What: VW Golf R and VW Scirocco R for Automotor Magazine.
Where: Ota airfield, Carregado, Portugal.
When: Early morning.
How: Four Lumedyne flashguns mixed with natural light. Shoot with D3x and 24-70 for a double spread.

What: Volvo XC 60 for Automotor Magazine
Where: Ericeira, Portugal
How: Just natural light by the end of the day, mixed with some patience to wait for the right set wave. Was shoot in portrait with plenty of copy space to fill one page and allow the insertion of titles and headlines.

Nikon just released the new  AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens which offers professional image quality in a zoom lens covering the 200 to 400 mm range and FX format conpatibility.

This new introduction in the Nikon catalog is coming to replace the AF-S VR Zoom-Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G IF-ED which was released back in 2003. This new lens offers several improvements as the new VR II (vibration reduction II), Nano Crystal Coat, and optimized autofocus.

Price will be around the  $7.000 USD, and it will be available by the end of May.

PRESS RELEASE

NIKON FOCUSES ON EXCEPTIONAL IMAGE QUALITY AT SUPER-TELEPHOTO FOCAL LENGTHS WITH NEW AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II HIGH POWER PROFESSIONAL ZOOM LENS


MELVILLE, N.Y. (April 27, 2010) –  Today, the evolution of the super telephoto lens continues as Nikon Inc. announced the new AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens which delivers optical excellence and stunning image quality for professional photographers. Ideal for bringing to life exquisite detail for sports, nature and travel photography, this new lens affords a constant maximum aperture of f/4 and rugged construction for maximum versatility. Continued refinements and new technologies such as Vibration Reduction (VR) II, Nano Crystal Coat, and optimized autofocus (AF) modes enhance functionality and improve performance for discerning FX and DX-format photographers.

“The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm lens builds upon a proven design for professional level optics by incorporating the latest Nikon lens technologies to give photographers the edge in the field, and the ability to capture the most intricate of details with extraordinary fidelity,” said Lisa Osorio, general manager of Marketing at Nikon Inc.  “As both camera capabilities and the roles of photographers expand, NIKKOR enhancements will continue to meet demands and exceed expectations to remain the pinnacle of optical excellence for all types of photographers.”

Whether photographing the decisive play at home plate or predators of the Serengeti, the 200-400mm f/4 lens is an essential tool for photographers who require long focal lengths and maximum versatility without sacrificing image quality. The 200-400mm lens benefits from the addition of Nikon’s proprietary Nano Crystal Coat to reduce instances of ghosting and flaring.  The result is unparalleled clarity and sharpness in challenging lighting environments typical to sports venues or harsh sunlight.

Additionally, this new NIKKOR lens features Nikon VR II image stabilization, which is specifically engineered for each lens for maximum performance. VR II is a valuable asset to those shooting photos or HD video, as image blur introduced by camera shake and telephoto magnification is significantly reduced. Users are able to shoot up to four stops* slower than otherwise possible, overcoming many of the challenges of handheld shooting with such extreme focal lengths. VR functionality is further augmented with Automatic Panning Detection and an Active VR Mode to help compensate for movement from an unstable position such as a moving vehicle.  Additionally, VR is always engaged when shooting in the D-Movie mode on select Nikon D-SLRs, helping to stabilize HD video capture.

The new 200-400mm f/4 lens features a host of professional focusing features to further enhance functionality. Photographers can now select from three focus modes to match shooting conditions, including manual mode (M) and autofocus with manual override (M/A) mode, and new A/M mode which is used to avoid cancelling the AF setting by unintentionally moving the focus ring while shooting. The M/A and A/M focus modes enhance AF control with fast, secure switching from automatic and manual focus to adapt to personal shooting preference and techniques. Additionally, photographers can activate the AF Recall Mode at the press of a button that allows for instant return to a predetermined point of focus to confidently capture anticipated shots.

This professional lens is constructed of die-cast magnesium for maximum durability and is sealed to resist dust and moisture, with protective Meniscus glass to safeguard the lens’ front element. The optical formula features four Extra-low Dispersion (ED) glass elements for superior sharpness, color and image quality, while minimizing chromatic aberration. The lens also features Nikon’s exclusive Silent Wave Motor (SWM) technology, which enables high-speed autofocus performance with exceptional accuracy and powerful, super-quiet operation. Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating further suppresses flare and offers superior color consistency throughout the frame.

Price and Availability
The AF-S NIKKOR 200-400mm f/4G ED VR II lens is scheduled to be available at Nikon authorized dealers in late May 2010 with an estimated selling price of $6,999.95. For more information, please visit www.nikonusa.com.

Diver at the bow of SS Rosalie Moller

Diver at the bow of SS Rosalie Moller shipwreck sunk at Safe Anchorage H, North West of Gubal Saghir Island, in 8 october 1941. Red Sea, Egypt

Sphoeroides marmoratus - Guinean puffer hidden in the sand, Azores Islands, Portugal

Sé Cathedral at dusk, Lisbon, Portugal

Santa Maria Maior de Lisboa or Sé de Lisboa is the cathedral of Lisbon and the oldest church in the city. Since the beginning of the construction of the cathedral, in the year 1147, the building has been modified several times and survived many earthquakes. It is nowadays a mix of different architectural styles.

Vasco da Gama bridge at dusk

Vasco da Gama is the largest bridge in Europe with a length of 17.2 km (10 miles), 10 km of which are over the Tagus river. It was inaugurated on the 4th of April 1998. Located right next to the Nations Park (former site of the Expo 98) it got its name on the same year of the 5th centenary of the arrival of Vasco da Gama to India.

Funny weather this days. We left Lisbon with 30ºC to find minus something in Austria. Since it’s October it’s not usual to have 30ºC in Lisbon and the same aply to the snow in Kitzbuehel and all other central Europe countries were the snow showed up earlier this year.

The Giannis D sank with its cargo of timber in 1983 and lies next to a coral reef.
The Giannis D was built in 1969 in Japan and was originally called the Shoyo Maru. Set sail from Croatia in April 1983 with a cargo of sawn softwood destined for the Saudi Arabian Port of Jeddah. The journey through the northern section of the Red Sea was uneventful as the Captain steered his way through the hazardous coral reefs. However, shortly after he handed over control of the ship and retired to his cabin to get some rest he was rudely awoken by an event that would signal the end of his much loved ship. The Giannis D had hit the northwest corner of Sha’ab Abu Nuhas at full speed. The date was April 19th 1983.
The Giannis D is now found in three separate sections – bows, amidships and stern lying more or less parallel to the reef. Most divers tend to head straight for the which looks as though it has been cleanly cut from the remainder of the ship. The deepest part is the port companionway which is almost resting on the seabed. Above this, a number of davits and other fittings are found hanging out from the wreck. The letter D is still clearly visible on the funnel. There is easy access to the engine room which offers a very exciting interlude for those who prefer to venture deep inside.
Overall the Giannis D is an excellent dive and one that is much enjoyed by every grade of diver.

Those pictures and others from underwater are available here for licensing.