Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 08/23/2018 - 10:26
Finally Nikon has done something to staunch the flow of defections from its DSLRs to Sony mirrorless cameras – and to make life easier for those of us who want to get the benefits of mirrorless, including a smart EVF, fast AF for video, better focus area coverage, and potentially-silent operation, without leaving behind our current Nikon gear and our love for the handling of Nikon’s DSLRs. The Nikon Z 7 is basically the mirrorless equivalent of the , and the Z 6 is very much like the Nikon D750 (although with a much higher frame rate). You can see .
Submitted by David Cardinal on Tue, 02/27/2018 - 12:21
Sony’s latest full-frame mirrorless, the , continues to up the pressure on traditional DSLRs. Not only does it do everything you’d expect in an equivalent DSLR – fast AF, 4K video, 10 fps, 24MP, etc., but it does some things better. Access to the augmented information available on it Electronic Viewfinder, super-high-performance phase detect AF that works even when shooting video, and 5-way image stabilization. All in a 1.5 pound package. For action shooters who can find the right Sony-mount lenses to pair with it, the $2K price should be well worth it. ! For now I’m sticking with my as my primary camera, but if I didn’t have such a large collection of Nikon lenses, I’d be pretty close to making a switch.
Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 08/24/2017 - 08:30
The Nikon D850 is official. It may be the very best DSLR ever built. The $3300 price tag is a really-good deal given all the features it packs, including 45+MP, 7/9 fps, 4K video, 8K timelapse, focus peaking, and lots more: .
Submitted by David Cardinal on Wed, 08/09/2017 - 10:05
Like almost every pro Nikon shooter, I’m eagerly awaiting the new Nikon D850. In the meantime, I needed an updated backup camera for my . I wanted one good enough to use for “pro” work, but small and light enough that I could easily carry it in a messenger bag with my drone for field work. I’d already shot with the Nikon D500 and , which are both excellent cameras, but decided to be a little more adventurous and purchase the newer , that fits many of the features of the into a smaller, less-expensive, package.
Submitted by David Cardinal on Wed, 06/14/2017 - 08:11
One after another Sony has been knocking down the barriers for those considering switching from full-size DSLRs to smaller, mirrorless, APS-C cameras. Better autofocus, high frame rates, and an increasing selection of lenses for its E-mount make the Sony a6000 family an excellent choice. Image quality is also highly competitive, as you’d expect from the company that makes sensors for much of the industry. One of the few remaining Achilles Heels has been its control and menu system, which have been hard to like. That was our biggest beef when we . With our recent field test of the newer we can confirm that Sony has made progress on the camera’s interface, but it is still more quirky than we’d like.
Submitted by David Cardinal on Wed, 03/02/2016 - 08:53
Nikon has expanded its recall of DSLRs, one of the few gltiches that has marred this otherwise amazing camera. It is for the same symptom – an un-naturally-shaped flare when shooting in to certain lighting conditions. The recall originally affected only cameras built in a small window in 2014, but has been extended to those manufactured through June, 2015. Fortunately, it is easy enough to check if your camera is affected on .
Submitted by David Cardinal on Mon, 03/02/2015 - 07:37
For Nikon shooters looking to purchase or upgrade a DX-format DSLR (e.g. APS-C, or “crop” sensor), the new has plenty to offer. The camera features the powerful 51-point Multi-CAM 3500 II Autofocus module first introduced in the full-frame . The upgraded EXPEED 4 processor also allows for 6 fps shooting, and 100-shot JPEG bursts. NFC makes pairing the camera with a mobile device over WiFi a cinch (a welcome change from pecking at small screens!). Other nice upgrades include…
Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 02/26/2015 - 10:59
It is a truism in photography that the best camera is the one you have with you. In that spirit, whenever I’m asked for advice on what new camera someone should buy, I try to figure out not just their budget and needs, but how much camera they’re really likely to be willing to carry around. For many, it isn’t obvious what they gain by “trading-up” to a larger, heavier, and more-expensive model. While it is always dangerous to generalize, there are certain rules of thumb about the pros and cons of various types of current-model digital cameras. We’ll help you sort through your options…
Submitted by David Cardinal on Mon, 11/03/2014 - 11:24
The first impression you get when taking a out of the box is that it is the perfect size and shape for a DSLR (at least for me). It is smaller and lighter than other "semi-pro" models, with a deep hand grip that makes it easy to carry in one hand – even without a strap. It’s no mirrorless or rangefinder, but a pleasant change from larger DSLRs.
Submitted by David Cardinal on Thu, 10/09/2014 - 07:25
Upon my return from Africa, I found my review waiting for me. As expected from the specs & early looks, it is a sweet (and relatively small) camera that I’ll have plenty of fun shooting with – and writing about -- over the coming weeks. However, it wasn’t quite what I expected from the model number. I was hoping it would be a real upgrade from the Nikon D700, and might make a good twin for my . However, it isn’t…
Submitted by David Cardinal on Fri, 09/12/2014 - 08:18
Nikon’s new has something for nearly everyone. State-of-the-art Autofocus, improved 24MP sensor, brand-new, high-performance body design, 6.5 fps full-frame, 100% viewfinder, pro-quality video features, tilting LCD, and a fairly sane price tag of $2300. It is going to be a hard camera to resist for current owners of the Nikon D600, , , and even those who have a Nikon D800 but would love a little more speed and are getting tired of super-large files. I’ll be doing a full field-test when I’m back from Africa, but based on the specs, here are my quick thoughts on pros & cons:
