May 16 2012

Leica M Monochrom Only Shoots in Black and White and That’s Awesome

Category: Technology Insights, The Industry — djordan @ 7:00 am

Leica’s Latest addition to the M series of cameras is a bit different from the ones which came before it: the M Monochrom only shoots pictures in black and white. The $8000 full-frame camera is fully intended for enthusiasts and/or those with a bottomless bank account, and aims to explore the benefits of having a dedicated monochrome sensor (merely removing the color from a photo after the fact is hardly the same).

The M Monochrom is a rangefinder-style mirrorless camera, complete with an 18-megapixel, full-frame CCD sensor, ISO range up to 10,000, SD-based storage, and a 2.5-inch display. Many photo nerds argue that a dedicated B&W sensor will allow for shaper, more detailed imaging thanks to the lack of need for a color filter and ability to pickup more light. The camera itself is signature Leica design, with an all-black color scheme to go with the rounded edges of the body. A 50mm f2 Summicron lens also appeared alongside the M Monochrom today, which, at $7200, costs nearly as much as the camera itself. Those over on the rangefinderforum are in borderline disbelief, stating that it better be the greatest lens ever for that price.

Leica M Monochrom Only Shoots in Black and White and That's Awesome

But that’s not the only announcement Leica had today. The Leica X2 is also here with a 16-megapixel APS-C sensor and 24mm f2.8 lens. The compact camera will shoot photos in 3:2 or 16:9 aspect ratios, save to SD card, and display your shots on a 2.5-inch screen, in your choice of all black or black/silver, for $2000.

Also announced was the Leica V-Lux 40, which packs a 16-megapixel sensor, 24-480mm superzoom lens, GPS and 3-inch touchscreen into the body of a point-and-shoot. It’s basically the same as the V-Lux 30, but with extra zoom (20x vs. 16x). All cameras are available for pre-order now and should be out later this year. [DP Review, 2, 3, 4]

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May 15 2012

$2.8 million Leica is the world’s most expensive camera

Category: Technology Insights, The Industry — djordan @ 9:14 am

We’ve seen our share of expensive cameras. The Phantom v1610, for instance, is capable of shooting 1 million frames per second — a feat that will cost you $100,000. But that’s a veritable bargain compared to this 1923 Leica camera that just sold at auction for 2.16 million euros ($2.8 million), an absolute record.

German camera-maker Leica is one of the most famous names in high-quality cameras. A new Leica can run you as much as $31,700. But this 1923 0-series Leica is a piece of camera history, one from the first batch of 31 cameras the company ever created. Only about 12 are known to still exist; fewer still are in such a pristine condition. That means this camera can command top dollar — or, in this case, top euro.

The camera was purchased by an anonymous European buyer. In 2007, a similar Leica 0-series sold for $430,000; in 2011 one sold for $1.7 million. Given the rapid increase of price in these cameras, we think we’ll keep using Instagram to take our hipster-quality photos, thank you very much.

[Image credit: WestLicht Photographica Auction]

[Source via Born Rich]

This article originally appeared on Tecca

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May 09 2012

Nikon tells PDN it is looking for a fix for D800 and D4 lock-up bug

Category: In-Camera Techniques, Technology Insights — djordan @ 7:56 am

Nikon has confirmed to PDN that it is investigating a problem that can cause the D800 and D4 to lock-up while shooting. The company says that the issue – identified while PDN was reviewing the camera – can be avoided by disabling Highlights and RGB Histogram on the display. At present the lock-ups require the battery to be removed to restart the camera but PDN thinks it likely that Nikon will be able to come up with a permanent fix.

The issue isn’t one we’ve encountered while working towards our reviews of both cameras, but we’ll stay in touch with Nikon and report on any updates.

Click here to find out more at PDN Online

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Apr 27 2012

Samsung’s Pro Compact

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 4:15 pm

Samsung’s line of excellent NX-series mirrorless cameras is getting packed with the Wi-Fi features the company’s been offering in point-and-shoots for years. Sharing your photos between devices and on Facebook made easy—but is it a feature that these cameras need?

Last year’s Samsung NX200 was pretty darn excellent, save for a few quibbles we had with its automatic settings. And for the upcoming NX210 refresh, Samsung’s largely leaving it alone, with the exception of the new Wi-Fi features: it’s got the same DSLR-sized 20.3-megapixel sensor and shoots identical 1080p HD video. The cheaper NX10 and NX100 cameras will be replaced by the NX20 and NX1000. In addition to the Wi-Fi upgrades, these cameras will also get the same 20.3-megapixel APS-C sensor.

The built-in Wi-Fi features function much the same way as they do on Samsung’s point-and-shoots. The camera will allow you to connect directly to online services like Facebook, YouTube, and Microsoft SkyDrive to upload photos and video. Using the MobileLink application for Android and iOS you can view your photos on a tablet or phone, and transfer them to these devices too. The Remote Viewfinder app—as its name implies—allows you to control your camera remotely. And if you’re a Windows user, you can use Wi-Fi to back up your photos.

Over the last few years Samsung’s been leading the pack with its Wi-Fi point-and-shoots, but does anybody really want this feature in a professional-grade compact camera? When using the camera’s Wi-Fi features you’re almost always sacrificing image quality because the camera won’t transfer the huge files this camera would otherwise record to its memory card. What’s the point of spending big bucks on a high-resolution camera with a big sensor and interchangeable lenses, if all you’re going to do is scale the image down for a Facebook upload?

Samsung didn’t give us information on how much the camera’s would cost, but the NX200 costs $900, just to give you a point of reference. Get your routers ready: The new NX-series shooters will all be available in May. [Samsung]

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Apr 26 2012

Nikon D3200: Nikon’s Entry-Level DSLR

Category: In-Camera Techniques, Photographers, Technology Insights — djordan @ 8:03 am

nikond_3200Nikon’s entry-level DSLRs are known for being well-built and easy to use. The same looks to be true for the D3200, just with a super-sized 24.2 megapixel sensor.

Like the D800 and its monster 36MP sensor, the D3200 is an escalation in the sort-of dormant megapixel war. The DX-format (sorry, full-frame hopefuls) CMOS sensor should allow for sharper stills than pricier options like the 16MP D7000 in ideal conditions. The added resolution makes increased noise in low light shots more of a concern, but compared to the D3100, the ISO range has been doubled from 3200 to 6400, which will hopefully offset any issues.

Beyond the sensor, the D3200 shares some specs with the D3100, but got a few bumps where it matters. The expanded ISO, for one, and a new Expeed 3 processor—the same one in the D800. It shoots at 4 frames-per-second continuous in full resolution, up from 3 frames-per-second on the D3100, and the LCD screen got a big resolution bump—a more-current 921k-dot, compared to the old 230k-dot screen. Still not touchscreen, though. Autofocus is still 11-point, and it’ll also have the D3100’s guide mode, which explains camera features to new users. On the video side, it shoots 1080p at 24 and 30fps, an HDMI-output, and a new 3.5mm microphone input jack.

There’s also an optional $60 wireless mobile adapter, the WU-1a, that will connect the D3200 to mobile phones or tablets. The adapter will you access the camera’s live view and control the shutter from the screen of your Android or iOS device.

The suggested retail for the D3200 and a basic 18-55mm VR kit lens is $700. No word on the body-only price just yet. It’s up for pre-order today, and will ship some time in late April.  [gizmodo]

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Apr 06 2012

Watch a Nikon D4 Shutter Fire at 1000 fps

Category: Uncategorized — djordan @ 6:30 am

Scheimpflug Employees Jason Kolsch, and Jayson Jordan unboxed the Nikon D4 and made a quick movie, capturing it using the Phantom Gold with Zeiss CP2 Macro lenses. The scene was lit with a K5600 Joker 800, and two 400’s. Colby Moore was the Phantom Technician and editor. The Nikon D4 is now available for rent at Scheimpflug.

The new Nikon D4 DLSR is a beast. Its fires off 11 shots per second with gusto. The inner workings of such a task are hard to appreciate with the naked eye. But if you have a Phantom camera, your eye is considerably less naked. In this video, enthusiasts Jason Kolsch and Jayson Jordon used a Phantom Gold to capture the D4 at 1000 fps. Skip to about :55 seconds for the good stuff. [FStoppers]

Apr 05 2012

Nikon D800 Review: A Major HD Upgrade, But Is It the Best DSLR For the Money?

Category: In-Camera Techniques, Technology Insights — djordan @ 9:22 am

The Nikon D700 was the last great pre-video DSLR. It was an excellent and very boring camera. Nikon’s newest, a $3,000 body called the D800, introduces two major features: HD video and a 36-megapixel sensor.

That sensor is what’s on everybody’s mind. Studio photographers will love its rich details, and for the hack on the street, it’s the sharpest sensor in this price range. Let’s be clear from the start: This is one of the best cameras you can buy for three grand, period. But it’s been overshadowed by the standard-bearer in this category, the Canon 5D Mark III. At a $500 lower price, could the Nikon D800 be a better buy?

Why It Matters

Nikon D800 Review: A Major HD Upgrade, But Is It the Best DSLR For the Money?
Thirty-six-point-three-million pixels. That number should smack you in the face. Megapixel counts can be misleading, but in this case, pay close attention. The camera’s success hinges on that sensor. See, a sensor like the Nikon D800’s shoots extremely high-resolution photos, which means a ton of detail in the images. When the conditions are right, it can get better results. But cramming more pixels onto an image sensor can hurt its ability to shoot in dark conditions. If this super sensor falls short, the camera will only be interesting to pros working in controlled environments.

Continue reading “Nikon D800 Review: A Major HD Upgrade, But Is It the Best DSLR For the Money?”

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Apr 04 2012

How To Take Better Pictures: Tips From a Skateboard Photographer

Category: Creative Process — djordan @ 8:49 am

The art of taking photos of skateboarders is a rich tradition, full of sublime maneuvers and scenes of epic urban shredding. But it’s not easy! Not any kid with a fisheye lens can make magazine-worthy images without some know-how. And if you can shoot an ollie well, you can shoot anything.

Here to share his wisdom Michael Burnett, photographer whose work has graced the pages of many a Thrasher magazine. In these videos published by The Ride Channel, Burnett offers up some sound composition tips that can enlighten any type of budding photographer. [YouTube via PetaPixel]

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Mar 28 2012

Nikon D800 vs. Canon 5D Mark III: Which Shoots Better Video?

Category: Technology Insights — djordan @ 11:40 am

Screen shot 2012-03-28 at 11.32.29 AM

Canon and Nikon both have brand new professional DLSR cameras fighting for the wallets of photographers and videographers the world over. We recently reviewed the Canon 5D Mark III, and are whipping up a review of the Nikon D800. In the meantime, we put together a comparison of the video capabilities of these two foes.

Low Light

The Canon 5D Mark III wins hands down in this category. Less noise, more even colors. No contest.

Detail / Sharpness

In full screen video, the Nikon D800 clearly has better overall sharpness and details. Update: Yes, we know sharpness depends partially on the lens used. We chose the most comparable lenses we had available.

Click here to go over to Gizmodo to finish reading the review [Gizmodo]

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Mar 21 2012

Mirrorless Lenses

Category: Uncategorized — djordan @ 8:47 am

Today’s contestants: the lovely and talented Sony 16mm f/2.8 and Olympus 17mm f/2.8 pancake lenses.

Since everyone seemed to enjoy looking inside an NEX mirrorless camera, I decided to take more pictures while doing today’s disassembly.

Optically I expected both lenses to be fairly simple: the Sony has 5 single elements, the Olympus 6 elements in 4 groups, and both have the diaphragm about in the center of the lens elements. They seem very similar as we start opening up the backs: both have 3 screws holding in a light baffle / protection cap, and 4 screws holding on the lens mount, just like most other lenses.
The Olympus (left) and Sony lenses with backs removed.

Continue reading “Mirrorless Lenses”

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