Interview on Slopefillers
The ski resort industry website, Slopefillers, just published an interview that I did with them. Download the PDF here.
Dan Carr
Manfrotto 055 Mag Photo-Movie Head Review
DSLRs with HD video capabilities have changed the way many of us shoot and many photographers are being asked to return from assignments with videos, or simply making that choice themselves to make their business stand out from the crowd. The problem is that DSLR video is incredibly susceptible to camera shake because in-body image stabilization has yet to be implemented in these larger cameras. Combine that with the tendency to create rolling shutter artifacts when panning too fast and you quickly realize that a good video head (fluid head) is necessary to get even a reasonable job done unless …
Fuji x100 Full Review Including Firmware Update Impressions
Boy has this been a long time coming! We first learned about the Fuji x100 way back in September 2010 where it was shown in prototype form at Photokina. The internet was instantly ablaze with hands on impressions (as much as you can get from a prototype) and forums were full of excited people in love with Fuji’s classic design. An astute move by Fuji’s marketing department capitalized on peoples desire and the official x100 page gradually leaked a series of in-depth preview articles discussing every aspect of the camera over the next 8 months. By the time they actually …
New Pentax Q-System World’s Smallest
Announced today is Pentax’s first foray into the interchangeable lens , mirrorless camera market but this one comes with a twist. Up until now companies like Panasonic, Olympus and Sony have been producing these types of cameras with sensors in them of either micro 4/3 sizing of in Sony’s case even larger. In order to make the world’s smallest such system Pentax have decided to use a smaller sensor in their new Q-System. This is effectively a point and shoot camera with interchangeable lenses. The biggest surprise for me is the price , coming in at a steep $799 for …
Leica Unveils new 21mm f3.4 Super-Elmar
NEW: THE LEICA SUPER-ELMAR-M 21MM F/3.4 ASPH. Compact M lens with improved imaging performance sets new standards in wide-angle photography Solms, Germany (June 21, 2011) – Leica Camera AG adds a new, high-performance wide-angle lens to its portfolio of short focal length lenses for Leica M cameras. The Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. sets new standards in imaging performance. It is characterized by its particularly compact size and suitability for a wide range of photographic situations. Whether used for photojournalism, architecture or landscape photography, the Leica Super-Elmar-M 21 mm f/3.4 ASPH. provides photographers with an extremely small, light and …
Leica Launches New M9-P Digital Rangefinder
Designed particularly for professional photographers, new ultra-discreet version of the Leica M9 added to Leica rangefinder portfolio Solms, Germany (June 21, 2011) – Leica Camera AG is proud to present a new version of the world’s smallest, full-frame digital system camera: the Leica M9-P. This new model will sit alongside the Leica M9 in the company’s rangefinder portfolio. Providing an alternative, even more discreet and resilient design that further reinforces the classic nature of the M9, the M9-P specifically meets the needs of professional photographers. The new model is now available in a classic silver chrome or subtle black paint …
Zoom H1 Audio Recorder Review
The Zoom H1 has been around for a year or so now and I’ve mentioned it before on this site but only now had a good reason to pick one up for myself. At the time of writing this I’m packing my gear to head to France to shoot the 24 Heures Du Mans, arguably the worlds greatest motor race. I decided that the sound of the cars on the track would be interesting to capture for some multimedia content after the event and the H1 looks to be a reasonable solution. Ever since DSLRs began to record video, photographers …
Canon EF 500mm f4 L IS Review
You might be wandering why I’m going to talk about this lens when Canon has already announced it’s replacement, due to hit store shelves in December 2011. Whilst it’s true that the new EF 500mm f4 L IS II is 17% lighter than this version, the optical improvements will be fairly minor. It’s tough to improve on the quality of any of Canon’s super telephotos. The list price of the upcoming MKII 500mm is $10,000 but the current version is selling for “only” $6900. When version 2 hits the second hand market there is sure to be an explosion of …
Canon Updates Release Date Info For New Lenses
Canon has released information today on when they now expect the previously announced EF lenses to be released. Canon EF 8-15mm f/4L Fisheye USM lens is scheduled to be available in late July 2011Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is scheduled to be available in late August 2011Canon EF 400mm f/2.8L IS II USM lens is scheduled to be available in late August 2011Canon EF 500mm F4L IS II USM lens is scheduled to be available in December 2011Canon EF 600mm F4L IS II USM lens is also scheduled to be available in December 2011 Full Press Release …
Introducing the F-Stop Satori EXP Backpack
Last week we took a look at the newly released Guru 28 liter backpack. This week I’m giving you guys a first in-depth look at the soon to be released F-Stop Satori EXP which is due to be on sale this coming July. This pack sits at the opposite end of the Mountain Series to the Guru, with a Capacity of 62 liters and as the EXP designation implies this one will hold everything you need on your next expedition. The pack might be larger than the F-Stop Tilopa backpack, but by forgoing the waterproof TPU base seen on the …
Sigma Announces Price and Date For 46mp SD1 Camera
A 46MP Foveon sensor negates the need for a bayer matrix or anti-aliasing filter. Sigma’s new SD1 is the largest Foveon sensor on the market and it’s coming in June. 46-megapixel DSLR creates new market for medium-format photographersRonkonkoma, NY, May 20, 2011 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world’s most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce that its flagship DSLR, the Sigma SD1, will be available for purchase for the MSRP of $9,700 in early June. This 46-megapixel DSLR is delivered in a splash-proof, …
Canon 8-15 f4 L Fisheye Image Samples
If you aren’t familiar with this upcoming lens from Canon then check out my previous post with all the details. We still don’t know when this lens is going to become available and Canon is currently tight lipped about how badly production schedules are being affected by the situation in Japan. Last week though, the Canadian camera store Henry’s hosted a show in Toronto and the 8-15 f4 L was on show for all to see. What made it a little different this time is that people were allowed to use them and shoot photos of them to their own …