Just a news note: A few days ago, Canon announced its newest addition to the popular consumer-level Rebel line-up. By the numbers, the T1i is an impressive camera, even if I find the new acronym/numbering “T1i” a bit awkward.
Here are the basics: 15.1MP, HD video capture (full 1080p HD video recording at 20fps), a DIGIC [...]
Yesterday we looked at the Sigma 18-200mm and I mentioned that on Canon there isn’t a first party alternative but there is for Nikon. It turns out in the review at Photodoto that for Nikon owners, although pricier than the Sigma, the Nikkor is a great lens. He starts by doubting the need for such a lens first which isn’t a great start for the product …
I mean, who buys a high-end SLR with the intention of only using a single lens? I used to think no one did, but then this hit the market and you can’t even get it it’s so popular.
He does go on to say that he does like it and it is good value ..
Overall, it’s a nice lens and produces good images. If you’re looking specifically for something with an 11x zoom range, for whatever reason, you could do much worse than buying this lens. I’d recommend it if you have to travel light or for day trips with the family. It’s economical, too, when you consider the cost of buying two or more lenses to cover the same range. But any lens covering such a broad range has to make compromises. If you don’t mind switching lenses once in a while, you’ll get better image quality from more specialized zooms or primes.
I guess the main thing to separate the two will be price, you would be choosing either the low cost Sigma or the higher priced but VR-enabled Nikkor. Two slightly different markets I am thinking so the two will find their own following.
sigma, nikkor, nikon, 18-200mm, camera, lens, dslr, photography, news, review
Nikon have announced their new replacement for the D2X DSLR aimed at top end users.
Nikon D2Xs
D2Xs shares many performance and design innovations with the D2X. It also offers Nikon’s acclaimed DX-format CMOS image sensor capturing 12.4 million effective pixels per image, producing 4,288 x 2,848-pixel images with the high resolution and sharp detail needed for demanding professional assignments. The D2Xs, however, also introduces a range of revised features that make operation significantly more responsive – including refined viewfinder performance that makes for easier composition when shooting in Nikon’s exclusive High-Speed Crop mode, a new 2.5 inch LCD with a 170-degree wide viewing angle calibrated at the factory to ensure consistent color fidelity, significantly increased battery life and a wide range of firmware enhancements.
Most of the buzz seems to be around the features that I find quite ho-hum. It’s hard to get excited about 12mp and 2.5 LCD screens, not much news there. No, the specs that have me intrigued are
- 6mp crop mode allowing 8 frames a second burst
- GPS capability (with optional adapter)
- Wireless transmission and control through WiFi
Go check out the D2Xs announcement at the Nikon site, and the preview by Nikonians/LetsGoDigital. I am sure there will be a boatload of reviews in coming weeks.
Technorati Tags: nikon, dslr, d2xs, news, digtal, camera, photography
Outback Photo has a review of the monster 39 megapixel PhaseOne P45 camera back and they are very pleased with the results!
I’ve recently returned from my first photo trip with my new system—a PhaseOne P45 (39 megapixel) back on a Mamiya 645AFDII . After using a 4×5 for the last 30 years, it was quite a change! Just lifting the camera backpack brought a smile to my face (it’s about 10 lbs. lighter). I greatly enjoyed the agility and mobility of a medium-format camera, especially with the zoom lenses. I was also able to do close-ups fairly painlessly, quite a change from 4×5. I didn’t need to worry about running out of film—my tiny card case had four 4 GB cards, allowing for about 350 exposures! And, unlike 4×5 film, where each click of the shutter adds up to around $4.50—these were…free! (Free, after you pay the rather steep price of admission for the P45 back). This is actually quite liberating, as there is no reason now not to try more adventuresome compositions and/or lighting situations. (Situations that I previously would have talked myself out of, due to film costs, and low probability of success. But…taking chances is important.)
How long will it be before we have access to 39mp …?
He also compares Raw Developer vs. Capture One, I didn’t realise there was so much involved in properly developing RAW, I need to research more I think.
Technorati Tags: phaseone, p45, digital, camera, review
Luminous-landscape has gotten all hot under the collar over the picture below, but not for the reason you might think …
Watch out Canon and Nikon, Sony are after you!
Could be good news for the price-sensitive “pro-sumer” market as they are planning on attacking the field using lower cost mass-market products.
I for one welcome Sony into the market, a bit of healthy competition could drive down prices and encourage innovation. It also confirms what we have been hearing about the Konica news. Apparently Konica have sold 16 million lenses over the years, that ought to be a good head start for Sonys new product. With their electronics and manufacturing capability, marketing expertise and healthy bank balance they should be a force to be reckoned with.
By
bmunch
|
Published
January 19, 2006
Anyone else read this? Konica Minolta to stop producing cameras and all digital equipment?
They have even pulled out of the show in the NEC.
By
bmunch
|
Published
January 17, 2006
The GX-1S is a lightweight 6 megapixel camera with a 2.5-inch screen, ISO up to 3200 and a Pentax AF lens mount. Nothing we haven’t seen before; the GX-1S is a rebadged Pentax *ist DS2 (there’s some new Schneider lenses too, but they also appear to be straight re-badge jobs).
Canon Announces EOS 500D / Digital Rebel T1i
Just a news note: A few days ago, Canon announced its newest addition to the popular consumer-level Rebel line-up. By the numbers, the T1i is an impressive camera, even if I find the new acronym/numbering “T1i” a bit awkward.
Here are the basics: 15.1MP, HD video capture (full 1080p HD video recording at 20fps), a DIGIC [...]