Welcome to a brand new feature — the Weekly Wrap-Up — a compendium of some of the articles published this week on Photofocus. Controlling the "feel" of an image with the Illuminati meter After years of shooting, I also tend to get set in my ways. However, sometimes it’s good to get out of your familiar bubble and explore with new techniques and equipment, especially if it can help you become more efficient. Read more... Photography Marketing: Are leave-behinds effective? As we sat down to enjoy an amazing ice cream cone from Brooklyn Ice … [Read more...] about Weekly Wrap-Up: November 4-10, 2018
Sigma
Could this lens possibly become the best 70-200mm f/2.8 on the market?
Sigma first unveiled their new series of lenses series at Photokina in Cologne, Germany last September. This new collection includes five new lenses to their three Global Vision product lines: Art, Sports and Contemporary. As a sports photographer, I was really intrigued by the announcement of their highly anticipated 70-200mm f/2.8 zoom lens. I made sure to stop by their booth at PhotoPlus Expo to get more information about this new high-performance telephoto lens. 10 exclusive low-dispersion glass elements What in the world is a … [Read more...] about Could this lens possibly become the best 70-200mm f/2.8 on the market?
Huge news from Lumix: New cameras, new lenses, new system
Panasonic has announced a new line of full-frame mirrorless cameras, a new lens mount, a new lens for micro four-thirds and the new Lumix Pro Services. Let's take a look at the new tools and the impact they could have. S1 and S1R, 24 megapixels and 47 megapixels The S1 and S1R area completely new, but they are the next evolution in mirrorless cameras from Lumix. Lumix has been building mirrorless cameras for 10 years and these cameras promise to build on that legacy. They are already refined and have the features photographers and … [Read more...] about Huge news from Lumix: New cameras, new lenses, new system
Should I get a prime or zoom lens?
When I first started photography, I didn’t take my buddy’s advice — invest in a better quality lens before upgrading your camera. It was a mistake I never made again. So when it came time to decide if I need a prime lens in my bag, I called on his advice again. Instead of telling me what to do, he explained the difference between a prime and zoom lens plus the benefits of each for me to make my own decision. Here’s how I used his advice many years ago when deciding which portrait lens was best for me. Understanding prime and zoom lenses A … [Read more...] about Should I get a prime or zoom lens?
David Metz, photographic industry icon, dies at 71
Dave Metz was a true innovator in the photographic industry. He joined Canon in 1977 and through three decades there started several programs that are ongoing today. Dave's career included his starting Canon Professional Services (CPS), the Canon technical representative program, the Explorers of Light as well as Canon's support for special events including the Olympics and NFL Super Bowls. He rose through the ranks to become the director and general manager for professional services at Canon. He left Canon in 2006 to start Dave Metz … [Read more...] about David Metz, photographic industry icon, dies at 71
Sigma Goes Big with Seven E-Mount ART Lenses for Sony Mirrorless Cameras
Sigma Corporation of America has announced that it will introduce seven new E-Mount lenses for Sony mirrorless cameras to their Global Vision Art series. Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Sigma 135mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art for Sony E-Mount Additionally, two new Art lenses will be Introduced at … [Read more...] about Sigma Goes Big with Seven E-Mount ART Lenses for Sony Mirrorless Cameras
Bridesmaids and The Bride
Let's be clear on one important fact. I. Don't. Shoot. Weddings. Period. Back when film was photography's medium, I did my share of weddings. For the most part, it was fun. I took great satisfaction in recording a happy time for the couples and their families. Early on I noticed that the women of the bridal party were outwardly happy while, at the same time, wondering how they and been convinced or was it coerced into wearing hideous (their description not mine) eggplant or fuschia colored dresses that would never leave their closets until … [Read more...] about Bridesmaids and The Bride
Sunday Comics: Reviewing the “Bigma”
Sigma makes lenses that constantly garner great reviews. Then there's the 200mm to 500mm f/2.8 green 35 pound, $25,999.00 behemoth affectionately nicknamed the "Bigma." Check out these reviews from Amazon.com. Amazon Customer Reviews 5.0 out of 5 starsHelps put snooty photographers in their place. ByObi WanTOP 100 REVIEWER on March 7, 2016 Style: Canon DSLR Cameras A co-worker has one of those camera lens coffee mugs and is always yammering on about how it shows how much he's into photography. So I got this, removed the … [Read more...] about Sunday Comics: Reviewing the “Bigma”
Everything You Need To Know About Micro 4/3 Lenses
Mirrorless cameras are wonderful tools, and I'm going to be writing regularly about their attributes. Quick intro to Micro Four Thirds, a.k.a. MFT, M43, Micro 4/3. The key characteristics are that they have interchangeable lenses, they are almost always smaller than DSLR's, they generally cost less than DSLR's for similar features, and they have a sensor that is smaller than DSLR's. The sensor is shaped in a 4x3 ratio, not a 2x3 ratio like DSLR's, which makes a picture that is less wide. One thing that makes Micro 4/3 cameras significantly … [Read more...] about Everything You Need To Know About Micro 4/3 Lenses
Photofocus Products Of The Year – Kevin Ames
Editor’s Note: It’s time for something new. In the past, Photofocus has made it a practice of acknowledging a specific camera and/or lens as the “camera/lens” of the year. This year several of us are putting together a list including camera and lens choices along with a few other pieces of gear that we think you’ll like. While it’s not designed specifically as a holiday gift guide, this list does happen to be a resource for photographers (and their friends/family) who want to get the ball rolling on their holiday shopping. A few things … [Read more...] about Photofocus Products Of The Year – Kevin Ames
Two New Sigma Art Lenses
At Photokina 2016, Sigma announced two new additions to their globally renowned ART series of DSLR lenses. 12-24mm f/4.0 DG HSM | A ultra1wide angle zoom lens for Canon, Nikon & Sigma full frame DSLR 85mm f/1.4 DG HSM | A short telephoto portrait lens for Canon, Nikon & Sigma full frame DSLR 12-24mm f/4.0 DG HSM | Art Architectural, interior, landscape and nature photographers will love this Art version of Sigmas venerable 12-24mm ultra-wide zoom lens. This beauty promises a significant update to the previous … [Read more...] about Two New Sigma Art Lenses
Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
I hike every week with my family, and I travel by air and shoot in other cities every month. You and I both know that using a tripod unlocks picture opportunities that just can't be made without one. I can use it for super long exposures to blur the sea and clouds, or reduce traffic to trails of light down the road, and make waterfalls that pour smoothly into eternity. However, carrying a tripod can be wearisome. Just thinking about carrying it on a seven-mile hike makes my shoulders and legs hurt. I know I need a tripod, and I know my … [Read more...] about Looking for a Hiking Tripod? Platypod Max is It
Photofocus Podcast March 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
https://soundcloud.com/photofocus/the-mirrorless-show-photofocus-podcast-march-28-2016 On this episode of the Photofocus #Mirrorless Show Scott and Marco will discuss these new products and mirrorless topics: Marco takes a closer look at the partially overlooked Fujifilm X70 compact camera. Does it offer more camera than you may think? Scott shares his first hand experiences from WPPI camera show in Las Vegas. He played with the new Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmar 100-400mm f4-6.3 lens, the new Sigma sd Quattro H, the Leica SL with the … [Read more...] about Photofocus Podcast March 28, 2016 — Mirrorless with Scott Bourne & Marco Larousse
Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Field Test
EDITOR'S NOTE: This is a special guest post by Robert O'Toole A new Sigma 150-600 S Nikon mount lens arrived on my doorstep in early December from Sigma USA, just in time for a couple of big trips. This would be my tenth annual trip to Bosque del Apache in New Mexico and the first time I did not bring a prime long lens. I first tested the lens at Bosque. Then I traveled to the north shore of Oahu and was lucky to be able to catch some perfect conditions to burn a few gigabytes with this new lens and here are my first impressions. Weight of the … [Read more...] about Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM S Field Test
Simply Stunning: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8
I gotta say, I loved using this lens. Sigma has really out done themselves. I know some people say they've owned Sigma lenses and the photos were poorthose lenses were the low end stuff; I could say the same about cheap Nikon and Canon lenses I've used. Sigma's newest professional lenses, however, are the amongst the best glass I've ever used. I'm talking here about the latest version, not the older one with the gold trim. I borrowed this one from LensRentals.com to photograph a golf tournament, and it was the best thing I could have done. I … [Read more...] about Simply Stunning: Sigma 120-300mm f/2.8
Comparing the Sigma and Canon 50mm to the Zeiss 55mm
Editor's Note: This is a guest post from Roger Cicala of LensRentals.com I suspect Ill never be on any manufacturers early review copy list for new lenses. There are already plenty of good early lab reviews on the eagerly awaited Sigma 50mm f/1.4 Art lens our there. So when we received our first Sigma 50 f/1.4 Art lenses for rental stock I really didn't plan on posting about it. But I always think its worthwhile to review multiple copies of a lens bought off-the-shelf from retailers. Plus, well have our new MTF bench installed in another … [Read more...] about Comparing the Sigma and Canon 50mm to the Zeiss 55mm
Hot Gear: Sigma 50mm 1.4 and Panasonic GH4
In a recent conversation with Chase Reynolds over at LensRentals, we couldn't wait to talk about all the new "hot gear". They see quite a bit of inventory come and go from their warehouse so it's always interesting to hear about the different products that are being moved on a daily basis. The two products he chose? The Sigma 50mm 1.4 and the Panasonic GH4. Listen to the conversation here. (Starting around 17:15) Get the show here or get it on iTunes Don't forget to post a review on iTunes. Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG HSM … [Read more...] about Hot Gear: Sigma 50mm 1.4 and Panasonic GH4
