D7000 Sharpness, Lots of Samples, High ISO, mini review, etc #1

General settings and tips:

1- Shoot in A mode always thinking about the right DOF- depth of field that is nice for that pic: let's say-> f1.4 to 4.0 to portraits
Landscape -> f8 to f 9 (dont go further f11 because of difraction!)
Groups -> f 5.6

2- Focus:
AFC with 9 points Dynamic area -> that's it, no fancy settings-> FAST
a4 -> release , yes, no focus priority

Set AE-L button to AF-ON -> see below:

a- Use "AF-ON button only" for focus;

b- AFC (very important -> little movements, the target breaths, your hand shake , etc)
c- Select 9 points but w/ only selectable/visible 11 points on viewfinder

d- Always shoot a burst of 3 pics at 4 fps (and select the best one afterwards IN THE COMPUTER as its almost impossible to get the best focused one in LCD)

e- Shutter Release option (no focus lock, not even intermediate lock, as small movements of target or photographer are happening all the time and, of course, the DOF is pretty small) -> any micro delay will kill your sharpness...

f- Do not recompose-> select the active focus point that is near final position of targeted eye
g- Small crop at PP to get final adjustment

8- As I bought a f1.4 lens (remember: the cream machine...) why would I shoot at f4 / 5.6? Ok, I personally like f2.0 or f2.2 in DX for head shots, but got many good ones at f1.4 too.

h- Almost forgot: PLZ get SS at least 1/80 and up ( I would say 1/125 ideal for DX and 85mm lens -> adjust to different equip.) -> therefore set your auto-iso to work!!!
i- Be prepared to get "only" 50% of keepers at most...

3- If you dont like itens 1 and 2 shoot P mode and auto area ( but forget nail focus in a eye with a f1.4 lens!)

4- Buy a Capture NX2 and shoot RAW

5- Auto WB - Auto1

6- Picture Control -> NEUTRAL
Contrast-> auto
In camera sharpness-> +4 (if you shoot jpeg go up to +6 not more than that)

7- Set a -0.3 EV permanent exposure compensation

AND set your playback to show highlights-> shoot and make an exposure compensation (almost always I had to do a EC -> see my exifs in pbase)

As the D7000 allows you to correct dark ares of pic later in PP (remember i said RAW!) NEVER let a blown up area in your pic
Usually I set a -0.3 EC to -0.7 EC.
PLZ this one of the most important things in serious photography!

8- Use later in NX2 the control points to set the right brigtness to your pics

9- I'm usually increase contrast in PP -> just a touch (5 units in Nx2)

9- Get a Polarizer filter to shoot lanscapes and did not get a blown sky. Just turn it untill you see the best colors thru viewfinder

10- AUTO ISO -> very important:

For these 2 lenses (24 mm and 70-200 VRII) and set minimum shutter speed to 1/60 and MAX iso 6400 -> w/ a f1.4 lens dont worry-> It never will get so hight, but anyway you'll have a lifebuoy to get that snap at 6400 iso...

Also set U1 for portraits and minimum shutter speed to 1/125 and U2 for lanscapes and minimum shutter speed to 1/60 or less if you shoot w/ a tripod (really dont need one)

11-- Buy a Topaz denoise 5 for Noide reduction in PP -> its incredible

12- ADL- set to low

13- High iso NR set to low

14- Any dead pixel?: just PP in NX2 using band-aid tool (I got one DP...)

15- Although a tripod is not mandatory, you need to increase your shutter speed very often because of the 16MB/pixel size etc)-> as I said people move and breath so in AFC w/ AF-ON button you can rear the lens motor moving when you are waiting the right moment to click so 1/125 for people is the minimum

For maximum sharpness in a landscape-handheld you'll need minimum 1/500!!!

But lets say 1/250 is very good. But VR helps too and you can go slower w/ VR lenses.

The landscape view you see in my pics were shoot laying the camera on a rail of the varanda (because the polarizer cuts your light by approximatelly -2EV of light!).

But I get beautiful sky. If you dont blow highlights the D7000 can return you deep colors almost like HDR but natural ones.

More later!

--
Ray Soares

See my pictures at http://www.pbase.com/raysoares