Winged Power Photography

Switching From Glasses To... No Glasses

For most of my life, I've been wearing glasses of various levels of prescription, ranging from around 2.5 through 4.0, with varying levels of astigmatism. While I had grown used to the wearing, cleaning, replacing, and finding my glasses for some two decades, I had, since around 2000, wanted to get lasik done, but I just didn't trust the technology, given what I had heard about PRK eye surgery.

Recently, I had gotten lasik, which probably explains the lack of postings... but in truth, not really. What this post is, a short recounting of what it feels like to wear glasses, as a photographer, and to switch from glasses to post-surgery. Please, take a read, if you have been wondering about lasik, perhaps this will add to your desire or detract from it.
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Selling Off My Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D DSLR, 28-100mm Kit Lens, and batteries/accessories

Well, that special time of the year has arrived... that time to upgrade my photography gear. This year, I'm upgrading my DSLR body from the Maxxum 7D to the Sonly Alpha 700. I can still use my lenses and flash gear with the new camera, but my batteries are not compatible with it, so instead of maintaining two differing bodies, I'm selling off my Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D DSLR. I love this camera, but selling it off will also help pay for the new camera body. :)

Here is the link to the Ebay Auction, which lasts for just 5 days from the date of this posting!!

For those interested in getting a GREAT DSLR for a killer price, check out my auction!
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The Nikon D300 for the holidays! Discounts and Deals Abound!

This holiday season, in terms of cameras, the Nikon D300 DSLR is a making a big splash in the stores. Different stores are competing online and in brick and mortar stores. At several online locations, you can get the Nikon D300 DSLR for as much as 10%-30% off the retail prices you would need to pay at brick and mortar stores.

Since most brick and mortar stores are aware of the effect of e-Commerce Black Monday, they have discounted their wares, greatly increasing the chance you will be getting a great deal.

No matter who you buy it from, however, the D300 is a great deal, especially when bundled with....
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Sony Alpha A100K 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-70mm f3.5-5.6 Lens asin: B000DZH60O

Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) asin: B000VPNYSO

Nikon D300 DX 12.3MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-135mm AF-S DX f/3.5-5.6G ED-IF Nikkor Zoom Lens asin: B000VR9V3E

Something Fun To Zoom About!

Whenever I'm asked, "What was your favorite camera to shoot with?" I invariably think back to my versatile Olympus C2100UZ. It had a 10X optical zoom and was image stabilized. Have a live preview screen, and took great pictures, even given that it was a mere 2MP.

Olympus has since passed out of my mind, but I've been noticing a different company carrying that fun to zoom torch: Panasonic.

The Panasonic Lumix series of cameras are long zooms, and their recent addition is no exception to this rule: 18X optical zoom, image stabilized.

That's a pretty sweet camera.

Not only can it go long, it can also go wide, record 30fps video, and accept a host of attachments allowing for very close macro, even wider vantage points, and right angle shooting, for those who like to capture without being noticed.
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asin: B000W8AM2Q binding: Electronics

The DMC-FZ18 Lumix camera from Panasonic enables you to take a large array of photos thanks to the 8.1 megapixels and its 18x optical zoom. This camera contains a mega O.I.S. optical image stabilization which can detect the tiniest camera movement to automatically adjust the lens due to the shake. The Intelligent ISO captures crystal clear images even when the subject is moving. Other features on this camera include the face detection function which can detect up to 15 faces and the intelligent scene selector, which will automatically select a mode based on your conditions. All this and more can be found in the DMC-FZ18.

Big zoom, small camera » Read More »»

asin: B000TM7GD8 binding: Electronics list price: $399.99 USD amazon price: Too low to

The DMC-FZ18 Lumix 8.1-Megapixel Digital Camera can take photos from vast landscapes to super telephoto shots thanks to its 18x optical 28mm Wide-Angle Leica Zoom Lens. For macro shots, the wide-angle setting lets you shoot all the way down to one centimeter from your subject, while the telephoto setting can be used up to one meter (3.28 feet). Combined with Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, the DMC-FZ18 can detect even the tiniest camera movement to automatically adjust the lens to compensate any handshake. Intelligent ISO captures crisp, clear images as you shoot to suppress motion blur, making it easier to shoot scenes with fast moving action. The Face Detection function can automatically detect up to 15 faces in a scene and re-adjust the settings if their positions change. » Read More »»

asin: B000TM7GB0 binding: Electronics list price: $399.99 USD amazon price: $369.98 USD

The DMC-FZ18 Lumix 8.1-Megapixel Digital Camera can take photos from vast landscapes to super telephoto shots thanks to its 18x optical 28mm Wide-Angle Leica Zoom Lens. For macro shots, the wide-angle setting lets you shoot all the way down to one centimeter from your subject, while the telephoto setting can be used up to one meter (3.28 feet). Combined with Mega O.I.S. Optical Image Stabilization, the DMC-FZ18 can detect even the tiniest camera movement and automatically adjust the lens to compensate for any handshake. Intelligent ISO suppresses motion blur as you shoot, to capture crisp, clear images, making it easier to shoot scenes with fast moving action. The Face Detection function can automatically detect up to 15 faces in a scene and re-adjust the settings if their positions change. » Read More »»

The First, Second, and Spare DSLR Body

Most photographers who are using their gear professionally, employ two camera bodies. Their primary body, and their secondary. There are benefits to this, aside from looking cool, and having a spare. You can have both wide and long lenses mounted at the same time! No need to fumble with switching out a lens, you can just put down one camera and pick up the other camera. Fast, effective, and less missed shots.

If the person you are shopping for has a body already, now is the time to figure out what new body they'd like to upgrade to... or perhaps just another body of the same make/model?

If they are shooting with a Nikon D200, perhaps it's time to upgrade to the Nikon D300 and keep the D200 as their secondary. Both are great performers and produce quality photographs, not to mention the ability to use the same lenses and flash units. ( Nikon D200 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only) ).

If your photography friend shoots with the D40X, perhaps it's time for them to receive a D80? ( Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Body + Nikon MB-D80 Battery Grip + Extra Nikon EN-EL3e Battery ).

Finally, A Semi-Pro Sony DSLR!

As noted in previous posts, my chin has received many a rub, as I contemplated the idea of switching over my current photography gear over to a Nikon setup. While my collection of gear is modest compared to some other photographers, my disposable income is likewise modest. Having to repurchase a 17-50mm f/2.8 and a 70-200mm f/4, along with two flash heads, spare batteries, and switching to SDHC memory chips... it would have been pricey, if exciting and a great venture. Amidst my explaining to a fellow shooter, who shoots with Nikon gear, I came across news that Sony had, at long last, released an upgrade to the Alpha-100, the Alpha-700. Just as the Alpha-100 was based on the 5D body, the Alpha-700 is based on the 7D body...
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Sony Alpha A700 12.24MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-70mm f/3.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Lens asin: B000VRJC5Q

It's finally arriving! The Nikon D3 and D300!!

Looks like the rival to Canon's 1DMKIII is finally going to make it's appearance in the form of the Nikon D3. The D3's arrival will be partnered with the arrival of the Nikon D300! Sweet. Check out the new duo's sweet stats!
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