Sony RX100 Distortion Correction

A not terribly well kept secret: most compact cameras (and many mirrorless cameras) do an enormous amount of image correction in camera after the image is taken.  This is true of cheap compacts and the more expensive as well.  Even cameras like the Canon S100 and Sony RX100 which support RAW are correcting for lens distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration in both JPEG and RAW files. 

As an example, here's an image that I took recently with a Sony RX100 processed using Adobe Camera Raw and Photoshop CS6:

Sony RX100, 1/640sec at f2.2, ISO125. © Andy Marfia 2012 All Rights Reserved.

And here's the image as the camera lens captured it:

Sony RX100, 1/640sec at f2.2, ISO125. © Andy Marfia 2012 All Rights Reserved.

Quite a difference, isn't it?  To get this second image, I opened the RAW file in DXO Optics Pro instead of Photoshop and then turned off all distortion correction.  DXO, as I understand it, removes Sony's correction and then applies its own, so by turning it off you can restore the photo to what the lens actually recorded.  Adobe Camera Raw doesn't give you this option.

I find this interesting for a couple of reasons.  For one, photographers used to believe that RAW files were, well, "raw", a more or less a direct capture of what the camera recorded.  This is definitely less true than it used to be.  Also, I suspect that most users of this camera will never know this correction is taking place, and probably never care.  The combination of lens design and software in this case is quite effective, producing extremely straight, sharp images, and 99% of the time that works just fine.  Sometimes though, I like an image that's a little less than perfect, and I'm glad that DXO gives me a way to revert back to that when needed.

Further Reading:

• For more information on this trend towards in camera correction, I recommend this DPReview article from 2011: "A distorted view? In-camera distortion correction".  
• I also found this blog post by Gary Friedman which talks specifically about the Sony RX100.  Here's his explanation:
  
  "Like other late-generation Sony cameras, the RX-100 employs Lens Correction algorithms in its .jpg engine designed to correct for distortion, vignetting, and chromatic aberration in lenses whose optical blemishes were well-understood. In the past it was used to correct mild flaws in existing lenses, but this is the first time I've ever seen an optical team give themselves permission to make a sloppy design, knowing that it can be fixed in software later. They went this route because there was no other way to make a perfect conventional zoom lens with that much reach that could collapse so much."

Nikon causes internet tantrum with Mirrorless ‘1′ System

Nikon has announced their first interchangeable lens, mirrorless camera system today.  The company is calling it the Nikon 1 System.  At launch it will feature two cameras, the J1 and the V1, and four lenses.  The biggest difference between the two is that the V1 has an electronic viewfinder, where as the J1 does not.  Both will feature 10mp sensors which are larger than the sensors in compact cameras, but considerably smaller than Nikon's DSLR sensors or the sensors in other mirrorless cameras made by Olympus, Panasonic, Sony, or Samsumg.

I find these intriguing cameras, but I appear to be fairly alone on this.  At least, that's the impression I get looking through the overwhelmingly negative comments at DPReview and other photography web sites.  The sensor is too small!  Image quality is going to suffer!  It doesn't compete with other mirrorless cameras!  Mostly, what these complaints boil down to is, "Nikon hasn't made the camera I wanted them to make".  What they have made, instead, is a camera that's targeted at users of compact cameras, instead of the enthusiasts who read photography blogs.  This may be a poor strategy by Nikon, but it doesn't mean the cameras are junk.

Lost in the uproar is the fact that these have pretty decent image quality-- check out the sample photos on Nikon's web site-- the autofocus is supposed to be wickedly fast, and the video features are much more robust than most of us probably need.

On the downside: the price is much too high (at $649 and $899), and the lens lineup (thus far) leaves a lot to be desired.  There's room for improvement, to be sure, but this is an interesting product and I look forward to seeing what Nikon does with it in the future.

Further reading:

* For detailed specifications, check out Nikon's Web Site.
* Thom Hogan has a similar reaction to mine, and he's always worth reading when it comes to Nikon equipment.
* Of course, Amazon already has these available for pre-order.

Now I've seen it all - Nikon AW100 Camo Camera

A bunch of new cameras have been announced this week.  I'm not going to dwell on all of them.  Sony has announced not one, not two, but three new DSLR(ish) cameras all featuring 24mp APS-C sensors.  You know, for those who believe they need a 24mp sensor. (hint: you don't).  I may write more about these in the future.

Canon and Nikon have both announced some new compacts, but nothing that really jumps out at me.  If you're in the market for a point and shoot, now is a great time to look for sales on last year's models.  I'm personally waiting for the Canon 300 HS to drop in price-- my girlfriend needs a new compact, and Canon just announced the 310 HS.

Then there's the Nikon AW100, aka the camo camera:



I like this camera.  Leaving aside the silliness of it being released in camouflage-- what does that really accomplish other than making it hard to find if dropped in the forest?-- this actually looks like a nice piece of gear for the rugged outdoorsy type.  It's water proof to 33 feet, drop resistant to 5 feet, and freeze proof to 14°F.  One feature that I particularly like: it has an accelerometer inside, which allows you to assign functions (such as changing scene modes) to a specific swinging motion.  Useful if you're wearing heavy gloves.

The price is $379.95 and it'll be available in September in orange, blue, and black.  The camouflage version, for no apparent reason, is currently a European only model.

Nikon D5100 Dissected by iFixit

The folks over at iFixit have taken apart a Nikon D5100 and splayed its innards on a table for our viewing pleasure:



I'm not sure if I should be excited by this or creeped out.  It kind of reminds me of the dolls from Season One of Dexter.  Anyone else watch that?  Anyway, if you've ever wondered what's involved in taking a Nikon DSLR apart, they show you how to do it step by step.

Speaking of the Nikon D5100, it's now been reviewed at quite a few places, and everyone pretty much agrees that it's another solid camera.  Honestly, this isn't a surprise.  I believe we've past the point of diminished returns with DSRLs-- sure, they keep getting incrementally better, but they already exceeded most consumer needs with the previous generation.  It's smooth sailing from here.

Nikon D5100 adds a 1 to the name, new features too!

Nikon announced a new DSLR today, the not-very-excitingly-named D5100.  It's a replacement for the D5000.  I still contend that this naming scheme reminds me of a car, or perhaps the Atari 5200, but let's not dwell on that.  The important point is that it looks like a great camera, especially if you're in the market for a small, mid range DSLR.  It's basically a slightly modified D5000 with an image sensor borrowed from the more expensive D7000.  This is standard practice with camera companies these days: you upgrade a few things, trickle down some parts from another camera, throw in a gimmick or two to get people's attention, and vavoom: you have a new product cycle.

Here's what's upgraded from the D5000:

• A vastly improved LCD.  The D5000 had an ill conceived LCD that swiveled down instead of to the side.  Swiveling to the side is much more useful as it allows you to swivel the LCD when the camera is on a tripod or sitting on the ground.  It's also a higher resolution screen, at 921k pixels vs 230k.
• It's about 10% smaller than the D5000, and a bit lighter.  Smaller is almost always better, in my opinion.

And this is what it borrows from the D7000:

• The 16.2 MP Sensor, and all the features that come with that, including an ISO range of 100 to 25,600.  This sensor is really good, in my experience, but be warned-- the file sizes will eat a hole in your hard drive.
• All the video modes that come with the D7000.  1080p at 30/25/24fps.  I personally never use them.

BUYING ADVICE: If you already own a D5000 and are perfectly happy with that camera, keep shooting with it and be perfectly happy.  I assure you, your photos will not turn into a pumpkin at midnight.  If, however, you were thinking about buying a D5000, you may as well get the D5100.  I personally think the LCD screen is enough of a reason to chose the D5100, but obviously the newer sensor is a benefit as well.

Potential D7000 buyers will have to play a game of "what do I need?" vs "what can I afford?"  Yes, these cameras share the same sensor, but the D7000 has a whole host of professional features that are lacking in the D5100.  Notably, a weather sealed body, drive motor, 100% viewfinder, and 39 point autofocus system.  Of course, the D5100 is $400 cheaper.

Further info: Nikon USA, DP Review, Engadget.
Preorder at Amazon: Not available yet, but will be priced at $799 (body only) or $899 (w/ kit lens).

Nikon D7000 (sort of) in stock at B&H

I received an email today from B&H that surprised me: apparently the D7000 (body only) version has come in stock.  Only it's not really in stock-- they're just accepting pre orders again:

You've previously requested to be notified when the following item comes in to stock:
Nikon - NID7000
D7000 DSLR Camera (Body Only)

This item did not come in to stock yet, However, we are now accepting pre-orders and the item will be shipped when it comes in to stock.  If you still wish to be notified when it actually comes in to stock, please re-submit your request to be notified.

I purchased my D7000 last November through B&H, and to be honest, I'm surprised to see that it's still hard to find three months later.  Either Nikon is selling more cameras than anyone expected, or they're doing a terrible, terrible job at getting these puppies off the production line.  Probably a little of both.

Here's a link to the B&H preorder page, for anyone interested.  If you don't want to wait for the preorder, Amazon currently has both the body only and kit version in stock.

Having used the camera for three months now, I really don't have any complaints that I didn't touch on in my unboxing and first impressions post.  The image quality, weather sealing and 100% viewfinder are still fantastic.  the Mode dial still annoys me.  Overall it's a great piece of gear.

Nikon D7000 unboxing and first impressions!

I received my Nikon D7000 on Friday, November 19th.  The date is significant as it was exactly 2 months and 2 days since I preordered the camera from B&H.  I don't blame the delay on B&H, but wow, that's a long wait.

The camera arrived about 5 minutes before I left to meet some flickr friends for lunch.  I quickly unboxed it, attempted in vain to put my D90 battery inside (The D7000 takes a new battery-- I had forgotten this), then tried the battery that came with the camera.  To my surprise it had about half a charge.  Cool, I thought, I'm bringing it with!





What follows are my first impressions of the camera from that day and the following weekend.  This will not cover every aspect of the camera (for that, check out the preview at DPReview), just what I've noticed or what's important to me.

Size and Build:
I think too much has been written about how the D7000 is bigger and heavier than the D90.  This is overblown.  Yes, the spec sheet may show the D7000 as just a bit taller and heavier, but for all practical purposes, they're the same size and weight.  From a distance it's very hard to tell these two cameras apart.

Weather sealing:
Of course, there are differences, and significant ones at that.  The first is the improved weather sealing.  All the doors and openings now have rubber seals.  By no means would I describe this camera as water proof, but it's definitely an improvement from the D90 and should stand up well to light rain and snow.

Quieter Operation:
The D7000 has a much quieter shutter and mirror flap.  It was almost disconcerting the first time I heard it-- I actually wondered if there was something wrong.  And if that isn't good enough, there's also a quiet mode that makes even less noise.

Updated shutter release:
The shutter release button has a more mushy feel than the D90.  I don't think this is necessarily better or worse-- it's just different and will take some getting used to.  With the D90, the shutter had two very distinct clicks, one halfway down to focus, and the other to take the photo.  The D7000 has a distinct halfway point as well, but it doesn't click the way the D90 does.

Viewfinder:
I love the new viewfinder.  It shows 100% of what's being captured by the sensor as opposed to 96% by the D90.  I'm pretty anal retentive about my compositions, so this was one of my main reasons for buying this camera.

Autofocus:
The D7000 uses 39 autofocus points vs 11 with the D90.  In contrast, the D300 and up all have 51 points.  39 seems like plenty and I have no complaints with this system-- it works and works well in my limited use.

Autofocus Switch:
The autofocus switch that sits below the lens mount has been combined with the AF button that used to sit on top of the camera.  This made for quite a comedic few minutes the first time I tried to change the AF settings.  "Where did you put that button, Nikon!"  Of course, it's actually a great change, nicely combining all the AF functions into one place.

Mode Dial:
I have mixed feelings about the new mode dial.  It's now two tiered, which is great, but it also sticks up higher and the top dial is easier to bump out of place.  With the D90 I would periodically find the mode dial moved accidentally, and this is a problem that I expect will persist with the D7000.  It's not a deal breaker, and I'm not returning the camera, but it's pretty aggravating that Nikon screwed this up.  That top dial should either have a lock or be much harder to turn than it is.

Func and Preview Buttons
Both the function and depth of field preview buttons are now programmable.  On the D90, only the function button was.  So, if you're someone who never uses DOF Preview, you can assign that button to something else.

Live View & Video
There's a new Live View switch on the back and it has a nice snap to it.  The autofocus in Live View seems to work better than in the D90, and the camera will now autofocus while shooting video.

Larger file sizes:
Something to bear in mind when upgrading to this camera-- although the sensor is only 4 megapixels larger (16 vs 12), the file sizes are actually about twice as big.  This is because the D7000 gives you the option of shooting 14 bit instead of 12 bit RAW files, and also uses lossless compression.  With these settings turned on, the end result is a file of about 18-20mb vs 10mb for the D90.

Image Quality:
I may address image quality (IQ) in a second post, but in short, I don't think anyone will be disappointed with this camera.  From what I can tell, The D7000 equals the D90 in terms of noise control through ISO800 and is a touch better at ISO1600 and 3200.  With the D90, I would generally shoot from ISO200 to 800 without worring about image quality, with ISO1600 and 3200 saved for emergency use only.  With the D7000, I expect that my normal use will increase to ISO1600, with 3200 and 6400 being much more usable.



Final Thoughts:
Other than the too easy to move Mode Dial, I have little to complain about with this camera.  If you're a Nikon D90 owner looking to upgrade, this is a very capable camera, and I think you'll be pleased with the professional feature set and modest IQ improvements.  If you own an older camera and skipped the D90 generation, the decision to upgrade is much easier.  Finally, if you use the D300 or D300s, ergonomics will come into play-- some will prefer the smaller size of the D7000, while others may prefer the more bulky D300.  If you fall into the latter category, I suggest you wait until next year to upgrade-- there's bound to be a D400 eventually.

Where to Purchase?
Since I waited two months for my own camera, I'm probably not the best person to answer this question.  Amazon is currently not taking orders, and B&H shows the D7000 as unavailable.  I would try a local camera store or maybe give a big retailer like Best Buy a shot.  Or, just wait until after the holidays when production catches up to demand.

Update: Amazon now has the kit version in stock for $1,499.95.  This comes with the f/3.5-5.6 DX VR Nikkor Lens, which is pretty good lens as far as kit lenses go.  If you're hoping to get this camera before the holidays and haven't ordered it yet, this may be your best option.

Finally, I'll leave you with a photo.  This is the first shot that I took with the D7000:


Nikon D7000 with 35mm lens, 1/800sec at f6.3, ISO200.  I'm looking north on State Street in this photo. 

Update: I'm slowly posting additional photos on flickr, and will continue to do so indefinitely.  Just follow the D7000 tag if you'd like to see more.

Fuji goes retro with FinePix X100

Photokina is this week-- the once-every-two-years trade show for the photography industry.  As a result there's sure to be a bunch of new products announced, and Fuji got things started yesterday with an interesting new camera, the Fuji FinePix X100 compact.  It's a fixed lens camera, with a fixed focal length of 23mm (35mm equivalent) using a custom APS-C 12.3mp sensor.  Fuji claims that it's manufactured the 23mm lens to perfectly match the APS-C sensor, and that the priority for this model is "picture quality".

The X100 is a camera that's likely to confuse your Average Joe Best Buy shopper (what, no zoom lens?) but should get photography enthusiasts plenty excited, and in particular those familiar with 1960 and 1970s era rangefinders that this camera is clearly an homage too.  Check out that all metal top and leather covering-- if that doesn't scream 1970 I don't know what does.



Of course, the whole retro concept isn't skin deep.  There are dedicated manual controls for shutter speed, aperture, and exposure compensation, and also included is a brand new and thoroughly unique "hybrid viewfinder" that can toggle between an electronic and an optical display.  Fuji claims this will give the user the "best of both worlds", pleasing traditionalists without sacrificing on the modern conveniences of the digital era.

The one omission is a dedicated dial for manual focus, and Fuji has conveniently left any mention of manual focusing out of their literature-- I guess we'll have to wait for a production model to see how that works.

Overall, the X100 is a nice development from Fuji, who have spent the last few years chasing a 3D camera market that just isn't there. 

Want to learn more?  I suggest checking out the excellent write up at The Online Photographer or head over to Fujifilm dot com.  There's also a helpful promotional video at Engadget which explains the concept.  Fuji says we can expect this camera in early 2011, and pricing will apparently be in the ballpark of $1000.

Nikon D7000 blows up the internet

Wow.  If the various articles and commententary that I'm reading on the internet are any indication, Nikon has caused a lot of drool to hit the floor today among photography enthusiasts.  I'm talking about the just announced Nikon D7000, successor to the enthusiast level D90 DSLR. (I'm leaning towards calling it the D7k-- it has a nice ring to it, no?).

The reason for the drool is that Nikon has delivered (surprisingly, in my opinion) on all the speculation that's been floating around for this camera, which I first mentioned here.  In essence, if there was something that anyone thought was lacking in the D90, the D7000 pretty much has it.  100% viewfinder: check.  Weather sealed body: check.  Improved video: check.  The kitchen sink: check.  Check out Nikon USA or DP Review for the full rundown, but here are the main improvements:

100% viewfinder vs 96% for D90.

Magnesium Alloy body with weather sealing vs. polycarbonate unsealed body.

39 autofocus points (with auto focus fine tuning) vs. 11 points.

Continuous shooting at 6fps vs. 4.5fps

16 Megapixels vs. 12.

Native ISO range of 100-6400 (with boost to 25600) vs. 200-3200 (6400)

Maximum shutter of 1/8000 vs 1/4000

Improved metering system.

Improved 1080p HD Movie mode.

Dual SD/SDHC/SDXC card slots.

So what does that all add up too?  These aren't trivial changes.  Basically, Nikon has put a pro level camera in a D90 body.  It's not so much an upgrade to the D90 as it is a shrunken D300s.  On paper that sounds fantastic.  I've used a D300 and love it, but definitely prefer the smaller form factor of the D90/D7k.

So I'm definitely purchasing this camera, right?  Well, it may surprise some people that I don't know.  Leaving aside the fact that I can't just pull $1200 out of a mattress, the one thing lacking on the internet right now are any actual photos shot at ISO 1600 or higher.  Sure, Nikon can claim improved image quality, but until we have some images to look at, it's all just marketing hype.  The proof will be in pudding, as they say.  Or in this case, the photographs.

Note: this will be for sale in October for $1199.95 (body only).

Update 9/17: my resolve to wait for image samples lasted less than 48 hours-- I just preordered a body only version of the D7000 from B&H.  I figure, even if the image quality isn't improved, it can't be worse, and I'm more interested in the new professional features of this camera anyway.

Canon 60D and Nikon D90 (D7000) to deathmatch for all eternity

(or, at least the next two years)



I haven’t written about Canon cameras very often on this blog.  This is simply because I don't shoot with Canon cameras (although I did enjoy their A series of compacts for a while).  Still, the new Canon 60D (announced yesterday) caught my attention.  Mostly because it's a continuation of the previous 20D-30D-40D-50D line of cameras, but not strictly a continuation, part upgrade and part downgrade from its predecessor.

The upgraded parts: it gets the same 18mp sensor used in the Canon 7D and Xti, and also the movie modes of those cameras.  It also adds a swivel LCD if that's something that interests you.

The downgraded parts: The smaller body is made of plastic and aluminum instead of the stronger magnesium alloy of the 50D.  It loses a few frames per second, from 6.3 to 5.3, and it now takes SD cards rather than Compact Flash.  Of course, the price will also be downgraded slightly, to $1100 at launch (body only).

The same: The 9 point AF system is unchanged.  The viewfinder increases from 95% coverage to 96%-- basically the same.

Most of the commentary that I've read have called this a "repositioning", but no one has really talked about what Canon is repositioning this camera for.  In my opinion, it's to better align their camera line up with the competition, specifically Nikon’s popular D70-D80-D90 line.  The D90 has always had a slight price advantage over the 50D, but lacked the 50D's more robust body.

Here's where things get interesting in dorky camera nerd land.  The next version of the D90 is coming in September (likely called the D7000), and rumors point to it having a bunch of pro features previously reserved for Nikon's D300 and up.  Here's the most recent wish list:

Magnesium alloy body
100% viewfinder
Dual memory card slots
39 AF points
ISO up to 25600
Somewhere between 6-8 fps.
1080 HD video
16 megapixels for the pixel self conscious
Improved flux capacitor

(note: I culled this list from these two Nikon Rumors posts, except for the last one that made up)

Of course, all of that is just rumor at this point, but even if only some of those specs are included, what we'll be left with are two cameras: one from Nikon that's aspiring to be a professional camera, and one from Canon aspiring for the serious amateurs. 

Which one do you think will sell better?  A lot will depend on price. (Update: the D7000 has been announced and will sell for $1199.95 at launch. The Canon 60D will sell for $1099.95).

Ricoh GRX followup

Back in November, I wrote a pretty critical blog post about the new Ricoh GRX camera system, so I thought I should follow up on that.  There are a few reviews out now, including this one at DPReview (which tests the camera with its 50mm sensor module).  DPReview has some nice things to say about the GRX-- in particular the image quality is quite good-- but they also echo my own thoughts to a tee:

"In the digital age lenses tend to have a much longer shelf-life than camera bodies. Many photographers who replace their digital SLR every two or three years still use lenses that were originally purchased in the 80s or 90s. By fixing the lens to the sensor unit Ricoh practically reduces the lens' useful life to the sensor's. The GXR macro lens is a very nice piece of optical equipment now, and still will be in five years time. However, at that point how many photographers will be interested in using it with what will doubtless by then be an outdated sensor?"

In short, my feelings about this camera haven't changed.  It's a flawed design concept, as is, and I think Ricoh is going to swing and miss on this one.  At the very least, if I were someone interested in buying this product, I would wait a year to make sure it's still around.

Giroux Daguerreotype for sale, only $280,000 plus change!

A rare example of the world's first commercially-produced camera, the Giroux Daguerreotype, will go up for auction in May of this year.  For the camera collector with deep, deep pockets, the starting price is a measly €200,000 ($280,000), with an expected sale of over €500,000!  The Giroux Daguerreotype was named after Louis Jaques Mandé Daguerre (who invented the Daguerreotype in 1839-- one of the earliest photographic processes) and Alphonse Giroux, who manufactured the camera.  I can't find any information about how many of these were made.  It's possible no one knows.

Of course, were you to buy this, good luck finding the copper plates (coated with iodized silver) necessary to make images, not to mention the mercury vapor to develop them.  Kodak and Fuji stopped making that stuff in 1848... I'm kidding, Kodak and Fuji didn't even exist back then.  No, you would pretty much have to make everything yourself, which is no easy task.

Source: Engadget via RegHardware.

The GRX: has Ricoh lost its mind?

Ricoh has announced an interesting new camera today-- or rather, a new camera system.  It's called the GRX and is truly one of the most unique products released into the digital camera market in the last ten years.  It's also a bit of a head scratcher, from both a design and a marketing standpoint.  I think this picture explains the concept pretty well:



What you're looking at is a camera system which divides the camera into two parts: the camera back, and an interchangeable lens/sensor module.  Unlike a DSLR which puts the sensor permanently in the camera body, Ricoh has gone the opposite route and attached the sensor permanently to the lens.  This is an unusual approach to camera design, to say the least, and Ricoh's logic seems to be this-- allowing interchangeable sensors means you can use different sensor sizes for different lenses.  It also means that dust cannot get into the sensor module, so if dust is a concern for you (it isn't for me) this may be an important factor.

I think the biggest problem facing this system is cost.  It's all quite expensive: $549 for the body, and $830 and $440 for the two modules available at launch.  It's even worse when you consider that each lens will become obsolete at whatever point the sensor it's attached to becomes obsolete.  This runs completely against conventional wisdom, which has always held that buying lenses is an investment that retains value over time, where as camera bodies (in particular digital camera bodies) depreciate as new and better cameras are released.  We've also been told for years that the sensor was the most expensive element in the camera, so it seems impractical to buy a new sensor each time you buy a new lens.  A better system would be one that's fully modular, where the body, sensor, and lens are all interchangeable.

Sorry Ricoh, but as is, I just don't think this system will succeed.  You can find out more about about the Ricoh GRX at the Ricoh website, or check out the full preview (with some impressive sample images) at DPReview.

UPDATE: DPReview now has a full review of this camera.

Cameras don't matter! No, wait, they do!

I can't decide who is more annoying this week: equipment whores (ie: photographers who believe that only the most expensive camera equipment is worth buying), or the "cameras don't matter" contrarians.  The former category can best be summed up by the growing chorus of internet chatterers, on blogs and in message boards, who have decided that everyone should switch to "full frame" DSLRs.  Nevermind that most people don't even know what the difference is.  The later, by the likes of Ken Rockwell and others, who has apparently now decided that a toy camera or an iphone is all anyone needs.  Well, I don't agree with either camp.

The truth is, your camera either matters or doesn't matter, depending on what you intend to do with it.  For example, if you're a) shooting everything in daylight, b) you don't particularly care about depth of field, and c) you don't plan on printing anything larger than 8x10, then it probably doesn't matter whether you have a cheap point and shoot or a DSLR.  Also, if you prefer the look of a toy camera or an iphone, then either the camera doesn't matter, or it does, because you will actually need that particular camera to get that particular look.  Photos from a Holga do not look the same as photos from an iphone, which do not look the same as photos from a Nikon D90.

For me, it matters that I have a camera that shoots effectively at ISO800, because I take a lot of photos handheld in dim lighting, and I want my photos to have as little noise as possible.  For that same reason, it also matters that I use lenses that either have a good VR system, or fast apertures (or both).  So I need a good DSLR and at least semi-professional lenses.  What doesn't matter to me is whether the camera is "full frame," half frame, or records photos in the fourth dimension: so long as it gets the job done otherwise.  The needs of your hobby, art, or profession may differ from mine.

The problem is that both sides take their arguments too far.  A full frame camera is not some panacea that will make your photography better.  No amount of gear can make up for bad technique or a poor composition.  At the same time, anyone who argues that the camera doesn't matter AT ALL has clearly never tried to do sports photography, or astral photography, or anything else remotely specialized with an iphone.  To argue that the camera doesn't matter at all is just silly talk.  It does.

Note: this blog post was partially inspired by my friend egophony.  Also, insomnia and a large cup of green tea.

Pentax releases world's ugliest camera: the K-x Red

Dear Pentax,

We need to talk.  I don't mean to get on your case-- in the past, I've liked some of the cameras you've put out.  That K7 you released earlier in the year, boy that K7 looks like a winner.  But this new camera, Pentax.  This K-x, as you're calling it.  Red?  Really?  Did you really think that was a good idea?  I mean, I can understand the white version, and maybe even the blue one isn't so bad.  People like color, I get it, we like variety.  But bright red?  On a DSLR?  Frankly you look a little desperate.

Sincerely,

Andy

The Panasonic GF1: A little competition can't hurt?

It's a good time to be a photography enthusiast.  Panasonic has just unleashed (I get tired of writing "announced") the LUMIX GF1, a new Micro 4/3rds compact camera with an optional electronic viewfinder.  In addition, they've unveiled a new 20mm f1.7 lens, and the GF1 will be sold with either that or the already available 14-45mm kit lens.  



The GF1 is a direct competitor to the Olympus E-P1 that I wrote about back in June.  The two cameras share the same lens mount, 12.3mp sensor, and are more or less the same size.  The E-P1 is perhaps the more stylish camera, with it's classic silver finish, but I find both cameras appealing in their own way.

To date, the E-P1 has been pretty thoroughly reviewed by everyone and their pet goldfish, and the consensus seems to be that it's an excellent little camera, with DSLR like image quality, marred by just a few shortcomings-- lack of a viewfinder and built in flash (if those matter to you), relatively slow autofocus, and a low resolution LCD screen.

Enter the Panasonic GF1, which would seem to answer those shortcomings.  Electronic viewfinder?  Check.  Built in flash?  Check.  Higher resolution LCD?  Check.  Improved autofocus?  Check.  Ability to talk in robot voice and read the photographer's mind.  Umm... just kidding.  The one feature lacking from the Pany that the Olympus has is sensor shift vibration reduction.  Panasonic has decided to go the lens route for image stabilization-- thus their 14-45mm kit lens is stabilized but not the 20mm.  I think this is a big advantage for Olympus.  (I'm personally waiting for Olympus to release an E-P2, which is rumored for the fall, before making any purchases).

More info on the GF1 can be found at DPReview (which has a nice photo gallery), the DC Resource Page, and The Online Photographer.  It should be available in October for $899 plus an additional $200 for the viewfinder.

(Note: Goldfish photo by -Fearless-)

Sony A850: only $83 per megapixel

Sony has announced a new full frame, high resolution DSLR, the A850.  This camera is significant because it currently sits as the least expensive high resolution DSLR.  At $2000 and 24.6mp, it comes out to roughly $83 per megapixel.  The Canon 5D Mark II, by comparison, costs $2,699.95 at 21.1mp, or $128 per megapixel.  The Nikon D3x at $7,999.95 and 24.6mp comes out to an astounding $325 per megapixel.  So... if you need that many pixels (I don't) this is probably a good deal.  An added bonus to Sony cameras is they come with sensor based image stabilization, so every single lens you throw on the camera will be stabilized.

This will be available in September.  For more information I'd check out Imaging Resource, which not only has the announcement but a full blown review as well.

The Era of the Gimmick Camera has begun

Samsung announced a new compact camera this week, the DualView TL225.  So why am I bothering to write about this?  It's because this camera contains the ultimate gimmick, an LCD screen on the front as well as the rear of the camera body.  Call it the Myspace camera-- other than cheesy self portraits, this really has no useful function.



I expect this trend will continue, and not just LCDs in wacky places, but whatever other nonsense camera manufacturers can include to generate interest.  The photography market is saturated right now, and we've reached a point where just about everyone already owns a digital camera of some sort.  Maybe an LCD screen on the front is that extra nudge that gets someone to upgrade.  Or how about some cool looking analog dials on top of the camera?  Or a built in projector?  The possibilities are endless.

So what's next?

• Cameras with voice activation?


• Cameras that can read your mind, enabling faster response time?  Never miss that decisive moment!


• A camera slash Easy Bake Oven combo?  Ummm... just think of all the brownie and cupcake photos.

Yoshihisa Maitani dies at the age of 76

"The object of photography is to express what is in your heart and mind.  A camera is just a tool for taking pictures.  As a designer, I want to design a camera that becomes an inseparable part of the photographer, a camera that dose not get in the way.." -Yoshihisa Maitani

Yoshihisa Maitani passed away on Friday at the age of 76.  How familiar you are with Yoshihisa Maitani probably depends on how familiar you are with the cameras made by Olympus in the 1960s and 70s.  Maitani was the designer chiefly responsible for the Olympus Pen and Pen F cameras, the OM 35mm SLR system, and the XA ultra compact rangefinder cameras.  In short, if it was produced by Olympus from the late 50s through the 1980s, Maitani was likely involved.  He retired from Olympus in 1996.

The cameras of Maitani were innovative for a variety of reasons, but their most defining characteristic was their size and weight, which was consistently smaller and lighter than other cameras produced at the time.  The original Pen was a half frame camera released when no one else was making half frame cameras.  The OM-1 was essentially the world's first compact SLR, and the XA is still to this day the smallest rangefinder camera that I'm aware of.  If I could describe his overall design aesthetic in just a few words, it would be to make the camera as compact as possible while keeping the controls full sized.

Maitani was truly unique in the photographic world, in that he was a well known and a well regarded designer in an industry that normally does not have individual stars.  This is particularly true in Japan, where corporate culture treats products as the creation and property of the company.  In spite of this, in the late 1970s Maitani was featured in a series of advertisements in the US that promoted him as the mastermind behind Olympus, using slogans such as:

BEHIND THE GENIUS OF OLYMPUS CAMERAS IS A GENIUS.

THE CAMERAS OF MAITANI. THEY'RE MORE THAN CAMERAS. THEY'RE INVENTIONS.

And my personal favorite:

I CANNOT TAKE SOLE CREDIT FOR DESIGNING THESE LENSES. I HAD HELP FROM A COMPUTER.

Ah... the modesty!

(For the record, I also had help from a computer in writing this blog post.)

You can read the full text of these ads at the Maitani Olympus fan page. [Sadly, this link is no longer working]

Other than Oskar Barnack (who created the first Leica) and Victor Hasselblad (who has a company named after him) I can't think of any other camera designers who received anything close to this level of notoriety.  Does anyone know who designed the Nikon F, for example?  How about any Canon or Pentax camera?

Of course, this leads to a chicken and egg question.  i.e. Which came first, Maitani reputation as a camera designer or the ad campaign by Olympus promoting him as a genius?  In other words, would we have known who this man was without the ads?  I have no way to answer this conclusively, but I believe that we would, and the simple reason is that his cameras are still being bought and sold today on ebay, and still being used by photography enthusiasts around the world. 

Also, his design aesthetic to make cameras smaller has continued at Olympus in his absence.  Readers of this blog will have noticed that Olympus has recently relaunched the Pen branding with the Digital Pen System.  We'll probably never know what Maitani thought of these new camera-- which are admittedly vastly different from his original creations-- but I suspect he was happy to see his vision moving forward into the digital era.

The beat goes on: Nikon announces the D300s

Nikon has announced today a follow up to their successful D300 professional camera, the D300s.  That "s" stands for superduperterrific! (or... something like that).  Now, I don't intend this blog to be a place where I opine about every new camera launched, however, since I am primarily a Nikon user this is of interest to me.

The D300s is a D300 with some minor changes.  It has more or less the same 12.3mp sensor as the D300 and the D90, but includes a 720p video recording mode that the D300 lacked but was included with the less expensive D90.  It also adds a continuous shooting speed of 7fps, dual CF (compact flash) and SD memory card slots, and a "quiet mode" which delays the release of the mirror until the shutter has been released.

In short, if you already own a D300, there's absolutely no reason to buy this camera, unless you really really want to record video with your DSLR.  But if you were in the market for a D300 and haven't pulled the trigger yet, then the D300s makes a lot of sense.

Personally, I'll be sticking with my D90 which works just fine for me, but if I needed a more robust camera body (and had $1799.95 to spend), this is the camera I would buy.

Note: Nikon also released a new entry level camera, the D3000, and two upgraded lenses.  You can read more about this at Nikon USA or elsewhere on the net.