Winged Power Photography

Tis The Season To Be... Photographing!

Okay, that is most likely one of the worst title lines I've written. However, the holiday seasons really are more than just a time to be stuck at a mall, fighting with relatives, or wondering for the N'th time, why EVERYONE ELSE is so annoying. It's also that special time of year to reflect and take in the smaller things.

In this case, it's a great time, to grab your camera slap on the macro or extension tubes, and take a closer look at things.

It's time for a little creative holiday close-up/macro photography!
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Fast Glass For Challenging Shooting!

In the Nikon Lens Posting, long focal lengths were the way to go. In this posting, as I understand there are many a photographer who work the wedding circuit, fast glass is preferred, especially when you work in churches lit by candle light, and flashes are restricted. The USM Canon EF 50mm at f/1.2 is a fast and high grade lens of the Canon L caliber. Low light situations become much less problematic, and portraiture with amazingly out of focus backgrounds, will be a breeze. If the photographer you have in mind, doesn't already own one of these gems, I'm sure it will be much appreciated during their next indoor/evening photo-session! ( Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras ).

If a long zoom is still the way you'd like to shop for your Canon photographer, then I can whole heartedly recommend the 70-200mm USM, f/2.8 telezoom, great for portraiture, closeup shots, sports, and wildlife. The lens is fast, silent, and accurate. Assuming your photographer doesn't already own one, it will surely bring a smile to their face, when they get one from you. ( Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Canon SLR Cameras )
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That Longed For Lens

Perhaps, your friend already has an extra body, or perhaps a second body isn't what's on that Christmas wishlist! Perhaps... it's one of those prized lenses! The favorite all around tele zoom lens is the 70-200mm f/2.8, an all around performer and great for sports, people, and wildlife photography. This lens is heavier than some consumer grade lenses, but the durability, clarity, and reach are all excellent. ( Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S VR Zoom Nikkor Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras )

But, what if the lens they want is one they can just keep on their camera and shoot subjects, but near and far? Wide and long? Well, that's where the 18-200mm VR lens comes into play! This lens is widely desired and popular for folks who don't want to carry around a large assortment of lenses or heft a heavy lens. This lens gives you a nice wide angle view at 18mm and good closeup at the 200mm end. The lens is equipped with Vibration Reduction(VR), so you will get steady shots! ( Nikon 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 G ED-IF AF-S VR DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens ).
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What To Buy For the Shutterbug This Christmas? ( Gift Shopping For The Nikon Shutterbug )

Got a loved one or friend who's shooting with a Nikon camera? Well, if there's one thing that my friends and family have figured out... I'm hard to shop for. Most folks who are really into a particular activity, will usually have it in mind, what they want.

For the Nikon shooter, there is, of course, a choice list of things, which one might want... this is, of course, only a suggestion and the actual person you are shopping for, may already have the item(s) and/or have other things they want. Never hurts to ask!

asin: B00009V37D binding: Electronics

Stand back! This amazing zoom, with its 8x magnification, will bring the action almost up to your nose. Covering the most frequently used focal lengths, from mid to long-range telephoto, this one convenient lens lets you handle an unprecedented range of subjects from landscapes to fast action sports. Sigma's advanced design incorporates a 5-group zoom system to achieve sharp, high contrast results throughout the entire zoom range. Three SLD glass elements eliminate the secondary spectra effect normally associated with telephotos. And the rear focus system keeps the front lens from rotating, giving you easier use of polarizing filters. A convenient built-in rotary tripod mount eliminates vibration during shutter release. A true beauty. PRODUCT FEATURES: Aperture type: Automatic/Variable.

asin: B00022UE8E binding: Accessory

AFS VR ED 70-200 f/2.8G is Nikon's first professional lens to feature VR technology and also the first pro G lens. Replacing the longstanding AF-S 80-200 f/2.8, this more compact lens with extended zoom range incorporates five ED glass elements to maximize optical performance. VR technology allows shooting at slow shutter speeds in poor lighting conditions making it the ideal choice for professional sports and news photographers.

asin: B00009XW5T binding: Electronics

Take this lens on your next safari, or to the zoo with the kids. Focus on your subject, come in tight for detail and catch the unexpected. If you're at a sports event or standing on top of a mountain, you can focus out to infinity and still get breathtaking results. Getting spectacular zoom-effect shots takes a super tele-zoom like this Phoenix 100-400mm lens and a little creativity.

asin: B00005LENH binding: Electronics list price: $189.00 USD amazon price: $109.95 USD

The AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300 mm f/4-5.6G is a portable telephoto zoom lens featuring Nikon quality optics, high-performance Nikon Super Integrated Coating and a rounded diaphragm opening, which makes out-of-focus elements appear more natural.This lens is the first in a new line of G-type Nikkor lenses, which are designed with no aperture rings. With the G-type Nikkor lens, the aperture should be selected on the camera body for aperture-priority auto and manual exposure mode. The lens is fully compatible with the F5, F100, F80, F65, F60, F50, F-401-series, PRONEA 600i, PRONEA S and D1 cameras.The AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-300 mm f/4-5.6G lens represents a new level of operational ease for Nikon users - -even first-time SLR users.

asin: B000184PDY binding: Electronics

This workhorse lens can be counted on to perform exceptionally under a wide range of photographic conditions. Thousands of photographers world-wide have come to rely on this sturdy professional optic.Popular with wild-life photographers because of its durability and proven optical design, the AT-X 828 AF PRO has been in been in Tokina's AT-X series since its inception and has evolved through several generations. The unique floating element system focuses two different element groups providing faster AF speed and uniformly high image quality from close focus to infinity.These tested razor sharp optics, which use SD glass to eliminate chromatic aberrations, are housed in a set of all metal, precision-milled and fitted lens barrels that have been hard coated to improve there mechanical performance and longevity. Tokina's Focus Clutch Mechanism is incorporated for a faster auto focus and smoothly damped manual focus movement.