Wildlife Photography across the Water: Nikon D7000 problems

Saturday 4 December 2010

Nikon D7000 problems

As with all cameras these days within minutes of people getting the first batch problems are strewn all over the internet-some real and most user error, Well some are easy to test for and one of the biggest problems D7000 owners are finding are hot pixels when using movie mode, Live view or long exposures like night shots, I have not tested my camera until today and yes i have 4 bright pixels clearly visible on my screen when in LV, Nikon have now made an announcement that a firmware upgrade is under way to 'sort' the problem, Now Martin and myself and said many times before that if you are silly enough to get the first production batches of a new product not only will you pay top prices but you WILL have teething problems as you are in essence the final Beta testers, I have shot nearly 4000 images since purchasing the D7000 and i must admit its doesn't seem as easy to get a critically sharp image as with say the 12mp Nikon bodies, I think this is due to the size and amount of pixels on the sensor but after some playing around with settings i have found that by using a faster shutter speed than i would normally get away with sorts the image softness and in fact many people on forums saying that they are having focus problems can be easily cured by using a higher shutter speed and refining your technique, One problem with having more pixels on any camera is that it shows the flaws in the cheaper lenses and using 'pro' glass makes a tremendous difference which is why i have said for years that 6-8 mp cameras should still be used for lower end bodies as people new to photography don't want to or cannot afford the best glass and why should they, But pixels seem to sell cameras so by having more and more pixels you need better glass, bigger hard drives and cards and faster computers-its not a win win situation, I think with the technology in pixles/sensors now an 8 mp cropped or FF camera would be an amazing tool, But i cant see it happening, So there are lessons to be learnt here, If you must have the lastest cameras then learn to live with the fact that problems will be a fact of life until one or 2 firmware upgrades have come out, By that time prices will have fallen as stock becomes readily available and then its the best time to upgrade

Dave

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Bio's

David Courtenay, a self taught wildlife and nature photographer, has been capturing images for over 30 years. He has had a passion for wildlife since early childhood and remembers being glued to the television whenever Survival, Wildlife on One and other natural history documentaries were shown. In the 2006 he swapped his established career for the life of a wildlife photographer, such a move demands a measure of uncompromising passion and commitment.

David has travelled extensively throughout Europe as well as spending more than 7 months in India working with local guides and trackers in search of Bengal Tiger, Asian One horned Rhino and Asian Elephant. He has also photographed Wildlife in Australia, Malaysia, Thailand, Sumatra, Africa, Canada and America. Working closely with Conservation companies he tries to raise funds to help Wildlife that has been put on the endangered list by poaching and habitation loss

Martin Dyer has had a passion for avian wildlife since childhood, particularly raptors. Photography was also another keen interest and it was with the specific availability and control of the whole process that digital offers that Martin was then able to combine the two in 2003. Based in the UK, Martin is a regular visitor to Scotland, specifically the Isle of Mull to watch the Eagles resident there. Other trips to Europe and around the UK are usually part of Martin’s agenda in a typical year.

However, as a firm believer on making the most of the local patch, Martin has spent a lot of time and hard work creating a wildlife garden which is reaping the rewards with many new species and varieties of wildlife. A keen member of a number of wildlife photographic groups, Martin is keen to expand his portfolio into other areas of wildlife, and has already established a wide portfolio of images of fungi.