Tamron SP Di II 60mm F/2 Macro Lens Review
Tamron SP Di II 60mm F/2 Macro Lens Review
February 2010, Carl Garrard
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Tamron's newest macro lens is the new Tamron SP Di 60mm f/2 Macro lens. SP is the designation for Tamron's special performance lens (their professional grade lens). It comes equipped with an internal focus motor, internal focusing design (the lens does not change shape during focusing), and a bright max f/2 aperture rating. Specifically Tamron calls this lens a Di II lens which means that is is optimized optically for digital cameras, and for sensos with an APS-C sized sensor only. However, in my findings during testing this lens on the A900 full frame sensor, some might consider this Tamron to be fully functional for full frame use as well. More on that further in the review. Announced on September 28th, 2009 the Tamron currently sells for about $570.00 in the U.S. Considering this lens could be capable of being a great portrait lens (90mm on APS-C is a great focal length for portrait work), it could be a bargain to some photographers looking for a lens that can do more than its specified task. Lets see how the Tamron performs in testing on our new AMW lens chart, and what my opinion of the overall value of this lens can mean to you. |
Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review
Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review
December 2009, Carl Garrard (*Update 1-18-2010 Price Increase), (*Update 12-20-2009 Price Drop)
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Sony Alpha DSLR A500 Review- The Sony Alpha DSLR A500 is Sony's latest released DSLR this year, along with the Alpha A550. The Alpha A500 and A550 are so close in specifications (a common strategy with Sony DSLRS within the DSLR lineup) that there won't be too much new information to report here in terms of 'paper performance' when compared to the A550 review I prepared, yet I will report on various areas of difference in details that I think are truly worth reading and hit areas that I didn't cover for the A550 review. Together both reviews should give the reader a combined and informative article in total between both cameras, and clarify some key differences that you would experience had you bought both cameras and compared them yourself.
Sony DSLR Alpha A550 Review
Sony Alpha DSLR A550 Review
November 2009, Carl Garrard
(Updated 1-18-2010 Price Increase), (*Updated 12-20-2009 Price Drop)
(*Updated 11-21-2009 User Interface and Conclusion)
| Houston, our Alpha A550 Review has landed. Speed back a few months ago and I was still suffering from an entry level Alpha hangover. I have to admit here that I was still a tad disappointed with those cameras going into the A550 review, and brought some of that disdain with me. After spending just two days with the new Sony Alpha A550 DSLR however, pretty much most of that negativity went away and a fresh green view on this new camera began to emerge. My time spent with Sony and the A550 was brief initially, and left me with a lot of curiosity and questions as well as a pretty good first impression overall. The Sony Alpha A550 charmed away much of my lack luster feelings and thoughts about the new entry level lineup, yet it was vital for me to spend some real time with the A550 alone, to give it a real thorough evaluation. Read on if you please for futher thoughts on this new DSLR from Sony. *Price $950 body only, $1050 with the 18-55mm Kit lens. |  |
Sony Alpha DSLR A850 Review
Sony Alpha DSLR A850 Review - Just Think Alpha A900 "Lite"
September 2009, Carl Garrard (Update 9-27 See Additional Commentary, Page 6)
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Review - Just about a year ago today Sony announced the Alpha A900 DSLR, and nearly a year later its near twin cousin the Alpha A850 hits sales floors at 1/3rd less cost than the Alpha A900. The Alpha A850 is the worlds first full frame digital SLR to break the stubborn 2K sales price at release. There is no question about it, the Alpha A850 represents value. It is also the worlds highest resolution DSLR, sharing the 24.6 megapixel title only with the Alpha A900. If the Alpha A900 turned heads, then certainly the Alpha A850 must as well, yet this time it might make you pull out your wallet. This is a professionals tool, don't let the price fool you. Similar build, performance, and feature set are usually found at a much higher cost. |
Review- Ricoh GR Digital III
Review-Ricoh GR Digital III
August 2009, Carl Garrard (Updated 9-30- New Firmware V1.21 Available!)
| Is the Ricoh GR Digital III the best digital Ricoh Camera to date? This question almost immediatley popped into my mind while I handled the pre-production copy of the GR III, and the same question was repeated after using the final production version of this camera for this review. If you think the GR Digital III looks simliar to the camera it replaces, it does. From the front image of the GR Digital III it is hard to distinguish it from the GR Digital II it replaces, less one very important detail on the front of the lens housing- the 1:1.9 designation. |  |
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Sony Alpha A450 DSLR- Coming to America? Not likely.
Sony A450 DSLR Announced
January 2010, Carl Garrard
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Sony starts off the year early curiously announcing the Alpha A450 DSLR, which looks as though it won't be a model available to Canada, the United States, or the South American territories as it was not reported to the press as a model available in these countries (at least not yet). Unless there is a future press release, it appears as though this model will not be available in these regions at this time. So while the following isn't a review per se, we thought we'd talk a bit about it here instead.
Sony Alpha A500, Nikon D5000, and Canon EOS Rebel T1i- Compared
Sony Alpha A500 vs. Nikon D5000 and Canon EOS Rebel T1i
December 2009, Carl Garrard
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| Sony ALPHA DSLR A500 | Canon EOS Rebel T1i | Nikon DSLR D5000 |
Here I am doing a quick comparison based on current market prices of these three popular DSLRS. Looking at these three cameras, makes an interesting market choice at the counter for a new to DSLR buyer. Canon and Nikon seem to be going head to head in specifications with each other, where as Sony is definitely catering to a different crowd.
New Ricoh GRD III Feature Enhancing Firmware Update
November 26, 2009 (Happy Thanksgiving U.S!)
Ricoh releases first function-enhancing firmware update for GR DIGITAL III
Tokyo, Japan – November 26 – Ricoh Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Shiro Kondo) announced today that it will release on December 1 the first function-enhancing firmware update for its GR DIGITAL III, a high image quality compact digital camera launched in August 2009.
Ricoh GXR Preview
Ricoh GXR Preview - The Interchangeable Lens Sensor Unit Camera System
November 2009, Carl Garrard (Update 11-12, Production Samples, 11-11-09, important links)
| GXR Preview - Just when we thought that compact cameras were about as interesting as they can get, Ricohs' genius design team decides to wow the entire photographic industry and community by introducing the all new Ricoh GXR, yet another completely different and unique camera system. As implied, the Ricoh GXR is actually a camera system, it cannot be referred too as a 'camera' by all intents and purposes, because the heart of camera itself lies within interchangeable units sold separately (just think a DSLR lens that comes with its own sealed sensor and processing unit). Two interchangeable units (the A-12 and S-10) will be available by early December- a 1 1/7.5" sized sensor mated with a 24-72mm f/2.5-f/4.4 lens unit, and a APS-C 33mm mated to a (50mm 35mm equivalent) f/2.5 'macro' lens unit as well. |  |
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