Topping the “Best D-SLR – Professional” category was Nikon’s flagship, full-frame D3 model. In so doing the judges deemed that:
“This professional D-SLR is a milestone for Nikon. It’s the first camera from the company with a full-frame, ‘FX’ sensor size of 23.9×36mm. As a result of this, each pixel featured on the 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor has a larger size, and that means the low-light performance of this camera is truly incredible. The Nikon D3 can easily be used at ISO 6400, and if needed, the ISO can be cranked up to an awesome equivalent of 25,600. The rugged, magnesium-alloy chassis provides a solid foundation for the camera, and its fast burst rate of 9 frames-per-second in full-frame mode provides the necessary speed of use for the most demanding professional.”
Nikon also scooped top prize in the “Best D-SLR – Expert” category, with its D300 model. The judges noted that:
“With its solid design, excellent handling and robust, weather-sealed build quality, the Nikon D300 offers professional quality at a reasonable price. The 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor delivers stunning results – even at ISO 1600 – and it can be boosted to ISO 6400 (Hi 1.0) if needed. The camera sports a fast, responsive autofocus system, the viewfinder offers 100% coverage, the large 3-inch screen gives a bright, clear display and all the high-end features like Live View, HDMI connectivity and anti-dust protection are included. On top of these exceptional features, the D300 shoots at an impressive speed of 6 frames-per-second, and will do this in bursts of 100 consecutive JPEGs or 23 RAWs.”
Canon’s EOS 450D (known as the “Rebel XSi” in some markets) claimed top honours in the “Best DSLR – Advanced” category. Sony can also be pleased with the good showing by their Alpha 200 winning “Best DSLR – Entry-level”.
Elsewhere, there were wins for Samsung, Panasonic and Fuji in the “Ultra-compact”, “Compact” and “Superzoom” categories respectively.
From the archives comes this photo I took with my old D70s a couple of years ago at Elora, Ontario while on one of the day trips Denisé and I like to take during the summer.
Here’s what the folks at the Elora Web site say about their beautiful town:
The Village of Elora is set in one of the most picturesque areas of Ontario, and is well known for the spectacular Elora Gorge on the Grand River. Now tucked within the boundaries of the amalgamated municipality of the Township of Centre Wellington, Elora’s charming village atmosphere remains unchanged.
Scottish stonemasons built the village of Elora along the Grand River and the spectacular Elora Gorge in the heart of Ontario ’s farmland. More than a hundred years have passed, and little has changed. The stark limestone architecture and natural beauty of the 80-foot gorges of the Grand and Irvine Rivers are the perfect setting for this jewel, with its historic charm and appealing village core.
A couple of summers ago, Denisé and I took a drive to Paris, Ontario. Back then, I was shooting with a Nikon D70s, my first digital SLR. I was also using one of my favourite walking-around lenses, the AF-S VR DX Zoom Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED, probably the most versatile lens I own.
Paris (population about 11,000) is located on the Grand River in Ontario, Canada. The town was first settled in 1829 when Hiram Capron bought the land and built a mill on the present site of the town. Paris was officially established in 1850.
The first long distance telephone call was made on August 10, 1876 by Alexander Graham Bell’s father from downtown Brantford. Alexander Graham Bell received the call at what is now retail store, The River Lily, located at 91 Grand River St. North, Paris. It was a boot shop and a telegraph office at that time. Paris is sometimes referred to as the cobblestone capital of Canada in reference to a number of aged cobblestone houses. Paris was named for nearby deposits of gypsum, used to make Plaster of Paris.
We’ll be heading back later this Spring to take some more pictures.
Nikon D70S DSLR
AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED at 18mm, ISO 200
1/60 sec at f/16
I went for a photowalk in Hendrie Valley on 22-Apr-2008. The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) owns several acres of woods and marsh lands (Grindstone March) straddling the border between Burlington and Hamilton, Ontario. There are miles of trails and several boardwalks through the marsh and pedestrian bridges crossing Grindstone Creek in several places.
I walked for about three hours in all, stopping along the way to observe and take pictures. I started at Valley Inn Road, walked up under Plains Road and through the Marsh making a kind of large circle before ending up back at Valley Inn Road, were I’d parked my car.
I carried only my Nikon D300 digital SLR with a AF VR Zoom Nikkor 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED mounted and took all my shots handheldsome would definitely have benefited from a tripod, but there’s the extra weight, etc.
The main attraction on this walk was the Wood Ducksabout a dozen of the little fellows. I also saw a pair of Northern Flickers, Downey Woodpeckers, Northern Cardinals, Chickadees, Mallards, nesting Canada Geese, Mute Swans, Blue Jays, a beaver, a couple of Muskrats, a Garter Snake, several tortoises basking in the morning sun, a few butterflies and, of course, dozens of Red-winged Blackbirds in full voice. Altogether a wonderful Spring day for bird watching and exploring nature.
April 21, 2008 at 10:56 am · Filed under Photography
If you like photography and you like lists, then this post is a must read. Scott Kelby, the Photoshop and photography guru, gives his "top five" of pretty well everything.
I own a number of Scott’s books and regularly watch his NAPP podcasts, so I have no hesitation about recommending his books, some of which are promoted at Cycroft Art & Design.
This Great Horned Owl at Mountsberg Wildlife Centre, Milton, Ontario, Canada now lives in captivity and cannot be released to the wild because it imprinted on humans while being cared for and really believes it is one of us. He does seem to have a comfortable life at the centre and is a terrific performer.
Denisé and I took a walk through Kerncliff Park in the north-west corner of Burlington, ON, Canada. It was a chilly but sunny day and the view over the city was glorious.
Kerncliff Park is a unique and beautiful park site located on the Niagara Escarpment with magnificent views of the City and Lake Ontario. This environmentally based park has been developed to emphasize its natural beauty for the people of Burlington to enjoy.
This property was originally the site of the Nelson Quarry which ceased operations approximately 30 years ago. Since that time the site has been used by local residents for informal recreation such as hiking, and exploration.
The park has been undergoing a phased restoration and development plan which has included the stabilization of the quarry walls, creation of boardwalks across the wetland environments, walkways through the Carolinian Forest with a connection to the Bruce Trail, a pavilion, washrooms and parking.
I saw this Red-winged Blackbird from the boardwalk.
Taken on our visit to Mountsberg Conservation Area week-end before last. Yes, the sap was still running. Once the sap is collected from the maple trees (sugarbush), it’s boiledthree times, I believeto make maple syrup. We had some of the syrup on pancakesit was delicious.
Back to the achieves for these Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) at LaSalle Park, Burlington, Ontario, Canada. In addition to Mute Swans, Tundra and Trumpeter swans can also be seen here—in fact, LaSalle has one of the largest flocks of Trumpeter Swans in Canada. The Trumpeters are tagged and cared for by licensed volunteers throughout the year.
Denisé and I went to Mountsberg Conservation and Wildlife Centre in Halton, Ontario, Canada on 06-Apr-2008 to take pictures of raptors and to see some of the last of the maple sap runningprobably the last weekend for this. It was a beautiful, Spring-like, sunny day. We got some nice bird shots and had a tasty lunch of pancakes and maple syrupthe syrup is made onsite.
I took these images a couple of summers ago while being driven through the game reserve at African Lion Safari (ALS) in south central Ontario, Canada. ALS is a terrific opportunity to see wildlife roaming in a natural environment—no bars or fences to shoot through. I was in a bus and shot through closed windows (not safe to wonder around on foot, though you can drive through in your own vehicle) so the images are a bit soft.
African lions are truly magnificent animals. I also took some nice shots at the Toronto Zoo, which I’ll post at a later date.
April 11, 2008 at 6:52 am · Filed under Photos, Birding
I don’t see many of these Gray Catbirds here in the Burlington area. I saw this one last summer while walking along the boardwalk that runs through Grindstone Marsh in Hendrie Valley at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Burlington/Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on 01-Aug-2007.
April 10, 2008 at 12:08 pm · Filed under Photos, Birding
Another bird image I took on 31-July-2007 in Grindstone Marsh at the Royal Botanical Gardens. On that day there were several Chickadees, Blue Jays and these Northern Cardinals. Woodpeckers, herons, mallards and Canada Geese can also be seen on most days.
April 9, 2008 at 12:40 pm · Filed under Photos, Birding
The Royal Botanical Gardens (RBG) at Burlington and Hamilton in Ontario, Canada offers some terrific spots for birding. This is one of my favourite Blue Jay images, which I took on the trail at Grindstone Marsh in Hendrie Valley on 31-July-2007.
Imagine spending most of your young life busting your guts to reach the top of your profession and, finally, when the opportunity to compete against the world’s best is at hand, along come your countrymen who tell you that you must sacrifice your dream so they can feel better about themselves.
The way I see it, something like this is being promoted at Mike Brock — Forward and Onward. Mike’s a good fellow and I agree with most of what he has to say these days, but on the issue of boycotting the Olympics I disagree with his stand.
If China is to be shunned/shamed by the international community—and I believe they should be—why call upon such a small segment of our society to bear the brunt of the inherent sacrifice? Why not, for instance, call for a widespread boycott of goods and services from China like that done several years ago in the case of South Africa?
I believe a general boycott of Chinese goods would be much more effective and would spread the pain over a wide cross section of our society. This might even lead to safer toys for our children and safer food products for our pets and ourselves, and who knows, this might even help to revitalize the Ontario economy as more good become Made in Canada—something Premier McGinty seems incapable of doing.
As for the upcoming Olympics, let the athletes compete.
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“This professional D-SLR is a milestone for Nikon. It’s the first camera from the company with a full-frame, ‘FX’ sensor size of 23.9×36mm. As a result of this, each pixel featured on the 12.1 megapixel CMOS sensor has a larger size, and that means the low-light performance of this camera is truly incredible. The Nikon D3 can easily be used at ISO 6400, and if needed, the ISO can be cranked up to an awesome equivalent of 25,600. The rugged, magnesium-alloy chassis provides a solid foundation for the camera, and its fast burst rate of 9 frames-per-second in full-frame mode provides the necessary speed of use for the most demanding professional.”
price. The 12.3 megapixel CMOS sensor delivers stunning results – even at ISO 1600 – and it can be boosted to ISO 6400 (Hi 1.0) if needed. The camera sports a fast, responsive autofocus system, the viewfinder offers 100% coverage, the large 3-inch screen gives a bright, clear display and all the high-end features like Live View, HDMI connectivity and anti-dust protection are included. On top of these exceptional features, the D300 shoots at an impressive speed of 6 frames-per-second, and will do this in bursts of 100 consecutive JPEGs or 23 RAWs.”
