Latest purchase

Well I headed to Calumet to pick up a Pelican case for an upcoming trip (more on that in later post), and ended up also picking up a Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8G IF-ED AF-S DX lens. This is a lens I have been trying to acquire for several months now and it has been out of stock everywhere. Imagine my surprise when they told me they had one in stock and after some searching and clearing up a potential "on hold" problem, I was pulling out the credit card.

This lens is sweet and will be used for the first time on a family portrait shot Friday night. Still working on the sell list.

I think I'll hold off on new photo equipment until I sell what I'm not using. However, I have been upgrading all computer systems. I purchased a new Dell 2400 for family use. Next, I will be upgrading two Macintosh laptops.

Bad start

This morning didn't start out very well. Headed to office to build Philly.com home page and was unable to get to the site. In fact, no Knight Ridder sites would come up. Made the requisite calls and was assured everything was fine. Well, except for the fact that I couldn't update the page. So the good news was everyone could get to Philly.com, but they would see yesterday's page.

Pulled chocks and headed to Panera Bread and their free WiFi, decent coffee and bagels.

After an hour, success and the home page has been published. Getting a refill on coffee.

All's well that ends well, and besides the atmosphere is nicer here, then being alone at work.

SB-800's arrive

My additional two Nikon SB 800 Speedlight's arrived yesterday as promised from B&H photo and initial tests confirm that wireless TTL lighting has never been easier. Using myself as a subject, I placed an SB-800 behind me with diffusion dome on and pointing straight up. The second SB-800 was placed to my right and pointed directly at me. The third unit was placed on camera with a diffusion dome and bounced from a white ceiling. I experimented with various exposure adjustments on the remote units and after about 10 minutes had a nicely lit portrait.

Look forward to posting more details (and photos) once a get a subject other than myself. Sad isn't it. In the mean time visit Dave Black Photography and check out his Workshop at the Ranch.

Taking the plunge

Well, I did it. I just purchased two more Nikon SB-800 flash units, bringing the total to three. This should allow me to make some very nice location portraits. It also means I have two flash units to sell. A SB-26 and a SB-28. Both very nice units and in fine condition. I also have a SC-17 cord for sale, since I had to upgrade to a SC-28. Nikon will get you every time.

Now I just need some folks to test all this out on, before I begin to earn my money back.

Opening day

It is my hope that as I join the increasingly crowded world of blogging, I will be able to add something unique or at least a little entertaining, even if only to myself.