Reviews
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Billingham 307 camera bag review
This was one of the most popular reviews from the old site and so I’ve decided to re-publish it here with up-to-date links for those trying to buy – thank you for your continued support. Introduction to the Billingham 307 Billingham camera bags need little introduction, they’ve been the choice of professional photographers since the mid ’70s and the Billingham 307 typifies all that’s great about them. There have been one or two imitators, most notably the well-regarded Classic range from the sadly defunct CCS (Camera Care Systems) and the hand-made range of bags from FOGG; probably the closest in terms of quality and materials, if not in design (FOGG…
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Leica M11 review
Leica M11 – what came before? The Leica M11 is the successor to the Leica M10, indeed to the uninitiated it looks practically identical. This is just as well as the Leica M10 was in effect a refinement of the Leica M (Typ 240), particularly with the larger, more durable rangefinder, more logical button layout, and improved menu operation. However, while there were some slight gains in noise and DR the M10 sensor’s similar pixel count likely hindered sales. Still, it wasn’t until the introduction of the M10-R some 18 months or so ago that we saw the real successor to the Leica M (Typ 240) models. As good as…
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From the past: Leica M9 Review
[The following is a review I wrote for HotShoe magazine back in late 2009 when the Leica M9 had just been released. I’ve republished it here in its entirety.] Hot Gear Review Leica M9 Photography is a nostalgic and evocative experience, and there are few cameras that encapsulate that as well as a Leica. And, none more so than a Leica M. The switch to digital from the all-electronic M7 wasn’t seamless, or without detractors. As well as few minor shortcomings, the APS-H format, 10-megapixel M8 rangefinder was widely criticised for its sensitivity to UV light, producing ruddy skin tones and purple tints to black synthetics. Following a year or…
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Leica M/M-P Protector half-case review
Leica M/M-P ‘Protector’  half case review I’m not one for cases or half cases; working cameras are just that, they’re not pampered, and I’m not really one for straps either as they’re a problem when working with tripods. That said, I did once have a black ‘ever-ready’ type some thirty years ago for a black Nikon F2AS that was constantly with me (and one of my favourite cameras, ever*). I discarded the detachable front and used it as a half case, as it provided a secure grip and a lot of protection. And yes, that camera had a strap, one of the superb, thin Nikon black and yellow nylon woven…
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OWC USB-C Travel Dock review: Great addition for MacBook Pro power users
If you’re a photographer, and perhaps an occasional videographer, using a modern MacBook Pro with USB-C ports you’re likely in the market for a compatible SD card reader or a dock, such as the OWC USB-C Travel Dock. Few photographers will not have heard of OWC’s multi-port docks, they are well known but these are desktop models and while excellent they’re relatively pricey. I have this model as well as the Travel Dock and it greatly simplifies my desktop. Fortunately, as a forward-looking company, OWC introduced a small Travel Dock version which is not only purposefully small but also relatively affordable. There are now two versions, the original (available in a range…
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Nikon Nikkor Z 58mm F0.95 S Noct: Initial Impressions
The Nikkor Z 58mm F0.95 S Noct is one of Nikon’s showcase lenses – a sort of throwback to the early days of Nikon’s interest in optical research. It’s certainly a lens that splits opinions – I’m still not sure exactly how I feel about it – though there’s no denying it’s a beautifully made lens that’s capable of extremely high image quality in all its nuances. You can read about my opinion on this lens here. Build Like other Nikon exotics it’s delivered in a massively oversized cardboard box but inside it contains a large Pelican type hard-case, instead of the more usual soft-padded type. I didn’t weigh the…
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Sony FE 85mm F1.8 lens review: Excellent image quality at a reasonable price
Announced in early 2017, the Sony FE 85mm F1.8 is a short-tele designed for the company’s mirrorless full-frame a9/a7 models. It will of course also serve double duty on the APS-C a6000 series, where it’s more or less a 135mm equivalent. Although not a premium G-master model like the F1.4 version announced the year before, it’s a lot smaller and lighter and still has some features that might be considered premium. This include a near silent, twin-focus drive system using a stepping motor, a focus-hold button that can be customised, weather sealing and a nine-blade circular aperture. It’s also quite nicely made, with a mainly metal exterior and large manual…
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Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4S lens review: Compact and capable performer
This is what you’ll get if you buy one of the mirrorless Nikon Z 6 or Z 7 cameras as part of a kit, but as one of Nikon’s S series of primes it’s meant as a ‘premium’ model. While we’ve yet to see what one of the ‘standard’ models is like build-wise, this sober-looking lens is a step or two above the DX equivalent zooms in the company’s range. It’s nicely made but it’s not quite up to the pro-oriented build of the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S (reviewed here). Still, with a part-plastic part-metal outer, this is intended as lightweight and compact design. It even has a retractable…
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Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR lens review: Nikon’s best tele-zoom
The Nikon AF-S Nikkor 180-400mm F4E TC1.4 FL ED VR is an updated version of the AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm F4G ED VR – one of the first lenses Nikon added stabilisation (VR) to (the other being the AF-S Nikkor 200mm F2.0, effectively a 300mm on the DX only bodies back then) and the favourite of animal safari photographers everywhere. Not surprisingly, it’s also a popular choice with those that cover sports. This new model though is much more than just an update – it’s a re-designed lens complete with a built-in 1.4x teleconverter that’s meant to counter the Canon EF 200-400mm F4L IS USM Extender 1.4x, itself a showcase model…
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Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary lens review: Great rendering and build quality
Sigma’s range of ‘Contemporary’ series lenses, such as the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary, are all about maintaining a balance between size, performance and price. They’re not smaller versions of the Art series lenses, which are meant to deliver the best possible image quality, regardless of size. With a 55mm filter thread, and weighing 215g ( 7.58 oz) its diminutive size in E-mount nicely complements the Sony a7/9 series and in the L-mount version, maybe also the larger Leica SL and Lumix S1 models, which it has also been designed for. At around £549 / $549 [advertiser links], this all-metal lens is beautifully made. It even comes with a…
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