Made the Leap: Nikon D600

When I first saw the rumors of an intro Nikon FX camera coming out...I immediately knew a new camera would be in my future.  I just didn't know it would be this soon.  Nikon did a great job with making the announcement and then five days later had the cameras shipped to the retailers.  It only took two days of reading the reviews and specs to realize this was going to be an awesome camera.  It definitely is!

I did have the usual buyer's remorse until the camera arrived in my hot little hands.  The D600 uses the same battery as my D7000.  No waiting to charge a new battery.  I was ready to go.  I also had an extra Crumpler's Industry Disgrace strap that I attached before turning on the camera.  It's an amazing thing for me to have an extra strap...it was meant to be.

The D600 feels a bit heftier in my hands.  It's slightly bigger than the D7000.  The grip is a bit deeper.  The camera is a bit taller.  The LCD is a whopping 3.2 inches.  Looking through the viewfinder...it's huge!  The 39-focus points are the same as the D7000.  BUT...it's noticeably smaller.

I can use both my DX and of course the FX lenses on this camera.  The camera automatically knows when I switch my lens.  When I have my DX lens mounted and I look into the viewfinder, I can see a thin black horizontal window that shows me the cropped DX area.  At this point the 39-focus points look just like what you would see in the D7000 viewfinder.

The D600 handles beautifully in low light.  It's quick to focus.  So far, I've only taken 200 pictures.  I'll be back with some sample pictures and additional findings that I uncover using this amazing camera.

Stay tuned!

My Nikon...Another Milestone!

I did it again.  I rolled over my Nikon D7000 DSLR for the second time.  This year.  Another 10,000 pictures taken.  I've taken over 20,000 pictures.

The 20,000 picture...blooming hybrid tea rose

Our Anemones are still blooming like crazy

I found a bee in our daylily patch

I have a lot more pictures to take this month.  I get to do a photo shoot at a local private school.  They want me to take pictures of individuals as well as group shots.   I am so looking forward to this.

The Eastern Shore...Ocean City

After our adventure to Chincoteague, it was time to head back into Maryland and find our lodging in Ocean City and enjoy some some seafood.

We had beautiful weather last weekend.  It was sunny one day and then overcast the next.  Not too hot.

We stayed on 28th street right on the beach and at the start of the Boardwalk

Parasailing was a popular activity

Can you see the gecko?

Early morning workout activities on the Boardwalk

Plenty of play areas on the beach for the kids

A Jolly Roger theme park between the Boardwalk and pier

Watching the Human Slingshot ride at night.  Yes it was pretty spectacular to watch!

Night time photography on the Boardwalk

The water was quite chilly, but not for the young at heart

The Eastern Shore...Chincoteague Island

Hubby and I had the opportunity to head to the Eastern Shore for a few days last week.  Before heading to our final beach destination in Maryland, we took a side trip and ended up at Chincoteague Island.  It was kind of weird that we started in Virginia, drove a few hours in Maryland, and then ended up in Virginia again.

We slowly drove around the Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge on the island and parked at their beach.  It was a beautiful day with no humidity and we enjoyed the lovely scenery:

Chincoteague Beach Bunny!

The beach at Chincoteague...peaceful and plenty of room on the beach

Boardwalk through the refuge.  The cloud formation reminds me of eyelashes!

Wanted to stay and watch her paint....

The wild Chincoteague ponies!

More wild ponies!

This was one of those times...I wished I had a bigger zoom lens.  Sigh!

I will be back with more pictures from the Eastern Shore!

Another Civil War Commemorative Event...150 years Second Battle of Manassas

Demonstration on how to prepare, load, and fire a civil war cannon

Discussions and talk about civil war life

Taking a break and playing cards

Chatting with the young ladies about their garments

I spied a Nikon camera!  Way cool!

The men slept here at night while the ladies slept at a lodge nearby

Getting ready to fire...plug your ears!

Kabooooom!  It was so loud that it shook my camera!

Swallowtail Butterfly in Our Garden

I followed several Swallowtail butterflies in our garden.  They flittered to and fro and around several buddleia flowers.  The common name for this flowering plant is Butterfly Bush.  How appropriate.

The background in this picture reminds me of a watercolor painting.  I just might have to add this picture to my portfolio for a future painting.

Anemones in Bloom

My hubby spotted these Anemones in bloom.  I'm looking forward to the next few days as more and more of them open up.  I took this picture using my 85mm lens and compact speed light.  I was waiting for the rain showers to stop and by then it became evening.  Still not a bad time to take pictures.