While on holiday this summer noticed my Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G AF-S VR lens wasn't focusing properly.  Specifically, the focusing ring did a lot of wandering before locking into focus.  When in dim light and/or using a polarizer, however, the lens quite often couldn't attain focus at all.  At first chalked this up to normal behavior.  But over the course of the summer it got to the point where all focusing with the lens had to be done manually.

A couple weeks ago called the Nikon Service Center in Melville, NY to discuss my issue and options for fixing it.  From the moment the customer service rep answered the phone could tell this would be a positive experience.  He was helpful, knowledgeable, and "on shore" to boot.  But then after several minutes of conversaton he dropped the bombshell; he said Nikon warrants their US purchased lenses for 5 years.  Wow!  And given this lens was purchased last year in 2006 the rep said all I had to do was pack it (with a copy of my receipt), ship it (insured) to the Nikon Service Center, and they would take care of the rest.

After shipping it to Nikon via UPS ground on Friday, September 14 it arrived back yesterday.  All told it was returned in less than two weeks and only cost me the $23 shipping fee to send it to Nikon.

According to the packing slip the lens repair invovled (1) replacing the SWM (Silent Wave Motor) and focusing ring, (2) adjustment of several lens components, and (3) a thorough check and cleaning.  Once out of the box gave the lens a thorough test on my Nikon D70s in both bright and dim light and found it to work perfectly!  It even looks new!

Seems odd after all the cameras, lens, et al I've owned and all the images taken over the years to have never had an item that required repair.  Certainly happy this first experience was so painless.  Thanks, Nikon.

Last weekend journeyed to South Haven, Michigan with my daughter where we hopefully captured the essence of a Lake Michigan lighthouse at sunset.  Although high winds and cool temperatures made it a test of our character, the panorama of the water, pier, and lighthouse was just beautiful against the cloudless sky and the occasional spray from crashing waves.  Will post the best of these images once they're back from the lab.

This first real outing by the way with the new Nikon F100 camera was a great experience.  Especially appreciated its fast focusing, ability to choose from one of five focus points, and easy exposure bracketing.  Also, while out on the pier made use for the first time of the new Domke Photog Vest and can say it functions exactly as advertised.  As the conditions out on the pier made it no place for resting a camera bag, it was great to be able to have the vest's multitude of deep pockets at my disposal.

Nikon's F100 is truly an engineering marvel!  Observations to date include -

• Wrapping one's hands and fingers around this camera feels so natural; it's unlike any I've held before.
• Autofocus is incredibly fast.  And the five, easy-to-select focus points are a great feature.
• Program settings and choices are not nearly as intimidating as have been led to believe.
• Exposure bracketing made easy; the program settings for this feature seem quite intuitive.
• Depth of field preview is powered and fast.  Wow!  A great improvement over just applying pressure with your finger.
• The viewfinder screen is crystal clear.  And the diopter adjustment knob is a godsend for those with imperfect vision.
• Incredibly, the status for most every single setting is visible in the bottom of the viewfinder window.
• Controls are very easy to learn and many are identical to my 13 year old Nikon N8008s.

Unfortunately since its arrival earlier this month time in the field with the F100 has been limited due to recent high demands of the day job.  But am looking forward to putting it through the paces on a planned photo outing with my daughter the first weekend in April.  For this photo excursion have several projects outlined and the resulting new gallery postings should appear by mid April.

Several new family members were delivered today by the UPS driver.  Earlier in the week ordered from B&H Photo a Nikon F100 camera, a Nikon SB-50DX flash unit, and a Domke Photog Vest.  Am very excited about these new additions to my gear; will post comments and reviews on all three over the next few weeks.

While buying an F100 at this moment in history might be viewed as going against the grain given the market shift from film to digital, it seemed to me the perfect time to acquire one of the finest 35mm cameras ever produced at a rebate induced bargain price.  Although there will be a time in the future when film will have run its course, am sure it and quick, reliable processing will be readily available for the foreseeable future and beyond.  Perhaps in two or three years will make a complete transition to digital photography with the acquisition of a Nikon DSLR, but believe there is still considerable shakeout yet to occur with this emerging technology.  Am hoping this two to three year delay will allow industry standards on both cameras and lenses to be well established and pricing to come down from the stratosphere.

The Nikon SB-50DX flash was actually a "freebie" in my total purchase this week.  Nikon is currently offering (through June 30, 2004 in the US) a rebate almost equal to the purchase price of this flash unit in conjunction with the purchase of a qualifying camera or lens.  Couldn't pass up this opportunity, therefore, which allows me to finally have a flash unit which can automatically synchronize with the focus distance of the lens.

Lastly, purchased the Domke Photog Vest in that never ending quest for the ultimate arrangement for comfortably lugging around one's multitude of photo gear.  Suppose acquisition of this vest helps qualify me for membership in the "bag of the month club".  But it's all part of the fun of trying out new approaches to taking the tools of the craft out into the field.

Nikon and Canon last week each announced a new DSLR model available for sale this spring.

Nikon's first under $1,000 digital camera model, the D70, will according to Nikon feature a DX format 6.1 megapixel CCD sensor and the capability to simultaneously write both compressed NEF (RAW) and JPEG on a CompactFlash card.  This built-in flash equipped camera will produce images up to 3,008 x 2,000 pixels and have a capture speed of up to three JPEG images per second.  It will retail for $999 as a "D70 Set" that will include camera body, rechargeable battery, charger, new Nikon PictureProject software, and neckstrap.  Nikon will also sell the camera for $1,299 as a "D70 Outfit" with a new AF-S DX Nikkor 18-70 f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED lens included.  Separately, the lens will retail for $590.

Canon meanwhile introduced a high-end DSLR, the EOS-1D Mark II, which will retail for $4,499.  This camera will feature an 8.2 megapixel CMOS sensor measuring 28.7 x 19.1mm.  According to the company it will capture images up to 3,520 x 2,336 pixels and will have a 35mm focal length conversion of 1.3x.  This built-for-speed camera will be able to capture 8 megapixel JPEG images at 8.5 fps of up to 40 frames and RAW images of up to 20 frames.

Subsequent to these two announcements the SLR (Digital & 35mm SLR) landscape now includes a combined total of 24 models (9 Digital and 15 35mm) from Nikon and Canon with prices ranging from $200 to $7,100.