New photogear?

30 04 2009

Photography is an expensive hobby it is very easy to spend more than you can afford and need. In this post I lay out the rational I try to use when I decide to spend money on new gear.

  • The first and foremost rational for buying equipment is that it enables you to take pictures which you could not take before.
  • Second is that it enables you to take pictures you want to take more easily.
  • Third is that it enables you to take pictures of a higher quality.

I mention quality last because it rarely is the case that the quality of your gear is the limiting factor in producing great images. 90% of the equipment is better that 100% of the photographers.

Most of the rational lingers on the ability and the easy to make a specific kind of image. An example of the first rational is my decision to buy a telezoom. I like to take pictures of animals. It helps if the animal doesn’t run, fly or hop away. My 18-55mm kit lens required me to get very close, which resulted in the aforementioned animal to perform the unwanted activity. A telezoom enables me to take picture of undisturbed animals. Most of the pictures in my Animals gallery are taken with this lens.





Audiobooks

26 04 2009

Although this site mostly deals with photography, there is also room for other subjects like this post about audiobooks.

Since about a year or 3 I consume most of my books as audio books. I first thought that audio books were just something for people who can’t read, but I found that it was actually a very nice way to read a book and it has a number of advantages over reading:

1)  The size of the book is the size of your mp3 player.

2) Have you ever read a book while shopping, ironing, biking, walking?

3) Ever had your eyes fail on you while reading in bed because you were too tired, your ears can go on for much longer

4)  No need to switch on the light

5) A great narrator can make the book even more compelling. As an example I  point to Stepen Fry reading Harry Potter.

6) When you listen to a book in a language other than your own it helps you to learn the correct pronunciation.

Some notes of warning though. People around you are not aware your mind is currently occupying a whole different world, I mean the person behind you is not on a graveyard seeing Lord Voldemort return but is just trying to find the peanut butter.

To get audiobooks I would recommend a service like www.audible.com they have a very large selection and a good price.

Happy listening





My photo gear

26 04 2009

Below is a list of all my gear. In other posts I will review some of the gear and what the use of it is and why I choose this one over alternatives.

  • Nikon D60
  • Nikkor 18-55mm AF-S F/3.5-5.6 VR
  • Nikkor 50mm F/1.8 AF-D
  • Sigma 70-300mm APO F/4-5.6
  • Lowepro CompuDayPack
  • Hama Li-Ion battery
  • Marumi filter wallet
  • Kaiser 52mm circular polarization filer
  • Camlink 58mm circular polarization filer
  • Marumi 52mm UV filter
  • Camlink 58mm UV filter
  • Hama remote release (IR)
  • Lenspen (2x)
  • Joby Gorilapod SLR
  • Velbon Ultra Stick L50 Monopod
  • Velbon ballhead QHD-41Q







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