Gear Review
»
Nikon D3200 Preview
The Nikon D3200 on paper looks to be an AMAZING beginner camera with a ton of advanced features.
First lets start with the NEW 24.2 megapixel sensor. I am not a big fan of such a large sensor in a beginner camera. This is going to make the RAW files HUGE even though they are compressed and only 12 bit. The ISO range is 100-6400 expandable to 12,800 which again is insane.
The video features seem to be pretty extensive. It will shoot full hd 1080P at 24/30 FPS but you also have the ability to shoot at 60FPS at 720. You do have manual exposure controls during video recording. One item I over looked before I made the video is the fact that it does have a microphone input jack. That is an amazing feature to have if you are looking to do interviews or capture better audio than from the built in microphone. I look at this to be a substantial addition to an entry level camera.
Overal this is a very feature packet beginner camera. If you already own a D3100 do not upgrade to the D3200, it is not the best step forward for your photography. But if you are new to the DSLR game the D3200 would be a great place to start. Like I always say, good glass is important so adding on a Nikon 35 1.8 would be advised.
I may pick one of these cameras up to create a shooting guide for all the people who will be stepping into a DSLR for the first time. It is possible that this camera could serve as a third angle for when I am recording interviews or photo shoots.
Did you see the Spreecast about the Nikon D3200 and 28 1.8?
Sigma 50-150mm f/2.8 EX OS Review
Sigma recently announced their new 50-150 2.8 OS lens for both Nikon and Canon cropped sensor cameras. This is a very interesting range, it is similar to what you would find on a full frame camera if you were to use a 70-200 2.8.
CLICK HERE to download sample RAW FILES captured with the Sigma 50-150 2.8 OS (165 megs)
Click Here to see the rest of the full res images.
On a Canon cropped sensor camera this lens would be a 80-240mm 2.8 and on the Nikon it would be a 75-225 2.8. What this means is you have an amazing range for everything from sports to portraits.
Here is a statement new photographers make to me all the time, “im going to go full frame soon” or “Im getting a full frame camera in a few years”. What they are trying to say is they think they should not pick up cropped sensor lenses. I think that is the wrong mentality. Yes you should be picking up lenses that will serve you well for a long time. But you should not pass up a great cropped sensor lens because one day you may end up with a full frame camera.
(more…)
Westcott Spiderlite TD6 Review
I have been using and loving my Westcott Spiderlite TD6′s for almost six months now. They are bright, powerful, clean and consistant. They give out the same clean 5500 degree kelvin temperatures hour after hour.
People always want to know why would you use continuos lights vs strobes. The answer is I have both, I use these lights for when I am recording video and I need clean continuos light. I also use them when I do not feel like setting up my studio strobes. Some of the biggest names in photography choice to use continuos lights over strobes such as Peter Hurley.
What is great about continuous lights is you can see the results before you shoot. You know where your shadows are going to be and you can shape the light. You can accomplish many of the same things with these lights as you can with strobes.
(more…)
Nikon D4 Video Tests
This is a very simple test of the Nikon D4 s video capabilities. I test everything from 1080P 24 FPS to 720P 60 FPS to show the D4′s slow motion capabilities. You will also see Hi-ISO examples ranging from 12,800 to H1 (25,600) and H4 204,800.
This is the first Nikon Pro camera to offer such amazing video capabilities. I plan on further testing and using the Nikon D4 to capture future videos.
There is one feature that I find truly amazing, that is the 2.7x crop mode. What this means is you have the ability to capture full 1080 video while using exactly 1920×1080 pixels off the image sensor. On top of that any lens you put on the camera becomes 2.7x stronger. For example a 200mm becomes a 540mm and a 300mm becomes a 810mm. You will see an example of my brother walking is dog in the video above which utilizes this 2.7x crop mode.
I like to keep my testing as simple as possible. I want to show you the capabilities and give you tests that will allow you to determine the quality of the video.
If you did not see my Nikon D4 Unboxing and Sniff Test form Allen’s Camera please CLICK HERE.
Fuji Instax Unboxing and Sniff Test
The Fuji Instax is an interesting throwback camera to the days where the only way to get to see your pictures right after you took them was to use instant film. Fuji has brought back the instant camera with their line of instax cameras. These cameras allow you to use Fuji Instax film to take instant (takes up to 5 min to develop) photos.
I am sure there are many people sitting there going why would I want to take instant pictures these days? And I will say I felt the same way until I started to have fun with this camera. It is a conversation starter at parties and event. When I take someones picture and they see the photo pop out the top they go wow what is that. Beyond that these photos make for really unique business cards. What better way to make an impression on someone than to hand them a photo with your information on it.
I will be taking a few of these instax cameras on the road to SXSW along with a case of instant film to see what we come up with. You will get a chance to try these cameras out on the two photo walks.
To see a FULL on photo shoot done with the fuji instax check out the video player below.
(more…)
Nikon 85mm f1.8G AFS Review and Comparison
Nikon has finally updated its 85mm F1.8 AFD with the NEW Nikon 85mm F1.8G AFS. The new AFS lens is aimed at professionals and amateurs a like. What makes this a very enticing lens is the fact that it sells for $499.99. At that price it gives amateurs and pros a reasonably priced professional lens to help them take their images to the next level.
In this review I put the new AFS against the older AFD and for fun I brought out the 85mm f1.4 AFS Nikon. While I was at Allen’s Camera I set up a quick little test shooting scene and than used the three lenses listed above to capture the same scene. You can find all of the full res images below for you to download and analyze. All the images are unedited straight conversions from the RAW FILE. This way there was no corrections added to correct for imperfections.
Please check out AllensCamera for all your camera needs as they fully support this site.
Click Here to see all full res images
Fujifilm X100 – first impressions
Ever since the announcement for the Fujifilm X100, it became an object of desire. A fixed 35mm f/2 lens in a rangefinder-like body with manual controls and serious build quality?!?! And not even close to what a digital Leica costs – so in the grand scheme of things, semi-affordable.
I decided not to be an early adopter. There were mixed reviews of it’s focusing glitches and overall firmware snafus. I’m glad I didn’t pop on one at first. I let them figure things out and can say, it’s a heckuva lot better since that first release. Funnily enough, the firmware needed updating on my camera. There was no prompt, for it, but knowing the history of this camera, I checked the firmware, went to Fuji’s site and sure enough, the firmware was out of date. No biggie. It was a bit convoluted to update the firmware. I had to format an SD card with the Fuji, then download firmware update and copy to the card, insert the card and well, eventually the firmware updated and I was good to go.
Canon 24-70 2.8II Lens Announced and Two others
Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM Lens for Harsh and Rigorous Conditions
Canon continues the tradition of ensuring the Company’s highest quality optical performance in its L-series lenses with the launch of the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM zoom lens. This new version of one of Canon’s most popular lenses utilizes one Super UD lens element and two UD lens elements to help achieve outstanding image quality throughout the full zoom range. The result is significantly reduced chromatic aberration in the outer area at wide-angle, high resolution and contrast in images and crisp clear edges around the subject. The lens coatings have been optimized to ensure exceptional color balance while minimizing ghosting, and reduced spherical aberration. With a circular nine-blade diaphragm, the lens delivers soft backgrounds and incredible bokeh.
In demand by architectural, corporate, adventure and professional photographers of nearly every discipline, the EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens combines amazing image quality with enhanced durability. Highly resistant to dust and water, the new lens has enhanced durability and weather sealing. The lens also features a zoom lock lever to secure the zoom position for safe transport, and fluorine coatings on the front and rear glass surfaces to reduce smears and fingerprints, making it an ideal lens regardless of the conditions.
The EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM lens is expected to be available in April for an approximate retail price of $2,299.00.
Canon Standard Prime Lenses with Optical Image Stabilizer:
EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM & EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM
Empowering landscape and wide-angle photographers with improved optical performance, Canon has upgraded both its EF 24mm and EF 28mm lenses with Image Stabilization technology and Ultrasonic Motor-powered auto focus. Both lenses feature Canon’s Optical Image Stabilizer technology providing up to four shutter speed stops of correction. With the Optical Image Stabilizer turned on, photographers can capture sharp wide-angle images in low-light settings reducing the need for a flash or a tripod. New aspherical lens elements improve the peripheral image quality and a seven-blade circular diaphragm delivers beautiful, soft backgrounds. The silent and smooth operation of each lens makes them ideal choices for shooting video as well. The EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM and EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM lenses each have a minimum focusing distances of 0.20m and 0.23m, respectively.
The EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM lens is expected to be available in June for an approximate retail price of $849.99, while the EF 28mm f/2.8 IS USM lens is expected to be available in June for an approximate retail price of $799.99.
How To Install RAM in an iMac
The friend to all computers is more RAM, but how do you get it in the machine? In this video I show you how I put another 8 gigs of RAM into my 27 inch Apple iMac to give me a total of 16 gigs.
I picked up my RAM from Other World COmputing which is the go to place when you need to to any updates to your macs. The RAM is a lot more affordable than if you order if from Apple. I think it cost me around $80 with shipping to get another 8 gigs of RAM to max out my machine.
This was a very simple install. I popped off the bottom plate, popped out the smaller RAM chips, popped in the newer chips, sealed it up and I was ready to go.
Some things to keep in mind is make sure that you are grounded so to not cause any static shock. Make sure you have some canned air to blow out any dust that has built up inside. You can keep your old RAM or you could sell it on ebay or back to OWC.
All and all this was such an easy install, the biggest problem with this project is having to turn off the computer. Other than that, its so easy a caveman could do it.
Nikon D4 Preview
First of WOW WOW OMG OMG!!!! I got the chance to spend a good amount of time exploring the brand new NIKON D4 DSLR Camera the other day and wow is it amazing.
This camera takes just about everything to the next level. It feels amazing in the hands, it shoots in even lower light and it adds some pretty impressive video features.
I will be purchasing this camera as soon as one comes into Allens Camera which means that my D3s will be for sale very very soon. It looks like this camera will be out by the end of February for the low low price of $6,000. I hope to have my D4 in time to take the trip to SXSW on early March.
Please check out the video above as it will give you the ins and outs of the camera and my thoughts for the future of the Nikon D3s.
For a LIVE Discussion on the Nikon D4 please CLICK here for the SpreeCast
