 |
|
|
|
|
November 2005
Nikon discontinued the eight megapixel CoolPix 8400 with it's 24mm to
85mm lens. Ritz camera purchased Nikon's remaining inventory and is
selling it for $399 from their web site and select Ritz stores, while
supplies last. |
 |
|
Nikon CoolPix 8400 Resources |
|
CoolPix 8400 Infrared Page |
| Since my style lends itself to
shooting wide, I enjoyed reviewed the CoolPix 5000 for Shutterbug when
it was first introduced and fell in love the 28mm lens. I've been
using it for various types of photos for three years and have finally
found a replacement in the 8400 with it's wider 24mm lens. Another
feature I really like is the "Extra" JPEG compression setting. Normal
compression when set at "Fine" is 1:4 but "Extra" is a
1:2 compression
giving you a higher quality less compressed JPEG than previously possible
in Nikon CoolPix cameras. For those of you purchasing the CoolPix
8400, note that there is a
firmware update available on Nikon's web site which can be
installed from either a PC, MAC or from the internal Compact Flash
card. |
| I've noticed that the last few
generations of CoolPix cameras have shown improved color and
exposure when set at the default settings, needing less post
processing than before. The CoolPix 8400 is no different. A few of the
setting changes I do make with every digital camera is to
set the ISO to the lowest (ISO 50 with the 8400) and the JPEG quality
to the highest (Extra for the 8400) I also set the internal flash to
off as a default. Those three changes, combined with the use of a
tripod, will help improve my images. I
keep the White Balance set to Auto, unless I'm using the camera with
strobes or under unusual lighting, in which case I try and match the
White Balance to the lights. Depending on what I'm using the camera
for, I might shoot manual exposure and RAW instead of program exposure
and JPEG. |
| Normally I have always recommended NOT
installing the software that comes with the camera. But if you're
going to shoot RAW (Nikon NEF files), you'll need the Nikon software
to convert to TIF. Photoshop CS3's ACR (Adobe Camera RAW) file can
also open the NEF files. I do not recommend connecting the camera to the
computer preferring to use a USB card reader to COPY the images to a folder on
your hard drive. Then verify before deleting the files from the
compact flash card.. |
| Unlike film cameras, digital cameras
have image quality limitations that is largely proportional to their
cost. I've
always maintained that different cameras could be matched to different
tasks and be more efficient. Though I own a D200 for studio type work, shoot
infrared with two CoolPix 950's, the CoolPix 8400 fits into the gap in
my shooting style that the CoolPix 5000 formally was used for. Because
of it's small size and wide angle lens, I'm enjoying carrying it around and having fun
with photography again. In May 2007 I had a CoolPix 8400 converted to
shooting infrared. |
|
CoolPix 8400 Tips Page |
|
CoolPix 8400 Gallery
click on an image to view it enlarged
more image to come shortly |
| |
| |
