Cameras
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Fujifilm IS Pro review
The Fujifilm IS Pro DSLR is the update to the maker’s earlier S3 UV-IR camera, and like that particular camera, the IS Pro adopts a modified image sensor that’s not shielded from UV or IR light. Consequently, with various filtration methods, the IS Pro is designed for Ultraviolet (UVA), visible and near Infrared photography. Although there is a healthy demand for DSLRs with IR capability, especially, and there are several independent vendors (mainly in the US, but a couple in the UK as well) that offer IR dedicated and full-spectrum conversion of current Nikon and Canon bodies, it’s anticipated that the IS Pro will appeal largely to the scientific and…
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Pentax 645D review
An edited version of my review first appeared in Hotshoe magazine over a decade ago. Pentax has been promising a digital iteration of their film-based 645N medium format camera for several years, and now, finally, it’s here. The biggest surprise, though, was the price of around 950,000 yen or around £10,000 ex VAT (the price has since dropped considerably, please see below). Even then, the 40-megapixel Pentax 645D was to be released for the Japanese market only, and it seemed unlikely that it would ever be officially exported outside of the home market. The low price caused ripples through the market, as witnessed by the introduction of the competitively priced…
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Mamiya DM33 review
An edited version of my review originally featured over a decade ago in Hotshoe International magazine. With the closure of Franke and Heidecke*, the medium format market has been dominated by just two players: Hasselblad and Phase One. Hasselblad has since chosen a closed system on their H4D series, preventing third-party backs from being fitted, while digital back-maker Phase One hastily became the majority shareholder of Mamiya. Phase One also deftly acquired the assets of back-maker Leaf from Kodak recently, giving the company a second line. Leaf’s higher-end backs are still marketed using their brand-name, but the three so-called “entry-level” 22/28/33-megapixel Aptus II models are being re-branded as the…
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From the past: Hasselblad H4D 60 review
An edited version of my review was published over a decade ago in F2 Freelance Photographer magazine. The last couple of decades have been turbulent for medium-format camera manufacturers, but now, after several well-known names have withdrawn, the market looks reasonably healthy. Two new unexpected entrants, Leica and Pentax, have added to the dynamic at opposing ends of the pricing scale, forcing the two established system players to compete fiercely in their traditional, rarefied role as well as in the “entry-level.” Partnering with both Leaf and Mamiya, Phase One has developed a trio of “entry-level” Mamiya DM models starting at under $14k/ £9k while continuing to offer a wide range of…
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Leica M11 specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Leica Model Leica M11 Web www.leica-camera.com Lens Mount Leica M Sensor 60 MP full-frame (35.8 x 23.9 mm) CMOS sensor ISO sensitivity ISO 64 to 50,000 Shutter Mech. shutter: 60 min to 1⁄4000 s Electronic shutter function: 60 s to 1⁄16000 s Flash Sync: up to 1⁄180 s AF/MF MF only, rangefinder coupled, from 0.7m Continuous shooting Up to 4.5 frames per second (fps) Video N/A Viewfinder Optical, 0.73x mag all lenses Display 2.95-inch touchscreen LCD with 2.33 million dots Connectivity Wi-Fi dual-band and Bluetooth v4.2 BR/EDR/LE for remote control and image transfer via free app. USB 3.1 Gen1 Type-C Battery BP-SCL7, 700 shots per charge (with…
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Canon RF 85mm F1.4 L VCM specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Model RF 85mm F1.4L VCM Web www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 14 elements in 10 groups (1x UD, 1x GMo Asph, ASC, SSC) Angle of view (h,v,d) 24°, 16°, 28°30′ Max aperture F1.4 (11 blades) Min aperture F16 Min focus distance 0.75 m (2.46 ft) Mount RF mount Filter size 67 mm Length 99.3 mm (3.9 in.) Diameter 76.5 mm (3 in.) Weight 636 g (1.4 lb) Price £1,679 inc VAT ($1,649) Check prices of the Canon RF 85mm F1.4L VCM and pre-order at the following retailers: WEX Photo (UK)| Park Cameras (UK) | Canon Store (UK/Eur) B&H Photo (US) | Adorama (US) | Articles may…
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Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Model RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z Web www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 23 elements in 18 groups (4x UD, 4x Asph, OIS ≤ 5.5 stops) Angle of view (h,v,d) 74° – 19° 20′ 53° – 13° 84° – 23° 20′ Max aperture F2.8 (11-blades) Min aperture F16 Min focus distance 0.45 m (2.8 ft) Mount RF mount Filter size 82 mm Length 199 mm (7.8 in.) Diameter 88.5 mm (3.5 in.) Weight 1300 g (2.9 lb) Price £3440 inc VAT ($3,199) Check stock and prices of the Canon RF 24-105mm F2.8 L IS USM Z at the following retailers: WEX Photo (UK)| Park Cameras (UK)…
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Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM and EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM specs compared
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Canon Model RF 85mm F1.2L USM EF 85mm F1.4L IS USM Web www.canon.co.uk www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 13 elements in 9 groups (2x UD (inc 1x ground Asph UD*), 1x BR) 14 elements in 10 groups (1x GMo Asph, OIS – ≤4 stops) Angle of view (h,v,d) 24°, 16°, 28°30′ 24°, 16°, 28°30′ Max aperture F1.2 F1.4 Min aperture F16 F22 Min focus distance 0.85 m (2.8 ft) 0.85 m (2.8 ft) Mount RF mount EF mount Filter size 82 mm 77mm Length 117.3 mm (4.6 in.) 105.4 mm (4.15 in.) Diameter 103.2 mm (4 in.) 88.6 mm (3.49 in.) Weight 1195 g (2.6 lb) 950 g (2.09…
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Canon RF 85mm F1.2L USM and EF 85mm F1.2L II USM specs compared
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Canon Model RF 85mm F1.2L USM EF 85mm F1.2L II USM Web www.canon.co.uk www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 13 elements in 9 groups (2x UD (inc 1x Asph UD*), 1x BR) 8 elements in 7 groups (1x Asph, Floating Elements) Angle of view (h,v,d) 24°, 16°, 28°30′ 24°, 16°, 28°30′ Max aperture F1.2 F1.2 Min aperture F16 F16 Min focus distance 0.85 m (2.8 ft) 0.95 m (3.12 ft) Mount RF mount EF mount Filter size 82 mm 72mm Length 117.3 mm (4.6 in.) 91.5 mm (3.6 in.) Diameter 103.2 mm (4 in.) 84 mm (3.31 in.) Weight 1195 g (2.6 lb) 1025 g (2.26 lb) Price £3070 inc…
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Canon RF 85mm F1.2 L USM specs
Technical Data Manufacturer Canon Model RF 85mm F1.2L USM Web www.canon.co.uk Elements/construction 13 elements in 9 groups (2x UD (inc 1x Asph UD*), 1x BR) Angle of view (h,v,d) 24°, 16°, 28°30′ Max aperture F1.2 Min aperture F16 Min focus distance 0.85 m (2.8 ft) Mount RF mount Filter size 82 mm Length 117.3 mm (4.6 in.) Diameter 103.2 mm (4 in.) Weight 1195 g (2.6 lb) Price £3070 inc VAT ($2,999) Lens cross-section *Most tech data I’ve seen mentions 1x UD plus 1x Asph, but according to this Canon-produced graphic, the lens features 2x large-diameter UD elements, with one of those featuring a ‘ground’ aspherical surface, not…
