Canon EOS 1D C EOS Review
The 1D C offers a few different crop settings for capturing alternate viewpoints, as well — 4K video is recorded using an APS-H-sized portion of the sensor (this would provide a 1.3x crop factor, as compared to the 1.6x crop factor typically seen in APS-C sensor cameras). ” This viewpoint closely matches the industry-standard format and field of view see in traditional motion picture cameras.
Of course, the 1D C features many of the still photography features found in the 1D X — it has the dual DIGIC 5+ processors and standard ISO range of 100 – 51,200 for still photos, and can shoot at 12fps. There’s also an “ultra-fast” continuous shooting mode that can capture JPGs at 14 fps by keeping the mirror raised throughout shooting. While no one will be buying this camera for its still image performance alone, it’s good to know that it remains competitive with the 1D X.
Nikon D4 Professional DSLR Review
Professional DSLRs often appear to be more like finely tuned machines than cameras, much like a highly trained athlete compared to a casual gym-goer. The photographers who use these machines are under pressure to capture the defining moment of the event and send it back to the picture desk within minutes. Such time-sensitive demands mean the camera needs to be flawless in its performance, as missing the shot or getting it wrong isn’t an option.
Changing AF mode is now an easier process, requiring only a press of the AF switch, as used on the D7000. An indicator of the chosen mode is shown in the viewfinder by the pattern of AF points to allow you to change modes without moving it away from your eye.
In contrast to Canon’s latest AF system, 15 of the focus points have sensitivity at up to f/8, which means that even when using f/4 lenses with a 2x teleconverter, the AF system will still function effectively. For travelling photographers this means that more compact f/4 units can be carried, rather than the hefty f/2.8 lenses.
The metering system is the new 3D Color Matrix Metering III. It uses 91,000 pixels and offers more advanced scene recognition, and face detection that is claimed can detect even the ‘smallest’ faces in a scene. The new Kevlar/carbon-fibre shutter is tested up to 400,000 cycles with shutter speeds from 30-1/8000sec and up to 1/250sec flash sync.
Canon EOS 5D Mark III Review
The EOS 5D Mark III inherits the 63-zone iCFL metering system of the EOS 7D and the latest lower-end models. It may not come anywhere near the sophistication of the 100,000 pixel metering sensor of the EOS 1D X, but it remains an improvement over the ageing 35-zone TTL metering of the Mark II. The Mark III also shares the Partial, Centre-weighted and Spot metering options of the Mark II, but the Partial and Spot sizes have reduced from 8 to 6.2% and 3.5 to 1.5% respectively.
Shutter speeds remain between 1/8000 and 30 seconds with a Bulb option and a fastest flash-sync speed of 1/200, and the shutter block is still rated to 150,000 actuations; note Canon claims the block has been improved, but as I recall, the Mark II was rated to 150k too.
However in a surprise and very welcome move, Canon has finally equipped a non-1D series camera with decent exposure bracketing, so it’s out with the (frankly insulting) three-frame options of earlier models and in with three, five and seven frame exposure bracketing. HDR fanatics rejoice! And speaking of HDR, there’s also a new HDR mode which captures and combines three frames using a choice of five tone-mapped presets, while also considerately recording each frame separately in case you prefer to do your own processing later.
The Mark III also inherits the multiple exposure capabilities first seen on the 1D X, allowing it to combine up to nine separate frames into one, using a choice of four compositing options: Additive, Average, Bright and Dark. I’m really pleased to find Canon finally offering deep bracketing and multiple exposure capabilities on this line.
In terms of shooting modes, there’s the same PASM, Bulb and three Custom options as before, but the frankly out of place Creative Auto mode has now been removed and the Green Square Auto now upgraded to Auto+. The Auto+ mode may not feature the same degree of scene detection as the EOS 1D X due to its less sophisticated metering system, but it’s still a step-up over the 5D Mark II.
Like all EOS DSLRs, the 5D Mark III is also supplied with the EOS Utility, which supports full remote control of the camera using a PC or Mac.
The EOS 5D Mark III makes a raft of improvements to the best-selling 5D Mark II to become one of the most complete and well-balanced DSLRs around. The earlier 5D Mark II – not to mention the original 5D Mark I – were all about their big full-frame sensors, often at the cost of other features. This is what you were paying for and many other specifications from continuous shooting to autofocus were actually fairly modest; many owners were also disappointed to find the build and weather sealing were not as good as the price tag may have implied.
Tamron SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD Review
Tamron develops the world’s first1 full-size, fast-aperture standard zoom with built-in image stabilisation – SP 24-70mm F/2.8 Di VC USD (Model A007) with class-leading resolution and Tamron’s proprietary Vibration Compensation.
Pentax Optio WG-2 Review
The camera feels much lighter in the hand than it looks, and at 0.39 pounds it’s certainly not going to weigh you down on the trail. The body features a locking waterproof door covering its Mini HDMI and Mini USB ports, allowing the camera to be submerged up to 12 meters.
The other new addition is the GPS module, which records your location data, as well as your route information in KML format, allowing you to retrace your footsteps when you get home using services like Google Earth and Google Maps. Overall, we’d say the WG-2 has all the makings of a great companion for your next mountainboarding or cross country zorbing trip.