Nikon Blog
What you need to know about Canon’s new RF 70-200mm F4 and 50mm F1.8
Introducing the Canon RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM and RF 50mm F1.8 STM Canon’s full-frame mirrorless RF system keeps on growing, and today sees the addition of two much-requested new lenses. The RF 70-200mm F4 L IS USM is a compact, more affordable alternative to the previously-announced RF 70-200mm F2.8, and the RF 50mm F1.8 STM is a low-cost standard prime for photographers that don’t need F1.2 (i.e. most photographers). Click through this article for a walkthrough of their key features (hands-on images courtesy of Canon). Gear in...
read moreCanon introduces compact RF 70-200mm F4L and 50mm F1.8 STM lenses
Published Nov 4, 2020 | dpreview staff Canon has introduced a pair of lenses for its EOS R system. First up is the RF 70-200mm F4L IS USM, which is 32% shorter (at wide-angle) and 11% lighter than its popular EF counterpart. The lens is just 119mm (4.7″) long and weighs in at a 695g (1.5lbs), yet it retains the build quality and weather-sealing of other L-series lenses. Unlike those lenses, this 70-200 does not support teleconverter or offer a tripod mount. The lens’s image stabilizer can reduce shake by up to five stops, and when...
read moreSelect Sony stores in Japan are giving away adorable mini camera kits with the purchase of a real kit
If you’re lucky enough to be in Japan at the moment, select Sony stores will give you a free — and downright adorable — mini camera kit if you purchase a Sony a7 or a9 series camera system. The limited-time promotion is going on through November 30 at the Sony Stores in the Ginza, Sapporo, Osaka and Fukuoka Tenjin districts. The mini kit includes miniature versions of the Sony a7R II and either a 24–70mm F2.8 OSS or 100–400mm GM OSS lens. The promotion appears to be limited to these stores, so unless you happen to be in Japan amidst...
read moreApple iPhone 12 sample gallery
Apple’s iPhone 12 is the base model of the company’s new lineup. And yet, it’s packed full of high-end features, starting with a high-resolution, high contrast OLED display that allows for realistic display of HDR images. And while the base model doesn’t have the telephoto cameras the Pro and Pro Max models include, it comes with an ultra-wide (0.5x) module that enables dramatic perspectives and – in combination with the main wide module – helps the camera app generate more accurate depth maps in the...
read moreHasselblad’s new XH Converter 0.8 reduces focal length, changes aperture of HC/HCD lenses on X system cameras
The XH Converter 0,8 brings new opportunities to Hasselblad photographers with the ability to unlock a whole new set of H System lens capabilities. The XH Converter 0,8, used on HC/HCD lenses attached to an X System or 907X camera, reduces the focal length of the lens by a factor of 0,8x, which delivers a wider field of view and improves the maximum aperture of the lens by two-thirds of a stop. Additionally, the XH Converter 0,8 improves lens performance in terms of contrast and apparent sharpness across the entire frame. An impressive...
read moreRoger Cicala: the difference between sample variation and a ‘bad copy’ (Part 1)
We fix a lot of lenses, but not all lenses can be fixed. With the next two posts, I hope to end the seventh most common forum war; the ‘lens variation is a big problem!’ vs ‘I don’t believe it exists!’ argument. Like a lot of forum wars, it comes down to semantics: Variation and bad copies aren’t the same thing (actually they’re not really related at all), but people tend to use the terms interchangeably. Even $2,000 lenses must have variation Note that I said ‘must’. I didn’t say ‘might’ or...
read moreSony a7C vs Sony a7 III: Which is better?
Sony’s a7C is an attempt at a compact full-frame camera that retains the capability of a larger model. It has an awful lot in common with the still-available a7 III, with sensor, processor and most key specifications shared between the two models. However, while the $1800 launch price of the a7C is $200 lower than that of the a7 III, the bigger camera has been on the market for more than two years longer and consequently sells for much less in many places. So which camera is better for your...
read moreMoment launches series of MagSafe mounting accessories for iPhone 12
iPhone lens and accessory manufacturer Moment has launched a new collection of mounts that make use of the magnet embedded in the Apple iPhone 12 to attach to the phone. The mount include their own magnets to connect with those in the phone’s body, and different fixtures on the other side that allow users to mount to phone on a support or to mount accessories on the phone. The accessories line up includes a mount for the air vent of a car, a tripod adapter, a cold shoe to fit accessories to the phone as well as a mount that allows you to...
read moreVideo: Meet Calypso, the predecessor to Nikon’s iconic underwater Nikonos cameras
A customer at Camera West in California recently traded in an interesting piece of photographic history, the Calypso underwater camera. The 35mm film camera was the first of its kind that didn’t need housing to be used underwater. The Calypso was the brainchild of legendary explorer Jacques Cousteau and Belgian engineer Jean de Wouters. The Calypso was released in 1961 as the first 35mm underwater camera which could be used without housing. Cousteau wanted a small, simple camera you could use on land and underwater without any fuss....
read moreON1 Photo RAW 2021 now available, includes Portrait AI, new selection tools and much more
After unveiling ON1 Photo RAW 2021 in September, ON1 has officially released the new software. ON1 describes the latest version of its flagship software a ‘hassle-free, professional photo organizer, raw processor, layered editor and effects app.’ ON1 promises its software is ‘perfect for those seeking an ultra-convenient all-in-one photo editing solution.’ ON1 Photo RAW 2021 includes numerous additions and improvements, including improved automatic AI adjustments, a new portrait editing workflow, improved color...
read moreiFixit discovers camera repairs for iPhone 12 models can’t be done by third-parties
Repair site iFixit has discovered that repairing the cameras inside Apple’s new iPhone 12 smartphones will not be able to be, at least easily, done by third parties, as removing the cameras requires access to a proprietary tool that only authorized Apple technicians will have access to. While trying to swap the camera modules inside two iPhone 12 devices, iFixit suspected something was up. After ‘exhaustive testing, comparing notes with multiple repair technicians, and reviewing leaked Apple training documents,’ iFixit discovered ‘the...
read moreUnderstanding White Balance – A Beginner’s Guide
Ever wondered why your subjects turn out yellow when photographing them in indoor environments? Or why your camera flash can make them appear blue? Thoroughly understanding the concept of white balance and how it works is very important in digital photography, because setting it incorrectly could ruin a picture, adding all kinds of unwanted color casts and causing skin tones to look very unnatural. In this article, we will go over the basics of white balance and color temperature, topics that can be a bit intimidating for beginners to...
read moreWhat might the Z6 II and Z7 II tell us about future pro Nikon mirrorless models?
The Nikon Z6 II and Z7 II are solid updates to the original Z6 and Z7 but neither represents a ‘new’ concept in the Z-series lineup. With the Z6 II and Z7 II, Nikon has modernized its high-end Z-series full-frame lineup, and made its offerings more competitive against midrange and high-end ILCs from Canon, Panasonic and Sony. But while the Z7 II is the nominal flagship, it’s clearly not a ‘professional’ model in the same sense as the D6 and (arguably) the D850. While new to the market, neither Mark II model...
read moreDPReview TV: The episode in which we encourage you to play with fire
Published Nov 2, 2020 | dpreview staff [embedded content] We realize it’s not the conventional wisdom, but you should probably go play with fire. Why? Because, from fire comes art. Tell your mom we said it’s OK. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week. Find out how the Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 Pro does as a travel companion on a trip to Oz. We didn’t find many wizards or scarecrows, but we did see plenty of lizards and landscape scenes along the Australian coast. Sony’s a7C is...
read moreThe Sony ZV-1 is the best camera for vlogging
Published Oct 29, 2020 | dpreview staff Previous 1 Introduction 2 Next Whether you’re just sharing clips with friends or you’re launching an online on-camera career, vlogging matters. And there’s a point at which your smartphone may not give you the look or control you’re after. With 180-degree selfie screens, wide-angle lenses, microphone inputs and great video quality, more and more dedicated cameras offer just what you need to look and sound your best. Here are our top picks, giving particular attention to 4K video quality and...
read more7Artisans has a new 18mm F6.3 pancake lens for APS-C mirrorless cameras
Chinese lens manufacturer 7Artisans has released a new 18mm F6.3 pancake lens for APS-C camera systems. The ultra-compact fixed-focus lens is constructed of six elements in four groups. Its 18mm focal length is roughly a 27mm equivalent on most APS-C sensors, it has a minimum focusing distance of 35cm (1.1ft) and it weighs just 51g (1.8oz). The lens is being offered for Canon EF-M, Fujifilm X, Micro Four Thirds and Sony E mount camera systems. It’s available to purchase for on Amazon and other authorized 7Artisan retailers for $69. Find out...
read moreLaowa 15mm F4.5 Zero-D Shift sample gallery and impressions
Those looking for a lens to help with architectural photography don’t have too many choices. Canon and Nikon provide tilt-and-shift lenses for the F and EF mount systems but it’s fair to say these are quite costly – as specialist products usually are. Samyang makes a 24mm that comes in a wide range of mounts, but beyond that options are limited to the adapters various independent brands, such as Fotodiox, offer. This new lens from Laowa is currently the widest shift lens for full frame users. Where this lens also differs from those...
read moreReply to For how long does canon service their discontinued cameras?
Mint Chocs: Yeah, I think as many people still use it, repairs and parts will still be available for some time. One small camera shop still has original 5d shutter replacement on their price list. Or maybe they just didn’t update their web page for years, who knows. I still want to know some average number of years after which official canon services stop to repair their discontinued...
read moreDPReview TV: Sony a7S III review
Published Oct 31, 2020 | dpreview staff [embedded content] Watch our review of the Sony a7S III to find out why Jordan calls it ‘the best camera for run and gun videography’ available today. Subscribe to our YouTube channel to get new episodes of DPReview TV every week. Sample gallery from this episode Gear in this story We’ve started digging into the a7S III’s video capabilities. Initial results are positive: we measured excellent, sub-10ms rolling shutter rates, and we can confirm that the camera uses a dual gain...
read moreSony a7S III sample gallery (DPReview TV)
Published Oct 31, 2020 | dpreview staff The Sony a7S III is optimized for video, but its 12MP sensor is very capable and performs well in low light. Our new a7S III sample gallery includes everything from night shots to portraits. View the Sony a7S III sample gallery Gear in this story We’ve started digging into the a7S III’s video capabilities. Initial results are positive: we measured excellent, sub-10ms rolling shutter rates, and we can confirm that the camera uses a dual gain sensor. Rather than chase ever bigger headline...
read moreIconic scenes in The Mandalorian were filmed using a Canon 5D Mark III and Nikon lens
The second season of the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian premiered today and there is fascinating photography associated with the production of the Star Wars spinoff show. For starters, some scenes in the show were shot using the Canon EOS 5D Mark III DSLR camera. As Digital Camera World points out, not only were scenes shot using the Canon 5D Mark III, but an adapted Nikon 28mm lens was used and the camera operator was John Knoll, co-creator of Photoshop and current effects supervisor and chief creative officer at Industrial Light and...
read moreVenus Optics unveils Laowa 15mm F4.5 ‘Zero-D’ Shift lens for full-frame cameras
Venus Optics has announced the release of the Laowa 15mm F4.5 Zero-D Shift, a new lens that takes the crown as the widest shift lens for full-frame camera systems. The lens is constructed of 17 elements in 11 groups, including two aspherical elements and a new lens coating. It has a 110-degree angle of view, offers a 65mm image circle and can shift +/-11mm on full-frame camera systems (+/-8mm when adapted for medium format cameras, such as Fujifilm GFX and Hasselblad X1D cameras). Other specifications include a five-blade aperture diaphragm,...
read moreBuying guide: best Instax cameras in 2020 (updated)
Published Oct 30, 2020 | dpreview staff Previous 1 Introduction 2 Next What is it we love so much about instant cameras? Is it their ease-of-use? Or the sensation of being able to hold and share a physical print? Maybe it’s the excitement that comes from watching an image slowly appear before your eyes. Surely for some, the lo-fi image quality is refreshing in an increasingly high-resolution, digital world. In this guide, we’ll cover cameras making use of Fujifilm’s popular Instax film. These cameras come in a wide range of...
read moreOlympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 Pro sample gallery updated
After perusing some vacation photos and weeping ever so gently for a lost world in which international travel was feasible, I pulled myself together and made some selects to add to our Olympus M.Zuiko 12-100mm F4 Pro sample gallery. From lizards to crocs and jungles to cityscapes, take a virtual visit to Queensland in our updated sample gallery. And in case you missed it, check out our field review of the Olympus 12-100mm F4 here. Gear in this story Olympus has released a major firmware update for two of its OM-D cameras as well as the...
read moreFor how long does canon service their discontinued cameras?
Photos Members Group Since For how long does canon service their discontinued cameras? ÄiÄ‘i says: Just got an 5d mk III. I’m blown away by it’s possibilities. Can’t imagine I will ever want something beter and more recent. Do I have to worry about not be able to repair it, or replace the shutter in the next few years? The shutter count on mine is pretty high. The production of it ended in 2016. I think. 3:05PM, 29 October 2020 PDT (permalink) Would you like to comment? Sign up for a free account, or sign in (if...
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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.