Posts Tagged ‘maximum aperture’
Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G ED Review
Developed to be especially compact for an FX-format zoom lens, this 24-85mm NIKKOR is ideal for people who want a walkabout lens that offers the freedom to shoot a wide variety of day-to-day moments and subjects. The versatile 24-85mm range covers most commonly used focal lengths with ease: from landscapes to portraits, you can go fairly wide or zoom into distant objects without needing to change lenses.
Sharp and Steady
Complementing the versatile focal range is Nikon’s second-generation Vibration Reduction technology (VRII) — that allows substantially sharper handheld images across the zoom range and dramatically reduces image blur, especially when shooting towards the telephoto end of the range. VRII also enables you to shoot using shutter speeds up to four stops slower, enabling you to shoot more effectively when shooting in low light.
Nikon’s Super Integrated Coating ensures superb color reproduction, while Extra-Low Dispersion (ED) glass and three aspherical lens elements help deliver stunning sharpness and contrast, even at maximum aperture.
Good to Go
Well-balanced in terms of size, weight, price and image quality — and boasting a weather-sealed mount — this lens offers a worthwhile combination of precision NIKKOR optics, broad focal range and lightweight build for people on the go.
FujiFilm FinePix T300 Review
At the heart of the Fujifilm FinePix T300 digital camera sits a 14 megapixel CCD image sensor, which allows capture of not only high-resolution still images, but also of high-definition 720p video at 30 frames per second. The Fuji T300 places its sensor behind a FUJINON-branded 10x optical zoom lens, with actual focal lengths ranging from 5 to 50mm. This equates to the same range as a 35mm camera with a 28mm – 280mm lens, a useful wide angle to a moderate telephoto Maximum aperture ranges from f/3.4 at wide angle to f/5.6 at telephoto. Given the powerful telephoto reach, mechanical image stabilization is obviously a necessity to fight blur from camera shake, and the Fuji FinePix T300 includes sensor shift stabilization.
The Fuji FinePix T300 lacks any form of optical or electronic viewfinder, instead relying on a 3.0-inch LCD display with 230,000 dots of resolution, roughly equivalent to a 320 x 240 pixel array, with each pixel comprising separate red, green, and blue colored dots.
It also includes both smile and blink detection capability, automatic red-eye removal, and a motion panorama mode that stitches up to three separate shots into a single image.
SIGMA AF 70-200/2.8 EX DG OS HSM Lens Review
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM.This large aperture telephoto zoom lens incorporates Sigma’s original Optical Stabilizer function.
The lens covers a medium telephoto range of focal lengths from 70mm to 200mm and has a large maximum aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an image sensor shift anti-shake system.
As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement. Two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration.
High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range and an optimum optical power layout provides superior optical quality in all shooting ranges from close-up to infinity. Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring a quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus capability.
The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 140cm (55.1”) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:8. The rounded 9 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out of focus images. This lens is equipped with a Petal-type hood. For digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, a dedicated hood adapter, which expands the length of the lens hood, is supplied.
Buy the Sigma AF 70-200/2.8 EX
Sony DSC-W370 Cyber-Shot Review
The Sony Cyber-shot DSC-W370 digital camera is based around a 1/2.3″-type 14.1 effective megapixel Sony SuperHAD CCD image sensor with RGB color filter array, coupled to a Sony-branded 7x optical zoom lens. The Sony W370′s lens offers a 35mm-equivalent range from a rather tight 34mm wide angle to a useful 238mm telephoto. The lens has a two-step aperture with ND filter, which offers either F3.6 or F7.1 at wide angle; at telephoto the maximum aperture is F5.6, and the minimum aperture isn’t stated. Autofocusing is possible to a minimum of ten centimeters at wide angle, or 100 centimeters at telephoto. The camera can capture 4:3 aspect ratio images at up to 4,320 x 3,240 pixel resolution, 16:9 aspect ratio images at up to 4,320 x 2,432 pixels, or 30 frames-per-second video at 720p (1,280 x 720 pixel) resolution or below with monaural audio, using MPEG-4 AVC / H.264 compression. In addition, the W370 includes Sony’s Sweep Panorama function for the first time in a CCD-based Cyber-shot camera, allowing automatic creation of a 243-, 167-, 127- or 88-degree panoramas in-camera by simply sweeping the lens across the subject.
On the rear panel of the Sony Cyber-shot W370 is a 2.7-inch TFT Clear Photo LCD panel with 100% coverage, and a resolution of 230,400 dots. This serves as the only method of framing and reviewing images, given that the Sony W370 doesn’t feature an optical viewfinder. The Sony DSC-W370 has a 9-point autofocus system, and does include a face detection and recognition system, capable of detecting up to eight faces in a scene and differentiating between children and adults. This capability is used to provide a Smile Shutter function that automatically triggers the shutter when your subject is smiling, as well as both anti-blink and blink-detection features. The W370 offers three methods for determining exposures – multi-pattern, center-weighted or spot metering. Shutter speeds from 2 to 1/1,600 second are possible under automatic control, and sensitivities ranging from ISO 80 to 3,200 equivalents are on offer, with ISO 80 to 1,600 available under automatic control. 2.0EV of exposure compensation is available, in 1/3 EV steps. The DSC-W370 also offers Sony’s Optical SteadyShot image stabilization, useful for combatting blur caused by camera shake without adversely affecting image quality.
Nine white balance settings are available, including auto and seven presets, plus a manual white balance setting. As well as Intelligent Auto and Program modes, the W370 offers a selection of ten scene modes – High Sensitivity, Twilight, Twilight Portrait, Soft Snap, Landscape, Beach, Snow, Gourmet, Pet, and Sweep Panorama – which offer a modicum of control over the look of images. There’s also an intelligent scene mode which can automatically select from a subset of eight scene modes – twilight, twilight portrait, twilight using a tripod, backlight, backlight portrait, landscape, macro and portrait – as appropriate. The Sony W370 includes a four-mode flash strobe with red-eye reduction capability. Flash range is stated as 0.2 to 5.0 meters at wide angle, or 0.5 to 3.2 meters at telephto, when using automatic ISO sensitivity. A two- or ten-second self timer allows the photographer to get in the picture themselves, or to avoid camera shake caused by pressing the shutter button when shooting on a tripod.
Images and movies can be recorded on Sony’s proprietary Memory Stick Duo, PRO Duo (Mark 2 only), PRO Duo High Speed, or PRO-HG Duo cards, as well as the more common Secure Digital and Secure Digital High Capacity cards. 19MB of internal memory is also available, enough to capturing a few of the most important photos should you forget to bring a flash card along. The Sony W370 includes HDMI high definition and NTSC / PAL standard definition video output connectivity, as well as USB 2.0 High Speed data connectivity. Power comes courtesy of a proprietary NP-BK1 Infolithium battery pack.
Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR Review
Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR megazoom camera
Compact, lightweight bridge cameras offering long zoom and high image quality have proved a big hit with those looking for an alternative to bulky interchangeable lens systems. Users of the Fujifilm FinePix S200 EXR will find their results equal or superior to DSLRs, principally due to revolutionary design of the EXR sensor.
Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR improvements
The key improvements of the FinePix S200EXR over the FinePix S100FS are:
• 1/1.6″ 12 megapixel Super CCD EXR sensor
• EXR Priority modes and EXR Auto
• Pro Focus Mode and Pro Lowlight Mode
• 5 Film Simulation Modes (Black & White mode and Sepia mode is added)
• A new 2.7″ high contrast 230k dot LCD
• New ‘Super Intelligent Flash’
• Improved battery life – almost a 50% increase on the FinePix S100FS
• Combined CCD-RAW (EXR) / JPEG shooting
Fujifilm FinePix S200 EXR features a 14.3 zoom lens
The massive 14.3x zoom lens is truly a delight to use in such a compact, lightweight design. The ultra-high precision Fujinon lens achieves maximum resolution at all focal lengths of 30.5mm-436mm equivalent with maximum aperture of a bright F2.8 (wide angle) to F5.3 (telephoto). Because of the composite body and lens structure, there is no need to worry about dirt or dust on the Super CCD EXR sensor, and they are perfectly aligned for the very best results. The mechanical zoom offers image framing with fingertip precision as well as offering a user experience that closely matches the use of a high-end DSLR.
EXR sensor incorporated in the Fujifilm S200EXR
The Super CCD EXR sensor on the FinePix S200EXR was built to perfectly match the optical qualities of the 14.3x lens. The goal was to produce a sensor/lens combination that works as close to that of the human eye as possible. The Fujifilm EXR sensor is essentially a switchable sensor; changing its complex electronic behavior to suit the subject, changing its characteristics as the photographer demands, and producing the very best picture without making compromises.
Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR sensor modes
The new Super CCD EXR sensor has already won great acclaim with the Fujifilm FinePix F200EXR. Combined with the much bigger, more powerful 14.3x lens, it delivers quite astounding results. The Fujifilm S200EXR offers 3 switchable modes in one sensor:
• High Resolution (HR) mode, which deploys all 12 million pixels, and is designed to offer the finest detail of intricate subjects when light is full and even;
• Wide Dynamic Range (DR) mode, which captures different exposures with two sets of 6 million pixels, which, when combined, gives an excellent level of detail in highlights that would otherwise be lost.
• High Sensitivity and Low Noise (SN) mode, which caps two adjacent pixels together to produce 6 million large photodiodes, which are big enough to absorb light in the darkest of conditions, to produce low-light shots of extraordinary quality with minimal noise and grain.
The FinePix S200EXR in summary:
- Super CCD EXR 1/1.6” 12 Megapixel switchable sensor
- EXR Priority Modes and EXR Auto Mode
- Fujinon 14.3x optical zoom (30.5mm- 436mm)
- Manual barrel zoom
- High Contrast LCD monitor 2.7” 230K dots
- Electronic View Finder (EVF), 0.2”, 200k dots
- Ultra High Sensitivity (Up to 12800 at 3MP resolution)
- Pro Focus Mode / Pro Lowlight Mode
- Dual Image Stabilization (ISO and Optical Image Stabilization)
- 5 Film Simulation Modes
- Up to 800% increased Dynamic Range
- Face Detection 3.0 with Automatic Red-eye removal
- 3 Bracketing functions (Dynamic Range, Film Simulation and Auto Exposure)
- Super Intelligent Flash
- Simultaneous capture of both JPEG and CCD RAW (EXR) images
- Movie Mode with sound (640 x 480, 30 fps) with zoom function
- Custom modes
Buy the Fujifilm FinePix S200EXR