2009 | Photocrati

Think Tank Airport International Review Round-Up

think-tank-airport-international A smaller version of the “domestic” Airport, Think Tank’s first bag, this roller meets international carry-on regulations and features TSA-approved locks on the main compartment. An integrated wrapped-steel cable lets you lock it to something nonremovable in a press room or hotel — or to a tree. The supplied dividers can be swapped out for the low divider kit, which leaves enough space for most laptops inside the locked main compartment.

A retractable handle, in-line wheels, and a subdued black-on-black design make the Airport International look much like a regular carry-on bag — but it’s all business for the frequent-flyer photographer. About $320. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

If you own or have used this bag, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Think Tank Airport International 2.0, Medium Size Airline Carry On Photo Roller Luggage

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Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO Aspherical RF AF Review Round-Up

sigma-af-135-400mm-f45-56-apo-aspherical-rf If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO DG Aspherical AF Zoom Telephoto Lens for Nikon AF

Photo Zone

The Sigma AF 135-400mm f/4.5-5.6 APO Aspherical RF is not a perfect lens nor can you expect that a budget lens reaches high end quality levels. Nonetheless it is capable to provide very decent results especially in the 135-300mm range. At 400mm @ f/5.6 the quality is quite soft but from f/8 and up the quality is very respectable. The distortion characteristic is almost perfect and vignetting isn’t really field relevant on an APS-C DSLR. CAs are a quite pronounced at 135mm but the overall level is still acceptable. Mechanically the lens leaves more to be desired. The quality of the used materials is fine but the friction of the zoom ring is way too high and the worst implementation that I’ve seen so far. There’s no such thing as a free lunch but admittedly the Sigma offers quite a bit of possibilities for your bucks. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 AF Nikkor Review Round-Up

nikon-af-nikkor-28-85mm-f-35-45 If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Nikon 28-85mm f/3.5-4.5 AF Nikkor Zoom Lens

Ken Rockwell

This early AF lens was my favorite midrange zoom until the autofocus became sticky. I replaced it with the 24-85 AFS. I can’t be sure if it’s just the luck of sample-to-sample variation or a truth valid for all lenses, but this old lens for me and my F100 is much better than any of the newer and similar 24-120, 24-85 f/2.8-4, 28-70 f/3.5-4.5 or 28-105 lenses I have tried and reviewed. READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro Primus AW Review Round-Up

Lowepro is celebrating its 40th birthday with this bag, a weatherproof backpack that as far as we know is the first ever manufactured partially (51 percent) from post-consumer recycled material. Though eco-friendly, the Primus lives up to Lowepro’s high standards of performance and design innovation. Its eight-point adjustment system lets you customize the fit to your individual frame, while a smart reverse-opening system lessens the need to remove the bag and put it strap-side down to get to your gear. About $250. A full 51 percent of Lowepro’s eco-friendly Primus AW pack ($200, street) is made with post-consumer materials, without sacrificing comfort and functionality. Strap-side main compartment zippers add security and keep the dirt off your back. And Lowepro gives 10 percent of the proceeds to Polar Bears International, so you can make a statement with your bag, as well as your photos. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

If you own or have used this Bag, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

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Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this camera, let us know what you think! Add your own review or comments to this article. We welcome your views.

Get information and user reviews for this camera at Amazon: Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III 21.1MP Digital SLR Camera (Body Only)

Imaging Resource

The full-frame digital SLR megapixel race has a new champion: the 21.1-megapixel Canon EOS 1Ds Mark III. Its new 36x24mm sensor records images that measure 5,632 x 3,750 pixels, with a pitch of 6.4 microns. Next to its higher resolution, the other significant feature in the 1Ds Mark III is its faster five frames per second. The 1Ds Mark III can shoot up to 56 large/fine JPEG images or 12 RAW images before the buffer fills. 1Ds is also built a little more rugged, the 1Ds will make Canon’s highest resolution digital SLR more accessible than the last offering. Though it’s still too big and heavy for most shooters, it’s much easier to use. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX AF-S Nikkor Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below. Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX ED VR Nikkor Wide Angle Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon DSLR Cameras

Photo Zone

Despite some shortcomings the Nikkor AF-S 16-85mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR DX is probably still the best DX standard zoom lens in Nikon mount to date. It is very sharp throughout the range although there could be a little less field curvature (curved focus field) at 16mm. The level of distortions and lateral CAs is comparatively moderate for such a lens (still a bit high in absolute terms). Vignetting is generally well-controlled except at 16mm @ f/3.5. The rather slow max. aperture may be a bit unfortunate because the achievable bokeh is rather underdeveloped in conventional scenes. … The build quality is on a good level but don’t expect professional grade quality here. All-in-all an obvious choice but not flawless … which is why I had to agonize a while about the optical rating but I believe that the lens is somewhat more desirable than the AF-S 17-55mm f/2.8G ED although it’s a bit like comparing apples and oranges here. READ FULL REVIEW

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Lowepro Rezo TLZ-10 Review Round-Up

Need a very compact but high quality case for a Canon EOS 350D Digital Rebel XT? The Lowepro Rezo TLZ-10 Case is a good solution for lenses up to the size of the Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM Lens. The camera strap will not fit inside the case with this combination, but I did not have a problem with it hanging out. ? ?The Lowepro Rezo TLZ-10 Case features modern styling and good quality construction. RAED FULL REVIEW AT DIGITAL PICTURE

If you own or have used this Bag, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Lowepro REZO TLZ10 Digital Camera Case Gadget Bag

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Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC AF Review Round-Up

If you own or have used this lens, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this lens from Amazon: Sigma 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 AF DC OS HSM Zoom Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras

Photo Zone

The Sigma AF 18-125mm f/3.5-5.6 DC is naturally a compromise but the package is a bit more sound compared to its more ambitious sister lens – the AF 18-200mm f/3.5-6.3 DC. Sigma seems to have followed a quite interesting design approach – ignoring distortions and focus on the rest and this works out pretty well. The lens is very sharp specifically around the wide end of the zoom range but the tele settings aren ´t bad either. CAs are about average and vignetting could be a little better at wide-open aperture. Nonetheless these are viable compromises for an extremely compact 7x zoom. Unfortunately the AF performance of the lens isn’t quite as promising. On the EOS 350D AF accuracy is totally unacceptable when using a focal length below 50mm – I haven’t really experienced another lens (besides the 18-200mm) which performs as bad in this respect. Trusting the camera is no good idea here. I used the lens extensively during a recent vacation and after a couple of days I gave up and disabled AF for wide angle shots (Note: normally I’m using the central AF point only for better accuracy …). The lens may work out better on an EOS 30D or EOS 400D. “¦ READ FULL REVIEW

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Tenba Airbooks Review Round-Up

Based on Tenba’s Air Case frame, this series isn’t designed for cameras, but rather for keeping your portfolio safe and presented in style. The black exterior is made of ballistic nylon; the interior compartment has cutouts to help the client pull the portfolio or mounted prints out. An external pocket holds a shipping label. Tenba will even personalize an Airbook with an anodized aluminum plate engraved with your name or logo. Sizes range from 8.5×11 to 16×20, to fit a variety of mat and board sizes. From $160 to $200. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

If you own or have used this Bag, let us know what you think! Leave your comments and thoughts below.

Get information and user reviews for this bag from Amazon: Tenba Airbook – 16×20

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Nikon 70-210mm f/4 AF Review Round-Up

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Photo Zone

The Nikkor AF 70-210mm f/4 delivered decent but not exceptional results. The resolution is excellent at 70mm but a little soft at 135mm @ f/4 and 210mm @ f/4 so the speed advantage compared to current consumer grade zoom lenses is somewhat relativized – stopping down to f/5.6 is advisable here. Despite the full format design vignetting is a little high at 210mm at wide-open aperture but otherwise it is well controlled. The level of distortions is unusually low for a zoom lens. Lateral CAs are moderate but purple fringing can be a problem in harsh contrast situations. The build quality is relatively decent although the approach is a bit dated. … READ FULL REVIEW

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