Camera Gear Review News (Page 23)
Just posted: Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens Review.
Excellent lens. Great value.
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Image quality, vignetting, flare, and distortion test results along with specs, measurements, and standard product images have been added to the Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens Review page.
You are going to like these results.
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens compared to Sony FE 70-200mm f/2.8 GM OSS Lens
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens compared to Sony FE 70-200mm f/4 G OSS Lens
Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens compared to Tamron 70-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD G2 Lens
Expect the full review to be completed very soon.
The Tamron 70-180mm f/2.8 Di III VXD Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Just posted: Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D Review.
The T8i takes the flagship Rebel model to a new level.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D is in stock at B&H (on sale) | Adorama | WEX (preorders)
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Just posted: Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Review.
This is a good lens for the price.
The Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Noise test results have been added to the Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D Review page.
Solid performance with no surprises here.
BTW, the new (for the Rebel / ***D series) rear control dial is great.
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i / 850D is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Image quality, flare, and distortion test results along with specs, measurements, and standard product images have been added to the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Review page.
Note that distortion correction is forced by the camera and DPP software when using this lens. Here are some comparisons:
Canon RF 24-105mm IS STM Lens vs. Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM Lens
Canon RF 24-105mm IS STM Lens vs. Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM Lens
Canon RF 24-105mm IS STM Lens vs. Canon EF 24-105mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM Lens (use discernment when comparing using these different resolution test cameras)
Canon RF 24-105mm IS STM Lens vs. Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens
I expect to have the full Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens review completed very soon.
The Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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With a Canon EOS Rebel T8i in hand, it is time to set up the camera for use. Following are the 33 steps I took to make an out-of-the-box T8i ready for use.
- Open the box, find the battery, place it in the charger and plug it in.
- While the battery is charging, unpack the other items you want from the box.
- Download and install the Canon Solution Disk software on your computer, gaining support for the latest camera(s). Canon Digital Photo Pro (DPP) and EOS Utility are the options I manually include in the install.
- Attach the neck strap.
- Insert the battery (after charging completes) and power the camera on.
- Insert a memory card.
- Turn on the camera.
- Adjust the date and time (automatically prompted upon turning the camera on the first time).
- Set the camera's mode to Av, Tv or M (some modes provide only a small subset of available menu options).
- Scroll through all of the menu tabs to configure the camera as follows:
- Shooting settings, Tab 1: Image quality: Use top dial to set RAW to "RAW" and Cross Keys to set JPEG to "-" (RAW image files provide the highest quality and are especially valuable for post processing work)
- Shooting settings, Tab 1: Image review: 4 sec. (or sometimes off to increase shooting speed in the field)
- Shooting settings, Tab 1: Release shutter without card: Disable (only in a retail store do you want to press the shutter release without saving the image file, leaving this option enabled will burn you someday)
- Shooting settings, Tab 1: Lens Aberration Correction: All options "OFF" (though Chromatic Aberration correction is a good option to leave enabled for most)
- Shooting settings, Tab 3: White balance: AWB W (White) (I seldom use another white balance setting while shooting, though I often adjust modestly during post processing)
- Shooting settings, Tab 3: Picture Style: Neutral with Strength = 1 (Note: the low contrast "Neutral" picture style provides a histogram on the back of the camera that most-accurately shows me blown highlights and blocked shadows on the camera LCD. I usually change the Picture Style to "Standard" in DPP after capture.)
- Shooting settings, Tab 4: High ISO speed NR: Off (or Low) (noise reduction is destructive to images details - I prefer to add noise reduction sparingly during post processing)
- Playback settings, Tab 4: Histogram disp: RGB (I want to see the graph for individual color channels)
- Function settings, Tab 1: Auto Rotate: On computer (only) (images are properly rotated when viewed on a computer, but are always oriented to fill the LCD when viewed on the camera)
- Function settings, Tab 1: Format card (always format memory cards in-camera — after all contained images are stored elsewhere of course)
- Function settings, Tab 2: Date/Time/Zone: make correct for your location (if not done at startup)
- Function settings, Tab 3: Beep: Disable (no one wants to hear your camera constantly beeping)
- Function settings, Tab 4: Viewfinder display: Show all
- Function settings, Tab 5: Custom Functions settings(C.Fn): C.Fn I: Exposure: 2: ISO expansion: On (required for setting ISO to 51200)
- Function settings, Tab 5: Custom Functions settings(C.Fn): C.Fn I: Exposure: 5: Exposure comp. auto cancel: Disable (I'll decide when exposure compensation should be canceled)
- Function settings, Tab 5: Custom Functions settings(C.Fn): C.Fn III: Operation/Others: 14: Retract lens on power off (avoids having a carefully-selected focus distance reset when camera auto powers off)
- Function settings, Tab 5: Copyright information: enter as desired
- Display level settings, Tab 1: Shooting screen: Standard (Guided is useful for beginners)
- Display level settings, Tab 1: Menu displaye: Standard (Guided is useful for beginners)
- Display level settings, Tab 1: Mode guide: Disable (Enabled is useful for beginners)
- Display level settings, Tab 1: Feature guide: Disable (Enabled is useful for beginners)
- My Menu: Add the first tab; Register the following options for Tab 1: Format card, Mirror lockup, Date/Time/Zone (great for monitoring what time it is), Sensor cleaning (nothing in my My Menu is found on the Quick Control display as those functions are already quickly accessed)
- With a lens mounted and a subject focused on, adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp
I of course make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.
To copy this configuration would mean that you intend to shoot similar to how I shoot – including shooting in RAW-only format. While my setup works great for me, your best use of this list may be for tweaking your own setup.
If you can't remember your own menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a good idea. Anytime your camera is reset-to-factory state for some reason, such as when being serviced, you will be ready to restore your setup quickly while ensuring that you do not miss an important setting. If you purchase another same or similar camera, you will be able to quickly set it up.
More Information
The Canon EOS Rebel T8i is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.
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Just posted: Wimberley WH-200-S Sidemount Head Review.
The WH-200-S is an excellent choice for big lens needs.
The Wimberley WH-200-S Sidemount Head is available at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA
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Robus RC-8860 Vantage Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod Review.
Want a really strong, high-quality tripod for a reasonable price? The RC-8860 might have your name on it.
The Robus RC-8860 Vantage Series 5 Carbon Fiber Tripod is in stock at B&H and Amazon USA
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Just posted: Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter Review.
Sometimes, using a 2x is the right option.
The Sony FE 2.0x Teleconverter is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Just posted: Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter Review.
This is a high-performing compact teleconverter that makes a great addition to a kit that includes one of the compatible Sony telephoto lenses.
The Sony FE 1.4x Teleconverter is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Just posted: Robus RCM-439 Carbon Fiber Monopod Review.
No-brainer. Just get one.
The Robus RCM-439 Carbon Fiber Monopod is in stock at B&H and Amazon USA.
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Just posted: Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens Review.
This is a useful lens to have available in the kit.
The Sony FE 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 G OSS Lens is in stock at B&H (new or used) | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Let's speculate:
In the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV review, I mentioned:
"What Canon has not talked about is the potential for increased dynamic range being available from Dual Pixel RAW files. It seems that, if partial exposures are being captured by the Dual Pixel RAW system, the potential exists for very significant highlight recovery beyond what is already available."
Did you notice that the Canon EOS C300 Mark III Cinema Camera "... features a new Dual Gain Output (DGO) sensor ..."? In the press release, Canon goes on to explain the Dual Pixel CMOS sensor:
"The newly developed 4K Super 35mm DGO imaging system captures high dynamic range content by reading out each pixel through two separate gains. One gain prioritizes saturation in highlight areas while the other suppresses noise in the shadows. The result is an image with up to 16+ stops of dynamic range, clean rich shadows and vibrant highlights in up to 4K/60p."
Very intriguing.
At 11:46 in Canon's virtual press conference, Paul Hawxhurst, senior professional market specialist, talks about the Dual Gain Output imaging sensor:
"... that expands the dynamic range to over 16 stops. How does it do that? Each pixel on the sensor is split into two different diodes. Those diodes are always taking two frames of the exact same image. Now for Dual Pixel autofocus, it's using those two frames for phase detection. However, the Canon engineers realized that they can use those two different frames and value them at different gains in order to expand the dynamic range. And so what is happening here is that off of diode A you have one image that is low gain and low noise. Off of diode B you're getting a frame that is of higher gain, but it satisfies the pixel's need for saturation. So, these two separate frames that are of the same image of the exact same point in time but at two separate gains are combined and then dumped out of the sensor. Because these frames are of the exact same point in time and of the exact same image, there is absolutely zero temporal artifacting happening in this. What the Dual Gain Output sensor gives is a lower noise floor and hence a much wider usable latitude. Now, this is especially true in the shadow region."
Again, that the Canon EOS R5 will have a Canon Dual Gain Output (DGO) Sensor is pure speculation, but it certainly seems viable – and desirable.
Just posted: Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens Review.
This is a very popular lens and a great value.
The Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
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Just posted: Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens Review.
This is a very fun lens.
The Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | Henry's | WEX
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Just posted: Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens Review.
Find out what I think of this general-purpose lens ideally-sized for Sony's full frame mirrorless cameras.
The Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | Henry's | WEX
Also check out the used Sony FE 24-70mm f/4 ZA OSS Lens at B&H.
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Image quality test results from the Canon EOS 7D Mark II have been added to the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens Review.
Awesome lens. Create some comparisons.
The Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | Henry's | WEX
Save up to over $2,000: check out the used EF 500mm lenses in stock at B&H.
Rent the Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM Lens from Lensrentals.
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Just posted: Oben ASPTA-20 Smartphone Tripod Adapter Review.
This is a really handy accessory and a great value.
The Oben ASPTA-20 Smartphone Tripod Adapter is in stock at B&H
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Just posted: Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens Review.
How does Sony's inexpensive general-purpose zoom lens perform?
The Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS Lens is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX
For a much lower price, buy a used model at B&H.
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