Nikon announced a few new toys today. They have the Nikon D60, a 10.2 MP entry level camera, an AF-S DX 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6 VR lens, a PC (Perspective Control) 24mm f/3.5 ED lens, and an AF-S 60mm f/2.8 Micro Lens.

Back when I was still shooting with Nikon, I was a big fan of the original 60mm micro. The new one has the fast focusing AF-S motor, two aspherical elements and ED glass as well as Nikon Nano crystal coat technology. The original 60 was one sharp lens. With all of the improvements, the new one will probably be hard to beat.

One of my co-workers came across a cool video on the internet. The video, called Airsick, was made by Toronto Star photographer Lucas Oleniuk. The video was actually made with 20,000 still images shot over 20 days.

It’s an impressive piece. And that is a lot of work. But I got to thinking about the 20,000 images. The cameras I use have an average life expectancy of 100,000 frames for the shutters. 20,000 images would be 20% of the life of the camera shutter. That’s a lot of wear and tear on the camera for a 2-minute video.

A while back I wrote about Canon announcing the development of a new 200mm f/2 IS lens. I also wrote about how bad I wanted one. Well, Canon recently announced the release date and the price for the new lens. It is scheduled to be released in April of this year. The estimated street price is $5999.00.

That’s about $2000 more than I expected it to be. Now I have to re-think about how much I really need that lens. It would be the perfect lens for a lot of the sports I shoot. But that’s also a down payment on a house. For now I’ll continue to make do with what I have and I’ll keep dreaming about the money.

Oh, and Canon also announced an 800mm f/5.6 IS lens at the same time as the 200/2. The expected street price for the 800mm: $11,999.00

Canon recently announced the latest version of the Digital Rebel: The EOS Rebel XSi. The camera has 12.2 megapixels and a long list of impressive features.

When compared to the current batch of top-of-the-line professional cameras, the new Digital Rebel does look like an entry level camera. But when I look at the top cameras from just a few years ago, it just blows me away how far technology has come. The first digital camera the Journal bought was the AP NC2000e back in 1999. A quick comparison between the two cameras:

Cost:
NC2000e : $10,000
XSi: $799

Megapixels:
NC2000e: 1.2
XSi: 12.2

Frames per second:
NC2000e: 2 fps
XSi: 3.5 fps

Focus Points:
NC200e: 1
XSi: 9

LCD:
NC2000e: None (how did we survive?)
XSi: 3.0″ LCD with Live Viewing

Keep in mind the XSi is an entry level camera. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind having a XSi as a back-up camera, but compared to the cameras I use now it leaves something to be desired (mostly in build quality.) But I’m still amazed at the progress.

Sixth grade student Jared Jewett , above, removes a hook from a fish he just caught. About 80 South Sioux City Middle School students, teachers and volunteers were ice fishing at Crystal Cove Lake Sunday, January 27, 2008. Instructor Steve Shadle said the event was to get students to “take a risk, try something they never tried before.” Sixth grade student Amanda Abbe, below, tries her luck. Click here for more photos.

I know it’s about three weeks overdue, but I finally posted a gallery of some of my favorite photos from 2007. And be sure to check our web site later. Journal Chief Photographer Tim Hynds is planning to put together a slide show of the best photos from the entire staff.

A bull waits in the shoots during the Barnes National Bull Riding Challenge at the Tyson Center Saturday, January 19, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

I had a full slate of sports today. Started out with the Bishop Heelan Wrestling Duals, then Briar Cliff basketball, then ended with a rodeo. Well, OK, it was only bull riding, but that was even better. It’s just like a rodeo but fast-forwarding to the best parts.

Back in 1988 I was a young college student doing my first internship in Rawlins, Wyoming. They had a lot of rodeos out there. When I was assigned to shoot my first ever rodeo I asked the editor for advice. He told me to wear blue jeans, a cowboy hat, and the only lens I would need was a 50mm because I would be shooting from inside the fence.

Back in those days I thought editors were wise. So I listened to him and did as he suggested. I remember clearly the first time a bucking bronco came straight at me. You’d be surprised how fast a fat guy can can get over a fence, I know I was. After that I decided if God wanted me to shoot rodeos from inside the fence he wouldn’t have invented telephoto lenses. So I shot the rest of the rodeo with my trusty ol’ 80-200mm lens.

It was my first rodeo and I got a great shot with my telephoto zoom of a fallen rider getting nailed in the rear by a bull. And it was the first photo I had to win a first place award in a professional competition.

Todd Mowery, Elkland, Missouri, competes during the Barnes National Bull Riding Challenge at the Tyson Center Saturday, January 19, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

Briar Cliff’s Brett Ratcliff passes the ball while guarded by Doane’s Brett McFarland during basketball action at Briar Cliff University Saturday, January 19, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)

East’s Kory Kistner rolls Heelan’s Ryan Brosnahan over for backpoints during the Bishop Heelan Wrestling Duals at the Long Lines Family Rec Center Saturday, January 19, 2008.

Whoever came up with the idea of selling fresh, hot, right-out-of-the-oven cookies at the basketball games is a genius. West High has these cookies, two for a dollar, at many of their home basketball games. I’ve seen the same deal at North High and some of the other schools. It’s a great idea to raise funds for various school groups and activities, and they are just plain good.

Yo, This is photo editor Tim Hynds reposting a “for sale” notice that was part of this blog…..well let’s say it’s been a while. ANY and ALL offers will be entertained – and probably accepted!

If you are interested in any of this stuff, send an e-mail to

timhynds@siouxcityjournal.com

As part of the photo department’s remodeling, we will be parting ways with several pieces of photo equipment – mostly film bodies and film/digital lenses.

For sale are:

Nikon F4 film cameras
Nikon F5 film camera
Nikon FA film camera with motor drive
several Nikkor 50mm f1.8 autofocus lenses
a Nikkor 24mm f2.8 autofocus lens
a Nikkor 300mm f2.8 manual focus lens

All of these items were photo department pool equipment. What that means is that they look like…..well, let’s just say they won’t win any beauty contests. However, they have all been maintained by Nikon Professional Services and they all work just fine.

The setting sun lights up the clouds behind the Cathedral of the Epiphany Sunday, January 6, 2008. (Jim Lee/Sioux City Journal)