Nikon Blog
Panasonic Lumix S 50mm F1.8 sample gallery
Published Jun 2, 2021 | dpreview staff Panasonic’s new Lumix S 50mm F1.8 is a compact and lightweight prime lens for full-frame and APS-C format L-mount cameras. We’ve had a pre-production sample for a few days, and we’re pleased to report that it’s delightfully sharp, zippy and silent when it comes to autofocus, and it delivers lovely bokeh, too. We paired it with the high-resolution Panasonic S1R to see just how capable it is. Take a look. View our Panasonic’s new Lumix S 50mm F1.8 lens sample gallery Please...
read morePanasonic announces Lumix S 50mm F1.8 L-mount lens
Published Jun 2, 2021 | dpreview staff Panasonic has released the Lumix S 50mm F1.8 lens for full-frame L-mount bodies. This compact lens has nine elements, including one ED (Extra Low Dispersion) element to suppress chromatic aberrations, and one UHR (Ultra High Refractive Index) element. According to Panasonic, three aspherical elements help the lens achieve high resolutions at F1.8, with smooth surfaces to ensure pleasing bokeh. The lens has a nine-blade aperture to ensure out-of-focus highlights remain circular as you stop the lens down,...
read moreSekonic celebrates its 70 year anniversary, teases limited-edition light meter
Today, June 1st, marks the 70th anniversary of Sekonic, a Japanese brand known for its light meters, color meters and illuminometers that have become all but a staples in the cinema and photography industries. 70 years ago, Seiko Electronic Co. Ltd was established in Toshima, Tokyo, Japan by Mr. Ryuichi Mitani. That the same year, Seiko Electronic Co. Ltd would go on to release its first Sekonic-branded exposure meter, the Sekonic L-1. Seiko Electronic Co. Ltd quickly grew in popularity over the course of the next decade and built a new...
read moreKono announces 3 new films: Delight Art 100, Monolit 3 (yes, that means ISO 3) and Monolit 100
In the digital age, film manufacturers must separate themselves somehow. Since its inception in 2014, German film company Kono achieves this by creating films that offer distinct looks. The company aims to create an appearance that is hard, if not impossible, to achieve with a digital camera. Furthering its goal to create appealing films for analog photographers, Kono has announced a trio of new film emulsions. Kono Delight Art 100 (120 medium format) First up is the Kono Delight Art 100 film. It’s an ISO 100 color negative film...
read moreReport: Apple expected to use sensor-shift image stabilization units in all of its next-generation iPhone models
A new report from Taiwanese supply chain publication, DigiTimes Asia, suggests all of Apple’s next-generation smartphones will feature sensor-shift image stabilization. Currently, Apple only uses sensor-shift image stabilization for the wide camera module on its larger flagship device, the iPhone 12 Pro Max; image stabilization in the rest of its iPhone lineup is achieved via lens-based image stabilization. The move from lens-based image stabilization to sensor-shift stabilization doesn’t necessarily mean improved image quality, it does...
read moreA blast from the present and past: Pentax DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 WR Limited sample gallery
The Pentax-DA 20-40mm F2.8-4 ED Limited DC WR was introduced back in 2013, but that doesn’t mean it’s unworthy of a place in your camera bag today (in fact, Ricoh sent us one along with their new flagship APS-C DSLR, the K-3 Mark III). Offering an equivalent focal length range of roughly 30-60mm, this compact zoom comes with excellent build quality, a reasonably fast aperture range and speedy (if a bit noisy) autofocus. It’s not exactly your standard kit-zoom, which certainly adds to its charm. We’ll continue to lean...
read moreUsed Cameras Are Killing Entry-Level Cameras
Ignoring price, would you rather have the Nikon D750 or the Nikon D5600? It’s probably no contest. Unless you desperately need the D5600’s lighter weight or tilt-flip screen, the full-frame D750 is ahead in every way. Okay, stop ignoring price. The D750 is cheaper. Don’t take my word for it. Today, the Nikon D750 sells used in moderate to good condition for less than $700. Here’s a completed listing on Fred Miranda where it sold for $650. The Nikon D5600, on the other hand – thanks to some price increases over the last couple years – costs...
read morePentax K-3 Mark III added to studio test scene
Published May 31, 2021 | dpreview staff Ricoh’s Pentax K-3 Mark III is a high-end flagship DSLR that we’ve found to be an excellent photographic companion for all types of picture-taking. Testing for its full review is ongoing, and we’ve just added it to our studio scene – peruse it for yourself and see how it compares to the competition. Worth mentioning at this stage, however, is the slight (relative) softness of the K-3 Mark III at its ISO 100 and 200 settings in our daylight mode in particular. Despite repeated attempts...
read moreWhy have cameras and lenses become so expensive?
Asking $6500 for a pro-sports camera isn’t new, but the fact that this one looks the same as a model costing half as much helps fuel the idea that cameras are getting more expensive. ‘Cameras and lenses are getting so expensive these days.’ It’s a sentiment I hear regularly expressed, so I thought I’d take a closer look at what’s going on, and why. And, as is so often the case, it’s not as simple as it first appears. We looked at the launch prices of products in several categories, and corrected for...
read moreRecommended Equipment for Macro Photography
Although it can be tough to take good macro photos, it doesn’t have to be expensive. In fact, a full kit of macro photography necessities can cost less than $100. This article covers my recommended equipment for taking great macro photos, from good values to high-end gear. Table of Contents Camera Recommendations for Macro Photography You don’t need a top-of-the-line DSLR or mirrorless camera in order to get great macro photos. It’s still important to get a camera with interchangeable lenses, but beyond that, the differences between cameras...
read moreDPReview TV: We compare the Atomos Ninja V and Blackmagic Video Assist 12G to find out which is the best off-camera recorder
Published May 29, 2021 | dpreview staff [embedded content] Is Blackmagic your thing, or are you more of a Ninja? Jordan compares the leading off-camera recorders to see where each stands out. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week. The Panasonic GH5M2 is a refresh, rather than complete reworking, of the company’s image-stabilized, video focused GH5. A new processor boosts its capabilities. We lookat whether this is enough to keep it competitive. The Fujifilm Fujinon XF 18mm F1.4 R LM WR is a...
read more7artisans releases three new budget-friendly primes, including a fisheye and macro lens
Chinese optics manufacturer 7artisans has announced three new prime lenses: one for full-frame camera systems and two for APS-C/Micro Four Thirds (MFT) camera systems. 7artisans 10mm F2.8 fisheye lens The first lens of the bunch is a 10mm F2.8 fisheye lens for Canon RF, Leica L, Nikon Z and Sony E mount camera systems. The lens is constructed of 11 elements in eight groups, has an aperture range of F2.8 through F22, uses an eight-blade aperture diaphragm and has a minimum focusing distance of 17cm (6.7″). Below is a sample gallery of...
read moreCornell University researchers break their record with stunning high-res photo of atoms
Macro lenses are awesome photographic tools because they let you see the world around you with greater detail and in fresh, new ways. But what if you had a way to see even closer, so close that you could see actual atoms? This is what a research team led by David Muller has been doing at Cornell University. In 2018, researchers at Cornell built a high-powered detector that, when combined with an algorithm-driven process called ptychography, captured an image of atoms at triple the resolution of a state-of-the-art electron microscope. Three...
read moreThe absolute beginner’s guide to film photography: Common film formats & types
Published May 28, 2021 | Aaron Gold Common film formats & types Just as digital photography has multiple sensor sizes, film photography has multiple film formats and sizes, some of which are easier to find than others (and some of which are nearly impossible). In this article, we’ll review the most common film formats; we’ll cover ‘uncommon film formats’ in an upcoming article. And for more primers on film photography, check out our entire Absolute beginner’s guide to film photography series. Photos by Dan Bracaglia...
read moreiFixit gives the new 24″ M1 iMac a proper teardown treatment with a 2/10 repairability score
It’s only been a few weeks since the first shipments of Apple’s new M1-powered 24”iMac hit doorsteps around the globe and iFixit has already shared a detailed teardown that takes an inside look at what Apple has managed to pack inside the ridiculously thin all-in-one desktop computer. As has become custom with recent iFixit teardowns, we get an X-ray view of the iMac’s insides thanks to Creative Electron. The X-ray images revealed a few things about the iMac before ever tearing it open. First off, the silicon inside the iMac is concentrated...
read moreCapture One announces native M1 support, promises significant performance improvements
Add another high-end photo editing application to the list for Apple M1 Macs. Capture One has announced that Capture One 21 is now ready for Apple Silicon. A new update, available now, allows the popular editor to run natively on the M1 chip. When Apple announced its silicon and the new M1 Macs, which currently comprise MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, Mac mini and iMac models, Apple remarked how simple it was for software to be ported from Intel to Apple’s silicon. It was a far deal more complicated for some software, such as Capture One....
read moreLuminar AI Update 3: Apple M1 support, better Sky AI and improved workflow
Today, Skylum continued its torrid update schedule for Luminar AI, releasing the third major update to the AI-powered editing tool since its release late last year. The latest update focuses on making it easier for photographers of all skill levels to achieve the desired results in Luminar AI. ‘Skylum is built around the concept of continuous improvement. Our goal is to improve the quality and speed of Luminar. Even more important though is inspiring creativity and control for amazing photos. We constantly listen to our community to...
read moreVideo: Samsung shows off the tech behind its 108MP ISOCELL HM3 image sensor
One of the highlight features in Samsung’s latest flagship smartphone, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, is understandably its 108MP primary image sensor. Alongside differences in display and form factor, the 108MP image sensor is a key differentiator between the S21 Ultra and the regular Galaxy S21. The image sensor used for the S21 Ultra’s 108MP main camera is a Samsung ISOCELL HM3 sensor. Samsung released a video this week outlining the image sensor and what makes it unique. While the video is, at least partly, marketing material, it...
read moreVideo: A BTS look at what went into Hasselblad’s X System’s ergonomics, materials and user interface
[embedded content] Hasselblad is back with another video in its ongoing behind-the-scenes series, ‘Hasselblad’s Home.’ In the inaugural video, titled ‘The Design Philosophy Behind Creating the X System,’ Hasselblad shared an inside look at what went into developing the company’s mirrorless medium format camera. Now, in episode two, Hasselblad shares what’s gone into developing the ergonomics, materials and user interface of the Hasselblad X System. Hasselblad’s factory in Gothenburg, Sweden. The five-minute video, titled ‘The X System’s...
read moreHands-on with the Panasonic GH5 II
The Panasonic Lumix DC-GH5 II is an evolution of the company’s video-centric Micro Four Thirds camera, the GH5. The GH5 II isn’t radically different than its predecessor, but it does feature a few significant performance improvements and feature updates that will appeal to video shooters. Notably, the GH5 II gets Panasonic’s updated Venus processing engine – the same one found on its S1H full-frame video model – which allows it to capture 10-bit 4K video at up to 60p, provides the autofocus improvements found on other recent Panasonic models...
read moreNew USB-C version 2.1 spec will more than double power delivery to 240W, up from 100W
The I/O array of the Sony a1, which includes a USB-C connection beneath the HDMI port. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) has published a new 415-page document laying out the details of a new USB-C specification that will see the power delivery capabilities more than double from the current specification, from 100W to 240W. The USB-C version 2.1 specification will use what USB-IF is calling Extended Power Range (EPR) to open up a whole new realm of possibilities for everything from high-resolution monitors to power-hungry laptops designed...
read moreGoing out of this world with Neil Buckland and the Pentax K-3 III
Published May 26, 2021 | Sponsored content, created with the support of Amazon and Ricoh [embedded content] In this video, we’re joining editorial and fine art photographer Neil Buckland, as he shoots a variety of subjects using Ricoh’s new Pentax K-3 III. The powerful and versatile K-3 III is the latest iteration in the K-3 series, and offers several improvements and enhancements compared to its predecessors, including a new 26MP BSI-CMOS APS-C format sensor. From the studio out into the street, Neil puts the K-3 III through its...
read moreChi Modu, photographer known for iconic images of Tupac, Wu-Tang Clan, dies at 54
[embedded content] Chi Modu, a legendary hip-hop photographer known for his iconic images of Tupac Shakur, The Notorious B.I.G., Wu-Tang Clan, Eminem, and more, died last week at age 54 – reportedly after a recent cancer diagnosis. The announcement was made on his official Instagram page. ‘Our hearts are broken… We continue the fight. The family requests privacy at this time,’ reads the caption on the post informing followers of his untimely death. Born in Nigeria in 1966, Modu was raised in New Jersey. He graduated in 1989...
read moreHands-on with the Sirui 75mm F1.8 1.33x anamorphic lens
It was only at the beginning of 2020 that Sirui announced its first 1.33x anamorphic lens, and already the company has a collection of four focal lengths in the set. The 50mm F1.8 was followed by a 35mm F1.8, a 24mm F2.8 and now we have a 75mm F1.8 aimed at those needing a longer perspective for portrait shots. I still find it surprising that other lens companies haven’t muscled in on the action, as these Sirui models remain the only low/mid cost lenses for those wanting to shoot anamorphic on Micro Four Thirds and APS-C/S35 sensor cameras....
read moreVideo: Actor Jason Lee has many talents, photography among them
[embedded content] Jason Lee may be best known for his eponymous role on the hit NBC television series, ‘My Name is Earl,’ but he is as talented behind the camera as he is in front of it. Photographer and writer Tatiana Hopper has a series on YouTube, called ‘Silver Screen,’ where Hopper discusses the photographic work and projects of actors. There have been five episodes so far, with the one focused on Jason Lee, the most recent among them. Other actors Hopper has considered include Jeff Bridges, Dennis Hopper,...
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Started out doing photography at the age of 6 using an uncle's old 1940 kodak brownie box camera. At 15 years of age, I decided to buy my very own 1975 Praktica SLR camera. I now shoot with a Nikon D850. I do unpaid TFP and commercial paid work.