Krishnan Photography

Got up a lil late today, at 0430H and, headed out to Uran again. Migration is now in full swing so thought we should be able to get a few new birdies.

Yesterday I updated my D2X firmware 2.0. Good time to check it out today. I hear it is good Also, checked out my DK-17M (Eyepiece magnifier) - DK-2 (eyecup) combo for the first time. For the first time I tried the full Wimberly II today.

Somehow today I was not able to get as many tack sharp images as I usually do. Is it the firmware ? Dunno but I did manage to get some (few) very sharp images. Prolly the photog more than the firmware…..but definitely the AF feels a lil different…cant pin it down as yet but it is not the same feel as before. Perhaps need to shoot more and get the feel for the new AF now.

I was shooting mostly from the car this time too. Maybe I need to get used to the eyecup..yep..thats a possible reason definitely. The DK-17 is good for critical focusing. need to look around a bit to view the viewfinder data..but thats not a problem for me.

My very first D2X B&W shot. I think I am going to like this feature a lot !

The spoonbills were all in the pond where there is the submeged temple. A little more to the left of this picture. They came in just after I took this shot and after I had got back ino the car.
Submerged Temple ..My first shot of the day 0633Hours! Lens 17-35 @ 25mm , ISO400 1/160th F4.5 WB Manual @7100K

The problem is that one is shooting completely into the light I shot from the car but..even then the first click and there was a mad scramble..geeze..these guys are very wary fo  sho !

Scramble! Scramble! Scramble!

Gullscape

Redshank Foraging - Shot from the car

In the lane opposite the JNPT police station I got this,a spidy had a caught its meal in its web.

Shot with flash and full wimberly on the Sigma 50-500mm.

D2X 2.0 Firmware summary

* AF is different

* B&W mode is great

* Kinda punchier pics out of the camera I thought.

* The mirror lock up for cleaning with a full battery is most useful. Already used the feature today

DK-17M is a winner and the DK-2 eyecup helps. But, I need more practice with them.

The full wimberly is easy to use but, I am not yet familiar with it. I am now very comfortable using the RRS BH-55 ballhead along with the Sigma 50-500.The new wimberly gets me fumbling a lil as of now. Hmmm …more practice needed here too.

All in all, another enjoyable Uran trip.

DK-17M Eyepiece Magnifier

1. Remove the rubber ring around the eyepiece. You will expose the Nikon white labeling info on the eyepiece rim.
DK-2 Eyecup

1. Remove the Threaded ring from the eyecup.

2. Slip the DK-17 into the DK-2. Push the DK-17 eyepiece ring (White Nikon label ring) into the grove where the original DK-2 thread ring was seated. When you seat the DK-17 into the groove, the Nikon labeling will be covered by the rubber groove.

3. Now slip on the metal ring that came with the DK-2 such that the ring is fully seated flush with the rubber cup thus holding the rubbercup tight with the DK-17 eyepiece. Ensure that the edge of the eyepiece rubber protrudes just a little all around the outside circumference of the fitted metal ring.

4. Close D2x eyepiece shutter. Fit the assembly on to the D2X by removing the original eyepiece and fitting the new assembly.

5. Open D2x Eyepiece shutter.

Important

5. Re-caliberate your dioptre settings after installing the new assembly. To set dioptre, look thru the viewfinder, adjust dioptre setting and you should see the focus etchings and the viewfinder data clearly.

Update 20 May 2008: The New DK-17 has a better securing ring to prevent the rubber eyecup from getting loose. See this thread here