Camera Gear Review News (Page 5)

One of the decision factors between the RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z and the RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM is the strength of the background blur they can create. So, I wanted to illustrate that difference.

Head over to the just updated RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z review to see the background blur difference between 105mm f/2.8 and f/4 created using the f/2.8 lens. View both the full-size reduced and 100% crop image comparisons.

The answer is yes.

Introducing: Nextorage CFexpress Type B and SDXC Memory Cards.

Add Nextorage to your preferred memory card trusted brand short list.

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Just posted: Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens Review.

This lens fills a void in the Canon lineup. I intend to add sample photos to this review.

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Just posted: Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens Review.

Note that the review still needs sample photos added. Wildlife has been uncooperative, but I didn't want to hold back the rest of the review for that matter.

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Just posted: Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens Review.

This lens is another high-performing member of the Canon L-series.

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Support this site by ordering the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

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Image quality, distortion, flare, and vignetting test results are now available on the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens page.

Here are some comparisons to get you started:

Compared to the Canon RF 24-70mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 24-105mm F4 L IS USM Lens (at f/4)

Order the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon (all available countries) | WEX | Camera Canada

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Image quality, distortion, flare, and vignetting test results are now available on the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens page.

Note that 1485mm is the longest focal length I have enough working distance and a small enough chart to test. Thus, the 2x results were captured a bit short of the lens's capability.

I'll share the wide-open aperture comparisons. Consider also comparing the lenses at the shared widest aperture.

Compared to the Canon RF 100-500mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 100-400mm F5.6-8 IS USM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 600mm F11 IS STM Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 800mm F11 IS STM Lens

Compared to the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens

Compared to the Sony FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS Lens

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Order the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Camera Canada

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Just posted: Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens Review.

Another great Sigma lens option.

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Image quality test results are now available on the Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens page.

Here are some comparisons (discern between the different camera resolutions):

Compared to the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Lens

Canon EF-M 11-22mm f/4-5.6 IS STM Lens

Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens

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Just posted: Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens Review.

This is a great little lens.

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Image quality test results are now available on the Sigma 70-200mm F2.8 DG DN OS Sports Lens page.

I expect that you are going to like these results. Be sure to explore the range of focal lengths.

Let's look at some comparisons:

Compared to the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens (then look at the price difference)

Compared to the Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 DG OS HSM Sports Lens

Compared to the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens

Compared to the Canon RF 70-200mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens

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Just posted: Canon RF 10-20mm F4 L IS STM Lens Review.

This is a fun lens.

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Just posted: Tamron 17-50mm F4 Di III VXD Lens Review.

Find out how this record-setting lens performs!

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As promised, the Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens page is loaded with expectations and information, including MTF chart comparisons.

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Support this site by ordering the Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens (or anything else) from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX | Camera Canada

The Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Lens page is loaded with expectations and information, including size and MTF chart comparisons.

Ditto for the Canon RF 200-800mm F6.3-9 IS USM Lens page.

Full expectations will be added to the Canon RF-S 10-18mm F4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens page in the next day or so, but product images, MTF comparisons, and specifications are currently available.

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Image quality test results, along with specs and measurements, are now available on the Tamron 17-50mm F/4 Di III VXD Lens page.

Note that at 24mm the review lens is slightly sharper on the left side than the right side, the side shown in the tool.

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Is the Really Right Stuff MC-LS Universal L-Plate the last L-plate you will buy? Find out in the just-posted review.

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The new Really Right Stuff MC-LS Universal L-Plate is in stock at B&H.

Image quality test results, along with specs and measurements, are now available on the Tamron 70-180mm F2.8 Di III VC VXD G2 Lens page.

You are going to like these results.

Compared to the G1 lens (visualize the slight camera resolution difference)

Compared to the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens

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Just posted:

Sony Alpha 7C R Review
Sony Alpha 7C II Review

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The Sony Alpha 7C R and Sony Alpha 7C II cameras are here, and it is time to set up these cameras for use. For setup purposes, these cameras are identical, and the steps taken to prepare out-of-the-box a7C R and 7C II cameras for use are as follows.

1. Charge the battery
2. Record the serial number, and add the camera to insurance policy
3. Download and install Capture One (for Sony) or Sony Imaging Edge (unless your current favorite RAW image processing software supports this camera)
4. Insert a memory card(s) (we'll format it later)
5. Insert the charged battery, and power on the camera
6. Set the time zone, date, time, and timeformat
7. Select M mode, press "Menu", and configure the camera as follows:
8. Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW, RAW File Type: Lossless Compressed L (ultimate image quality with reduced file size)
9. Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Long Exposure NR: Off (manually enable this option for very long exposures)
10. Shooting Menu 1 High ISO NR: Low (most software overrides this setting)
11. Shooting Menu 1 Image Quality: Lens Compensation: Shading, Chromatic Aberration, and Distortion Comp: All Off (software often overrides this setting, use the RAW processing software to enable any lens compensation with CA correction frequently selected)
12. Shooting Menu 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
13. Shooting Menu 3 File: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On, Set Photographer: [your name], Set Copyright: [as desired], Write Serial Number: On (put your name and your business name on your images, also helpful if your camera gets lost) (note that you may find entering this information on the touchscreen a painful process)
14. Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Selftimer during Bracket: 2 Sec (avoid camera shake)
15. Shooting Menu 5 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Bracket order: ->0>+ (eases image selection for HDR processing)
16. Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
17. Shooting Menu 6 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (why is this not the default?)
18. Shooting Menu 9 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
19. Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
20. Exposure/Color Menu 6 Color/Tone: Creative Look: NT (Neutral) Sharpness = 1 (this setting provides a lower contrast histogram. I usually process with a Standard or Natural creative style)
21. Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Focus Mode: Single-shot AF (this setting gets changed frequently)
22. Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
23. Focus Menu 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF (I care more about properly focused images than maintaining a high frame rate)
24. Focus Menu 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S (this setting gets changed frequently)
25. Focus Menu 2 Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
26. Focus Menu 5 Peaking Display: On (show focus indication when manually focusing)
27. Playback Menu 4 Delete: "Delete" first (makes deleting images faster — the camera still provides a second change to cancel the delete request)
28. Playback Menu 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (the reviewed image always fills LCD)
29. Network Menu: 8 Network Menu: Airplane Mode: On
30. Setup Menu: 4 Dial Customize: Custom Key/Dial Set.: Dial/Wheel: Front Dial: Av/Tv (Tv in M mode) (option #2) (I adjust the shutter speed more frequently and urgently than aperture and the front dial is easier to access quickly); Rear Dial: Av/Tv (Av in M mode)
31. Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
32. Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position, Operation Area: Whole Screen
33. Setup Menu: 10 Sound Option: Audio signal (Shooting): Off (how to turn off the AF beep sound)
34. My Menu: Format, Shutter Type, Steady Shot, Recognition Target, Anti-flicker Set., Flash Comp., Focus Mode
35. With a lens mounted and a subject in focus (or view the menu system), adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp

I 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 means you intend to shoot as I do, including in RAW-only format. While this setup works optimally for me, you should adjust the camera setup to your needs.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime the camera is set to the factory state, such as when serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, the list will ensure all settings are quickly re-established. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 2, Reset/Save Settings) for an easy restore or replication. The setup file can be copied to a computer drive for long-term storage. Unfortunately, I couldn't load the a7C R settings on the a7C II.

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