Welcome to Michael’s Blog!

Thanks to our sponsor Lensprotogo.com for allowing me to try out and review the Nikon Z50, if you are interested in giving it a spin: https://www.lensprotogo.com/rent/product/nikon-z-50/

- Remember that MAVEN10 will always save you 10% at checkout! Thank you lensprotogo.com!

Nikon has an identity crisis and the Nikon Z50 demonstrates this probably better than any other camera I have seen, it is almost too "goldilocks", meaning it is trying to do everything just right, and without a compelling feature that makes it better than other cameras at similar prices. If we look at the games Nikon is playing with their recent price change of the Nikon D750 and overpriced Nikon D780, Im saying as clear as day: these are solid cameras, but over priced and need more compelling features! There are some very strong things I did enjoy about it!

Michael's Nikon Z50 Free Training Tutorial

My Book on Efficiency

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos

My new MAVEN Mini Microphone kit for beginning videographers

Michael’s Maven Straps

#NikonZ50 #Z50 #NikonMirrorless

Great question recently: What is it about lenses that allows one lens to have a higher resolving power than another? Lens resolving power is referring to the detail performance of a lens, and is part of what makes up "sharpness". There is a long answer and a shorter answer, todays video is focusing on the shorter answer and the WHY some are sharper than others, as well as some ways to fix it. In the short answer Ill define the 3 major determinants of lens resolving power, but there are definitely more!

Robert Cicala's article on how to test your lenses

My Other videos dealing with lens sharpness:

The Basics Of Diffraction and Airy Disks

Why DXOs P-MPIX is NOT a Lens Sharpness Metric | FF in Crop = Crop Camera with same pixel pitch

Canon 90D Best Recommended Lenses for New Owners

Pixel vs Photosite vs Pixel Density vs Pixel Pitch | What is the Difference?

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos:

My new MAVEN Mini Microphone kit for beginning videographers

Michael’s Maven Straps:

#SharpCameraLenses #ResolvingPower #CameraLenses

When the Fuji XH1 was first released, Fuji published a white paper about it's development and the reasoning behind its form factor. Two reasons they listed were they needed space for IBIS and another was they wanted a very strong body to support the weight of heavier lenses. Add this to the rumor that there is a new battery coming, all points to the likely hood that the body itself may have become obsolete. Bonus: My thoughts on how they can easily make the grip more ergonomic with a larger battery, do what every other company is doing!

Link to Fuji X-H1 Development Papers

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos

MAVEN Filters, Mini Microphone

Michael’s Maven Straps

#FujiX-H1 #X-H1 #FujiCameras

The word pixel is sometimes used to mean things it really isn't, and with all the different ways the word pixel is used, it begins to get confusing. Here are the definitions and differences between Pixel, Photosite, Pixel Pitch and Pixel Density.

Which photography questions do you have for Michael?

Enjoy!

The Basics Of Diffraction and Airy Disks | How Sensors Out Resolve Lenses | Physics of Pixel Pitch

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos

My New DSLR Microphone (Rated as the best out of 10 on the market)

Michael’s Maven Straps

#PixelPitch #PixelDensity #Photosites

Here is your free Nikon Z50 Tutorial Training Overview! Check out our Table of Contents below:

Thank you to Lens Pro To Go for Loaning me the Z50 for this video: https://www.lensprotogo.com/rent/product/nikon-z-50/

Michael's "Everything Else Crash Course Training Tutorial Video"

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos

Michael’s Maven Straps:

#NikonZ50 #Z50 #NikonZ

Chapter list:
01:40 - Getting Started
04:17 - Getting Buttons
14:17 - LCD Info
21:45 - Release Modes
24:43 - Mode Dial
25:53 - User Setting U1 & U2
27:30 - Exposure Control
37:57 - ISO
47:04 - White Balance
50:17 - Custom White Balance
53:22 - Metering Modes
55:11 - Focusing System
01:12:49 - Deep Menu
01:14:36 - Playback folder
01:14:43 - Playback Options
01:15:18 - Image review
01:15:37 - After delete
01:15:47 - Rotate tall
01:15:54 - Slide Show
01:16:24 - image rating
01:16:38 - Reset photo shooting menu
01:16:44 - Storage Folder
01:17:03- File naming
01:17:12 - Choose image area
01:17:28 - Image quality
01:17:35 - Image size
01:17:43 - NEF (RAW)recording
01:17:53 - ISO sensitivity settings
01:18:16 - White balance
01:18:31 - Set Picture Control
01:20:00 - Color space
01:20:07 - Active D-Lighting
01:20:28 - Long exposure NR
01:20:50 - Vignette control
01:21:12 - Diffraction compensation
01:21:30 - Auto distortion control
01:21:45 - Flicker reduction shooting
01:22:13 - Flash Control
01:22:51 - Flash mode
01:23:13 - Flash compensation
01:23:29 - Release modes
01:23:45 - AF-area mode
01:23:48 - Optical VR
01:24:08 - Auto bracketing
01:25:46 - Multiple exposure
01:26:30 - HDR (High Dynamic Range)
01:27:20 - Interval timer shooting
01:28:31 - Timp-lapse movie
01:29:02 - Silent Photography
01:29:53 - Frame size/frame rate
01:31:46 - Movie Quality
01:31:58 - Movie file type
01:32:05 - ISO sensitivity settings
01:32:21 - Set Picture Control
01:32:44 - Manage Picture Control
01:32:49 - Active D-Lighting
01:33:10 - Flicker reduction (video)
01:33:27 - Release modes (Save Frame)
01:33:43 - Focus Mode (video)
01:33:48 - AF-area mode (video)
01:33:52 - Optical VR (video)
01:34:03 - Electronic VR
01:34:32 - Microphone sensitivity
01:35:26 - Attenuator
01:35:57 - Wind noise reduction
01:36:07 - Custom Settings Menu
01:36:25 - AF-C Priority selection
01:36:41 - Auto-area AF face/eye detection
01:36:48 - Focus Points used
01:37:03 - AF activation
01:37:09 - Focus point wrap-around
01:37:23 - focus point options
01:37:33 - Low-light AF
01:37:39 - Built-in AF assist illuminator
01:37:55 - EV steps for exposure control
01:38:05 - Easy exposure compensation
01:38:15 - Center-weighted area
01:38:25 - Fine-tune optimal exposure
01:38:37 - Shutter-release button AE-L
01:39:08 - Self-timer
01:39:28 - Power off delay
01:39:47 - CL mode shooting speed
01:39:59 - Max. Continuous release
01:40:15 - Limit selectable image area
01:40:31 - File number sequence
01:40:43 - Apply settings to live view
01:41:16 - Peaking highlights
01:42:12 - View all in continuous mode
01:42:26 - Flash sync speed
01:42:39 - Flash shutter speed
01:42:44 - Exposure comp. for flash
01:42:59 - Auto flash ISO sensitivity control
01:43:09 - Bracketing order
01:43:19 - Customize I menu
01:43:48 - Custom controls (shooting)
01:44:04 - Custom controls (playback)
01:44:13 - Customize command dials
01:44:29 - Release button to use dial
01:44:45 - Reverse indicators
01:45:03 - Customize i menu
01:45:29 - Custom controls
01:45:46 - AF speed
01:45:59 - Highlight display
01:46:52 - Format memory card
01:47:22 - Save user settings
01:47:46 - Reset user settings
01:47:56 - Time zone and date
01:48:02 - Monitor and brightness
01:48:12 - Viewfinder brightness
01:48:21- information display
01:48:38 - AF fine-tune
01:49:13 - Image Dust Off ref photo
01:49:48 - Image comment
01:50:03 - Copyright information
01:50:06 - Beep options
01:50:17 - Touch controls
01:50:21 - Self-portrait mode
01:50:37 - HDMI
01:51:07 - Location data display
01:51:23 - Airplane mode
01:51:30 - Connect to smart device
01:51:53 - Energy saving
01:52:00 - slot empty release lock
01:52:12 - Reset all settings
01:52:20 - Firmware version
01:52:44 - Retouch menu
01:53:42 - My Menu
01:55:00 - SnapBridge App
02:00:05 - Lens Recommendations



Nikon Z50 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Lens

Godox TT685N Thinklite TTL Flash for Nikon Cameras

Way back in 2015 I made a Sony lens video to help beginners navigate the line up. Looking back, it was woefully limited. Now in 2020, we have a huge array of native focusing Sony lenses, not to mention the ability to adapt. This video will introduce beginning Sony shooters to E mount Ecosystem, cover Full Frame vs Crop, and introduce you to most of the lenses available, but certainly not all. My channel is supported with affiliate links and all of the links to the lenses discussed here can be found below! Enjoy!

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos

MAVEN Filters, Mini Microphone

Michael’s Maven Straps:

#SonyLenses #SonyAlpha #SonyMirrorless


Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA

Sony E PZ 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E 55-210mm f/4.5-6.3 OSS

Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G

Sony FE 50mm f/1.8

Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS

Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS

Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM

Sony FE 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6 GM

Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM

Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM

Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM

Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM

Sony FE 400mm f/2.8 GM

Sony FE 600mm f/4 GM

Sony FE 200-600mm f/5.6-6.3 G

Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G

Sony FE 90mm f/2.8 Macro G

Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G

Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III RXD Lens for Sony E

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Lens for Sony

The 135 f2 is a wonderful, sharp, high performing lens, but when a student emailed me asking about all this crazy purple and green fringing going on and asking if it was normal, I assumed he had shot it wide open. He hadn't, it was stooped down to f3.5 and reported that as he continued to stop down still saw . All lenses have a degree of CA or Chromatic Abberation, its something typically we see in areas of high contrast. Many cameras have software to clean this up automatically, so we may not see it, and there are also ways to clean it up in post.

Michael's Canon 90D Facebook User Group

Michael's Canon 90D Crash Course Training Tutorial

Michael’s Intro Camera Tutorial Videos

MAVEN Filters, Mini Microphone

Michael’s Maven Straps

#Canon90D #CanonCameraLenses #ChromaticAberration

If you were into any of the great deep sea movies of the 80's and 90's, if you are a fan of Alien, if you enjoy tension being ratcheted up to 18 on a scale of 1-10, you will enjoy this film.

There were some things about it that were really, really good. Set design, costume, art, just off the rails. The story was solid, I enjoyed it. I can't really put my finger on what I didn't like, possibly the empathy for the main character, I didnt feel as connected to her as would make for a spectacular film.

Still, what a fun movie!

PS- It will give you nightmares.

This is amazing cinematography. Deakins should get his second Academy Award for it. It does something movies often fail to, immerse the viewer into the story, and it did it so so well! The story was pretty good too, but I was more amazed by the camera movement. The entire movie is designed to feel like it was taken in one shot (which it obviously wasn't). I often found myself looking for the seams and finding many, but also being so pulled in to the story, that I missed most of them.

Highly recommended to see in theaters.

The Announcement of the Fuji XT4 appears to be imminent and thanks to fujirumors.com it appears this announcement is coming on Feb 4th. It is probable we will get more information trickling out so if you are interested in Fuji, this is a website you will want to keep an eye on. With Fuji's decision to discontinue the XH1 late last year, selling remaining models at deep discounts, all indications are that something much better is coming, specifically due to an upgraded IBIS (or internal image body stabilization). No words on resolution, video specs or much else. but my thoughts have been for a while that Fuji is developing a very high performing APSC sports shooter due to the existence of the Fuji 200 F2 which doesn't seem to have a camera to match. Batteries often limit fps, so in order for it to be beyond the 11 of the XT3 mechanical, its likely we will see either a new battery or grip that will allow for greater than 11fps sustained.

2 Other fuji cameras are expected to be announced. If fuji continues to push the innovation as it has in the past, 2020 could be their year for APSC cameras.

FujiRumors.com

Fuji X-T User Group

Michael's Fuji X-T3 Crash Course Training Tutorial

Michael's Fuji X-T30 Crash Course Training Tutorial

Michael’s Camera Tutorial Videos:

MAVEN Filters, Mini Microphone

Michael’s Maven Straps

#X-T4 #Fuji #FujiXT4