Sample Photos from Latest Full Sensor DSLRs

Here's a list of sample photos from each of the current Full Sensor DSLRs' in the market. I thought it would be interesting to compare image quality of similar focal lengths and settings. The latest entry is the Sony A900 which really puts Sony into the competitive space with Nikon and Canon. Canon, as many of you may already be aware, came out with one of the first affordable full sensor DSLR's with the launching the 5D (Mark I) in 2004. Canon had heretofore the longest lead with their flagship affordable 5D. Prior to that, if someone wanted to buy a full sensor DSLR, they had to consider purchasing the Canon 1Ds Mark I or II for around $7,000.00 US or above (few people remember Kodak's much lamented launch of the DCS Pro 14n which regrettably had some problems). However Nikon proved it could compete in the same arena with the recently launched Nikon D700 (MSRP $3,000.00 which is approximately same cost as both Canon 5Ds at launch their respective launch dates). In the past several years a growing number of wedding photographers adopted the Canon 5D Mark I as their SLR of choice for wedding photography. With Nikon's launch of the D3 and D700 this year, you may see a pattern of these same wedding photographers switching to Nikon for the sole reason that both models have the ability to shoot at ISO 3200 and ISO 6400 with very clean noise! Check out these samples (courtesy of DPReview) and let me know what you think.

-JP (former Canon D30/D60/10D/5D Mark I but now using Nikon D1x, D2h, D80 and pining for the D700/D90). =)

Its Going to be a Hot one this week

October 23, 2008
Well I thought summer was pretty much over but the weatherman this morning said the temperatures should reach mid 80's today with highs expected in the high 80's tomorrow! Talking to a gal from SoCal today, the temperature at USC was around the 90's. Welcome Global Warming where you just never know what the weather will be like. =)

On a cool note, I just received my 20x30 print that I will have framed at Aaron Brothers tomorrow. This is for the Noble Elementary School Silent Auction on Oct 24th. Jenn, one of my family portrait customer's, is head of the committee running the silent auction. She asked me if I would like to donate a print and photosession for a good cause. It took me all of 2 seconds to reply with a hearty "YES!"

I'm hoping this will lead to some portrait sessions for the holiday. Wish me luck y'all....

Btw here's the sample photo I am using for the 20x30 framed print. Coincidently this is photo of both Jenn's very adorable daughters' from last year's December Family Portrait. Let me know what you think.

JP

Shaun & Gena's SF Engagement Shoot (Or How-Not-To-Panick-When-Things-Go-Wrong!)

Ok. So here's the second post on my blog. As you can tell from the title, this was supposed to be a normal, Saturday Engagement Photoshoot. Everything started well. My second shooter (and a great photographer to boot!) Israel and I met up with Shaun and Gena at the Starbucks in Milpitas. Since we were caravan-ing, I decided to take the lead and trust the 'ol Garmin GPS Navigator in my car from Milpitas to San Francisco via Hwy 880. Mistake# 1, never-ever-ever completely trust the navigation! Sometimes you should trust your instincts and eyes-ears. For those of you who know the bay area, the best way to get into SF is Hwy 280 thru Daly City-SF. Mistake #2, I did not know it was Fleet Week that weekend.

The first clue that driving part was not going to be fast was the traffic we encountered around Haward all the way thru Oakland. The second clue was the Blue Angels doing a fly-by near the Bay Bridge. =)

So we finally make it past the bridge into the city. From downtown to Palace of Fine Arts was almost bumper-to-bumper, red lights the entire way. And, of course, since I was playing Chicken with a SF Transit, I totally missed the one and only exit to Palace of Fine Arts which costs us another 15-20 min of driving near Golden Gate Bridge and turning around. So what normally takes 1 1/4 hour trip to SF from the South Bay turned into a 2 1/2 hour drive. You would think that was bad enough. Well since it was fleet week, parking was anything but easy. After walking 10 min from the Presidio to Palace of Fine Arts, we arrive at the entrance to find out that they are doing recontruction on the Palace of Fine Arts. Which means no cool photos from underneath the dome. =( By this time its almost 6pm and we literally have 30-40 min of light before sunset. While Israel and I are taking photos of the lovely couple on the pond near the Palace of Fine Arts, the shorts I am wearing inelegantly has a tear when I get into one of funky photpgraper position to get the "right" angle for a shot. With the excuse of going back to the car to get my 2nd flash, I find out I left the headlights on my Honda Element on - leaving me with a dead battery. With the help of some good samaritans, I try to jumpstart the battery for 30 min. By this time its nearly dark.

So you ask how did I survive all these mishaps? Through the patience and calm personality of Isreal (he's like a rock or that mighty oak that is not disuaded by anything or any situation!), the good samaritans who helped me with jumpstarting my car and the overall good attitude of Shaun & Gena; I never lost my cool. Though I came very close at times!! The moral of this story is never-never give up or get mad. Just stay the course in the midst of adversity and you will get through it.

Just check out the photos that Israel and I took which was the silver lining on a very cloudy day. =)

-jp

Welcome to John Paul Photography's First Blog!

Hey Folks! Yup it was time for me to join the blogger revolution. This is where you will find my personal thoughts and observations about my photography events and even some personal things too. =)

More to come soon, I promise...!

-JP