Sunday, December 20, 2009

Nikon D90 Mirror Lock -Up?



Mirror Lock up (MLU) what is it and does the D90 have it?

What: Mirror lock-up (often abbreviated to MLU) is a feature employed in many Single Lens Reflex (SLR) cameras. It allows the operator to reduce vibration-induced motion blur during exposure. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Does the Nikon D90 have it? Unfortunately no but it does have a pretty darn good alternative. This is called Exposure Delay Mode, Page 183 of your manual. It's says, "In situations where the slightest camera movement can blur pictures, Exposure Delay Mode On can be selected to delay shutter release until about 1 second after the shutter release button is pressed and the mirror is raised".

D90 setting for Exposure Delay Mode: Custom Settings (Pencil) OK: d Shooting/display OK: d10 Exposure Delay Mode OK: On OK

I definitely see myself trying this mode next time i'm using my tripod for a landscape shot or something! Seems like a no brainier to me if I might get an even sharper photo. I've read mostly good things about how this isn't "True MLU" like some camera's have but those who have tried both say the D90's Exposure Delay Mode is a pretty good alternative to the "True MLU". What do you Think?

Illustration Courtesy Photozone

Friday, December 11, 2009

Dawn Technology adds New GPS for the Nikon D90


Well it's been pretty quite on the Nikon D90 front but here's something new that might be of interest. I see this GPS is about $150.

Dawn Technology has added a new GPS unit to the range, called the Mini 3L. Salient features include a built-in 8MB data logger for storing in excess of 260k data points, password protection, last fixed repeat and instant last fixed repeat modes.

Built-in data logger – 8MB flash memory for up to 260,096 data points

Data can be password protected

Last Fixed Repeat (Indoor Fix): Repeat the last fixed when lost or no GPS signal. It continual report the last good fixed position to camera in any indoor without GPS coverage.

Instant Last Fixed Repeat (Instant Indoor Fix): The di-GPS Mini 3L read the last good fixed data in the data logger after each power on. It continual report the last good fixed position even after power reset (data logger enabled). No more reacquisition needed after power reset or reconnected to the cameras.

Three ways switch (On/Auto/Off).

Ultra low power consumption, new SiRF Low Power Single Chip (36mA typical).

Very compact size 54mm x 37mm x 17mm.Mounted on the flash accessory shoe or attached to the camera strap.

20-Channel GPS Receiver for fast acquisition and reacquisition.

200,000 effective correlators for fast TTFF (Time To First Fix) and Extremely fast TTFF at low signal levels.

Very high sensitivity (Tracking Sensitivity: -159 dBm), provide superior positing information in environments, through urban canyons, and under dense foliage.

Built-in WAAS Demodulator.NMEA 0183 data protocol.

Built-in Super Capacitor to reserve system data for rapid satellite acquisition.Built-in patch antenna, no external antenna required.

No Setup Required.

Check it out Here!