Camera Gear Review News (Page 10)

Just posted: K&F Concept EP324C Multifunction Carbon Fiber Tripod Review.

This tripod, especially with the high-quality ball head included, is an excellent value.

Order the K&F Concept EP324C Multifunction Carbon Fiber Tripod from Amazon USA | B&H | Adorama

Please share!

The Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM Lens page is now filled with information about and expectations for this lens.

This page is nearly the same as the Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens page, with alternatives adjusted for the focal length.

Cutting to the chase: the opening section should tell you most of what you need to know.

Canon USA expects this lens to start shipping on May 19th, 2022.

Order the Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 800mm F5.6 L IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

The Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens page is now filled with information about and expectations for this lens.

Cutting to the chase: the opening section should tell you most of what you need to know.

Canon USA expects this lens to start shipping on May 19th, 2022.

Order the Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 1200mm F8 L IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Just posted: Really Right Stuff Ascend-14 Long Travel Carbon Fiber Tripod Review

This tripod (and lots of other gear) and I just returned from 9 days of photographing landscapes in eastern California. Though very expensive, the Ascend-14 is an outstanding performer – despite its small size and light weight.

Just posted: Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Lens Review.

This is another great member of the Sigma I series.

Order the Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Lens from B&H | Adorama | WEX

Please share!

Image quality, vignetting, and distortion test results along with specs, measurements, and standard product images are now available on the Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Lens page.

Here are some comparisons to get you started:

Compared to the Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Lens

Compared to the Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Lens

Order the Sigma 20mm F2 DG DN Contemporary Lens from B&H | Adorama | WEX

Please share!

Just posted: Impact Folding Wheeled Base Stand Review.

Why did I wait so long? These light stands are sooo much nicer than what I replaced.

Order the Impact Folding Wheeled Base Stand from B&H (on sale — $63.00 instant savings on the 8.5' model, $33.92 on the 11' model) or Amazon USA.

Adorama has a few Impact Folding Wheeled Base Stand (11') in stock.

Please share!

Just posted: Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens Review.

This lens is very similar to its 600mm counterpart, and much of the 400mm lens review will mirror the RF 600mm lens review.

Order the Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA (in stock) | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Just posted: Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens Review.

This review was nearly completed long ago, but the remaining work is now finished. Awesome lens.

If you want this lens, get in line ASAP. I expect it to be hard to get for a long time.

The Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens is available for order at B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Amazon USA (in stock)| WEX

Rent the Canon RF 600mm F4 L IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

The Canon EOS R5 C page is loaded with information about this model.

Order the Canon EOS R5 C Mirrorless Cinema Camera from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX

Image quality test results from the Canon EOS R5 are now available in the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM Lens Review.

Those needing, even sometimes, an all-in-one lens should give this value-priced lens consideration. Expect to need lateral CA correction at the focal length extents.

Order the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Canon USA refurbished | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 24-240mm F4-6.3 IS USM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Image quality test results from the Canon EOS R5 are now available in the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens Review.

Those needing, even sometimes, an ultra-light general-purpose lens with a long focal length range should give this value-priced lens consideration.

Order the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Canon USA (refurbished) | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Image quality test results from the Canon EOS R5 are now available in the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro Lens Review.

Create some image quality comparisons. That link should get you started.

Order the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | Canon USA Refurbished | Amazon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 IS STM Macro Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Just posted: Sony Alpha 7 IV.

The a7 IV is a solid upgrade to its predecessor, the a7 III. While considered a basic model, the a7 IV has an excellent feature set, including an excellent AF system and considerably improved resolution. This camera is a good value.

Order the Sony Alpha 7 IV at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.

Rent the Sony Alpha 7 IV from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Noise test results are now available on the Sony Alpha 7 IV page.

Create some comparisons. I'll get you started:

Sony Alpha 7 IV vs. Sony Alpha 7 III noise comparison.

Already a best seller, the Sony Alpha 7 IV is in stock at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.

Rent the Sony Alpha 7 IV from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Just posted: Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens Review.

Ready for a new creative outlet?

Order the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens from B&H or Adorama | Canon USA (in stock) | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!

Image quality test results from the Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM Lens are available on the Sony Alpha 7 IV page.

FE 135mm test results from the Sony Alpha 1, Sony Alpha a7R IV, and Sony Alpha a7R III are available for direct comparison. Additionally, many cameras have been tested with the Canon EF 200mm f/2L IS USM Lens, making the Sony Alpha 7 IV vs. Sony Alpha 7 III comparison available. That comparison shows the IV's significant resolution increase.

Order the Sony Alpha 7 IV at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.

Rent the Sony Alpha 7 IV from Lensrentals.

Please share!

The Sony a7 IV is here, and it is time to set up this camera for use. Following are the 34 steps I took to make an out-of-the-box a7 IV ready for use.

1. Charge battery
2. Record serial number and add camera to insurance policy
3. Download and install Capture One (for Sony) and/or Sony Imaging Edge (unless your current favorite RAW image processing software supports this camera)
4. Insert charged battery, and power on the camera
5. Set the time zone, date, time, timeformat
6. insert memory card(s)
7. Select M mode, press "Menu", and configure the camera as follows:
8. Shooting Menu, 1 Image Quality: Image Quality Settings: File Format: RAW, RAW File Type: Lossless Comp (full image quality, reduced file size)
9. Shooting Menu, 1 Image Quality: Long Exposure NR: Off (I'll enable this option for very long exposures)
10. Shooting Menu, 1 Image Quality: Lens Compensation: Shading, Chromatic Aberration, and Distortion Comp: All Off (I use the RAW processing software to enable any lens compensation, with CA correction frequently selected)
11. Shooting Menu, 2 Media: Format (ensure there are no important files on the card(s) prior to formatting)
12. Shooting Menu, 3 File: Copyright Info: Write Copyright Info: On, Set Photographer: [your name], Set Copyright: [as desired], Write Serial Number: On (note: entering this information on the touchscreen may be a painful process)
13. Shooting Menu, 6 Drive Mode: Bracket Settings: Bracket order: ->0>+ (considerably enhances image selection for HDR processing)
14. Shooting Menu, 7 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Lens: Disable
15. Shooting Menu, 7 Shutter/Silent: Release w/o Card: Disable (why is this not the default?)
16. Shooting Menu, 10 Shooting Display: Grid Line Display: On (Rule of Thirds selected)
17. Exposure/Color Menu, 6 Color/Tone: D-Range Optimizer: Off
18. Exposure/Color Menu, 6 Color/Tone: Creative Look: NT (Neutral), Sharpness = 1 (this setting provides a lower contrast histogram. I usually process with the Natural creative style in Capture One)
19. Focus Menu, 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-S: AF
20. Focus Menu, 1 AF/MF: Priority Set in AF-C: AF
21. Focus Menu, 2 Focus Area: Focus Area: Spot: S
22. Focus Menu, 2 Switch V/H AF Area: AF Point Only
23. Focus Menu, 3 Face/Eye AF: Face/Eye Frame Disp: On
24. Focus Menu, 5 Peaking Display: On
25. Playback Menu, 4 Delete: "Delete" first
26. Playback Menu, 7 Playback Option: Display Rotation: Off (image fills LCD)
27. Network Menu: 7 Network Menu: Airplane Mode: On
28. Setup Menu: 3 Operation Customize: DISP (Screen Disp) Set: Monitor: Uncheck For viewfinder, press [enter]
29. Setup Menu: 4 Custom Key/Dial Set.: Front Dial: Av/Tv (Tv in M mode) (I adjust the shutter speed more frequently and urgently than aperture and the front dial is easier to access quickly); Rear Dial: Av/Tv (Av in M mode); Rear Control Wheel: Av/Tv (Av in M mode)
30. Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Panel/Pad: Both Valid
31. Setup Menu: 5 Touch Operations: Touch Pad Settings: Touch Position Mode: Relative Position, Operation Area: Whole Screen
32. Setup Menu: 10 Sound Option: Audio signals: Off (how to turn off the loud and usually-annoying AF beep sound)
33. My Menu: Format; Shutter Type; Steady Shot; Face/Eye Subject; Anti-flicker Set.; Flash Comp.
34. With a lens mounted and a subject in focus, adjust the viewfinder diopter until the scene is sharp

I make additional menu and other setting changes based on current shooting scenarios, but this list covers my initial camera setup process.

To copy this configuration means you intend to shoot as I do - including in RAW-only format. While this setup works great for me, you should adjust your setup as needed.

If you can't remember your menu setup parameters, keeping an up-to-date list such as this one is a great idea. Anytime your camera is reset to factory state for some reason, such as when being serviced or when acquiring an additional camera, you will be ready to create your setup quickly while ensuring that an important setting is not omitted. If you purchase another same or similar camera, you will be able to set it up quickly. Consider saving the camera settings to a card (Tools menu, tab 2, Save/Load Settings on card) for an easy restore.

More Information

Sony Alpha 7 IV

Order the Sony Alpha 7 IV at B&H | Adorama | Amazon | WEX.

Rent the Sony Alpha 7 IV from Lensrentals.

"Learn how filmmaker Alexander Hankoff uses the Canon RF5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens to explore new opportunities for storytelling."

Order the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens from B&H | Adorama | Canon USA | WEX

Rent the Canon RF 5.2mm F2.8 L Dual Fisheye Lens from Lensrentals.

Just posted: Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens Review

Upgrading to this lens can be fully justified by multiple enhancements, especially including sharper image quality and lighter weight.

Get the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens at B&H | Adorama | Amazon USA | WEX (in Stock)

Rent the Sony FE 70-200mm F2.8 GM OSS II Lens from Lensrentals.

Please share!