nikon makes a good-range zoom that covers that range (they may never do this) I will do testing this week to see if I will keep it or swap out for a 70-300MM VR and a 20MM prime.
A colleague who is getting into photography just bought a tripod but did not realize that he needed a head as well (he purchased only the legs) and called me because he could not figure out how the camera would stay on. I have been want to get a different ballhead for a while, so I sold him my Gitzo ballhead. After much back and forth between RRS, Kirk, Arca Swiss and Acratech, I went with this head:

http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=69
as well as a nodal rail, as I am going to be do panoramic landscape shots this summer in the Southwest. I pocked this head for its open form, so dirt/dust will not sit in the bottom of the ball socket as it would with other designs.
Also on order is an L bracket from Really Right Stuff for the D700.
This was all done by Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, my wife went shopping and insisted that I get some new shirts. 2 hours at Nordstrom later, I am $300 lighter for 4 shirts (they are VERY nice).
Last night we went out for sushi and although it was not cheap ($70 with sake) it was fantastic!
Suffering from financial hangover now! (tu)
A colleague who is getting into photography just bought a tripod but did not realize that he needed a head as well (he purchased only the legs) and called me because he could not figure out how the camera would stay on. I have been want to get a different ballhead for a while, so I sold him my Gitzo ballhead. After much back and forth between RRS, Kirk, Arca Swiss and Acratech, I went with this head:

http://acratech.net/product.php?productid=69
as well as a nodal rail, as I am going to be do panoramic landscape shots this summer in the Southwest. I pocked this head for its open form, so dirt/dust will not sit in the bottom of the ball socket as it would with other designs.
Also on order is an L bracket from Really Right Stuff for the D700.
This was all done by Saturday morning. Saturday afternoon, my wife went shopping and insisted that I get some new shirts. 2 hours at Nordstrom later, I am $300 lighter for 4 shirts (they are VERY nice).
Last night we went out for sushi and although it was not cheap ($70 with sake) it was fantastic!
Suffering from financial hangover now! (tu)