Nuffnang skali...

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Hukum Fotografi Dalam Islam


Sekarang ni ramai yang dah mula obses dengan fotografi. Kamera DSLR menjadi impian ramai orang samada muda remaja mahupun tua belia. Bukan setakat menjadi hobi. Malah ada yang menjadikan bidang fotografi sebagai sumber pendapatan.

Tapi, dalam keghairahan kita bergambar, mengambil gambar dan menyebarkan gambar, kita terlupa mengenai hukum-hakam fotografi dalam Islam yang kita telah langgar samada secara sedar ataupun tidak sedar mahupun pura-pura tak sedar.


1. Apa hukum fotografi?
Hukum asal bagi gambar fotografi adalah diharuskan selagimana tidak terdapat unsur-unsur yang diharamkan dalam syariat Islam seperti untuk mengagungkannya. Pengagungan ini sama ada kerana agama atau dunia. Lebih-lebih lagi yang diagungkan itu adalah orang-orang kafir dan fasik dan artis-artis yang melampau.

2. Apa hukum mengambil gambar model yang tidak menutup aurat?
Haram samada model lelaki, wanita ataupun khunsa. Apatah lagi jika gambar yang diambil adalah gambar bogel.

3. Apa hukum menyebarkan gambar yang tidak menutup aurat untuk tatapan orang lain?
Setiap yang haram dilihat maka haram juga diperlihatkan kepada orang lain. Maka, haram menyebarkannya samada di internet, majalah, akhbar dan lain-lain. Selama mana gambar-gambar tersebut belum didelete, maka selama itulah fotografer mendapat saham dosa. Termasuklah model gambar tersebut.

4. Halalkah rezeki yang saya perolehi hasil upah mengambil gambar pengantin atau model yang tidak menutup aurat?
Tidak halal. Mengikut kaedah fiqh, yang haram penggunaannya, haram pula memperolehnya. Contoh lain, jika minum arak itu haram, haram juga kita menjualnya walaupun kita tidak minum arak. Permintaan pelanggan bukanlah alasan untuk mengharuskan yang haram.

5. Apa hukum mengambil gambar pre-wedding?
Foto pra-perkahwinan pasangan pengantin baru Islam yang merakamkan aksi intim sebelum majlis akad nikah, dikategorikan sebagai budaya haram di sisi Islam. Yang menjadi isu ialah sentuhan antara lelaki dan wanita yang belum berkahwin adalah haram kerana pasangan itu bukan muhrim kerana mereka belum sah dinikahkan.

6. Bagaimana dengan gambar pengantin yang sudah sah berkahwin berposing dan berpelukan?
Walaupun sudah sah sebagai suami isteri, itu tidak bermakna harus bercumbu-cumbuan, berkepit dan berposing secara berlebihan di atas katil untuk tatapan umum . Tidak salah berposing dengan mesra. Tapi jagalah batasannya agar tidak terlalu over dan boleh membangkitkan shahwat orang yang melihatnya.

7. Saya hanya ingin berkarya. Saya hanya perlukan kritikan terhadap hasil karya tersebut.
Kembali kepada Islam samada kita ini fotografer, model ataupun siapa saja. Tunjukkan kepada orang lain bahawa gambar yang cantik tak semestinya model yang tidak menutup aurat atau yang haram dilihat. Islam tidak menghalang fotografi cuma kita perlu mengawalnya sahaja agar tidak melampaui garis panduan agama.

Sumber dari brader SZLIHIN

Hukum Pre-Wedding Photoshoot



Definisi pre-wedding

Pre-Wedding, trend yang semakin tersebar luas. Bagi sesiapa yang tak tau, Pre-Wedding ni adalah rakaman romantis pasangan yang bakal berkahwin, samada dalam bentuk gambar ataupun video SEBELUM hari pernikahan mereka.

Biasa la masa pre-wedding, pasangan tu akan photoshoot sana-sini. Pegang tangan, berpelukan. Laga-laga pipi sikit sambil berposing. Konon2 romantik la tu.

Trend ni kalau untuk mat saleh, dan yang bukan agama islam boleh la. Yang sampai orang melayu pun ada pre-wedding ni dh kenape? Korang tu belum nikah lagi. Tak kan tak tahu hukum kot. Ko dh tunang, masih haram lg utk bersentuhan.

Situasi 1: "Ish, orang kan dah nak kawen. Dah confirm dah. Tak kan tu pon salah kot"

Ewah-ewah. Dah confirm yek. Buatnya sehari sebelum hari pernikahan mung, tiba-tiba mung eksiden. Mati. Macam mana? Sempat ke mung nak ucapkan kata taubat?

Walaupun mung nak kawen, tapi masih belum akad nikah. Mung pun tahu, kalau lelaki dan perempuan yang masih belum ada sebarang ikatan, tak boleh pegang tangan. Hukumnya HARAM. Mung tau kan tu? Tapi, kenapa masih buat?

Situasi 2: "Ala, aku pre-wedding ambil gambar, mana ada peluk-peluk pegang tangan"

Mung tak usah nak sejuta alasan. Tak pernah pulak aku tengok gambar-gambar pre-wedding lelaki dengan perempuan dok jarak semeter. Selalunya takde jarak pemisah pun. Kalau betul pun mung tak pegang-pegang, apa faedahnya mung buat benda ni? Mung nak sangat ke ikut trend omputeh? Nak sangat jadi jahil?

Kalau dah lepas kawen tu, mung nak photoshoot sampai ke bulan sekalipun, buat la. Takde orang nak kisah. Tapi, sebelum ada apa-apa ikatan. Jangan sesekali mung beri orang lain peluang untuk buat fitnah kat mung.

*p/s: sebelum ado ikatan akad nikoh, jange la dok buat mek2 awe2, doso free2 jah. jange jadi bodo blako...~

Sumber dari brader Jejaka Terhangat

Nikon D4

I'm sexy and i know it...~
The Nikon D4, 16MP full-frame professional DSLRis capable of shooting at 10 frames per second with full autofocus. In addition to a host of ergonomic improvements, the D4 also sees the expansion of its video capabilities, to the extent that Nikon is describing it as a 'multi-media DSLR.' The cameras gains an Ethernet port, a 91,000 pixel metering sensor and an uprated AF sensor that can work in lower light and with smaller aperture lenses. Its sensitivity range can be expanded to the equivalent of ISO 204,800 and adds illuminated controls to make it easier to work in the low-light situations in which such a setting becomes useful. The D4 also becomes the first camera to make use of the XQD memory card format.

Like its predecessor, the Nikon D4 looks as if it’s going to be an incredibly impressive camera. Nikon has looked to its professional user-base and tried to work out what it needed to add or adjust on a camera that just a couple of years ago represented the best they were capable of. The result is a camera with few big changes but a extensive series of small improvements.

The biggest change is, of course, the improvement in video capabilities. Given the increasing demand for video footage from professional photographers, and the incredible success of Canon’s 5D Mark II in the professional video market, it was inevitable that Nikon’s pro flagship would need to offer a more compelling feature set than the existing models.

Beyond this, the changes to the stills-shooting specifications are relatively modest – there’s a higher-resolution, 16.2MP, full-frame CMOS sensor and the ability to shoot at 10 frames per second with autofocus, but that’s about it. The new chip's capability has prompted Nikon to offer an ISO range from 100-12,800 that can then be extended to 50 – 204,800 (Hi4). The significant changes, beyond video, are a profusion of smaller tweaks, additions and improvements to what was already a well worked-out camera. These include a carbon fiber shutter rated to 400,000 actuations that can fire at up to 1/8000th of a second.

The biggest technical changes are the addition of a 91,000 pixel ‘metering’ sensor, replacing the 1005 pixel example used up until now. This sensor is used for much more than just metering, playing a key role in subject tracking, white balance and 'Active D-lighting' (a trick Canon seems impressed with, given the appearance of a similar system in the 1DX). The higher-resolution sensor allows the camera to offer face detection when shooting through the optical viewfinder.

Then there are the ergonomic changes to the camera’s body. Again like Canon’s 1DX, moves have been made to make the ergonomics of portrait-orientation shooting more closely resemble those of shooting in landscape format. The camera no longer features a dedicated AFL button, instead gaining push-button joysticks for both the vertical and landscape shooting orientations. An additional rubberized lump has also been added to provide a better grip in the vertical orientation and an additional function button added next to the vertical shutter button.
Key Specifications:

•16.2 effective megapixel, full-frame sensor (16.6MP total)
•10fps shooting with AF and AE, 11fps with focus and exposure locked, 24fps 2.5MP grabs
•91,000 pixel sensor for metering, white balance, flash exposure, face detection and active d-lighting
•ISO Range 100-12,800 (extendable from 50 – 204,800)
•MultiCAM 3500FX Autofocus sensor works in lower light and with smaller apertures
•Two sub-selector joystick/buttons for shooting orientation
•1080p30 HD video at up to 24Mbps with uncompressed video output
•New EN-EL18 battery (21.6Wh capacity, CIPA-rated at 2600 shots)
•Twin card slots - one Compact Flash and one XQD

Full review HERE

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Solat Sunat Istikharah

Seseorang yang menghadapi sesuatu soal yang bersifat mudah, sedang ia sendiri masih ragu-ragu mana sebaiknya dilakukan, maka di sunatkan mengerjakan solat yang bukan termasuk wajib.
  • Waktu yang terbaik ialah pada 2/3 malam (iaitu sekitar pukul 2 pagi). Bagaimana pun boleh dilakukan pada bila-bila masa dalam waktu yang di haruskan sembahyang contohnya selepas maghrib.
  • Niatnya “Sahaja aku sembahyang sunat istikharah dua rakaat kerana Allah ta’ala”.
  • Dalam rakaat pertama selepas Surah Al-Fatihah baca Surah Al-Kafirun atau apa-apa sahaja surah lain yang terbaik kita boleh baca.
  • Dalam rakaat kedua selepas Surah Al-Fatihah baca Surah Al-Ikhlas atau apa-apa sahaja surah lain yang terbaik kita boleh baca.
Niat Solat Istikharah
 "Sengaja aku mengerjakan sembahyang istikharah dua rakaat kerana Allah Ta’ala"



Doa Solat Istikharah


“Ya Allah, saya memohonkan pilihan menurut pengetahuanMu dan memohonkan penetapan dengan kesuasaanMu juga saya memohonkan kurniaMu yang besar, sebab sesungguhnya Engkaulah yang Maha Mengetahui dan saya tidak mengetahui apa-apa. Engkau Maha Mengetahui segala yang ghaib. Ya Allah, jikalau di dalam ilmuMu bahawa urusan saya ini……..baik untukku dalam agamaku, kehidupanku serta akibat urusanku, maka takdirkanlah untukku dan mudahkanlah serta berikanlah berkah kepadaku di dalamnya. Sebaliknya jikala di dalam ilmumu bahawa urusan ini buruk untukku, dalam agamaku, kehidupan serta akibat urusanku, maka jauhkanlah hal itu daripadaku dan jauhkanlah aku daripadanya serta takdirkanlah untukku yang baik-baik saja dimana saja adanya, kemudian puaskanlah hatiku dengan takdirMu itu.”




Bila di sebut sahaja Solat Istikharah kebanyakan di kalangan kita hanya terkenangkan ketika hendak memilih jodoh. Ia begitu sinonim sekali dalam membuat keputusan untuk memilih bakal teman hidup tidak kira bagi lelaki atau perempuan. Perkara ini mungkin berlaku kerana penekanan di kalangan sesetengah Ustaz dalam soal istikharah ini dikaitkan dengan memilih jodoh sahaja.

Sebenarnya amalan Solat Sunat Istikharah ini skopnya lebih luas. Kita kadang-kadang tidak diberikan peringatan dalam soal ini. Sedangkan amalan Solat Istikharah ini sangat-sangat di galakkan oleh Rasulullah sebagaimana disebut dalam hadis yang diriwayatkan oleh Imam Bukhari;

Mahfum Hadis: Dari Jabir ra., ia berkata: “Nabi pernah mengajarkan kepada kami Istikharah dalam berbagai urusan, seperti mengajarkan sebuah surah dalam Al Quran. Kalau seseorang dari kamu menghendaki sesuatu, maka hendaklah ia solat dua rakaat, kemudian berdoa:

“Ya Allah! Aku mohon pemilihan Mu menerusi pengetahuan Mu dan aku mohon kekuatan Mu menerusi kudrat Mu serta aku minta pada Mu sebahagian dari limpah kurnia Mu yang sangat besar. Sesungguhnya Engkau amat berkuasa sedangkan aku tidak berkuasa, Engkau amat mengetahui sedangkan aku tidak mengetahui dan sesungguhnya Engkau amat mengetahui segala yang ghaib. Ya Allah kiranya Engkau mengetahui bahawa perkara ini adalah baik bagiku dalam urusan agama ku juga dalam urusan penghidupan ku serta natijah pada urusan ku, kini dan akan datang, maka tetapkan lah ia bagi ku dan permudahkanlah ia untukku, serta berkatilah daku padanya. Dan kiranya Engkau mengetahui bahawa perkara ini membawa kejahatan kepadaku dalam urusan agamaku, juga dalam urusan penghidupanku dan natijah urusanku, kini dan akan datang, maka elakkanlah ia dariku dan tetapkanlah kebaikan untukku sebagaimana sepatutnya, kemudian jadikanlah daku meredhainya.”

Sumber: Oh! Islam

Canon EOS 60d VS Nikon D7000

And the winner with 90 points is..........~
The sexy, lovely, handsome and trully The NIKON D7000

"The 'feel' of the new camera is far closer to the D300S though, thanks to its heavy-duty magnesium alloy construction."
dpreview.com talking about the D7000's build-quality

"The D7000's Live View is certainly quite functional as a basic means of framing for stills and video shooting, as long as you understand its limitations"
dpreview.com talking about the D7000's video-quality

Reason to buy Nikon D7000:
  • Great image quality
  • Wide dynamic range (13.9EV)
  • Movie continuous focus
  • Great color depth (23.5 bits)
  • Autofocus shooting video


And many claps for the looooooooooooooser with 78 points...~
Poor you.... The Canon EOS 60D

"Excellent image quality up to ISO settings unthinkable just one camera generation ago"
dpreview.com talking about the 60D's image-quality

"It may have turned its back on the semi-pro, but the 60D is still a camera that should enthuse the enthusiasts."
dpreview.com talking about the 60D's overall-performance

Reason to buy Canon EOS 60d:
  • Flip out screen
  • Fast shutter speed (1/8000 per second)

SOURCE

*p/s: for canon users, please don't mad at me. because this review is based on the link provided... :p

Dream about this sexy body...~

The Nikon D300s


The Nikon D300 made quite an impact when it was first launched - enough to prompt us to conclude: 'There's simply no better semi-professional digital SLR on the market.' And, in many respects, it is still the camera to beat in that class - nearly two years later and it is still able to command essentially the same price as at launch (though the strong Yen has pushed all prices up). And this success appears to have left Nikon unsure how to improve on its APS-C flagship.

Although the many of the additions to the D300S are simply those that we've seen appear on Nikons since the D300 arrived (virtual horizon from the D3, movies from the D90), one genuinely new feature is the inclusion of contrast-detection autofocus that operates while in movie mode - a first for a Nikon DSLR. It's not the quickest focusing you'll ever see, though, and you'll also need to make use of the external mic socket if you're to avoid the distant generator chuntering or asthmatic rodent sounds that autofocus motors seem to so accurately mimic.

The D300S inherits the non-latched memory card door we first saw on the D700, but now with both a CF and SD slot behind it. As you'd expect at this level, the exact behaviour of how the camera writes to the two cards can be defined: use one after the other, write backups to the second card, RAW and JPEG to different cards or split stills and videos. In fact many of the changes make the D300S even more similar to the D700, including Nikon's now-standard multi controller with separate central button that, on this camera, initiates movie recording when in live view.

The continuous shooting speed has been given a bit of a boost, with the camera now capable of shooting at 7fps using its own battery and 8fps with the MB-D10 battery grip. The settings display screen is now, in line with most current DSLRs, interactive, allowing most shooting settings to be changed more quickly, a couple of extra Active D-Lighting options ('Auto' and 'Extra High') have been thrown in too. Finally the 'Quiet' drive mode first seen on the D5000 also makes an appearance.

However the arrival of the distinctly pro-targetted Canon EOS 7D and the accomplished but more wallet-friendly Pentax K-7 could make Nikon's gentle refresh of the D300 look insufficient. (Due to the similarities between the two cameras, some product images come from the D300 review)

Nikon D300S vs. D300 feature and specification differences

•720p / 24 fps HD video recording
•External stereo sound input
•Basic in-camera movie editing
•Faster 7 fps continuous shooting (6 fps on the D300)
•Dual CF and SD card slots (CF only on the D300)
•Quiet release mode
•D3 style multi-controller on the camera rear
•Interactive settings display screen
•Dedicated Live View button (LV is a drive mode on the D300)
•Dedicated Info button
•Type C HDMI interface (Type A on the D300)
•Auto and Extra High Active D-Lighting options
•Virtual horizon
•In-camera editing (RAW resizing)


Nikon D300S Key Features

•13.1 megapixel DX-format CMOS sensor (effective pixels: 12.3 million)
•720p HD video
•3.0" LCD monitor (920,000 dots)
•Image sensor cleaning (sensor shake)
•51 AF points (with 3D tracking)
•IS0 200-3200 range (6400 expanded)
•7 frames per second continuous shooting (buffer: 17 RAW, 44 JPEG fine, 100 JPEG Normal)
•Expeed image processing
•Picture Controls - image parameters consistent with all current Nikon DSLRs
•Same EN-EL3e battery as D300
•72 thumbnail view in playback
•14-bit A/D conversion
•Super fast operation (power-up 13 ms, shutter lag 45 ms, black-out 100 ms)
•Shutter life 150,000 exposures
•Multi-CAM3500DX 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
•Compact Flash UDMA support
•Live View with either phase detect (mirror up/down) or contrast detect Auto Focus
•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

Full specification review please click here

Fell like to sing "I'M SEXY AND I KNOW IT"...~
Will get this body later... :)

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Sigma 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSM


The Sigma APO 120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG telephoto zoom lens is an outstanding lens in this category, an excellent optical performer with Optical Stabilization and a high speed Hyper-Sonic Motor to help you shoot amazing photos. Three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide optimum color correction & sharpness throughout the entire zoom range. Rear focusing system corrects for fluctuation of aberration due to focusing. Compatible with the Sigma APO Tele converters. Its reach relative to its size makes handheld photography easy to track moving subjects and it fits easily in most common camera bags for the ultimate convenience. Its close-up focusing ability makes it handy for shots of small objects such as flowers without having to change lenses. Outstanding photographs are always the outcome.



Mounted with Nikon D90

For full specification review, please visit here

Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC HSM


It’s important to have a high quality ultra-wide angle zoom in a lens kit. Sigma's 10-20mm F4-5.6 EX DC ultra-wide zoom lens for digital SLR cameras is ideal for landscape photography, building interiors, group and party pictures and so much more. Great for working with close foreground subjects as this lens features a minimum focusing distance of 9.4” at all focal lengths ensuring great creative potential. The wide angle view of up to 102º also offers greater freedom of expression.




For full specification review, please visit here
Planning for this lens later... ~:)

Sigma 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM


Sigma’s 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM is high quality, professional optics and you’ll know it the minute you pick it up. In the past few years, camera manufacturers have overlooked the need for a reasonable fast prime lens that is compact enough for everyday use, yet provides the necessary image quality to meet the highest expectations. Now, with the advent of the APS-c cameras, the long popular 50mm focal length takes on double duty as a portrait length lens of approximately 90mm on most of the small chip cameras. At a fraction of the size, weight and cost of comparable lenses, this is a lens that you might have on your digital SLR at all times.


Mounted with Nikon D60

For full spec of this lens, please visit here

Do view the sample pix that i shoot with sexy lens... :P

Happy 12th Birthday to AIFA


Hero Malaya

ADAM




DANIEL

The very new Nikon D800

There's a lot of hyperbole in the camera industry, but every now and then it is justified. Specifically, we have no problem with describing the FX format Nikon D800 as one of the most keenly anticipated DSLRs in a long time. Coming a full 3 1/2 years after its predecessor the D700, Nikon's newest DSLR offers a significantly more advanced feature set, including a pixel count of 36.3MP that - for now at least - bests the competition by a comfortable margin, and is comparable only with high-end medium format digital equipment.

Released in 2008 the D700 was Nikon's first enthusiast-oriented full-frame DSLR. The D3, Nikon's company's first ever full-frame DSLR, set new standards for speed and low light image quality when it was released in 2007 and the D700 combined the D3's versatile 12.1MP FX format sensor and 51-point AF system in a smaller body at a lower price.

Products don't exist in a vacuum though, and in the same timeframe, Canon launched the 21MP EOS-1Ds Mark III and 5D Mark II - both full-frame, and in the case of the enthusiast-oriented 5D II, able to shoot video as well as stills. Nikon retook the baton for highest resolution with the 24MP D3X towards the end of 2008, but at a list price of $8000 it was (and remains) firmly out of reach for the majority of non-professional photographers.

Since then, Nikon has refreshed its professional lineup with the more versatile D3S, which has been followed by the significantly improved 16MP D4. It has upgraded the D300 to the video-equipped D300S and introduced the feature-rich 16MP D7000. As 2011 gave way to 2012, the new functionality introduced by all these models - with video becoming increasingly important - was starting to leave the D700 looking a little long in the tooth.

But now the waiting is over - the D800 will go on sale in March for $3000, roughly half the price of the 16MP D4 but at 36.3MP eclipsing the more expensive camera in terms of output size and comfortably leapfrogging Nikon's flagship, the 24MP D3X, too.

Apart from their sensors, the D800 and D4 are very similar (see the 'Key Technology' page of this preview for a detailed breakdown). Although the D800 offers a much slower maximum framerate at full resolution (4fps, compared to 11fps in the D4) and lacks some of the pro-oriented 'frills' like built-in Ethernet connectivity, it shares the same revamped 51-point AF system, effective down to -2EV, the same processing engine and almost exactly the same highly advanced video mode.

For more than three years Nikon has watched as Canon cornered the enthusiast DSLR video market with the EOS 5D Mark II, but with the D800 it is clearly hoping to advance into this territory and capture some much-needed (and increasingly valuable) ground.


Compared to D700: Specification highlights

•36.3MP CMOS sensor (compared to 12.1MP)
•15.3MP DX-format capture mode (compared to 5MP)
•25MP 1.2x Crop mode
•51-point AF system with 15 cross-type sensors, rated to -2EV* (compared to -1EV)
•ISO 100-6400 extendable to ISO 25,600 equiv (same as D700)
•1080p video at 30, 25 or 24 frames per second, up to 24Mbps, with uncompressed HDMI output and audio monitoring options*
•3.2", 921,000 dot LCD with anti-fog layer* (compared to 3in, 921k-dot)
•Maximum 4fps continuous shooting in FX mode, 6fps in DX mode** (compared to 8fps in FX mode)
•Advanced Scene Recognition System with 91,000 pixel metering sensor* (compared to 1005-pixel)
•'Expeed 3' Image Processing*
•Dual-axis Virtual Horizon (on LCD screen/viewfinder)* (compared to single-axis)

* Same or almost identical to Nikon D4
** Maximum frame rate in DX mode is dependant on power source


The D800 shares basically the same form factor as its predecessor the D700. Both models have a built-in flash and lack the integrated vertical grip of Nikon's top-end DSLRs, which is available instead via an accessory battery grip. There are differences though - some minor, some major.

The most obvious difference from the perspective of core functionality are a massive increase in resolution, from 12 to 36MP, which comes with a significant boost in processing power, and the addition of video mode. The D800's video mode is lifted almost completely from the professional D4 and boasts 1080p30 resolution with the option to output uncompressed footage via HDMI.

The ergonomic changes that have resulted from the inclusion of video are the addition of a video/stills live view mode control on the rear, plus a direct movie shooting button on the top plate. Amongst other refinements, a D7000/D4-style integrated AF mode/function control can be found on the front of the camera, and the door covering the ports on the side of the D800 is now hinged, and stays open when opened rather than flapping annoyingly against your fingers when you try to plug in accessories. The D800's LCD screen is slightly larger than the D700's, at 3.2 inches, but resolution remains unchanged. We're not all that excited by a Picture Style button on the D800's rear but we can see it being useful, especially - again - for videographers.

Compared to the Canon EOS 5D Mark II



The most obvious difference between the D800 and the Canon EOS 5D Mark II is that the D800 has a built-in flash whereas the 5D II doesn't. But look beneath the surface and there are a lot of other distinctions. Comparing the two models in detail it is obvious that the 5D Mark II is a 'first generation' video-enabled DSLR, and in some respects a distinctly 'last generation' stills camera, too (which isn't so surprising given that it was released around the same time as the D700).

As both a stills and video camera the EOS 5D Mark II is outclassed - at least on paper - by the D800. The Canon's 9-point AF system was borrowed from the original EOS 5D, released in 2005, and wasn't particularly impressive even then. The D800 offers a 51-point AF system which operates down to -2EV, roughly a 70% higher total pixel count, as well as a useful DX (APS-C) crop mode which captures 15.3MP stills. The 5D Mark II is a very capable video camera, but it lacks both the uncompressed HDMI output of the D800, and an audio monitoring function - both features that are potentially very attractive to advanced videographers.

Full review in HERE
Nikonian here...~ :p

Monday, February 27, 2012

Nikon D7000


My new Nikon D7000

When it was announced in September the D7000 took a lot of people by surprise. Although a D90 successor had been on the horizon for some time, what wasn't expected was how close in specification terms the new camera would turn out to be to the D300S. In some respects, in fact, the D7000 actually outguns its (supposedly) semi-pro cousin, and offers a compelling upgrade option to both D90 and D300S owners, whilst nominally sitting between the two in Nikon's current lineup.

Although ergonomically, the D7000 is a very close match for the D90, its overall 'feel' is considerably more serious, thanks to a magnesium alloy body shell and slightly thicker rubber coating on the hand grip and rear of the camera. At 16.2Mp the D7000 offers the second highest resolution of any Nikon DSLR, behind only the 24Mp D3X. All of these pixels are packed onto a newly developed CMOS sensor, which is almost certainly the same or very similar to that in the Sony Alpha SLT-A55. As well as extra resolution, the new sensor also offers a higher 'standard' ISO span of 100-6400, expandable up to the equivalent of ISO 25,600.

The D7000's AF and metering systems are also new, and represent a significant upgrade to those used in the D90. The new camera boasts a 39-point AF array with 9 cross-type AF points and works in collaboration with a new 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor to allow 3D AF tracking (essentially tracking by subject color, explained here). Other changes include the same combined live view/movie switch control as the 3100, and a significantly upgraded movie specification, up to 'full HD' - 1920x1080 resolution at 24fps. Unlike the D90, the D7000 can also maintain AF during live view and movie shooting, thanks to its AF-F ('full time') AF mode.

D90 owners have been waiting for a replacement camera for a while, and although the D90 isn't set for retirement quite yet, the D7000 certainly represents a compelling upgrade. It took longer than we'd hoped for a production D7000 to be supplied to us, but now that we've had one for a a few weeks we've been able to produce an in-depth review. Read on to find out what we think of Nikon's newest DSLR.



Nikon D7000 Key Features

•16.2MP CMOS sensor
•1080p HD video recording with mic jack for external microphone
•ISO 100-6400 (plus H1 and H2 equivalent to ISO 12,800/25,600)
•39-point AF system with 3D tracking
•New 2016 pixel metering sensor
•Scene Recognition System (see 2016 pixel sensor, above) aids WB/metering + focus accuracy
•Twin SD card slots
•3.0 inch 921k dot LCD screen
•New Live View/movie shooting switch
•Full-time AF in Live View/movie modes
•Up to 6fps continuous shooting
•Lockable drive mode dial
•Built-in intervalometer
•Electronic virtual horizon
•Shutter tested to 150K actuations

Nikon D7000 and Nikon D90: Key differences

The D7000 sits above the D90 in Nikon's current lineup, and as befits its new position in the range, the D7000 combines elements of the D90 with elements of the D300S - Nikon's current APS-C flagship. The most obvious physical clue to its new position is a magnesium alloy body shell, which up to now has been reserved for Nikon's top-end APS-C and full frame cameras.

'Under the hood' though the differences are legion - a new 16.2MP CMOS sensor, dual card slots, a new 39-point AF array, 'true' HD movie mode with full-time AF and more customization options, some of which are inherited from Nikon's professional DSLRs. Like the D90, the D7000 supports AF with Nikon's older AF and AF-D lenses (lower-end models are limited to compatibility with AF-S and AF-I optics only) but additionally, because the D7000 has an Ai indexing tab on its lens mount, up to 9 'non-CPU' lenses can also be registered with the camera.

This allows the use of virtually any Ai specification or later lens to be used in aperture priority or manual mode with the D7000, with almost no loss of functionality (apart from AF). Novice DSLR users might never look beyond the horizons offered by their kit lenses, but for the enthusiast, legacy support like this could well be a deal-clincher.


•Higher resolution sensor (16.2MP vs. 12.3MP)
•Choice of 12-bit or 14-bit NEF (RAW)
•1080p HD movie mode
•Limited movie editing functionality
•AF possible during video shooting
•Live View switch (basically the same as D3100)
•Faster AF in live view mode.
•Twin SD card slots
•Non-CPU lens data function (allows registration of up to 9 non-G lenses with manual apertures)
•Magnesium alloy body shell
•Wider ISO span (100-25,600 including 'H1' and 'H2')
•Newly developed 39-point AF system
•'Quiet' single frame advance mode
•'Proper' mirror lock-up (as distinct from 'exposure delay mode')
•Lockable drive mode dial
•Higher maximum frame rate (6fps) with a Continuous Lo shooting option (1-5fps)
•100% viewfinder
•Choice of 12-bit or 14-bit NEF (RAW) recording in compressed or lossless compressed formats
•Up to 9 'non-CPU' lenses can be registered (same as D300s/D3s/D3X)
•New EN-EL15 lithium-ion battery
•New MB-D11 battery pack (magnesium alloy construction)

You can read the full review here
Highly recommended :)