Reviews
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Gitzo GC5101 and GC4101 tripod bags reviewed
When a tripod is needed, a decent one is essential and most high-end models don’t come with a bag. A good tripod is a long-term investment so a decent bag is another essential, especially if you use it on location. Kevin Carter takes a closer look. I own both the Gitzo GC5101 and GC4101, which are designed for Gitzo’s Systematic range of tripods. While there’s only around 8cm or so in length between them the GC5101 is much larger in terms of internal volume and was designed presumably for the Geant (Giant) model, a 5-series Systematic that still measures some 73cm (35-in) even when collapsed. I don’t have that tripod,…
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Leica Q3 review: the quintessential Leica
Leica’s Q series is the company’s best-selling digital camera to date and it’s not all that difficult to see why. Kevin Carter looks at the latest iteration, the Leica Q3 Small, light and unobtrusive the Leica Q embodies all that’s attractive of the Leica M with added the benefit of a Kabe-designed Leica autofocus 28mm F1.7 lens. This is the closest we have to an autofocus M series camera, and unless you’re adept at using one of those you’ll be more successful shooting at the initial aperture or close to it and far more discrete using a Leica Q. What’s more, the latest iteration the Leica Q3 is the fastest…
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SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 SSD review
Super-fast and durable SSDs are commonplace now but the super-rugged dual Thunderbolt/USB-C SanDisk PRO-G40 SSD is pretty unique and several notches above the run-of-mill offerings, as Kevin Carter discovers. What is it? Offering compatibility with both Thunderbolt 3 (40 Gbps) and USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps), this slick-looking bus-powered NVMe SSD is a highly portable and robust drive for sharing across several devices. Starting at £295 (inc VAT) for the 1TB rising to £441 for 2TB and a whopping £530 for 4TB, you might think this pricey but that’s because most SSD drives you’ll see advertised are USB-C only. That’s fine if that’s all you want but, what you’re…
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Fujifilm Fujinon GF20-35mm F4 R WR lens review
Fujifiilm’s lens division Fujinon has introduced an ultrawide-angle zoom for its medium format GFX mirrorless cameras. Kevin Carter looks closer Fujifilm’s GFX medium format cameras offer the compactness of mirrorless with the benefit of a generous 44x33mm sensor, so thumping great big lenses for full-frame 54x40mm 645 DSLRs is becoming less of a thing. Indeed, as Fujinon used to supply the components for Hasselblad’s now discontinued HC/HCD models for the H series cameras (which were then assembled in Sweden according to my contact at Hasselblad), it’s little surprise that they’re not only filling that void but expanding what’s on offer with their brand of lenses. These GF lenses don’t…
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CFexpress Type B cards: Which to choose for the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z8?
CFexpress (Type B) cards are expensive, so choosing the right type is an important decision. As both the Canon EOS R5 and Nikon Z8 have a second SDXC UHS-I/II compatible card slot I suspect many users have simply opted for to use their existing cards. For stills, it’s not too difficult a decision and the faster UHS-II cards (V60 and V90) can also handle the bandwidth required for some of the lower-end video options with the V90-rated cards being the most capable. However, to access the high bit-rate options, including 8K and high-frame video, CFexpress is required. Prices of CFexpress have tumbled in recent months and even the most affordable…
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Zeiss 35mm F1.4 ZM Distagon lens review
Intro Although marketed for the maker’s M-mount Zeiss Ikon rangefinder, the range of ZM lenses is rightly popular with Leica M users. All are accessibly priced compared with their Leica equivalents and optical performance is often on a par, if not sometimes regarded as being technically superior. With the Zeiss Ikon camera now retired, this new high-speed 35mm model is aimed squarely at Leica’s core users. Compared to the latest iteration from Wetzlar, the Zeiss is priced somewhat modestly at around £1680 inc VAT. It’s supplied without a case or hood, but there’s no mistaking the quality. Build Externally the design is reminiscent of previous models complete with click stopped…
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Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 model: First impressions
The new Leica Summilux-M 50mm F1.4 ASPH Close Focus 2023 (11728) model follows the recent update to the Summilux-M 35mm F1.4 ASPH CF last year and adopts the built-in rangefinder decoupling or “double-cam” feature of the focus ring. The feature enables focusing down to 0.45m from the usual 0.7m – the former is the typical minimum focus of DSLR/mirrorless lenses of this focal length (50mm). The double-cam feature was first introduced on the Leica Summilux 35mm F2.0 APO and was quite stiff on the model I tried. To disengage rangefinder focusing, you push the focus ring through some slight resistance at the minimum focus distance marked at 0.7m in orange-coloured…
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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. Quick links: Check prices and stock [affiliate links] WEX Photo and Video (UK) Billingham 307 black Billingham 307 Kahki (as reviewed) Billingham 307 Sage/Chocolate Amazon (US/UK) Billiingham 307 Adorama (US) Billingham 307 black (Special order, but good range of Billingham bags stocked) B&H Photo (US) Billingham product (the 307 is not listed but some bags for the Leica M are stocked) More information can be found at the manufacturer’s site: www.billingham.co.uk Introduction to the Billingham 307 Billingham camera bags need little introduction,…
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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 was commissioned to write for HotShoe magazine back in late 2009 when the Leica M9 had just been released. I’ve republished it here in its entirety, with thanks to Leica UK for the loan of the M9.] 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 a few minor shortcomings, the APS-H format, 10-megapixel M8 rangefinder was widely criticised for its sensitivity to UV…
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