“Moot point”. Not “mute point”. Just sayin’

Oy.....

We went to South Africa and Botswana in September 2016. We started our planning too late and as a result the Pangolin rep had to struggle to find us accommodations since most had been fully booked. We did manage to put together a good trip but without prior experience, we felt that we were one day too long in Botswana and one day too short in South Africa. We started our excursion with a 2 day stay at the Ursula Camp in the Stanley & Livingston Private Game Preserve. Pangolin arranged for a photographer to meet us at Victoria Falls to shoot the sunset and the next morning to shoot the sunrise. Lesanne Dunlop was excellent but the area is so well laid out that a guide is not a necessity.

From there, we were driven to Botswana to spend three days with Pangolin guide, Charl Stols on the Chobe River before flying to Okavango Delta where we spent two more days photographing. And then we ended our trip with 2 days in Cape Town and vicinity. Our guide, Lisa was extremely well organized and had a shooting schedule that she followed meticulously. She knew exactly how to to spend at each location. It was great!

The equipment on the Chobe River was fantastic. Boats with gimbal camera supports attached to chairs with 360 degree mobility. Charl is very experienced and his advice was invaluable. One highlight (lowlight) of their trip was when I dropped by D810 with a 300mm prime lens attached. The lens survived, but the bayonet mount on the body broke off. Since Pangolin also caters to patrons who don’t have their own equipment, Charl sold me a D7000 from their loner pool and SD cards for a reasonable US$250. Same battery as my D810 so I was back in business in 15 minutes.

Last comment - when we got back home, and processed our images, my wife and I had a 240 page book printed by Blurb. The images document our trip and include pictures of 3 reptiles, 17 mammals and 33 birds.

I give Pangolin 5 stars.

This a fantastic piece on the subject. My main system is built around a Nikon D810 and I also use a E-M5 with a lens arsenal shared with my wife. Each has their own place in my photographic journey.

I have a really dumb (judgemental) question. I have been using a D810 since February 2016 and have not outgrown its capabilities. Not sure of how many images I’ve shot with it, but likely about 15,000. You say that the click count on your D810 is 7400 and you’re looking at buying a D850. I’d be interested in knowing what you find missing in the D810 that is holding you back from creating excellent images.

Attached file:
(Download)

That’s what I’m missing!!! #3 something to support me and my camera. !!!!!

The rule is the “rule of thirds” and there has been much written about it. Ask Google

Thanks for letting me know. I am also using an F5 (with data back) and so far there are no mechanical issues with it. Good luck with the repair, hope it will permit you to use the F5 for many more years to come.

Try Nikon Canada.
Nikon Canada Inc. 1366 Aerowood Drive Mississauga, ON L4W 1C1
Phone: 1-877-534-9910
Hours: Mon - Fri 8:45am - 4:45pm, EST

Or Sun Camera.
Sun Camera Service Ltd. 2150 Steeles Ave. West - Unit 5, Vaughan, Ontario L4K 2Y7
Tel: (905) 669-6406 Fax: (905) 669-5127 Info@SunCameraService.ca

The Nikkor lens designated with a D are mechanical to focus lenses that require the body to have a focus drive motor on board. None of the D3xxx and D5xxx have an on-board focus motor. Some oft he AF (vs AF-s and AF-P) lenses will have a D after the aperture as in f/1.8D. The D means that the lens will communicate focus distance information to the body for more accurate exposures when using a compatible speed light. These AF lenses are older, with high quality glass and generally metal bodies. Since they do do have internal electronic focus motors, they are more durable but will autofocus slightly slower. They are excellent value lenses. For example, the 50mm f/1.4D, 60mm f/2.8D and 105mm f/2.8D

I had a D700 and found that the D600/D610 or D750 were too limiting for what I needed. Since the D700 was a near pro body it has a 1/8000 max shutter, dedicated BFF, robust build and weather sealing. I was able to get a good price when I sold it and bought a used D810 from a local dealer. Very happy with my decision.

I process my NEF files in LR and once I’m pleased with the image I move on to the next. The “DPM” sidecar file holds any adjustments I’ve made. So effectively, the file is “saved”. I do not convert the image to another format unless I am planning on sending, printing or otherwise disseminating. If I am, then the medium dictates the format - JPG, TIFF, PDF or other.

I ordered a case of this and I’m using some and giving the rest away to everyone I know who thinks that pictures need colour to be good. Now I’m looking for some Kodachrome in 126 format for my Instamatic 100.

And B&H

My Instamatic 100, but I can’t get the 126 cassette film for it. Out of production. I have 3 other cameras and a bag full of great glass, but I took my first pictures with that Kodak and it was terrific.