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Tech Details:
San Francisco Area
28 June - 01 July 2009

28    29    30   31 June 2009          Tech Details

Nikon D40 and 18-55mm DX.

For this trip, I wanted to follow what I preach and bring the lightest possible DSLR and the DX Dream Team of lenses. This lightweight gear is all I need to do anything.

Cameras        top

I shot everything on a Nikon D40.

I also borrowed a Canon SD780 to review, keeping it in my pocket for video, or for anything else that caught my eye.

Camera Settings        top

Nikon D40

I set my D40 as I explain in my Nikon D40 Users Guide.

As explained in the guide, I set the colors to be vivid by selecting ENHANCED color and Color Mode IIIa.

I set AUTO White Balance and -3 for trim, to make things warmer (more amber).

I always shoot in Professional exposure mode, the "P." Professional mode was originally called "Program" back in the 1970s. While in Professional mode, if I need different shutter speeds or apertures, all I do is flick the rear dial and I get them.

I usually set AUTO ISO for a minimum speed of 1/125, and a maximum ISO of 1,600. I use 1/125 to ensure I can catch baby action clearly.

Canon SD780

I set the colors to VIVID, which you do by pressing FUNC, clicking down to OFF, and one to the right, which selects VIVID.

I usually set exposure compensation (+/-) to -2/3 of a stop, otherwise I find my colors get washed-out.

Lenses        top

For lenses, I brought the DX Dream Team, which I detail on that page.

These three lenses, the 10-24mm, 35mm f/1.8 and 55-200mm VR, give me everything I need, in a very lightweight suite of lenses.

Flash

The Nikon SB-400 was always on my D40, whether or not I used it.

I only use flash for fill-flash; I never use it in the dark.

I velcro a slightly orange 1/2 CTO gel to it to make the colors look better. Today I use a 1/4 CTO gel instead. Actually, I have 1/4, 1/2 and full CTO gels on the flash, and move them into place as needed with velcro.

Bags        top

I carried the D40 around my neck at all times, and the two unused lenses in a Think Tank Speed Demon around my waist, also at all times.

Cameras do no good if they're left in the van or back at the hotel.

Tripod        top

I brought no tripod.

Tripods are usually only useful when shooting film in low light. The VR and the higher ISOs of digital made tripods obsolete years ago.

Publishing        top

I selected the less crappy shots, dragged them into Photoshop CS4, did any quick fine-tuning as noted, and hit my pre-recorded Action to resize, sharpen and brand each file for broadcast.

I dropped these files into Dreamweaver 8, and they're on the air here.

28    29    30   31 June 2009          Tech Details

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