NikonGear'23

Images => Themes, Portfolio Series, PaW, or PaM => Your Weekly Blog => Topic started by: Birna Rørslett on February 01, 2026, 17:13:55

Title: February 2026
Post by: Birna Rørslett on February 01, 2026, 17:13:55
Post your "blog" contributions here.  No theme (other than what the passage of time creates), no contest implied, a maximum of one picture per day in the actual month for NG Supporters and no more than 8 images per month for NG members.

Enjoy!
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ColinM on February 01, 2026, 17:20:30
Depth (in a) field
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 01, 2026, 19:17:15
grasshopper, D200
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 01, 2026, 22:30:49
We have had some serious health issues with my parents, family turmoil, emotional stress...the works. Now everything looks like is on track to recovery. Finally.
  Today was a day to go out after quite some time to have breakfast outside and enjoy the landscape from this viewpoint.

  Z50II, 24-70 f4s
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 02, 2026, 00:01:40
We have had some serious health issues with my parents, family turmoil, emotional stress...the works. Now everything looks like is on track to recovery. Finally.
  Today was a day to go out after quite some time to have breakfast outside and enjoy the landscape from this viewpoint.

  Z50II, 24-70 f4s
They look like two young lovers.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: pluton on February 02, 2026, 06:35:04
In the hot, dry winter that we're having Southern California, it's good to have a big tree in the yard.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 02, 2026, 13:33:55
February 2

Z7_2  Voigtländer 35m f/2

broad-leaved snowdrops
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 02, 2026, 14:38:53
They look like two young lovers.

  They do, and that in itself in puzzling  :)

 Thank you Arturo
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 02, 2026, 14:39:25
Colourful store display.
 
  Z6, 35mm 1.4 ais
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Jürgen Pfeiffer on February 02, 2026, 16:07:26
superuser
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 02, 2026, 18:35:17
Shoppingstreet

Nikon Zf  AIS 35-200/3.5-4.5
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 02, 2026, 18:36:10
We have had some serious health issues with my parents, family turmoil, emotional stress...the works. Now everything looks like is on track to recovery. Finally.
  Today was a day to go out after quite some time to have breakfast outside and enjoy the landscape from this viewpoint.

  Z50II, 24-70 f4s
Great emotional portrait, Paco.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 02, 2026, 18:37:37
superuser
Very funny, Jürgen   :D
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 02, 2026, 18:44:41
Soapy fountain

Zf  AIS 35-200mm  f/3.5-4.5
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 02, 2026, 21:31:40
Thank you John.

superuser

  That is very funny  ;D
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 03, 2026, 00:15:39
Mazarrón
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 03, 2026, 02:54:16
superuser

 ;D
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 03, 2026, 13:34:25
superuser
Who needs AI (apple intelligence), if you can get FI (feline intelligence)???
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 03, 2026, 14:18:01
February 3

green light

Z fc  Viltrox 9mm f/2.8

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Jürgen Pfeiffer on February 03, 2026, 15:02:37
Who needs AI (apple intelligence), if you can get FI (feline intelligence)???


And he moves the mouse with somnambulistic certainty.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on February 03, 2026, 15:35:37
superuser

 ;D great cat
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 03, 2026, 19:50:33
White horse
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 03, 2026, 20:22:46
White horse
Is it white or is it a thrush?
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 03, 2026, 20:55:33
Jumping spider on a dry mulberry leaf.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 03, 2026, 21:40:37
Some flowers

D850  135/2 DC
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 03, 2026, 22:44:41
February 3

green light

Z fc  Viltrox 9mm f/2.8

 Fons, that steep wide angle perspective and the traffic light presence and placement works very well here.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 04, 2026, 09:30:17
Thank you Paco!

February 4

this mornings' clouds

Z fc  Viltrox 9mm f/2.8

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 04, 2026, 09:32:37
Is it white or is it a thrush?
I am not an expert in horses. I just loved the contemplative way it chose the place and the attitude of this animal ...
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Bruno Schroder on February 04, 2026, 12:16:43
Exhibition set up
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ColinM on February 04, 2026, 12:18:43
Exhibition set up

Great news
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 04, 2026, 17:10:34
Used..

D3x  135/2 DC
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 05, 2026, 14:18:39
the washing on line
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 05, 2026, 21:11:39
Kitchen

D3X  AFS 24-70/2.8vr
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 05, 2026, 21:35:29
closed
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on February 06, 2026, 13:50:02
The winter is not going away, yesterday even more snow. most in the last 12 years.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 06, 2026, 17:56:05
February 6

Yellow

Iphone

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 06, 2026, 20:26:24
Removal of a shopping passage...  First part is gone now

D3X  AFS 24-70/VR
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 06, 2026, 23:19:43
Almond trees are now in bloom in Murcia; this one is from Cehegin.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hans_S on February 06, 2026, 23:52:16
Balloon vacuum. Dawn this morning.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on February 07, 2026, 12:41:24
Balloon vacuum. Dawn this morning.

excellent timing and super colour
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 07, 2026, 12:57:25
February 7

Zf  Voigtländer 40mm f/1.2

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Bent Hjarbo on February 07, 2026, 14:16:59
excellent timing and super colour
Yes :)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 07, 2026, 21:07:23
excellent timing and super colour
Yeah !   Great shot
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 07, 2026, 21:09:57
Dieden  at the Maas river

A roller, tool for dyke reinforcements

D3X  AFS 24-70/VR
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hans_S on February 08, 2026, 00:07:45
Thank you gentlemen.  :)


Dieden  at the Maas river

A roller, tool for dyke reinforcements
D3X  AFS 24-70/VR

Wow, a roller with its own "en suite"!  ;D
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hugh_3170 on February 08, 2026, 01:53:59
+1

excellent timing and super colour
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hugh_3170 on February 08, 2026, 01:56:02
A most frightening image - that is if the occupant was still in the dunny when it and he/she was moved!   ;D ;D ;D

Dieden  at the Maas river

A roller, tool for dyke reinforcements

D3X  AFS 24-70/VR
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hans_S on February 08, 2026, 06:20:40
+1

Cheers Hugh  :)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Akira on February 08, 2026, 07:01:32
Cherry blossomes bearing the weight of snow.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 08, 2026, 10:32:04
male sparrow
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hugh_3170 on February 08, 2026, 11:36:29
A nice portrait of a common subject.  Small birds are hard to get right I think - move too dammed fast and their size works against getting big images.

male sparrow
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ColinM on February 08, 2026, 11:51:36
John, your shot made me smile, a lot!

Wow, a roller with its own "en suite"!  ;D

Yep, what Hans said  :P
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Bruno Schroder on February 08, 2026, 16:45:59
male sparrow
Nicely done, Arturo.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 08, 2026, 17:00:31
The winter is not going away,

The Canadian winter has been unrelenting too. It was -23°C when I stepped outside for this photograph.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 08, 2026, 18:24:32
male sparrow

lovely
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 08, 2026, 18:25:58
Balloon vacuum. Dawn this morning.
ALT title: "Baloon Dispenser"
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 08, 2026, 18:35:09
John, your shot made me smile, a lot!

Yep, what Hans said  :P
Thanks Hans, Hugh and Colin
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 08, 2026, 18:36:37
male sparrow
Beautifully detailed.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 08, 2026, 18:37:10
Sitting on the dyke...

D3x  24-70/2.8vr
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 08, 2026, 18:50:59
Sitting on the dyke...

D3x  24-70/2.8vr

Yes i know this place not far from where i live.

The meandering river

https://www.meanderendemaas.nl/ (https://www.meanderendemaas.nl/)

Farming land has to go for this project!
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 08, 2026, 19:34:50
Cherry blossomes bearing the weight of snow.


  Beautiful, delicate, the atmosphere and the color splash.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 08, 2026, 19:36:38
High release.

  Z9, 70-200 2.8 fl, not too shabby at iso 6400
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: kasperbergholt on February 08, 2026, 19:48:23
Coolpix P50

(https://bergholt.net/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/mashup-winter-images-hellerup-strand-scaled.jpg)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 09, 2026, 01:46:08
Z9, 70-200 2.8 fl, not too shabby at iso 6400

Not too shabby at all. Was that just regular noise reduction?
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 09, 2026, 02:29:52
Not too shabby at all. Was that just regular noise reduction?

   I went to check:
In camera, high iso noise reduction "off"
                 raw compression "high efficiency" not sure if this has influence on the image's noise
                 shot in monochrome
                 everything else "off" by default

On NX Studio, contrast +1
                      straighten +6.0  (this was more tilted than usual  ;D)
                      noise reduction "original value" so...off
                      lens correction "lateral aberration" was selected, I don't remember doing it...

      That's it. Pretty much straight out of camera. The camera has been updated to the latest firmware and the image was developed in NX Studio.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 09, 2026, 07:47:28
Yes i know this place not far from where i live.

The meandering river

https://www.meanderendemaas.nl/ (https://www.meanderendemaas.nl/)

Farming land has to go for this project!
Thanks Fons.   Yes this is in Dieden.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Hans_S on February 09, 2026, 08:54:26
ALT title: "Baloon Dispenser"
Or perhaps a leaking shower dripping balloons  :)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 09, 2026, 10:41:50

Coolpix P50



confusing composition
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 09, 2026, 10:47:16

   I went to check:
In camera, high iso noise reduction "off"
                 raw compression "high efficiency" not sure if this has influence on the image's noise
                 shot in monochrome
                 everything else "off" by default

On NX Studio, contrast +1
                      straighten +6.0  (this was more tilted than usual )
                      noise reduction "original value" so...off
                      lens correction "lateral aberration" was selected, I don't remember doing it...

      That's it. Pretty much straight out of camera. The camera has been updated to the latest firmware and the image was developed in NX Studio.


With the newer Nikon bodies one can never be sure if chipdesign and firmware plus NX Studio do a kind of pre-cooking concealed to the public eye. Why do I think that?

Because in many cases it is rather difficult to "cook" the Nikon RAW (NEF) in third party tools to a quality that is already present opening same file in Nikon Software.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 09, 2026, 15:58:27
As an experiment, I found a photograph taken at ISO 6400 with my Zf. (I am assuming that the noise would be similar to the Z9 at a fixed output size, such as resized for NG.) Converted in Affinity Studio without any noise reduction. Just straight conversion to black-and-white, a touch of an S-curve for contrast and sharpening using the High Pass filter with the Soft Light blend mode.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 09, 2026, 17:21:09
February 9

Zf  Z40mm f/2

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Akira on February 09, 2026, 18:46:20
Beautiful, delicate, the atmosphere and the color splash.

Thank you, Paco!
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 10, 2026, 00:33:12
As an experiment, I found a photograph taken at ISO 6400 with my Zf. (I am assuming that the noise would be similar to the Z9 at a fixed output size, such as resized for NG.) Converted in Affinity Studio without any noise reduction. Just straight conversion to black-and-white, a touch of an S-curve for contrast and sharpening using the High Pass filter with the Soft Light blend mode.


  I don't see much difference?



With the newer Nikon bodies one can never be sure if chipdesign and firmware plus NX Studio do a kind of pre-cooking concealed to the public eye. Why do I think that?

Because in many cases it is rather difficult to "cook" the Nikon RAW (NEF) in third party tools to a quality that is already present opening same file in Nikon Software.


  I agree. I haven't make a direct comparison but I have become more confident in high iso with the Z9 after the firmware updates. The images were already clean on the camera's display.
I also think NX Studio is doing something there, that's why I pointed out my program of choice.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 10, 2026, 00:33:45
Free expressions.

  Z9, 70-200 2.8 fl
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: christeo on February 10, 2026, 07:22:00
As an experiment, I found a photograph taken at ISO 6400 with my Zf. (I am assuming that the noise would be similar to the Z9 at a fixed output size, such as resized for NG.) Converted in Affinity Studio without any noise reduction. Just straight conversion to black-and-white, a touch of an S-curve for contrast and sharpening using the High Pass filter with the Soft Light blend mode.

I like the atmosphere of the image, with the handicraft, the living room, and the furnishings that seems to belong to an elderly person.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: christeo on February 10, 2026, 09:06:25
From the images you share, I can see that it has been a cold winter across large parts of Europe. It has been cold in Norway as well. When cold, stable winter weather lasts for several weeks with little wind, layers of snow and ice build up on spruce trees, turning them into sculptures. This is a typical winter climate for inland eastern Norway, but with a more variable climate, there has not been this nice since 2023.

Z8/24-120 S, 120 mm f/4
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ColinM on February 10, 2026, 11:13:02
As an experiment, I found a photograph taken at ISO 6400 with my Zf. (I am assuming that the noise would be similar to the Z9 at a fixed output size.....

Thanks Ian
For me, the content and composition have taken my mind down some happy paths
If i zoom in, sure I can see some noise. But its already of very low importance compared to my enjoyment of this particular image

It may be bad manners to comment on multiple images at once.... but since Paco's started the NR discussion:

The two performer images taken with the Z9, 70-200 2.8 fl

With "High Release", I feel like I'm looking through a narrow window, not sure what's unfolding

But with "Free expressions", it feels like the subject is actually in full flow.
Fluid, free and undoubtedly expressive :)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 10, 2026, 17:14:11
Februari 9

Portrait: Gerrit the numerologist!

Zf  -  Z 40mm f/2

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 10, 2026, 21:09:13
Streetview

Z9  The compact tele: Nikkor AIS 200/4
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 10, 2026, 23:19:20
  I don't see much difference?

Neither do I. Which makes me think that NX Studio is not applying any secret sauce to the noise.

To think that we are discussing whether to apply noise reduction at ISO 6400 rather than whether to use such an ISO at all! We are spoiled :)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 10, 2026, 23:20:25
Christeo and Colin, thank you for the kind words.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 10, 2026, 23:22:48
I was not expecting my daughter to feed the frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) but she did.

Nikon Zf, 35/1.8S
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 11, 2026, 12:21:50
I was not expecting my daughter to feed the frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) but she did.

Nikon Zf, 35/1.8S

I like it
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Luc on February 11, 2026, 14:42:06
Construction of new town hall, cost Euro 118m.

Ricoh GRIII

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/55078449589_9973d64836_h.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/2rV6sac)GRIII_R0002554 (https://flic.kr/p/2rV6sac) by Luc de Schepper (https://www.flickr.com/photos/lucdeschepper/), on Flickr
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 11, 2026, 15:01:48
I like it

Thanks, Fons.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: golunvolo on February 11, 2026, 23:27:30
I was not expecting my daughter to feed the frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) but she did.

Nikon Zf, 35/1.8S

  And she looks so happy!

  I like it too  :)
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ColinM on February 12, 2026, 10:18:39
I was not expecting my daughter to feed the frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens) but she did.

Nikon Zf, 35/1.8S

Brave
I've seen how they behave with other birds to steal their lunch!
Often known as the Pirates of the ocean...
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Thomas Stellwag on February 12, 2026, 12:20:20
Construction of new town hall, cost Euro 118m




equals 40000 new Z8. Don´t know if this is much or not in comparison, but I sometimes feel dizzy, hearing all those actual numbers
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Adli Wahid on February 12, 2026, 15:25:22
Hotel window view - Jakarta, Indonesia

Nikon D700 + Nikkor HC 50mm f/2
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Luc on February 12, 2026, 15:39:16

equals 40000 new Z8. Don´t know if this is much or not in comparison, but I sometimes feel dizzy, hearing all those actual numbers
A lot of taxpayers money but imo not excessive. In 2019 estimated cost was 75m. Prices of materials and labour have soared in recent years.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Ian Watson on February 12, 2026, 17:43:18
Many thanks, Paco and Colin.

Brave
I've seen how they behave with other birds to steal their lunch!
Often known as the Pirates of the ocean...

They were quite polite to the people with the food. Amongst themselves.....

Nikon Zf, 35/1.8S
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 12, 2026, 23:47:00
almond blossoms, Cartagena countryside
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: ARTUROARTISTA on February 12, 2026, 23:51:45
A nice portrait of a common subject.  Small birds are hard to get right I think - move too dammed fast and their size works against getting big images.
Gracias, thank you Hugh, Bruno, Frank, y John
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Frank Fremerey on February 13, 2026, 10:39:03
Golf 3
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Birna Rørslett on February 13, 2026, 20:11:14
Shoes seem familiar. Or the posture. Or both.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Birna Rørslett on February 13, 2026, 20:12:07
Same bodies, different plumbing.

RapidRaw processed, which led to heavy posterisation.
Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: Fons Baerken on February 13, 2026, 20:34:14
Februari 13

Zf  Z 28mm f/2.8

ceiling of the entrancehall of the Rijksmuseum Amsterdam

Title: Re: February 2026
Post by: John Geerts on February 13, 2026, 22:56:39
The Crocus are very late this year