John Mackay

Observations on the Nikon 20mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor

2011-08-04T19:35:00.005+10:00

When I needed a full frame wide angle to compliment my 24-120mm f/4 I needed something on a budget but it also had to be good. In the past I have owned wide-angle glass from Schnieder, Rodenstock and Zeiss, so I knew what characteristics I was looking for. For me, wide angle glass is all about being sharp into the corners.

I remembered reading a review about 8-10 years ago comparing the Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 to Nikon primes in a similar range and the verdict was plain--the zoom was better. However, I remembered that the only real characteristic that defined this was with respect to chromatic aberration. And with Nikon's new software CA removal as standard in it's cameras I thought that revisiting the performance of the 20mm f/2.8 (sans CA) was worthwhile.

Now whilst I don't have FF figures for a 17-35mm f/2.8 for comparison from Photozone I was able to review the DXOMark scores comparing the Nikon 17-35mm f/2.8 against the Nikon 16-35mm f/4 and it was clear that the 16-35mm f/4 was better. So, when reviewing MTF scores I restricted myself to reviewing only Nikon's 20mm f/2.8, 14-24mm f/2.8 and 16-35mm f/4 as depicted in the graph below.

Data courtesy of Photozone.de

Now, don't get me wrong, it's not my intention to suggest that one lens here is any better than the other MTF wise as variations in individual lenses can vary widely. What I am trying to demonstrate is that as far as MTF goes between the above three lenses at 20mm and at f/8 is that there is not a lot to separate them. So, if you think that by buying the 20mm f/2.8 that you are somehow losing out in the resolution stakes against it's bigger and newer brothers then don't. It may be an older and smaller lens but it holds it's own with the best of them and at 1/3rd the price of the 14-24mm f/2.8 and half the price of the 16-35mm f/4 it should factor heavily in your consideration for an inexpensive high-performing ultra-wide angle lens.

Samples

Check them out at Amazon

Nikon 20mm f/2.8D AF Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon 16-35mm f/4G ED VR II AF-S IF SWM Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Massaman Curry

2011-06-19T18:52:00.000+10:00

King Buddha Loetla Nabhalai (1809-1824) of Thailand loved Massaman so much he wrote a poem about it as being so delicious when you eat it that you feel like eating it again--I know the feeling.

Ingredients (to make 4 servings)

Vegetable oil @ 2 level tbl spoon
Massaman curry paste @ 2 level tbl spoons (I prefer Cock brand ...actually I preferred it a whole lot more before I found out it's brand name and now I try not to think about it.)
Coconut Milk @ 1 cup ( I prefer the Gata Lite as it only has about 1/3 the calories of standard coconut milk yet is still creamy)
Beef @ 400gms sliced into chunky pieces (I prefer to use blade steak and cut it myself as often the pre-cut stuff has been cut any way it comes including with the grain--a no no.)
Potato sliced to the same proportions as the beef (Baby Red Delight's are good for this cut into four's.)
Unsalted raw peanuts (Note you can use salted but omit the fish sauce or you can also use unsalted cashews as well or even roasted is no problem either.)

Seasoning

Palm sugar @ 1 heaped tea spoon (Note: you can use brown sugar which will impart a similar flavour to coconut pam sugar but is not as mellow or subtly sweet as other varieties of palm sugar. You can read more about this at www.sugarpalmtree.com it's up to you, there is no rule.)
Fish sauce @ 1/2 tbl spoon (Note: different brand fish sauces have differing strengths. For instance Maggi fish Sauce is quite a light fish sauce but some of the Asian brands are quite concentrated. If in doubt half the recommended amount. I use Squid brand only because it's readily available and I know how much to use.
Oyster sauce @ 1/2 tbl spoon
finely sliced Kaffir Lime leaves x 4
Dried Cayenne Chilies (to taste and soaked first for about 10 minutes in tepid water to soften them up)
Tamarind Paste (Note: use this very sparingly as depending on the brand of paste you have chosen it may already contain tamarind paste. Try a 1/4 of a teaspoon to begin with)

Garnishing

Coconut cream (optional swirl of cream on top of the curry)

Preparation

First, heat the vegetable oil in pot. I like to use a thin based pot because when I remove it from the cooktop element it loses heat quickly.

When the oil is hot, add the massaman curry paste and stir until aromatic. If it starts spitting too much take it off the heat--don't burn it!
Add a serving spoon of coconut milk and blend with the paste using a spoon. when it starts to bubble from the heat add another spoonful and mix again until it starts to bubble and then add another spoonful. This is the trick to cooking the paste properly. Don't just add all the coconut milk in one volume as you'll likely end up with a gritty tasting texture.
Add the beef to the curry mixture ...and this is important ...do NOT stir it around with the spoon. Use the swirl technique whereby hiding the pot handle, move your hand in a circular motion swirling the curry mix over the meat.
When it is about 1/3 cooked, add the potatoes.

you may want to cover the pot at this stage so that you don't cook off too much of the coconut milk you can take it off later to let the sauce thicken.
Add the chilli and Kaffir Lime leaves
Don't forget to taste it!! And add fish sauce and palm sugar to your taste preferences. If it tastes a little light-on then you can add a little Oyster sauce to give it some body.
Leave cook until the potatoes are soft and turn off the heat and gently fold your nuts into the mixture
Serve with steamed jasmine rice ...aloi maak maak :)

Cooking time

Preparation: 5 minutes

Cooking: 25-40 minutes

BUY IT NOW
Thai Food by David Thomson

HMB Endeavour

2011-06-15T19:45:00.002+10:00

Gear Talk

I made these with a Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR purchased from Amazon.

Forts Walk

2011-05-02T21:29:00.000+10:00

Gear Talk

I made these with a Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras purchased from Amazon.

Tannah Lot, Bali - Wallpaper

2011-04-17T16:47:00.004+10:00

Download Tannah Lot, Bali Wallpaper (2560×1440 pixels)

Tannah Lot by John Mackay is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Gear Talk

10 second exposure in broad daylight using a Hoya 77mm Neutral Density ND-400 X, 9 Stop Multi-Coated Glass Filter. A great value for money accessory.

Rice Terraces, Bali - Wallpaper

2011-04-17T15:12:00.004+10:00

Download Rice Terraces, Bali Wallpaper (2560×1440 pixels)

Rice Terraces by John Mackay is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Gaeng Dang Gai (Curry Red Chicken)

2011-03-30T21:30:00.001+10:00

I was taught this recipe by my wife who is born and bred Thai and the most beautiful human being I know--along with my kids. That's not to say however, that I have not changed a few things along the way so this may not be exactly the same recipe as she taught it to me some time back.

Ingrediants (to make 1 serving)

Vegetable oil @ 2 level tbl spoon
Red curry paste @ 2 level tbl spoons
Coconut Milk @ 1 cup ( I prefer the Gata Lite as it only has about 1/3 the calories of standard coconut milk yet is still creamy)
Chicken meat @ 70gms sliced into bite sized pieces (I prefer to use chicken thigh for curries as the meat has more texture and breast meat can be a little bland for my tastes)
Pumpkin sliced to bite size in the same proportion as the chicken

Seasoning

Palm sugar @ 1 heaped tea spoon (Note: don't add too much as the basil leaves will impart sweetness as well)
Fish sauce @ 1/2 tbl spoon (Note: different brand fish sauces have differing strengths. For instance Maggi fish Sauce is quite a light fish sauce but some of the Asian brands are quite concentrated. If in doubt half the recommended amount.
Chicken stock (optional)
Oyster sauce @ 1/2 tbl spoon
Kaffir Lime leaves x 2

Garnishing

Thai Sweet Basil Leaves
Red Chilli thinly sliced (I recommend Birdseye or Cayenne, you can omit the seeds if you don't like it too spicy. Do not use Mexican chillies such as habaneros as they will impart the wrong flavour)
Coconut cream (optional swirl of cream on top of the curry)

Preparation

First, heat the vegetable oil in pot. I like to use a thin based pot because when I remove it from the cooktop element it loses heat quickly.
When the oil is hot, add the red curry paste and stir until aromatic. If it starts spitting too much take it off the heat--don't burn it!
Add a serving spoon of coconut milk and blend with the paste using a spoon. when it starts to bubble from the heat add another spoonful and mix again until it starts to bubble and then add another spoonful. This is the trick to cooking the paste properly. Don't just add all the coconut milk in one volume as you'll likely end up with a gritty tasting texture.
Add the chicken to the curry mixture ...and this is important ...do NOT stir it around with the spoon. Use the swirl technique whereby hiding the pot handle, move your hand in a circular motion swirling the curry mix over the meat.
When it is cooked about half cooked, add the pumpkin.
Add the chilli and Kaffir Lime leaves
Add fish sauce and palm sugar to your taste preferences.
Leave cook for about another few minutes and turn off the heat gently fold in the sweet basil leaves into the mixture

Serve with steamed jasmine rice.

Cooking time

Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: 5-7 minutes

BUY IT NOW
Thai Food by David Thomson

My.Army.mil - Login

2011-03-29T19:27:00.000+10:00

My.Army.mil - Login: "The first user-customized Web site under the Department of Defense, My.Army.Mil offers visitors the ability to log-in with AKO or Google Friend Connect to create a personalized destination for Army information and media, ranging from traditional news stories to up-to-the-minute social media updates."

This is cool thinking, like a Google dashboard for all news army--check out the video--cool! ...damn I said "cool" twice

Cyber Command Chief on Cloud 9

2011-03-29T19:05:00.000+10:00

read about it here: Cyber Command Chief: DoD Moving to the Cloud - Tech Insider

This is definitely the way it is all heading--it just makes sense. JIT computing. Have a new office or .gov project you need to roll-out? No problems just have the data centre allocate a chunk of data, cpu and business apps and you're off and running. When it's all done all those resources can be rolled back into the pool. It means no more money wasted on depreciating hardware, service plans, desktop licenses (I'm talking cloud apps here) siphoning away important program money. Create your own servers, DMZ's, approved firewalls via point and click, customise to allowed limits for any special circumstances ...fast ...fast ....fast.

I understand the legacy environment that has led to every agency running it's own payroll, HR system, finance systems I just don't see it as our future. It's not that we don't need the people to administer those systems--we do. But the duplication and administration overhead, the time wasting "work about work" that we all spend too much time on administering contracts, attending to upgrades etc. means less time spent on line tasks.

And why should it stop there? Imagine being able to work from anywhere whether you're an HR officer, data entry clerk or programmer. As a public servant why can't I handle tasks for the ATO one day and Centrelink the next? Why can't I be in a job pool with project managers able to review my job tank hours status, knowledge skills and abilities, previous project involvement, performance reviews and availability for their tasks. If, as a country we are really concerned about housing affordability, living standards, wage pressure etc. then distributed job pooling means workers can be anywhere in Australia rather than forcing the commons dilema of capital cities.

"Yeh ...ummm what about data security?" I hear you say. Why not have DSD approved diskless thin internet clients with no external ports--all the data is in the cloud remember--no need for local storage? These client's run point-to-point encrypted comms and two part authentication including biologics to ensure you're who you say you are. Let's face it, that's probably more data security than most departments have to begin with. What do you think? Can it happen? Looks like it already is.

Harmon.ie Bests Microsoft On Integration Of Outlook With Sharepoint

2011-03-22T21:17:00.000+10:00

Great example of Sharepoint integration --wonder why Microsoft didn't think of this? Still don;t think it allows simultaneous editing/collaboration to the same extent that Google Docs does.

Why I'm Glad I Got Fired - Nilofer Merchant - The Conversation - Harvard Business Review

2011-03-22T19:10:00.000+10:00

Why I'm Glad I Got Fired - Nilofer Merchant - The Conversation - Harvard Business Review

Well not me personally ...yet but I have learn't first hand to quote Nilofer Merchant that there "...is no "strategy" as separated from "execution" when we're working with a creative class fueling a knowledge economy." That the how matters just as much as the what.

Google Docs Gets Wave-Like Chat Features - PCWorld Business Center

2011-03-21T22:37:00.000+10:00

Google Docs Gets Wave-Like Chat Features - PCWorld Business Center

ASANA: The next big thing in collaboration?

2011-03-07T14:37:00.000+10:00

Spectacularly cool real-time collaboration framework--this is the future. Wonder if we'll see a private cloud version a la Wave in a box for the cloud challenged? watch the Asana demo and vision talk.

What part of "cloud" does Microsoft not understand?!

2011-03-06T13:50:00.000+10:00

Ok, so I have been playing with both SkyDrive and Google Docs and the first thing I have to say is that Google Docs is, for me just a whole lot more intuitive and by that I mean I don't have to spin around in circles hopping on one leg whilst reciting a secret mantra to work out how to use it.

Example One: Document sharing and collaboration -- from the desktop to the cloud.

Firstly, when I sync a document from Microsoft Word to Google Docs using their Google Cloud Extension for Microsoft Office it all works seamlessly, automatically syncing my document to the cloud on Google Docs, I don;t have to go to the Docs home page, find an upload button, load an activeX control, brose to where my file is located, then choose upload. Google, doesn't get in my way I just open word, click the Goggle Cloud Extension "Sync" button and Google Docs handles the rest for me--brilliant.

But it doesn't end there, if I want to edit that same document on Google Docs, I can, by just clicking on it and GDocs will ask me if I would like it to be converted so I can work on it--in the cloud. From what I can see SkyDrive does not have this feature. My only way of working on my OneNote notebook that I have uploaded to SkyDrive is to ...wait for it... download it again and open it inside of my OneNote desktop application. I mean, what part of "cloud" does Microsoft not understand?!

Example Two: Document sharing in the cloud

Ok, so now we have uploaded our document how does the whole sharing thing work? Well, on Google Docs I simply clcik the share button and type in the email address of whom I wish to share the document with. Microsoft Skydrive however, is a whole lot more complicated. If I want to share my document I must first set the appropriate permissions on the My Documents folder on SkyDrive. These options are basically give all my friends access to view the files in this folder or full access to the files in this folder including adding new files--WTF!? What if I only want to share this particular document? Well it appears that I would have to create a new folder and provide the email address of the person I want to edit the document. Now, there is a problem with this because unlike Google Docs where the person just has access to edit a particular document. on SkyDrive because I have to create a purpose built folder as a sandpit for the document I want the person to edit, that person now also has rights to add new documents in to that folder as well--security ...what security?!

Mary meeker mobile trends 11 feb 2011

2011-02-23T10:42:00.000+10:00

Check out this SlideShare Presentation:

Mary meeker mobile trends 11 feb 2011

View more presentations from ceobroadband.

Jack Griffin's Ouster: Lessons from a Failed "Change Agent" - Julia Kirby - Our Editors - Harvard Business Review

2011-02-22T21:47:00.000+10:00

Jack Griffin's Ouster: Lessons from a Failed "Change Agent" - Julia Kirby - Our Editors - Harvard Business Review: What I get from this and other opinions on Jack Griffin's demise at Time Inc. is not necessarily that the change management objectives were wrong--they may well have been spot on. The problem is when one person's vision is perceived as independent of the very people needed to drive it or when the organisation is perceived by management as independent of the very people who are necessary to transform it.

Tannah Lot, Bali

2011-01-30T16:49:00.001+10:00

Gear Talk

I made some of these with a Hoya 77mm Neutral Density ND-400 X, 9 Stop Multi-Coated Glass Filter purchased from Amazon.

Morang Boran

2011-01-16T17:14:00.005+10:00

Gear Talk

I made these with a Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight Flash for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras purchased from Amazon.

Barong Dance

2011-01-16T16:06:00.008+10:00

Gear Talk

I made these with a Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR purchased from Amazon.

Ubud Monkey Forest

2011-01-03T16:56:00.001+10:00

Gear Talk

I made these with a Nikon 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED IF AF-S VR Nikkor Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras purchased from Amazon.

Observations on the Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-120mm f/4G ED VR (part 1)

2010-09-11T21:06:00.013+10:00

Really pleased to see an announcement of this new lens. It is such a useful focal length and to some extent I imagine many camera buyers would have opted in the past for a Canon 5D in part because of their excellent 24-105mm f/4. I know when I was considering a move to Canon FX from my then 30D that the 24-105mm was a primary draw card. Nikon's second iteration of the venerable street-sweeper did not fair so well in the review stakes being constantly trashed in the internet media for its weak corner performance on FX. Throw in sample variation on top of that and I imagine more than a few lenses entered the revolving door of Ebay auctions.

Personally, I think Nikon's first version, the Nikon AF Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6D was a much better performer--at least my version is. Up to 12x8 inch prints at f/8 there is no discernable difference between its results and the best glass Nikon has to offer and they can be had for as little as $150.00.

So, now that the new 24-120 f/4 has been announced, a professional quality lens and with a price to match. The conundrum for some early adopters might be the added price premium on purchasing this lens that at time of writing can see it only a few hundred dollars less that Nikons stellar 24-70 f/2.8.

What do I Like about the new lens? Perhaps the best way I can describe its advantage for my style of shooting is by looking at how I shoot my current older version. For example when doing night-time event photography I shoot the old 24-120mm D with my D700 on ISO 3200, f/5.6 @ 1/60sec. I use manual mode so I don't have to worry about stray and incidental lighting affecting my exposure. AF can be a nightmare at f/5.6 especially at night and having to switch to manual focus at the body can mean that split-second loss of concentration that loses the moment of a great shot. So, for me the new 24-120mm f/4 lens means an extra stop of speed for easier AF, instant manual override when AF is tough, and VR for increasing my keeper rate at the telephoto end of things.

Also, this new lens potentially means never having to ask the question: "Which lens should I take?" and that is a major plus. I don't know how many times I have carried way too much gear because I worry about what if I stumble across a great scene that requires every ounce of resolution.

The only reservations I currently have is after viewing one of the full rez examples of this lens where it appears that CA is still present in spite of two ED elements and not just in the corners at f/11 @ 24mm. I was hoping that this was just due to some mild de-centering on the copy used for this photo but it is present across the frame. Perhaps the test photographer Yoshitsugu Enomoto elected not to have Lateral Chromatic Aberration Correction enabled on his D3s--who knows?

So, there's a lot riding on the capabilities of this new lens and the reason for this I think is it's potential for some as a do-all pro and walk-around lens--a big ask. Mine's on pre-order from Vanbar in Melbourne with no ETA at present. If anyone has seen one in the wild already outside of Japan I would be pleased to know--sample photo sightings are a bonus.

Nikon 24-120mm f/4G ED VR AF-S NIKKOR Lens for Nikon Digital SLR

Close-up fun

2010-09-10T17:21:00.040+10:00

Gear talk

I made these with a Marumi 67mm 67 DHG Macro +3 330 Achromat Close up Lens / Filter Japan purchased from Amazon.

YouTube - Hitler rants about D3x

2010-09-09T19:14:00.000+10:00

Shared by Wildframe

I love this :)

Magnetic Island Race Week 2010

2010-09-03T17:28:00.001+10:00

Don’t Buy In to the Model Release Myth

2010-08-31T18:53:00.000+10:00

Shared by Wildframe

all well and good if you live in a country that actually has a bill of rights ...ohhh for a revolution [...sighs wistfully]

The myth I’m writing about today has undoubtedly caused thousands of excellent, award-winning photos never to be taken. It’s the myth of the model release for editorial use.

Photography columnists, unaware of their First Amendment rights, have been fanning the fires of this issue for years. A wall of mythology has built up around the subject, and I’ll make the first move to break it down for you:

No, editorial stock photographers: you do not need model releases.

To Inform and to Educate

About two million dollars a day are spent in the publishing of editorial stock photography, where the essential use is to inform and to educate.

Photo buyers in this arena rarely require a model release, unless the photo is so sensitive that it might compromise a person in some way. These are rare cases involving highly charged subjects, such as drug abuse or certain medical issues.

A good rule of thumb would be to ask yourself, “Would a newspaper photographer ask for a model release in this situation?”

Whatever the answer, take the picture anyway. The photo editor will be the one to determine if the image can be used.

Wearing Two Hats

You might now be asking, “So why was I under the impression that model releases are always required?”

Part of the reason is that most teaching and training for working photographers in the United States is slanted to commercial photography, where you do need a model release.

As stock photography has grown and become more prevalent, commercial photographers have expanded into media photography, and brought with them the assumption that a model release is always required.

Some editorial stock photographers like to get model releases so they have the flexibility to use their photos for commercial purposes, such as advertisements or endorsements.

As my friend Jim Cook, creator of METAMachine, says, “My accountant loves me for getting model releases; so does my wife.”

Some photographers can wear two hats, commercial and editorial. Try it. You might be built for it.

Personally, I’m not. I stick to the editorial side of selling stock.

A Powerful Ally

You — as an editorial stock photographer operating a business in a free society — have a powerful ally on your side. It’s the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

The First Amendment, in effect, says you can take photographs in public (no model releases needed) as long as you are not breaking any local laws, such as trespassing.

It would be a bureaucrat’s dream for officials to be able to say, “You can’t photograph in my school, my police precinct, my park.” In reality, these people (school principals, police officers, etc.) work for you. They are your civil servants. Your taxes pay for their buildings, equipment, and salaries.

As long as you are not interrupting their normal course of duties, you can photograph them.

Deep Pockets

From time to time, there are lawsuits challenging the rights of photographers. But if you examine each case, the plaintiff almost always goes after the publisher with deep pockets, not the photographer. And the plaintiff rarely wins.

Large publishing houses, which spend $50,000 to $150,000 per month for photography, are vigilant about protecting their First Amendment rights, and in so doing, they protect your First Amendment Rights.

So go out and photograph freely in public. You’ll be in the good company of Margaret Bourke-White, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Dorothea Lange, Arthur Rothstein, and others. And the world will be a better informed and educated place for your efforts.