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Tools & Toys
The Nikon F5 single lens reflex is my latest acquisition, and (so far) my pride and joy.It doesn't come cheap, but the folks at Nikon appear to have done their homework. The F5 combines the technological advances of the N90s with the strength of the Photomic line - dating from the legendary "F", through the F2 and F3 workhorses, and finally the F4 line. I've used all, and Nikkormats as well, and while I've captured some great photos with the F2 and the F4, I think the F5 and me are going to have an extended love-affair. Ergonomics on the F5 are outstanding and the camera's controls can't be beat for user-friendliness.
I've nothing against Canon products (" some of my best friends..."), but all things considered, Nikon seems to be on the winning-side. Take a system that's hardware-compatible with accessories dating back 30 years, a range of speedlights and lenses that puts the competition to shame, unparalleled durability (ahh, those Titanium bodies), subtract from that the marginal speed advantage of EOS auto-focus, and you still have a definite winner.
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Nikon's E2 series (Fujix 515/505) are undoubtedly the cameras of choice for professional digital photojournalism. Based on the legendary Nikon F4 and compatible with most Nikon lenses and speedlights, the E2, at $15,000, is no cheap "point-and-shoot" digital. With megapixel image resolution and a "high-eyepoint" 100%-coverage viewfinder, digital cameras don't get any better. Combine one of these with a notebook (PC or Mac) and a cellphone, and kiss deadlines goodbye. Better yet, to send your photos from the top of Everest or the middle of the Sahara, equip yourself with an Iridium sat-phone. If you can't afford a Nikon E2 for yourself (what photojournalist can?), this is definitely the digital camera to persuade management to invest in.
JUNE 15, 1998 - SNEAK PREVIEW - NIKON RELEASES E3
"Nikon
introduces the new Digital Camera Nikon
E3 and E3s : uniquely advanced
professional digital cameras that approach the
performance of the finest 35mm [135]-format
AF SLRs. The two cameras advance the standards of
cutting-edge digital photography previously
established by Nikon's introduction of the E2
and E2s SLR-type digital cameras in 1995
and the E2N and E2Ns in 1996. Nikon Professional E Series digital
cameras have since become the digital camera
of choice for premium performance in fields
including journalism, medical research,
publishing, construction, academics,
education and other applications in which
peerless digital images are vital assets.
Remarkably, the E3 and E3s are priced
lower than their predecessors..."
(Information excerpted from Nikon Japan official release, 15/6/98 © Nikon Corp.)
Nikkor lenses and accessories are unmatched in quality, for sharpness and resolution. Nikon produces a lens for every occasion, from the super-fast "D" series autofocus lenses to highly specialized lenses - the perspective-control wide-angle "PC" series, the "Micro", the unique "Medical Nikkor" (with integral ring-flash), and a range of super telephotos and fish-eyes.
Another superb Nikon product no mobile photojournalist can afford to be without, the Coolscan LS1000 film scanner, equally suited for negatives and transparencies, is the "Rolls Royce" of film scanners. With superior optics and a fast SCSI interface, the Coolscan, combined with a C41 or E6 kit (or use an express photo lab) will deliver unparalleled quality.
I abandonded commercial studio photography 8 years ago, in favour of a staff position in photojournalism at Israel's leading daily. However, if you're curious to know what equipment was used on my Commercial and Industrial portfolio web-pages, here's a brief inventory:
- The ToyoView 4" x 5" view-camera - the "poor man's Sinar" - for all my large-format studio photography. Used in conjunction with Nikkor lenses, the Toyo can deliver top quality on a budget, and is ideal for photography for posters, billboards, catalogs, etc.
- The Mamiya M645 Super and Mamiya M645 1000S - for location work, in particular for industrial and architectural interiors, as well as quality fashion photography. The Mamiya line, while providing a film-format 3 times the surface-area of 35mm, handles with the ease and speed of a Nikon SLR. At a budget price, 2 Mamiyas can be had for the price of 1 Hasselblad, with change left over for lenses.
- The Vilensky line of studio strobes, manufactured in Israel, but every bit as good as Bowens or Bron (IMHO). How's that for "local patriotism"?
To complement all that great hardware, no software product can match Adobe Photoshop for options and features. Whether you're running Windows or MacOS, Photoshop is the photo-editing program of choice for discerning professionals.
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