Posts | Dan Bailey's Adventure Photography Blog

Camera Gear, Reviews and Recommendations

The Fujifilm XE-1 – My First Impressions

I just got back from a two week bike trip in Germany, Austria and Italy. You can read my trip reports and see photos here, but for now, I wanted to give my first impressions of the Fujifilm XE-1, was my main camera body that I carried on the trip. I used the XF 18-55mm lens that comes with the body, as well as the fixed wide angle XF 14mm lens.

Coming from the X10 and X20, I felt right at home with the XE-1. In fact, I went ahead and set up the FUNC button just like I have on the X20 (Film Simulation mode), so even though I’d never even held an XE-1 until right before I left, it felt very familiar in my hands. I went back and forth between the two cameras with no trouble at all.

Of course, the XE-1 has much more power under the hood. With it’s bigger APS-C sized 16MP sensor, (same found on the X-Pro 1 and new X100S) it produces images that have the same great Fuji-rific look that I’ve come to love with the X10 and X20, but with noticeably more sharpness, resolution and clarity. The larger sensor is also able to do better in low light, and from what I’ve seen so far, it doesn’t block up in the darker areas as much as the smaller sensor X20 does.

In my mind, though, what really makes the XE-1 shine is that it’s so light, which makes it a really ideal travel camera. Even with the XF 18-55mm zoom lens attached, it’s smaller and lighter than most DSLRs, but you’re not sacrificing quality, because combined with the bigger glass of the XF lenses, images off of the Fuji X-Trans sensor are about as good as you’ll get from any comparably priced and sized camera, if not better. These are all straight Jpegs with no color or exposure correction.

Overall, I found the XE-1 to be a real joy to use, and I had tons of fun using the different film simulations, exposure modes and image formats, which include 3:2, 16:9 and 1:1 square. I even used the built-in flash a bit, although it took me about a week to learn that the flash won’t work if the camera is set to Silent Mode. Go figure. There was never any kind of situation when I felt that I couldn’t stretch my creativity and aside from not having a super long zoom, I didn’t feel limited by the XE-1.

Fuji does have the new XF 55-200mm lens, though, but it wasn’t available at the time, and since this was a bike trip, I didn’t want the extra weight and bulk of a third lens.

The only thing I felt I was missing was a real viewfinder. I’m still having a hard time getting used to electronic viewfinders, which is why I love the X20 so much- it has a real, optical viewfinder that zooms with the lens. The XE-1 only has an EVF and a LCD screen. I probably used the LCD screen about 99% of the time.

Another limitation is that compared to my Nikons, and even the new super fast AF system on the X20, the XE-1’s autofocus is a little slow. It might not do so well as a dedicated sports and action camera, but for travel, portraits, landscape photography and general use it does great. Plus, it has the beautiful traditional styling that Fuji does so well. With it’s metal dials and aperture adjustment on the lens, it feels and operations like a classic camera when it’s in your hands.

I used a borrowed XE-1 setup for my trip, but after shooting about 1,200 frames with it, I’m seriously considering getting one for myself. I’ll admit, I got a little spoiled. It’s basically a turbocharged X20. In my eternal quest to go fast with light and still produce great looking images, especially for bike touring, the XE-1 definitely has my interest.

Check out these Alaska glacier landscape images shot with the XE-1, and stay tuned for a full review.

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June 3, 2013

The Fujifilm XE-1 – My First Impressions

Featured Images, Trips and Expeditions

Hello From Germany!

After some breathtaking aerial views of pink light hitting the massive glaciers Greenland and a quick layover in Iceland, we made it to Munich with bikes intact.

Here are a few photos of Munich and the tiny town of Waal, where we’re drying out after a wet day of pedaling down our first leg of the Via Claudia Augusta trail. At least the sun came othere allow some good photography light at the end of the day.

So far, I’m finding the Fuji XE-1 to be a really fun little camera. Pretty much like a deluxe version of the X20. It’s very “camera like.” Easy to use. Wonderful colors. Stay tuned for more!

May 19, 2013

Adventures with Dan, Press, Interviews and Info

Off to Europe With Bikes and Camera Gear!

Plane tickets bought, bikes disassembled, camera gear packed: Alps, here we come!

We’ll be spending the next two weeks pedaling through Germany, Austria and Italy along a route called the Via Claudia Augusta, which is a 2,000 year old Roman Trading route that’s been converted to a bike/hiking path.

The Via Claudia Augusta starts in Germany and crosses the Alps through Austria before dropping into northern Italy. We’ll be flying into Munich, and picking up the route southwest of the city. The path varies from paved bike trial, to gravel roads to forest trails, and passes beneath castles and majestic mountain landscapes, through small Tryolian villages, wine and olive groves and alpine meadows.

Here’s a map of the route. I’m not sure how far we’ll get, since we have limited time, but I’m sure that whatever ground we’ll cover will be well worth the trip. Also, here’s a great video that’s in German, but it shows the scenery that we’ll be riding through. If you’re into bike touring, this looks like a dream route that can be tackled in any number of ways, either totally self supported, credit card inn touring or as a guided group.

Since weight is always an issue when traveling by bike, I’ve pared down to what I think will be an ideal travel photography kit. It consists of a Fujifilm XE-1 body, 18-55mm lens, 14mm lens, the Fuji X20 and a Nikon P7700 compact camera that I’m trying out for review.

I’m also taking the tiny little Fuji EF-20 flash, a sync cord and a Lumiquest Softbox III, all of which is packed into my Lowepro Flipside Sport 10L AW pack. (The SB-III is underneath the removable camera compartment.)

Aside from being a lightweight setup, the Flipside Sport will give me quick access to my camera gear, as well as security from any prying hands. The zipper access to the pack sits against my back, so as long as I’m wearing it, no one can get in.

I’m really excited to see what the XE-1 can do. It shares the same X-Trans sensor technology with the X20, so it will have a familiar look, but it will be sharper and produce images with higher resolution and lower noise. Plus it’s got nice classic styling.

The Fuji XF 18-55mm should be a great all around lens. With an effective view of 27-85mm, it’s got a pretty usable range for everything from wide landscapes to short telephoto portraits and details. For shooting ultra wide landscapes and travel shots, the XF 14mm (21mm effective view) will let me work my super wide mojo even more.

The Nikon P7700 also seems like a nice little camera. It’s got a longer zoom than the X20 (28-200mm equivalent), a fold out swivel LCD screen and a built-in ND filter, which the X20 does not have. This is a very usable feature when shooting in bright light. I’ll be curious to see how it performs in the image quality department.

EDIT: Here’s the full account of our Via Claudia Bike Trip, complete with photos.

May 15, 2013

Off to Europe With Bikes and Camera Gear!

Camera Gear, Reviews and Recommendations

The Lowepro Photo Sport 30L AW Adventure Camera Pack

Two years ago, when I first tried the Lowepro Photo Sport 200AW, I was completely sold. It quickly became my favorite summer camera pack for hiking, mountain biking and general exploring in the outdoors. If you read my review, though, you might remember that I wished that Lowepro would make a slightly larger version for winter sports and light overnight trips. And I know that I’m not alone with that assessment, right Mike and Janine?

Wish granted!

Lowepro has just released the brand new Photo Sport 30L AW, and my analysis after extensive testing is this: It’s easily the best backcountry ski photo back that I’ve ever used. In fact, it’s exactly what I’ve wanted for years: A technical camera pack that has enough space for use in the mountains, that also holds the big lens in a quickly accessible compartment.

When I visited the Lowepro shop during my California bike trip last fall, they actually sent me home with a finished prototype. I’m pretty sure that I was the first photographer to get my hands on this pack, and since I’ve been using it continuously for over five months, I’ve probably logged more miles, more vertical feet and more turns with the Photo Sport 30L AW than anyone else.

Why does this pack rock? Three simple reasons:

It holds enough gear for a full day of backcountry skiing
It has a dedicated camera access compartment
It fits large telephoto zoom lenses on a pro battery grip DSLR

The Photo Sport 30L has a large main compartment that’s big enough to hold everything you need for a day outside, even when it’s cold. Unlike the smaller Photo Sport 200AW, the new 30L version easily fits puffy jacket/vest, fleece layers, sandwiches and snacks, googles, thermos, and a shovel.

I usually strap the shovel handle and an avalanche probe to the side of the pack, as pictured here.

Then there’s the camera compartment. Unlike the Photo Sport 200, this new pack will fit a large telephoto zoom lens, like most 70-200s, 80-200s, and 70-300mm lenses. Anyone who’s shot skiing before knows that using long lenses can be essential for getting great shots.

However, carrying the big lenses into the backcountry has always been a bit problematic. Im the past, I usually kept it in a soft lens case under the top lid, but these meant stopping to take the pack off in order to access the lens. I’m just not a big enough guy to keep a big lens on my belt or in a chest holster pack.

As with the Photo Sport 200, the new 30L model has the bottom side zipper access to the camera compartment, which means that you can get your camera from the pack into your hands in a matter of seconds. As I always point out, this kind of accessibility can mean the difference between getting the shot and missing the shot.

Since the Photo Sport 30L fits my DSLR body with favorite ski lens attached, the 70-200mm f/4G VR, I can be ready to shoot in no time flat. Problem solved. You can also fit another lens, flash or even a compact camera inside the compartment; I usually carry the 24mm lens, which is my other essential ski lens.

Even with the weight of camera and winter outdoor gear, the Photo Sport 30L AW carries quite well. I’ve worn it all during the course of many long days. During a recent backcountry Alaska ski trip, we skied until sunset nearly every single day for a week, which, during April, meant well past 9:00PM.

The shoulder harness system is extremely comfortable, the plastic frame sheet offers just enough support and the wide waist belt distributes most of the weight very evenly on your hips. I’m a huge fan of these wide, but thin waist belts that we’re seeing on packs these days; they let you carry a good deal of weight without added bulk on your hips. Plus it make the pack more streamlined.

Another really nice feature is the trampoline-style mesh back panel. Many packs have a solid pad of EVA foam. The problem with this design is that it’s hard to get snow out of the mesh fabric that sits on top of the foam. It packs itself in there, which eventually leads to a wet pack and/or a wet, uncomfortable back.

With this design, you can simply reach underneath and brush all the snow out from the between the floating mesh pad and the solid back panel. No more snow. Take it from a guy who does his share of falling down in the snow, it just makes for a much nicer day.

The waist belt also has the same zip pockets found on the Photo Sport 200 and the Rover Pro AW. They’re big enough to hold a couple of energy bars or a memory card case for quick access. It’s these kinds of details that help make a pack really functional, and when you combine it with a good suspension system, you end up with a pack that fits well, carries well and works well for active outdoor photography.

Other features:

Rain cover, hence the term AW in the name.
Same innovative tripod flap strap as all the other pack in the series, although I usually use it for stashing a spare jacket or shirt.
Ice axe/trekking pole loops.
Hydration ready. Fits up to a 100 oz bladder, although the 50 oz bladders seem to fit perfectly.

Finally, the camera pouch is removable, which lets you use the Photo Sport 30L as a regular technical pack if you want to leave the camera gear at home. It carries so well, that it would actually make a great mountain pack, even if it weren’t a photo pack.

Since the Photo Sport 200 came out, Lowepro has worked really hard to create a line of highly functional packs that revolve around the concept of not just carrying your gear, but making it easily accessible. In my mind, they’ve done an excellent job. So good, that depending on what activity I’m heading out to do, these days I never leave the house without one of them on my back.

Overall, the Photo Sport 30 follows perfectly in the lineup. It offers outdoor photographers more room for non camera gear and fast access to a pro DSLR sized body and lens combo. It’s well made and it stands up to the rigors of the outdoors. More importantly, it’s a well thought out design, and so I have to tip my hat to the pack creator team for thinking up stuff that makes my job easier.

Who’s it for: Although the Photo Sport 30L is definitely designed with mountain photographers in mind. It’s awesome for both winter and summer hiking and a variety of active sport use, like skiing or alpine climbing.

I also see it as a great pack for overnight landscape photographers who like to go light and fast. You could easily bring a body, a couple of lenses, tripod, lightweight sleeping bag and pad, a few clothes, a small stove and some food. From that standpoint, it’s smaller and a little more manageable than the bigger Rover Pro, especially if you can pack light.

The new Photo Sport 30L AW is available now at B&H Photo, Amazon and other photo retailers. As one of my readers, you can get a special discount if you buy directly from the Lowepro store. Just click this link and use discount code LP20 in your shopping cart and you’ll get the savings on any items that you buy. (US customers only)

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May 13, 2013

The Lowepro Photo Sport 30L AW Adventure Camera Pack

Press, Interviews and Info

The Dan Bailey Photo Quarterly Journal: Spring 13 Edition

I just released the latest issue of the Dan Bailey Photo Journal. The Spring 13 edition features a collection of new work, recent tearsheets, news and info and highlights from a selected personal project.

This issue’s project revolves around my new love of shooting Alaska mountain aerial photos out the open window of my 1947 Cessna 120.

The journal is a great way for you to stay updated on what kind of things I’m shooting, who’s using my images and what I’ve got planned for the coming weeks and months.

Read the Spring 13 issue of the Dan Bailey Photo Quarterly Journal, or download it to check out later. It’s a small PDF file and a quick read, since it’s mostly photographs, so you can even view it on your phone or mobile device.

May 9, 2013

The Dan Bailey Photo Quarterly Journal: Spring 13 Edition

Books, Reviews and Recommendations

David duChemin: The Print And The Process

I have a confession to make. I’m a total David duChemin fanboy. Not in a creepy stalker type way, but in a total professional admiration kind of way. I see him as one of the great modern day photographic visionaries, and as a fellow photographer who tries to inspire other camera carrying adventure seekers and travelers with my images and writing, I’m awed, and yes, a little bit jealous by his success.

Not that he doesn’t deserve it, though. David has the eye. His people images are stunning. His landscapes are intimate and evocative. As an author, his essays and books about creativity, personal vision and artistry hit it right on the mark. They certainly inspire me, and I’ve been doing this a long time. The only other person who has driven me with such a powerful combination of photography and writing is Galen Rowell. I’ve read nearly every one of David’s Craft and Vision eBooks, and I’ll admit right up front that they were one of my primary influences when I wrote my own eBook, Making The Image.

And aside from being a great photographer mentor to many people, he just seems like a really swell guy. I’ve never met David face to face, but he seems like someone with whom who I’d really enjoy sipping whiskey and talking shop. Or hunkering with in front of our tripods under a howling wind.

Ok, I’ll get on with it. The point of this whole post is not to fawn endlessly over David duChemin, it’s to highlight his latest book, The Print And The Process: Taking Compelling Photographs from Vision to Expression.

Combining a series of photographs from Antarctica, Iceland, Venice and Kenya, The Print And The Process presents ideas, thoughts, and techniques that explore the entire pathway of photography, from idea to final image. In his mind, photography is a process and one that we all struggle with- even him, but the more we learn how to understand our own process, the easier it will be to make photographs that connect with us and our viewers.

To be clear, The Print And The Process is not really about how to make prints. It’s about the gear, the ideas, the creative methods, the expression, the subject matter, or as he calls it, the “messy” process of combining what’s in our mind with what’s in front of us, and then moving it through the camera and the computer.

It’s not overly obsessed with gear, nor is it laden with too much technical stuff. It won’t tell you how to do this or that, but it will walk you through his own mind and handiwork as he gives detailed info about each and every shot in the book. If you’ve read David’s writings before then you know his style. If you haven’t, it strikes a perfect blend of information, personality, inspiration, and education, without being dry, drab or overly obsessed with how much he knows.

The book’s format gives clear and appealing presentation of each and every one of the photographs. The horizontal shots run larger than in most books, which, in my mind, gives it a really nice look. At 230 pages, there’s a lot in there to keep both your mind and your eye busy during multiple readings.

The Print And The Process is not really a book for total beginners, but if you’re an enthusiastic image maker of any level who already has a pretty good understanding of how photography works, there’s a lot to absorb. There’s enough diversity in the material to satisfy both the technical geek and the fuzzy creative types, and everyone in between.

I think that you’ll really enjoy The Print And The Process, both for the artistry of David’s work and the ways that he presents his ideas and methods. It’s a beautiful book that’s worth checking out, if not for the inspiration, then just to enjoy looking at four powerful collections of imagery from around the world. There’s even a Kindle version, which, obviously lacks the impact of the print book, but on the upside, you can take it with you.

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May 8, 2013

David duChemin: The Print And The Process

Camera Gear, Featured Images

More Fujifilm X20 Image Examples

I’ve had the Fujifilm X20 for a month now, which has given me time to do some rather extensive testing. In fact, nearly half of the images that I ran in my recent Alaska backcountry skiing trip report were shot with the X20. (I’d love to know if you can guess which ones they are!)

As I posted in my full X20 review, I’m totally enamored with this little camera, and am looking forward to taking it on vacation when I head to Europe later this month. Here are a few more images to show you it’s versatility.

Quality

Like any camera or film, image quality largely depends on what kind of light you’re dealing with, as well as focus and shutter speed – Basically technique. In great light, the X20 produces beautiful sharp images with very little noise. Sure, there’s some, especially when you go above ISO 800. At ISO 100, though, which is what I typically use outside, it’s pretty minimal.

Color

Back when I shot film, I used Fujifilm Velvia almost exclusively. Why? Because I loved the colors that it portrayed: Rich tones with deep, inky shadows that dropped to black instead of being rendered as dark muddiness. The built-in film simulations on the X20 bring me right back.

Compared to Other Cameras

How does the X20 stack up against the X100S? It doesn’t. They’re totally different cameras.

The X100S has a larger sensor, but it’s got a fixed 35mm lens, whereas the X20 has the 28-112mm f/2.0-2.8 zoom lens. Street photographers LOVE that fixed 35mm, but the variety of landscapes, action, portraits and other subject matter that I shoot, I’d feel somewhat limited by a “sort of wide angle” fixed lens.

The X20 will never beat the X100S on image quality, but in my mind, it comes down to overall skill and usability. X20 images still look awesome, and the zoom on the X20 offers wide creative flexibility.

How does it stack up against other compact cameras? Like I said in my review, there are a lot of cameras out there that offer varying levels of features and quality. Some have slightly better glass than the X20, some don’t. Some have slightly better image quality, some don’t. Some of them don’t even have viewfinders. In fact, many cameras excel in one area, but fall short in a number of other areas.

The X20 holds its own because OVERALL, it’s a great camera with solid quality, lots of usable features and a really cool design. Without at doubt, it’s one of the best compact cameras on the market today.

That said, if you’ve got the eye and the skill to grab light and moment, then it really doesn’t matter what camera you use. Since most of the current cameras that are available today offer acceptable image quality, it comes down to features, style, and which one you’re most likely to have with you when those moments unfold. I’ve found a great combination of these elements in the X10, and now the X20.

You’re not me, though, so I can’t tell you which camera you’ll like the best. Just pick something and go take pictures.

Also, check out my comparison of RAW vs. JPEG on the X20.

Note: The Fuij X30 has now replaced the X20, but it’s built on a very similar chassis and has all the features of the X20, plus a few more. The optical viewfinder has been replaced with a newly designed EVF, battery life has been improved, it has a tilt screen and WiFi that enables you to remotely shoot and share images from your smartphone or tablet.

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May 6, 2013

More Fujifilm X20 Image Examples

Reviews and Recommendations

Check out the Craft and Vision Lightroom Preset Bundle

If you’re like me, you keep shooting more photos, which, of course, means more images to edit and process. You want to make your images look as good as they can possibly be, though, so it’s worth taking the time to process each shot in order to get it right.

However, time is not an endless commodity. Whether you’re a full time pro, an enthusiast with a day job, or someone in between, chances are you probably struggle with your time management just like I do. After all, there are only so many hours in the day, so anything that can help you save time with your photography is worth looking into.

Craft and Vision has just released their Lightroom Develop Preset Bundle. The bundle compiles the two preset packages by David duChemin and Dave Delnea to give you a total of 82 Lightroom presets for only $18. That’s like what, four and a half gallons of gas?

Why use presets? If you spend any decent amount of time in Lightroom, you’ve probably found that you often do similar corrections on many of your images. Using presets allows you to quickly apply a desired correction or enhancement to large numbers of photos in a split second, give or take, depending on how fast your computer is. The bottom line is that presets help speed up your digital darkroom workflow. They make you more efficient with your time,

The advantage of using presets by top photographers is that you don’t have to spend time tinkering around with sliders, trying to find the look you’re going for. Instead, you find the preset that matches the look and feel that you want for your own imagery, and bang- you’re done. Image looks great. Time saved. Of course, you can also use presets as a starting point to get your creativity you going in the right direction.

When I look at my own photos, I seem similarities between many types of shots, and similar adjustments that reflect common moods or themes that I like to convey in my imagery. I have the experience with Lightroom to get this done quickly, but I’ll admit, I could probably benefit from using presets as well.

Maybe I’ll release my own set of Lightroom presets, but for now, I’d recommend taking a look at the Craft and Vision Lightroom Develop Preset Bundle. I view David duChemin’s work with incredible admiration- the guy makes gorgeous images, and his landscapes and travel imagery is top notch. For as good as he is, though, you can bet that his shots don’t come out of the camera that way. He spends time working each image on the computer in order to make it look just the way he wants.

If there’s a guy whose eye and method I’d trust, it’s his. I’m not as familiar with Dave Delnea’s work as much, but from what I’ve seen, he’s got a pretty good eye as well. It’s only a few more bucks to throw his set in as well, which gives you a total of 85 presets from which to help you fine tune your own imagery.

Each set comes with a PDF guide that shows you how to install them and also illustrates just how they work and how to get the most out of them. They’re recommended for LR4 and the upcoming version of LR5, but may not work as well with LR3.

May 1, 2013

Check out the Craft and Vision Lightroom Preset Bundle

Adventures with Dan, Camera Gear, Featured Images, Reviews and Recommendations

Alaska Backcountry Skiing Trip Report

I love April in Alaska. Sure, things are starting to get pretty slushy down in town, but the days are growing progressively longer, and by the end of the month, the sun sets at 10:00PM.

April is great for shooting evening aerials (Look for that post tomorrow), and it’s also a prime month for backcountry skiing in the bigger peaks. Earlier this month, I had 3 friends come up from Colorado to join me for a good old fashioned fly-in ski trip. Here’s my trip report.

The problem with Alaska, though, is that no matter what you plan, mother nature might drop a storm on you and force you to throw everything out the window. Just as my friends arrived, a double storm hit Southcentral Alaska, bringing a tremendous amount of snow to parts of the region, high winds to other areas, and in some places, namely the one where we wanted to go, just wind and no snow.

We’d planned to fly into the Powell Glacier with Matt Keller of Blue Ice Aviation. I’ve known Matt by phone, email and through his blog for a few years, but until now, I’d never actually met him. He’s the real deal Alaska bush pilot. He flies out of his family strip right at the northern border of the Chugach Mountains and can land his Super Cub just about anywhere: snowy glaciers, hard glacier ice, dirt, grass, tundra- you name it.

I was excited to finally have the chance to fly with Matt, so we drove up to Sheep Mountain and unpacked our mountain of gear from the car, which included glacier gear and enoughCostco food to feed four normal people for an entire month. You have to take extra, just in case the plane can’t come and get you because of weather.

I jumped into the Super Cub with Matt and we took off towards the Powell glacier. However, as we got there, we could see the storm line creeping down the valley. It basically looked like a wall of whiteout wind that was headed exactly where Matt intended on dropping us. In addition, the snow level in this part of the Chugach was exceedingly low compared to what it’s usually like.

Rather than squeeze in under the advancing storm line, only to have to hunker down for the next few days getting blasted by wind, Matt turned around and took me back to break the news to my friends. They took it well, and I have to give Matt a lot of credit for being willing to lose four paying clients in the name of bad weather. He’s a skier too, and he didn’t want us to have a bad trip. Some pilots would have taken our cash, dropped us in and said “see you later.” Call me when you’re ready to come out.”

Feeling dejected, we drove back down the Matanuska valley, figuring that we’d give Hatcher Pass a try. There’s good terrain there, and cabins where we could potentially stay if we wanted to base our trip there.

We almost didn’t even make it to the parking lot. We’d rented this mini van that had enough room for our gear, but was obviously made for soccer moms, and not skiers. The van had this “no-slip” transmission that cuts power to whichever wheel starts to lose traction. Going uphill on an snowy road, you’re going to slip, and in any other car, you just floor it and spin your way through the icy sections.

This car wouldn’t spin. It just got slower. So slow, in fact, that it pretty much ground to a halt going up a grade that I could bike up in my big chainring. Then it started sliding backwards on the ice. I’m telling you, this car was pretty much the most dangerous thing you could drive in the snow. Any snow. Especially mountain snow.

Fortunately, the snow plows came by just then and dropped sand on the road, which allowed us to creep slowly back up the hill. Of course, that was with three of us pushing. We were quite a sight.

So, we finally get to the pass, only to that Hatcher was getting pounded with snow. There was no wind, but it was total whiteout and knee deep by the time we got to the parking lot. The avalanche danger had risen to “Considerable,” and the cabins were full. Strike two.

Feeling totally beat down by Alaska at this point, we drove back to Anchorage, and booked a room at the downtown Sheraton, where we broke into the good scotch and watched bad hotel TV.

Next morning, we check the weather, I call some friends for advice and discover that while the avy danger is climbing everywhere else in the region, Turnagain Pass, which is primo winter skiing, has hardly been touched by the storm. In fact, it’s still reported as Green/Green, which is pretty much a green light for going skiing.

So, long story ending quickly, we grab my copy of Joe Stock’s new Alaska backcountry ski guidebook, drive to Girdwood, book a cabin and spend the next 7 days skiing awesome snow in the Kenai Mountains.

For camera gear, I carried my Nikon D700, with the 24mm f/2.8 lens and the new 70-200mm f/4G VR, which has quickly become my most used lens. As I’ve reported before, Nikon’s new 70-200mm f/4G VR is an outdoor photographer’s dream telephoto. I also carried the brand new Fujifilm X20, which served as an invaluable photographic tool during this trip.

I ran over 1,200 frames through the X20 during the course of the week and not only used to shoot “fun” photos, I put it through the ringer, kept it strapped around my shoulder during the whole time outside and shot quite a bit of action with it. The new advanced OVF viewfinder on the X20 makes it so usable outside, because when you’re outside in the snow and wearing sunglasses, you can’t even see the LCD screen.

In addition, I love the fact that it’s real viewfinder that uses prisms and mirrors. Some really high quality compact cameras like the Sony NEX series have electronic viewfinders. I hate those, it feels like you’re looking at your subject on a bad TV screen. With the X20, you’re actually looking through the viewfinder, directly AT your subject. It just feels more intrinsically real. Like a real camera. After what I’ve put it through, the X20 has earned a place in my heart and I can’t see leaving the house without it, even when I’m lugging along my DSLR gear. Read my full Fuji X20 review here.

That two camera, two lens setup gave me all the options I needed for capturing everything I wanted, from action, to portraits, to landscapes to fun, lifestyle shots that just help tell the story and flesh out the adventure. In fact, this combo has become my de-facto light and fast adventure photography setup: DSLR, fixed wide angle, lightweight telephoto zoom and the X20. Boom. I’m ready to roll, hike or slide.

I’ve put together a rather large gallery of images from this trip, so if you want to kill some more work time and check them out, have at it. Enjoy. Oh, and if you come by the house, I’ll feed you, because I have lots of Costco food leftover from the trip. Sorry though, the scotch is all gone.

Stay tuned right here for more adventure stories, gear reviews and outdoor photos. Thanks for reading!

April 30, 2013

Alaska Backcountry Skiing Trip Report

Camera Gear, Reviews and Recommendations

Nikon DSLR Roundup – Which Camera is Right For You?

About ready to upgrade to a new Nikon DSLR? Great! Which one you gonna get?

Hmmm… not so easy, is it? When you do a comparison of the entire DLSR lineup, it’s not always easy to narrow down which body matches your needs and your budget.

Obviously, if you’re a pro, you simply reach for the top shelf and grab the most expensive model. Oh wait… I know many pros who make extensive use of some of the less expensive cameras in the line, and I’ve certainly seen many photo hobbyists with D4s around their neck.

Although price is certainly a factor in choosing the right camera, it’s more important to consider just how you’ll use the camera. To help put these considerations in perspective, you narrow down your choice, here’s a practical rundown of the current Nikon Pro DSLR Camera lineup and an analysis of why you might consider each one.

Nikon D4

Nikon’s top of the line model. With a 16.2MP CMOS sensor, the D4 is the most advanced Nikon camera do date. It shoots Full Frame (FX sensor) at a blazingly fast 11 fps at full resolution and can capture subjects with incredible detail and low light sensitivity. It also shoots 1,080p broadcast quality video and has the best autofocus system that Nikon has ever made.

Who’s it for? The Nikon D4 is designed for the full time, working pro who demands the fastest frame rate, high end video and/or the most durable camera possible.

If you’re a full time assignment, editorial, photojournalist or stock, sports or wildlife photographer who uses your camera in every type of environment and who needs the absolute best, or if you simply have discernible taste and the right income, then the D4 is for you. (It’s also a great choice for retired doctors and lawyers who are going on summer vacation.)

Bear in mind, though, that the D4 a fairly heavy camera, although the ergonomics of the camera are laid out with incredible precision. In your hand, the thing feels like the most beautiful thing you’ve ever held in your life. That said, if you’re a highly mobile photographer who likes to go light and fast in the outdoors, then the D4 will probably weigh you down.

Plus, it’s not cheap, so if you don’t have the disposable income to absorb six grand, or if you’re earning money with it, then you’ll feel the pinch on your wallet.

(Note, the D4S has just been announced. It’s the same basic camera with a few updates.)

Nikon D800 and D800E

At 36.3 megapixels, the Nikon D800 boasts the highest resolution of any DSLR camera on the market. It also features full 1,920 x 1,080 HD cinema quality video.

The D800 a full-on pro quality FX (full frame) body that won’t weight you down as much as the much heavier D4. It has the same autofocus system and the same image processor, but since it doesn’t have the built in vertical grip, it’s considerably lighter.

The main tradeoff for have such ultra high resolution is that the D800 is only able to fire at 4 fps at full size. This is high enough for general use, but it may not be fast enough if your a sports and action photographer.

The D800 has a built-in flash, which allows you full CLS off camera flash options that you can control right from the camera.

Who’s it for? The Nikon D800 is for photographers, pros and enthusiasts alike, who want maximum image quality from their photos. Think commercial and portrait shooters and landscape and travel photographers. If your work gets published, or if you like to make large format prints of your work, then the Nikon D800 will give you awesome quality.

D800E: Note, landscape and outdoor photographers who want the sharpest imagery possible should consider the D800E, which costs $200 more. The “E” doesn’t have an optical low pass filter, so it even sharper than the regular D800. The tradeoff is that if you shoot fabric and other subjects that have patterns, you run the risk of having moire in your imagery.

Either way, the Nikon D800 is also built for photographers who shoot high end video. You can produce cinema quality movies that will blow your audiences away, especially if you make good use of your best DSLR lenses. Important thing to note, the D800 will require the very best lenses, so if you’ve got a bag full of less expensive kit glass, you’ll probably want to upgrade there as well.

Special Price: Right now, B&H Photo has a $200 instant rebate on the D800.

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Nikon D610

The Nikon D610 is the little brother to the D800. It’s got a 24.3 megapixel sensor, making it the least expensive full frame FX HD-DSLR camera in the lineup.

The Nikon D610 has the same EXPEED 3 image processor that’s found on the D4 and D800. Combined with its full frame sensor, the D600 produces beautiful images, yet it’s smaller and lighter than both of those other cameras.

It also has 1,080p cinema quality video, and a higher frame rate than the D800: 6 fps at full resolution. This makes the D610 a little better suited towards shooting action and and sports. Plus, D610 images files are smaller, so if you shoot a ton of frames, this might be a better choice.

Why full frame? Full frame sensors have larger pixels than smaller DX sensors, so they generally have better light gathering ability. This translates into lower noise, especially when shooting in low-light conditions. Full frame images look great. I prefer shooting full frame, especially for landscapes, wide-angle action and portraits.

Who’s it for? The D610 is for any photographer who wants to shoot full frame and/or video, but doesn’t want to spend almost 3 grand on the D800. It’s a great combination of features and price point, and since it’s even more compact that the D800, it’s a great choice for outdoor and travel photographers.

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Nikon D7100

The Nikon D7000 has been the been the number one choice for many pros and amateurs alike. The D7100 is even better.

The Nikon D7100 is a DX body that shoots at 24.1 megapixesls at up to 6 fps at full resolution with a 100 frame buffer (JPEG normal only. Shooting RAW, the buffer is around 7 frames.) It has a 51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors, which is even more than the D600. In fact, the D7100’s AF system has a wider sensor array in the viewfinder, which gives you more flexibility when composing shots outside the center of the frame.

Who’s it for: The D7100 is an awesome camera that’s perfect for just about every kind of photographer. I know full time action and adventure shooters who use this thing because it’s lighter than the D4, the D800 or the D300; it’s great for taking into the outdoors because it won’t weigh you down.

The D7100 is also the perfect choice for wildlife and sports/event and portrait photographers, because the DX sensor gets you even closer to your subject. It also features a 1.3X crop mode that effectively turns it into a 2X camera. Put a 200mm lens on your D7100 and you suddenly have a 400mm lens with AF sensors that cover your entire frame.

D7100 mage quality is excellent, and it will produce photographs that are certainly good enough for professional publication or large prints. It also shoos 1,080p HD video with full autofocus and slow motion modes.

Essentially, the D7100 is the perfect choice for working photographers who want a lightweight body and pro quality features and who don’t want to spend $2,000 on a camera. That’s an important point, because for the same price as the D600, you could buy another great lens and have a versatile setup. For what it can do, I think that the D7100 is the best value of all the Nikon DSLR cameras.

It’s also one of the best cameras for the beginning and enthusiast photographer. It costs nearly a third as much as the D800, but it’s my no means a third the camera. Bottom line: The D7100 is a solid camera for just about anyone who is serious about their photography.

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Nikon D5300

The Nikon D5300 is a compact enthusiast camera all the way, and a great one to boot. With a 24.2 megapixel DX sensor, the D5200 will create great looking imagery.

With a native ISO range of 100-6400, you’ll have plenty of options for capturing scenes in a variety of lighting conditions.

It has the same EXPEED 4 image processor that all of the higher end models have, as well as great Matrix Meter, it shoots at 5 fps, and does 1,080p video with constant AF. Plus it has a fold out, adjustable LCD screen that makes shooting video even easier. This feature alone might be the selling point for some people.

The D5300 has a built in flash, but it won’t act as a commander that can control other flashes. If you want to do off camera flash, you’ll have to either get a flash like the SB-700, or a flash and the SU-800 wireless commander. Or you can use a sync cord to get the flash off the camera. That’s always a great, simple option for shooting portraits anyway.

Who’s it for? The D5300 is for beginning and emerging photographers and enthusiasts who don’t want to drop big cash for a capable camera body, but want some good creative options. Maybe you want to save money on the body so that you can buy one or two really nice lenses that will stay with you when you eventually upgrade to a new camera. I know someone who is starting to earn money from her portrait photography, and she uses this camera.

Also, pros and social media gurus who want a second HD video body for documenting photo shoots might want to consider the D5200 because of its price and the foldout LCD view screen.

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Nikon D3300

The D3300 is Nikon’s entry level DSLR camera. It’s got a 24.2 megapixel DX sensor and EXPEED 3 image processor, so photo quality is actually VERY good. Incredibly good for such a small, compact camera.

The D3200 shoots at 4 fps, it does 1,080 HD video with stereo sound and a very simple control dial on the top deck.
The D3200 is inexpensive, lightweight, easy to use and it will work with any of the newer AF-S Nikon lenses.
Who’s it for? Beginners and enthusiasts who want small, light and simple, but still want DLSR quality from their photographs. I guarantee you, shoot with a good lens and good technique, and D3200 photos will hold up against just about any other camera. Plus it comes with a lens, and if you want, you can get it in red too.

Also, for it’s size and price, the D3200 might make a good backup for photographers who often carry, but rarely actually use their backup. It’ll be there if you need it, and it will get the job done, but it won’t set you back very much.

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April 29, 2013

Nikon DSLR Roundup – Which Camera is Right For You?