Archive for the ‘reviews’ Category
Posted on September 3, 2008 - by Patrick
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Review: Like a Nikon’s Greatest Hits Album
Ok, we get it, it’s a really good camera.
If you had any possible lingering doubts as to whether Nikon has managed to take the best of its 2 top of the line camera bodies, throw them in a blender, and make an additional DSLR wonder perfectly situated between them, then look no further than Photography Blog’s review of the Nikon D700. Typical of most reviews of the D700, the nitpicking centers on the mundane, and the raves are frequently paralleled with mentions of its genetic predecessors, the D300 and the D3. Witness:
In conclusion the Nikon D700 looks and handles closer to the D300 than D3, in terms of controls and layouts, whilst of course featuring the D3’s full frame capture ability, but in a lighter and smaller design. As such it comes across as a kind of ‘greatest hits’ of Nikon DSLRs.
And yes I still want one. Still trying to come with the “need” part of the equation.
You can get the full review here…
Posted on September 2, 2008 - by Patrick
Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM Review
Canon shooters looking for a good 50mm prime, but not willing to shell out $1500 required for the Canon EF 50mm f/1.2 L USM, might want to check DPR’s review of the Canon EF 50mm F1.4 USM. For $325 you can get a 50mm prime with excellent image quality, and fast AF. The catch?
Obviously the biggest problem is a lack of sharpness at those wider apertures; F1.4 is distinctly soft and ‘dreamy’, especially on APS-C, and whilst central sharpness increases rapidly on stopping down, the corners do lag behind by a couple of stops.
-DPR
All in all if you’re on a budget, you’ll want this lens. If you’re really on a budget get the EF 50mm F1.8 mkII. It’s less than $100, but build quality is begining to suffer.
Get the DPR review of the f/1.4…
Posted on September 1, 2008 - by Patrick
Nikon D700 Digital SLR Camera Review
Still not satisfied that Nikon’s D700 is nearly every bit as good as the D3, but for $2000 less? Perhaps Digital Camera Review’s review will help you finally (what the hell is taking you so long) threshhold.
I don’t have a lot to add, but I for one never get tired of pixel peeping on those 3200, 6400, and yes ISO 12,800 sample shots. O.K., yes I know most folks are not going to be using this range, but for me the versatility this camera brings in capturing shots under all conditions has me seriously thinking about upgrading (way) over my head to the Nikon D700. Please, please, try to talk me out of it….
Posted on September 1, 2008 - by Patrick
Brand New Image and Movie Samples of the Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera
Can’t get enough image samples of the D90? Anxious to see more video?
and more here at Let’s Go Digital
Some really nice full sized examples, and I can say for certain that the D90 boasts some improved metering, and as I’ve mentioned before, when it comes to higher ISO image quality, there is no comparison.
As for the hi resolution video samples, while painfully short, it’s easy to see the fun (yes fun) you could have shooting video with a DSLR and some good lenses.
But Let’s Go Digital does point out a big potential problem with shooting video with the D90:
Capturing motion pictures with the Nikon D90 cannot be compared to the way you capture these with a camcorder. To begin with; the camcorder is built especially for capturing video and is therefore ergonomically well thought-out. The video function the Nikon D90 offers through the DSLR system is significantly different. First of all, capturing HD video without the use of a tripod is somewhat awkward and the auto focus is not available when filming. This is a real lack and, in my opinion, for a large part of the amateur target group, it means a diminution of the innovation.
-Let’s Go Digital
It can be hard hand holding a DSLR for a split second, now imagine shooting video with a DSLR while composing your shot on the LCD (no viewfinder in movie mode is my understanding). With the 18-200mm VR, fully extended, I’d bet it’s a real challenge.
Posted on August 30, 2008 - by Patrick
Photographer Brutus Östling Tests the Canon EOS 50D Digital SLR Camera
Posted on August 28, 2008 - by admin
Video Quality of the Nikon D90 Digital SLR Camera: Uniquely Cinematic
Curious about the quality of the video coming off the new Nikon D90?
During my short tests the video quality was exceptional, no matter which resolution I picked. The size of the movie highly depend on the subject of the video. More detailed videos take 2.5, while homogenous areas produce 1.5 MB/sec in file size, when the highest resolution is set. The only disadvantage of the movie mode is that the AF is not available. Focus has to be set manually.
-Pixinfo.com
Thus far most of the previews I’ve read to have been anxious to point out the D90’s excellet image quality, but it’s important to point out the video will also have a distinctly unique look, completely different than that found in most camcorders, stemming from the vastly superior capabilities found in the modern day DSLR. Interchangeable lenses and a sensor capable of shooting great picures at ISO 1600 (and more) will give photographers (now filmmakers) the ability to push in and out with the zoom, throw backgrounds into absolute abstraction, and take video in darker conditions just not possible on a video camera for anything near the D90’s price point. Shooting video on the D90 will be significantly more cinematic, not only will you be shooting in widescreen high definition and manually focusing ( AF can be set before shooting, but once you start recording, you’ll have to take over any needed/desired focus changes), but due to the 24 FPS the D90 will be recording, your video will have a distinctly “film” look, Ken Rockwell explains…
24 FPS means movies will look like movies, presuming you shoot at 1/50 shutter speed. In bright light, shorter exposures will make things look a bit jumpy, and movies at 24 PFS are never as smooth as real video, which is shot at 60 fields per second. The video of the D90 can look like movies, but will never have the smooth fluid motion of regular camcorders.
-Ken Rockwell
My advice? Think about getting yourself some of these real fast. With the Nikon D90, you’ll be sure to need them.
Read the full preview at Pixinfo.com…
Posted on August 27, 2008 - by Patrick
Nikon D90 Digital SLR Image Samples
Wondering if the newly announced Nikon D90 is really going to follow in the D300’s footsteps with excellent image quality, especially at higher ISO?
Judging from these test images, noise management looks on par with the bigger brother, the D300. ISO 1600 looks totally usable to me, and 3200 is suprisingly good. The grain pattern in the noise is relatively fine and pleasing to the eye and there’s no ugly pixel blocking or hot spots. I’m impressed.
Posted on August 27, 2008 - by Patrick
NYT’s David Pogue hearts the Nikon D90
Wolf in sheep’s clothing?
If you saw it just sitting there, you’d never guess that the new Nikon D90 is a mind-blowing, game-changing camera.
-NYT’s David Pogue
And game changing it certainly is.
You know if Nikon had provided just the expected upgrade and provided photographers with the terrific sensor and assorted goodies (live view, LCD, sensor cleaning, faster FPS, etc.) from the semi-pro body, and had just kindly stuffed them into the user friendly, pro-sumer camera body that was the D80, you would have had a great camera.
Instead Nikon did that, improved on some of the new “goodies” (implementation of live view), added some additional gadgetry (GPS), and then went above and beyond that, adding the ability to shoot video with the amazing assortment of DSLR lenses and advantages of a professional grade camera sensor, in high definition.
And that’s why just about every photographer on the internet is talking about the D90 today.
h/t Imaging Insider
by the way if you’re debating getting a Nikon D90, and you’re teetering on the fence, this feature-fest might push you over the fence.
Posted on August 27, 2008 - by Patrick
Chet Jarvis: Big fan of the new Nikon D90
He’s selling it pretty hard, and it’s working on me at least.
Jarvis’ Image Gallery of the D90
Jarvis’ Image Samples and Video from the D90
Oh, also 1001 Noisy Cameras has a good preliminary round-up this morning on coverage ’round the nets. (sure he’s bound to have about a thousand links by lunch-time.)
Posted on August 25, 2008 - by admin
Panasonic LX3 Review: It’s Not Just the f/2
{ Panasonic LX3 }
This is the second time I’ve heard Henri Cartier-Bresson mentioned in a Panasonic LX3 review. And yes, paradoxically there is something old school about the LX3, while still packing new school features inside that rangefinder look camera body.
But to the point, Cnet Asia winds up giving the LX3 a 9 out of 10 in their review. As usual there’s alot to like, exterior styling, the lens, and functionality are all well recieved, witness:
We were spoilt for choice when it came to choosing the exposure option. It has the company’s proprietary intelligent Auto (iA) mode designed for simple point-and-shoot purposes, though we preferred using the manual, aperture priority or shutter priority modes. Tweaking the settings can be done using the joystick and the onscreen instructions were easy to follow. Within minutes, we were shooting like pros, changing the aperture and shutter speed to suit different situations.
-Cnet Asia
and cool customization:
For custom settings, there are also two modes, C1 and C2, found on the mode dial. If you have customized settings that you want to access easily, save them under either one of these modes and with a turn of the dial, all the settings will revert to your preset options. This high level of customization is usually reserved for dSLRs, and we were pleased to see them on the LX3.
-Cnet Asia
I keep telling myself to wait till Photokina, lets see if Canon brings the G9 successor, or possibly wait for Santa Claus, but I may not make it that long.
Read the Cnet Asia review of the Panasonic Lx3 here…
