Nikon D3 released

Here are some of the specs on the new Nikon D3.

The only down side is that Nikon have now moved to a full frame sensor, fine for those that don't have DX lenses... I do. However the camera automatically allows for DX lenses by providing an autocrop, unfortunately this reduces the size of the image.

Nikon D3 Key Features

First ever Nikon DSLR with a Full-Frame (36 x 24 mm) sensor (coined FX format)
12.1 megapixel full-frame sensor (8.45µm pixel pitch)
ISO 200 - 6400 (with boost up to ISO 25,600)
Also supports DX lenses, viewfinder automatically masks (5.1 megapixels with DX lens)
5:4 ratio crop mode (10 megapixels, up to 9 fps, viewfinder masked)
14-bit A/D conversion, 12 channel readout
Nikon EXPEED image processor (Capture NX processing and NR algorithms, lower power)
Super fast operation (power-up 12 ms, shutter lag 41 ms, black-out 74 ms)
New Kevlar / carbon fibre composite shutter with 300,000 exposure durability
New Multi-CAM3500FX Auto Focus sensor (51-point, 15 cross-type, more vertical coverage)
Auto-focus tracking by color (using information from 1005-pixel AE sensor)
Auto-focus calibration (fine-tuning) now available (fixed body or up to 20 separate lens settings)
Scene Recognition System (uses AE sensor, AF sensor)
Picture Control image parameter presets (replace Color Modes I, II and III)
Custom image parameters now support brightness as well as contrast
Nine frames per second continuous with auto-focus tracking
Eleven frames per second continuous without auto-focus tracking
Ten / eleven frames per second continuous in DX-crop mode (AF / no-AF)
Dual Compact Flash card slots (overflow, back-up, RAW on 1 / JPEG on 2, copy)
Compact Flash UDMA support
3.0" 922,000 pixel LCD monitor
Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
Virtual horizon indicates if camera is level (like an aircraft cockpit display)
HDMI HD video output
'Active D-Lighting' (adjusts metering as well as applying D-Lighting curve)
Detailed 'Control Panel' type display on LCD monitor, changes color in darkness
New MB-D10 vertical grip fully integrates into body, multi battery type compatible
Buttons sealed against moisture
Dual battery charger as standard
Available November 2007

Photoshop Portrait - Before and After

Okay be subtle when touching up portrait images, a little goes a long way. Have a look at both images and see if you can pull the retouched image apart. I'll give you a step by step soon. As usual, click on each image to bring it up to size.

Lookout all you Canon shooters!

Someone has inadvertently disclosed the new Nikon digital SLR top D3 series of posters.The posters on the backs of the camera clearly marked : the high-precision 51 points autofocus system! The nine per second shooting speed! Up to 920,000 pixels, covering a total area of 3.0-inch low-temperature polysilicon LCD screen!

I believe the unveiling will happen 24th August, less than a week away.

Photoshop Colour Correction Part Two

Follow through the steps in this tutorial and you'll be able to colour correct almost any image.

Photoshop Colour Correction Part One

Colour Correction Part One

Photoshop Colour Correction

Later today I'll be posting two video tips on colour correcting an image in Photoshop. Part One will deal with the initial steps which only need to be applied once.

Part One

Step One - Setting the eye dropper tool set to 3 by 3 average.
Step Two - Resetting the RGB default values in the black point, grey point and white point which can be found in the curves dialog box.

Sharpening with Lightroom 1.1 Video Tip

Here's the Lightroom 1.1 sharpening tutorial I promised. And it includes sound. Excuse the quality of the video, still fine tuning the ideal size of the video. You'll get the idea of how to sharpen an image in Lightroom after viewing.

READ BELOW

I great tool for checking out how your sharpening is coming along is to blow the image up to 1/1 or 100% and then hold down your Alt/Option key as you move any of the four sliders. This will allow Lightroom to give a better view of what is and isn't been sharpened.

Lightroom and Masking in Photoshop

Okay, used a bit of lighting on this one. Have a go at reverse engineering the image and post your ideas on how this was acheived. HINT. I used a tripod and shot two images.

Shooting Raw. Save your files in DNG.

More and more photographers are saving images in DNG. DNG is fundamentally a universal format for RAW. DNG helps ensure that photographers will be able to access their files in the future.

Key benefits for photographers:

The DNG format helps promote archival confidence, since digital-imaging software solutions will be able to open your raw files more easily in the future.

A single raw processing solution enables a more efficient workflow when handling raw files from multiple camera models and manufacturers.

A publicly documented and readily available specification can be easily adopted by camera manufacturers and updated to accommodate future technological changes.

Key benefits for hardware and software manufacturers:

DNG removes a potential barrier to new camera adoption, since raw files from new models will be instantly supported by Photoshop and other applications.

If you are saving your images as the native raw file of your camera, ten years from now you may have problems opening your raw files as the camera manufacturer may change the raw format.

Saving your images as DNG files removes this problem. If you haven't started this process, might be time to start it now.

A bit of Photoshop and a bit of Lightroom and a bit of Something Else

Any ideas on how this image was produced? If you were caught in midday harsh blinding sun where everything looked flat, how would you have shot and processed this image? Just throwing it out there. Any ideas you have, post them here. Don't forget, you can click on the image to blow it up to full size, that may help pull the image apart! Here's a few hints. yes it started out in Lightroom, yes the vibrance was increased in Lightroom, yes Sharpened selectively in Photoshop, but there is a heap of tonal information here? No more clues just yet.

So what's this got to do with Lightroom or Photoshop?... If you see an image you like on your LCD (but it doesn't pop), visualising how it can be processed can help you see your non-processed images in a different light!

Lightroom 1.1 Catalog Feature

Okay this is big, and you should use whatever option you have to imprint this info into your memory.

Lightroom 1.1 has a new feature that allows you to move a catalog from one computer to another. Best I think, to give you an example.

Let's say you have two computers. A main computer at home and a laptop. The main computer has one main calatog where all your images reside.
You decide to head out to the Wintergardens to take a heap of shots of flowers. You take your laptop with you and while you're away you import all of your shoot from your camera to the laptop. Over lunch you decide to delete a few images, maybe rate them, maybe even make a few changes to your images. All this work is not wasted.

You now have the option of exporting the shoot as a catalog, maybe to your desktop on your laptop. Then when you get back home you can now import that catalog from the desktop on your laptop into Lightroom 1.1 on your main computer AND all the ratings and changes can be imported along with your images. THAT'S BIG and can be a big time saver.

New Nikon Professional DSLR, D3... maybe

In the next week we may see Nikon's new D3 DSLR camera. Although the actual model number is still a closely guarded secret, be ready for 2 new features said to put Nikon way above anything its rivals currently offer. Maybe it's a hard drive enabled camera, 60GB would be nice! Full frame sensor is something I understand is NOT on the cards. That's super good news, as I have a number of DX lenses which would be unuseable on a full frame sensor. Maybe we will be looking at 12fps in burst mode at 6MP. I'll update this blog as soon as I have further info!

Lightroom Weekend Course

I will be running a Lightroom course in the next couple of months. It will take place over a weekend. By the time you leave on Sunday afternoon you will be using Lightroom most of the time and occasionally diving into Photoshop for pixel based editing.

If you are interested, please express it here. And spread the word! In the next week you will see an application form on the lucaschaos.net site

The cost will be $100 and will run 9am-4pm with a one hour lunch break.

Until then I will be posting tips on Lightroom and how to use it here.

Back from Hong Kong

We are back! Touched down this morning at 8am and ended up sleeping most of day. Feeling much better now and have six copies of Lightroom to dish out. So make contact with me to arrange a time for the hand over.

Bridesmaid

An image of one of the bridesmaid's. Again Lightroomed. Applied a preset to get the monochrome look, applied a vignetteing under lens correction and sharpened. Sharpening has been stepped up big time to include four sliders giving you almost the control you have in Photoshop.

My Sister's Wedding

I had to include this shot of my sister laughing her nut off! This image was shot in Raw mode, colour corrected, increased vibrance and sharpened in Lightroom. Total time... 2minutes.

Still here in Hong Kong!

Shelley and I got bumped off the flight back to Auckland tonight so we are now staying at the Novotel and they upgraded us due to hotel renovations! We aren't complaining. So WHO WANTS LIGHTROOM?

I've sold four copies and have another two available for $160 NZD sooo get in.

Photoshop CS3 and Lightroom available

I picked up the three copies of Lightroom that people wanted ($160 NZD) and have come into another three copies if anyone else is interested. I can also get genuine copies of Photoshop CS3 for around $400 NZD. This is approximate, but a good indication of the actual price.

If anyone is interested in either Lightroom or Photoshop, please let me know by commenting on this blog or emailing me as we are leaving Hong Kong within the next 24 hours. Be quick and take this opportunity while you can.

Two copies of Lightroom left

Here's an update to the Lightroom offer. I have purchased three genuine versions of Lightroom for approximately $160 NZD. One has gone already and I have two left. If you want one, be quick and respond to this blog by posting a comment.

Hong Kong Lightroom Prices

Twelve hours walking around Hong Kong today, too much. Anyway here are the prices on Lightroom.

Before I go into prices. These are genuine. It looks like I can get the Academic version for around $150. There are three copies in. So first in, first served.

The standard version is, and I need to confirm this around $390.

I need to get back to the sellers before 3pm NZ time (Thurs 12th). So move quickly and let me know if you want the standard or academic version. They are essentially the same.

Just send a comment on this post to make your order, if I can't fill it for whatever reason, I'll let you know. I'll fork the bill and you can pay me back when you see me.