ReviewsHead-2-Head Lens Review: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM vs. Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM
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-to-Head Digital Camera Field Review: Hasselblad H3DII-31 vs. Nikon D3s vs. Canon EOS 5D Mark II
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 Digital Camera Review: Olympus E-P1 vs. Olympus E-620
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
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.
News
Panasonic Adds Two Interchangeable Lens System Cameras
Panasonic announced two new G-series interchangeable lens system cameras, the G2 and G10. Both have the same 12.1-megapixel Live MOS sensor that was included on the original G1. The G2 adds touch-screen capability to its 3-inch free-angle LCD, making it the first system camera to include the trendy feature. The G10 claims its fame as the “world’s lightest” system camera with a viewfinder. Read more
Sigma Updates to DP2s and DP1x
Sigma updated two of its large-sensor compact digital cameras with the announcement of the DP2s and DP1x. The new cameras make several improvements upon their predecessors, including faster autofocus. They will be available this spring. Read more
HP Resurrects its Camera Business
HP made major cutbacks on their digital camera business two years ago and went through a long dry spell without any new releases. The company is making a comeback with the announcement of five new 12.2-megapixel digital cameras on Feb. 19. They are giving camera production a second chance, but will consumers give HP a second chance? Read more
Casio Shows Budget-Friendly Z35, S7
Good news for consumers who are following a tight budget: Casio introduced two new ultra-compact digital cameras priced at $140 and under. The S7 and Z35 have 12.1 megapixels and 3x optical zoom lenses packaged in colorful 0.8-inch thin bodies. Read more
Sony Drops Skinniest Waterproof Cam To Date
Sony announced a petite digital camera that can take a beating and still function. The Cyber-shot DSC-TX5 is “the world’s thinnest and smallest certified waterproof,” according to the company’s press release, and is also shock, freeze, and dustproof. It will go on sale for $350 in April. Sony also announced a long-zoom compact, the H55, with its 10x lens and 14.1 megapixels for $250. Read moreBlog
OK, I'm stealing a little thunder from our News Desk, but here's the news of the morning. C1 now has a better "Dust Tool". Ok, ok, other things too, but that Dust Tool thing is some serous lameness. They now call it Spot Removal... they mention it in the press release below. OK, if you're a Leaf owner and you've been...
I\'ve had a few questions lately about the i1 Match software, and how to use it to run a monitor calibration. Here\'s a quick walkthrough:...
Working with lenses, and evaluating lens quality and performance can be, on the one hand, one of the easier things in photography to quantify. Optics is a...
I just picked up this tip from my buddy Nick Wheeler on how to use an old tool, Proof Setup and Gamut Warning, to see which colors in my files can\'t be displayed by my...
|
|
|
||||||
