Nikon Z6 Review (excellent image quality, great FF MILC, ePhotozine)

Nikon Z 6
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Nikon Z6 at a glance:

  • 24.5MP FX-Format BSI CMOS Sensor
  • EXPEED 6 Image Processing Engine
  • UHD 4K30 Video; N-Log & 10-Bit HDMI Out
  • 273-Point Phase-Detect AF System
  • Built-In 5-Axis Vibration Reduction
  • 0.80x 3.6m-Dot EVF with NIKKOR Optics
  • 3.2″ 2.1m-Dot Tilting Touchscreen LCD
  • 12 fps Shooting; ISO 100-51200
  • Top-Panel Dot-Matrix OLED; XQD Card Slot

ePhotozine completed their comprehensive review of the Nikon Z6.

From the conclusion:

If you don’t need the 45mp of the Nikon Z7 and want the higher continuous shooting speed, as well as better noise performance, then the Nikon Z6  would be a great choice. Image quality is excellent, with great noise performance, and Nikon’s tried and tested colour reproduction.

It’s a shame the battery life isn’t better, and there will be people who will find one memory card slot an issue. There will also be those that prefer SD cards due to the wide support for them (for example, built-in card readers in laptops), but with the purchase of an XQD card reader, this is quite easily resolved.

Focus performance is very good, with a high success rate, thanks to on-sensor phase detection focus points, although the lack of eye detection focus will be disappointing to those who have used it and seen the benefits. Read the review…

Nikon Z6:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EOS R Review (Canon quietly innovating, D. Abbott)

Canon Eos R Firmware Update
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Dustin Abbott completed his exhaustive review of the new Canon EOS R.

From the conclusion:

Like most new Canon cameras, the initial reaction for many is to be underwhelmed.  It is sometimes easy to overlook the areas where Canon is quietly innovating (the sensor protecting “shield” and control ring on the RF lenses/adapter are genuinely useful innovations) because of the obvious areas where Canon is lagging (no IBIS, video quirks, lower frame rate, single card slot).  Typically Canon cameras prove to be better cameras than their specs, however, and I do think that will be the case here.  What’s somewhat atypical, however, are the ergonomic fails of the EOS R, as that is typically an area of strength for Canon.  In this case an attempt to be innovative (the touch bar) actually proved to be a fail (at least from my perspective).  If you are using a camera on a regular basis, however, you typically learn ways to get it to do what you want it to do, and Canon has allowed for a higher degree of customization on this camera than is typical for them.  The excellent touchscreen also helps in this regard.  I also think that Canon has implemented the best grip I’ve found in a mirrorless camera yet.

Dustin’s review comes with a huge set of sample photos and all sort of tests and analysis. If you prefer to watch the review, the video below tells you everything Dustin has to say about the EOS R.

Canon EOS R world-wide order links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF mount lenses world-wide order links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Oldie But A Goldie: Canon EOS 7D Review (build like a tank and a bargain)

Eos 7d
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Canon EOS 7D at a glance:

  • 18.0 Megapixels
  • 3.0″ LCD
  • HD Video Recording
  • Selectable Video Exposure + Frame Rates
  • Dust & Weather Resistant
  • 100% Viewfinder
  • Self Cleaning Sensor
  • High Sensitivity (ISO 12800)
  • 8fps Burst Mode

Carl Garrard of Photographic Central reviewed the original Canon EOS 7D. The EOS 7D was a revolutionary camera in some sense, and started Canon’s professional APS-C DSLR lineup.

The EOS 7D was released in September 2009, still has a more than respectable specifications sheet. It’s still a camera that’s worth your attention, especially if you consider you can get it for as little as $260. And it’s still the rugged and rock solid camera it has always been. Say’s Carl about the build quality:

[…[ it’s a camera equivalent of a tank. It’s construction is almost 100% magnesium alloy, and feels indestructible and built to last a lifetime. Judging by the huge amount of available second hand 7D’s on the market, it seems this is completely true.

canon eos 7d
The Canon EOS 7D has a magnesium alloy

About the image quality:

So long as you don’t push shadows in the 7D too far, and get your exposure right, it’s capable of some great quality images for the price. I’d say that this is the area where the 7D shows its age most of all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make excellent images with it.

He concludes:

So overall the Canon 7D offers a great entry into the semi pro camera world, and you can do so without emptying your wallet. In fact, I’d recommend anyone considering getting into photography to go the used camera route first (after doing some reading and homework) before spending a lot of money on a system. These days you just have too many excellent options to choose from, but if Canon is a system you are interested in, the EOS 7D is definitely worth a look.

Read the review…

You can find used EOS 7D bodies at Amazon, eBay, Adorama, B&H Photo and KEH.

Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD (A037) Review (D. Abbott)

Tamron 17-35mm
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Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/2.8 to 22
  • Fluorine and BBAR Coatings
  • Optimized Silent Drive AF Motor
  • TAP-in Console Compatible
  • Leak-Proof Lens Seals
  • Rounded 7-Blade Diaphragm

Dustin Abbott posted an exhaustive review of the Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD lens. A lens with a pretty interesting price tag ($599).

What he likes and what not:

Pros:

  • Very strong sharpness across focal range and image frame
  • Very low levels of coma
  • Larger maximum aperture at most focal lengths than competing zooms
  • Chromatic aberrations well controlled
  • Good color rendition and contrast
  • Nice consumer grade build with thorough weather sealing
  • Lighter weight and more compact than competing lenses
  • Excellent price

Cons:

  • Heavy vignette
  • Some strong barrel distortion at 17mm
  • No full time manual override and lifeless manual focus
  • No VC

Dustin Abbott’s review comes with a large set of sample pictures taken with the Tamron 17-35mm on a Canon EOS R and Sony a7, and delivers all the insights you might want to get. If you prefer to watch the review, we have you covered. Just start the videos below.

Tamron 17-35mm F2.8-4 OSD

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon EOS R Review by DPReview

Canon Eos R Firmware Update
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DPReview posted their exhaustive review of the Canon EOS R, and it is not an entirely positive review.

DPReview found a series of things they didn’t like, starting from ergonomics:

Surprisingly for a Canon camera, we’re unimpressed by the EOS R’s ergonomics. The M.Fn Bar is, in its current state, superfluous. The rear dial is too recessed, the buttons are mushy, don’t offer good feedback, and are questionably arranged on the body of the camera. Available customization options are puzzling, with great freedom in some areas and frustrating limitations in others.

From the conclusion:

In the end, it’s perhaps best to look at the EOS R as a case study for the future benefits of the RF system; all native lenses released so far are of very high quality, plus Canon offers a total of three EF lens adapters depending on your needs. But unfortunately, we find it difficult to recommend the EOS R to the broader public besides perhaps existing Canon users looking for a second, lightweight full-frame body. Because ultimately, while the EOS R is unequivocally capable of taking beautiful photos, it too often distracted us and pulled us out of the picture-taking process instead of becoming an invisible part of the process itself, as the best cameras do.

Read the review at DPReview.

The Canon EOS R and RF lenses are in stock and ready to ship

Please use the links below to put your order (international shipping available).

Order the Canon EOS R in the USA: B&H Photo | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon

Order the Canon RF mount lenses in the USA: B&H Photo | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon

Availability should be given also at major retailers in Europe and around the world (you have to check for your country). Please use the links below.

Canon EOS R world-wide order links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF mount lenses world-wide order links:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 Lens Might Be The Best Fast Zoom Lens Ever

Canon RF 28-70mm F/2L Review Rf Mount Canon Eos R
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Welcome to the big, heavy and expensive: the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 for the new EOS R system. A lens that showcases what you can do with the RF mount, and a lens that’s not for everyone. The Canon RF 28-70mm f/2 is optical excellence.

FroKnowsPhoto (aka Jared Polin) video-reviews the Canon RF 28-70mm f/2.

Canon RF 28-70mm f/2:

America: B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA
Europe & UK: Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon IT, Canon IT, WEX Photographic, Canon FR, Canon UK, Canon DE