Finally some frames, I've been really slow on pictures this summer/fall. What was really pushing me to get out and shoot pictures, was the fact that I was thinking about selling my beloved Nikon D3, you know, I really don't want to sell, so today I just had to go out and shoot. And it made me realize that I do have an absolutely stunning camera to operate, a way better camera than I deserve.

So, I've decided to keep it, despite my painful craving for that new D3s. I really don't need a D3s, I know that now. I believe that ISO 6400 should be enough for what I shoot. So be it if I can't shoot at ISO 102,400. What would I shoot at such an insane ISO value?, hell, I'm asleep at night anyway.

For now I'll stick with what I've got, I know it will be painful, Moose and Joe, and all those guys is probably going to pump our ears full about how good that D3s is, I'm sure of it, but those guys are pro's, I'm not, so for now I'll try my best not to be grabbed by those viral campaigns, I know I'll fail miserably, probably. Here are some pictures from today.

And then there is this, what the?, swine flu infested ground cover!

Images captured by D3 with AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED. Written to SanDisk Extreme UDMA compact flash card.

And so it begins, the craving for new hardware. It's not more than 6 months ago since I got a mint Nikon D3, but now, the D3s is released. And what other sensible solution is there, other than to get one?

Ah, well, since I'm not a professional photographer, I must ask myself the question, "Do I really need one?", my first thought is No!, and that's the most sensible thing to do, considering the funds needed to get this thing.

I consider myself to be balanced and collected, in short, a down to earth guy with my feet firmly in the ground. So my decision is simple. I won't get a D3s.

I can actually in my head hear my colleague's rumbling laughter right now.

"Colleague: Hell, what is Kurt talking about, he'll get a D3s! (grins)"

I concur, I WILL GET A D3S!!!, what is this crap about me being down to earth?, geez!

See you at a dark place shooting at ISO 102,400, it's kind of ridiculous, but then again, this one really goes to eleven!

There are a lot of different photographers and shooting styles out there, but one thing all photographers have in common, or at least should have in common, is to properly configure their cameras to best suit their shooting style, and by doing so, facilitate a smooth no-brainer operation while you're in-the-moment.

I have my way of setting it, and you have without doubt your way, I'll talk a little bit about here how I set my cameras.

This is Nikon specific, so it will mostly apply to Nikon shooters. I don't know Canon SLR menu system, but I guess some of the ideas can be ported over to Canon cameras as well.

I like buttons to push, so what I want to do is quick when I need it, without having to go into the menu system of the camera to get to the feature I want. One of the features I really like, is being able to quickly go into a 100% view of the image to check focus.

You can do that by going to the 'f Controls' menu, and set f1 Multi Selector Center Button to Zoom. Now when you take a picture, and while in review mode, you can press the center button on the multi selector to go into a 100% view at the spot where you placed your focus point. Press again and you're taken back to the previous view.

So what setting do I use for preview, well, I like to have it quick and easy, that means I have set my mode to view RGB histograms, and 'blinkies' for highlights are turned on, that means I get all the info I need, fast.

When shooting with flash, I often like to make some frames without flash, and to do that really quickly, I have assigned the DOF preview button to turn flash off.

Here is what you do, go to the 'f Controls' again, and under f5 Assign Preview Button, and set that option to Flash off.

What this gives you, is a really fast way of disabling your flash with a simple press of the preview button in the front of the D3, all while having your eye in the viewfinder. One press disables the flash, press again to enable the flash, nice and quick. Note that the flash must been 'On' for this to work. The DOF preview button only disables the flash from fireing, it does not physically turn it on or off, that must be done with the flash on/off button.

I have also done some custom settings for the way my camera uses focus. You can assign different ways on how focus is handled by the shutter release, or the 'AF ON' button on the back of the D3. I've set mine to use the shutter release, because I have more control using the shutter release button, It's a habit I guess, I'm too accustomed to using it.

This is just some of the settings I use for my cameras.

I just had to write something for my blog, so this is what I came up with on 'short notice'. More to come I guess, stay tuned.

In October 2008 I did a re-design of my blog. I used a strong red colour for the menus and modules. Some liked it, and some didn't, I did like it though, but it is time for a change.

Now I've toned this down a little. I still have the red, but only for links and some icons. For the menu and modules I now use a simple gradient. This, I hope, will focus more on the content rather than the stuff around.

I still use browser specific code for the rounded corners. So for best performance and the most correct look, please use Firefox 3.+, Chrome or Safari.

Seems I'm in a lighthouse mood at the moment. Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday, so I took a trip to Ona lighthouse on the west coast of Norway. Absolutely stunning weather. I got to use the Nikkor 14-24mm f2.8 up there by the lighthouse, absolutely killer for these types of shots.

I have never been to Ona, although I've wanted to go for many years, this time I just decided that now is the time. Don't regret it at all, I'm probably going again some time.

Ona is a really nice place, I would encourage anyone that can, to go there.

Images captured by D3 with AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED, and D700 with AF-S NIKKOR 14–24mm f/2.8G ED. Written to SanDisk Extreme IV Ducati Edition compact flash card.