Nikon Vs Canon. Battle of the Giants :dltphoto

I have decided to do a  Nikon Vs Canon Face Off, since no one else has anything definitive on the internet about these two global photographic giants. Corporate advertising from both sides have given me the nod to proceed at no expense spared and have provided for me the two models I will be using in this challenge. The Nikon D7000 with 18-105VR and the Canon Powershot 520HS

Vastly unfair I hear you all yelling, "this guy shoots Nikon so he's going to bias them, this review is a crock of $#!@.". You would think this to be true but really I am not paid by either of these international companies. I just want, you the people, to be informed about my findings from my point of view.

A very quick run down of these two companies for those who aren't familiar:

Nikon ( Nick-On or Nye-Kon), Generally make black cameras and label them with a white "Nikon" logo.
Canon ( Ka-Non), Mix black with some dirty "off white" components with a strip of Red for the bulk of its products.
Now that you are all up to speed lets get on with the testing.

Diesel meets Water: dltphogr.am

http://instagram.com/p/XIINucq36a/

Watch out for falling Ice:dltphoto

Since the completion of the new Portmann Bridge it's had a bit a hard time, Falling Ice, Slower than expected commutes, even some nasty accidents. On the other hand they created a wonderfully photogenic architectural masterpiece. On the right day with the right light and some good lenses, all the incidents could be forgotten!

Ruby Tuesday..wait, it's Saturday!: dltphoto

Sometime ago I acquired an extremely vintage camera called a Ruby, made in England sometime between 1925-1934. It is in fantastic shape, even in the original box. Since it is using a discontinued film format I had to use the only format that is commonly available today, medium format (120). This camera shoots an impressive 6x12 format. Wonderfully large negatives. Optically though not equally as impressive. My Yashica-D  is using the same film but in the square format 6x6 with a far superior optical lens.

My chum Colin, from our Photoclub, took the camera home and cleaned the optics of the Ruby since the lens was not really usable due to years of air and moisture, it was almost impossible to see-through it. He also rigged a spool to accept the smaller 120 film. Since it doesn't have the frame counter marking available, I loaded it and guessed the winding necessary to get it to the next frame without any overlapping. I fluked out with that as I got no overlapping at all.

Shutter speeds and Apertures.

It has very limited shutter speed capabilities, 1/100th, 1/50th, 1/25th, 1/10th Second Also with Bulb and T which is a different type of bulb mode, somehow.. Since I only had a 400 ISO 120 in my fridge I had to wing it. (winging it refers to utilizing my educated guesswork for all my years with film). I think I shot it at about 100th sec and F8 or F11... seemed to be close. Films delightful exposure latitude makes winging it a little easier.

Level 2. Drat! :dltphoto

It finally happened.
Here is an email I received.

"Dear Mr. Turner:  
 It gives me great pleasure to advise you that THE FREE RIDE IS OVER;

 you have completed the requirements for Level One by acquiring 200+ 

points by March 2013's Exhibition night and that you have now graduated

 to the Level Two category AND WILL HAVE TO STOP PHIDDLE-PHARTING AROUND

 AND GET DOWN TO BUSINESS!

NATURALLY, WITH THIS ADVANCEMENT COMES THE PRIVILEGE OF BECOMING A MEMBER OF THE
APAC EXEC. AND UNDERTAKING SUCH POSITIONS AS MAY BE ASSIGNED TO YOU.

(Please remember to precede your image titles with L2 rather than L1 

starting in April)

Congratulations!"

Then a follow up email from the APAC president....

"Eventually, even 6's add up to 200..."

Hahahahahh. Oh well.

 I guess I am going to have to pull my socks up and work harder with my 

random assortment of camera choices for exhibition images.

Level 2: Intermediate
One image in each category must be scored at 
8 or higher. All other images must be 6 or 
higher. Must compete in 6 categories with total 
of 50 points in each category

APAC Submissions, March 2013: dltphoto

Rumour had it that my good friend Jason Brown of Revival Arts Studio, was going to be the adjudicator for March's submissions. I have to admit it did sway my choices slightly. Although still I chose images that had already been slated to be "exhibited". I assumed I had chosen images that would be liked by him, having seen much of his work and knowing him for so many years. Alas no, he's helped keep me in Level one for a little while longer I hope.

I only chose to submit into the normal categories, I did not do the assigned. I haven't had too much chance recently to get out and work on them.

Urban/ Rural. "stepping on shadows", score 7

This image was a quick capture on my phone on our way to an Abbotsford Heat game. Its one of the sets of exit stairs leaving the building. The light was hitting it nicely from the side. I enjoyed the lines and the confusion with the shadows. It actually projected really well. I was very happy with it.

Experimental, "black frost". Score 6

This is another frost shot with my Nikon D200 and the 60mm macro. Again, shot into my very tinted truck windows with the morning sun reflected in the background. The frost was not black, somehow dues to the reflection and exposure the frost turned black (silhouetted I guess) and I just enriched that later through lightroom. Overall I thought it quite interesting... In keeping with my usual scores but sadly I will get promoted soon into level 1 due to overall scores.

Nikon 1 V1 pt 2: dltphoto

Just out and about experimenting with my new camera. Since I only have the 10mm 2.8 lens (27mm wide angle equivalent), I am kind of limited to my street shooting, but that is not an excuse. This lens is brilliant. When I can afford the adapter I will then be able to use my full Nikon lens lineup on it.