Underground Photographer » Digital Cameras

Nikon Coolpix S4

Sony — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:29:05 +0000

First the size. It’s not small enough to be truly pocketable. I use my Contax U4R for that. The layout is also not as good as with the Contax, nor is it as intuitive. I find myself always putting my fingers on the wrong places, esepecially on the LCD screen. This is not a camera where everything feels naturally placed; then again, there’s not a lot of room to work with here. I guess my preference would have been for Nikon to make the camera slightly larger and easier to handle, with a viewfinder and VR to boot. It wouldn’t surprise me to see this same lens in exactly that type of product within three months time.

Besides those issues I do like the camera. The biggest limitation of “pocketable” cameras tends to be the limited zoom range. I was recently on a sailboat and a cruise ship, wanted to get photos of things I saw on shore, but didn’t have the zoom range (with my Contax) to get close enough to the subject. The Coolpix S4 certainly………..Read more

Nikon Coolpix S1

Sony — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 08:17:40 +0000

Despite being a small and light and pocketable camera, the S1 takes surprisingly good pictures. Of course, it’s unreasonable to expect the kind of quality you can get on a Nikon D70 SLR or Coolpix 8800 “bridge” camera, because these latter models are bigger and therefore have a larger lens (very important for great optical quality) and a larger sensor (important for better color accuracy and lower noise), but I can say that the S1 has the best picture quality in its class, even bettering the great models from Canon (SD400, SD500, etc.) In normal lighting, S1’s pictures are sharp and very accurate in color.

This latter is very important for getting eye-pleasing photos. Even indoors, the S1 does a decent job; since the lack of light always makes photography difficult, the S1 is better than most. BTW, when indoors, using a camera’s built-in flash always results in harsh-looking pictures where the background is dark and ugly. Instead, try mounting the camera on a tripod — the S1 has a tripod mount — and taking a picture without the flash. The picture you get will be much more pleasing to the eye……….Read more

Nikon D50

Sony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:25:04 +0000

Nikon’s D50 interchangeable-lens digital SLR camera is designed to make it easier than ever to enjoy the thrill of outstanding digital SLR picture quality easily and instantly. Combining the outstanding response of Nikon’s patented digital and photographic performance with optical performance available only from renowned Nikkor interchangeable lenses and expanded shooting options only available in a quality digital SLR camera, the Nikon D50 makes exceptional digital SLR photography a reality for everyone.

The D50 features a new 6.1 effective megapixel Nikon DX Format CCD image sensor and a highly advanced image processing engine that team together to create truly faithful image files that are capable of significant enlargement while remaining manageable in overall file size, making it easier to take and store more great pictures. These optimized components produce more consistent results, even under shooting conditions that…….Read more or Buy from Amazon

Canon Digital Rebel XT

Sony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 07:08:52 +0000

I hadn’t been too impressed with the original Digital Rebel, except for its revolutionary low price (for a d-SLR), because it was slow and felt slimsy. The new Digital Rebel XT is quite different. Even though it’s 3 ounces lighter than the original Digital Rebel — mostly due to the use of a smaller battery; see below — its smaller form factor actually makes it feel more solid and “real”. In other word, unlike the original DR, this one feels professional, not toy-like at all.

For anyone who is migrating to this camera from a standard point and shoot digital camera, you cannot frame the image you are about to take using the LCD screen on the back. You must look through the viewfinder. The LCD screen is soley for menu use and preview mode after the picture has been taken, nothing more.Something I’ve noticed is the camera makes a ratteling sound when moved……..Read more or Buy from Amazon

Canon Powershot S2 IS

Sony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:53:45 +0000

Some brands of digicams sport German or other Euro lenses. Some will no doubt argue, but after 35 years of being an active photographer, and a tech type of person, I feel that nobody makes high end lenses better than Canon makes them, and nobody makes more lenses that qualify as high end than Canon either.

The lens mounted on the S2 IS is the best of it’s class. Even compared to quality SLR zoom lenses, it is a premium product. The camera is not a pocket cam, and does not pretend to replace one. Then again, it can do what no pocket cam can ever dream of, and can compete heads up with most digital SLR’s in the hands of most people who buy a digital SLR. Truth is, most people who spend the bucks on a digital SLR would get far more from the purchase of an S2 IS.

The 5mp sensor produces 8×10 prints that rival 35mm quality. The VGA movie mode is simply awesome, and the DIGIC II chip is the same one that powers top of the line SLR’s, which means outstanding speed from startup to shutdown. The selection of modes on this camera is……..Read more or Buy Now from Amazon

Nikon D70S

Sony — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 05:40:19 +0000

The additional reviews and the description appear to properly describe this photographic camera. I am writing this review to give you the perspective of someone who started out with film SLR cameras in school, then got a digital 5MP camera and have used that for years and am now finally getting into Digital SLR photography. This is a big step back into the professional circle for me, and I’m dying to get out to the zoo or to some resort area in the mountains to do my pro photography once again. I purchased this camera almost a month ago and my opinion is that it is the finest photographic camera ever made under $2,000. This photographic camera has everything you can need.

I want to warn you, get the full set with the lense. This lense sells for almost $400 and is about the best all around lense you can find. Don’t go for the cheap models. I wrote a list about this camera that may appear on this page for you to look at, but be sure……..Read more

Leica M9

Sony — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:45 +0000

Leica has formally brought out the M9 – a full frame version of its M-mount range finder. The Leica M9, with its 24 x 36mm, 18 megapixel sensor is, according to the company: ‘the globes smallest full-frame camera.’ The body is available in a new ‘Steel Gray’ finish and offers minor button re-arrangement over the M8 – all the great changes relate to the internals. The Kodak-developed CCD sensor features improved offset microlenses to optimize performance at the edges of the frame along with a sensor cover with improved filtering of infrared light so lens-mounted IR filters are no more needed. First and foremost, the 35mm film-sized sensor means every Leica M-mount lens provides the originally intended field of view.

Corel introduces Digital Studio 2010 with touch operation

Sony — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:45 +0000

Corel has introduced the Digital Studio 2010 image and video editing software package with touch operation. With the right hardware, users can touch and edit their digital files or use traditional mouse operation. The included software allows users to organize, edit and upload photos and videos, create slideshows and home movies complete with soundtracks and voice-over. Digital Studio 2010 is now available for download at a retail price of $99.99 USD or £59 GBP.

Leica X1

Sony — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:45 +0000

Beside the M9 Leica also delivers the X1, an bundle photographic camera with a large APS-C sensor and a fixed 35mm equivalent field-of-view F2.8 autofocus lens. Featuring a design reminiscent of M-series rangefinders, complete with analogue-style shutter speed and aperture dials, the photographic camera provides a choice of fully automatic or manual control. A 2.7″ LCD and 12Mp CMOS sensor with an ISO range of 100 to 3200 round off the specification. Registered possessors will be able to download a copy of Adobe Lightroom to process the camera’s DNG raw files. On our visit to Leica two weeks ago we were lucky enough to get our hands on a pre-production photographic camera, click through for our first opinion and hands-on pictures.

Sigma releases 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS

Sony — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 15:37:45 +0000

Sigma has announced an image-stabilized telephoto zoom in the shape of the 70-300mm F4-5.6 DG OS. Suitable for use on both APS-C and full frame cameras, this lens incorporates Sigma’s Optical Stabilization technology allowing hand-held shooting at shutter speeds up to 4 stops slower than usual, along with a circular diaphragm for attractive rendition of out-of-focus backgrounds. The minimum focus distance is 1.5m giving a maximum magnification of 0.26x; unlike Sigma’s non-stabilized 70-300mm zooms there’s no extended macro focusing option. The lens will available for users of Sigma, Nikon, Canon, Pentax and Sony SLRs at a SRP of £399.