Nikon 77mm NC Filter
Monday, April 20, 2009 at 3:46PM Well spending over $100 on a filter to protect a lens has always been kinda tough to swallow, but I have been using a B+W UV filter on my 70-200mm (and leaving my 80-400mm naked) and don't like the colors that I am getting as much as my 77mm NC on the 17-55mm. So low and behold, looking on eBay found one for $75 shipped. Hopefully it will show up by the weekend
Really Right Stuff Quick Release Clamp
Monday, April 20, 2009 at 7:45AM Although a quick release clamp is not really necessary, it is a nice to have. Rather than deal with screwing and unscrewing in a camera plate, just flip the lever and go. I decided on the RRS B2-40 LR for my Markins Q3T. Should get this in about a week, and then I will see if it is really worth $105. From the looks of eBay, noone ever sells theirs, so it must be good.
I Do Not Want To
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 9:04PM 
So I got to read a book tonight to Chase, and it was called I Do Not Want To. Kinda lame if you ask me (the book, not the reading part). I will cut to the chase (no pun intended), but she eats her peas at the end.
It was good times hanging with CourtnChase. I get to little-man-sit tomorrow while Courtney is at the school doing some workshop thing . . .
Tripod Quick Release Plates
Friday, April 17, 2009 at 2:22PM Well since I ordered a new tripod and ball head, I need to get some quick release plates for my camera and lenses. The ones I need are typically called Arca/Kirk as they have become the default standard. The main brands are Arca-Swiss, Wimberley, Kirk Enterprises, Really Right Stuff, and Markins. I decided that the most important features that I want in a plate are fitted to what I am attaching it to, captivating screws to prevent slipping, and future compatibility with a RRS Quick Release clamp that I plan on buying later.
Nikon D90 (RRS BP-CS) - This is the first plate that I need to get, and the one I will use the most. I decided on RRS as I will probably get a quick release for my head later. Kirk was a close second. I didn't pick Arca-Swiss or Wimberley, as their plates are not custom fit to the camera. The Markins (PG-80) is fitted, but does not have the captivating screws. Those are the small screws on either end to stop your camera from sliding off the head.
Nikon 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6 VR (Kirk LP-38) - This is my second largest lens that I need a plate for. I decided on the Kirk model as I picked one up used for $30 shipped, which saved me $25! This had the captivating screws I was looking for, and it is the only one that is fitted for this lens foot.
Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8 VR (RRS LCF-10) - This lens is my bad boy. This one I decided to replace the foot (for a lower profile and more stability). The RRS (LCF-10 $100), Kirk (LP-45 $70), and Markins (LN-20 $92) make replacement feet. Kirk was the cheapest, but I didn't like the spring that stuck out under the release button. The Markins that RRS look about the same, but the RRS has a double dove tail. That is to add a flash arm later, so I decided to go for the functionality of that one instead.
