by Chris Gampat on April 3, 2012
Appealing to all those in search of Darth Vader’s Death Star, Canon has announced their new 60Da designed for astrophotography and as an update to the much older 20Da. So what are the important modifications (this isn’t really an upgrade.):
- A modified sensors that allows the camera to capture magnificent photographs of “red hydrogen emission” nebulae and other cosmic phenomena. This produces a 20-percent higher transmittance of Hydrogen Alpha line, or Hα wavelength, allowing astronomers to capture crisp, clear images of reddish, diffuse nebulae.
- The sensor itself has a modified infrared filter and is a low-noise sensor with heightened hydrogen-alpha sensitivity.
Those really seem to be the jist of it. Otherwise, the screen seems to be the same resolution but will work well with T ring adapters for telescopes. As a specialized product, the EOS 60Da is only available to order from select authorized dealers. The estimated retail price is $1,499.00 and it is expected to be available this month.
by Chris Gampat on April 3, 2012
As what other reviewers have been touting as one of the most exciting lenses to be released in a while at this focal length, the Rokinon 24mm f1.4 is an extremely affordable option compared to the Canon L version or the closest Zeiss version. Granted, all three are still different lenses: with two of the previously stated products being manual focus only.
The 24mm focal length is one that has been targeted to street photographers, documentary shooters, landscape photographers, and loads of others. But does this latest addition really do the job that most photographers want?
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by Felix Esser on April 1, 2012
Sigma has just announced the pricing on the upgraded version of their 50-150mm tele-zoom lens for DSLR cameras with APS-C sensors, the APO 50-150mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM. The lens now features Sigma’s proprietary Optical Stabilizer (OS) technology, which offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible. The Canon mount version of the lens will be available from next week, while the Nikon and Sigma mount versions will be available by the end of April. The lens sells for a street price of US-$ 1,099 and is available for pre-order at B&H Photo.
Technical specifications
- Focal length: 50-150 mm (on APS-C: equivalent to 75-225 mm)
- Max. / min. aperture: f2.8 / f22
- 21 lenses in 15 groups
- Internal zoom and focusing
- Close-focusing limit: 80 cm (2.6 ft)
- Filter thread size: 77 mm
- Size (D x L): 86.4 x 197.6 mm (3.4 x 7.8 in)
- Weight: 1335 g (47.1 oz)
- Available in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony mount version
by Chris Gampat on March 25, 2012
I was recently able to test fire and show a couple of sample images with the new Nikon 85mm f1.8 on my D5100, however I also was able to get my hands on a D700. Being a Canon 5D Mk II and 85mm f1.8 USM owner, I decided to put the two lenses in a non-scientific and totally practical test using all available light at around 7pm in NYC and only shooting at f4 and wider for a portrait.
So how did the two lenses perform?
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by Chris Gampat on March 23, 2012
Here on The Phoblographer, we’ve published lots of stories on lenses. There are all the lenses we have reviewed in our Reviews Index, but then there are other specific guides that we’ve put together. For those of you that are content with your camera, here’s a complete round up of all our lens guides published so far.
And if you have any requests, please let us know in the comments below.
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by Chris Gampat on March 22, 2012
Like many of you, I use on-camera flashes. In fact, I love them. If I don’t want to carry a giant monolight out, a speedlite (or speedlight for you Nikon users) can get the trick done with some use of the inverse square law and some smarts. I currently own the Photogenic SB2432 softbox that I absolutely adore. Adapting it required a bit of some trickery. But by using the Chimera Octa Speedring with on-camera flash adapter, I can actually use nearly any softbox there is with the exception of Westcott’s.
But is it really everything I need?
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