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Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 review

 Lens reviews, Nikon, Photography  Comments Off on Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 review
May 012022
 
Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 review


Nikon 200 500mm

Nikon 200 500mm


This lens interesting for me as an amateur wildlife bird photographer and I had a chance to check it. What makes it interesting ? The focal length, the price (depend on country and financial ability of person), and that it is a Nikon native product, which is somehow seems better regarding with compatibility of new Nikon cameras, while in case of Tamron or Sigma lenses it is not guaranteed that will work on new Nikon cameras. On the other hand long term it is not guaranteed in case of Nikon neither as we saw with Af-P lenses, or newer mirrorless camera bodies. This is a full frame lens, but I think I would prefer to use it mostly on Aps-C cameras like Nikon d7200 series or the Nikon d500.

Nikon 200-500mm FL E ED VR f/5.6 specification

Minimal focus distance: 2.2m / 7,22 ft
Aperture: f/5.6-f/32
Max reproduction ratio:
Aperture blades: 8 rounded blades
Filter size: 95 mm ( non rotating)
Size: 108 x 267 mm approx.
Weight: 2300 g ( 5 libs. )
Optical formula: 12 elements in 9 groups with 3 special ED elements
Stabilizer: yes with 2 modes
Supplied accesories: LC-95 95 mm snap-on Front Lens Cap, LF-4 Rear Lens Cap, HB-71 Bayonet Hood, CL-1434 Lens Case
Af: SWM silent focusing

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 controls

There are 4 buttons : vr on – off, focus limiter, autofocus manual focus switch, Normal or sports mode. And there is one additional button to stop zoom creeping which can be set only at 200mm to fix the lens not lengthening accidentally. There is enough button to do anything you like.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 built quality

The lens is reasonably well built with metal mount and plastic barrell. No wobbling, unwanted movement or any irregularities can be experienced. In long term I cannot predict how durable it is, or more interestingly how it resists some kind of abuse which can occur at intensive usage like unoccidentally dropping, rain or. Compare to my full metal Canon 300mmf/4 which works perfectly even today, not as toughly built.
The lens extends a lot while zooming, and one turn is not enough to achieve the 500mm setting.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 stabilizer

Seems a real world the stabilizer very effective at 1/800 s f/5.6 500mm is not easy to produce a sharp shot.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 optical quality


500 mm f/5,6 wide open 1/800s Nikon d7000 very sharp with pleasing background blur
Most interesting question here: is it good enough for this price point ? I do pictures only on wide open aperture at 500mm setting. Other setting for me is not really interesting. It is a very sharp lens as I see.
Regarding contrast, colors I think will not match up with super expensive primes at the same range, but very close.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 sharpness

Very sharp even wide open at 500mm f/5.6. No complaint. Please notice that depth of field (sharp area at the picture) is very narrow at this setting. The original picture is almost 2x times wider.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 alternatives

Sigma 150-600mm Sports and contemporary version, Tamron 150-600mm, 100-400 and other long zooms, Nikon autofocus and manual focus primes (300,400,500,600 mm including old manual focusing ones), the older Nikon 200-400mm and Nikon 80-400mm lenses, Nikon d900,d1000 compact cameras. Starting with compact cameras the picture quality is not the same especially in not ideal weather conditions which in some places for example England or Northern countries can mean almost all year, and on the other hand we speak at the compact cameras 2000mm and 3000mm maximum focal length which is simply not possible in Dslr world even at a very high price point. In case of distant birds in bright sunlight these cameras can produce acceptable results for an amateur photographer.
Comparing the 150-600mm zooms for me the Nikor 200-500mm is sharper than the Tamron 150-600 even wide open, and I think is even sharper than the Sigmas. The Nikkor zooms (80-400,200-400) go only up to 400mm which is a big difference. The 200-400 has a reputation than cannot focus sharply at distance, which is not the case for the new 200-500mm.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 opinion

Simply as I see this is a very nice lens, sharper than the Tamron 150-600 or the Sigma 150-600 lenses, compare top primes much more complicated design (18/12 lens elements with 2 ED elements), more lens elements so not expect the same image quality as the big or smaller primes, but very close. The weight for me totally acceptable but it depends for a women can be heavy in longer times. If you are an amateur and likes simplicity like I like, one lens for a safari or travel can be interesting.
In price point depend on where you live, it is not a cheap lens. The zoom option gives good option for landscapes as well with a bird or animal or without.

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 Pros

– Excellent optical quality
– Well built
– very sharp
– Not so expensive as big primes 500 f/4 or 600 f/4
– 500 mm focal length at f/5.6

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 Cons

– Big compare to normal lenses
– Heavy compare to normal lenses
– Turning zoom ring requires more grip as it turns around 140 degree

Nikon 200-500mm f/5.6 conclusion

The Nikon 200-500mm seems a very capable product optically, with its native manufacturer priced very reasonably compare to the range and optical quality. For tripod use it is ideal, if you can cope with its weight it is good for handheld usage as well. Seem Nikon produces a winner here for those who can afford, as price is almost double in Europe than in the Us.

 Posted by at 9:43 am
Apr 222021
 
Birding Canon EF lens Micro 4/3 Olympus camera

Birding with Canon ef lens on a micro 43 camera
I thought about long ago to check a Micro 4/3 body with a Canon prime lens for more reach and smaller size for mostly birding purposes. I would even title this article as the ‘cheapest lightest quality kit for birding’
Panasonic or Olympus are the choices regarding camera bodies, the Olympus M 5 is cheaper and seems better suit to my goals, than the Panasonic Gx80 (which is quite popular nowadays) or other Panasonic (like GH4 GH3) cameras. The Panasonic are famous about their video capabilities. It is an experiment not yet know to keep the kit or sell and change or go back to normal Canon setup. I will write about the camera in more detail below.
Cheap birding kit with compromises, but with several advantages. The kit looks like this : Canon EF 300mm f4 (non is) cheap EF micro 4/3 adapter, Olympos E-M5 Mk I 16 megapixel camera. It is an experiment until now
mostly I used Canon cameras with Canon EF lenses. The above kit is much lighter and brighter or the two combined. But not perfect as you will see in details below.

You can click for 100% crop of the original 16 MP jpg

You can click for the original 100 % jpg

No post processing as it comes from the camera lens wide open (as I see perhaps with the Kenko 1.4x converter, think because of contrast)

Why this lens and this camera

The lens is superb, the camera not bad either and both of them are quite affordable. I use a Kenko 1,4x as well, and perhaps an another 1,4x converter as well.

The camera – Olympus M5 Mk I.

I know this camera has even has a Mark III. version, my friend bought one, looks quite interesting night mode and 50 high resolution mode, 20 Megapixel sensor and others.
This (the Olympus M5 MK I) camera was a Gold award winning camera in Dpreview whatever this means at that time (2010) when it was released and has the same ballpark numbers in Dxomark like a Canon 550d / Canon 7d generation. In short numbers or awards doesn’t tell the whole story. For birding many cases needed high iso and high shutter speed. In high iso the camera according to my opinion not as good as my old Canon 30d which has lower numbers in Dxomark. The pixels are smaller and sometimes more paint like smearing of detail. But has good bright colours, better dynamic range, than the Canon 30d, 550d-7d, colors I would say better than either my Canon 30d or my Nikon d7000. Dynamic range of the Nikon d7000 is better, noise also much better. But overall the image of the Olympus looking quite good to my taste, different than the Nikon although both has Sony sensors. Not compare to Full frame wonders naturally. I was little worried about the shutter how is it behaves with constantly high speeds, but seems not a problem. The maximal shutter speed is 1/4000s which I rarely use.

Birding-with-Canon-ef-lens-on-a-micro-43-camera

Bare lens wide open

Disadvantages

First the disadvantages: this is at least with the cheap adapter is manual focus only, perhaps a more expensive Metabo adapter can do the autofocusing trick, another disadvantage is that it is not possible change the aperture during shooting. But if you put a Canon Ef lens on a Canon camera body with dof button you can set different aperture, and remove the lens while pushing dof button, but not possible on the Micro 4/3 camera at least with the cheap adapter. After you mount the lens and used the prefixed aperture. The lens quite sharp wide open but the dof is not huge especially with a 1,4 x converter. If the bird is close aperture would be better to narrower, but mostly the brighter aperture better because of high shutter speed and therefore higher iso numbers. Missing autofocus is not a problem for me as I just playing with it, but compare to the professional Canon autofocus 30% of the manual focused shot are good enough to keep, I speak about distances 30m and more, for closer distances obviously easier to manual focus.

olympus M5 Canon 300 f4 iso 1600

olympus M5 Canon 300 f4 iso 1600

The above photo is heavily cropped in moderate light in shadow at iso 1600, the picture look ok at 50 percent crop at 100 pcent crop / uncropped is washed ugly. This is not bad according to my opinion at this price weight combo. Obviosly it would not compete at 10 times more expensive and three times more heavy setup.

Advantages

I can have a bright lens with f/4 which is similar to 375mm on an Aps-C camera, with a 1,4 teleconverter you have similar like 530mm f/5,6 equivalent lens on the Aps-C camera. Or otherwise explain you can get 1,25x more reach compare to Aps-C. This is a huge advantages regarding usability. The added reach makes it much more interesting. Even add double 1,4x converter can have more reach not photo but ‘birding’ quality

Observations
OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA with Canon 300 f4

The focus is on the tail of the bird which not correct

– I not spend much times yet with this combo
-The smaller sensored camera not as generous with the lens with the teleconverter than the bigger Aps-C sensored Canon cameras. Purple fringing which doesnt exist on C30d here appears, look not as sharp with the converter.
-Manual focusing is not easy, possible missing lots of shot by the not proper and not so fast focusing.
-With the bare lens the quality is superb, and has a bright lens which otherwise would cost a fortune. I speak about 6-7 times more money for a f/2,8 lens or 3 times money for a super Canon 400m f/5,6, unless I think about a Tokina 300 f/2,8 which is much worse regarding purple fringing.
-Some click on the aperture, like f/5 may lift the quality little bit more.
-Much lighter, smaller kit than the usual Canon 7d 400mm f/5 combination.
-Picture quality on the Olympus E-M5 camera very good, but little different characteristics than the Canon files, looks nice, but sometimes paint like in detail at higher iso-s.

 Posted by at 9:22 am

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm review

 Canon, Lens reviews, lenses, Photography  Comments Off on Canon 50mm 1.8 stm review
Mar 052021
 
Canon 50mm 1.8 stm review

The Canon 50mm 1.8 stm is a nice upgrade to the older Canon 50mm 1.8 II lens, which was an interesting piece of equipment (Nifty fifty). Unlike its solid built predecessor it was a filmsy plastic wonder, with nice optical qualities, but cheapo focus motor. The new lens is upgraded many ways, but still plastic, but better built than the earlier version.
canon 50mm stm review
The above picture was made at f/1.8 aperture, just before sunset, I have no complaint about picture quality.

In terms of lens pricing it is more affordable than most quality lenses. The original lens was a 6/5 element gauss design, the stm version is upgraded optically as well not just in terms of build quality.

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm technical parameters

canon 50mm stm review 2
The lens length is changing via focusing the front element app. 5mm (0.2 inch) coming out of the barrel at the maximum situation, see the picture above. The lens built from plastic with a metal mount. The stm motor is not silent for video recording at least not on my old C30D. The sound is deeper than the usual screw drive lens motors, and more pleasant. Compare to other stm lenses the 40mm pancake more quiet. The lens is compatible with full frame and Aps-C cameras as well.
The lens has electronically controlled manual focus. Like Nikon first omit the aperture ring from old lenses, and Canon and Nikon
omit distance scale window from cheaper prime lenses, this is the new thing when the camera not actuated by the shutter button
no manual focus function. What is it for ? Not to use the lens on other cameras like Olympus, Panasonic etc, I have no other idea.
On Canon camera not a big drawback, even on my very old C30D the lens functions very well. Do not expect though super autofocus
speed or accuracy in low light.

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm focal length

As it is a prime lens is important to understand the focal length. On Aps-C cameras it is more of a portrait lens / short telephoto. Some people can use it as their only lens, but for me I want wider lens for general usage. Optimal focal length on Aps-C for a wedding for example, for portraits. On full frame cameras it is wider but not as wide as I like it to be. You cannot be lazy with prime lenses you need to compose your pictures carefully in terms of aperture and field of view as well.

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm optical quality

Compare to the original version the aim was to make it sharper and has closer focusing distance which was succeded. Not as sharp as the much bigger Sigma 50mm f/1.8 Art lens though which is tack sharp at f/1.8 but much bigger heavier and less fun. Vignetting can be expected at wider apertures, especially pronounced on Full frame cameras.

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm compare to

Compare to the earlier version the new version focuses 4 inch closer (10cm) 35 vs 45 cm. Both lens has the same 6/5 gaussian design.

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm Pros

– small
– light
– excellent image quality

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm Cons

– electronic manual focus
– No distance scale

Canon 50mm 1.8 stm verdict

Cute little lens with good qualities, if you can use it recommended ! It is a fun lens to have play with depth of field and highlights low light situations, for example like campfire.

 Posted by at 4:46 pm

Canon RF 800mm f11 release date review specs compared pricing

 Canon news, lenses, Photography  Comments Off on Canon RF 800mm f11 release date review specs compared pricing
Oct 222020
 
Canon RF 800mm f11 release date review specs compared pricing

canon rf 800mm f11
As a birder this thing is quite interesting (long focal length, more affordable than super duper telephoto lenses),
as a photographer f/11 what is it ? In photographic terms, everything below f4 is a dark tunnel, all of us heard / read this before. I do not even like f/5,6 lenses, but would be interesting an 500mm f/5,6 for example which no one would like to release. (Canon, Nikon, Sigma, etc), sorry Nikon released an 500mm f/5.5 fl Ed vr. This lens is aimed at RF system which is a mirrorless one, and it is a Full frame lens, for me as a birder the longer one is much more interesting. After many sample shots can judge picture quality. The f/11 aperture is a serious drawback, very dark only can be somewhat acceptable photographing the sky / birds in the sky / airplanes and such bright things as fire / UFOs etc. The minimal focus distance is 6m, nobody
like this I guess, would be really great if it were shorter like 3 or 4m or so.
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How to use it ?

The lens is compact when we transport it, than when we want to use it first need to unlock it, after pull for longer physical size than locking again.
Other thing to consider is shutter speed, it is a good idea to place it on a tripod or monopod, and first try with nearly static subjects (in a zoo for example). For moving subjects or handheld you need shutter speed like 1/1600s or even more to get consistently sharp results, depending on your hand shake. The subject must be minimum 20′ or 6m away.

What is it good for ?

Think about it as a telescope, with very narrow depth of field. Birding, wildlife, aviation, surfing such things came in my mind. Not portrait, macro, landscape. So the usage of this lens is quite limiting, including the reasons below regarding f/11 aperture.

Biggest drawback f/11 fixed aperture

The lens has a fixed f/11 aperture, cannot be stopped down if you want more areas in focus, and won’t be brighter either. This means in practical terms that almost useless in all but the brightest situations. Electronic viewfinder can compensate dark viewfinder view, but if you point the lens upwards and there are plenty of light and the sensor cannot capture the dynamic range you don’t see nothing. Not a case with the optical viewfinder.

Biggest advantage compare to the competition

The lens is smaller and lighter than the competition, and perhaps more
affordable than some other Canon mount lenses. Not fair to compare this price wise
this to a super expensive telephoto which is much brighter and has better picture
quality. Don’t be fooled with marketing you get quite a different thing for this
money.

Is it worth to buy RF camera because of this lens ?

If you already have an RF camera, this lens is interesting. If you don’t have
you need to decide, according to your budget. I prefer optical viewfinder (Dslr) and
fully functional brighter lens for birding, which you can get much cheaper, for example
a used 7d with a 400mm f/5,6 with a 1,4 teleconverter. Not a full frame camera, not the
latest lens, but more usable according to my opinion.

Canon RF 800mm f11 Specs

Filter thread: 95mm / 82mm for the 600mm f/11
Mount: Canon RF (mirrorless, not fit for Dslr)
Weight: 1260 g / 950g for the f11
Dimensions: 101,6*351,8 mm
Minimal Focusing distance : 6 m
Optical stabilizer in lens: yes
AF motor type: Stm

Canon RF 800mm f11 release date

Canon RF 800mm f11 lens already released.

Canon RF 800mm f11 pricing

The price in the US is 699 Dollars, in Europe you can expect lot more.

Canon RF 800mm f11 Pros

– Small, compared to the focal length
– light, compare to what it is
– more affordable than the super expensive EF telephoto primes

Canon RF 600mm f11 Cons

– Dark f/11, dark view, slow photographically
– No weather sealing
– Not L build quality
– picture quality not yet known, but don’t expect wonder for this price, no control for out focus areas (aperture)

Canon RF 800mm f/11 teleconverters

There are 2 special teleconverters for this lens, older EF converters are not fit to this lens. According to my experience the 2x teleconverter is useless for 99% of the lenses except the really sharp ones, like the Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 II, or the other wonders. The lens will be immediately f/22 which is a useless setting for high megapixel digital cameras unless you shoot landscapes from 30 cm. I would not the put the f/1,4 either. Yes you get
reach, but eliminate picture quality many ways (diffraction, high ISO, low light quantity, motion blur).

Canon RF 800mm f/11 alternatives

There are many alternatives, the EF mount lenses, like the
Sigma 150-600mm, Tamron 150-600mm, the good old Canon 400mm f/5.6, Nikon Coolpix P900, P1000 compact
camera with 2000mm focal length or more with the same lighting conditions perhaps has similar results

 Posted by at 4:01 pm
Oct 152020
 
Canon powershot zoom
Canon powershot zoom

Canon powershot zoom

What is it ? It is a small pocketable mononcular which can shoot superzoom stills and video. For example can shoot a goal of the football or soccer match or the distant bird or animal. (If you skilled enough to do this, not an easy task to capture a moment like this) It has a 12 Megapixel 1/3″ sized point and shoot sensor, and can shoot HD video at 30 fps. It has a four axis stabilizer to make pictures usable. Focal length 100 and 400mm and digitally can extended 800 mm. The weight of the gadget is only 130 g. At d/5.6-6.3 aimed at good light usage. The initial price will be 300 USD. The gadget works as a point and shoot camera with minimal operation.

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Canon powershot zoom release date

The planned release date of the new Canon powershot zoom is 2020 November.

Canon powershot zoom pricing

The initial price will be 300 USD. European prices not yet known.

canon powershoot zoom

canon powershoot zoom

Interesting gadget, no predecessor, or similar product yet known. Don’t expect miracles about picture quality from a small sensor. The tipical point and shoot sensor size is 1/3,5″ (7,25 mm), this gadget has a little bigger sensor 1/3″ (8,46mm).

 Posted by at 11:17 am
Sep 102017
 
Nikon d850 release date review specs

(Nikon d850 release date 2017 september, 3300 USD, 45 Mpix, 4K UHD video at 30fps, HD video at 120 fps)
nikon-d850-release-date
The new Nikon d850 is soon coming, with a 45 Mp sensor, 4K UHD video at 30 fps, for 3300 USD.

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Nikon D850 order link at BH photovideo

Nikon d850 specs

Sensor: Full frame 36 x 24 mm without anti aliasing filter
Pixel count: 45,7 Megapixel
Sensor type: BSI CMOS sensor (back illuminated)
Image processor: EXPEED 5
Sensor auto focus system: Multi cam 153 point 20K system
Monitor size: 3,2″
Monitor type: tilting touchscreen
ISO range: 64 – 25,600
Base ISO at 64
9 frame per sec burst mode

120 frame per sec HD video
8 K time lapse capability
180K Pixel RGB sensor focus shift mode
Burst mode: 7 frames per second for 51 frames
Connectivity: Snap bridge blue tooth and Wifi
Built in flash: NO
Dynamic range: said is similar to the dynamic range of the
the Nikon d810
Improved battery

Nikon d850 release date

Downsides: No CF cards
No in built camera flash

Nikon d850 release date

The camera seems to be available from 7th of September 2017

May 192017
 
Upupa epops

upupa-epopsThe Upupa epops or Hoopoe is a small bird which is common in Hungary between March and September. The bird spends the winter in Africa. The bird likes open areas, agricultural farms, typically can be found walking on dirt roads looking after insects. This is a widely spread bird in many places throughout Eurasia and Africa.

This is not particularly shy bird, relatively easy to approach, but keeps the distance if you want to go too close. In flight the black and white pattern of the wings is more apparent, if we can photograph from closer distances.

It is also called stingy bird, because in case of danger the chicks

Breeding

The bird usually lay 5-10 eggs in a hole of tree or in a building. Only the female incubating the eggs, but feeding is done by both parents. The male birds fighting heavily with each other for the females and for the territories.

 Posted by at 6:52 am
Feb 242017
 
New Sigma Art lenses coming

4 new Sigma Art lenses coming
New Sigma Art lenses coming. At this time we can expect 4 new lenses, some of them are unique in the market. Nowadays Sigma really rocking, with lenses like the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art, Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art , or the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art series lenses. Not to speak about the new Sigma 85mm f/1.4 Art lens, which is also unbeleivable.

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The new lenses are:

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 art

It looks like a bright ultrawide lens for astrophotographers, with a huge bulb element.

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8

The standard workhorse lens of the wedding photographers.

Sigma 135mm f/1.8

King of bokeh type of lens with a unique f/1.8 aperture.

Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3

Lighter super telephoto lens with a moderate aperture for hobbyists. It will be similar in performance like the popular 150-600mm type of lenses according to recent information.

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No price information yet about the new Sigma Art series lenses.

Feb 182017
 

Canon 77d release date

canon-77d-release-date

Canon 77d release date is expected in April 2017. At the moment it looks like a 200 USD cheaper 80d, if the sensor is the same. It looks has anything Canon has to offer, apart from 4K or other gimmicks.
The new Canon dslr camera coming between the Canon 80d and the Canon 770d with a 24,2 megapixel CMOS sensor. This camera starts a product line on his own, which is in the serious amateur consumer-prosumer segment. The camera has 45 all cross type focus points and a Dual pixel af system.

It will have newer processor (DIGIC 7), has lower burst speed (6 fps), higher native ISO range (100 – 25,600) than the Canon EOS 80d. The LCD monitor is articulated touchscreen. The camera has a Dual-pixel autofocus, but no phase detect focus (Meaning non Canon lenses won’t af in live view mode I guess). The viewfinder coverage is lower (95 vs 100%) than the coverage of the 80d. The price of the new 77d is 200 USD cheaper, than the price of the 80d.

Canon 77d specs
Pixel count: 24,2 effective / 25,8 Megapixel
Exposure compensation: +-5 EV, +-3 EV in AEB
Highest res: 6000×4000
Viewfinder: pentamirror / (pentaprism for 80d line)
Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Viewfinder coverage: 95 %
Focusing system: 45 cross-type af points
Burst mode: 6 fps
Camera weight: 540g (18,05 oz.) without lens with battery and memory card, 493g body only
Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.7 x 1.8″ / 112 x 68 x 44,5 mm
Native ISO range: 100 – 25,600
Camera mount: Canon EF
Sensor format: Aps-C
Sensor size: 22,3 x 14,9 mm
Kit lens: EF-s 18-55mm f / 3,5-5,6
Viewfinder: yes
Built in flash: yes, guide number 12 meters
Bluetooth: yes
Wifi: yes
NFC: yes
Video resolution: 1920 x 1080 at 60 (59,94) fps
Tilting LCD: yes fully articulated
LCD size: 3″
LCD resolution: 1040k dots (1620k in case of the Canon M5)
Picture styles: 3 No User Defined ones, Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Fine Detail, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome
White balance settings: Auto,Day Light, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light
Flash,Color temperature, Custom
Battery: LP-E17 x 1
Battery life: 820 shots using the viewfinder
Movie recording time:

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The question is whether the new sensor used in the Canon 80d is in the camera with the wider dynamic range or the older one in the 760d (13,2 vs 12 EV), or something in between. Between the two sensor there is a significant difference in high ISO performance (1135 vs 915) and color depth (23,6 vs 22,6 bits) as well.

Compare to the 80d apart from the sensor are the following: less viewfinder coverage (95 vs 100%), lower burst rate (6/7 fps), lower max shooting speed (1/4000s vs 1/8000s) but has wider native iso range, newer image processor (Digic 7 vs 6). For me any of these are not seem a deal breaker, if the sensor is the same.

Canon M6 release date

The camera will be available from April 2017.

Canon 77d price

The initial price of the new Canon EOS M6 is 899,99 USD.

Canon 77d promo video

Feb 152017
 

Canon M6 release date

canon-M6-release-date

The new Canon mirrorless will have a 24,2 megapixel CMOS sensor. The camera is little smaller and lighter than the predecessor (the EOS M5), but unfortunately has smaller screen, and has no viewfinder. It is cheaper though than the Canon EOS M5.

It will have newer processor (DIGIC 7), has faster burst speed (9 fps), higher native ISO range (100 – 25,600). The camera will be available in black and silver colors. The camera has a Dual-pixel autofocus.

Canon M6 specs
Pixel count: 24,2 effective / 25,8 Megapixel
Highest res: 6000×4000
Camera weight: 390g without lens with battery and memory card
Dimensions: 4.4 x 2.7 x 1.8″ / 112 x 68 x 44,5 mm
Native ISO range: 100 – 25,600
Camera mount: EF-M
Sensor format: Aps-C
Sensor size: 22,3 x 14,9 mm
Kit lens: EF-m 15-45mm f / 3,5-5,6
Viewfinder: No
Built in flash: yes, guide number 5
Bluetooth: yes
Wifi: yes
NFC: yes
Video resolution: 1920 x 1080 at 60 fps
Tilting LCD: 180 degree up, 45 degree down (85/180 in case of the Canon M5)
LCD size: 3″
LCD resolution: 1040k dots (1620k in case of the Canon M5)
Picture styles: 3 No User Defined ones, Auto, Standard, Portrait, Landscape, Fine Detail, Neutral, Faithful, Monochrome
White balance settings: Auto,Day Light, Shade, Cloudy, Tungsten light, White fluorescent light
Flash,Color temperature, Custom
Battery: LP-E17
Battery life: 425 shots (ECO mode on)
CIPA compliant: 295 shots
Movie recording time: app. 85 min.

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The question is whether the new sensor used in the Canon 80d is in the camera with the wider dynamic range or the older one in the 760d (13,2 vs 12 EV), or something in between. Between the two sensor there is a significant difference in high ISO performance (1135 vs 915) and color depth (23,6 vs 22,6 bits) as well.

Canon M6 release date

The camera will be available from April 2017.

Canon M6 price

The initial price of the new Canon EOS M6 is 899,99 USD.

 Posted by at 11:16 pm
Jan 082017
 
Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art release date price specs

sigma-85mm-1-4-art-release-date

Seems the long awaited Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art portrait lens is finally coming. This lens was expected when the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 Art lens was released. This kins of a lens is a workhorse for the professional portrait photographer. For 1200 USD it is not really cheap, but much more affordable than the competition (Nikon 85mm 1.4 and the Canon 85mm 1.2 version II lenses). The wide f/1.4 aperture helps to create pleasing buttery creamed background for portrait photography. I think this lens is extremely sharp if it follows the line of the Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 Art, Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art, and the Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 lenses. Regarding the competition it is cheaper by 400 USD than the Nikon version, and 600 USD than the Canon version (the 1.2 though), which makes the lens quite attractive.

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Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art specs

Filter size: 86mm
Lens elements / groups: 14/12 not the simplest design
Special lens elements: 2 SLD and 1 asperical lens element
Lens weight: not specified by the manufacturer, means it is a heavy beast or put it another way the optical quality is the most important here
Minimum focusing distance: 85cm
Max. reproducing ratio: 1:8.5
Dimensions: 3.73 x 4.97″ (94.7 x 126.2 mm)
Angle of view: 28.6º
Aperture range: f/1.4 – 1/16
No. of aperture blades: 9
Compatibility: Full frame
The lens is compatible with the Sigma’s USB dock and the MC11 lens converter.

Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art price

The price of the new Art series lens is 1199 USD. (January 2017)

Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art release data

The lens can be purchased from 2017. It is already available, but seems it is back ordered.

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Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art MTF curves

Below you can check the MTF curves for the new lens.
sigma-85mm-1-4-art-mtf-chart
The upper line is the contrast the below line shows resolution (detail).
The left part of the chart shows the center of the lens, the right part is the extreme corners.
The ideal MTF would be a horizontal line as close to 1 as possible.

Actually if we use this lens for portraits the corners are not so relevant, but I am sure everyone prefers dead sharp corners as well, if for example we use the lens for landscapes occasionally.

Sigma 85mm 1.4 Art link at Sigmaphoto website

you can check official website here

 Posted by at 5:24 am
Nov 302016
 
Nikon d5600 release date

nikon-d5600-release-date
The Nikon d5500 was quite a successful camera for Nikon, got good reviews, and was the first Nikon with a Touchscreen (if I remember well). The new Nikon d5600 wants to continue this camera line with more connectivity and creativity.

The new camera has the good old 24,2 MP resolution CMOS sensor without optical low pass filter, has 39 autofocus points with 9 cross-type sensors, and a deeper grip for better handling.

The autofocus system now tracks in 3D. The camera can take photos at 5 frames per second in burst mode, and HD videos at 60/50 frames per second rate (see complete specification below).

The camera has a new Time-lapse mode. The camera advertised with connectivity. The Snapbridge app helps to connect the camera with the smartphone via Wifi and NFC.

The camera can be purchased with the new Af-P lenses (18-55 and 70-300mm) as well optimized for video recording.

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Nikon d5600 specs
Sensor

Sensor: 24,2 MP CMOS
Sensor size: DX 23,5*15,6mm
Optical low pass filter: No
Sensor cleaning: yes
Dust off reference data: yes with Software

LCD monitor

Monitor type: fully articulated
Monitor resolution: 1037 K dots
Touchscreen: yes

Mount

The camera has a Nikon F mount.

ISO range

ISO range: 100-25,600

Physical parameters

Weight: 16.4 oz./465g
Camera dimensions: 4.88 x 3.82 x 2.76″ / 124 x 97 x 70mm

Viewfinder

Viewfinder coverage: 95%
Viewfinder magnification: 0,82

Shutter speed

Max shutter speed: 1/4000s
Burst mode: 5 frames per second

Video

Video resolution: 1920×1080 at 60/50/30/25/24 fps
1280×720 at 60/50 fps (the actual rates are 59.94 and 23.976)
File format: MOV
Encoding: H.264/MPEG-4 Advanced Video Coding
Max length of clips: 29 min 59 s

Metering

The camera can meter in Matrix, Center-weight average, Spot (3.5mm circle, 2.5% of the frame)

Compatible lenses

Autofocus is available with AF-S, AF-P and AF-I lenses

Functions

Built in flash: yes
Flash synch speed: 1/200s
Exposure compensation: +-5 EV
Wifi: yes
NFC: yes

Supported languages

Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hindi, Hungarian, Indonesian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Marathi, Norwegian, Persian, Polish, Portuguese (Portugal and Brazil), Romanian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Swedish, Tamil, Telugu, Thai, Turkish, Ukrainian, Vietnamese

Camera modes

Auto modes (auto, auto [flash off]); programmed auto with flexible program (P), shutter-priority auto (S), aperture-priority auto (A), manual (M), scene modes (portrait, landscape, child, sports, close up, night portrait, night landscape, party/indoor, beach/snow, sunset, dusk/dawn, pet portrait, candlelight, blossom, autumn colors, food); special effects modes (night vision, super vivid, pop, photo illustration, toy camera effect, miniature effect, selective color, silhouette, high key, low key)

Nikon d5600 price

The initial price of the new Nikon D5600 is 596 USD (body only), 796 USD with the 18-55mm and 796 USD with the 18-140mm lens. The camera also can be purchased with the new AF-P 18-55 and AF-P 70-300 lenses as well. These lenses similarly to Canon’s stm lenses has the stepper motor which is silent and optimized for video recording, allowing smooth transitions.

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 Posted by at 9:51 am