Nikonians Articles

In a series of articles - Nikon CLS Practical Guide, you'll have an in depth view of Separating Metering Systems, TTL Flash Metering System, TTL-BL Flash, and more. Learning to adjust different backgrounds at will, especially with Flash Photography can be complex. However, a few concepts, tips & tricks, and with plenty of practice, you'll be a pro in no time! Let's read the first, in multi-part installment. Read more...

The basis for a Nikon DSLR’s exposure meter is an RGB sensor that meters a wide area of the frame. When used with a G or D Nikkor CPU lens, the camera can set exposure based on the distribution of brightness, color, distance, and composition. Most people leave their cameras set to Matrix metering and enjoy excellent results. Others use the Center-weighted meter, or the Spot meter. Let's look more closely at each of the Nikon exposure meters. Read more...

Camera bags and photographers. Sometimes I think we go together like peanut butter and chocolate. Other times, I think we go together like oil and water. Picking the right camera bag for every situation is pretty near impossible and that’s why I have an entire closet devoted to just camera bags. Small ones. Big ones. Medium ones. Waist bags. Shoulder bags. Backpacks. Black. Green. Yellow. Read more...

Reviewing the Profoto RFi Softbox solution with sample images. Read more...

We are often faced with complex lighting situations when we want to balance the light coming in from several sources into a scene and our subjects. Weddings and social events at noon time in large rooms, or churches, with large windows can become a nightmare with its mix of harsh light and strong shadows. After using for long a white card with a rubber, various solutions came to market and I have successively used most of them. Read more...

If you've had your photo taken for your driver's license recently, or a mug shot, you've probably noticed the result wasn't the most flattering image you've seen of yourself. Why is that? Read more...

Thanks to Nikonians and Ilford for asking/allowing me to review/test some very nice photo paper.  I hope my review and data will be helpful to not only Ilford, but also potential customers looking for great printing paper for their photos, both pros and home printing photographers. I am an American living in Germany with an Event & Studio Photography business.  Primarily, I shoot Equestrian sports, but I do not limit my self to a single sport or subject. Read more...

While at first this may seem like a silly question (just get the cheapest and fastest card available), choosing the card that's best for you is in fact not a straightforward thing... First there's size to consider. Bigger is better, right? Well, not particularly. Read more...

Since 1879 Switzerland based Ilford has been at the forefront of photographic media development. Unlike some other pioneering photographic companies who have struggled to maintain a solid foothold in an industry that has been transformed in the last twenty years, Ilford continues to steadfastly produce fine quality photographic film and print paper. Read more...

Review of the Profoto D1 Studio Kit with sample images and video. Read more...

What camera to buy? What film to use? What tripod or lens to choose? These questions haunt many photographers. Nikonians co-founder, J. Ramón Palacios, put together articles guiding you through the choice of equipment and listed them in this overview. Read more...

The Markins Q20 Ball Head review by Marsel van Oosten Read more...

My first serious computer monitor was a LaCie Electron Blue IV, an incredibly heavy, blue beast. It served me well for many years, until recently. It can no longer reach the desired brightness, so I had to start looking for an alternative. Read more...

In this video professional photographer and teacher Mike Hagen explains to the ambitious photographer how to best use a Markins ball head. Read more...

Do you really need a tripod? The background of why a tripod often is a necessity. Checklists and info on how to proceed selecting a tripod based upon your needs. Read more...

Most of the Nikonians I have met have a “dirty little secret”. We are bag junkies. While we can go on ad nauseum as to why a certain lens or camera is superior for a given application, we become baffled when confronted with how to store and transport our gear. Let’s face it, if there were a “perfect” bag solution out there, we’d all own it by now. Read more...

Comparisons between the ball heads from Arca Swiss, Burzynsik, Linhof, Kirk, Novoflex, FLM, RRS and Markins. Read more...

Lowepro’s Pro Roller x-Series was launched a year or so ago with a range of three differently-sized wheeled camera cases - the x100, x200 and x300 – to replace the earlier Pro Roller 1, 2 and 3 cases. This Nikonians review concentrates on the mid-sized x200 model, though many of the features described are common across the range. Read more...

In the fall of 2010 Epson introduced the highly anticipated replacement of their very successful 17-inch model Stylus Pro printers. Going back to 2003 Epson began offering a 17-inch companion to their wide format 24 and 44 inch professional inkjet photo printers. Their first model in the 17-inch size was the 4000. Read more...