2009 | Photocrati

Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Review Round-Up

lowepro-vertex-300-aw This big, rugged bag can accommodate lots of big gear, including both a 17-inch laptop and a 400mm f/2.8 supertele. That space and weatherproof construction make it a good choice for hardcore sports and adventure photographers, and photojournalists too. The new Vertex even features silent zippers, for times when even the slightest noise might spook a skittish wildlife subject, set off an avalanche, or annoy a VIP on the podium. 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 at Amazon: Lowepro Vertex 300 AW Backpack

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Canon 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM EF Review Round-Up

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

Photo Zone:

The Canon EF 28-105mm f/3.5-4.5 USM proved to be a quite solid performer without any spectacular strengths nor weaknesses except maybe low contrast performance. On APS-C DSLRs it is surely not a first choice due to its focal length range which feels a little odd here. READ FULL REVIEW

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M-Rock Extreme Zion 523 Review Round-Up

m-rock-extreme-zion-523 Backpacking to a remote location to get the pictures you want can be hungry and thirsty work, and that’s why you’d be wise to carry your gear in this new model from M-Rock. It holds a small laptop, D-SLR with 70-200mm f/2.8 (or similar size) lens, some compact zooms, and accessories — with room left over for water. A flat 200ml water pouch with a drinking tube is incorporated into the bag, making it easier for you to stay hydrated while hiking. And when you get hungry, you don’t even have to take off the bag; just get your sandwich out of the Extreme Zion’s integrated lunch cooler. If you want to haul more gear and less food, just pop the cooler out. About $150. READ FULL REVIEW AT POPPHOTO

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Review: David Ziser Digital Wake-up Call Seminar

David Ziser is currently on tour with his Digital Wake Up Call Seminar. Last night he was in Tampa, and I went to see his presentation.

I’ll be honest and tell you that I’ve never actually been to this sort of seminar before. Occasionally, a big-name photographer will pass through Tampa running some sort of seminar and I’ll toss around the idea of going to see it… but usually I pass. I’ve been a fan of David’s work for some time and so I decided to lose my virginity with his seminar. (more…)

Nikon D60 Review Round-Up

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Get information and user reviews for this camera from Amazon: Nikon D60 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G AF-S DX VR Nikkor Zoom Lens

Imaging Resource

The Nikon D60 has a sensor resolution of 10.2 megapixels, and offers ISO sensitivity ranging from 100 to 1,600, with the ability to extend this to ISO 3,200 using the Hi-1 setting. The Nikon D60 makes a really excellent entry-level model for those just making the move to an SLR. Even for established photographers, the D60 is a pleasure to use, making a great second (or even first) body. … The D60 maintains the same body design and control layout as the earlier models, with a grip that’s remarkably comfortable for a wide range of hand sizes. Best of all, image quality is, if anything, improved. Bottom line, this is another excellent model for Nikon in the entry-level DSLR derby. … No matter how you look at it, the Nikon D60 stands up well against the competition, with great image quality at all speeds, and near-perfect utility as a family camera. It’s very fun to use … polite, attractive, and well-built; just the kind of companion you want to have along on your next family outing. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon D80 Review Round-Up

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Get information and user reviews for this camera from Amazon: Nikon D80 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera Kit with 18-135mm AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Imaging Resource

The new Nikon D80’s combination of high-end features and its 18-135mm DX kit lens make a killer photographic tool for the amateur and intermediate photographer who can’t afford or justify the extra cost of the Nikon D200. By any measure, the Nikon D80 is a superb photographic tool, offering value well beyond its relatively modest price point. … It’s solidly built, well-balanced in the hand, highly responsive, and delivers excellent image quality. The Nikon D80’s combination of build quality, image quality, extensive configurability, rich post-capture processing features, and excellent kit lens make it a genuine bargain. This is a camera that’s quite approachable for complete novices, thanks to a very capable fully automated “Green” zone and handful of Scene modes, yet offers the serious amateur a range of creative control and sophisticated operating features unparalleled in its price class. Very highly recommended, and a slam-dunk as one of the better cameras on the market. READ FULL REVIEW

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Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM AF Review Round-Up

Get information and user reviews for this lens at Amazon: Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM APO RF Telephoto Zoom Lens for Sigma SLR Cameras

Digital Picture

Any 10x SLR zoom lens (50mm x10 = 500mm) is going to be attractive, but one that ends with a 500mm focal length is going to get an especially high amount of attention. … AF is accomplished via Sigma’s HSM (Hypersonic Motor). It is quiet, does not extend (rear-focusing), fast and has proven accurate to me even in AI Servo mode shooting sports. Colors appear accurate, but contrast is not as good as some of the other options – none of which have this focal length range of course. Vignetting is well controlled through the middle focal length ranges, but will be noticeable at 50mm and from 300-500mm with a wide open aperture. CA (Chromatic Aberration) is well controlled with some showing in corners at 50mm and from 400-500mm. The Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens shows a little barrel distortion at 50mm and moderate pincushion distortion over most of the rest of the focal length range. … The Sigma 50-500mm f/4-6.3 EX DG HSM Lens is not cheap, but it is a decent value. And nothing else gives you 50-500mm in one lens. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon D40X Review Round-Up

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Get information and user reviews on this camera from Amazon: Nikon D40x 10.2MP Digital SLR Camera with 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6G ED II AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor Lens

Camera Labs

The Nikon D40x is a 10.2 Megapixel entry-level digital SLR aimed at general consumers, family users and photographic students. … The Nikon D40x is one of the more interesting DSLRs around right now because it clearly illustrates both the marketing and monetary value of a 10 Megapixel model over an otherwise identical 6 Megapixel version. By inheriting the D80’s sensor and shutter mechanism the D40x was always assured of great quality output, but the subsequent increase in cost makes you look more critically at some of the weaker aspects … For example at the D40’s low asking price, we could just about forgive its basic 3-point AF, lack of depth-of-field preview and a reliance on modern lenses for auto focusing. Unfortunately for the Nikon D40x though, it inherits all of these but is now priced virtually the same as Canon’s EOS 400D/XTi which boasts 9-point AF, anti-dust features, RAW processing software, DOF preview and compatibility with both new and old lenses. So can the D40x really compete against better-featured cameras? READ FULL REVIEW

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Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM 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 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG IF HSM APO Telephoto Zoom Lens for Nikon SLR Cameras

Digital Picture

The Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens is unique in it’s capabilities – at this time, no other Canon-mount zoom lens can maintain an action-stopping f/2.8 aperture beyond 200mm. This lens has action-sports written all over it. Unfortunately, the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens has a significant shortcoming that affects action sports photography – Autofocus can’t keep up with action rapidly moving toward or away from the camera. Image quality from the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens is decent. It has decent sharpness wide open and gets really nice stopped down a stop or so. Sports photography is the primary market for the Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8 EX DG HSM Lens, but there are other good uses for it. … Basically, any requirement met by the 120-300mm focal length range with a fast aperture and not-extremely fast AF where size and weight are not an issue can be met. Though not a cheap lens, it is a decent value. READ FULL REVIEW

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Nikon 35-70mm f/3.5 AI Review Round-Up

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

Ken Rockwell

It is very sharp at every setting and has a constant f/3.5 aperture. It has less distortion than any of Nikon’s f/2.8 zooms. This lens is a joy to use. It just works, never gets in the way, and yields great results. Just be careful not to let the sun shine into it for fear of veiling flare. As a two-ring zoom it’s best for use on a tripod. Hand-held, I constantly need to grab zoom, then focus, then zoom, then focus, etc. I can’t do both at once as I can with a one-touch zoom. READ FULL REVIEW

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