Comments for Jan Crane's Weblog

Comment on D700 long term review by John Watts-Robertson

John Watts-Robertson — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 16:25:34 +0000

I agree with you there Jan… anybody at Nikon listening?
Used on it’s own, the pop up flash does give pretty awful results and I only use mine as a wireless trigger for an off-camera flash.
Mind you, that does tend to zap the camera batteries out much faster.

Comment on D700 long term review by jancrane

jancrane — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 15:44:10 +0000

Thanks John. I have indeed used it for that purpose on many occassions, but this could just as easily be solved with a small sender unit, clip on or built in, rather than taking up all the space and preventing the viewing image from being 100% coverage.

Comment on Update on Nikon trouble – the service just gets worse. by jancrane

jancrane — Fri, 22 May 2009 07:58:55 +0000

Thanks for pointing out my error, I did indeed spot it but was not aware just how bad it was until I did some straight line shots. These were then compared with some other examples (from identical lenses owned by fellow photographers) and with a Sigma 24-60 f2.8 (which did indeed cost me £100). The sigma results were significantly better, and the results of direct comparison with fellow lens owners proved that my particular lens had a defect.

Can I point you here http://www.nikond1.net/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=11111&forum=23&PHPSESSID=80933afe7cbb61fc7f4331e9dbe31cba for a discussion on the lenses issues and some comparison shots (direct with same lens owner by other Nikon users) which illustrates the point. It would appear you also have a ‘lemon’ example.

Comment on Update on Nikon trouble – the service just gets worse. by Matthew Ashton

Matthew Ashton — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:51:31 +0000

What gets me Jan is the way Nikon UK rip us off here. The customer service and attitude to my colleagues in Europe is utterly amazing compared to what we see in London. Canon are just as worse, the don’t care that you have £60,000 worth of equipment and spend 4 hours driving through bad traffic to get to them for 10am . . where as go to the service centre in Tokyo where you are greeted with a smile, a 20 day job takes 23 mins and you go away WANTING to pay them, but they insist the job is done for free!!

Comment on Update on Nikon trouble – the service just gets worse. by Seb Rogers

Seb Rogers — Thu, 21 May 2009 22:37:24 +0000

Hi Jan,

I sympathise with your experience of NPS, which sometimes fails to live up to its promise (though I’ve had some good experiences over the years too, to be fair).

Your 24-70 sample looks to be about the same as mine as far as barrel distortion goes. It’s not great in this respect, but it makes up for this little niggle in other areas IMHO. It really is a pretty good lens, by almost any measure – and in some respects it’s outstanding.

While I can understand your frustration, I’d be surprised if similar lenses from other manufacturers are significantly better – or if they are, there’ll be tradeoffs elsewhere. Lens design is all about compromise, after all. I doubt whether barrel distortion is caused by any QC or assembly issues – I’d have thought it’s more likely to be a function of the optical design. But I’m quite prepared to be proved wrong.

Er, and at risk of pouring oil on the fire, can I point out that, contrary to your assertion in your previous post, you actually spotted this problem 6 months ago? This is from your November 08 post about the lens:

“So, is there anything I don’t like?

Well, yes, just one thing. Pincushioning. At 24mm on full frame there is some serious pincushioning. This can be removed in post production…”

Quite so. And so can barrel distortion

It’s a good lens, and if – as you say – you don’t make a habit of shooting straight lines very much it’ll turn in some great results. As for NPS’s shabby customer service, well, that’s a whole different matter…

Comment on D700 long term review by John Watts-Robertson

John Watts-Robertson — Thu, 21 May 2009 17:45:22 +0000

OK-the pop up flash on your D700 DOES have a use if you are a pro…. here is how.

http://500th.net/wireless-flash and scroll to the bottom.

You can use the pop up flash as a wireless trigger for an SB600, 800 or 900 flash. I know what you are thinking-that surely the pop up flash will ruin the shot. Well, no actually-you simply dial that way down so that even on close ups it will not affect the lighting.

Comment on The trouble with tripods by Douglas Nelson

Douglas Nelson — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:53:23 +0000

Dear Jan,
” The Trouble with Tripods ”
A great title for a book you should write.
Apart from being very informative as I was contemplating a new tripod as a portable alternative to my 25 year old Bogen 3036 and 3038 ballhead, I’m still laughing at the writing style. Witty and informative.
I’m just getting a wee bit past the point of no return age-wise and to carry the Bogen Behemoth, so your comments were very timely.
Douglas

Comment on D700 long term review by PiterKokoniz

PiterKokoniz — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:09:26 +0000

Hi !!!!
I am Piter Kokoniz. Just want to tell, that your posts are really interesting
And want to ask you: is this blog your hobby?
Sorry for my bad english:)
Thank you:)
Piter.

Comment on How to photograph…colour accurately by Terry G. Crane

Terry G. Crane — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 23:39:02 +0000

Hi Jan,

Thanks, a good read on the D700 & 24-70MM f/2.8G

For the long shots pick up a D300 as you can share batterys and MB10 (makes a very good set with my DX lens from my old D200 and it only cost about the same as a good lens) Like the D700 you get nice photos in low light. Also I like alot the new 14-24MM f/2.8G on the D700

Best Regards,
Terry Crane
Brea, California-USA

Comment on D700 long term review by RaiulBaztepo

RaiulBaztepo — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 11:12:56 +0000

Hello!
Very Interesting post! Thank you for such interesting resource!
PS: Sorry for my bad english, I’v just started to learn this language
See you!
Your, Raiul Baztepo