Life expectancy of the D80

Back in June 2009 (http://photonfarmers.blogspot.com/2009/06/d80-actuations.html) I made a reference to this website that records the number of shutter actuations of various DSLRs before the shutter died. I thought I'd capture it once here so in case the site disappears I have a record of it. Make sure to visit the original site for the most up-to-date data.

Nikon D80

Direct link to this page: nikon_d80

Average number of actuations after which shutter is still alive: 65,511.5
Average number of actuations after which shutter died: 38,059.7

Clicks	Alive	Dead	Graph
397 … 653	5	3
654 … 1,074	1	1
1,075 … 1,768	5	2
1,769 … 2,909	21	2
2,910 … 4,786	43	1
4,787 … 7,875	74	3
7,876 … 12,957	116	10
12,958 … 21,318	137	7
21,319 … 35,074	126	2
35,075 … 57,708	85	2
57,709 … 94,947	38	3
94,948 … 156,217	9	3
156,218 … 257,024	6	1
257,025 … 422,882	2	1
422,883 … 695,768	1
695,769 … 1,144,748	2
1,144,749 … 1,883,453
1,883,454 … 3,098,845
3,098,846 … 5,098,528
5,098,529 … 8,388,607	3

Survival estimation (Kaplan-Meier):

Clicks	KM survival estimate	Graph
397 … 653	99.6%
654 … 1,074	99.4%
1,075 … 1,768	99.2%
1,769 … 2,909	98.9%
2,910 … 4,786	98.7%
4,787 … 7,875	98.3%
7,876 … 12,957	96.5%
12,958 … 21,318	94.9%
21,319 … 35,074	94.2%
35,075 … 57,708	93%
57,709 … 94,947	89%
94,948 … 156,217	79.5%
156,218 … 257,024	74.5%
257,025 … 422,882	66.2%
422,883 … 695,768	66.2%
695,769 … 1,144,748	66.2%
1,144,749 … 1,883,453	66.2%
1,883,454 … 3,098,845	66.2%
3,098,846 … 5,098,528	66.2%
5,098,529 … 8,388,607	66.2%

Case for AA batteries, part II

In February, I wrote about a small pouch/case to carry extra AA batteries. The reason I wanted one of those was really because I do not want to carry around a big backpack everywhere I go. The backpack is great for hiking and traveling but going into a gala, a wedding, a restaurant, or some party, it just does not fit the occasion.

After a wedding a couple of weekends ago, I happened to be at Walmart's looking for the small pouch in an earlier post. I could not find the exact pouch but did find something similar and similarly priced. I did not pick it up though. I decided what I needed was a something elegant enough for me to take into the special occasions, something I could store my camera and other accessories -- but wait, is that not what a Lowepro camera bag is made for? Yes. I had a Lowepro camera bag and gave it away because it was too small for my camera. I could get another bigger camera bag, but then thought a small travel bag would do. I would be able to store all my lenses and camera accessories including those AA batteries in it.

At Walmart's, I picked one of those travel handbags for $20. I need to pad it with some old sweater but it looks decent enough for me to take to a wedding in July.

Upgrading my camera

So, it's been three years since my purchase of the Nikon D80. The D80 is a nice camera and has endured a lot of abuse. After over 40K clicks, it is about time for an upgrade, not for its deficiencies but for its potential shutter failure. I am thinking of purchasing a D90.

Camera, lights, action!

It is hard to imagine you could produce professional quality studio images but with the right equipments and proper setup, it is not that hard. I was at the Henry's Photographic and Digital Imaging Show this afternoon, and this year, they introduced a new area called the "Shooting Centre". There were some pretty models and old bikes on display as well as a circus performer, and you get to try out some photo equipments like the strobes and light boxes. It was amazing. I took a few shots of a model on a vintage bike with a sidecar. I also took some shots of a bike alone. What a difference it makes when you have the right equipments. Below are some of the shots.

Shot with my single hotshoe flash:


Shot with the light equipments set up at the show (with three light sources):


Shot with show equipments (only the left strobe light was fired):


Model on a bike with the studio lights:

Case for AA batteries

I am looking for a small case to carry extra batteries (I have 17 rechargeable batteries in total) and other small camera accessories on my belt or in my pocket for easy access. I am thinking of buying this:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Case-Logic-MEQB-1M-Eva-Hardshell-Small-Digital-Camera-Case-Blue/10297714

For $8, it's pretty cheap uh?

For a cheaper alternative, there is this DIY battery case:

http://www.diyphotogear.com/AA%20Battery%20Case.html

However, there is no belt clip or carabiner.

BTW, about those Duracell batteries I just bought ... I used them yesterday (after the Energizers failed to work) -- these Duracells worked great.

Rechargeable batteries for my SB800

I had to throw away a couple of rechargeable Energizer 2500mAh AA batteries that I used in my SB800 speedlight. Below are the two batteries I threw away. Notice the white blotches on the side wall of the batteries and white powder residues on the edge of the negative terminal. I don't know what caused the white blotches and the residue -- the negative terminal is made of one piece, like those pressed aluminum cans of Coke, so it's not like something leaked out. In any case, I threw these two batteries away and bought some new Duracell 2000mAh Pre-Charged rechargeables. These Duracell rechargeables behave like the Sanyo Eneloop rechargeables in that they will maintain 80% of their charge for up to a year, unlike normal rechargeable batteries.

Just to be clear ... you should not mix the different types of batteries when used in the speedlight. I will keep the Energizer set separate from the Duracell set.



For more information on the Duracell Pre-Charged Rechargeables: http://www.duracell.com/en-US/product/pre-charged-rechargeable-batteries.jspx

Ringing in a new year with a "blue moon"

As the party goers were pouring back onto the streets of Toronto after the stroke of midnight, I looked up into the overcasted sky. The moon appeared different. It was bright and turned the sky blue. It's rare to see a blue moon on New Year Eve.

I took a couple of shots at 17mm, f/2.8, ISO 800.

P.S. Besides this blue moon, this is also this "Blue Moon" by The Marcels, 1961. Enjoy!