Author: alan chenkin

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Nikon B700 Bridge Camera Review

This is an amazing Camera :

Nikon Coolpix B700 4K Wi-Fi Digital Camera (Certified Refurbished)
 
WHY?
 

It’s a Nikon – Ultra High quality Nikkor Lens; exceptional clarity in almost all light conditions
Smaller than a DSLR – One Lens does it all (You never need to change lenses, or carry them around everywhere)
ZOOM – 60x Optical, + Digital equivalent to a 1440MM telescopic Lens!
Wide angle and close up modes, I shot a coin collection with great detail
Lots of shooting modes – from night scenes to Beach; I almost always used it on Auto
Built in adjustable diopter (for eyepiece, no need to put on eyeglasses)
Eyepiece allows you to focus in Bright lights and glare, like at the beach
More than a snapshot camera, without hassle of DSLR.
Wifi lets you commit photos to your smartphone, and upload to the cloud – available immediately!
Camera comes already setup, you just have to tweak it for your needs (just start shooting) in Automatic mode.

This camera is best for 
Someone who travels, and wants all the features in a compact package
Student who wants better than a “snapshot” camera for hundreds less than a basic DSLR
Anyone who wants to have a camera with features comparable to expensive DSLR’s in an easy-to-handle format.
Parent who goes to sporting events, and can zoom in on their active children (80x Zoom)

The pictures below were taken at wide angle and then full Zoom ACROSS A FOOTBALL FIELD at Virginia Tech, THE LONG WAY! I was able to pick out my GF and her son in the stands. It was tricky to keep the camera steady, and the lighting was not optimal, but it worked great! I had to steady the camera against a seat back, even with the anti-vibration mode on.

Nikon Coolpix B700 Digital Camera with 32GB Card + Case + Battery & Charger + Tripod Kit (Certified Refurbished)
I use this camera with the Nikon Snapbridge app on my android phone.  It works bluetooth or Wifi, and takes a 2MB image from the camera into the cloud (the full size image is on the SD card).  it also lets you control the camera (best with a tripod) so you can be in the action.  I prefer a Holster case, a leather handgrip vs.  the standard neck strap, and extra batteries.
 
If you are looking for a camera that will give you a lot of value and capability for almost every situation, this is an excellent choice.
  
Disclaimer:  I own one, and love it.  
 
Thanks for reading my review!  Please feel free to share!
Photographer's Guide to the Nikon Coolpix B700: Getting the Most from Nikon's Superzoom Camera
I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative.  Consider Liking, retweeting, upvoting and saving!
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Do this one thing and you will have better pictures!

It doesn’t matter whether you shoot with a smartphone or a fancy DSLR camera – there is one tip that will help you get better shots.

Are you ready?  Take more shots.

Example of burst mode – From Wikipedia

Everyone is smiling around the birthday cake?  take 4 or 5. or more.  Someone may blink, or move so much the picture is blurry, so you need a way to compensate!

you may not get a second chance for a “once in a lifetime” picture, so don’t be stingy with your pictures, take extra shots.  SD cards are cheap.  So is cloud storage.  You already have the basis for a good picture, even if it is a snapshot!

Many cameras (like my Nikon) have the ability to take pictures in “burst mode”,  where one click of the shutter takes multiple shots.  This is great for many situations where you want multiples and will get them without  effort or coaching your subjects.  I find this is great when shooting pictures of puppies, children, cars in motion, and other fast-moving objects!

No matter what, always think of your composition before clicking the shutter – multiples of a bad shot are just terrible, but multiples of a good shot are inspirational.

Burst mode, also called continuous  shooting mode, or continuous high speed mode, is a shooting mode in almost all still cameras.

In burst mode, several photographs are captured in quick succession by either pressing the shutter button or holding it down.[1] This is used mainly when the subject is in successive motion, such as sports photography. The photographer can then select the best image of the group or arrange them in a sequence to study the transitions in detail. (this description is from Wikipedia).

With all the options you have with a modern camera, or even settings on a smartphone camera, you may want to carry a “cheat sheet” with you, so you have a fast reference to the shooting modes that you would use in any situation.  Because they are like the “Cliff Notes” of your camera’s manual, cheat sheets are usually a small laminated card, or cards, that have quick reference to the available shooting modes and tips for your camera.  There are also general tip sheets relating to Depth of field, exposures, etc.

Sweet As Photos - Plastic Double-Sided Photography Quick Reference Cards / Cheat Sheets

Even if you shoot a lot of pictures, these guides will give you a refresher on composition, exposure, shooting modes, etc.  It is a good item to keep in your bag, and review when you take your camera on a trip or review prior to taking some shots on vacation.

PhotoBert Photo CheatSheet for Canon EOS 5DS/5DS R Digital SLR Camera

Tell your subjects to hold the pose, and click the shutter one more time!

I hope you found my point of view enlightening and informative.  Please share, like, and upvote!
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Smartphone accessories that turn your phone into a super-camera!

Firstly – Do you need a stand-alone camera?

Camera Lens Kit by Zeso | Professional CPL, Macro & Wide Angle Lenses | Multi-use tripod & Selfie Remote Control | For iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, iPads, Tablets | Universal Phone Clip & Hard Storage CaseORNikon D3400 24.2 MP DSLR Camera + AF-P DX 18-55mm VR NIKKOR Lens Kit + Accessory Bundle 64GB SDXC Memory + SLR Photo Bag + Wide Angle Lens + 2x Telephoto Lens + Flash + Remote + Tripod+Filters (Red)

For most of us, all we require is in a smartphone.  Selfies, snapshots, etc., don’t require high resolution, or need to be strikingly clear.  Adequate will do  – in those situations.  However, if you want more than just a snapshot, and like pictures that are clear, composed well, and give you control over the final product, than it may be time for you to consider getting a camera to add to your capabilities.  Let’s consider some options:

Smartphone lens kits

Cell Phone Camera Lens Kit, Vorida 5 In 1 HD Lens Kit 12X Telephoto Lens + 198° Fisheye Lens + 0.65X Wide Angle Lens + 15X Macro Lens, Clip-On for iphone 8 7 6s plus 5, Samsung & Most SmartphonePhone Camera Lens, 4 in 1 12x Telephoto Lens Kit + 0.65x Wide Angle Lens & 15x Macro Lens + 180°Fisheye Lens, Clip-On Cell Phone Lens for iphone x 8 7 plus 6s, Samsung Galaxy Note SmartphonesAFAITH Mobile Phones Lens 10-in-1 Lens Kit for Smartphone, 8x Telescope for telephoto / fisheye lens / 2 in 1 macro lens and remote control Selfie Stick Monopod + Bluetooth + Mini Tripod Monopod for iPhone 7 / iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 6s / 6s Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8 / S7 / S7 / S6, Huawei P10 / P9 / P8, Sony, HTC, Nokia und andere Smartphones PA051

These kits turn your Apple or Android phone into a multi-lens digital camera!  You can get tripods, zoom lenses, macro, close up, and special effects lense that just clip on to the phone.  No fancy technical twist on gimmicks, just a way to use your phone’s camera like an expensive DSLR.  Usually in the $15 to $75 price range, these adapters can up your game if you are traveling  or want more from your phone’s camera, without the added bulk of a big camera.

Pocket Cameras
Canon PowerShot G9 X Mark II Compact Digital Camera w/ 1 Inch Sensor and 3inch LCD - Wi-Fi, NFC, & Bluetooth Enabled (Black)Sony DSCWX350 18 MP Digital Camera (Black)Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ80 black, DMC-TZ80EG-K

These small cameras usually come loaded with features (Zoom, Close up, wide angle, Macro, etc.) and fit in purse or pocket, even with a small carry bag.  Three of my favorites are above. Personally, I carry a Canon SX 600 as my pocket shooter.  The good part is it’s not always out, like when you are swimming at the beach, so it can be tucked away for when photo opps appear!  (If you are at the beach, consider waterproof cameras, like these from EBay. Don’t forget a floating strap).  My daughter still has the waterproof Nikon I bought her 4 years ago.  with the big yellow floating strap, it’s hard to misplace, and easy to find -especially when snorkelling!

Now you have some options for upping your photo game.  You don’t have to carry all the fancy photo equipment like I have, but you can take shots that will look like they were taken on an expensive camera!  Make sure your lenses are clean (especially on the smartphone – they have small lenses), and take multiple shots – extra never hurts!

Have fun and take pictures!

Thanks for reading my Blog! feel free to share!
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Getting a new Camera for a trip?

Congrats on the new camera!

 
    —Or the Decision to get a new Camera!
 
Collins Need to Know? Digital SLR Photography: Expert Advice on Getting the Best from Your Camera

Plan on taking time to get to know your camera, and the camera settings, so that you have a “feel” for what your camera can do, but let me add more:

SLR Camera Wrist Strap Hand Belt Wrist Band with 1/4 Qucick Release Plate for Canon for Canon Nikon Sony DSLR CameraCase Logic SLRC-202 Medium SLR Camera Bag (Black)Tamrac 5769 Velocity 9x Pro Photo Sling Pack Bag (Brown/Tan)

Get a “nose bag” or “sling bag” and either a sling or a hand strap. this keeps your camera near and ready to shoot. You don’t want to fumble for it, and you can keep a hand on it while walking around – so you can just pull it out of the bag, focus, shoot, and put it back. quick and easy, less fumbling, etc. Less strain than typical neck strap, in my opinion.

5x Genuine SanDisk Ultra 16GB Class 10 SDHC Flash Memory Card Up To 40MB/s- 266x SDSDUN-016G-G46 (Newest Version)

Bring extra SD SD cards, and change them daily, so you have a fresh card every day and (if your camera gets lost or stolen), you don’t lose a vacation worth of shots. Upload them to the cloud daily (if you have wifi).
Also get an extra battery or two, you don’t want to run out of power. (and an adapter/charger for european or local power).  You can get Spare Camera Batteries on EBay.
Also put a UV filter on the lens (if you have a screw mount), it will protect it from accidental scratching and any impact.  UV Filters on Amazon.

Take two or three exposures for your shots. It’s not like your “wasting film”, and you can always choose the “best of three”. Also shoot at 6MP or more (preferably more); you want to catch as much detail as possible for your awesome shots.

Keep your lens clean and have your camera ready to go. also consider a small tripod, to steady the camera for zoom shots and occasional filming, to keep the camera steady. Lens Cleaning kits on Amazon.

CamKix Professional Camera Cleaning Kit for DSLR Cameras (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony) - Double Sided Lens Cleaning Pen / Alcohol Free Optical Lens Cleaning Fluid / 50 Sheets Cleaning Tissue / Brush / Blower

Don’t be afraid to shoot on automatic, or use the scene settings (like night scene or beach scene). TAKE THE SHOT, check your settings, then take MORE SHOTS. keep a small note pad handy, and record the settings your used, time, and thoughts. also pay attention to light, so if the sun is behind the subject, you can adjust the exposure (or use the flash) to brighten the subject in the foreground. 

Take lots of shots. share them. show them off. This is your story, own it, enjoy it, and let your pictures help you tell it!

Best of luck!

 
Thanks for reading my Blog! feel free to share!
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Welcome to Good Shots Photography!

WELCOME!

Cameras were once the domain of serious professionals with expensive lenses, exotic film and developing chemicals, and limited opportunities due to the cost and limitations of film photography. 

Today the camera built into our cell phones liberates us from the old days of film cameras and brings us into the new film and video age.  But cameras are not obsolete;  we all like to have a pictorial record of our lives and travels.  We also enjoy when the images are clear, sharp, and capable of being blown up to poster size or printable on a mug or Tshirt. 

For me, carrying  several cameras is fun and lets me take some amazing shots.

Here is the camera stock I carry:

Google Pixel XL, Verizon Wireless + GSM unlocked 128GB, Quite Black (Certified Refurbished)


Phone – Google Pixel XL with 12.3MP main camera and 8MP selfie camera.  I always have it on me, so I almost never miss a shot.

Canon PowerShot SX600 HS 16MP Compact Digital Camera - Wi-Fi Enabled (Red) (Certified Refurbished)


Pocket Shooter – Canon Powershot SX600 HS with 18x zoom, one button movie mode, wifi, and fits in a pocket (even with the small case).  

Nikon COOLPIX B700 4K Wi-Fi Digital Camera, with Total of 48GB along with Deluxe Bundle and Xpix Cleaning Accessory Kit


Bridge camera – Nikon CoolPix B700 Long Zoom camera with 60x zoom, wifi, Bluetooth, eyepiece  and swing out LCD screen.  Usually set on full Automatic, in a case logic nosebag with a hand strap.  You never have to change the lens – it goes from Close-in Wide angle to the equivalent of a 1440mm DSLR lens. Great when you have limited carry space (international trip, picnic, beach) where you only are carrying a small bag but want the features of a bigger camera.

Nikon D5600 DSLR Camera with 18-55mm VR AF-P Lens (Black) 1576 + Nikon 55-300mm f/4.5-5.6G ED VR Lens + Lithium Ion Battery + Charger + Sony 64GB SDXC Card + HDMI Cable + Remote + Card Reader Bundle


DSLR – Nikon D5600, with 18-55mm  and 70-300mm zoom lenses with Autofocus and Vibration reduction.  Kept in a Nosebag or a Tamrac sling bag, with a leather palm grip.  I also carry spare batteries, charger, sd cards, and filters (gradient, CPL, UV) in the Tamrac bag.  (My tripod is in the car).   when I want the benefit of the larger lens, more exposure control, and a kick ass DSLR, this is what I carry.  

Regardless of what camera you carry, I hope you get a lot of enjoyment from it and wonderful memories.

Please read my blog for camera tips, personal experiences, and ideas on how you can use your camera(s) to enhance and enrich your life.

 

-Alan