August Newsletter: Hiking and Photography
Wow! A dream come true. Nikon has just introduced the Nikon D700 which incorporates many of the features of the incredible Nikon D3 in a body similar in size to the D300. Add a pop-up flash and shave off a couple of thousand dollars and you have one hell of a camera. Labels: Hiking, newsletter
A walk in the woods Photo Ken Nadle
The challenge for the hiking photographer is a mix of keeping the load light, including the essentials and protecting the gear.
Beyond these issues is your own survival. As Joel Lucks points out in his article Above the Timberline, if you are hiking into the wilderness you must be prepared.
Assuming you have the maps, compass, water, food and stamina here are some photographic requisites for bringing back great pictures and undamaged equipment:
First, evaluate what photographic equipment you must have. Obviously, you need your camera, memory cards and batteries. If you are hiking for a day or a weekend one extra battery and card are enough. If you are on some extended outback trek you will probably want to invest in a Promaster Go! Charger. You charge the Go Charger and it can charge your batteries up to five times before it has to be recharged. All five models normally ranging in price from $79.99 to $99.99 are now on sale from $39.99 to $49.99
Second, decide if you will need a tripod, a monopod or something versatile like a Joby Gorillapod (10 inches long and just 8.5 ounces) - $49.99 or maybe no tripod at all.
Third, and this is a key question - do you have a camera bag that will keep your equipment dry in a downpour or clean on a dusty trail? Let me recommend three - a great back pack and two waist holsters: The National Geographic Medium Backpack - $149.99, the Lowepro Topload Zoom 2 waist holster - $29.99 and the thinkTank Digital Holster 20 - $54.99 that cleverly unzips at the bottom to accommodate longer zoom lenses. One more backpack that I think is terrific is the Lowepro Dry Zone 100 at $229.99. This bag is a soft-sided camera backpack that is completely waterproof. If it falls in the water, even fully loaded, it floats!
Also worth mentioning is a Promaster Monopod/Walking Stick.
It has a removable ball grip that reveals standard camera thread. It incorporates anti-shock technology for trekking comfort and adjusts from 27 to 55 inches. It is light weight and rugged and just $24.99.
Rocky Mountain National Park, CO Photo Joel Lucks
Above the Timberline by Joel Lucks
I was sipping water from my hydration pack every fifteen minutes but there was no accounting for the body fluid I was losing on my ascent into Rocky Mountain National Park this past June. The back of my throat became drier and raspier as my altitude increased but with every switchback came the promise of another great vista and photo op.
Our climbing group was warned of some snow on the trails but it did not prepare me for the deep snowfields at those higher altitudes. At times I would sink up to my knees or slide on my butt into, gratefully, soft snow. Finally, after climbing for five hours, We reached Ouzel Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park and experienced the thrill that comes from a successful climb and the magnificent view at 10,000 feet.
Hiking the peaks of any mountain system is not a solo sport. There is something to be said for the camaraderie, of course, more importantly there is the safety factor. My training emphasizes minimum groups of 3 people; one to stay behind with a downed hiker, the other to go for help.
And physical training cannot be taken for granted. Include in your preparation a weekly workout schedule that includes a rigorous aerobic exercise, weight lifting, and proper nutrition. As a New York State Department of Environmental Hiking Guide and a Leukemia/Lymphoma Nationally trained hiking coach, I can honestly tell you that you cannot over train for tough, altitude hiking.
Likewise, having the right equipment for a mountain ascent is critical and includes a hydration bladder, daypack or a backpack, trekking poles, proper hiking boots (no sneakers, please), and proper layering, to include rain gear. And this says nothing about selecting survival equipment such as matches, lighters, signaling devices, a knife, sunscreen, water filters, and more.
When you are already carrying 25 pounds or so, adding additional weight in camera equipment becomes an exercise in keeping it real. I use a ThinkTank holster that is readily available at my waist. It keeps my camera, filters, extra cards and batteries dry and cushioned.
If you have any comments or questions about hiking and photography join our forum. I monitor the forum and would like to hear from you. To see some of my photos and to learn more about me, visit my website at www.joellucks.com.
In-Home Lessons
In addition to our many in-store classes, Yvonne Berger offers an in-home course on your own computer.
Whether you need help with basic computer operations, getting photos organized or specific lessons on the use of any camera as well as expert instructions using Photoshop CS3 or Elements, Lightroom, printing and color management Yvonne can get you up to speed - $85 per hour.
Also noteworthy is the free 1/2 hour in-home class (minimum 1 hour) offered by Berger Bros. with the purchase of any digital camera.
You can email Yvonne at yvonne@ybdigitalstudios.com or call her - 516 233 0749 
The D700 has a full frame, 12.1 MP, CMOS Image Sensor and fast continuous shooting capability of up to 5 frames per second (up to 8 fps with the optional MB-D10 Multi-power Battery Pack and EN-EL4a Rechargeable Li-ion Battery or eight AA-size batteries).
The start-up time is 0.12 seconds with a shutter release lag time of just 40ms - that is fast! Other assets are Nikon's 51-point AF system with 3D focus tracking, two Live View modes and a normal ISO sensitivity range of 200 to 6400 but can be boosted to an incredible ISO 25,600 or set down to ISO 100.
The shutter on the D700 is reported to be good for 150,000 exposures rather than 300,000 on the D3. The viewfinder has 95% coverage. And, although the D700 has a full frame sensor, DX lenses can be used and the viewfinder will be automatically masked to reflect the reduced 5.1 MP capture.
Also notable and an improvement not available to the wonderful Nikon D3 is Image Sensor Cleaning, which is activated when the camera is turned on or off and can also be activated on-demand by the photographer.
The D700 has a rugged magnesium alloy body with connections and buttons sealed against moisture. The camera even has a virtual horizon feature that indicates if the camera is level. Bravo Nikon!
Nikon D700 FX-Format 12.1 MP Body Only - $2,999.99
Nikon D700 FX-Format 12.1 MP with AF-S VR Zoom-Nikor 24-120mm f3.5-5.6G IF-ED - $3,599.99
Nikon SB-900 AF Speedlight
Nikon has just announced it's new flagship Speedlight - SB-900. The SB-900 operates as a stand-alone Speedlight, a wireless Speedlight Commander or wireless remote Speedlight.
The Auto Power Zoom Coverage has been expanded to 17-200mm and the flash can identify which format lens is in use - FX or DX and optimizes the light distribution angle.
The SB-900 can control up to 3 remote Speedlight groups and an unlimited number of compatible Speedlights.
Hallelujah! Nikon has streamlined the controls and menus with a Rotary Select Dial which lets you set key flash functions quickly while a prominent Master and Remote control switch simplifies wireless operations.
You can now choose from 3 light distribution patterns to improve light quality by selecting Standard for general illumination, Center-weighted for portraits or Even for groups or interiors.
NIKON SB-900 SPEEDLIGHT - $479.99 (reg $499)
Canon EOS Rebel XS with EF S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens
Just announced, this new Rebel replaces the XTi as Canon's entry level D-SLR. It retains the 10 MP CMOS sensor and 2.5 inch LCD of the XTi but uses an XSi body and a newer Digic III processing chip. The XS has a Live View mode and Canon reports that the battery life has been improved.
Among the many outstanding features included in the
Rebel XS are a High-Speed, Wide-Area 7-Point Auto Focus System, 3.0 frames per second continuous shooting and an EOS Integrated Cleaning System.
The Rebel XS uses SD and SDHC memory cards and is compatible with over 60 Canon lenses and most EOS accessories. The Rebel XS is also the lightest and most compact EOS Digital SLR to date.
Available in Silver or Black.
Canon EOS Rebel XS
with EF S 18-55mm f3.5-5.6 IS Lens - $669.99*
*A low, low price for Berger Bros. Camera Newsletter readers!
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash
Canon's new 430X II flash combines compact size and affordability with significantly greater user control via new LCD panel on rear of flash. Improvements in circuitry make recycle time 40% faster than the previous model.
It is compatible with Canon's wireless E-TTL and can be used as an affordable slave unit. White balance info is communicated instantly to compatible D-SLR's like the Rebel XS. Six flash custom functions can be set on rear LCD panel.
Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash - $319.99
