Nikon has posted firmware updates for the D600, D800, D4, D3s, D3x, D3, D7000, D3200 models, and once again the bloggers, gurus, and “authorities” will be urging you to rush to install these fixes as soon as you possibly can.   DON’T.

Vendors, including Nikon, have been known to introduce firmware updates that create problems of  their own, which can afflict those who had  previously had no difficulty using their cameras.  The cure is sometimes worse than the disease — and you might not even have the disease in the first place.

Unless you are having a specific problem that is fixed by one of the current firmware releases, the wise move is to wait *two weeks* and allow all the other Nikon owners to beta test them on  your behalf.  In the past, that’s been long enough to see whether a particular firmware upgrade works and does not have bad side effects.

Then, when the pioneers have arrived safely at their destinations, or have pulled firmware arrows out of their backs, you can go ahead and upgrade.  Bad firmware is extremely rare, but there’s really no reason not to avoid problems in the first place.

I’ve been asked whether the D7100 is a replacement for the Nikon D300s. I say, “Not exactly.” The D7100 has a different layout from the D300s, and lacks the more rugged body. Is feature set roughly parallels that of the D600, but with the 24MP DX sensor, and the control layout is very similar.

On a features/options basis, Nikon has set a very clear progression from the D3200 to D5200, and then on to more advanced cameras. So it’s relatively easy to see where the D7100  falls in the series, in terms of bracketing, multiple exposure options, metering options, autofocus system, built-in AF motor, support for metering with CPU/non-CPU lenses, top shutter speed, top ISO setting, etc. You could almost draw a graph charting the feature sets.

Then, add in a few surprises that Nikon likes to sprinkle in (as it did when it introduced 720p video with the D90.) Our D7100 “surprise” was the lack of the anti-aliasing filter.  While the D800E uses a “neutered” AA pack, the D7100 dispenses with it entirely.  In both cases, the result is slightly higher resolution along with a measurable (but not especially troublesome) increase in moire effects with certain types of subjects. (Please don’t shoot any window screens with either camera!)  An interesting side effect of this approach is that the boosted resolution of the 24MP D7100 should bring it closer to the standard 36MP Nikon D800.  I haven’t had a chance to compare the two, yet, but will be interested to see how they stack up not only in terms of resolution, but in higher ISO performance.   Is the D7100 truly the poor photographer’s D800 in a DX form factor ?  Or is it closer to the D600?

The D7100 won’t be a true replacement for the D300s, and given the scant amount of price differential between the D7100 and the D600, there just might not be any D300s replacement. It might be Nikon’s plan for those who want to upgrade from the D7000/D7100 that the D600 and a migration from DX to FX is the next logical step.

UPGRADING MY CONTEMPORANEOUS BACKUP:

Two SanDisk 64GB flash drives have arrived, and I am now going to store all my current working files on one of them (about 50 GB total), with Allways Sync mirroring them on the other. When I finish a project, it will only at that time be moved to my hard disk for triple-redundant archiving.

It will be nice to have constant real-time backup of all my current work, rather than just most of it (which was the case when I used a pair of mirrored 32GB flash drives.) In the event of a disaster, I can grab two San Disk sticks and have all my current work. My off-site archives are backed up only once a month.

Of course, I’m still doing nightly backups of current projects to a pair of mirrored 6TB Drobo “RAID-like” arrays. “Trust, but verify” works for silicon, too!

My favorite $50 gadgets.
I just got a batch of new gadgets in, all in the $50 (or less) price range, and all have made my life a bit easier.
* Meike Vertical Battery Grip for Nikon D800 D800E. I don’t need a vertical grip for my D800 very often. I usually use my Nikon D4 in such situations. So, why pay $400 or more for Nikon’s MB-D12? I treat this plastic version with care, and for $60 it does the job. If I were covering the Olympics or Super Bowl with a D800, I’d want the Nikon grip. But this one is fine for casual use.
* Henge Docks HD01VB11MBA Vertical Docking Station.11 In Macbook Air. Normally, my 11-inch MacBook Air is plugged into a 26 inch monitor, real mouse, and a full-size keyboard. Stored vertically in this dock, to use the Mac on the go, all I need to do is disconnect the power, lift it out, and tuck into the inside pocket of my Scottevest. With my iPhone’s WiFi hotspot turned on, I can do anything I do with my iPad — plus type!
* Sanyo XX Battery Powered by eneloop, 2500mAh High Capacity, 4 Pack AA Ni-MH Pre-Charged Rechargeable Batteries These batteries keep 80% of their power when stored a year, so I can fill my electronic flash with them and not have to worry about whether I have any juice. At $17 for a four-pack, these cost no more than regular rechargeables.
* Neewer 160 LED CN-160 Dimmable Ultra High Power Panel Digital Camera / Camcorder Video Light. This video light cost me $35, which more than compensates for the cheap plastic construction. I didn’t want to pay big bucks for an accessory I don’t use very often, and if you avoid hard knocks, this panel is big, bright, and comes with filters. Stuffed with Sanyo eneloops, it’s always ready to go, too.

The 28-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF ED IF is a full-frame zoom that Nikon dropped like a hot potato when the company introduced its inferior 18-200mm DX lens. It’s compact, about three inches long and three inches in diameter, weighs just 12 ounces, focuses down to 1.3 feet, and, at least, with my copy, is super sharp. I paid $330 for mine.

When I travel light overseas, it’s one of only two lenses I rely on (the other’s either a 10-24mm or 17-35mm Nikkor zoom.) On a modern camera with decent performance at ISO 1600 and up, the 28-200mm G lens is certainly “fast” enough at f/3.5-f/5.6 that you don’t miss a wider f/stop or VR. Mine is sharp enough at large apertures to still allow the selective focus effects I favor.

Unfortunately, it was introduced just as Nikon was phasing out full-frame *film* cameras in favor of DX *digital* cameras and, as the company had no FX digital models to sell, when the 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S ED VR DX lens was introduced, this one was scrapped.

After all, the 28-200mm optic had a shorter range, no VR, and no Silent Wave motor. But, in terms of image quality and versatility, it was better than its “replacement” in every way. You may be able to find one used for roughly the original price, but they’re not as easy to find as you might expect. I wouldn’t sell mine for double what I paid for it.

The earlier D model, with an aperture ring, is not bad, but this one is better. It does take an odd-ball 62mm filter size, but I have step-up rings that let me use either 67mm or 77mm filters with it. (I have a complete set in both sizes.)

Yes, I refuse to live without my 70-200mm f/2.8 Nikkor when size and weight isn’t a factor. But when I am traveling overseas and trying to fit an entire camera kit (including Gitzo Traveler tripod) *plus* two weeks’ worth of clothing into a carry-on and personal item, this lens’s versatility can’t be beat.

Where does KEH get all these like-new *old* lenses?

The majority of lenses I buy are brand new, like my Canon 40mm f/2.8 pancake, and Nikkor 18-300mm DX and 24-85mm VR zoom. But I like to fill in my collection with less expensive optics, often to avoid exposing “L” lenses and their equivalent to hazards on less-than-crucial shoots.
When I buy from KEH.com, if I choose anything above their Bargain or Ugly grades, the lenses I receive are invariably indistinguishable from new. And, in many cases, we’re talking about some fairly ancient lenses.
Recent purchases have included a Canon EF 28-135mm IS lens, a Canon EF 100-300mm USM lens, Sony 18-200mm, 18-70mm A-mount, plus non-Sony 75-300mm (a *Minolta*-badged lens) and 24-85mm macro A-mount lenses.
Some of these are not the best-built or sharpest lenses in the drawer, but they all do the job and cost me only a fraction of the price of the equivalent new lenses. If I were looking for a Nikon 300mm f/2.8 or a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8, I’d probably want to buy new for such essential tools. But browsing KEH.com for offbeat and older lenses is a sensational way of filling in your kit for not much money

MY MOST RECENT ‘KEEPERS’

My job allows me — forces me — to buy a lot of different cameras and become intimately familiar with their strengths, peculiarities, and pecadillos. I keep many of them as reference cameras that I can use to answer questions, and sell a few others that are close duplicates of each other (few people need *both* a Sony SLT-A77 and SLT-A65, for example.)

But some cameras work their way into my semi-permanent arsenal as tools that I use all the time, either because that model does things that other cameras I own don’t do, or, I flat-out love the camera. This kind of “keeper” goes into a dedicated camera bag for that type of model. I have one each for Nikon, Canon, and Sony cameras (one for SLT and NEX varieties), all mated with my collection of lenses and accessories for that camera.

I’m often asked which cameras I use most, so here is a list of my most recent ‘keepers.’

* Nikon. The amazing 24MP Nikon D3200 has made it into my “permanent” collection, although as an inexpensive IR conversion, transformed by LifePixel. The Nikon D4 and D800 are also going to see a lot of work, but my old D5000 and D5100 models still see frequent use among family members. Originally, I saw the Nikon D600 as a useful light-weight travel camera, a role that had been previously filled by my Nikon D7000 and D700. However, it’s not much lighter or smaller than the D800, and lacks some multiple exposure and bracketing features I use a lot. I’ll have to see exactly how much I use it instead of the D800.

* Canon. I note that the lettering on the front of my PowerShot G12′s has been wiped almost clean, but it’s just returned from a three-month visit to Germany. But since I got my PowerShot G15, the G12 has become a family “pool” camera. I’ve reserved the G15 as my own permanent pocket camera. I love the smaller size, don’t miss the swiveling LCD, and the image quality is outstanding. I’m still testing and using the EOS 5D Mark III, 6D, and Rebel T4i, but as all my lenses are EF models, I can choose to keep any of them.

*Sony. I absolutely adore my NEX-7, especially since I can use both my A-mount and E-mount lenses on it, and it may continue to serve as my primary Sony for awhile longer. However, I don’t really need 24MP, so I’ll probably switch to the NEX-6, until the NEX-8 comes along. The built-in apps are very nice, and I like the old-school top-panel Mode dial. Since my NEX-7 and NEX-6 have managed to supplant my A77 as my go-to Sony, my SLT keeper has been the humble A37. I love its compact size, a feature set that rivals the A57, and ability to use all my A-mount lenses effortlessly. While its EVF is not as good as the NEX-7 or A77/A65, it’s an economical choice for someone who already has a *lot* invested in camera bodies. I have quite a few full-frame Sony/Minolta lenses, and when I am done evaluating the A99 I’ll have to decide whether or not to keep it as my favored SLT model.

Sorry, but my blog has been hacked.  Some 12-year  old erased all the posts, errata, and registered users.   I’m trying to restore my backups ASAP.

David