Tag Archives: photography

Deal: Nikon D5300 or D7100 + 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikkor ED VR DX Zoom Lens

People: If you have been looking to up your DSLR game, Amazon has a killer deal right now on either the Nikon D5300 or the D7100, plus the 18-140mm f/3.5-5.6G Nikkor ED VR DX Zoom Lens.

The D5300 is a from Nikon’s mid-range line of cameras, newer than the venerable D90 (probably the best Nikon DSLR ever) but missing a few pro-level features that most amateurs won’t give two hoots about, like a built-in AF motor or high-speed flash sync (if you don’t know what it is, you’ll never miss it). But it does have some exclusive features, like built-in GPS and wifi. What the heck? Back my my day we were lucky if our SLRs could push ISO to 1600.

The D7100 is the successor to the D7000, which is my primary camera. I ditched my “pro” level D300 way back when because the D7000 was lighter, faster, and easier to use. I don’t have any hands-on experience with the D7100 but I expect that it would perform just as well.

The 18-140mm Nikkor lens gives you a crazy zoom range. I have a great 18-50mm f/2.8 Sigma lens, but sometimes I wish I could get some more range in there without having to switch lenses. This Nikkor lens gives you that versatility (although unfortunately you don’t get to keep the f/2.8 – beggars can’t be choosers).

If you add either camera to your Amazon cart, and then add the lens, Amazon will knock off $400 at checkout. In other words, you can snag the D5300 + lens for under $700 or the D7100 + lens for under $900. It is an insane deal. Jump on it now or you will regret it!

  1. Add either the D5300 or D7100 to your cart.
  2. Add the 18-140mm Nikkor lens.
  3. At checkout, you should see a total discount of $400!

Review: Cohen Loafers by Beckett Simonon

Last year I reviewed Beckett Simonon’s Caine Oxford cap-toes and determined that they provided a decent value for the price, offering many high-end features (full-grain leather and goodyear welting) normally found on much more expensive shoes.

Beckett Simonon’s shoe lineup has since been updated. I was able to get my hands on a pair of their Cohen loafers to see some of the changes in person.

EDIT: Now, take 20% off your order with our exclusive promo code PRAKTICALA20!

EDIT: Beckett Simonon is launching a somewhat new, pre-order based business model, so the Cohen loafers are no longer available. You can read about the relaunched business here, or visit here to see Beckett Simonon’s current lineup of products.

Continue reading Review: Cohen Loafers by Beckett Simonon

Shoe Review: TOMS Black Canvas Cork Strappy Wedges

After some positive feedback from my recent post on the Clarks Ashland Alpine shoes, I learned that, shockingly, women are more interested in reading about shoes than men. So I figured that there could be a substantial niche at PRAKTICALA for content targeted at women.

It just so happens I have these Black Canvas Cork Strappy Wedges from TOMS that I think you people might be interested in. Hey I won’t fight against the basic laws of economics. Supply and demand!

Continue reading Shoe Review: TOMS Black Canvas Cork Strappy Wedges

Bradley’s 1st Birthday

PRAKTICALA had a great time shooting Bradley’s 1st birthday party a few weeks back for our good friends Paul and Juna! Activities included cake-eating, hanging out with friends, a tractor ride, lots of farm animals, and that hilarious Korean let-the-baby-pick-their-present game!

Really cool dog!

This game is hilarious. Korean people put all these presents in front of the kid to see which one he or she will choose. Whichever present gets chosen is apparently somehow indicative of what the kid will grow up to be. Or something. I don’t know anything about this world; Chinese people don’t celebrate birthdays.

Will he be good at cooking, art, sports, or Counter-Strike???

Thank you to Yoselin from 6 Mono Media for assisting!

Review: Tissot Le Locle Swiss Automatic Watch

After posting about my favorite watch ever (Japanese) and a Chinese-made fashion watch that’s pretty decent, you’re probably wondering, “I want to be a baller! Are there any Swiss-made watches for the budget-conscious layperson???” Yep, there sure are! Check out the Tissot Le Locle automatic watch!

Continue reading Review: Tissot Le Locle Swiss Automatic Watch

How to Spend One Night in Macau

Continuing our series of way-to-short visits to awesome places – the next stop on our trip was Macau!

(By the way, Air Canada sucks big time – the absolute worst. More on this soon!)

Keep reading to see how Yoselin from 6 Mono Media and I spent our one day in Macau!

Continue reading How to Spend One Night in Macau

Deal: Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera w/ 18-55mm and 55-200mm Lenses

Note: Lens pictured is the VR lens, which is different than the one in this deal.

If you are looking for a low-cost entry-level DSLR, Adorama has a great deal via Ebay on the Nikon D3100 digital camera. It’s a few generations old, but will still be more than enough for the beginner or casual hobbyist. It is lightweight and perfect for recreational shooting or travel. It also shoots video in 1080p! Not even my D90 can do that.

This is a refurbished model (I buy all my cameras refurbished) and comes with a full kit of two lenses: an 18-55mm for everyday shooting, and a 55-200mm for those long shots. They aren’t VR lenses, meaning they don’t have optical stabilization, but at under 300 bucks total for a Nikon body and two lenses, this is a still a smoking deal.

You can always sell off the lenses (which is what I always do when I buy a new body that comes with a kit lens) and then buy the lens you really want (the 35mm f/1.8G prime is a good place to start).

Basically, you could walk away with a Nikon DSLR body for around 200 bucks. Hard to beat that.

Check out the Nikon D3100 deal at the Ebay link here.

Beater Review: Seiko 5 Sports SNZG13 Automatic Field Watch

The best watch ever. EVER.

The Seiko 5 is maybe the best watch ever made. I mean it. THE BEST.

In fact, there are countless varieties of the Seiko 5. Mine is the SNZG13 sports watch, and it is the best out of all of them. I’ve had it for several years, as you can see from the beating it has taken in the photo. I own a few other watches, and although I might not be wearing it to the wedding, this is the one I otherwise wear every day.

EDIT: Added a new video review below!

There isn’t a better timepiece out there. If you can only get one watch, you shouldn’t have to look anywhere else. Here’s why.

Continue reading Beater Review: Seiko 5 Sports SNZG13 Automatic Field Watch

Review: Kenneth Cole New York Automatic Watch KC8100

A few months ago while browsing at Macy’s, my fiancee landed eyes on the watch display and insisted that I get one to wear for the wedding. (The watch I’ve been wearing every day for the last several years is a Seiko 5 automatic, which is an awesome piece, but not particularly elegant.)

Most of the watches at Macy’s are “fashion watches” – known mainly for their brand recognition and how fancy and/or blingy they look, rather than their actual quality or heritage. Some of these brands include Diesel, Fossil, and Kenneth Cole.

She fell in love with one of the pieces from Kenneth Cole New York, so in classic PRAKTICALA style, I went home, worked my magic, and finagled a smoking deal on it. A few days later I had a package at my front door.

Continue reading Review: Kenneth Cole New York Automatic Watch KC8100