Tag: Week

New arrival: Tamron SP 85mm F1.8 launches later this week

Tamron has announced pricing and availability for its recently released SP 85mm F1.8 Di VC USD. According to the company, the lens will launch this Thursday, March 24 in Canon and Nikon mounts for $ 749. Tamron also plans to launch a Sony mount lens later this year, but has not provided a launch date at this time.

The 85mm F1.8 lens features an Ultrasonic Silent Drive and full-time manual focus override, and produces, among other things, a ‘balanced bokeh’ for emphasizing a photo’s foreground subject. The SP 85mm model uses both low dispersion and ultra low dispersion glass elements to produce sharp and clear high-fidelity color photos with minimal color fringing, while eBAND and BBAR lens coating technologies reduce ghosting and lens flares to what Tamron says is ‘imperceptible levels.’

Other features include a moisture-resistant body, a water and oil-repellant fluorine coating on the front element and support for the Tamron TAP-in Console. Notably, the Nikon mount version features the electromagnetic diaphragm system that has been a Canon mount standard feature.

See our hands-on with Tamron’s new SP primes from CP+ 2016

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

March 23, 2016
Week in Review: One for the history books

Week in Review: One for the history books

It was a Wednesday like any other Wednesday. The sun rose in the East. The DPReview staff made their morning coffee run. They sat down at their desks. And then they wrote. They wrote. For unlike another Wednesday, this Wednesday would see the introduction of a historic camera: the Pentax K-1. Memories of Pentax’s first promise of a full-frame DSLR were all but a distant memory, but Pentax would finally step into the world of full-frame digital photography.

To say it was a busy week is an understatement. The world didn’t only get full-frame Pentax this week, it got so many more things: a Canon EOS 80D! A kit lens with a strange detachable power zoom accessory! A Panasonic GF-series update made just for selfies!

Just to be sure you didn’t miss anything, you better take a look back with us.

It’s all gonna be O-K

After years of promises and months of teasing, this week Ricoh finally unveiled the Pentax K-1, a 36.4MP full-frame DSLR built around the K lens mount. At a very enticing body-only MSRP of $ 1800, the K-1 offers 5-axis IS, built-in Wi-Fi and 4.4 fps burst shooting. We took a look back at the long and winding road Pentax has taken to full-frame, and while the K-1 shows a lot of promise, we think Ricoh still has a tough road ahead.

Read our full Pentax K-1 launch coverage

Subtle video upgrades

Just hours after the K-1 announcement, Canon swooped in and dropped the EOS 80D, G7 X Mark II, an updated 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 and a couple of interesting accessories (more on that in a second).

The 80D is a fairly incremental update to the 70D, but it does offer updated Dual Pixel AF with continuous focus as well as an upgraded 45-point all cross-type AF system. Subtle enhancements in the video department, like the addition of 1080/60p recording and a headphone socket, nudge the camera 80D toward video enthusiasts, but don’t hoist it into the ranks of video-centric cameras like the Sony A7S and Panasonic GH4. Still, it should offer plenty to help a non-pro get good results.

Read our full Canon EOS 80D launch coverage

Smooth move

In this week’s unusual innovations we saw Canon introduce the PZ-EI Power Zoom adapter, the first OEM-branded accessory of its kind, specifically built for its new 18-135mm. For just an extra $ 150, prospective 80D owners who are interested in shooting video with their new kit can pick up a PZ-E1 and gain control over zoom speed by way of physical controls or Canon’s Smart Utility app. It’s a neat solution and relatively inexpensive solution for video shooters, rather than building power zoom functionality into the lens and raising the cost (and weight of the lens) for everybody.

Read more about the EF-S 18-135mm F3.5-5.6 IS USM and PZ-EI Power Zoom adapter

Know thy selfie

Speaking of long and winding roads, the introduction of the selfie-tastic Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8 this week underscored just how far that series has wandered from where it started. The GF8’s brightly colored accents (or ‘unisex’ silver and brown, if you prefer), beauty re-touch features and 180-degree articulated selfie-friendly LCD are all a far cry from the pioneering little GF1. That camera’s enthusiast features long ago drifted and evolved into the GX-series, while Panasonic seems to be making a Casio-esque play with its entry-level GF-series to capitalize on shoppers interested in selfie-centric features in some Asian countries. To each his own, right?

Learn more about the Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF8

Two good?

It’s easy to get excited about the Sony RX1R II‘s potential. A compact 42MP full-frame camera with updated AF and a Zeiss 35mm F2 lens has that effect. But it’s also easy to suffer a case of sticker shock when you realize it’s $ 3300. Our full review, published this week, digs into the camera’s performance to see if the problems that plagued the RX1R persist, and whether it’s a $ 3300 well spent. There’s just one way to find out…

Read our Sony Cyber-shot RX1R II review

Go wide

Yeah, we’ve heard it before: a 75-100mm focal length is more flattering for portraits than wide-angle lenses. But what if we all stepped away from our 85mm portrait primes for a minute and embraced a different perspective? Tech Editor Rishi Sanyal does just that in our lens technique video. Using the Sigma 24-35mm F2 Art to make his case, he captured some environmental portraits at sunset in Seattle’s gorgeous Discovery Park (the nice part, not the bit by the sewage treatment plant).

Lens Technique: Wide-angle portraiture with the Sigma 24-35mm F2 Art

Rumor has it

Rumors of new lenses are coming fast and furious, including this rumored Sigma 50-100mm F1.8 Art for APS-C. It would seem that the timing is right, too, what with CP+ starting next week. We’ll be in Yokohama covering the show, so tune in next week as we separate rumors, fact and fiction.

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

February 21, 2016
Week in Review: 2016 CES edition

Week in Review: 2016 CES edition

CES isn’t always a blockbuster show for photography, but Nikon fixed that for us this year. Welcome to 2016, the year of the long-awaited D300 replacement. But that wasn’t all – a few hours before Nikon trounced all over the other show announcements, Olympus took the wraps off a 300mm F4 Pro lens, Panasonic put a 1″ sensor into a travel zoom camera and Kodak brought back Super 8. If this week was any indication of how the rest of 2016 will go, then we’ll be needing a lot more of the ‘Just Chill’ anti-energy drinks that Dan brought into the office last week.

Nikon D5/D500

We knew that Nikon had a professional grade full-frame camera coming, so while we weren’t surprised to see the D5 announced at CES, we were not expecting the D500. Possibly the longest-awaited successor to a popular model ever, the D500 replaces the D300S after six years – long after many enthusiast Nikon photographers had given up hope of ever seeing it.

Like the D5, the D500 uses a 20MP CMOS sensor and 153-point AF system. But being an APS-C format camera, that AF array stretches almost to the edges of the frame. Both the D5 and D500 are hugely impressive and we look forward to getting them in our studio very soon.

Read more about the Nikon D5 and D500

Nikon KeyMission 360

Nikon had quite a few ‘firsts’ this week, including the introduction of its first 360-degree camera. Despite a name that reminds of Tom Cruise movies, the KeyMission 360 looks enticing. Fully rugged and capable of 4K video, the KeyMission uses two lenses on opposite sides of the camera to create immersive video and stills. We weren’t able to get any closer to it than this and were told that the design is ‘not quite final yet.’ For now it’s just a mysterious figure behind glass and a super intense name.

Read more about Nikon KeyMission 360

Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100/TZ100

Joining the ever-expanding ranks of 1″-type sensor compacts is the Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100. With its 25-250mm equivalent field of view it provides more reach than the RX100s without the substantial size gains seen in the likes of the company’s own DMC-FZ1000 or Canon’s PowerShot G3 X. Throw in an EVF and Panasonic has a little travel cam ready to accompany you on your next journey.

Read our Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS100/TZ1000 hands-on preview

Samsung

We’re still hoping for some signs of life from Samsung’s NX series but it’s looking pretty grim. We expected the scene at the company’s CES booth to be heavy on VR, high-tech refrigerators and gadgets like the new Galaxy TabPro S, but we’d hoped for at least a glimpse of their camera lineup on the tech world’s biggest stage but nope, not a peep at the press conference and not a single NX1 at the booth.

Maybe, argues staff writer Dan Bracaglia, it’s time to open up your smart fridge, crack open a cold beverage and pour it out for Samsung’s mirrorless line. And that’s a real shame.

Opinion: pour one out for Samsung cameras

Olympus M.Zuiko PRO 300mm F4

When we were briefed on the Olympus M. Zuiko PRO 300mm F4 we were told about the amazing tolerances used when making this lens. This quote isn’t verbatim, but it went something like ‘If the front element is a football field, we are removing inconsistencies the size of a human hair.’

This geeky attention to detail has always been characteristic of Olympus, and the sharpness of the 300mm is a testament to the manufacturer’s hard work. Combine that with a 600mm equivalent prime that can feasibly be used handheld, and we have one impressive tube of metal and glass on our hands. Check out our sample gallery to witness the sharpness for yourself.

Take a look at our hands-on with the Olympus 300mm F4 PRO

Kodak Super 8

Slated for a Fall 2016 release date, the Kodak Super 8 was among the most surprising products we saw at CES this year. It’s not entirely clear how, but the Super 8 still shoots Super 8 film cartridges (which Kodak will process and digitize for you) while allowing you to preview your cinematic masterpiece by way of a flip-out LCD monitor.

A built-in handle/microphone, an array of ports and a versatile C-mount round out the package. Sure, Kodak is leaning pretty heavily on nostalgia-fueled hype surrounding the format and being stingy with actual details on the Super 8 itself, but we still can’t wait to get our hands on a production model.

Read more about the Kodak Super 8 Camera

Week in Review: 2016 CES edition

One does not simply walk into the Las Vegas Convention Center during the first week of January. Prepping for and surviving CES is like an athletic event, never-ending networking happy hour and a Sunday at Ikea all wrapped into one. For several days in a row. So here’s a shout out to Dan and Dale, the DPR staffers who were our eyes and ears on the ground at the show this year. Thanks for hauling your laptops and camera gear through the convention hall for days on end, taking lots of notes and photos, and eating boxed press lunches while sitting on the floor. We owe you a couple of Just Chills.

See more coverage from CES 2016

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

January 9, 2016
dPS Holiday Week

We hope you’re already in full swing of your holidays and having a great time with family and friends. Just wanted to drop you a quick note to let you know what to expect here in dPS over the next week or so, in case you got some new photography gadgets and are itching to try them out.

By Will Montague

From now until New Years – the best of dPS 2015

It’s that time again for me to dig through last year’s articles and find the best, most popular ones, for you. Starting off tomorrow with the hottest landscape articles of 2015, we’ll have a new topic each day, with several articles for you to read or review.

Starting off 2016 – getting back into the things slowly

After all the parties are over, we’ll get back to our regular schedule of two articles a day on January 3rd (Australia time). For the first couple days you’ll see the wrap-up of the Best Of series, and just one post per day from us, then it’s back to business as usual.

So expect some good reading coming up. If you have some time you can catch up on a few articles you may have missed or focus on learning a new, specific technique.

Also remember to keep an eye on our 12 deals page for some great photography deals.

By melissa brawner

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The post dPS Holiday Week by Darlene Hildebrandt appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

December 26, 2015
27 Sinister Images for the Week of Halloween

So next week it is Halloween and the goblins and zombies will be out in full force. To get you in the spirt and maybe scare the pants off you – let’s look at a few spooky, creepy images:

By Shane Gorski

By Kris Williams

By Shane Gorski

By TexasEagle

By Jimmy McIntyre

By Calvin Smith

By cosmo_71

By RightBrainPhotography

By Stefano Corso

By Christophe Verdier

By Troy B. Thompson

By Jill

By Moyan Brenn

By David Ohmer

By Kasia

By Aftab Uzzaman

By Rob

By d.loop

By freeparking 😐

By Darlene Hildebrandt

By Mark Lobo

By Dani Foster Herring

By slimmer_jimmer

By Yasser Alghofily

By katmary

By Neil Howard

By Matt MacGillivray

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The post 27 Sinister Images for the Week of Halloween by Darlene Hildebrandt appeared first on Digital Photography School.

Digital Photography School

October 23, 2015
Save the dates: PhotoPlus Expo next week in New York

Next week sees the return of PhotoPlus Expo, the largest photography and imaging show in the United States. Held October 21-24 in the Javitz Center in New York City, PPE 2015 will play host to more than 100 educational seminars, Photo Walks and Master Classes, and over 250 exhibitors displaying thousands of products. As usual, DPReview will be at the event, reporting from the show floor. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 16, 2015
CreativeLive Photo Week: Watch DPReview on Media Panel

As part of CreativeLive’s annual ‘Photo Week’, DPReview took part in a panel discussion with other members of the photography industry to discuss technology, photography, and a lot more besides. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

October 3, 2015
Week in Review: Two by two

Around here it was a week of ‘twos’ – Olympus debuted the second generation of its OM-D E-M10 camera, Canon introduced version two of its popular 35mm F1.4L lens, and we published our thoughts on shooting with Sony’s RX10 II. We’ll sum it all up for you just in case you missed any of the action this week. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

August 29, 2015
Week in Review: To boldly go

It’s been quite the week, both in the world of camera technology and beyond… way beyond. We’ve been making steady progress on our full review of the Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 IV, Panasonic announced the first-even 20MP Micro Four Thirds camera, and us earthlings got our first good look at Pluto. Join us as we look back at a week of leaps and bounds. Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

July 18, 2015
Week in review: Lights in the sky

Mother Nature put on a show for us this week when the Northern Lights dipped down into our part of the country. But around here it’s been fireworks for the past couple of weeks, with plenty of new product introductions and exciting review samples rolling in the door. Let’s reflect, shall we? Read more

Articles: Digital Photography Review (dpreview.com)

June 26, 2015