After spending a few months reading about HDRs and seeing how it was done, I decided to give it  shot. One weekend with the Nikon D200 equip with the 70-200 2.8 VR and 16-85 3.5-5.6 VR lens, I decided to take a trip to Huntington Library in San Marino, California.

HDR is High Density Resolution. It is a process when using several RAW format images and combine them together to produce one single 32-bit image. The largest benefit of it is to allow you to take multiple pictures using different exposure to capture each area well.

Here are some HDRs I’ve made. You can view larger side and full gallery at http://gallery.knguyentu.com. Let me know what you think!

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Nikon 55-200mm f/4-5.6G ED IF AF-S DX VR [Vibration Reduction] Zoom Nikkor Lens

Nikon Zoom Telephoto AF VR Zoom Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 G-AFS ED-IF 2x Teleconverter (4 Elements) + Nwv Direct Microfiber Cleaning Cloth.

Nikon Backpack for DSLR, Lenses, and Laptop

I took a short vacation right between Christmas and New Year. Spent a few days up in San Francisco, California to visit the new Academy of Science building, Palace of Fine Arts, and few other areas. Here are some shot I would like to share. Would love to hear comments and feedback.

The entire gallery is @ http://gallery.knguyentu.com/p589500420

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A couple of weekends ago, my wife and I join our friends at Disneyland Resort for a day. I’ve been to Disneyland several times and each time you could never seems to take enough pictures. Each time I come across new angle of things to take pictures of. This time around, since we went with some friends, I decided to go light. All I had with me was my Nikon D200, removed the external battery pack so I could travel light, had my SB-800 Nikon Flash in a fanny pack, and my trusty old Tamron 28-75 2.8 lens. I have to admit, the Tamron lens is the best investment for this D200 out of all my lenses.

All of these pictures were taken hand held, even the night shot. Let me know what you think of them.

More could be found at http://gallery.knguyentu.com

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Nikon has once again stunt the photography world. Since the D200 release, Nikon was quiet, while Canon and other companies releasing major blow one after another. The highly anticipated D200 replacement, dubbed the D300 was released not too long ago along with it’s bigger brother the D300.

Earlier this month, Nikon annouced the “mini me” of the popular D3 camera, the D700! It tout the similar “full frame” CMOS sensor, in a much smaller body. More like it took the D3 functionality and put it in the D300 to produce the D700! Holy Cow Batman!

I will be release late July 2008 for approx tag of $2999.00

Key Features Include:

• Nikon’s original 12.1-megapixel FX-format (23.9 x 36mm) CMOS sensor: Teamed with Nikon’s exclusive EXPEED digital image processing, the D700 delivers breathtakingly rich image quality.
• Broad ISO sensitivity up to 6400 and incredibly low noise: Super low-noise performance from 200-6400 ISO, with the added versatility of Lo-1 (100 ISO) Hi-1 (12,800 ISO) and Hi-2 (25,600 ISO).
• Continuous shooting up to 5 frames per second: Shoot at up to 8 frames per second with the optional MB-D10 Multi-power Battery Pack.
• Three-Inch, super-density 920,000-dot VGA color monitor: High resolution with
  170-degree wide-angle viewing, calibrated color and tempered-glass protection assure confident image review.
• Two Live View shooting modes: Choose from hand-held or tripod modes to suit shooting requirements.
• Rugged magnesium-alloy construction: Along with extensive dust and moisture protection and a durable shutter mechanism tested to 150,000 cycles, the D700 merges pro D-SLR performance with expanded agility.
• Fast, accurate 51-point AF with 3D Focus Tracking: Exacting autofocus precision, plus three Dynamic AF modes.
• Dynamic Integrated Dust Reduction System: Effective quad-frequency, ultrasonic sensor cleaning minimizes image degrading dust particles.
• 1,005-Pixel 3D Color Matrix Metering II: Legendary Nikon exposure accuracy aided by an onboard database of over 30,000 images.
• Nikon’s exclusive Scene Recognition System: SRS further extends auto-exposure intelligence while also advancing white-balance detection and autofocus performance.
• Nikon Picture Control settings: Advanced color control with 9 customizable settings and 4 preset options allow fine tuning of image appearance preferences.
• Active D-Lighting with NEW Auto mode: Unique three-phase dynamic control to capture previously lost details in shadows and highlights while maintaining normalized contrast.

You could read more on at anyone of these sites:

• http://www.dpreview.com/previews/nikond700/
• http://www.kenrockwell.com/nikon/d700.htm
• http://www.nikond700.com/
• http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Digital-SLR/25444/D700.html

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It was press released a few days ago that Nikon will have a new release of their previous popular image editing software Capture NX. Capture NX took image editing to a whole new level with their unique Control Point U-Technology and Non-Destructive RAW format editing.

http://www.nikonusa.com/Find-Your-Nikon/Product/Imaging-Software/25385/Capture-NX-2.html

Key Features include

http://press.nikonusa.com/2008/06/take_control_of_your_images_ni.php

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR IMAGES: NIKON INTRODUCES UPGRADED CAPTURE NX 2 PHOTO EDITING SOFTWARE
Powerful New Tools Make Photo Editing Quick and Easy

MELVILLE, N.Y. (June 3, 2008) – Nikon Inc., today introduced the latest generation of its robust image processing and editing software, Capture NX 2, which provides photography enthusiasts with a suite of powerful tools and a simple, visual operation to streamline photo editing. Capture NX 2 utilizes revolutionary U Point® technology to give photographers access to powerful Control Points that enhance color, exposure, and other image quality settings quickly and easily. New technologies abound in Capture NX 2, including the innovative new Selection Control Point that places a commanding suite of image editing tools at the user’s fingertips to simplify and accelerate the image editing experience.

In addition, Capture NX 2 adds an advanced Auto Retouch Brush for seamless retouching, an improved yet simple user interface, updated menus, browser functionality and an increase in performance. Whether you choose JPEG, TIFF or RAW (NEF) files, Capture NX 2 is the perfect complement to the growing Nikon Digital System. It also offers advanced RAW (NEF) processing capabilities, simplified image-browsing, selection and labeling as well as improved batch-processing capabilities, superior color management and comprehensive system compatibility with Nikon’s EXPEED image processing concept.

“We have listened carefully to the requests of current Capture NX users and photographers in developing this powerful new software. This is an economical solution for the photographer who requires non-destructive image editing and wants to quickly and easily process their images,” said Michael Rubin, senior manager for Software Products at Nikon Inc. “With the addition of revolutionary new tools, photo enthusiasts as well as professionals will be able to reap the benefits of Capture NX 2.”

While providing incomparable editing options for Nikon’s Electronic Format RAW (NEF) files, Capture NX 2 enables simplified editing and processing for most JPEG and TIFF files regardless of camera manufacturer or model.* Its broad range of editing tools makes image retouching, enhancing and editing simple and intuitive, allowing users to immediately see the effects as they are applied. Whether a professional photographer, enthusiast or casual shutterbug, many will find Capture NX 2 to be a great stand-alone photo editing solution, while others will discover that Capture NX 2 is a remarkably effective addition to their existing photographic workflow.

New Additions to Capture NX 2
Capture NX 2 is complemented by a myriad of features and tools that include the following:

• Selection Control Points: Now users can selectively edit photographs without the need to manually outline or mask the area for editing. Simply place a Selection Control Point anywhere on the photograph then choose from almost any adjustment such as D-Lighting, Unsharp Mask or noise reduction, while limiting the “reach” of that adjustment to just the selected area.

• Auto Retouch Brush: Capture NX 2 adds an automatic retouch tool to its image editing toolbox, allowing users to seamlessly remove blemishes, dust, and other distracting elements from photographs while maintaining the integrity of the image.

• Shadow/Highlight Adjustment: With just a simple slider adjustment, users can easily open up shadows or recover blown out highlights.**

• Redesigned GUI with Customizable Workspaces: As part of an interface redesign, the new Capture NX 2 includes a Workspace feature that maximizes the tool and palette layout for the task at hand. Users can create unique custom workspaces ideal for working with single or multiple monitors. All palettes and windows within can be docked or undocked or hidden as needed. Predefined workspaces include: Browser, Metadata, Edit, or an optimized combination of each. In addition, users can access their most used folders with the new “Favorite Folder” feature.

• Improved Edit List: Nikon’s Capture NX 2 also incorporates an improved edit list that allows users to apply common enhancements to images with ease. Common tools like tone curves, exposure compensation, contrast, and highlight and shadow protection are just a click away via the Quick Fix menu. The improved edit list allows for camera and lens corrections like color moiré reduction, dust off, auto color aberration, auto red-eye correction, vignette control and fisheye lens correction.***

• Simultaneous Use of Tools: Users can now complete image editing faster than ever before with the use of simultaneous tools. For example, users can adjust the brightness and contrast of an image while boosting the color of the image at the same time.

• Filters, Ratings and Sorting Toolbar: Capture NX 2 offers an advanced filtering system in its tool bar, affording users an efficient way to filter through hundreds of images by user-defined labels, ratings, file types and file attributes. What’s more, these new filters, ratings and sorting tools are integrated into the metadata palette, allowing users the ability to easily edit and view XMP/IPTC information.

Nikon’s new Capture NX 2 software represents the core of Nikon’s integrated digital imaging systems, including cameras, lenses, software, speedlights and accessories, and allows photographers of all skill levels to experience the highest performance their Nikon equipment has to offer.

Capture NX 2 will be available for purchase throughout the United States in late June 2008 with a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $179.95 (full version) or $109.95 (upgrade). A 60-day free trial version will be available today for users who wish to experience all that Capture NX 2 offers. For more information, and to download the 60-day trial version please visit www.nikonusa.com.

About Nikon
Nikon, At the Heart of the Image™. Nikon Inc. is the world leader in digital imaging, precision optics and photo imaging technology and is globally recognized for setting new standards in product design and performance for its award-winning consumer and professional photographic equipment. Nikon Inc. distributes consumer and professional digital SLR cameras, NIKKOR optics, Speedlights and system accessories; Nikon COOLPIX® compact digital cameras; COOLSCAN® digital film scanners; 35mm film SLR cameras; Nikon software products and Nikon sports and recreational optics. Nikon D Series digital SLR cameras are recognized as “Highest in Customer Satisfaction with digital SLR cameras,” according to the latest J.D. Power and Associates 2007 digital Camera Satisfaction Study. Nikon Corporation, the parent company of Nikon Inc., recently celebrated its 90th anniversary and announced the production of over 40 million NIKKOR SLR interchangeable lenses. For more information, dial (800) NIKON-UX or visit http://www.nikonusa.com, which links all levels of photographers to the Web’s most comprehensive photo learning and sharing communities.

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Fortunately having relative in town, I’ve taken the opportunity to take them to a few of the places in California. A few shots taken recently from San Diego Wild Animal Park, San Diego SeaWorld, and Huntington Library in Pasadena California. Let me know what you think…

San Diego Wild Animal Park: http://photographybykevin.zenfolio.com/p20529217/
San Diego SeaWorld: http://photographybykevin.zenfolio.com/p111304571/
Huntingon Library: http://photographybykevin.zenfolio.com/p513753116/

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Nikon recently added another dSLR to their consumer line of currently the D40 series and D80 series.

CLICK HERE

Some enhancement added to this will make it attractive to the average consumers, such as sharing the small, lighweight form factor of the D40 series but boasting on the new 10.2 MP CCD sensor.

The package will be couped with the new 18-55 f3.5 – 5.6g VR lens. Pricing is not available at the moment.

Can we say byebye D50?

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In the same newspress that shock the photography world today that annouced a full frame camera for Nikon, they also annouced the little brother of it and the successor to the D200. Nikon has done an excellent job on surprising people and keeping them suspended. For months, people been speculating on what is the next camera for Nikon going to be. Various of fake mock up surfaces the internet. Now they can all go to rest.

Nikon new D300 sport a new 12.3MP DX Format CMOS. It seems they have drop out of using CCD compared to the D200. Another noticable change is a new multi-cam 350DX, making it a superfast camera! With this model, Nikon has introduced LiveView, a new technology recently found in numerous camera from Olympus and Canon. You can use both the view finder or the LCD to take you pictures, give you a live view of the actual shot! A self-cleaning sensor also helps in some of those dusty situation.

You could find out more information on this from one of these popular sites:

• DPReview (CLICK HERE)
• Ken Rockwell (CLICK HERE)
• Gizmodo (CLICK HERE)

A lot of pictures could be found @ Gizmodo.

Where To Buy:

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