I love using macro lenses, but that isn’t the only way to focus up close. Plenty of non-macro lenses, too, have enough magnification for small subjects like flowers or dragonflies. In fact, one Nikon lens can reach 1:1 macro capabilities without any third-party accessories, even though “macro” isn’t in its name!
Post Archive By Spencer Cox - Page 10
Landscape Photographers – Are You Stopping Down Enough?
What’s the right aperture for landscape photography? Is it the sharpest aperture measured in the lab (usually f/4 or f/5.6), or is it “f/8 and be there”? Maybe something narrower? Of course, it depends on the photo. But, on balance, most landscape photographers don’t stop down enough!
Photographing the 2023 Solar Eclipse from Arizona
I just got back from a trip to the American Southwest where I photographed landscapes, the Milky Way, and a rare annular ("ring of fire") solar eclipse. My bag was filled with lenses that I'll be reviewing imminently - some from Nikon, of course, along with a few Canons and...
Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S Announced
Nikon just announced the newest supertelephoto lens for the mirrorless Z system: the Nikon Z 600mm f/6.3 VR S. Partly thanks to the phase fresnel (PF) lens element, the 600mm f/6.3 VR S is the smallest and lightest lens in its class – weighing the same as the 500mm f/5.6 PF F-mount lens.
5 Common Landscape Photography Mistakes
To get better as a landscape photographer, I find it very helpful to look back on my photos and evaluate the mistakes I've made. Many of these mistakes are things that I see other landscape photographers do wrong, too - from technical errors to creative pitfalls. Today, I've compiled five...
How to Photograph Fall Colors
Autumn colors are reaching their peak here in Colorado, making it one of the best times of year for landscape photography. I just spent a weekend in the mountains photographing cottonwoods, scrub oaks, and especially aspen trees showing off their deep reds and brilliant yellows. If you also want to...
Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena Announced
Nikon just announced the newest lens for the Z system – and their first lens ever with a “Plena” designation. The Nikon Z 135mm f/1.8 S Plena is full of high-end features and will be available next month for $2500. It also has one of the most intense optical construction diagrams I’ve ever seen.
Nikon’s Photo Contest Winners Show Connection in a Fragmented World
Alongside our photography tutorials, reviews, and personal essays, something we try to do at Photography Life is bring you inspiration from different corners of the photography world. One such story that caught my eye yesterday was the list of winners from Nikon’s yearly photography contest.
11 Things to Know About the Nikon Zf
Nikon’s big announcement of the retro-themed Zf will draw a lot of attention, and not just because the camera is so beautifully designed. In fact, some of the Zf’s new features are totally unexpected and exciting – and many aren’t obvious at first glance. Here’s what you need to know!
Nikon Zf Announcement: A Camera of Firsts for Nikon
Moments ago, Nikon announced the full-frame, retro-themed Nikon Zf mirrorless camera. And although it inherits some tech from Nikon’s existing cameras like the Z6 II, the Nikon Zf actually has a lot of surprises under the hood. With a launch price of $2000, this camera looks extremely promising to me.