Hands on with the Canon EOS 60D: Video Review and ISO Samples

by Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist
The Canon EOS 60D was probably the most anticipated camera this summer.  For a long time people have been speculating on the different specs, especially the articulating LCD monitor.  With the incredibly powerful 7D, many people wondered how Canon was going to slot in a model between it and the Rebel t2i.  Well Canon managed to do it and overall I was very impressed.  Canon has produced a camera that fits nicely between the t2i and 7D without sacrificing many features from previous models. Keeping reading after the jump/break for my impressions on the camera, a video review, and ISO samples.

Hands on with the New Nikon D3100: Video and ISO Samples

by Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist
It is safe to say that the Nikon D3100 is Nikon's first attempt at making a competitive entry-level camera since the D40 in November 2006.  Almost four years later Nikon is back in the game with the brand new D3100.  Over those four long years Nikon floundered with the D40x, D60, and D3000.  So what do I mean by floundered? Should you feel bad if you own one of those cameras? Absolutely not, they all take great pictures, but none of the three cameras had any truly innovative features.  In fact the D40x, D60, and D3000 all sport the same 10.2 Megapixel CCD sensor and EXPEED processor.  So no matter how many small upgrades Nikon made, image quality remained the same.  So what makes the new D3100 so special?  Keep reading after the jump/break for my video review, some ISO samples, and my first impressions about the D3100.  

At the Governor's Island Jazz Age Festival with the Sony NEX-5

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist

I was excited when Sony announced the NEX cameras in May, but there was only one problem... We didn't carry Sony products.  However the stars and planets aligned this summer and we will now be carrying a wide selection of Sony photography and video products.  Although I had read a lot about the Sony NEX-5, I wanted to try it out for myself.  When I was told about the Jazz Age Festival on August 29th at Governor's Island, I figured it would be a fun event to bring the Sony NEX-5 to. Here is a video of our trip to the Jazz Festival and my thoughts on the camera.  Still images and my thoughts are after the video.

Lens Review: Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS DG HSM

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist

There have been a lot of product announcements over the past several days.  Nikon and Canon always steal the show because they command so much of the market.  Even Sony jumped in with four new exciting cameras and three new lenses.  I am excited about all of this news too, but I also got the chance to be one of the first people to test out the new Sigma 70-200 f/2.8 OS DG HSM.  


So is an added stabilizer worth double the price of the current Sigma 70-200?  Well I hope this post will help you answer that question.  In addition to adding stabilization, Sigma also used a different optical design from their original 70-200mm f/2.8 HSM lens.

Reader Contribution: Jay Brennan, Sigma 8-16mm

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Specialist 

At the end of all of my reviews I ask for reader submissions.  If I've reviewed the product and you own it, I want to see your photos.  I will be more than happy to post them.  Eventually we may be able to set up a "reader gallery" of photos linked to each lens.  Lots of potential here, but I'd like to introduce our first featured reader, Jay Brennan.  Jay e-mailed me after reading my my review and thoughts on the Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM. that I posed earlier this week.  You can find all of my reviews at the top of our page.  Just click "Reviews". 

Here are a few Jay's great photos!

Lens Review: Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Consultant

One of the most common questions I get is, "What wide angle lens should I buy?"  It makes sense.  Most people buy a DSLR with the mid-range kit lens and maybe a telephoto zoom lens.  However for many photographers the allure of an ultra wide angle lens eventually draws them in to wanting one.  The question is which one?

The good news is if you shoot a camera with a crop sensor, you have many more choices than a full frame shooter.  Canon, Nikon, Sigma, and Tamron all make great ultra-wide lenses.  However Sigma has now officially produced the widest lens (non-fisheye) for crop sensor cameras, the 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM.

AF-S NIKKOR 24mm f/1.4G REVIEW

By Mike Zawadzki, Technical Consultant

The Nikon 24mm f/1.4G AF-S is Nikon’s latest addition to an already excellent lineup of wide angle lenses. The 14-24 f/2.816-35 f/4 VR are exceptional zoom lenses that are unmatched by any competitor in their class. Additionally the 24mm 2.8 PC-E lens is a terrific specialty lens. However one very important lens has been missing from the lineup since 2006.

The discontinued AF Nikkor 28mm f/1.4D is a legendary lens that sells for about $3,000-$4,000 on eBay. It hasn’t been made since 2006 and there hasn’t been a replacement for it either... Until recently. The 24mm f/1.4G AF-S is Nikon’s newest and fastest wide angle lens that is a bargain ($2,200) compared to it’s predecessor. It’s a bit wider too. But is it in the same class?