Archive for the ‘Product Review’ Category
In a not too shocking announcement, Nikon has announced two new lenses to be added to their line-up of FX-compatible lenses. The Nikkor AF-S 24mm f/1.4G ED prime lens is will surely become a favorite among wedding photographers and other low-light photographers. This lens will now finally offer Nikon photographers a fast, wide-angle, and affordable prime compared to the much fabled Nikkor AF 28mm f/1.4D, at a fraction of the price. Canon has longed had a 24mm f/1.4 (now a version II) in their line-up. This lens, with it’s 9-blade diaphragm, will no doubt be a great performer as the Nikkor AF-S 24-70mm f/2.8G ED already is. The estimated cost will be around $2,199.95 and won’t be available until late March 2010.
On the other spectrum, Nikon has released a more *affordable* wide-angle zoom, also for FX-format, and billed as a “general photography” lens, the Nikkor AF-S 16-35mm f/4G ED VR will offer some nice wide-angle and zoom in a lighter package than the current Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED and the Nikkor AF-S 14-24mm f/2.8G ED. Personally I favor fast lenses, but having Vibration Reduction/Image Stabilization is quite nice for this lens and will aid in hand-holding slower shutter speeds, but VR/IS will not stop action. This lens will retail for $1,259.95 and be available in late February 2010.
Both lenses are professional grade quality and will stand-up to repeated rugged use. You can read Nikon’s full press-release here (PDF). You can also find more details at DPReview.com for the 24mm and the 16-35mm, respectively.
Tags: Nikon, photography
Posted in Product Review |
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With the new year, Canon has released a new professional “L” zoom lens, the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM. This is a very popular lens among sports, journalist, and wedding photographers for many reasons. I currently own the Version I of this lens and love it. Nikon released their Version II follow-up to their 70-200mm with a few new improvements including a 4-stop VR and better optics. The reviews I’ve seen have been very positive.
So what is Canon offering in their latest 70-200mm? Here’s a simple comparison chart:
| SLR Lens |
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM |
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM |
Winner |
| Year Introduced |
October 20, 2009 |
September 2001 |
Mark II |
| Cost |
$1,849 |
TBD |
- |
| Image Stabilization |
Yes, 4 stops (3th generation) |
Yes, 3 stops (2nd generation) |
Mark II |
| Weight |
1,490g (3.3lbs) |
1,470g (3.2lbs) |
- |
| Max Diameter |
89mm (3.5in) |
86mm (3.4in) |
- |
| Length |
197mm (7.8in) |
197mm (7.8 |
- |
| Groups/Elements |
19/23, 1 fluorite and 5 UD elements |
18/23, 5 UD elements |
Mark II |
| Minimum Focusing Distance |
1.2m (3.9ft) |
1.4m (4.6ft) |
Mark II |
| Filter |
77mm |
77mm |
- |
Clearly Canon has made some very nice changes such as an extra-IS stop (4 vs. 3), the addition of the fluorite element will make this lens as sharp as its little brother the f/4-version, and the minimum focusing distance has been reduced by 8 inches. I’m a bit shocked as I was expecting Canon to incorporate their new Hybrid IS system or at least the 4-generation IS system that is used on the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM lens (5-stop IS!).
I see a lot of nice features, but nothing ground breaking enough that I would upgrade to. If you are in the market for a professional 70-200mm, I would definitely recommend holding out until April and getting the Mark II version. Otherwise, the Mark I version should drop some in price and become a great alternative.
You can also read Canon’s press release here.
Tags: Canon, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, Nikon
Posted in General News, Product Review |
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© Coal Miki. Found on Flickr.com.
The Canon Speedlite Transmitter ST-E2 is a portable infrared wireless transmitter designed to wirelessly trigger Canon Speedlites. For the most part, it does that well. But unfortunately, there some severe limitations that makes it a waste of money. If you’re in the market to purchase a ST-E2, wait and read this post first before making your purchase, you won’t regret it.
Tags: Canon, Canon 550EX, Canon 580, Canon 580EX II, Canon EOS 7D, Canon Wireless Flash System, CWFS, Nikon, OC-E3, Sto-Fen, SU-800
Posted in Product Review, Tips and Tricks |
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Canon has finally pulled the covers on the long awaited Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, but the question is on all our minds: will it deliver and deliver exceptionally good?
The Canon EOS 1D/1Ds Mark III dSLRs have been what the Vista operating system has been to Microsoft: plagued by problems and bad press. So rather than releasing a 1D Mark IIIn (essentially a mid-year update), Canon has released, what many of us Canon photographers hope, is our saving bliss: a brand new model.
Tags: Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Nikon D3, Nikon D3s
Posted in General News, Product Review |
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Nikon, not content to just sit on it laurels, has released a highly anticipated follow-up to their hugely successfully and game changing professional digital SLR, the Nikon D3, with the Nikon D3s, a faster newer and higher ISO capable digital SLR and the first professional digital SLR with video.
Tags: Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, Canon EOS 7D, Nikon, Nikon D3, Nikon D3s
Posted in General News, Product Review |
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I’m a huge fan of Think Tank Photo’s wonderful camera bags; currently owning three. I think two of the most appealing things about Think Tank Photo are: 1) their bags are made and designed by photographers and 2) the bags are very functional and look great. The latest bag I picked up is the Think Tank Photo Glass Taxi Backpack
, a great portable backpack that is easy to use, light, and carries just enough equipment.
Tags: backpack, camera bag, COVERITALLCO, Glass Taxi, MacBook Pro, Shape Shifter, StreetWalker HardDrive, Think Tank Photo, UD60, Urban Disguise 60
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Tags: Anne Cahill, Canon, CLS, Creative Lighting System, Elinchrom, EzyBox, Honl, Jake Peterson, Joe McNally, Kelby Training, Moose Peterson, Nikon, Scott Kelby, Skylite, The Hot Shoe Diaries, The Moment It Clicks
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Brand recognition is perhaps one of the most important aspects to business success. Sure, it’s important to have a product or service that people want, but if you can’t get people to understand your brand, your competitor has no problems explaining to them their brand.
Photography is just like any other service based business. The brand recognition is the style of images each photographer or photography studio has. Take for example, photographer Dave Hill and his unmistakable style of photography. When you see one of his images, you know it’s him. It’s the same thing as other photographers such as Ansel Adams, Chase Jarvis, and so forth. But just having a style of photography isn’t always enough for your potential clients to remember you, you need something more. This is where the amazing husband-and-wife team of COVERITALLCO comes in.
Tags: Ansel Adams, CafePress, Chase Jarvis, COVERITALLCO, Dave Hill, embroidery, Glass Taxi, Think Tank, Think Tank Photo, Urban Disguise 60
Posted in Baby Portraits, Gallery, General News, Product Review |
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Canon was kind enough to loan me their latest top-of-the-line professional 1D model, the Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. After using it for nearly two weeks, 3 events, 12 photo shoots, and 3 lenses, and having shot some couple thousand frames, I can safely formulate an opinion on what works, what doesn’t, and is it worth it. click to read more.
Tags: Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM, Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM, Canon EF 24mm f/1.4L USM, Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM, Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM, Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM, Canon EF 85mm f/1.2L USM, Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark II, Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Canon EOS 50D, Canon EOS 5D Mark II, Lastolite EzyBalance, Nikon D3, Nikon D3x, Nikon D700
Posted in Product Review, Publication |
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One of my favorite photography tools isn’t a lens or even a camera, it’s a light meter. People thought the light meter was a thing of the past with auto exposure and the advent of digital photography, but that can’t be farther from the truth. Despite all the advances by Canon, Nikon and the other major photography brands, there are still a number of situations where the auto exposure meter of the camera is off, sometimes completely.
Tags: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III, Gossen, Gossen DigiPro F, L-358, light meter, PocketWizard, Sekonic, Sekonic L-358
Posted in Product Review, Tips and Tricks |
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and 
(got my personal copy signed by him), when I saw he would be teaching an all day workshop on lighting (