First try with Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED

D3x, 70-200mm f/2,8 II on 70mm, f/22, 1/2 sek @ ISO 50

On Friday I got my hands on the brand new Nikon zoom lens; AFS Nikkor 70-200mm 1:2.8G II ED. Yesterday I held a bird photography workshop, and didn't get the chance to get any shots with the new lens even though it was almost burning a hole in my backpack. Today however, I took it for a spin.

The 70-200mm has always been one of my favourite lenses for both wildlife and landscapes, and especially the combination of the two. Therefore I was very excited when I got the news of an updated version of this lens. I have been using the 14-24mm and the 24-70mm with great joy for a while and have thrilled by the quality produced by the ED glass elements and Nano Crystal Coating. Together with the two lenses mentioned above Nikon has now completed their selection of high quality lenses sufficiently answering the demands of FX digital cameras like the D3x and the new D3s.

According to Nikon the improvements include:

• Vibration reduction (VR II) equivalent to increases in shutter speed by four steps
• A new optical design utilizing seven ED glass elements
• Ghost and flare suppression with Nano Crystal Coat
• A Silent Wave Motor (SWM) for superior autofocus that is smooth and quiet
• Three focus modes built in: M, M/A, A/M
• Aperture diaphragm utilizing an odd number of rounded blades (nine) for natural blur characteristics
• Shooting at distances as close as 1.4 m throughout the entire zoom range
• High-quality exterior design

The shoot to day was rather short and didn't involve very challenging light or subjects. However, my first impression is that this lens is SHARP!

D3x, 70-200mm f/2,8 II on 200mm, f/22, 1/2 sek @ ISO 100

I shoot a couple of landscapes just to check the overall sharpness of the lens at the edges and it looks very good. The conditions were not perfect as there was some mist in the air, softening the scene, but the result was still very pleasing.

D3x, 70-200mm f/2,8 II on 70mm, f/22, 1/4 sek @ ISO 100

All these images were taken on a RedGed RTC-332 tripod, but according to the Nikon performens test the new Vibration Reduction (VRII) stabilisation technology provide me the ability to shoot at shutter speeds up to four stops slower than would otherwise be possible!

Now I can't wait to test it on wildlife!

PS! Click images to see larges versions!

Bird photography workshop

Saturday 28th of November I will be holding a one day workshop in bird photography together with Stavanger Foto.

The workshop will be held in Stavanger at the end of the photography fare, Fotomessen 26-28.11.

The workshop is aimed at photographers with a interest in nature wanting to take a step towards wildlife photography, and birds in particular. We will include technical background and inspiration, as well as an introduction towards "necessary" equipment. During the practical part we will visit Stokkavatnet were we will have plenty of opportunities to try out different techniques, including telephoto, wide angle, flash photography and different creative techniques. We will end the day with a step-by-step introduction to how images are transferred, stored, indexed, developed and displayed, using Adobe Lightroom as our tool.

If you are in Stavanger on Saturday 28th of November, you are welcome to join us.

Read more about the fare, and book the workshop on Stavanger Fotos site her. (All in Norwegian)

Late November wallpaper

I have been so busy after my return from Bolivia so the monthly wallpaper has been put on hold. This is unfortunate, because I really want to continue this "tradition". Therefore I choose to publish it now even if it is a little late.

This image was taken one evening just after my return from the Antarctic trip in 2008. After such an adventure it is hard to adjust and focus on local subjects. Therefore I spent one evening on a very special location near Stavanger. The costal rocks here are very dramatic and the evening light is perfect. This small pond is green is only possible to photograph when the waves are small, which they seldom are in November.

This image is now available for download as a 1920px free wallpaper on www.wildphoto.no

Enjoy!

Slideshow on Youtube

Yesterdays talk on the Antarctic was a success. The place was packed and I believe people were very happy with what they saw. Thanks for visiting!

I have uploaded a small slideshow on Youtube from my latest trip to the Bolivian Altiplano. I hope you like it.

More talking

First I would like to thank all the people that came to see my talk in Vennesla. It was good fun, even if I didn't come home until three in the morning!! The road was closed and I had to take an alternate route.

This week I will be having a talk at Vitenfabrikken in Sandnes, my home town. On Thursday 12th at 18:30 I will have a presentation and talk about my trip to South Georgia and the Antarctic exactly one year ago. I will also sign my two books if anyone would like a copy.

I hope to see you at Vitenfabrikken on Thursday for some seals, penguins, and lots of ice.

Talk

After returning from Bolivia I have been extremely busy. Images have been shipped, invoices written and the telephone has not been still for a moment. Parallel to this I have been preparing for my talk this Thursday, 5th of October, at Vennesla Fotoklubb in southern Norway. I hope to see a lot of people there. My presentation will include adventures in Alaska, Antarctic, Africa and the latest to Bolivia, as well as some real close to home action.

I will also bring my books if anyone would like to support my work and get their signed copy.

The picture above shows a comfortably striding Giant Coot from the Lake Titicaca in Bolivia.