For the tripod, it really came down to several Gitzo Systematic models, since I wanted a tripod that can be set up with or without a column. Out of the various Systematic models, I opted to go for the GT3531S due to the combination of relatively light weight (about 800 grams less than my current tripod), optional column and collapsed/extended dimensions. A $40 mail-in rebate also helps deaden the blow to my wallet. I hope to pick up the tripod in the next couple of days.

For the ballhead and clamp, I had been considering various models by Kirk, Acratech and Really Right Stuff, in which all would take Arca-Swiss compatible plates (versus proprietary plates, as used by some ballhead/clamp manufacturers). After fiddling around with a couple of Acratech ballheads, I wasn’t really impressed with the overall tension controls or ergonomics. At the end of the day, it came down to the Really Right Stuff BH-55 ballhead with either the quick release or knob release clamp. While the knob release clamp provides more control and would be compatible with more Acra-Swiss style plates, the knob would badly interfere with any tilt-shift lens that I would want to purchase.

So, I ended up ordering the BH-55 with the quick release clamp, along with an L-plate for my Nikon D300 and a replacement foot for my AF-S 70-200mm VR II lens. The L-plate will allow me to go between landscape and portrait very quickly, without having to re-frame a shot and keeps the setup balanced (particularly when I’m using a relatively heavy lens that does not have a collar/foot). The replacement foot allows me to directly mount my lens to the clamp, rather than dealing with another piece that I could lose or drop.

Sure, the new setup is not cheap, but I’m willing to take a hit to my budget so that I’m not cursing or go aggro when working with my current tripod and ballhead. I’ve just overgrown the limits of both with a large zoom lens and heavier prime lenses. Another limitation was the lack of tension control, which is also a bigger issue with larger bodies and lenses. If I had just kept with my D300 body, several small prime lenses and the two smaller zoom lenses (AF-S 18-200mm VR and AF-S 70-300mm VR), it would have been sufficient. It would also work quite well for anyone with a lighter Nikon D90 or Canon EOS T2i body combined with consumer zoom lenses.

A tilt-shift lens allows a photographer to not only change the depth of field and focus area, but also correct for converging lines. Instead of trying to mangle the purpose of tilting and shifting, there are two informative articles on the topic (perspective control and depth of field). The tilt-shift lens that I have been thinking about is Nikon’s 24mm f/3.5D PC-E (which has two macro relatives, a 45mm f/2.8D PC-E and an 85mm f/2.8D PC-E). Due to the complex mechanics, specific purpose and low volume, the lens is quite expensive.

Before I decide to pick up the lens, I still need to get a better ball head for my tripod, as well as an L-bracket so that I can mount the camera in either portrait or landscape without having to re-frame. While my tripod isn’t great, it will still provide me with a pretty sturdy platform for framing and (manually) focusing in on to my target. I also have a cable release and a mirror-up function to reduce the amount of camera shake when I’m ready to take a picture.

Now that my current lens needs have been fulfilled and I have gotten most of my lens envy under control, my focus is now on upgrading the supporting equipment for the times where hand-holding is not feasible or doable (say, for those super long exposures, or for shots that should be focused manually).

For quick and simple support, I have an Induro carbon fiber monopod with deployable metal legs. The monopod works quite well with my Nikon AF-S 70-200mm f/2.8G VR II (and that’s the shortened version of its official name) or when I don’t want to lug around my tripod and ballhead. As far as my current tripod and ballhead, I have a Manfrotto 055XPROB tripod and a Manfrotto 488RC4 ballhead.

The tripod, while versatile, is a real pain to setup and adjust due to the leg clamps and lever mechanism used to adjust the position of the legs. Once deployed, it does what it needs to do and is stable. The ballhead can be a real pain to use as well, mostly when trying to remove and secure the “quick-release” plate. The lever that locks in the plate doesn’t always want to click into place nor does it engage smoothly. The rubber padding on the plate is supposed to provide grip and reduces scuffing on cameras that do not already have a rubber or rubber-like base. With my Nikon D300, it just makes it wiggle around and adds to the play involved with the plate and ball portion of the ballhead.

Over the next couple of months, I will be saving up to replace the ballhead with either a Really Right Stuff BH-55 with a knob release (I’m done with clamps, if you haven’t already figured out), an L-plate for my camera body and a replacement foot for my (current) beast of a lens. Maybe next year, I’ll be able to pull off a short-column or column-less carbon fiber tripod that can handle around 35-40 pounds (conservatively). Both may seem overkill for my setup, but will be able to handle additional flash and rail kits for macro and step up to a 150mm or 200mm macro lens.

For a while now, I have published some of my photos up on Picasa and have been relatively happy with how it presents albums and photos. The workflow that I went through to upload photos to Picasa included exporting pictures through ViewNX to a separate folder, Picasa would index the photos, then I would create and upload albums. I didn’t new any other features of Picasa and decided to look for other publishing options.

Recently, Digital Photography Review announced a new section to their site: user galleries. After looking at the user interface and the features available, I decided to switch their gallery service for all new photos and albums. In doing this, it helps simplify the upload, sorting and tagging process. For the time being, there is no way to add comments to photos or albums. I hope that this feature is added in the future, either for free or paid accounts.

The new photos and albums can be viewed by going to: Photo Albums (dpreview).

As mentioned in my last blog post, I have taken a step into the world of manual focus lenses (not only for cost, but also for the capability of both lenses). I have taken it a step further and picked up a Lensbaby Composer for my D300.

I have always been fascinated with macro and architectural photography, even more so by pictures with unique exposures and compositions that focused on only the subject. Of those photos, some were taken with various Lensbaby lenses and optics… so when the opportunity arose, I decided to order the Composer and the Lensbaby Accessory Kit. The Accessory Kit includes a macro kit, a telephoto/wide-angle kit.

I am currently learning how to use the lens and will hopefully have some fruitful pictures that I’ll post online. I will hopefully be able to get the Soft Focus Optic and the Lensbaby Optic Kit, once I am comfortable with the Composer.

All of the lenses that I have purchased and used so far have been auto-focus lenses, but I got the fancy of getting and using manual focus lenses. I usually check the used equipment page of a local photography store and several online sites and found a used AI 135mm f/3.5 lens for under $80. I did some research on the lens and found that the lens has almost no distortion when used on a DX body. So, I decided to try out the lens in the store and checked to make sure that there was nothing wrong with the optics and casing. The exterior of the lens had a bit of wear, but the glass and diaphragm was still perfect. I purchased the lens at that point. The lens will never match the beauty of the AF 135mm f/2 DC, but considering the cost and optical quality, I don’t think I’ll be disappointed; not to mention, I could still opt to get the AF version at a later date.

Later during the week, I located an AI-s 24mm f/2.0 lens on eBay for $350, which was listed in mint condition and had both caps. I had already been considering getting an AF 24mm f/2.8, but wasn’t really impressed with the plastic casing (akin to the AF 85mm f/1.8). Since the AI-s lens was one-stop faster, had a metal case and was slightly cheaper than the AF, I opted for the AI-s lens. It arrived and it was in fact in mint condition, zoom ring was butter-smooth and optically beautiful.

These purchases will not supplant the need for auto-focus lenses, but will help round out my prime lens collection and hold me over until I can afford an AF 180mm f/2.8 and an AF-S 300mm f/4.