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Sharpness Tests of the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 DG HSM Art
We’ve had a number of fun, new lenses to test this summer and one I was pretty eager to get to was the Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art, for a couple of reasons. First of all, it’s a 14mm lens that has a wider aperture than f/2.8, and that’s certainly interesting. Second, it’s a new Sigma Art prime lens, and…
Experiments For Ultra High Resolution Camera Sensors
GEEK ALERT!! Let’s be absolutely clear; this is not a useful article in regards to your technique. It won’t help your photography or videography become better. It won’t help you choose equipment any time in the next couple of years. It won’t provide any fodder for your next Forum War. It’s just a…
Sharpness Tests of the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8
Sony released the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 lens a while ago, and while it’s the kind of lens I generally love, we just now got enough time freed up to test it and present the results. As with most brands, and 85mm f/1.8 lens gives a lot of the advantages of a fast prime while saving a lot of money over…
Sony FE 12-24mm f/4 G MTF Tests
*Lensrentals.com, 2017* I usually don’t do any prerelease testing. Mostly that’s because manufacturers will send one prerelease copy to a reviewer. If you tell them you won’t test less than ten copies they look at you like, well, I don’t know what they look at you like because I only communicate by…
Review of the Leica M10: The Perfect Leica or The Perfect Leica?
When I heard Leica was finally releasing the long awaited Leica M10, I got really, really excited. I’ve been a Leica fan for many years, having owned an old film MP for a while, then playing with all the digital bodies when I started working here about seven years ago. All the camera bodies that…
What You Need to Photograph Fireworks This Summer
Tis the season. Summers are often filled with relaxing, beach fronts, vacations, and of course fireworks. With Independence Day fast approaching, we’re getting calls and emails inquiring about how to photograph those annual fireworks displays properly. The conditions, from a photography standpoint,…
Simplifying the Complexities of Lighting in Photography
As someone who teaches workshops tailored to lighting, I’m always reminded how many people have a gross misunderstanding of how light travels and is used within photography. And while I usually start my workshops with an open lesson on the reality of how light functions. I’m frequently reminded,…
My Not Quite Complete Protective Filter Article
Well, I’ve written (with some misgivings because it has a tendency to create rioting in the streets) several articles about protective filters. Articles that say sometimes you shouldn’t use protective filters, and others that say sometimes you do need to use protective filters, and most recently,…
A Videographer’s Take on Sony’s a99II and the Yet to be Antiquated A-Mount
As a videographer, it’s easy to forget about Sony’s A-Mount. Still, I recognize that I owe a great deal of respect to the previous Minolta line. In its prime, Minolta developed several revolutionary functions that are often taken for granted today. Minolta’s Single Lens Reflex (SLR) technology was…
First Impressions of the New Sony a9
There is no doubt that Sony has changed the game with their camera systems over the last few years – particularly with their mirrorless systems. Last month, Sony unveiled their newest in their pro-level cameras, with the Sony a9 – and we were among the first to be able to get our hands on it and…
Yet Another Post About My Issues With UV Filters
Yes, I’m sick of filter articles, too. But I come today not to educate you, but to mock others. Because yes, people continue to try to save a few bucks by putting a cheap filter in front of their $1,000 lens. And also because they buy what they think are good filters off of Fleabay or some used…
A Look At The New Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS With Smooth Trans Focus
The new Sony FE 100mm f/2.8 STF GM OSS lens is one of Sony’s latest lens offerings for their full frame mirrorless cameras. It’s another lens in Sony’s pro-grade G Master series, with built-in stabilization and SSM autofocus system. It’s designed to be used as a portrait lens, and it has what Sony…