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   EQUIPMENT SHOWCASE

 

Sigma 300-800 F5.6

 

Nikkor 1200 F11 AIS   (sold)

 

 

400 F5.6 Nikkor P

 

 

Vivitar 800 F8

 

    Collectible:

   

Contax IIIA   

 

  Nippon Kogaku

 

 

18 F4 Nikkor

 

 

200 F4 Nikkor Q

 

Configs. 

    KITS:

 

 

 

     

 

 
Local - Landscape Local - Wildlife

Travel - Wildlife

Extreme - Wildlife

 

 A/P Commuter - CRJ+    5.5
 Z7II + 100-400 Tam.    3.8
 Z7 + 24-200 Nikon Z    3.25
 Z7 + 14-30 Nikon Z    3.25
 17-70 Sigma C + FTZ    xx
 TC-Z 1.4x    0.5
 Ext Tube Z    0.5
        (Actual wt.)   19.6

 

  Tamrac Backpack 787    7.5
  D850 + 150-600 G2    5.7
  Z7 + 35-150 Tamron    3.0
  Z7 + 14-30 Nikon    2.4
  Tamron 1.4x    0.5
    
    
     19.1
      
      
      
      
      
        
    
    
      
      
      
      
      
        
    
    

 

     

 

 
Travel - Landscape

 (Smokey Mtns)

 Weekend 

Travel - Wildlife

 (Orlando Birds)

 Extreme - Wildlife

 (Kachemak Bald Eagles)

 

  Accelerator (fits 737)    5.5
  D850 + 100-400 Tam.    3.8
  Z7 + 24-105 A Sigma    3.25
  Z7 + 17-70 Sigma  C    xx
  14-30 Nikon    xx
  Tamron 1.4x    0.5
    
     16.45

 

  Tamrac Backpack 787    7.5
  D850 + 150-600 G2    5.7
  Z7 + 14-30 Nikon    2.4
  Z7 + 35-150 Tamron    3.0
  Tamron 1.4x    0.5
    
    
     19.1
  Acceleration 2  ( 737)    5.5
  D850 + 150 - 600 G2    5.7
  Z7 + 35-150  Tamron    3.0
  Z7 + 14-30 Nikon    2.4
      
  Sony RX100-II IR    0.6
    

     Actual Wt. (ex Surface)

   24.2
  Antedote v2 (fits CRJ)    5.5
  D850+bat + 150-600 G2    7.9
  Z7 + 24 - 120 Nikon    2.4
  P1000    3.1
  Tamron 1.4x    0.5
    
    
    19.4

 

 

    Accessories:

 

A Step Beyond

Bag Swap

In-Field Bag   (Carry-on)

     

 -  Graduated ND filter:  82 mm 3X soft   

  -  Select filter size fold. (Pol. / 4 stop)

  -  2 Remote Releases (850 / Z7)

  -  Hoodman Loupe

  -  Flash light

 

 

  -  Slik Pro 724CF / level / Acratech

  -  Sony RX100 II - Infrared

 

 

   Croakies
   Liner Gloves
   Gortex hat
   Knee Pad

   Rag

   Gaffers tape / Rubber Bands

   Suntan lotion

   Deet 30 wipes

   Band-Aids

  

 

  Sun  /  Reading glasses / Croakies
  Cold Glove / Lte Glove / Chem Warm
  Gortex Hat / Warm Hat / Neck Warmer
  Packable rain pants & hoodie

  Totes Umb.
  Micro fiber cloth  / Towel  
  Bonine / Band-Aids

  Selfie stick

  Bottled Water (at location)  

 

  

 

   Mirrorless / DSLR Properties:
 

 

          DSLR Physical Specs Comparisons    (non tested performance)
 

Z7 (*)

Z7 II

D850

D750

D500

D7200
 Introduced: 2018 2020 2017 2014 2017 2015
 Coverage:  FF  FF FF FF DX DX
 MP: 45.7 45.7 45.7 24.3 20.9 24
 Low Pass Filter: No No No No No No
 FPS: 5.5 / 9 10 7 / 9 6.5 12 6
 Buffer: (Raw/JPG) 23 77  na / 200    na / 200  97 / 200
 Auto ISO: Yes Yes Yes No ? No
 Hi Lite Wtd Meter: Yes Yes Yes no yes no
 DXO / ISO: 99 / 2668   100 / 2660 93 / 2956 84 / 1324 87 / 1333
 7 Stop DR min:     3,200 ISO      
             
 Memory Card: XQD CFe XQD / SD XQD / SD         
 Battery: EN-EL 15A/B EN-EL 15C EN-EL 15A EN-EL 15A EN-EL 15A EN-EL 15A
 Battery Life: 330 360   1230    
 Weight: (lbs) 1.29 1.29 2.01 1.7 1.68 1.49

       (*) Z7 at 9FPS locks exposure and won't shoot 14 bit RAW.  JPG and 12 bit RAW OK.

 

  

 

   BODY SETUP:   (Also see bottom and TECHNICAL for more advanced settings.)

 

New Body Setup - Hardware

New Body Setup - Settings

D500 Auto Fine Tune

    

(Chg. battery / format mem. card)
  
Install hard, back LCD cover.
Install generic camera strap.
Gaffer tape over front ID.
Install auto twist & release plate.
Place body ID label on prism.
Place owner ID label somewhere.
Add bubble level to hot shoe.
Record serial number.
  
Copyright 2020 Michael F Dougherty All rights reserved.

    

        

     Back LCD - stay on 5 sec.

         View "highlights".

         View "Histogram".

     Meter Mode - Multi Segment

     Drive Mode: H

     Auto Focus- single point

          Auto Focus - Continuous

     Turn image rotation off    

     Focus Peaking  

     Define FN2 button as DOF Preview   

     Pencil ... shooting mode ... 100%

    Histogram in Live View   

         (LV ... OK ... INFO)   1st time only

 

 

 1) "Single point focus" and "AF-S"  (A10)
 2) Place on tripod and "manual focus"
 3) Hold down "AF Mode" (bottom left) and
      "Video Record" (top right) for 2 sec.
 4) "Wrench" "auto fine tune" for value
 5) Perform test 12 times ...median & enter

     (Put back on AF-C when done.)

 

  
  
  
  

 

Z7 Settings of Note

Z7 Assign Exp. Bkt to Fn1 Button

Z7 Assign Preview to Fn2 Button

    

  PHOTO SHOOTING MENU

      ISO Sensitivity Settings - Auto ISO

  CUSTOM SETTING MENU

     a3 - Focus Tracking with Lock On
     a4 - Eye Detection
     c2 - Self-timer

  SETUP MENU

     Format  Card / Clean Sensor

    

  Custom Setting Menu
  F - Controls
  F2 - Custom Control Assignment
  Fn1 Button   (top left)
  Bkt

  

   
   

  Custom Setting Menu
  F - Controls
  F2 - Custom Control Assignment
  Fn2 Button   (top right)
  Preview

  

   
   

RX100 II - IR

 

D850 Label

    

    - Place camera in P (red) mode
  MENU
    - Image size:  L:20M
    - Quality: Fine

    - Focus mode: single shot AF

    - ISO: ISO Auto

    - White Balance: Auto WB

    - Picture Effect: High Contrast Mono

 

 

  Auto ISO:

     Manual Mode

     Press ISO button, turn front command dial

  Highlight Weighted Matrix Metering:

     Press MATRIX button  (upper left on body)

     Turn command dial to (*).

P1000 Setup

                P1000

 

      BIRDS     (No RAW in BIRDS MODE - JPG only):

         MACROS:

   

        (Turn  MODE DIAL to "S" (Shutter priority)

        Image Quality ... RAW + F

        Image Size ... 16m

        Metering ... matrix

        Continuous ... S (Single)

       AF Area Mode ... Subject Tracking

       Autofocus Mode ... AF-F  (Full Time Autofocus)

       Startup Zoom Position ... 135

   

       Use Viewfinder to change SHUTTER SPEED

     

     (Turn  MODE DIAL to SCENE)

        Menu ... Scene ... Close Up ... NORM Single Shot

                       Scene ... Image Quality ... Fine

                       Scene ...  Image Size ... 16m 

 

 

        Menu ... Wrench ... Format Card

      

 

 

   Z7 Essential Functions:      (Quick Field Reference)

    

 

 Auto ISO shortcut:

 While pressing ISO button on top ..... Turn front command dial.  (Only ISO or Auto ISO)

 Exp. Auto Bracket Shortcut:

 Select FN1 button on front right of body above FN2

 Focus peaking:

 Select FN2 button on front right of body above FN1

 Highlight Wtd Matrix:

 "i" button ..... Metering   

 2 Second Delay:

 "i" button ..... Release Mode   

 Eye AF:

  "i" button ..... Autofocus .....   

  Menu ..... Custom Setting Menu ..... (a4) Eye Detection  ..

   

   

 Assign EXP BRACKET to FN1

 Menu ..... Custom Setting Menu ..... Controls ..... Custom Control Assign ..... Bkt

 Assign FOCUS PEAK to FN2

 Menu ..... Custom Setting Menu ..... Controls ..... Custom Control Assign ..... Focus Peaking

 

 

 Auto ISO setup:

 Shooting Menu ..... ISO Sensitivity Settings ..... Auto Sensitivity Auto IS ..... ON or OFF

 Back Button AF setup:

 Menu ..... Custom Setting Menu ..... (a) Autofocus ..... (a7) AF-ON only ..... Enable

 Focus Peaking setup: 

 Menu ..... Custom Setting Menu ..... (d) Shoot & Display ..... (d10) Peaking Highlights .....

  

 

 

   LENS  REVIEWS:

 

Parameters:

Tamron 100-400 vs Sigma 100-400

Sigma Lens Settings

          1. Resolution (3D quality)

          2. Contrast

          3. Micro Contrast

          4. Lens flare

          5. Bokeh

          6. Clarity

          7. Continuity

          8. Manual focus override

        10. Auto focus while zooming

        11. Close Focus

        12. Focus shift / breathing

        13. Weight

        14. Aperture change in Live View

 

  100-400 Tamron Sigma
  Aperture:  4.5-6.3 5.0-6.3
  Resolution:  V. Good V. Good
  Flare: Good Good
  Lens Correct:  V. Good V. Good
  Bokeh:  OK

OK
  AF: V. Good OK
  AF Over ride: V. Good OK
  Stabilization: V. Good Hmm
  Close Focus: 4.9' / 1:3.8 5.25' / 1:3.6
  Close-up Res:  Good V. Good
  Tripod Collar: Yes No
  Weight: (lbs) 2.45 2.55
  DXO Score na na

 

   

Before adjusting lens, compare images taken through viewfinder versus

through "live view" at sensor.   

             

  Sigma 150-600 S

         FAR
150 10 12 14 14
300 8 7 7 7
450 2 2 2 2
600 2 9 14 0

  

 

 

   Lens Specs - Wide Angle:

* = z7 Compatible 

  

 

Z 14-30 *

Z 24-120

F 16-35 *

Sig 24-105 *

Tam 35-150 *

 Z 50 1.8

 Max Aperture: F4 F4 F4 F4 F2.8-4 F1.8
 Introduced: 2019 2021 2010 2013 2019  
 Coverage: FF FF FF FF FF FF
 Retractable: yes   no yes yes  
 Glass: 4 ED / 4 asph 16 / 13 2 ED / 3 asph 19 / 3 asph 19/14 3 LD 12 / 9
 Diaphragm: 7   9 9 9  
 Filter Thread: 82 77 77 82 77  
 Auto Focus: Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes +
 MF Override: Yes Yes Yes No    
 Stabilization: No   Yes Yes   Yes
 Weight: 1.07 1.4 1.5  1.95 1.74  14.64 oz
 Close Focus: 11.02" 13" 11.4" 1.48 ft. 1.48 ft 1.31 ft
                         
DXO / Sharp 24 / 17   25 / 19 28 / 25     44 / 37
Subjective Op. Awesome   OK Staple Pretty good  

   

 

 

   Lens Specs - Telephoto:

 

  

 

Tam 100-400

Z 100-400

 

 

Tam 150-600

 

 

 Max Aperture: F4.5 - 6.3 F4.5 - 5.6     F5 - 6.3    
 Introduced: 2017 2021     2014    
 Coverage: FF FF     FF    
 Retractable: Yes       Yes    
 Glass: 17/11 3 LD 25/20     21/13 3 LD    
 Diaphragm: 9 9     9    
 Filter Thread: 67 77     95    
 Auto Focus: Yes Yes     Yes    
 MF Override: Yes Yes     Yes    
 Stabilization: Yes yes     yes    
 Weight: 2.45 lbs 3.2 lbs     4.4 lbs    
 Close Focus: 4.9 ft 2.45 ft     7.2 ft    
                             
DXO / Sharp             22 / 16        
Subjective Op. Very Good Very Good     Very Good    

   

 

 

   BAGS & TRIPODS:

 

Think Tank Camera Bags on Planes

Tripods

xxx

 

Think

Tank

 

Accel

erator

Anti

dote

Com

muter
  Airline

737

CRJ

CRJ +
Tall: 22" 20.5" 17" 18"
Wide:  14" 14" 12" 12.5"
Deep:  9" 9" 7" 8.5"

 

 

         

 

   COMPUTER:

 

Post Processing Computer Specs

Software - Post process

 

    

           - Antec case

           - 650 watt power

           - i7-6700k 3.5ghz

           - Asus Z170 Delux LGA ATX Mother

           - EVGA GTx 970 4gb Video

           - Samsung Evo Pro 1TB SSD

           - 3 x WD 6tb Green HDs

           - DVD

           - Windows 7 pro 64

 

      

           - Photo Mechanic 5.0

           - Photoshop CC 15.5

           - Nik Collection

           - Pictocolor

           - Topaz - Noise AI / Sharpen AI

   

 

 

 

   TRAVEL:

 

Pre-trip Prep

Travel Docs

xxx

 

 1)  Charge batteries.
 2)  Format memory card.
 3)  Clean sensor.

 4)  RAW + Fine.

 5)  Aperture priority / Auto ISO.
 6)  ISO 200.
 7)  F11.        

 8)  Check Exposure compensation.

 9)  Check Bracketing.

10)  Check highlight weighted metering

       

 

Airline Itinerary
Hotel  Itinerary
Passport
Passport copy
  
Trip Insurance Doc.
Emergency Tele #
Currency / Tips Envelopes
 
(iPhone photo all )

 

 

   

 

 

   Electronics Pack:

 

 

 

 

   Other:

 

First Aid Kit

 

 

 

 1)  Bandaids
 2)  Bonine
 3)  Sun Tan Lotion

 4)  Ibuprofen & Aleve

 5)   

 6)  
 7)     

 8)  

 9)  

10)  Whistle

       

 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 

 

 

 

 

   Nikon MP History:                                          

 

 

 

MP

2002

 

 

2003

 

 

2004

D2H

4.1

2005

D2X

12.4

2006

 D200

10.2

2007

D300

12.3

2008

 

 

2009

 

 

2010

D7000

16.2

2011

 

 

2012

 

 

2013

D7100

 24.1

2014

D810

36.3

2015

D7200

24.2

2016

 D750

D500

24.3

20.9

2017

D850

45.6

2018

Z7

45.6

2019

 

 

2020

Z7 II

45.6

2021

 

 

2022

 Z9

 45.6

2023

 

 

2024

 

 
 

 

 

   Bodies:                                                            Lenses:                                              

 

 

DX

DX

DX

Other

 

FX

FX

2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2004

 

D2H

 

 

 

 

 

2005

 

D2X

 

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

D200

 

 

 

 

2007

 

D300

D200

 

 

 

 

2008

 

D700

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2010

 

D2000

D2000

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

A580

A77

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

A57

 

D800

 

2013

 

D7100

D7100

A77 II

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

A77 II

 

D810

 

2015

 D7200

 D7200

 

P900

 

 

 

2016

D500

 

 

RX100 4

 

D750

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

D850

D850

2018

 

 

 

P1000

 

Z7

 

2019

 

 

 

 

 

Z7

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

Z7II

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DX

DX

DX

Other

2002

 

 

 

 

2003

 

 

 

 

2004

 

 

 

 

2005

 

 

 

 

2006

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

2010

 

 

 

 

2011

 

 

 

 

2012

 

 

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

 

 

2015

 

 

 

 

2016

 

 

 

 

2017

 

 

 

 

2018

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

 

2020

  Z 14-30

  Z 24-200

 

 

2020

  Z MC 105

  Z 50 F1.8

  Z 85 F1.8

 

2021

  Z 24-120

  Z 100-400

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

2024