« activities: October 2007 | Main | activities: December 2007 »
November 26, 2007
Got Me A New Lens
I finally did it and splurged on my first lens outside the standard 18-55mm that came with my Nikon. I decided on the Sigma 30mm f/ 1.4 HSM lens and here's why.
Firstly, Nikon doesn't make a prime lens that'll work with the D40. I mean any lens will technically work but you'll lose some functionality.
Secondly, the Sigma has some nice reviews. Quick auto/manual focus and the 1.4 F-stop means I can take the candid indoor shots I want without using a tripod.
Thirdly, I need to learn framing and composition. Originally I thought my design background would make composing pictures easy but it's not. Looking thru a lens sorta changes things. I guess the methodologies are similar but executed differently. I constantly relied on zoom to fix any framing issues. I figure with a prime lens I'll be forced to learn how to frame pictures with just what I see.
Posted by tranism at 1:24 PM | Permalink
| Comments (4)
|
|
|
November 22, 2007
Plankton Visits, Happy Thanksgiving!
Plankton a.k.a Daniel came all the way from Sweden for a visit yesterday. Here he is in my office relegated to a small corner of my desk. So what's he been up to? Well to keep it short, new house, old friends, and working with Adidas Europe. Not too shabby eh?
Of course, our friend Morgan who just works 5 minutes away stopped by too. When the two of them get together. . . strange kids I tell ya. Hit the jump!
Posted by tranism at 2:23 PM | Permalink
| Comments (1)
|
|
|
November 20, 2007
New Nikkor 18-55 With Vibration Reduction
Oh joy! Just in time for the holidays too! Nikon just announced a new lens to their lineup, the Nikkor AF-S 18-55mm VR. From what I can tell, it's the same lens included in the D40 and D40x kits except with the inclusion of vibration reduction.
Vibration reduction optically moves the glass elements inside the lens to adapt to your shaky hands. I'm not a pro photographer as you can see, so this will definitely help me when I need the shutter to stay open just a tad longer.
Lemme tell you a story. When I first got my D40, I was stoked. I used it everywhere. It's amazing how the world looks a little different behind the lens. I noticed a lot more detail in the simplest of things. Eventually I realized my hands were not steady enough to take those beautiful night shots of Los Angeles from the canyons or indoor shots with no flash. So I researched for a lens that would help and of course Nikon has plenty with VR built-in. Unfortunately they all approach the $1000 range so I packed up my camera until a more affordable solution came. Goodbye monopod and tripod. Thank you Nikon!
The best part? It's only $199 and available this December.
Posted by tranism at 12:47 PM | Permalink
| Comments (3)
|
|
|
November 14, 2007
Murakami At The Geffen MOCA
If you live in Los Angeles, do yourself a favor and hit up the MOCA Geffen building to see Murakami's latest exhibit. I was fortunate enough to go to opening night and it was amazing. Painting, sculptures, LV bags, and his latest work a cartoon.
Posted by tranism at 2:00 PM | Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
November 6, 2007
Expand Your Vocabulary To End Hunger
Please go there now. It doesn't cost you a thing. All you do is answer multiple choice questions to define words like, "what does overstate mean?" Each correct answer sends 10 grains of rice to the United Nations to help end world hunger. Play for as long as you like and please pass site URL on.
Thanks Jeff!
Posted by tranism at 1:09 PM | Permalink
| Comments (0)
|
|
|
November 1, 2007
Best Halloween Costume of 2007
I'm easily impressed when it comes to home made costumes because even with my fashion background, I suck at theatrics. This daddy and son pair portraying Maurice Sendak's classic 'Where the Wild Things Are' is the best costume I've seen this Halloween.
The costume is for sale for $2,100. There's only one so if you really love it and have the cash to burn, SPEND SPEND SPEND!
via Notcot
Posted by tranism at 1:39 PM | Permalink
| Comments (1)
|
|
|