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Nikon Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S lens review: Nikon’s best 24-70mm to date
What is it? The Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 S [advertiser link] is the first pro-oriented lens for Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless Z series cameras, currently the 24MP Z 6 and the high-resolution Z 7. Naturally, it’s a constant-aperture, high-speed standard zoom and has several features not found on the earlier consumer grade Nikkor Z 24-70mm F4 S [concise review]. Besides the larger initial aperture the new lens features 17 elements in total, two of which are ED glass to lower color fringing and four are aspherical to reduce distortion and spherical aberration. Like others in the S-series, it has Nikon Integrated coatings while fluorine coatings are used to help keep the front…
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DxOMark Measures Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0L USM
DxOMark has published the results of their findings on the optical performance of the Canon RF 28-70mm F2.0 L USM, the data can be found at the DxOMark site. In addition to the performance data, as one of the editors I have written the lens review. This can be found on a different page on the DxOMark site here. It’s a high-speed zoom with a constant F2.0 aperture and it has impressive optical performance overall, but be warned it’s not cheap. The review talks only of the optical properties, there is no comment on handling, build quality, AF or other subjective areas. It’s an idea to look past the overall score –…
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Phase One Adds Automated Frame Averaging to IQ4 series Digital Backs
Phase One has announced that it will be adding ‘Automated Frame Averaging’ to its newly introduced Full-Frame 645 MF (54 x 40mm) Phase One IQ4 series digital backs next week. Automated Frame Averaging was mentioned during the original announcement of the IQ4 series and is said to reduce shadow noise and protect highlights from clipping. The new feature leverages the electronic shutter in the new IQ4 DBs (as well as the increased RAM and upgraded processor) to capture multiple frames in rapid succession, often with no significant time between them which may otherwise lead to moving elements appearing as blurred artefacts. The series of frames are merged generating a single RAW…
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Save 15% Off Selected Capture One Products
Capture One Pro perpetual licenses and upgrades, as well as pre-paid subscriptions and 12-month subscriptions are all available with 15% off till the end of the month (June 31st). To qualify you have to enter your email at the Capture One website and follow the instructions. Monthly subscriptions are not currently offered in this campaign, however you can claim 50% off the price of a perpetual license for Capture One Pro for Fujifilm and Capture One Pro for Sony, if you’re looking to upgrade from Capture One (for Fujifilm) or (for Sony). Disclosure; note that the that purchasing products from the use of links may result in a small referal payment…
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Hasselblad X1D II 50C camera and XCD 35-75mm F3.5-4.5 zoom announced (Updated)
Hasselblad has announced an update to its cropped medium format mirrorless camera, in the form of the new X1D II 50C. Although it shares the same 50MP cropped (essentially 44 x 33mm) MF CMOS sensor as the original, it has some improved features and a new processor to speed up operation. This includes quicker start-up (now just under 4 seconds, from my time with the camera at the London launch) and continuous shooting now at 2.7fps, while black-out times between shots have also been reduced, claims the company. Other improvements include a new, larger 3.6-in 2.36-million-dot touchscreen at the rear with some menu and UI changes. The viewfinder display has…
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Capture One 12.1 Announced with New tools and Profile Support for Nikkor Z mount Lenses
Phase One, the company behind Capture One and Capture One Pro RAW processing software has announced 12.1, the first feature release of version 12.0. New features include a Grid tool that groups the options together from what was previously found under the global Preferences into a separate tool brick. This important compositional aid features a dedicated short-cut and is now separate from the Guides feature. As standalone the Grid tool is both simpler and more logical in use. It’s located under the Lens Inspector, but like the majority of tools in Capture One Pro it can be added to any to the Tool Inspectors or ‘Tool Tabs’. Guides are accessible from…
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Panasonic Announces Development of 6K Capable Lumix S1H
Following the development announcement of the Lumix S1H, last week at Cine Gear Expo, Los Angeles, Panasonic has followed mirrorless leader Sony’s strategy with three full-frame mirrorless cameras sharing a similar body (although the S1H is slightly larger) and mount of course, each model appealing to a different audience. According the press release, below, the 6K capable S1H is specifically targeting film production (pro-video), as a differentiator to the already video-cable 4K S1 and S1R. Although Panasonic hasn’t disclosed the sensor resolution it’s likely to be 24MP, like the S1. Highlights include 6K/24p (3:2 aspect ratio) or 5,9K/30p (16:9 aspect ratio) 4K/C4K capture up to 10-Bit 60p V-Log/V-Gamut with a wide…
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Capture One Pro adds support for Fujifilm GFX 100
Phase One, the company behind Capture One Pro RAW processing software has added support for the recently announced, 100MP cropped medium format Fujifilm GFX 100. Although the camera is not officially available, it is expected later in the month. The new update 12.0.4 is free to both license holders and subscribers of Capture One Pro 12, and is available to download via the app’s preferences or from the Phase One site. A free 30-day trial is available for those who would like to give it a try before committing to buy. Fujifilm users updating from Capture One for Fujifilm to the Pro version for Fujifilm can currently save 50%…
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Initial Thoughts on the Nikkor Z 24-70mm F2.8 and Nikon Z 7 (Updated)
Firstly, I still don’t feel like I’ve had enough time to fully come to terms with the Nikon Z 7. I’ve used it often but it takes months to be accustomed to working with a new camera, even as a camera reviewer with nearly 20 years’ experience (first in print and then online). Plusses include build and viewfinder quality even for my aging eyesight. It also has enough modes to accommodate a wide range of shooting scenarios including the new Eye-detection AF option which allows you to easily switch between left and right eyes using the joystick (or sub-selector, as Nikon call it). That’s a nice feature but it…
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B&H $125 Instant Savings on 27-inch NEC PA271Q Monitor with SVII Colour Calibration Kit
One of my recommended monitors for professional users and advanced amateurs, the NEC PA271Q complete with the NEC colour calibration kit (see my review here), is being sold at B&H Photo currently with $125 instant savings. One of the most important advances of this monitor is one of the least talked about; the new anti reflection coating. Previous iterations had an aggressive coating which softened the image, but the new model’s coating is far superior and helps deliver one of the clearest and sharpest looking images of its type (2560 x 1440 res). I still prefer checking sharpness using a monitor like this than using a 5K monitor.
