Moving to iPad for Image Processing...

Since I bought the Nikon Z50, I’ve been copying photos from the camera to the iPad and post processing them using one of the apps I have. Usually Snapseed. Now none of the apps read Z50 RAW files yet, so I’ve been shooting JPEGS.

For long term storage, the iPad is not ideal. So when I was browsing YouTube the other day I discovered that iOS 13 now allows you to mount a USB drive using the Files app. However, USB drives need more power to run than the iPad can supply. The solution is to use the Lightning to USB 3 Camera Adapter.

The adapter plugs into the iPad, the USB drive into the adapter, and the iPad charging cable in the adapter to provide power.

Then launch the Files app and access the USB hard drive to copy files from the iPad to the drive or files from the USB drive to the iPad.

One thing to note is that the USB drive must be formatted in ExFAT or FAT32 in order for the iPad to mount the drive.

The drive I’m using is a 1TB WD Passport drive.

I’m hoping that the image processing apps I have will soon be updated to be compatible with Z50 RAW files.

“Tri-X, f/8, and be there.”

A Very Nice Combination...

In my last post I discussed the Tamron 18-400mm lens and how I’m trying it for the second time. I’ve been using it as my only lens since I bought it and I really like the images I’m getting. I’m using it on a Nikon Z50 with the FTZ adapter. There are some minor challenges with this setup but nothing too serious for me.

So I thought I’d show you four recent photographs with some of the EXIF data. They were post processed on my iPad using Snapseed, and very nice combination. The millimeters are given as crop factor mm and full frame equivalent. All images were shot in manual mode with Auto ISO.

ISO 400, 1/200 of a second, f/6.3, 270mm/405mm

ISO 125, 1/125 of a second, f/6.3, 370mm/555mm

ISO 5600, 1/125 of a second, f/5.6, 155mm/232mm

ISO 6400, 1/125 of a second, f/6.3, 400mm/600mm

Some day, when it warms up, I’ll be able to get out and do some of my usual photography. Can’t wait.

“Tri-x, f/8, and be there”

Another Try...

A couple of years ago I bought a Tamron 18-400 for use on a Nikon D7500. I was interested in the wide zoom range it offered. Now it’s not the fastest lenn around, f/3.5 to f/6.3, and probably not the sharpest. Well, after trying it out I was not happy with the results.

I thought I’d try it again on the Nikon Z50 with the FTZ adapter. And this time I’m quite pleased with the results. I haven’t had the time or the decent weather to spend much time with it outside, but here are two photos taken inside at 18mm and one at 400mm from the same camera to subject distance.

The lens is a bit heavy, but having that range of focal length in one lens is well worth it.

“Tri-X, F/8, and be there”

A New Year and New Gear...

I’m finally getting around to a new post. It’s been a little over six months since my last one. I have an excuse but no one wants to hear it.

My plan for 2020 is to post at least once a month, ideally more often than that.

So I’m starting out the New Year with some new gear. For the last several years I’ve scoffed at the trend towards mirrorless cameras. I never cares for the electronic viewfinder. And given that Nikon had no professional lever mirrorless cameras, switching camera brands would have been incredibly expensive.

Well, Nikon finally released two full frame mirrorless cameras, the Z7 and Z6. Again, both expensive bodies. In addition a new lens mount. Although they do have the FTZ adapter so you can mount F lenses on the Z bodies.

A few months ago, Nikon released the Z50, a DX body with two kit lenses; a 16-50 and a 50-250. The price for the body and two kit lenses was less than a Z6 body. So I thought I’d take a look at it.

And wow, I really like the Z50. Very small, easy to handle, feature rich, a very nice camera. Well I ended up buying a 24-70 Z mount lens and the FTZ adapter. With the FTZ I can use my 10-20 DX F mount lens and my Tamron 100-400 after updating the firmware. Older lenses are manual focus only with the FTZ but with focus peaking, getting sharp images is no problem.

So I sent the Z50 and kit lenses back and bought two Z50 bodies. I’ll forever be in the “I need two bodies” mindset. A hold over from when I worked professionally and would go on a shoot with two bodies and three to four prime lenses. Some shoots required three bodies. So it feels bizarre to have only one body, even tho I’m not shooting professionally anymore.

So, I sold my last two DSLR mirrored bodies and a couple of lenses.

I found out how to set up back button focusing. Am learning the menus, etc. The only issues now is not being able to read the RAW files in my older version of Lightroom, so I have to convert them to DNG format. I’m hoping a future release of Exposure X5 will include support got Z50 RAW files. But in the meantime, most of the images I take are JPEG and I transfer them to one of my iPads for processing and posting.

I’m quite impressed with the results I’m getting with the Z50 and the three lenses I have remaining. Here are a few.

"Tri-X, f/8, and be there."