Innholdsfortegnelse for November 17, 2012 i Amateur Photographer

IN AP 27 OCTOBER WE ASKED… Is the Sony investment in Olympus a good thing? THE WORD ‘manipulate’ has become slightly corrupted in the minds of most of us by the negative implications of its most common usage. When an accountant manipulates the figures it’s generally to disguise something he’d rather not be seen. When an osteopath manipulates a sore back, though, we tend to be glad of it – in the long term, at least. In photography, manipulation has similarly conflicting identities, as both a positive and a negative term. While all photographs are by necessity a manipulation of actuality, the first thoughts of many, when the two words come together, is of cheating and deception. And when some manipulation is required, but too much is, well, too much,…

Edited by Walter Guadagnini Skira Editore, £39.95, hardback, 335 pages, ISBN 978-88-572-1032-1 THIS is the second volume in a four-volume series, and like the previous title – Photography: The Origins 1839-1890 (AP 24 December 2011) – it contains a wealth of excellently researched information and copious photographs reproduced to a high quality. This volume covers a period of rapid evolution in the history of the medium. The years between the end of the 19th century and the mid-20th century also saw some terrible events in modern history – revolutions, dictatorships, two world wars and global economic crises. Through essays by writers and historians such as Gerry Badger, the book takes the reader through the technological development of photography, its uses in the context of what was happening at the time…

IN RESPONSE to news that Lexmark is to abandon the inkjet printing side of its business (AP 6 October), a spokesperson for rival company Epson said, ‘There is no plan for us to pull out of the inkjet market’. I don’t wonder! The cost of printing ink is one of the biggest rip-offs in photography! Epson printers (mine included) are conditioned to refuse compatible inks by giving out a ‘replace cartridge’ warning (even with a full one) or ‘cartridge not recognised’ as a means of preventing us hard-up users resorting to ink other than Epson’s. The printers then flatly refuse to work until a set of Epson cartridges is installed. It’s like owning a car that will only run on one brand of petrol. I love home-printing, but the thought…

ART WOLFE has worked in extreme environments around the world, but the place in which I’m interviewing him – a bungalow in the quiet Hertfordshire town of Potter’s Bar – is not one of them. Art is briefly staying with a friend while lecturing in London, and although he’s in a location that’s anything but wild, he looks perfectly at home. Art has, over decades of international travel while on assignment, developed the ability to look and feel comfortable in almost any culture or environment. At 61, he is one of the world’s most accomplished nature photographers, and his portfolio, shot during his prolific 35-year career, includes spectacular wildlife, landscape and portrait work. ‘We cover everything up, but in other cultures people are comfortable without clothes. Sometimes it seems to…

David Simpson Girl on Sofa Olympus OM-2SP, 50mm, Fujifilm Reala 100 THIS is a lovely picture of a young lady resting her head on the sofa, probably after some strenuous activity like drawing on the walls. What makes it work is David’s low angle, putting us on her level so we can look her straight in the face. However, what lets the shot down is that the girl’s skin is too red. I opened the Hue/Saturation window and shifted the hue of the image to the right to lessen the red, and then reduced the saturation of the red channel. This brought the colours closer to what they should be, and made the girl’s skin look more natural. You can see chromatic fringing on the edges of the burnt-out areas…

Tim Coleman Deputy technical editor A COMPACT system camera (CSC) is, as its name implies, small in size, so it is interesting to note that the best-selling CSC range – Panasonic’s Lumix G series – is one that includes a viewfinder and is therefore physically larger than others of its type. Even larger than the G series is the firm’s flagship GH series, and the latest camera in this range is the Lumix DMC-GH3. This model is the largest we have seen from the company so far, being substantially taller than the GH2. Such a bulky CSC suggests a serious photographic tool. Indeed, after a couple of press events and a Hands-on review (AP 6 October), we have been impressed by what the GH3 offers. With its predecessor, the GH2,…

COMPARING CAMERAS Q As well as general photographs of birds, people and buildings, I enjoy macro photography of insects and bugs. Although I am pleased with the results I get from my Canon PowerShot SX30 IS, I am thinking about getting a DSLR. There is only one store in my area that has a good selection of cameras that I can look at and feel, and I’ve decided that I like the Canon EOS 600D as it’s in my price range and has good reviews. However, I can’t take comparison photos of my usual subjects in the store. If I could, it would enable me to make a comparison with my SX30 IS. If I had an EOS 600D with an 18-135mm lens and cropped my images to match those…

Richard Sibley Technical editor AT THE time of the Olympus XZ-1’s release, photographers praised the highend compact camera as an excellent alternative to the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX5 and Canon PowerShot G12, which were both seen as top-of-therange compact cameras for enthusiast photographers. Now, 21 months on, the competition is even more fierce.. Announced in September at the photokina trade show, the new Olympus Stylus XZ-2 will have to strike the right chord to exceed the popularity of its predecessor. With this in mind, the XZ-2 has undergone a redesign and received a range of new features that should, once again, see Olympus challenge the likes of the Panasonic Lumix DMC-LX7 and the Canon PowerShot G15 for the compact crown. FEATURES Thankfully, Olympus has been sensible with the improved resolution of…

‘With compact cameras it feels like manufacturers are now making it up as they go along’ AS I STEPPED out into the beer garden, a bright flash illuminated the sky. For a split-second, time seemed to stop and I felt paralysed by the blinding, otherworldly light. Just as quickly as it arrived, night returned and I cradled my pint against my chest as I collapsed to the ground. I was checking my watch for missing time when Eli shoved a camera under my nose. ‘Check it out!’ he said, his 460,000-dot screen assaulting my retinas. I saw illuminated mist, badly bleached skin tones and a pair of evil red eyes glaring from a figure slumped on the ground. ‘What am I looking at – a homeless Satan?’ ‘That’s you!’ he…

THROUGH the EOS 5D Mark III, Canon has strengthened the weaker areas of the wellregarded EOS 5D Mark II, rather than venturing into new ground, and the result is the most comprehensive EOS 5D yet. The 22.3-millionpixel resolution is a modest increase, but the new camera’s low-light and high-sensitivity performance is notably better and up there with the best in the market, providing a class-leading ISO 102,400 setting. Fine low-light performance is in part achieved by the gapless microlenses used in the sensor, which means more of the light entering the camera is directed onto the photodiodes. The most dramatic improvement, however, is the EOS 5D Mark III’s AF system, given that the EOS 5D Mark II’s is now very dated. It is the same 61-point AF system that is…

TESTED 16 JUNE 87% RATED VERY GOOD THE NIKON D3200 is built and handles just like the company’s entry-level D3100, but sits above it in the range because of its highresolution 24.2-million-pixel sensor. To date, this equals the highest resolution of any DSLR with an APS-C-sized sensor, which is no mean feat at this level. Despite its high pixel count, the D3200 is able to control noise in low-light conditions. As a camera aimed at the ‘family’, the resolution may even be a little high and memoryconsuming in the long run, but the camera can still be utilised effectively by any user, and is certainly a good lightweight back-up to an enthusiast-level model. Features include a 4fps burst rate, colour modes that include a monochrome setting with filter effects, and…

THE NIKON D4 is designed primarily for professional press and sports photographers who have high standards and expectations from their camera. It replaces the D3S, which is up there with the best cameras we’ve ever tested. Those who seek a high pixel count may well be disappointed by the 16.2-million-pixel D4, but its ‘low’ pixel count enables it to be one speedy operator. It’s Expeed 3 processor enables shooting rates up to 11fps for a 60 raw image burst, while using its new XQD memory card enables a 70 raw image burst. To complement its fast processor, the D4 uses a new 51-point AF system, with 15 points being of the more sensitive cross-type. It is one of the best AFs we’ve used and is capable of focusing in moonlight.…

TESTED 25 AUGUST 80% RATED VERY GOOD BOTH the Alpha 37 and Alpha 57 feature the 16-million-pixel APS-C sensor found in many popular DSLRs, but these two cameras use the company’s single-lens translucent (SLT) technology. This consists of a fixed translucent mirror and separate AF module, rather than the moving mirror used in ‘traditional’ DSLRs. A benefit of this set-up is continuous AF during video capture and fast high-speed burst modes. In fact, the Alpha 57 offers a class-leading 12fps burst, while the Alpha 37 has a 7fps burst mode. Combined with a responsive 15-point AF (three of which are cross-type points), both cameras are solid performers for enthusiast action photographers. A result of the SLT design is that both cameras use an EVF, with 1.44-million-dot resolution. Key differences between…

PERHAPS the biggest surprise of 2012 was Hasselblad’s announcement that it is to launch a compact system camera early next year. The Hasselblad Lunar, which is the product of a partnership between Hasselblad and Sony, will see the new camera use the Sony NEX-7 as its basis. Yet while the Lunar has the same 24.3-millionpixel APS-C-sized sensor, ISO 100-16,000 sensitivity, Bionz processor, 25-point AF and control system as the Sony NEX-7, the body has been designed from scratch by Hasselblad. The Lunar is made of the same carbon fibre used in racing cars and aircraft-grade aluminium, with milled titanium buttons plus luxury wood, leather and even snakeskin handgrips available. There will also be limited-edition versions, including a 24-carat gold-plated model. Larger than most other compact system cameras, the Hasselblad Lunar…

THREE years on since the launch of the M9 digital rangefinder, Leica has released its new top-of-the-range camera, the Leica M. The biggest difference between the cameras is the switch from an 18-million-pixel full-frame CCD sensor in the M9 to a 24-million-pixel CMOS sensor in the M. While the change in resolution may not seem that extraordinary, the fact that the Leica M has a CMOS sensor makes a significant difference to how the camera operates. The new sensor allows a maximum sensitivity of ISO 6400, and the camera’s LCD screen is a 3in, 920,000-dot model, which is much improved from the dated screen of the Leica M9. The rear screen of the Leica M can be used for live view – the first time such a feature has been…

THE NIKON 1 J2 is a fairly minor upgrade of the original J1 compact system camera that was released last year. One of the main new features is a 3in, 921,000-dot LCD screen, which is an improvement on the 460,000-dot screen of the J1. New metallic orange and pink finishes are also available, joining the white, black, silver and red colour options of its original incarnation. The only other change is the addition of a new creative mode. This provides a selection of artistic effects, such as panorama, selective colour, soft focus, backlight and night portrait. However, the key elements of the camera are the same, including the 10.1-million-pixel, 1in, CX-format CMOS sensor. With the emphasis on speed, Nikon’s Expeed 3 image processor allows the camera to shoot at a…

NOT ONLY is the Olympus OM-D E-M5 a great-looking camera, but it is also the company’s flagship four thirds model. Its styling faithfully pays homage to the company’s original OM series of film SLR cameras. Just like the Pen models, the OM-D E-M5 has a four thirds sensor rather than a full-frame unit. This means the camera has a vast array of four thirds lenses from which to choose, and those who own original OM lenses can attach them to the OM-D via an optional adapter. An optional grip and battery pack improve the camera’s handling and shooting capacity. The OM-D E-M5 was the first four thirds model from Olympus to offer a 16.1-million-pixel resolution, and its image quality is unrivalled in the company’s range. The camera’s 1.44-million-dot EVF is…

PANASONIC’S GH series is targeted at videographers as much as photographers, and the company has further developed the video capabilities of its latest flagship CSC, the GH3. Full HD 1080p video recording is available in MP4, AVCHD or MOV types at 60p, 50p, 25p and 24p frame rates, and the bit rate available using the ALL-I codec is a broadcasting standard 72Mpbs. Fast- and slow-motion recording of 40-300% is possible, too. To complement such impressive capabilities, the camera has a 3.5mm microphone port, HDMI port and a battery grip to further extend the battery life. The GH3 is not all about video, though. The 16.05-million-pixel MOS sensor has been refined to offer improved low-light performance and ISO sensitivities up to 25,600. The articulated touchscreen is the bright and crisp OLED…

AS STRANGE as it may seem that Samsung has three models in its compact system camera range that use the same sensor, this is good news for those who are considering the NX1000 model. It means that the excellent image quality capable from the 20.3-million-pixel sensor comes at an affordable price in this entry-level model. Likewise, the NX1000 uses the same metering and AF system as the other cameras. The reason that the NX1000 comes in at such a low price point is because it is constructed from a solid plastic, whereas the NX210 has a metal build and the NX20 offers a viewfinder and articulated LCD screen. The NX1000 has built-in Wi-Fi, and the camera has a dedicated Wi-Fi menu button called ‘Smart link’. In this menu are options…

ALTHOUGH the core of the Sony NEX-F3 is largely the same as the NEX-C3 launched in 2011, there are a number of significant changes, most notably to the handling of the camera. The NEX-F3’s body seems to have taken its design cues from the sleek rigid style of NEX-7, but with the larger handgrip from the NEX-5 series. The result is a camera that is slightly bigger than its predecessor, but this does make it nicer to hold. Also borrowed from the NEX-7 is a built-in pop-up flash that discreetly emerges from the camera’s top-plate. Previously, cameras in the NEX-3 and NEX-5 range used small external flash units that fit to the camera’s accessory port. Speaking of this port, the NEX-F3 has the latest version, meaning that the FDA-EV1S electronic…

“I don’t feel I have done anything wrong” Landscape winner stripped of ∊10,000 title, page 7 NIKON has unveiled the D5200, a new 24.1-million-pixel DSLR equipped with a metering sensor, AF and scene recognition system borrowed from the D7000. The DX-format D5200 deploys Nikon’s Expeed 3 image processor, designed to enable faster processing and improved noise reduction, for example. The ‘mid-range’ D5200 will join the 18-month-old D5100, a 16.2-million-pixel DSLR set to continue in the range, said Nikon DX product manager Simon Iddon. Promising a ‘massive leap in image quality’, the 505g newcomer is equipped with a 2016-pixel RGB metering sensor and 39-point AF system plucked from the two-year-old, 16.2-million-pixel D7000. The D5200’s AF system includes nine cross-type sensors in the centre. Additional features include a 921,000-dot, vari-angle, 3in LCD…

● GREAT PHOTOS – SIMPLE CAMERAS by Bernd Daub, £26.99 One of the more original works on the market, this book provides creative tips on how to use models and makes of cameras and film thought to be consigned to history’s dustbin. The casual tone makes it a fun read and any modern book with tips on how to use a Kodak Box Brownie is worth a look. ● THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S STORY by Michael Freeman, £17.99 For this slick and well-produced book. Michael Freeman tackles the art of the photo essay and narrative. Michael expertly deconstructs the ideas and principles behind creating a narrative with photos, going right down to the nuts and bolts of story structure, and includes plenty of examples and anecdotes from his own career. A worthy…

ANDREW SANDERSON A renowned photographer, tutor, author and Ilford Master Printer, Andrew Sanderson offers practical tips on working with film and traditional darkroom techniques If you would like to read more about paper negatives, Andrew’s book Paper Negative Photography is available from www.blurb.com, price £15 AS A PHOTOGRAPHER, one of my primary concerns is the representation of light within my images, or, to be more specific, the absence of light. I’d say that’s where my main interest lies – in the shadows. When you’re studying photography, you are told time and again that you should always work out your exposures so you retain plenty of shadow detail. However, I often find that having a deep shadow or, in some cases, an opaque block of black, leads to a much stronger…

BEING envious of a photographer’s images is a terrible thing. Occasionally, when perusing photographs online, envy grabs me by the scruff of the neck and won’t let go. I had such an experience when I stumbled across Polish photographer Magda Wasiczek’s breathtaking body of work, as I couldn’t get her images out of my head. Magda’s beautiful photographs of insects and flowers seem to radiate light – bugs glimmer, flowers emerge radiant from shadows and butterfly wings become luminescent. A delicate combination of exquisite natural light, subtle colours and occasional subject or camera movement contribute to the uniqueness of her images. When I ask Magda how she chooses her subjects, the answer is as poetic as her pictures. ‘Sometimes, I just sit and soak up the smells of a meadow,…

Cloak Bag $49 (around £30) www.cloakbags.com THE CLOAK Bag is designed to make street photography as subtle as possible by concealing (‘cloaking’) a camera even when it is in use. The ‘shoot-through’ underside of the bag unzips and then fastens up and out of the way to the Velcro inside. The camera can then be brought to the eye with the bag surrounding it. Cameras up to an enthusiast DSLR are claimed to fit inside the bag, but I found it a little too snug for a Nikon D300S and it was only really possible to squeeze one hand into the bag with it. Functionally, the bag best suits an entry-level DSLR, although in either case it is fiddly to access the lens barrel to adjust the focal length. The…

DURING the launch of the Lumix DMC-GH3, Panasonic outlined how it had responded to video users’ requests and implemented an abundance of changes for the GH2’s successor. As before, full HD 1080p recording is possible, but here the frame rates are available at 50fps, 30fps, 25fps and 24fps, all with an improved bit rate of 50Mbps. In the All-I mode, broadcastquality bit rates of 72Mbps are available. Each individual frame is compressed, and a frame-rate mode has been introduced for slow-motion down to 40% and fast-motion up to 300%. Connectivity is comprehensive, with a 3.5mm jack, headphone port and synchro terminal. Through the HDMI output, files can directly be outputted to a hard drive rather than onto the memory card, which is handy for long videos. Videos are still limited…

Mexxy asks I am looking to buy a new lens to play with. Ideally, I would like a 50mm for my Nikon D3000, but I will probably wait until Christmas for that. I’ve seen the Sigma AF 55-200mm f/4-5.6 DC lens at a great price, but will this be fully functional with my D3000 or will I have to manually focus it? NosamLuap replies You’ll have to focus manually, as you need a lens with built-in motor for your D3000. Nikon calls these lenses ‘AF-S’ (for Silent Wave Motor, I believe), while Sigma calls them ‘HSM’ (Hyper-Sonic Motor). This lens, being just AF, requires a camera body that can provide the AF drive, which your D3000 cannot. El_Sid replies Nikon has used two autofocus drive systems for its cameras. The…

RRP ￡479.99 Sensor 12-million-effective-pixel CMOS sensor Output size 3968 x 2976 pixels Lens 28-112mm (equivalent) f/1.8-2.5 4x zoom File format Raw, JPEG, raw + JPEG simultaneously Compression 2-stage JPEG Colour space sRGB/AdobeRGB Shutter type Electronically controlled shutter Shutter speeds 60-1/2000sec in 1∕3EV steps plus up to 16mins Bulb mode Max flash sync 1/2000sec with pop-up flash ISO ISO 100-12,800 Exposure modes i-Auto, program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, 16 scene modes, 11 art filters Metering system ESP evaluative metering, spot metering, centreweighted, highlight and shadow Exposure comp ±3EV in 1∕3EV steps White balance Auto, 7 presets, Kelvin plus custom setting White balance bracket No Drive mode Approx 5fps for up to 200 JPEG images LCD 3in touchscreen with 920,000 dots Viewfinder type N/A – optional VF-2 EVF Dioptre adjustment N/A…

Despite a slow start to the year, 2012 has turned out to be one of the best in recent times for new and exciting cameras. Compact system cameras now have established product lines and are selling in greater numbers, which has in turn spurred on DSLR manufacturers to improve their technology and become more innovative with the features they offer. Many manufacturers kept their biggest announcements until the photokina trade show in Germany in September. The show is the largest photographic fair in the world and it is held every two years in Cologne. This year saw an unprecedented number of new cameras in the weeks leading up to the event. Some were slight updates of previous models, such as the Pentax K-5 II, while others, like the Leica M,…

DURING our hands-on preview of the EOS 6D (AP 13 October), we were impressed with the robustness of the camera, along with its lightweight and compact build. Being a similar size to the EOS 60D, the new camera feels very much like a mini EOS 5D Mark III. Its features are similar, too, namely its 20.2-million-pixel images processed using the Digic 5+ processor and extended ISO 50-102,400 sensitivity range. Not only is the camera priced and built to a size that appeals to enthusiast photographers, but it is also the only DSLR to offer both built-in Wi-Fi and GPS. Wi-Fi offers image data transfer, and through Canon EOS Remote software the camera can be controlled by various Android and Apple iOS devices. GPS can be turned on or off, and…

DESPITE being a full-frame camera, the Nikon D600 finds itself in the company’s consumer DSLR range and is designed to make the format available to a wider audience. Its consumer status is by no means a reflection of its image quality, because the camera features a more efficient version of the 24.3-million-pixel CMOS sensor found in the company’s previous flagship DSLR, the D3X. The construction and button layout of the D600 are very similar to the company’s D7000, and while the D600 is a little bigger, it is still the most lightweight and compact full-frame DSLR in the company’s range. Its rugged weather-sealed body also features magnesium-alloy top and rear panels. The D600 shares the same 39-point AF system and 2016-pixel metering system as the D7000. Shooting modes available include…

TESTED 4 AUGUST 84% RATED VERY GOOD PENTAX made some bold choices when considering the design for the K-30. It may be a DSLR, but the camera’s curves, textures and angular edges provide a fresh look on the genre. While the quirky body largely serves an aesthetic purpose, the body shell is weather-sealed, which no other camera offers in this class. Another leading feature is its optical viewfinder with 100% coverage, as most other models in this class offer 95% or 97% coverage. The exterior may be new, but inside Pentax has stuck to the tried-and-tested 16.3-million-pixel sensor that has been used so well in so many APS-C DSLRs already, including the company’s own K-5. This means the camera is an able low-light performer. As we expect of a Pentax…

SONY’S Alpha range is now completely made up of single-lens translucent (SLT) cameras, the Alpha 99 being its flagship full-frame model. As one would expect from a ‘professional’ Sony camera, the Alpha 99 is packed with features. It uses a 24.3-million-pixel full-frame Exmor CMOS sensor with ISO 100-25,600 range. Like the Alpha 77, the Alpha 99 has a dualarticulated LCD screen, but the screen has a white pixel for every red, green and blue pixel, which Sony calls WhiteMagic. This set-up supposedly provides a brighter display, and the total resolution of the screen is 1.229 million dots. Images can also be viewed and composed using the 2.395-million-dot OLED EVF. Weighing around 733g without battery, the Alpha 99 is constructed from weather-sealed magnesium alloy, and is both lightweight and compact. With…

EVER since Fujifilm announced the X100 fixed-lens camera with its APS-C sensor, there have been rumours of a similarly styled compact system camera. The rumoured camera arrived this year in the form of the X-Pro1 and its 16.3-million-pixel APS-C sensor. Interestingly, the sensor doesn’t use a traditional Bayer pattern filter arrangement. Instead, its RGB filters are patterned in such a way that it means an anti-aliasing filter isn’t needed and colours are more realistic. The result is superb images that look far sharper and more detailed than the 16-million-pixel resolution would suggest. Elsewhere, the camera uses the Fujifilm XF mount, and the same hybrid viewfinder as the X100. The viewfinder allows the user to switch between an optical or digital display, or a combination of both. With three excellent lenses…

LEICA’S entry-level digital rangefinder, the Leica M-E, is basically a variation of the Leica M9, although nearly all the features are identical. Both have the same 18-million-pixel CCD sensor, ISO 160-2500 sensitivity range and a 2.5in, 230,000-dot screen. In fact, there are just three changes to the M-E. The first is the lack of a guideline switch, which means you can’t change the guideline display without changing lenses. The second change is a lack of USB socket, which shouldn’t be an issue as most photographers tend to use memory card readers anyway. Finally, the M-E is only available in an ‘anthracite grey’ colour, rather than the traditional chrome or black finishes, although the materials and construction are the same. With the same excellent detail resolution as the Leica M9, the…

IT WAS in June 2011 when Olympus first announced the Pen E-PM1, the smallest camera in the company’s Pen range. While its size made it a good pocketable camera, it was lacking a few features to hit the right note with enthusiast photographers. The Pen E-PM2 is a much improved version of the original camera, adding some genuinely useful improvements. First, the sensor is the same excellent 16.1-million-pixel, four thirds Live MOS sensor used in the Olympus OM-D E-M5. This sensor increases the sensitivity of the camera to a range of ISO 200-25,600. A slight handgrip has been added to the front of the new camera, plus two extra buttons, all of which should help improve the camera’s handling. Also, the 3in, 460,000-dot LCD screen is now a touchscreen, allowing…

GIVEN its target audience, size is key here to Panasonic’s entry-level compact system camera, meaning it is the most compact and lightweight model in the range, weighing a mere 225g. It replaced its predecessor, the GF3, within a year, and as such the changes are few. The GF5 features a built-in flash, but has no option for a viewfinder of any kind. It sits better in the hand thanks to a new pronounced hand grip. Of the few changes, the revised imaging sensor is key. Although it has the same 12.1-million-pixel resolution as before, the new Venus Engine processor and improved noise-reduction algorithms mean the performance in low light has been enhanced, hence the extended ISO range. The other main improvement is that the LCD screen has a higher resolution…

THE K-01 is Pentax’s mirrorless system camera that uses the 30-year-old Pentax K mount. This compatibility provides a wealth of lenses that can be mounted on the K-01 without the need for adapters. With built-in sensor-shift stabilisation, it also means that all these older lenses are stabilised. However, as the mount is designed for SLR cameras, it also means that the K-01 cannot really be described as a compact system camera, due to it being far larger than any equivalent CSC available. While the rather box-like design and bright red and green buttons may not be to everyone’s taste, the camera itself does have some good features. At its heart is the highly regarded 16-million-pixel Sony sensor that is used in a number of other cameras, including the Pentax K-30…

ANNOUNCED within a year of its predecessor, the NX200, the NX210 was the first interchangeable-lens camera to offer Wi-Fi functionality. It is a key selling point for the camera, and we have already seen other manufacturers starting to introduce this technology. As a company that already makes top-selling smartphones, Samsung may just have an advantage over its competition in this Wi-Fi technology. Like its predecessor and the other two current models in the range, the NX20 and NX1000, the NX210 uses a 20.3-million-pixel APS-C-sized CMOS sensor that is capable of rendering a high-level of detail. The camera uses a reliable 221-segment evaluative metering system, and colours in raw files are bright and realistic. Where the camera betters its entry-level counterpart is in its superior build quality, being made from a…

WHEN Sony launched the NEX-3 and NEX-5, one of the main complaints from enthusiast photographers was that there wasn’t enough direct control. A firmware update quickly helped the situation, as did the introduction of a touchscreen with the NEX-5N. However, the latest NEX-5R adds more control to the camera, which should make it easier to switch between shooting modes. Also new to the camera is built-in Wi-Fi. This allows images to be transferred from the camera to a computer or smart device, and even for a mobile phone to be used as a remote release. Proprietary Sony apps can even be downloaded and installed to the camera to add new features. The other major difference is that the 16.1-million-pixel sensor previously used on the NEX-5N and a number of other…

WITH the introduction of the Nikon 1 V2, both of Nikon’s compact system cameras have second-generation models. The Nikon 1 J line is a consumer-level camera, while the V models are for more advanced photographers. In the first generation of cameras, the distinction between the two models was made by fitting the V1 with an electronic viewfinder and an accessory socket, but omitting the built-in pop-up flash found on the J1, which itself lacked the accessory socket for an external flash. There were other internal differences, but externally it was these very obvious features, or the lack of them, that made it clear who the cameras were aimed at. With a completely redesigned body, the Nikon 1 V2 makes these differences even clearer. BODY The most striking new features of…

LETTER OF THE WEEK Wins a 20-roll pack of 36-exposure Fujifilm Superia ISO 200 35mm film or a Fujifilm 4GB media card* AN OPPORTUNITY IN THE SUN Do any of your readers, like me, wonder why no maker of digital compact cameras has yet come up with one that is solar-powered? It would come in handy, as well as saving a bit of non-renewable energy. Canon successfully met the challenge with its Sure Shot Del Sol film camera in 1995. The sun supplied all the power required by its AF system, electromagnetic programmed shutter, built-in flash and film transport. It must have been one of the first cameras to sport a built-in lithium-ion battery. In bright sunshine this charges quickly, and goes on to retain its charge well. Based on…

SHADOW LIGHTING MARTIN EVENING Martin Evening is a Londonbased advertising photographer and noted expert in both photography and digital imaging. As a successful photographer, Martin is well known in London for his fashion and beauty work, for which he has won several awards. In 2008, he was inducted into the NAPP Photoshop Hall of Fame. Martin has worked with the Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Lightroom engineering teams over many years and is one of the founding members of Pixel Genius, a software design company producing automated production and creative plug-ins for Photoshop. His recent books include The Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 4 Book, Adobe Photoshop CS6 for Photographers, as well as the Adobe Photoshop for Photographers: The Ultimate Workshop series, which he co-wrote with Jeff Schewe. I HAVE always liked making…

IF YOUR PICTURES ARE FEATURED YOU’LL RECEIVE… ∊50 PLUS The Editor’s Choice wins a Vanguard GH-100 3-in-1 pistol grip ball head worth £129.99* Combining the smooth precision of a ball head with the impressive ergonomic control of a pistol grip, the award-winning GH-100 enables you to position your camera exactly where you want it. The ball head has an anodized centre ball and friction-control switch, while the pistol grip enables you to position your camera or spotting scope effortlessly. The GH-100 also has 360° of panning movement, with 72 clicks of 5°. www.vanguardworld.co.u How to submit your images Please see the ‘Send us your pictures’ section on page 3 for details or visit www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/spotlight Stephen Duffy Berkshire When Stephen bought himself an Olympus OM-10 and set out to learn to…

DATAFILE RRP £279.99 Sensor 16-million-pixel EXR CMOS Output size 4608 x 3456 pixels File format JPEG, raw, raw + JPEG Lens 25-500mm (equivalent) Sensitivity ISO 100-12,800 Exposure modes PASM, EXR Exposure metering Multi, centreweighted, spot White balance Auto, 7 presets and manual LCD 3in, 460,000-dot Focus modes Manual, multi area, centre, tracking, continuous, single, face detection Memory card SD, SDHC, SDXC Power Lithium-ion NP-50A Weight 232g (including battery and memory card) Dimensions 105.1 x 63.3 x 36mm WHILE we are seeing more and more high-end compact cameras enter the market, there is still a big demand for small travel models with large zoom lenses, such as this latest offering from Fujifilm – the FinePix F800EXR. FEATURES At the core of the F800EXR is a 1∕2in (6.4x4.8mm) CMOS sensor, with a…

RRP £1,800 with 12-35mm f/2.8 lens Sensor 16.05-million-effective-pixel Live MOS Output size 4608x3456 pixels Focal length mag 2x Lens mount Micro four thirds File format JPEG, RW2 (raw), raw + JPEG, MPEG-4, MOV, AVCHD Compression 2-stage JPEG Colour space Adobe RGB, sRGB Shutter type Focal-plane shutter Shutter speeds 60-1/4000sec plus bulb Max flash sync 1/160sec ISO 200-12,800 extended to ISO 125-25,600 Exposure modes Program, aperture priority, shutter priority, manual, iAuto, scene modes, creative control, 3 custom Metering system 144-zone multi-pattern sensing system White balance Auto, 5 presets, 4 custom, Kelvin, all with fine-tuning Drive mode 6fps continuous high, 4fps continuous medium (both for 18 frames in raw and unlimited JPEGs), 20fps super high mode, 2/10sec timer, 3 images at 10sec timer LCD 3in, articulated, 614,000-dot OLED touchscreen Viewfinder type OLED…

Whenever we talk about how ‘sharp’ a lens is, we’re often talking about two interrelated issues: resolution (the resolving power of the lens) and contrast. The resolving power of a lens is an objective measurement of the ability of the lens to record detail, and it is determined by photographing a resolution chart displaying pairs of black and white lines. One white line and one black line form a line pair, and the more line pairs that the lens can record per millimetre (expressed as lp/mm), the greater its resolving power, or the better it is at ‘seeing’ fine detail. However, knowing the resolving power of a lens is only part of the story. The contrast between the black and white lines also needs to be measured, as the higher…

Amateur Photographer’s… ICONS OF PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOGRAPHER I PHOTOGRAPH I ICONIC CAMERA IN 1949, two entirely different 35mm cameras came to the market that virtually tied with each other to be the world’s first 35mm pentaprism SLR. One was the East German Zeiss Ikon Contax S, an M42 screw-mount camera about which I have written before. The other was the Rectaflex, a significantly different bayonet-mount SLR, made in Rome. To the best of my knowledge, the Rectaflex cameras were the only Italian 35mm SLRs ever produced. The January 1951 edition of Britain’s Miniature Camera Magazine (MCM) carried an editorial bemoaning the lack of available British-made 35mm cameras and applauding the newly permitted importation, from the end of 1950, of low-priced German cameras to the British market for the first time since…

THERE is much about the EOS 650D that we have seen and appreciated before in other EOS DSLRs, not least of which is the 18-million-pixel CMOS sensor and 63-zone metering system. However similar the 650D may be to the 600D, as a DSLR it has a couple of unique features. First, the touchscreen adds a new dimension to image capture through touch shutter and touch AF, menu navigation and image playback. The button layout is largely unchanged, though, so you can use the camera as normal without the touchscreen functionality. The second unique feature is its hybrid AF system, which means the camera uses a combination of phase detection and contrast detection for focusing. The CMOS imaging sensor uses phase detection to continually keep subjects close to focus in live-view…

ALTHOUGH announced in October 2011, the release of the EOS-1D X was postponed near to the start of the 2012 Olympic Games. The camera has a wide appeal to a number of professionals, but its clear key audience is press and sports photographers. Breaking from the company’s APS-H-format sensor, the EOS-1D X uses a full-frame sensor with 18.1-million-pixel resolution. The sensor features ‘gapless’ microlenses to ensure less light is lost during capture and it therefore provides strong low-light performance. Indeed, an extended ISO 204,800 setting is class-leading. There is a dedicated autofocus section in the camera’s menu, containing five ‘tabs’ of options to control the behaviour of the 61-point AF system. Options include six ‘cases’, such as runner, footballer and cyclist, with preset values for each subject and the option…

TESTED 28 APRIL 90% RATED EXCELLENT SIX MONTHS on from our six-page test and the full-frame D800 still claims class-leading detail, rivalling that of medium-format models. The more expensive D800E version is the same as the D800, apart from the cancellation of its low-pass filter, which means even sharper detail. The camera’s 36.3-million-pixel resolution and raw file size of approximately 50MB enable 100% size prints in excess of A2 size. It’s an efficient sensor, too, so the camera’s performance in low light is respectable. With such a high pixel count, the APS-C crop mode is still a useful 16-million-pixel resolution and offers a 1.5x focal magnification. It’s not just the high level of detail that has made this one of the most talked about cameras this year. A full magnesium-alloy…

WE HAVE not yet tested the Pentax K-5 II/ K-5 IIs, but on paper it appears very similar to its excellent predecessor, the K5. In an industry where so much has changed, many photographers will be disappointed by the lack of new features, and there may well be little to warrant upgrading to this latest model. The 16.3-million-pixel sensor has been revised and offers an extended ISO 80-51,200 range. Interestingly, though, the K-5 IIs version doesn’t have an anti-aliasing filter. Judging from the cameras we have seen that have a weak or no low-pass filter, such as the Nikon D800E, we can expect some very sharp images from the K-5 IIs with plenty of detail. Other refinements in these latest models include a new Safox X AF system, which is…

CANON’S first compact system camera, the EOS M, was announced in July, with many of its features similar to those found in the company’s EOS 650D DSLR. The EOS M has the same 18-million-ixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor, with a sensitivity of ISO 100-25,600, and the same Digic 5 image-processing engine. The camera uses a hybrid focusing system that merges contrast-detection autofocus with phase-detection pixels that are built directly onto the sensor, which should make the 31-point AF system fairly fast. There is also the option to use either an electronic or mechanical shutter, depending on your requirements. The camera requires the new EF-M mount, but an EF-EOS M-mount adapter is available so that existing Canon EF lenses can be mounted and used. One of the most interesting features, given that…

FOLLOWING the success of the X-Pro1, the Fujifilm X-E1 has just reached camera stores. Although most of the technology in the two cameras is largely the same, there are a few changes that alter the way the X-E1 will be used. The defining difference in the X-E1 is that the hybrid optical/electronic viewfinder has been replaced with a purely electronic model. The electronic viewfinder is a big improvement on the EVF of the X-Pro1, with a 2.36-million-dot resolution model in the X-E1 compared to the 1.44-milliondot resolution of the unit in the X-Pro1. By removing the optical viewfinder, the X-E1 is smaller than its sibling, but the screen has also been reduced in size and resolution to a 2.8 in, 460,000-dot display. However, the excellent 16-million-pixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor used…

ONE OF the most talked-about cameras of 2012 so far has been the black & white-only Leica M Monochrom. Based on the Leica M9 digital rangefinder, the M Monochrom has the same 18-million-pixel full-frame CCD sensor, but with no Bayer-pattern coloured filter array. This means that only the luminance values for each photosite are recorded, with no colour information. The result is a camera that produces true monochrome images. Costing more than £6,000, the M Monochrom is nearly £2,000 more than the Leica M9. Given that the M Monochrom doesn’t shoot in colour, this raised eyebrows in some quarters. However, there is a big benefit to shooting solely in black & white, as we found out when we had a Hands-on look at the M Monochrom in AP 9 June.…

RELEASED at the same time as the Pen E-PM2 (above), the Olympus Pen E-PL5 has a lot in common with its sibling, although there are significant differences. The Pen E-PL5 has a couple of additional buttons allowing easier access to key features, and the 3in, 460,000-dot touchscreen is articulated. This makes it easier to shoot at low angles or to take self-portrait images. Like the E-PM2, the touchscreen makes some features easier to access, as well as making it extremely quick to select the AF point. The Pen E-PL5’s sensor is the same as that used in the OM-D E-M5, praised in our test for its image quality. The sensor has a sensitivity range of ISO 200-25,600 and is stabilised to help reduce the effects of camera shake. There is…

FOUR generations on from the compact system camera that began the micro four thirds system, the Lumix DMC-G1, Panasonic has released the Lumix DMC-G5. The G5 is currently the most affordable option for those who want a built-in viewfinder. Alongside its 1.44-million-dot EVF is the impressive 3in, 920,000-dot articulated touchscreen, which marks a solid improvement over the 460,000-dot screen of the G3. Being able to shift the screen is great for viewing from a number of angles, and the touch functionality is useful for controlling the shutter, spot AF and metering. The company has insisted that 16 million pixels is enough for now, and rather than increasing the pixel count it has revised the sensor for an improved low-light performance. Indeed, making use of the new Venus engine means noise…

MEASURING just 58x102x33.5mm, the Pentax Q10 is one of the smallest compact system cameras available. Impressively, it manages to pack DNG, Pentax’s own PEF raw and JPEG capture, a 5fps shooting rate, a 3in, 460,000-dot LCD screen, built-in flash and full 1920x1020-pixel HD video capture into its tiny body. However, the catch is that the camera uses a small 12.4-millionpixel, 1/2.3in (6.17x4.55mm) CMOS sensor, the same size as those used in a standard compact camera. The camera uses the Pentax Q mount, and there are currently five lenses available for it. Apart from a redesign of the camera body, there is little difference between the specification of the original Pentax Q and the Q10, other than slightly faster operation and AF. All in all, this is a neat little system,…

ANNOUNCED back in April at the same time as the NX210 and NX1000, the NX20 uses the same 20.3-million-pixel, APS-C-sized CMOS sensor as its two siblings. Like the other cameras, Wi-Fi connectivity has been introduced, allowing images to be transferred wirelessly from the NX20 to other devices. Distinguishing the NX20 from the other two current cameras in the NX range is the build and handling of the camera. Built like a small DSLR rather than a compact camera, the NX20 has a built-in SVGA, 800x600-pixel, 1.44-milliondot electronic viewfinder. When combined with the camera’s sturdy handgrip and built-in flash, using the NX20 is about the closest experience to using a DSLR that we have found from a compact system camera. The 221-segment evaluative metering produced well-exposed images, with images also having…

ALTHOUGH we have been impressed with the 24.3-millionpixel sensor of the Sony NEX-7, it is the excellent build and handling that really make it stand out at the top of the compact system camera market. The latest Sony NEX-6 forgoes the 24.3-million-pixel sensor in favour of the same 16.1-million-pixel sensor used in the NEX-5, but it does retain the handling and the excellent 2.3-million-dot electronic viewfinder of the NEX-7 Although the NEX-6 may have a lower resolution, the 16.1-million-pixel CMOS sensor has proved to be excellent when it has been used in a number of other cameras from Sony, Nikon and Pentax. It produces very little noise, giving photographers the ability to pull back a lot of detail in shadow areas. So, rather than being a cheaper version of the…