Digital Camera News and Reviews

Updates from the camera world



Month: June, 2008

Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 (Sony SAL-135F18Z) lens test / review by Photozone

27 June, 2008 (10:50) | Carl Zeiss, Lens, Review, Sony | By: Camera News

Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 (Sony SAL-135F18Z) lens
Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8

The excellent German website Photozone has reviewed the Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 (Sony SAL-135F18Z) lens. This telephoto lens seems very interesting with its fast f/1.8 aperture.

Photozone ends giving the Sony lens a “Highly Recommended” score as the lens is able to produce excellent pictures without any noticeable distortions, vignetting or chromatic aberrations. The only downsides are the high price (but what to you except from high quality optics) and lack of weather sealing.
Seems like an excellent telephoto lens if you are looking for a fast alternative.

Read the full review of the Zeiss ZA Sonnar T* 135mm f/1.8 (Sony SAL-135F18Z) lens here.

Mozilla Firefox – my favorite browser

27 June, 2008 (09:14) | Software | By: Camera News

For quite some time the mozilla firefox browser has been my choice for surfing the web. I especially like the way mozilla firefox use tabs for easier browsing and I find their use of tabs better than the Opera browser.
Another great feature is the ability to use add ons. There are many different add ons for mozilla firefox and my favorites are spell checkers in Norwegian and English, and different Greasemonkey scripts.

To get the program simply click this link to download mozilla firefox.

The browser is completely free and was just released in a new and improved version so check out this mozilla firefox free download. I do not think you will regret it if you are using the Internet Explorer browser.

Sony annonces new high end flash unit – Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit

25 June, 2008 (10:48) | Flash, Sony | By: Camera News

Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit
Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit

Sony has announced a new flagship flash unit, the Sony HVL-F58AM, that will be released in June, 2008. The Sony HVL-F58AM flash unit got a new Quick Shift Bounce system. The flash is able to move 90 degrees left and right on a horizontal axis in addition to the usual up and down movement. The HVL-F58AM flash unit is compatible with all current DSLR camera from Sony and will also be compatible with the new fullframe DSLR camera that Sony will release later this year.

Press release:
SAN DIEGO, Jun. 19, 2008 – Sony is expanding its a (alpha) system of accessories to include the new HVL-F58AM flash unit with exceptional features for versatile and flexible external lighting control.

Quick Shift Bounce and Expanded Versatility
This new flash features a new and innovative Quick Shift Bounce system. It offers more creative ways to achieve lighting, flash and bounce angles you may not have been able to experience before.

The flash head can pivot 90 degrees left and right on a horizontal axis in addition to the conventional up and down vertical adjustment. With this system, the camera and flash unit can keep the same orientation regardless of portrait or landscape shooting. This gives a higher degree of flexibility when arranging the direction of light.

For example, you can take full advantage of the flash unit’s built-in bounce card even during portrait shots since the flash head can maintain the same orientation as it would in the landscape position.

Enhanced Operability and Ease-of-Use
A powerful performer, the HVL-F58AM flash unit features a maximum guide number of 58 at 105mm and ISO 100. It recycles (or recharges) in as little as five seconds, approximately 55% faster than the predecessor HVL-F56AM model, so you are ready to capture the next shot. And because it features a quiet recycle charge, there’s no whine to distract you from your subject.
It also has a large, easy-to-read LCD screen that is about 13% larger than its predecessor’s. Its intuitive control layout makes it easy to control flash functions and configure the settings based on your shooting needs.

Wireless Auto Flash Control
This new flash has wireless auto flash control so you can remove the flash unit from the camera and easily light subjects from different angles. Photographers can create soft shadows to add depth to their images and avoid the strong shadows and hot spots that can occur with front lighting. The HVL-F58AM flash unit can also control the ratio of lighting from several off-camera flash units.

Up to three groups of flashes can be set up for optimal, complete control of lighting via a wireless connection. Flash output ratios can be adjusted automatically without having to do tedious exposure calculations. Additionally, you can fire a modeling flash to preview flash effects before taking the picture. Even with multiple units, the modeling flash fires according to the flash ratio you have set.

Advanced Features for Optimal DSLR Performance
One of the flash’s most advanced features is its sophisticated zoom control that automatically optimizes illumination angles that are suitable for either APS-C size or 35mm full frame sensors. This control reduces light “fall-off” at the periphery of images.

It also has an advanced white balance compensation system that gathers color temperature information, complimenting the white balance information reading of the camera. This achieves more accurate results when the main unit is in auto white balance mode.

Other features include: high-speed synchronization at shutter speeds of up to 1/4000 of a second, ADI flash metering, manual flash and zoom (six levels), multiple-flash, and a supplied mini-stand for greater wireless freedom.

Price and Availability
The HVL-F58AM flash unit will ship in September for about $500 at sonystyle.com, Sony Style® retail stores (www.sonystyle.com/retail), military base exchanges, and authorized dealers nationwide. Pre-orders begin online on Jun. 20 at www.sonystyle.com.

Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens review / test by dpreview.com

25 June, 2008 (09:57) | Lens, Olympus, Review | By: Camera News

Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 lens
Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens

Dpreview.com has reviewed this exciting new pancake lens from Olympus. The Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens were made to fit the small new Olympus E-420 DSLR camera, but fits all cameras using the FourThirds mount.

Dpreview.com ends up giving the Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens a “Recommended with resorvations” rating as the lens is able to produce sharp pictures and is very light, but got some vignetting and chromatic aberration. If you are looking for a very small lens to make your DSLR camera pocketable this might be the lens for you.

Read the full review of the Olympus Zuiko Digital 25mm f2.8 pancake lens here.


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