As I mentioned previously the Nikon D3s is expected to be announced on October 15th, 2009 and today Nikon France kind of told us the same thing: they have scheduled multiple events during the Paris Expo and if you download the program (pdf file) you will see that they have several “Présentation nouveau reflex” which [...] Related posts:

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I posted that on PhotoRumors already, but since many Nikon fans are expecting an updated 35mm f/1.4 lens from Nikon, here is a Zeiss rumor for you (you will still get only manual focus with a Zeiss lenses, which you can also get with the Nikon 35mm f/1.4 AI-S lens):
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I’ve just completed my first week of instruction at Maine Media Workshop, it was also my first time to the great state of Maine. I had a wonderful time during the week with some really great students. I’d like to thank the staff at MMW for running a wonderful venue and making me feel so welcomed. I would also like to extend a special thanks to my class assistant Jen, thanks so much for all your help!

The photo at the top of the post is from a light demonstration while on location at the Lincoln Center school in Rockland, ME. I did this photo in the small theater at the school, I find that a lot of students don’t think about including a strobe within the actual frame of their photo.

I used two SB-800’s, I fired them using the CLS system build into my Nikon D-700, WB-daylight. The strobe at the rear of the photo had a full cut CTB (color temperature blue) gel on it and was fitted with a grid. The front light is a FourSquare™ boomed overhead and slightly forward of the subject. You can see the set-up in the image below.

Seated in the theater in the production image above is Peter, one of the 4 models we had available for the students to photograph while at this location.

We also made a visit to Firefly Restorations in Hope, ME. Peter stood in front of this wonderfully restored Fire Truck giving me his best Jack Nicholson. Peter is lit with a single SB-800 with a full cut CTO on it, WB-daylight.

The photos below show another lighting demonstration we did in class one day. Anthony shown here, needed a new photo of himself for this coming seasons ski pass. I used the chalkboard in the classroom as the background for his portrait. The key light was an SB-800 inside of my FourSquare™ clamped to an overhead pipe. I had 2 SB-800’s placed behind and to each side of Anthony for the kickers, these were fitted with Full CTO gels and barn doors which help prevent flair into my lens. I also clamped another SB-800 onto the chalkboard using a Justin Clamp, this flash was also fitted with a full CTB gel and a foam cutter to prevent any forward spill onto the back of Anthony.
To round out the shot, I used an Orbis Ring Flash for some fill. The ring flash is a wonderful tool to use when adding some fill. Here is the set up for the photo shown above.

We have a few more spaces left for the Philadelphia, PA Master Lighting Mentor Series Trek.

I’ll be joining super shooter Michael Clark teaching this Trek. The workshop starts on Oct 30th and runs until Nov 1st. We’ll be shooting at two super locations, Longwood Gardens and at Eastern State Penitentiary. These Treks are well organized and are a lot of fun. Philadelphia is a beautiful city and both locations are fantastic, I hope you’ll join us. Here is the full info as it appears in the most recent issue of POP Photo.

Pack your camera gear and join the Mentor Series as we trek to the birthplace of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” this coming fall! Philadelphia will provide the perfect backdrop to learn the rewards of using light to create an intentional effect in your photos, as well as explore the history and culture this city has to offer. Follow Nikon professional photographers and
illumination gurus David Tejada and Michael Clark as they simplify various techniques and help you address lighting scenarios that will convey a desired atmosphere, while capturing unique images in both controlled and spontaneous shooting situations.

NEW This trek includes a Master Class on Lighting, providing an exclusive opportunity to determine how luminosity can shape the mood and color of the photographs you create. Allow our mentors to assist you in finding the best angles, interpreting natural light sources, utilizing reflectors, and understanding how to control light. By learning how to properly use light modifiers such as umbrellas,
soft boxes, snoots, grids, silks and even bounce techniques, you will walk away with a solid comprehension of how easily an image can be enhanced.

Visit the stunning Longwood Gardens, one of the world’s premiere horticultural display gardens, as you gain experience directing hired models and practice using off-camera flash. Or reveal the beauty of the yellow, orange and purple trees, and the golden honey locusts, scarlet sweet gums, and ruby northern red oaks in the sunlight. a lush world of exotic flowers, with more then 20,000 blooming chrysanthemums, making for spectacular macro images.

Travel on to the infamous Eastern State Penitentiary, and explore what lighting is best suited to subject and scene, as we use America’s most historic prison (open from 1829 to 1971) to shoot models and further practice learned techniques “on location”. Take advantage of the penitentiary’s vaulted, sky-lit cells to capture a particular mood in the jail that held some of America’s most notorious criminals, including Al Capone. Later, photograph along a tour of Philadelphia’s remarkable landmarks from the top of our own double-decker bus.
Try your hand at making long exposure night images while you capture the Betsy Ross Bridge, the dramatic city skyline from Camden and visit the waterfront area of Penns Landing, and Boathouse Row.

Spend some time in Center City, exceptionally conveying Logan Square, or the famous Love sculpture by Robert Indiana. You will capture history with your camera at Independence Hall as you take in the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence, stop in Washington Square, and pay a visit to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Everywhere you go in Philadelphia, you’ll find a piece of America’s past, and continually discover the chance to utilize the lighting techniques you’ve learned to capture these historic landmarks. Explore “the city of brotherly love” with expert photographers by your side!

UPDATE: looking at the translation again – I think it says “replaced with” instead of “replacement and”, so we are talking about one potential new lens here: AF-S 100-500mm f/4-5.6 IF-ED VR
This rumor is about a new lens from Nikon to be released in Spring 2010 (or around PMA): The current model 80-400 f/4.5-5.6 VR will [...] Related posts:

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UPDATE: this just in – Nikon Camera Profit Likely to Beat Forecast: “Mid- to high-end models of single-lens-reflex cameras are selling more than the company expected“. Lomography Diana F adaptor for Nikon SLR was announced this week – now you can use this cheap $40 fish eye lens (20mm) on you Nikon (D)SLR.
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UPDATE: the Nikon D3s may have a new 1.3x crop mode.
I don’t know about this rumor (anonymous email), but here it is – the Nikon D3s looks much better already (if those are true of course): Nikon D3s with ISO 200-12800 (D3 was with ISO 200-6400).
New ISO range HI-3 at 102,400 ISO.
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D3s
Ok, rumors are flying fast this weekend – now I can say that the Nikon D3s has a 99% release probability. Still waiting on confirmations for the lens(es). Expected announcement date: October 15th, 2009.
As reported previously, some of the Nikon D3s “improvements” will be 14fps and full 1080p HD video. Posted by NikonRumors.com like | post more? [...] Related posts:

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