Nikon News (Page 3) Report News & Deals  ►

Adorama has a Flashpoint StreakLight 360 Ws Flash with Blast Power Pack Bundle available for $399.95 with free expedited shipping. Regularly $519.95 if purchased separately.
 
Bundle Includes
 

• Flashpoint StreakLight 360 Ws Flash
• Flashpoint Blast Power Pack BP-960 - (Li-polymer, 4500mAh)
• Flashpoint Wireless Remote
• Flashpoint Wireless Receiver for StreakLight Flash
• Flashpoint Streaklight Umbrella Reflector Kit

From CreativeLive:
 
Third Annual CreativeLive Photoshop Week Gathers Renowned Experts on Photoshop and Lightroom to Educate Photographers and Creative Pros …Free!
 
Seattle, WA – February 17, 2015 – Nearly every photographer and graphic artist relies on Photoshop to help them refine and perfect their creations before presenting them to clients, friends, and family members. CreativeLive, the premier source for online education, is once again bringing together the world’s foremost experts to create Photoshop Week (February 23-28, 2015), a weeklong series of online seminars brought directly to the convenience of your computer, and in the comfort of your studio or home. To register for the live seminars and view a complete class schedule of Photoshop and Lightroom topics, visit CreativeLive.com.
 
Over the course of six days, CreativeLive will stream 49 live classes presented by the industry’s leading Photoshop experts including Dave Cross, Tim Grey, Jason Hoppe, Mike Kelley, Matt Kloskowski, Julieanne Kost, Jared Platt, Julia Kuzmenko McKim, Aaron Nace, Chris Orwig, Colin Smith, Paul Trani and Ben Willmore. Each 90 minute class provides a detailed look at the hottest topics for a comprehensive learning experience that can be applied to your graphics and photography.
 
Viewers will also have an opportunity to purchase and download any of the 49 classes to create an on-demand personal library of Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials from the very best in the business. The cost for downloading the entire course curriculum is $299. Individual classes can be downloaded and archived for on-demand viewing for $19 each.
 
“CreativeLive is the source more than two million photographers have turned to for live online learning,” explains George Varanakis, General Manager of Photo at CreativeLive. “Photoshop Week offers a very comprehensive curriculum presented by the most renowned experts in the industry. While all the classes are available free when airing live, the entire collection of classes are also available for on-demand viewing and critical study.”
 
From beginner to advanced users, photographers who tune into Photoshop Week will find what they learn to be an invaluable asset to their day-to-day workflow actions. Whether it’s a new feature or technique such as Introduction to 3D in Photoshop or a refresher course on Layer Effects, the viewers will listen and learn from the very best in the business. Visit the CreativeLive website to review the entire schedule of classes and build your personal calendar for Photoshop Week.

From Photoshelter:
 
Get tips to attract clients and land more wedding gigs
 
It's hard to believe wedding season is just around the corner! To help you put your best foot forward, we've partnered up with Tamron to put together our latest guide, How to Grow a Wedding Photography Business. Get tips to attract the wedding clients you want, develop a solid pricing plan, and have your clients bubble over with excitement when it comes to your exceptional customer service.
 
In this guide you’ll also learn:
 

• How to screen for the best clients
• The most important thing to do when first starting out
• What to do on the big day to make an impression
• How to establish a strong brand identity
• Why your customer service should be above-and-beyond
• How to take natural looking photos

Plus get insights from 6 seasoned wedding photographers who share their tips to tackle the market and build a successful wedding photography business.
 
Get the free guide.

Through February 27, use coupon code WINTER15 at LensRentals to save 15% on your rental.
 
Promotion Details:
 

• Valid for any order placed between Feb 16-27th, 2015
• Can not be combined with any other offers

To support this site, click on the appropriate product review and then click the button beside the camera/lens you want to rent.

I wanted to visually see the new Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens beside the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens and the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art Lens. So, I sized the lenses to scale and composited a prime Art lens family photo. You can definitely see the family resemblance.
 
B&H is accepting preorders for the Sigma 24mm Art Lens with initial shipments expected to arrive March 20th, 2015.

Through February 22, use coupon code PXAPB35 at AdoramaPix to receive 35% off your photo books order.

by Sean Setters
 
Amanda and I have been dating a little more than a year now. And even though I have a camera in my hand nearly every day, we have relatively few pictures of us together. This Valentine's Day, however, we decided to address that issue.
 
I've slowly been accumulating a collection of old, 35mm transparent slides for use with my Light Blaster. One recent eBay auction win left me with a set of humorous title slides designed for use with early films. Considering our fondness of hats, one slide in particular seemed well-suited for inclusion in our image.
 
We used my driveway (with a bordering fence) as the location for our shoot. The chair shown usually occupies a spot in my living room. I chose that specific chair because it was bulky enough to help me conceal the lower part of the light stand that the Light Blaster would be on.
 
For optimal results, the timing of the shoot proved essential. I needed the ambient light to drop low enough so that the projected image would show up well on the fence. Too much ambient light would make the projected image less distinct. Therefore, we set everything up shortly before sundown and kept shooting as dusk rolled in.
 
The mainlight consisted of a 580EX Speedlite flash diffused by a 24" Glow Collapsible Softbox positioned just out of the frame to the right. The softbox was chosen because its directionality allowed me to keep light from contaminating the background projection. I used a Lumopro LP180 flash zoomed to 105mm for the rim light which was positioned behind us, camera right. I used another 580EX positioned directly behind the chair with the Light Blaster + Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens attached. This lens provided the perfect size projection while its wide f/1.4 aperture also allowed me to squeeze every bit of illumination out of my flash (wider aperture = brighter projection). I used radio triggers to trigger the flashes and a Canon RC-1 wireless remote to trigger the tripod-mounted 5D Mark III + Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art lens (f/2.8, 1/160 sec, ISO 320). We positioned ourselves very carefully to conceal the top half of the light stand and flash / Light Blaster.
 
After a couple of dozen attempts we had the shots we wanted. After a small amount of post processing, we arrived at the image shown above. Amanda was especially happy with the shot, so it was well worth the effort.
 
And just in case you're curious, the shirt I'm wearing underneath the jacket says "Bokehlicious".

B&H has the following Rokinon lenses in stock and available with free expedited shipping.
 

• Rokinon 50mm f/1.4 AS IF UMC Lens
• Rokinon 135mm f/2.0 ED UMC Lens
• Rokinon 135mm T2.2 Cine DS Lens

From the FAA:
 
Regulations will facilitate integration of small UAS into U.S. aviation system
 
February 15, 2015 – WASHINGTON – The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today proposed a framework of regulations (PDF) that would allow routine use of certain small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in today’s aviation system, while maintaining flexibility to accommodate future technological innovations.
 
The FAA proposal offers safety rules for small UAS (under 55 pounds) conducting non-recreational operations. The rule would limit flights to daylight and visual-line-of-sight operations. It also addresses height restrictions, operator certification, optional use of a visual observer, aircraft registration and marking, and operational limits.
 
The proposed rule also includes extensive discussion of the possibility of an additional, more flexible framework for “micro” UAS under 4.4 pounds. The FAA is asking the public to comment on this possible classification to determine whether it should include this option as part of a final rule. The FAA is also asking for comment about how the agency can further leverage the UAS test site program and an upcoming UAS Center of Excellence to further spur innovation at “innovation zones.”
 
The public will be able to comment on the proposed regulation for 60 days from the date of publication in the Federal Register, which can be found at www.regulations.gov. Separate from this proposal, the FAA intends to hold public meetings to discuss innovation and opportunities at the test sites and Center of Excellence. These meetings will be announced in a future Federal Register notice.
 
“Technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace and this milestone allows federal regulations and the use of our national airspace to evolve to safely accommodate innovation,” said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
 
The proposed rule would require an operator to maintain visual line of sight of a small UAS. The rule would allow, but not require, an operator to work with a visual observer who would maintain constant visual contact with the aircraft. The operator would still need to be able to see the UAS with unaided vision (except for glasses). The FAA is asking for comments on whether the rules should permit operations beyond line of sight, and if so, what the appropriate limits should be.
 
“We have tried to be flexible in writing these rules,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We want to maintain today’s outstanding level of aviation safety without placing an undue regulatory burden on an emerging industry.”
 
Under the proposed rule, the person actually flying a small UAS would be an “operator.” An operator would have to be at least 17 years old, pass an aeronautical knowledge test and obtain an FAA UAS operator certificate. To maintain certification, the operator would have to pass the FAA knowledge tests every 24 months. A small UAS operator would not need any further private pilot certifications (i.e., a private pilot license or medical rating).
 
The new rule also proposes operating limitations designed to minimize risks to other aircraft and people and property on the ground:
 

• A small UAS operator must always see and avoid manned aircraft. If there is a risk of collision, the UAS operator must be the first to maneuver away.
• The operator must discontinue the flight when continuing would pose a hazard to other aircraft, people or property.
• A small UAS operator must assess weather conditions, airspace restrictions and the location of people to lessen risks if he or she loses control of the UAS.
• A small UAS may not fly over people, except those directly involved with the flight.
• Flights should be limited to 500 feet altitude and no faster than 100 mph.
• Operators must stay out of airport flight paths and restricted airspace areas, and obey any FAA Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs).

The proposed rule maintains the existing prohibition against operating in a careless or reckless manner. It also would bar an operator from allowing any object to be dropped from the UAS.
 
Operators would be responsible for ensuring an aircraft is safe before flying, but the FAA is not proposing that small UAS comply with current agency airworthiness standards or aircraft certification. For example, an operator would have to perform a preflight inspection that includes checking the communications link between the control station and the UAS. Small UAS with FAA-certificated components also could be subject to agency airworthiness directives.
 
The new rules would not apply to model aircraft. However, model aircraft operators must continue to satisfy all of the criteria specified in Sec. 336 of Public Law 112-95, including the stipulation that they be operated only for hobby or recreational purposes. Generally speaking, the new rules would not apply to government aircraft operations, because we expect that these government operations will typically continue to actively operate under the Certificate of Waiver or Authorization (COA) process unless the operator opts to comply with and fly under the new small UAS regulations.
 
In addition to this proposal, earlier today, the White House issued a Presidential Memorandum concerning transparency, accountability, and privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties protections for the Federal Government’s use of UAS in the national airspace system which directs the initiation of a multi-stakeholder engagement process to develop a framework for privacy, accountability, and transparency issues concerning commercial and private UAS use.
 
The current unmanned aircraft rules remain in place until the FAA implements a final new rule. The FAA encourages new operators to visit:
http://www.knowbeforeyoufly.org
 
You can view the FAA’s Small UAS Notice of Proposed Rulemaking later today at:
http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/recently_published/
 
An overview of the Small UAS rule can be viewed at:http://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/rulemaking/media/021515_sUAS_Summary.pdf
 
You can view the fact sheet at:http://www.faa.gov/news/fact_sheets/news_story.cfm?newsId=18297
 
Press Conference audio is available here.

From the Restrap Shoot Camera Straps Kickstarter UK Campaign:
 
Less than a second. That’s the time it takes for a camera to be attached to the Shoot strap. No extra pulling or tightening, just one single action, with one single hand - all through the power of magnets.
 
The Shoot’s magnetic connection system (“SNAPS”), capable of bearing 100kg, allows any camera to be carried with unfailing security. The SNAPS are a pair: one side attaches to the camera, the other to the strap. The result is a seamless connection. Cameras are fastened, removed, swapped and fine tuned with unbeatable ease.
 
Shoot is the brainchild of Restrap, a well-established, British brand with expertise in producing innovative products, totally hand-made in Yorkshire.
 
There are two versions of the strap: The Shoot (£35) secures the camera around the photographer’s neck or in a sling style, whilst the Shoot Mini (£20) attaches around the wrist – either right or left – to keep the camera closer to hand.
 
In addition to the powerful forces of the magnets, the straps themselves are designed to withstand anything. Made from recycled, automotive-grade seatbelt webbing in 50mm (Shoot) and 25mm (Shoot Mini), they are secured with custom laser-cut tri-glide buckles and are stylishly finished with genuine, hard-wearing suede. Both models are available in red or black.
 
Nathan Hughes, founder and director of Restrap, says: “We set out to design a strap that would offer unparalleled strength without compromising the flexibility photographers want when shooting on the streets. The Shoot range gives them the security they need, whilst letting them play around with the camera quickly and easily.”
 
For more information, check out the Restrap Shoot Camera Straps UK Kickstarter Campaign.

Through tomorrow, use coupon code Pesidents40aff at CanvasOnDemand.com to recieve a 40% discount on your canvas print order.
 
Note: I have a 20x30" Canvas on Demand print hanging just above my TV and it looks great. It also arrived in one of the most protective packages I have ever seen. If you've never tried Canvas On Demand, I highly suggest giving them a chance. I think you'll be very satisfied with your order. [Sean]

Image quality results have been added to the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens review page.
 
I think that you are going to like what you see from this lens. You will notice strong barrel distortion at 15mm (details in the top crop sample get enlarged) and some chromatic aberration to be corrected, but overall this lens is looking good including at f/2.8.
 
Here are some comparisons:
 
Tamron 15-30mm VC vs. Canon 16-35mm f/2.8 L II
Tamron 15-30mm VC vs. Canon 16-35mm f/4 L IS
Tamron 15-30mm VC vs. Tokina 16-35mm f/2.8
Tamron 15-30mm VC vs. Zeiss 15mm f/2.8
 
B&H has the Tamron 15-30mm f/2.8 Di VC USD Lens available for preorder.

Amazon is featuring select PNY Memory Products as its Gold Box Deal of the Day.
 
And that begs the question – Can you ever have too much memory? :-) [Sean]
 
Relevant Deals
 

Items	Compare at	Sale Price
PNY Elite Performance 32GB SDHC Class 10 UHS-1 90MB/s	$17.99	$14.49
PNY Elite Performance 64GB SDXC Class 10 UHS-1 90MB/s	$29.99	$23.99
PNY Elite Performance 128GB SDXC Class 10 UHS-1 90MB/s	$59.99	$48.99
PNY Technologies 256GB Turbo 3.0 USB Flash Drive	$89.99	$69.95

Through 2/18, use coupon code SASVday at SmugMug.com to save 20% on all website photo packages.

For a limited time, B&H has the Lowepro Rover Pro 35L AW Backpack (Galaxy Blue, Light Grey) available for $79.00 with free expedited shipping. Regularly $299.00.
 
Product Highlights
 

• For Pro DSLR,Grip,Attached 24-70mm f/2.8
• Holds 1 Extra Lenses or Flash / Tripod
• Holds Sleeping Pad,Small Tent,Axe,Poles
• Two Removable Camera Cases
• Many Storage Options / Front/Side Access
• Shoulder Straps / Waist Belt
• Two Liter Hydration Compartment
• Water-Resistant Exterior
• All-Weather Cover

Nikon just went live with a wide range of instant rebates with hundreds of dollars in potential savings. And for the first time ever, the Nikon D4s is included with an enticing $500.00 rebate.
 
Act now as Nikon instant rebates are relatively rare and may not last long.
 
Nikon Items with Instant Rebates
 

Item	Orig. Price	Instate Rebate	Sale Price
Nikon D4s	$6,496.95	$500.00	$5,996.95
Nikon D810	$3,296.95	$300.00	$2,996.95
Nikon D750 + 24-120mm f/4 VR	$3,596.95	$600.00	$2,996.95
Nikon D610	$1,996.95	$500.00	$1,496.95
Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor	$896.95	$100.00	$796.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED	$1,996.95	$200.00	$1,796.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 16-35mm f/4G ED VR	$1,256.95	$260.00	$996.95
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II	$596.95	$100.00	$496.95
Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR	$996.95	$100.00	$896.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED	$1,886.95	$200.00	$1,686.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR II	$2,396.95	$300.00	$2,096.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR	$2,696.95	$400.00	$2,296.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 28mm f/1.8G	$696.95	$100.00	$596.95
Nikon AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G DX	$196.95	$20.00	$176.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED	$596.95	$100.00	$496.95
Nikon 40mm f/2.8G AF-S DX Micro-Nikkor	$276.95	$30.00	$246.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.8G	$216.95	$20.00	$196.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 50mm f/1.4G	$481.95	$85.00	$396.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.8G	$496.95	$50.00	$446.95
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 85mm f/1.4G	$1,696.95	$200.00	$1,496.95
Nikon AF-S VR Micro-NIKKOR 105mm f/2.8G IF-ED	$981.95	$185.00	$796.95

For a limited time, B&H has the Hoya 77mm Pro 1D 16x (4-stop) ND Filter available for $44.95 with free shipping. Regularly $119.95.
 
Update: The deal has expired.

For a limited time, DigitalRev has the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED AF-S Nikkor Lens available for $1,469.00. Compare at $1,996.95.
 
Note: When purchased by US customers, items sold by DigitalRev are considered grey market.