========================================================== THE NIKONIAN http://www.nikonians.org Regular Newsletter #23 01-MAR-2003 Thank you for your interest in our community, a home on the Internet for over 12.600 Nikon(R) users. =========================================================== 1. Editors Note 2. New Forum for Photo Printers 3. The 3rd Annual Nikonians Photo Adventure Trip 4. News from Nikon 5. Some Nikonians Hats and Caps Still Available 6. Upcoming Events from our Calendar Coordinator 7. An Online Guide on Depth of Field 8. An Online Guide on How To Shoot Waterfalls 9. Glossary Heavily Updated 10. Article on L-Brackets 11. Sample Images from The Moab CD Now Online 12. New Team Members 13. New Nikonians Assignments 14. The Peter J Crowley Weekly Guest Column 15. Nikonian physicsmike Wins 12,000th Member Contest 16. Bookshelves Update 17. More On Our Vision 18. Two Articles on Ball Heads 1. Editors Note =========================================================== Dear all, Welcome to this year's first edition of THE NIKONIAN. Close to three years now, Nikonians has been growing rapidly exceeding even our wildest member estimates. We were though convinced that there was and is a need for a community totally committed to Nikon and that in a civilized wrapping. The member figures prove us right. We strive to maintain Nikonians as the number one Nikon knowledge resource and we have become a reliable, well-known voice being quoted from, linked to and frequently visited. For the last three months, we have been working intensively focusing on our vision and a small team has been set up for this purpose, the Marketing Activity Team (MAT). MAT works to spread the knowledge of Nikonians even further and to create revenue. Yes, revenue, for the ever-increasing number of members is rivalled by the rising costs in communications and hardware. Whereas many of the old-hand Nikonians are still with us, we are already on our third generation server and a second server has been set up for images only. This produces happy faces at the carriers and service providers... Shortly before Christmas, we decided to promote uploading of pictures as an exclusive right to Silver Donors. It was generally well received. If you are not already a donor, you can take advantage of it right here http://www.nikonians.org/html/donations/ You can now proudly display you are a Nikonian by wearing our high quality pro camera straps and caps (see below). We also have the 2002 Moab CD-ROM, generously made available by several Nikonian photographers free of charge (see below for samples). The APA Convention February is bringing us plenty of new products from Nikon. Several new Coolpixes, two AF-S's and some other goodies are ready for inspection at the APA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada early this month (see below). A great season for photography is approaching. Whether you are in the Northern hemisphere with its green foliage and blossoms to come or in the Southern with remarkable autumn colors, there is no excuse not to get out there capturing photos. Show them to us and ask any question about your Nikon equipment you may encounter. We have many exciting new possibilities in the works so look out for them at www.nikonians.org. Get ready for the 3rd Nikonians Photo Adventure (more info below). A special thanks goes to the moderators and our technical staff who are constantly and particularly over the last, few months undertaking a huge amount of work. And remember - Share your passion! Bo Stahlbrandt (bo@nikonians.org) / Germany José Ramón Palacios (jrp@nikonians.org) / Mexico 01-MAR-2003 2. New Forum for Photo Printers =========================================================== More and more serious amateurs and pro's rely on their digital photo printers to achieve pre-production quality runs of their work. Nikonians have been discussing printers and quality for quite some time. The interest in good, photo realistic printers have increased over the last months, so here is the new Digital Photo Printer Forum where we discuss Epson 1200, 2200, HP 7550, papers, ink and the like. http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID81&conf=DCConfID9 3. The 3rd Annual Nikonians Photo Adventure Trip =========================================================== As we are coming into our third anniversary as a community, we are involved in the detailed planning for the third of our photo adventure trips. We have learned much from the first two and, with the help of our trip coordinator, the 2003 edition promises being the best so far. The location has been chosen: The Riding Mountain National Park at Manitoba, Canada. http://www2.parkscanada.gc.ca/parks/manitoba/riding_mountain/riding_mountain_e.htm It will provide us with ample opportunities for sunrise and sunset shots, the fall color change in the Boreal forest, wildlife shots during the elk and moose breeding season, before the fall waterfoul migration, and even a good chance for a Boreal Aurora display. To make certain the weather conditions will not spoil the fun, taking into account the historical precipitation falls, the date is scheduled from September 23rd to 28th, making the 22nd and 28th the days dedicated for traveling in and out. We are very excited about this trip and are making preparations to have workshop sessions and improved opportunities both for shoots and to socialize. We expect to be able to accommodate plenty of participants without logistics or crowding problems. Stay tune. We discuss the Nikonians Photo Adventure to Canada 2003 here: http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID30/328.html 4. News from Nikon =========================================================== February is bringing us plenty of new products from Nikon. Already stealing the show at the Focus on Imaging in Birmingham, UK, they are ready for inspection at the APA Convention in Las Vegas, Nevada this early March: 1. Nikon COOLPIX SQ - With a stylish square design, this compact 3x zoom digital camera with swivel lens and 3.1 effective megapixels may well sweep the market segment. 2. Nikon COOLPIX 3100 - A new 3x optical Zoom-Nikkor lens and 3.2 effective megapixels and great portability. 3. Nikon COOLPIX 2100 - A more modest 3x optical Zoom- Nikkor lens and 2.0 effective megapixels with even greater portability. 4. Nikon F75 -- Portable, high-performance, easy-to-use 35mm autofocus film SLR camera, with 25 segment matrix metering. Making it very clear that film users are not abandoned for the sake of digital development. 5. Nikon LiteTouch Zoom 100W - A 35mm format compact camera with a 28-100mm zoom lens, nicely complementing the LiteTouch reliable series. 6. AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4G IF-ED specifically designed for D1/D100 cameras. A much awaited lens for Nikon DSLR users 7. AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 24-120mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED. The VR and AF-S affordable lens consumers have being asking for, in the focal range they longed for. 8. AF Zoom-Nikkor 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED. A compact travel lens for those wanting to travel light without missing photo opportunities. 9. Also, the previously announced AF-S VR 70-200mm f/2.8G D ED IF lens is about to reach the shelves of our favorite stores. We had nothing but good reviews from this one. Check out our Nikkors forum and start saving. As for those of us waiting for the D2 and/or the F6, the wait will be longer, but in regard to whether this wait is going to be worthwhile, there is no doubt it will be. We are living exciting times. For more discussions on the new equipment coming out, see the corresponding forums at Nikonians.org 5. Some Nikonians Hats and Caps Still Available =========================================================== There are a few number of black and khaki colored baseball caps and stone washed hats left. First come first serve: http://www.nikonians.org/html/shop/caps_n_hats1.html By the way, there is a limited number of caps and straps available to our Australian members. http://www.nikonians.org/dcforum/DCForumID38/956.html 6. Upcoming Events from our Calendar Coordinator =========================================================== Exhibits "Thomas Struth: 1977-2002" Major retrospective of the photography career of one of today's leading contemporary artists. February 4 to May 18, 2003 Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, NY http://www.metmuseum.org/special Norwich Images The First Two Years Opening March 7th at 7pm-9pm Peter J Crowley will show 20-30 new images made since moving to Art Space Norwich. Guest Photographic Artist Roxanne Pandolfi will be showing her work from the Sanctuary of Love at The Art Space Gallery 35 Chestnut Street Norwich, CT http://www.peterjcrowley.com "History of Japanese Photography" One of the largest exhibits of Japanese photography. March 2 to April 27, 2003 Museum of Fine Arts Houston, TX http://www.mfah.org Annual Photo Marketing Association Convention March 2-5, 2003 Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, NV http://www.pmai.com There is always more information in the calendar: http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/calendar/calendar.pl If you have additional information on events that could be of interest to the community, you can reach Albert W. Coo, our Calendar Coordinator by email: calendar@nikonians.org 7. An Online Guide on Depth of Field =========================================================== You may have wondered "How do pros make those wonderful landscapes where everything seems to be in focus?" Well, it is not just by closing down the aperture of superb wide angle lenses. They maximize DOF (depth of field) by focusing at the hyperfocal distances. A simple function of focal length, aperture and the diameter of the Circle of Confusion. To learn more, go here: http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/guides/dof/hyperfocal1.html 8. An Online Guide on How To Shoot Waterfalls =========================================================== On the first Nikonians Photo Adventure, we learned how to take waterfalls. Here are some online tips showing the different effects: http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/guides/waterfalls/waterfalls1.html 9. Glossary Heavily Updated =========================================================== As Nikonnet says, take a look at our extensive glossary. Everything you ever wanted to know, from Abberation to Zone System. http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/photography-glossary.html 10. Article on L-Brackets =========================================================== I'm not a fan of big, bulky cameras and the last thing I thought I'd want to do is add a bulky aluminum Arca-type L-bracket to one of my cameras. But then I saw the light. During the 2nd Nikonians Photo Adventure at Moab Utah, Nikonian Photo_phil showed me an L-bracket that he had crafted for his F100. After fighting clearance problems with my F100 and its single plate with the wide platform on my Gitzo 1348 tripod, I saw the L-bracket as a real convenience. Read more about what BJ has to say: http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/L_brackets/L_brackets_1.html 11. Sample Images from The Moab CD Now Online =========================================================== Some of the over 170 images from the Nikonians Moab CD can be viewed online. If you didn't order your very own copy of the CD, check out these samples! http://www.nikonians-images.com/samples/cdrom-moab-sample-images/ 12. New Team Members =========================================================== Nikonians team continues to grow. We want to take this opportunity to welcome our new team members: Old hand Lyle Stavast aka lstavast is now Assistant System Administrator. Tomas Boné aka flashdeadline is now moderating The Photo Journalist Photography Forum, the Speedlights Forum and the Black & White Film Forum Tom Hoey aka tfhoey is now moderating The Nikonians Café and the New Users Forum Best of luck to you guys! We hope you enjoy it and thanks a lot! To get more information about the complete team behind the Nikonians success, check out: http://www.nikonians.org/html/about/nikonians_team.html 13. New Nikonians Assignments =========================================================== There are many interesting online assignments at Nikonians. The latest is: Assignment #19 -- The Sky Look up! See what's there? Clouds, stars, planets, meteorites, comets, sunsets, UFOs, space shuttles, satellites and other interesting objects and phenomenon. What have you captured with your Nikon? http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=74&forum=DCForumID29&viewmode=threaded If you have a special request or question regarding our online assignments, let Nikonian Darrell Young know! http://www.nikonians.org/html/about/nikonians_team.html#darrellyoung 14. The Peter J Crowley Weekly Guest Column =========================================================== Join Nikonian Peter J. Crowley as he discusses traditional photography. This time around he discuss "the moment". It is said that no matter how many languages you speak, you will dream in your native tongue. I wonder about the visuals in your dreams. Do you dream in color? I do, but only about 25% of the time. I mostly dream in B+W roughly about 75% of the time. These figures are close to the percentages of color and B+W film I shoot. http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=read_count&om=978&forum=DCForumID38&viewmode=threaded 15. Nikonian physicsmike Wins 12,000th Member Contest =========================================================== Nikonian physicsmike won a free Silver Donor Status for his guess on when Nikonians has 12,000 members. His guess was January 13th 00:13 GMT, which was really close : - ) Thanks to everyone participating and to the kind donor of the price! 16. Bookshelves Update =========================================================== There are over 220 Nikon and photography related books in our bookshelves, most of them enjoying a 30% discount. The latest additions have been in the following sections: Micro, Macro and Close Up http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/bookshelves/bookshelves_18.html DVD's and VHS's http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/bookshelves/bookshelves_19.html 17. More On Our Vision =========================================================== The future of Nikonians? We want to grow. We want to enhance our revenue to support growth. We want to remain the number one community on Nikon knowledge - digital and analog. We want to be a second home you can hook up to from anywhere with a web connect service. We want to keep it the friendliest of communities. Next time you log on, look at the number of members in the upper right corner. See how it just grows and grows! Throughout the history of the community, the friendliness has also been of paramount importance. Nikonians is committed to being totally apolitical, and we are proud to say that we have managed to enrich the community with members from more than a hundred nations in friendly terms, despite the wide diversity of idiosyncracies. Compassion is often found in the Café http://www.nikonians.org/cgi-bin/dcforum/dcboard.cgi?az=list&forum=DCForumID38&conf=DCConfID10 but is no stranger to our other forums. We are looking forward to pursue these goals - for and with you and with the many more Nikonians to join. In the next issue of THE NIKONIAN, we will tell you more about the first International Nikonians Convention - scheduled for September on occasion of the 3rd Nikonians Photo Adventure. And of course, Nikonians will remain a user-friendly community, a concept which also includes no pop-ups. 18. Two Articles on Ball Heads =========================================================== The absolute sharpness of the landscapes and architectural images we admire, has a lot to do with the rock steadiness of the camera while shooting. To obtain it, a sturdy tripod and an unmovable tripod head are a must. For all of us who are thinking about upgrading our current camera support system, maybe with a classy ball head, these two in-depth articles are informing you about two professional systems: Markins http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/markins/markins_1.html Arca Swiss B1 http://www.nikonians.org/html/resources/non-nikon_articles/arca_swiss/arca_swiss_b1_1.html =========================================================== If you have any questions regarding this newsletter, please send an email to editorial@nikonians.org If you want to advertise in THE NIKONIAN, please send an email to advertise@nikonians.org for more information. You receive THE NIKONIAN because you requested it. We hope you find it useful. However, if you'd like your name to be removed from the newsletter, you can do so at any time from the main page at our community: http://www.nikonians.org nikonia.com, nikonia.net, nikonian.com, nikonian.net, nikonians.com, nikonians.net, nikonians.org, and THE NIKONIAN are not associated with Nikon Corporation nor with any of its subsidiaries or affiliates in any way. All registered trademarks mentioned in this newsletter are owned by their respective owners. Nikonians and its owners do not warrant the accuracy or completeness of the information, text, graphics, links or other items contained within this newsletter. Nikonians and its owners shall not be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages, including without limitation, lost revenues or lost profits, which may result from the use of the information held in this newsletter.