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After the announcement of the new Nikon D3100 and 4 new lenses, the internet has been full of comments, as well as complaints, and sample images taken with the new lenses/camera.
Check out Bob Krist’s samples on his blog taken with the AFS 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 where he had a prototype to test in February. He mentions that it’s “sharp all the way out to 300mm” despite it being a superzoom, unlike the 18-200 for DX where quite a number of users complained of poor performance when using it at the long end.
If what Bob says is true, that it’s sharp and better than the 18-200 on DX, we would probably see this new FX superzoom hanging from many camera bodies during the vacations.
Nikon has just announced a new entry-level body, and 4 new lenses to its legendary Nikkor lineup.
The official specifications of the D3100 are:
-DX format, 14.4 megapixel
-Full HD video recording@1920 x 1080 at 24 frames/sec
-ISO sensitivity of native ISO 100-3200 with Hi1 6400 and Hi2 12800
-Live view mode and auto focus during video recording
-11 auto focus points to ensure everything is in focus for sharp images
As mentioned before, I was interested to find out details regarding the ISO figures for the D3100. It turned out that the native ISO range goes up to 3200, while both 6400 and 12800 are “Hi” settings. “Hi” settings are just boosts to the original native ISO range and in most cases are not preferred if optimal image quality is preferred. However, it may come in useful in emergencies or when large prints are not required. More will be confirmed after reviews are out.
The new lenses announced are as mentioned before:
-Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 G ED VR
-Nikkor AF-S 85 f/1.4 G (nano coating)
-Nikkor AF-S 24-120 f/4 G ED VR (nano coating)
-Nikkor AF-S 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR
Only the AFS 55-300 is a DX lens while the rest are all FX. AFS 28-300 is meant to provide an ultra zoom for FX users, just like the AFS 18-200 for DX users.
More information can be found at:
Nikon D3100 announced and previewed
AFS 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 announced
AFS 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 announced
For bigger images, check out Photography Bay
A replacement to the Nikon D3100 and 4 new lenses (3 FX and 1 DX) are expected to be announced within the next few hours. The D3100 will be a DX entry-level model.
Some of the attention-grabbing specifications of the D3100 include:
-ISO range of 100-12800
-Continuous auto-focus in video-live view mode
-11 auto focus points
-Full HD video recording (1920 x 1080@24 frames/sec)
Personally, I am interested in finding out if the ISO range are all native, or whether they are inclusive of the “Hi” and “Lo” settings. Normally, native ISO values perform better resulting in better image quality and the “Hi” settings are just a “boost” to the original ISO values. Most of the time, the “Hi” settings are not used if optimal quality is desired.
The 11 auto focus points also means that the new D3100 will be very similar to the D90. 11 points means that the user is able to select the area to be focused on during shooting. Nikon will need to address this similarity in auto focus points in the D90 replacement, which is expected in September. The D90 replacement is rumoured to have more than 11 points, probably 39, in order to differentiate it from the entry-level models.
The lenses that are expected are:
-Nikkor AF-S DX 55-300 f/4.5-5.6 G ED VR
-Nikkor AF-S 85 f/1.4 G
-Nikkor AF-S 24-120 f/4 G ED VR
-Nikkor AF-S 28-300 f/3.5-5.6 G ED VR
Yes, the AFS 28-300 will be a FX lens. Technological advancements have made it possible to incorporate such a wide zoom range where it was near impossible in the past. For DX users, the range will be 42-450, which should be a good consideration for nature and wildlife photography.
Source: NikonRumors.com
A continuation of a previous post regarding selecting your first lens (http://www.truphotos.com/2009/12/27/photography-basics-choosing-your-first-lens/), this short articles addresses the benefits and limitations of the 18-55 lens which is more often than not sold as a “kit lens” together with an entry-level camera.
In compact cameras terms, the 18-55 standard kit lens has about 3x zoom. Its benefit is that it is wide and long enough for landscapes and street photography in general. Its light weight makes it a suitable companion when travelling long distances or for individuals who would like to travel light. One of the limitations you might find is that its range at the long end may be insufficient at times when your subject is slightly further away. You might also find the lens to be “slower” due to its relatively higher “f-number”. Read more about aperture sizes and how they affect the shutter speed here. This may pose some constraints in places where light is insufficient such as indoor photography.
For individuals interested in photographing food or still life objects, they might want to consider a macro lens. For portraits where you want to achieve that “blurred” background look, a lens with a bigger aperture might be required.
The above points are slightly more complex and investing in a variety of lenses at the beginning might not be the best. Taking the costs of lenses into account, it would probably be better if you are new to dSLRs to start with the 18-55 kit lens and learn more about the basics of photography such as shutter speed and aperture size while familiarising youself with your camera before considering your next purchase.
If you are looking for a good mid-range (with more zoom than the 18-55) lens, I recommend the 16-85, which is even wider and longer with about 5.3x zoom. The biggest problem here is cost as lenses which are not sold as a set with camera bodies tend to cost much more if you purchase them individually and unfortunately, the 18-55 is the only lens that is sold as a package with entry-level camera bodies.
