Reviewing the new Nikon D90 and looking for requests

I'm reviewing Nikon's new D90 digital SLR (with Live View and HD movie capabilities) for the fine folks at Photography Review and I'm looking for reader input on specific tests you'd like to see me do.

For example, some folks over on my Twitter feed have asked

• @mattpenning Autofocus tracking moving subjects toward and away and high ISO inside and candle-light. Please. Thank You!
  
• @BWJones Star trails..... I want to see what the D90 can do with star trails or shots of the night sky.
  
• @jeremyfranklin Can you talk about the video file that comes out of the camera. Heard it was motion jpeg
  

Another shooter asked me:

Definitely try at higher ISOs, and maybe also longer shutter speeds? Can nicer cameras take less noisy images at long shutter speeds? Is the "Auto-active D-Lighting" feature new for Nikon? I haven't been paying attention, but last I did, D-Lighting was a software feature, but wasn't in-camera-while-shooting. I'd be curious to see how well it works.

It seems there's a lot of interest in Nikon's latest generation of DX-sized sensors and image processing hardware, specifically in regards to noise control at higher ISOs. I'll be testing the D90 against the older generation D200 and even the D40 in this and other areas.

Finally, here's Photography Review's Nikon D90 Preview, posted 27 October 2008.

Please contact me directly at info .at. calanan .dot. com or by leaving a comment below and I'll be sure to take your request into consideration during the review, thanks!

- mike

Photowalk at Antelope Island, Utah

Antelope Island, Utah, originally uploaded by calanan.

Join Photowalking Utah this Saturday, November 1st, at Antelope Island for the annual Bison round-up. Starting at 9:30 AM, we'll be getting up close at the Bison pens where the state park ranges give them their health checkups. When we're done there, we'll head over to Garr Ranch to check out the historic sheep ranch.

Pay attention to the weather and dress accordingly. Most of this will be outside.

Meet in the parking lot west of the entrance gate in Syracuse, UT. There is an entrance fee to the park $9/per car, we can break up into groups and share rides for those interested.

Details:

9:30 am - approx 12:00 pm

Antelope Island State Park
4528 West 1700 South
Syracuse, UT 84075

As always, skill level is unimportant. Nor does it matter if you shoot a digital SLR, point and shoot, medium format film camera, camera phone or whatever. Come on out and join us and spend some time hanging out with other photographers and having a good time.

Please post an RSVP comment if you're planning to attend. Scott Smith (the organizer this month) may be able to get discount pricing into the park if we have a large group.

Bruce Lefavi Book Release Party

Bruce Lefavi Book Release Party, originally uploaded by calanan.

I was recently hired to shoot a corporate event, a book release party for the owner of Lefavi Wealth Management, Bruce Lefavi (above).

It was held here in downtown Salt Lake City, UT atop the Wells Fargo Center in their 23rd Floor reception center. It was my first time up there and I found it to be a great location for events. The west-facing wall is all glass and overlooks the Oquirrh Mountains, the west valley and the great salt lake. This evening event was both blessed and cursed with sun - the sunset was especially gorgeous that evening, however I fought with the bright late afternoon sun to avoid hotspots when composing images.

Here are a few more shots from the event:

Bruce's Team


More of his team


Bruce reading from his book


...and answering questions about it


And folks enjoying the evening:







You can view more photos from the event over on
Flickr in this slideshow.

.v is for volitant.

.v is for volitant., originally uploaded by calanan.

Main St
Salt Lake City, UT

Sigma 30mm f/1.4

[Part of my "Drive-By Shootings" street photography series]

Went for a drive yesterday - something I haven't been doing very much of lately - and took a couple of drive-bys on Salt Lake City's Main St.

One more:

.v is for vedette.

Just one more from the Alpine Loop

Manray (stopped on the Alpine Loop), originally uploaded by calanan.

Alpine Loop / Provo, UT

Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Nikon SB-800 & white umbrella (fired via CLS)


One more portrait from the set I blogged about yesterday.

Manray (stopped on the Alpine Loop)

Manray (stopped on the Alpine Loop), originally uploaded by calanan.

Alpine Loop / Provo, UT
Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Nikon SB-800 & white umbrella (fired via CLS)

While we drove the Alpine Loop we stopped along the way to take some portraits so I could test some Strobist lighting techniques.

More portraits:





And some snaps from the trip:





Here's the whole set on Flickr.

Sean, Manray, Jacques and Carren with Lilly

Sean, Manray, Jacques and Carren with Lilly, originally uploaded by calanan.

Sigma 30mm f/1.4
Tonawanda, NY

A snap from our recent trip to Western New York, this one from the baptism of my wife's niece, Lilly. Sean and Carren (on each end) are her parents and Dapper Jacques there is Lilly's godfather.

Family: I'll upload more from the trip as soon as I can, I promise!