Popular Photography has several shots taken with the new Nikon D40x in a gallery for us to gawk at. All in all, looks like Nikon’s on to something.
Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T* Review
Popular Photography has a review of the new Nikon mount Carl Zeiss 85mm f/1.4 ZF Planar T*. Warning, this is lens fetish at its finest. Enter at your own risk.
Fujifilm FinePix S5 Pro Reviews
There’s a couple of reviews/previews floating around on what looks to be the seriously sweet Fuji Finepix S5 Pro. Head on over to Popular Photography to get their gig on the new gear and then stop by Ken Rockwell’s site to catch up on his hands on affair with the Fuji S5.
The Digital M – LEICA M8
The Digital M – [LEICA M8 Silver]
Originally uploaded by takuhitosotome.
Shutterbug tested the new 10-megapixel Leica M8 in the April issue of the mag.
While no digital camera can expect to be pre-eminent for decades at a time like the 35mm M Leicas, and the M8 will inevitably be surpassed in five years by the Leica M9 with more megapixels and even better image quality, the Leica M8 is about as good as it can be given the current state of digital imaging technology.
Head on over to get all the goods on this long-awaited and pricey digital rangefinder.
Olympus 550 UZ Review
Why is everyone so fascinated with this camera? Because it’s got an 18x zoom on it. That’s an equivalent of a 28-504mm zoom on a 35mm camera! To see what all the fuss is about and whether it’s worth shelling out $460 for, head on over to DP Review and check out their in-depth review.
Canon EOS-1D Mark III Video
Here’s a great interview with Chuck Westfall on YouTube provided by The Imaging Resource at PMA 2007:
You really should waste the 7 or minutes that it takes to watch this clip. It’s an excellent overview of the Canon 1D Mark III!
Canon 40D Reviews and Resource Page
The Canon 40D was announced by Canon on August 20, 2007 as the replacement for the Canon 30D, which can now be had for quite a bargain. The 40D is a 10.1 MP “prosumer” DSLR, slotted between the Canon Rebel XTi (aka 400D) and the Canon 5D. In addition to the sensor upgrade (from 8.2 MP on the 30D), some of the highlighted features of the 40D include:
- DIGIC III image processor
- Continuous shooting at 6.5 frames/second
- Refined AF system now has 9 cross-type AF sensors; center AF point has enhanced sensitivity for f/2.8 and faster lenses
- 3-inch LCD display with live view feature
- Larger optical viewfinder
- Dust reduction system
- Three spots on mode dial for custom settings
- Redesigned menu system from the EOS-1D series cameras
Reviews
Fortunately, a breakthrough allowed Canon to use a larger area on the sensor for each photosite, and the 40D employs the company’s excellent DIGIC III image processor, which does a much better job of handling noise. The practical upshot is that the 40D does achieve higher resolution without a noise penalty.
Images are crystal clear and beautifully sharp, with excellent detail throughout (the superb 17-40mm f/4 L lens supplied for the test helps). We aren’t particularly convinced that 14-bit files add anything substantive to most RAW photographs, though (perhaps files with greater and greater bit depth will be the new megapixel war). Colour rendition is excellent on the Canon 40D; Canon’s traditionally zingy reds are tamed here – although London buses and fire engines are still vivid – and skin tones are extremely natural.
Excellent image quality in the lab translates to excellent image quality in the field if a camera’s autofocus, exposure and metering systems, and viewfinder are all top notch. And here, the 40D is hard to beat. Its AF system is among the fastest and most sensitive we’ve tested, capable of extremely high speeds in bright to moderate light, and decent performance down to EV-2.
The Bottom Line – there’s a lot to like about the 40D. If you’re looking for a 10-megapixel camera that can fire long bursts, is compatible with a mature system of professional accessories, and creates superb images in almost any light, look no further.
As is typical of this particular line of Canon digital SLR cameras, images from the Canon 40D are excellent. High ISO images printed at 13×19 inches are usable from ISO 100 to 800, with little noticeable noise, and little evidence of noise suppression. You can see a more gradual degradation as you move up the ladder when viewing onscreen at 100 percent, but it’s hardly noticeable when printed. Impressive.
With a quality lens attached to it, the EOS-40D can produce spectacular results. The camera produces very smooth-looking photos, which some may consider soft—and if so, you can play around with the Picture Styles to find a sharpness setting you like. Colors were spot-on—no complaints there. As for noise, there wasn’t much, and you had to get the ISO pretty high to see any of it. Purple fringing is going to depend a lot on your choice of lens. It did pop up here and there, but it was fairly minor in most cases. My only photo quality complaint is that the the 40D has the tendency to underexpose.
From an image quality point of view the combination of the Canon CMOS sensor and DIGIC III processor means equally detailed images at all sensitivities (except maybe ISO 3200), low noise and a complete lack of unnatural artifacts.
This is a fine camera with worthwhile advances on its predecessor. Canon has dominated this segment of the market for DSLRs between $2000 and $3000 [AUD], but now faces stiff competition. The Sony A700, the Nikon D300 and the Olympus E-3 are coming soon, which means four superb cameras to choose from in the price range. Camera shops have already discounted the 40D to around $2600, so expect some serious price cutting.
The Canon 40D is the best digital SLR body for budget-conscious wildlife photographers. Within the Canon system, the 40D makes sense for people who leave the house on a specifically photographic mission and don’t mind carrying the extra weight and bulk in exchange for the ruggedness and two-wheel user interface.
Despite the fact that it shares a lot of its heritage with its EOS stablemates at either end of the cost spectrum, you’d be silly to think of the 40D as either a just an upscale XTi, or down-market Mark III. It’s a rock-solid high-end enthusiast/entry-level pro camera that’s built tough enough for almost anything you can throw at it.
Yes, this camera is for the Rebel XTi owner looking to move up in toughness and burst rate, but it’s also tough enough and fast enough to serve as the backup body for a Mark III-toting journalist. And, of course, it’s just right for the legions of shooters out there who’ve been happily making killer shots with the 20D and 30D for the past several years. All in all, it is a heck of a lot of camera for just about $1300 (street, body only).
“The 40D is a camera that will appeal to a vast range of photographers from advanced amateurs to working photojournalists and wedding photographers. All will appreciate its exceptional image quality, ease of operation, speed, modest weight and size, compatibility with the vast Canon system and very reasonable price.” [Canon 40D White Paper] I agree.
For Canon owners looking for an upgrade option, then this is a compelling option, being fast and responsiveness. It hides a few things away rather needlessly and the control systems aren’t the best thought out though. It will be interesting to put the Sony a700 up against it because it offers a similar spec, though not quite as fast. If you’re looking for an upgrade to an entry level DSLR then the 40D will blow your socks off and can be heartily recommended, but if you were saving up for a Nikon D300 then it might not do enough to change your mind . . . .
It only took a few shots to notice the difference in focusing. Focusing is faster and very accurate. I took more than 500 shots that night, some of them in burst mode with 6.5 fps, and the AF system proved to be equal to that of Canon 1-series cameras. The central point worked well even without flash. I can’t think of a single other camera in this class with such a great AF system.
It’s true that it costs more than other 10-megapixel cameras, but it’s also much more professionally-orientated. Its nearest rival in the semi-pro market would be the newly-announced Nikon D300, but the list price is £1300 for the body only, and for that money you could get an EOS 40D and Canon’s 17-85mm image-stabilised lens and have change to spare. The Canon EOS 40D’s strength doesn’t lie in any great technological breakthrough but in its professional appeal and its sheer value for money.
Great photo quality and excellent continuous-shooting performance are just two of the Canon EOS 40D’s many attractions in the digital camera marketplace.
Overall, the Canon EOS 40D is a more than able update of the 30D and since the introduction of the first Canon prosumer DSLR, the 3.1-megapixel EOS D30 back in 2000, it is light years ahead on that base line. In a nutshell, this is a cracking camera and one marred only by the odd metering performance, otherwise it is quite simply excellent and worth a close inspection for anyone either trading up or for those pros’ that need a back up body that is not a compromise to far.
An intelligent and well executed upgrade to the 30D. It’s well built and fast, with some genuinely useful extras such as Live View LCD and custom modes. A must buy for the keen amateur with a collection of Canon lenses.
Canon’s EOS 40D features many improvements over its predecessor and finally shows the pesky Nikon D80 who’s boss – albeit one which costs almost half as much again. Canon’s delivered a superb DSLR which handles beautifully, is packed with useful features and delivers great-looking images.
The Live View facility works well, especially when remote-controlled using a PC, and the silent-shooting modes prove it doesn’t have to make a racket either. The anti-dust system whether through luck or design also proved quite effective in our tests, with foreign particles rarely being an issue. And while our studio resolution tests proved some 10 Megapixel DSLRs resolved slightly more, it didn’t make a big difference in real-life. Ultimately the 40D most-impresses out in the field where it’s simply an extremely quick and capable camera which confidently handles almost any situation. Sure, the default settings could do with a slight boost in sharpening to unveil the finest details, but this is easily adjusted if desired.
WyoFoto has a solid side-by-side set of test shots (100% files) that show the image quality of the Canon 40D directly compared to that of the Canon 5D.
The IQ I see in the 40D images from ISO 100-800 is 95% the match of the 5D. At 1600 the shadow noise of the 5D looks to be a tad bit better than the 40D, but not by a large margin. The 40D’s tonality and richness in color gives the 5D a real run for the money. The only area I see the 5D looking better is in low contrast highlight regions. It manages to pull out a tad more detail. The 20D does okay in the shadows, but in the midtones and highlights just can’t match the richness of the 5D or 40D. It’s images while pretty good have a flatter tonal appearance. This subtle richness gives the 5D images the 3D effect people often talk about. (Read *and see* more . . . . )
In just about every respect the EOS 40D technically outperforms the EOS 30D and so I think it is a worthwhile upgrade for those who can afford to switch and who can use the new features. I didn’t feel that way about the 30D, which was a good camera but for me didn’t offer enough new features to persuade me to trade in my 20D and upgrade.
My time with the 40D was short, but I found that shooting about a thousand frames over a long weekend was all I needed to be able to draw some preliminary conclusions. These are, in brief, that the image quality of the 40D is excellent, continuing the industry-leading results that Canon has offered for the past 5-6 years. I didn’t see any breakthrough in low noise at the highest ISOs, but as with the EOS 5D ISO 400 is essentially noiseless and can be used as an everyday speed. Noise doesn’t really become an issue until ISO 1600 and even then isn’t that objectionable.
- 6.5 fps is a lot for a camera at this price point
- Shutter sound is much lower than for the 1D Mark III
- We think the noise level is slightly higher than 1D Mark III. No surprise because the pixels are just quite a bit smaller
Personally, I think Canon has done a good job with the 40D and has upgraded and added many new useful features. Image quality wise, I don’t think there is any significant differences between the 40D and 30D/20D. There is little difference in real resolution between a 10MP and 8MP sensor. In my opinion, Canon has managed to maintain the high ISO noise level while increasing the megapixel count.
Amazon Customer Reviews – Amazon customers are starting to post their reviews and opinions on the new 40D now that the camera is shipping. Some of these reviews and impressions are quite thorough and helpful in sizing up the new camera. Here’s a sample quote:
So, what about picture quality?? It’s a 10mp camera so the pictures are big. I have a workhorse MacPro tower and it has no problem working on the 10-12MB pictures that this camera produces (.jpg processing for now). I’m happy to say that the focus is spot on in all of my sample pictures from 4 different lenses (17-40 f/4L, 28-135 IS zoom, 50mm f/1.4, 100mm macro). The DPP software can be used to edit raw files if you choose to use it. It works pretty well and it was very speedy on my MacPro. You also get direct access to picture styles from within the computer software so you don’t have to worry about setting it in camera. The pictures look very nice. The colors are very accurate. at iso100 the pictures are so nice and smooth. My 50 and 100mm lenses make the most buttery out of focus areas on this camera.
Check out this ISO comparison of the 40D, 5D and 20D at ISO 800 to 3200. Some more sample shots are here and here.
Digital Rev has a hands-on review of the new 40D:
Without a doubt, the EOS 40D totally surpasses the 30D and reinforces Canon’s product positioning above the EOS 400D. For enthusiast and semi-pro customers alike, you will find that the 40D will meet your expectations and give you that extra bit of power that you might need in action shots.
DPReview.com has posted a thorough Canon 40D preview and a Canon 40D beta preview gallery of sample images. Wow! These samples at ISO 3200 are very impressive.
Read the press release for more details.
There are a couple of YouTube videos of the 40D floating around as noted here.
Canon 40D Accessories
Canon BP511A Rechargeable Battery
Opteka Wireless Shutter Trigger
Canon EOS 40D Digital Field Guide
Canon 40D Guide to Digital Photography
PhotoBert Cheat Sheet for Canon 40D
Official Canon Resources
Canon’s Official EOS 40D resource page is here. There you’ll find feature highlights, full specs, sample images and more.
The Canon 40D White Paper. (White Papers are comprehensive documents detailing system enhancements — and the technological developments behind them.)
Where to Buy
First off, consider going to your local camera store (and I don’t necessarily mean Wolf Camera at the mall). By going to your local camera store, you’re supporting your community and you just might build a lasting relationship with people you can rely on when you need some help or answers. If you’re buying online, I recommend sticking with Amazon, B&H Photo or Adorama. These three vendors are reliable, trustworthy and generally have the best (legitimate) prices.
[tags]canon, eos, 40d, is, usm, review[/tags]
RAW vs. JPEG
I’m going to address a debate that there is no clear answer to . . . actually, there is an answer: “It depends.”
Ask a handful of photographers which file format you should shoot with and you’ll get some strong opinions on both sides of the debate. Each side has some good points. The problem with the debate is that some folks with strong opinions believe there is only one way – JPEG or RAW. I tend to think that this depends on each photographer’s particular circumstances. [Read more…]
Tamron 28-300 VC (Vibration Compensation)
Looks like Tamron is jumping on the super-zoom image stabilized band wagon the new Tamron 28-300 f/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC lens that was announced today. Bob Atkins has a handy preview article. You can also check out the features in the press release below.
PRESS RELEASE
Mr. Morio Ono, President of Tamron Co., Ltd., has announced the successful development of the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens, a high power zoom lens designed for SLR cameras with full-size format(Model A20), now equipped with a Vibration Compensation (VC) mechanism. The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is the ultimate high power zoom lens that covers everything from wide-angle to telephoto and macro. Tamron has incorporated a Vibration Compensator, an anti-shake mechanism developed by Tamron, into the highly versatile zoom lens. The new AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD Aspherical (IF) MACRO zoom lens offers the convenience, comfort and versatility of a high power zoom lens and the capability to reduce hand-shake blur on SLR cameras using either APS-C size or full size format imagers.
When the AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC is used with a full size format SLR camera, it covers the tremendous focal length range from 28mm in wide angle to 300mm ultra telephoto. When mounted on a DSLR with an APS-C sized imager, the lens covers a 43mm wide angle to 465mm equivalent ultra telephoto* (full size format equivalent, in a diagonal angle of view of 5°20′).
(*) The ratio Tamron uses to convert from full size format to APS-C focal length is 1.55X.
MAIN FEATURES
1. VC (Vibration Compensation) Mechanism Reduces Hand-shake
The proprietary VC (Vibration Compensation) mechanism developed by Tamron features a triaxial configuration using three pairs of driving coils and slide balls around the compensator group of the lens’ optical system. Since the compensator lenses are supported with rolling friction of the balls, the response performance is enhanced and the construction is simple, which results in the compactness of the lens. The lens incorporate a highly accurate gyro sensor for detecting hand-shake, which, combined with a 32-bit RISC CPU, offers comfortable anti-vibration effects.
2. Outstanding Design Realizing High Zoom Power, VC Mechanism and Compactness
The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.5 XR Di VC integrates optical technologies that Tamron has accumulated as the pioneer and leader of high power zoom lenses in order to realize the desired compactness even while incorporating the VC mechanism. The optical system uses a number of lens elements made from special optical glass materials including XR (high refraction index) glass elements, GM (glass-molded aspherical lens) elements, hybrid aspherical elements, LD (low dispersion) glass elements to compensate for on-axis and lateral chromatic aberrations and AD (anomalous dispersion) glass element. The lens offers high contrast, high resolution performance and flatness of the image field as a one-does-it-all zoom lens designed to match the characteristics of DSLR cameras.
3. Revolutionary MFD of 0.49m (19.3″) throughout the Zoom Range Provides 1:3 Macro Magnification Ratio
The AF28-300mm F/3.5-6.3 XR Di VC LD MACRO boasts an MFD (minimum focusing distance) of 0.49m (19.3″) over the entire zoom range, a top-class closing focusing capability among high power zoom lenses for full-size format SLR cameras, which provides the remarkable maximum macro magnification ratio of 1:3 at the 300mm telephoto end.
4. Internal Surface Coatings Minimize Ghosting and Flare
Through the use of “Internal Surface Coatings” (i.e., multiple-layer coatings on cemented surfaces of plural elements) and multiple-layer coatings to prevent reflections from lens surfaces, ghosting and flare due to reflections that occur when light enters through the front element as well as reflections caused by the imager itself in the mirror box are reduced to the absolute minimum.
5. Ultra-high Zoom Power, yet Lightweight and Compact Design Thanks to New Mechanical Devices
Tamron has reviewed the roles that respective barrel parts play in order to achieve the high power, compactness and light weight. As a result, dimensional increases are confined to a mere 17.8mm (0.7″) in overall length and about 5mm(0.2″) in diameter, when compared with the existing AF28-300mm (Model A061), despite the incorporation of the VC mechanism.
6. Zoom Lock Mechanism for Enhanced Portability
The zoom lock prevents unwanted barrel extension when carrying the lens/camera combination over the shoulder.
7. Flower-shaped Lens Hood
A flower-shaped lens hood is included as a standard accessory. The special hood provides optimum shading of superfluous light rays that enter from the rectangular frame outside the image field.
SPECIFICATIONS
Model Name A20
Focal Length 28-300mm
Maximum Aperture F/3.5-6.3
Angle of View 75°23′-8°15′
Lens Construction 18 elements /13 groups
Minimum Focus Distance 0.49m (entire zoom range)
Maximum Mag. Ratio 1:3 (at f=300mm, MFD=0.49m)
Filter Diameter ?67mm
Overall Length 99mm *
Maximum Diameter ?78.0mm
Weight 550g*
Diaphragm Blades 9 blades
Minimum Aperture F/22-F/40 (28mm – 300mm)
Standard Accessory Flower-shaped hood
Compatible Mount Canon and Nikon
* values given are for Nikon AF-D cameras.
* The cosmetic design and specs are subject to change without notice.
It’s Official: Nikon D40x is here
Nikon has officially announced the release of their new 10MP follow-up to the 4 month old D40, which is 6MP. Talk about short product cycles! It’s $799 (US) retail with the 18-55 DX lens. You can already pre-order a D40x at Amazon.
The tech specs are here for your review. Note the 3 frames per second, 1/200s flash sync and continued limitation of autofocus with AI-S and AF-S lenses. If you want to browse the brochure, it’s here (.pdf).
DPReview has a detailed hands-on review of the D40x. You can find several different shots of the D40x from various angles and showing off the body features in the product gallery. Ken Rockwell has a nice preview too and points out why you should buy the D40 over the D40x or just jump up to the D80 instead.
In addition to the D40x, Nikon has also announced a new lens: the Nikon AF-S DX VR 55-200mm IF-ED lens. That’s right, another VR lens to choose from. Nikon is making quite a stable of VR lenses now. What’s most impressive to me though is that the retail price is $250! Don’t believe me? Read the press release.
I’m really wondering about the Nikon D3 now.