Reviews

Head-to-Head Digital Camera Field Review: Hasselblad H3DII-31 vs. Nikon D3s vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II
on Feb 12, 2010 at 8:09AM

The Hasselblad feels like, compared to these cameras, it’s in a different world. To be fair, it really is. The frame rate of the camera is 1.2 seconds-per-capture. That’s not frames-per-second, that’s seconds-per-frame. There is no video, HD or otherwise. High ISO shooting, that is, anything over 800, is probably not going to make you happy, and it’s rated at only ISO 1600. The sensor, at 31mp and a physical size of nearly twice that of 35mm sensors, has pixels that are physically 6.8µm (microns) and an Analog/Digital converter that works at full 16-bit. If you’re into cars, this is kind of like putting a smaller turbocharged four-cylinder car up against a big, heavy V8....

Head-2-Head Lens Review: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
on Mar 5, 2010 at 7:01AM

Canon's EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM ($1699 MSRP) and EF 17-40mm f/4L USM ($839.99 MSRP) are two of the most popular "Ultra-Wide Zoom" lenses available for its mid- and upper-level DSLRs. The 16-35mm f/2.8 II is an update of the previous 16-35mm f/2.8 lens, and is said by Canon to offer a complete optical redesign for increased resolution and contrast. The 17-40mm f/4 is billed as a high-quality, budget-priced "L" lens by Canon, at a stop slower than the 16-35mm f/2.8 II and just a bit more than half the price. The question is, how do these lenses stack up optically?...

Head-2-Head Digital Camera Review: Olympus E-P1 vs. Olympus E-620
on Dec 30, 2009 at 10:08AM

Olympus announced two tiny interchangeable lens cameras in 2009: the EVOLT E-620 came to us in February and the Pen Digital E-P1 in June. In February, the E-620 was announced as "the world's smallest and lightest image-stabilized digital SLR." In June, the E-P1 took center-stage as a retro rangefinder-like camera that Olympus claimed was the “world's smallest 12.3-megapixel interchangeable lens system camera.” The E-620 can technically keep its claim as the smallest DSLR as the E-P1 does not have a mirror box and is therefore not a DSLR. The E-P1 can still swap lenses and has slimmer measurements than the E-620, but does it match the performance of true Four Thirds DSLRs?...

Head-2-Head Portrait/Fashion Shootout: Nikon Mid-Range DSLRs
on Dec 23, 2009 at 8:04AM

This article looks at the top tier of Nikon's DSLR stable, the D300s, the D700 and the D3s, with a concentration on a fashion/portrait assignment. We're shooting full-figure shots under strobes at low ISO (ISO 200), some head shots under strobes, and some "available light" shots with tungsten, shot with an ISO 800 setting, and identical lenses on all the cameras, the AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED....

Head-2-Head Portrait/Fashion Shootout: Canon Mid-Range DSLRs
on Jan 1, 1970 at 12:00AM

The middle tier of Canon's DSLR lineup starts at a very affordable price point, with the well-rounded, 15-megapixel EOS 50D carrying an MSRP of $1200. The 50D's balance and all-around solid performance qualifies it as a suitable backup camera for almost any application, and even a primary camera for a majority of assignments....

Head-2-Head Software Review: Phase One Capture One Pro vs. Hasselblad Phocus vs. Leaf Capture
on Dec 15, 2009 at 7:58AM

If you're in the market for a Medium Format Digital Back (MFDB), it doesn't take too long before you realize that a very big part of the decision is the software that works with the system. These cameras started as tethered systems for the studio, and that's where they justified their investment early on - in speed and efficiency of workflow. It's no wonder that one of the applications, Phase One's Capture One Pro, has evolved to give professional MFDB power to the DSLR user....

Head-2-Head Review: Canon EOS Rebel T1i vs. Nikon D5000
on Dec 7, 2009 at 9:02AM

In a lot of ways, the D5000 and the T1i represent Nikon and Canon at the top of their games. It's easy to build a high-end product that you can toss everything into, with the mission to put together the best possible performance. When you are trying to keep the price under control, though, and in the case of these cameras, we're talking less than $1000 with a lens, it challenges the designers to put together not necessarily the absolute best, but the most workable for the money. Both of these cameras are showpieces of great design. There are, however, significant differences in philosophy and priority that show up, and define the two DSLRs....

Head-2-Head Lighting Review: Profoto Pro-8a 2400 Air vs. Broncolor Scoro A4S
on Nov 23, 2009 at 8:18AM

If you're looking for the top performance in studio strobe systems, it's a pretty short and pricey list. Profoto and Broncolor have always been battling for the rarified market of a handful of the biggest and best commercial, advertising and editorial photographers, and the rental studios and dealers who serve the rest of the market. The Profoto Pro-8a 2400 Air retails for $10,999 and the Broncolor Scoro A4S for $10,692....

Head-2-Head Review: Nikon D700 vs.Canon 5D Mk II
on Sep 28, 2009 at 7:32AM

Review Samples Posted! We've published assorted samples, an ISO sequence, and a night scene from our upcoming Canon 5D Mark II vs. Nikon D700 review. Pixel density opposes pixel size in this Full-Frame middleweight matchup. ...

H2H First Look: Leica M9 vs. Leica M8.2 vs. Olympus E-P1
on Sep 9, 2009 at 9:20AM

As the dust surrounding the introduction of the 18-megapixel Leica M9 settles, we'll examine how the full frame digital rangefinder stacks up to competing models within its niche, and try to provide context for the unique luxury camera. ...