Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
DP Review has posted a review of the Nikon D700.
On top of the saving you also get a built-in flash (certainly useful for some) and integrated sensor cleaning. Specification is one thing though and image quality and performance are another. Luckily though the D700 is on a similar level as the D3 in these areas as well.
For the latest news and reviews, checkout Photography Bay’s Nikon D700 Reviews and Resources.
Pentacon has unveiled four digital cameras in two different lines:
Pentacon has relied on some of the characteristics that made older Praktica models popular, such as Domiplan lenses. The company has also added a few new features to update their Praktica cameras. The Praktica luxmedia 8403, for instance, has 22 different shooting modes as well as an automatic panorama mode. Each of the four new models has face tracking and smile detection. Pentacon has put together some quality attributes for the new Praktica cameras.
Trusted Reviews has published a review the Sony Cyber-shot T700.
The Sony Cyber-shot T700 has excellent build quality, respectable performance and image quality that will be more than sufficient for most casual snapshot situations.
Imaging Resource has published a review of the Nikon Coolpix S600.
With its Face-Priority AF mode, adjustable metering, white balance, color and useful post-capture tools, the Nikon S600 has some good features for travelers and family photographers, whether novices or advanced amateurs. Pocket and user friendly, the Coolpix S600 is a good, economical offering from Nikon.
PhotographyBLOG has posted a review of the Canon PowerShot SX110 IS.
The Canon PowerShot SX110 IS is a new ultra-zoom camera with a 10x, 36-360mm, image stabilised lens. Replacing the previous SX100 model, the Canon SX110 IS increases the megapixel count from 8 to 9, LCD size from 2.5 to 3 inches, incorporates a more compact and lightweight body, and adds an Easy shooting mode aimed at complete beginners. The Canon PowerShot SX110 IS also has a more attractive price tag, costing substantially less than its predecessor at £239 / $299.99 / 309.99 Euros. Read our latest in-cepth review to find out if the Canon SX110 IS is the right camera for you.
There are only three certainties in life – death, taxes and rumors of new cameras. Hence the latest rumor of a Canon 1Ds Mark IV around the corner. Picked up on the photofans.cn forum via Slashgear.
Rumored specs include:
Also, rumors of two new lenses were included:
Credibility? Unknown.
This is a flyer on its own for now. Granted, the 5D Mark II really changes the picture for the current 1Ds Mark III, which is in some ways inferior to a camera that is about 1/3 of its price point. Perhaps this is more of a 1Ds Mark IIIn than a Mark IV given the presence of a 21 megapixel sensor in the rumored specs?
What do you think?
UPDATES
2/10/09: 1D Mark III replacement will not appear at PMA 2009. Read more.
You have until Friday at midnight EDT to get your chance to win a free ColorRight white balance tool from Photography Bay.
See this post for details.
I picked up the Manfrotto 679B Monopod last week because I was heading to the 10 hour Petit LeMans at Road Atlanta on Saturday. As a motorsports fan, I’ve been trying to make it to this race for the past 4 years; however, scheduling conflicts had prevented me from going – until this weekend.
Since I’ve been to Road Atlanta before and carried around my trusty Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens, I expected that it might get a little heavy during a 10+ hour trek through pre-race festivities and during the race itself. Adding a monopod to my personal kit has been long overdue. A little shopping around proved that the 679B was probably the best bang for my buck. Turns out that I guessed right – the 679B is a real winner.
The Manfrotto 679B Monopod is built in 3 sections, two of which are telescoping via thumb-latches located at the top of the two lower sections. The 679B features a 1/4″ and retractable 3/8″ screw attachment for attaching your camera or lens collars. The Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 lens comes with a detachable collar, which attaches securely to the 1/4″ screw and really balances well on the monopod.
The rubber foot on the 679B is thick and robust, providing a solid footing on all the surfaces I encountered. It’s now more of a red color than the black rubber due to the vast quantity of red clay around the track at Road Atlanta.
Fully extended, it reaches about 63.5″, which I found to be about right in most situations. (I’m about 6’0″) Granted, there were a few instances where I could have used an extra inch or so due to the downslope that I was standing on. If you were inclined to add a tripod head to it, then you’ll get a little extra reach out of it.
A tripod head would also allow you to adjust the angle to your liking. However, I found the tripod collar on my Sigma 70-200mm lens to permit sufficient maneuvering of the lens – such that a separate head would be unnecessary and probably more cumbersome for the subjects I was shooting.
There’s nothing really sexy about the Manfrotto 679B Monopod – it just works. It’s well built but still relatively light and compact. It can support up to 22 pounds per the specs – I bet it would hold more just fine. As a tool, the Manfrotto 679B can really make your job easier and help you produce better pictures through a much cheaper image stabilization system than you’ll find in high-priced pro lenses.
In short, I’ve got nothing but praise for this light and affordable monopod ($45-50). If you’re in the market for a monopod or plan on shooting a sporting event for an extended period of time, the Manfrotto 679B Monopod deserves some serious consideration.
Most of your serious photography retailers will carry the Manfrotto 679B Monopod. I recommended shopping at Amazon, Adorama and B&H Photo. These are the trusted online vendors where I personally shop for almost all of my photography gear.
Camera Labs has published a review of the Nikon D90.
The AF speed, accuracy and speed of handling are as good as any DSLR in its class, and the boost in continuous shooting a real benefit to action photographers.
For the latest news and reviews, visit Photography Bay’s Nikon D90 Reviews and Resources.
Digital Camera Review has published a review of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX3.
As we’ve seen across the entire range of Panasonic cameras, each generation of cameras in the Lumix lineup seems to provide clear improvements in resolution, screen quality, lens performance, and image processing, all while keeping these upgrades within the same MSRP as the previous generation.